Apple Set to Unveil New Macs Soon, iPads Delayed

Apple is reportedly on the brink of launching a new generation of MacBook Air models in the upcoming days. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the tech giant may announce the MacBook Air M4 as early as this week, amidst dwindling stock levels of the current models at both Apple and third-party retailers.

The latest iteration of the MacBook Air is expected to maintain its existing design but will be powered by the new M4 system-on-chip (SoC), which is also found in the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. The current MacBook Air, which features the M3 SoC, has been available since March 2024. Users can expect a modest performance boost, particularly in multi-core tasks, which could see an increase of around 25%. The base RAM configuration is likely to start at 16GB, with the M4 SoC comprising 10 CPU and 10 GPU cores. Additionally, improvements in battery life are anticipated. The pricing for the MacBook Air begins at approximately EUR1300, while the 15-inch variant is priced at an additional EUR300.

In contrast, the launch of new iPad models is expected to take a bit longer. Bloomberg indicates that the upcoming iPad Air M3 and iPad 11 models are scheduled to be released soon; however, specific timing remains uncertain. The iPad Air is expected to deliver enhanced performance compared to its predecessor, which utilized the M2 chip. The iPad 11 may transition to the A17 Pro, allowing for advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities. Although there was speculation regarding a switch to the M4 for the iPad Air, this would bring it too close in specifications to the iPad Pro M4.

Further advancements in Apple's product lineup are anticipated over the coming months, including the Mac Pro M4 and Mac Studio M4. These products have yet to receive the M2 upgrade, despite being targeted towards professional users. There is speculation that Apple might leap directly to the M5 chip for these models, a move that could appeal to many consumers. However, the exact release date for the new Apple Silicon SoCs remains unclear. Notably, the M4 made its debut in the iPad Pro last year, which was an unusual strategy for Apple.