Apple Gears Up for M4 Processor Rollout in Late 2024
Despite the recent launch of the M3 MacBook laptops, Apple is already gearing up for their successors. According to reports, the tech giant is planning to equip its mobile Macs with M4 processors in late 2024, with a strong emphasis on enhancing their artificial intelligence capabilities.
A Strategic Move?
The timing of this news is particularly intriguing, as it comes on the heels of Microsoft’s announcement of their new generation of laptops featuring Snapdragon X Elite processors. Microsoft believes these laptops will significantly outperform Macs like the M3 MacBook Air. The leak about Apple’s M4 plans feels like a calculated response to steal the spotlight back.
The information comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter. If the report is accurate, it’s promising news for potential MacBook Pro buyers, as they’re likely to be the first to receive M4-powered machines.
M4 Variants and AI Focus
As with previous M-series processors, the M4 will come in multiple variants catering to different performance levels. Gurman states that there will be “at least three varieties” – likely M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max – and Apple plans to update every Mac model with the new chip.
The processor line includes an entry-level version called Donan for the cheapest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini; a more powerful Brava for the pricier MacBook Pro models; and a top-end Hidra for the Mac Pro, which may support up to half a terabyte of memory.
Apple’s focus this year will be on artificial intelligence, aligning with the upcoming WWDC developer event in June and the rumored significant AI focus in Apple’s mobile operating systems.
M4 Mac Release Timeline
According to Gurman, Apple’s current plans – subject to change – are to start shipping M4 Macs in late 2024 and early 2025. The lineup will include:
- New iMacs
- Low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro
- High-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros
- Mac minis
But that’s not all. The report also suggests that Apple intends to update the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Air “by the spring,” release an M4-powered Mac Studio in the summer, and launch a new Mac Pro towards the end of the year.
As Apple prepares for this rapid transition to M4 processors, it’s clear that the company is committed to staying at the forefront of mobile computing performance and AI capabilities.
1 Comment
Just when my wallet thought it was safe, Apple announces something new!