Apple is rumored to release a new M4 refresh for its affordable MacBook Air laptop next month, marking the anniversary of the M3 Air’s release in March 2024. The M4 chip promises improved performance and efficiency compared to the existing M3 chip.
Currently, the cheapest M4-equipped MacBook available is the 14-inch Pro model priced at $1,599, which would make an M4 upgrade for the 13-inch Air significantly more affordable at $1,099. Expect incremental gains in CPU and GPU performance from the M4 chip, but not revolutionary changes.
The M3 chip in the current 13-inch MacBook Air has 8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores, while the M4 chip in the baseline 14-inch Pro has 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. Apple claims the M4 is twice as fast as the M3 with AI workloads.
Both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models are expected to receive the M4 update, but there have been no rumors of design changes. This appears to be an internal software update only. If you’re considering purchasing a new MacBook Air, it’s worth waiting for further confirmation on the release date.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apple-rumors-m4-macbook-air-update-expected-soon