Apple M4 MacBook Air Launch Expected Ahead of Low-Cost iPad and iPhone SE 4 Announcement

With the recent introduction of the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, complete with the advanced M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chipsets, many speculated that Apple might take a pause before launching the next MacBook Air series. Contrary to that belief, recent updates suggest that Apple is poised to take a different route. While anticipation mounts for the iPhone SE 4, Apple’s focus appears to be on releasing enhanced MacBook models ahead of schedule.

Early Arrival of M4 MacBook Air Models Expected

In the latest edition of his ‘Power On’ newsletter, renowned Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman revealed that the production of both 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models is already well underway. In a recent post on X, he discussed Apple’s product launch timeline for 2025, indicating that the budget-friendly iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11 won’t be the headliners. Instead, the M4 MacBook Air models are set to debut ‘earlier,’ likely in the spring of next year.

While a specific launch date has yet to be disclosed, this timeline isn’t necessarily alarming. Reports suggest that Apple does not plan any dramatic redesigns for the new M4 MacBook Air models, focusing instead on upgraded specifications. Expectations are set for enhancements similar to those seen in the latest MacBook Pro models, including an increase in unified RAM to 16GB and a rise in base storage capacity to 512GB.

As I wrote in October, new entry level iPads (J481 and J482) are coming in the spring. iPhone SE, new iPad Air are on the same general timeline. The M4 MacBook Air will be earlier. https://t.co/0tUlePyFRZ

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 23, 2024

Apple seems to have listened to consumers regarding the limitations of an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration, which many have found inadequate given the absence of upgrade options. Additionally, the tech giant appears to be addressing pricing concerns. The base model of the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro has seen a price reduction to just $1,399 on Amazon, with other variants also enjoying discounts. This competitive pricing contrasts positively with previous generations.

The upcoming 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are anticipated to maintain their fan-less designs, utilizing a large heatsink to manage heat dissipation. Although this strategy may not be the most efficient for temperature control, the benefits of reduced weight and silent operation are expected to appeal to many users.

For more updates, follow Mark Gurman on Twitter.

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