Apple’s product launch team is gearing up for an exciting first quarter of 2025. With the iPhone 16e unveiled, the focus shifts to the Mac lineup, particularly the highly anticipated MacBook Air equipped with the latest Apple Silicon M4 chipset. Benchmarking data from Geekbench has provided insights into the potential performance of the upcoming laptops.
The “Mac 16,2” model, expected to be the 13-inch MacBook Air, outperforms its current M3-equipped counterpart, even assuming software optimization is still in place before a possible late-Q1 2025 release. The “Mac 16,3” model, representing the 15-inch MacBook Air, has also been benchmarked and boasts improved performance.
The hardware features a 10-core version of the M4 chipset, but it’s unclear whether this will be a standard feature across all models or a higher-spec variant available at a lower price point. Apple aims to keep entry-level prices at $999, which could make the lower-specced chipset more accessible.
Benchmarking reveals an advantage over previous M3-equipped MacBook Air models, particularly in GPU performance. The M4-powered MacBook Pro model is expected to outperform its M4 counterpart due to improved thermal efficiency. This trend follows the first Apple Silicon for macOS chipset launch with the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro.
Gains in GPU performance are notable, with a 30% increase over Metal and OpenCL benchmarks. However, it remains to be seen whether this performance can be sustained or if it’s a short-term spike before thermal issues require throttling of the silicon.
The M4 chipset will be one of the last Apple product lines to launch an M4 version, following the M1 in the MacBook Air and other variants. Given the annual cycle Apple seems to be settling into, expect the MacBook Air to remain current for only a few weeks before a potential M5 launch around Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in May or June.
For consumers who need power on tap for coding, developing, editing, and creativity, the premium is worth it for MacBook Pro models. However, daily drivers will find the lower yet substantial power available in the MacBook Air sufficient for their needs. The Apple Silicon consistently delivers impressive performance, helping Apple maintain a healthy profit margin on its popular macOS laptop.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2025/02/22/apple-macbook-air-m4-specs-leak-performance-new-macbook-air