Apple released M3-series MacBook Pros in fall 2023. Reports are suggesting a faster update cycle, with rumours of an M4 MacBook Pro already circulating. This article will track these rumours and analyze them based on Apple’s current product lineup. According to Macworld’s statement, We can expect to hear more between now and the potential M4 MacBook Pro release.
MacBook Pro M4 could be expected
Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg reporter, claims Apple is aiming to make a significant impact in the booming AI market with the M4 chip, which will boast substantial AI improvements. According to Gurman, Apple is eager to release the M4 as soon as possible, potentially including it in MacBook Pro models launching later this year.
This would signify a release roughly a year after the M3-series MacBook Pros if launched in the fall of 2024. However, Gurman cautions that these plans are subject to change, without specifying whether an earlier or later release is possible.
Expected specs and price
Design and Features
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect (and not expect) with the upcoming M4 MacBook Pro:
Design: Buckle up for a familiar look. Apple is likely sticking with the current MacBook Pro design for the M4 generation, meaning it’ll primarily be a chip upgrade.
Memory: Potential memory bump! While unconfirmed for MacBooks, reports suggest Apple might raise the memory limit for high-end desktops with the M4. The M4’s focus on AI could translate to more on-chip RAM for MacBooks as well, although design limitations might prevent a significant increase compared to desktops.
Battery Life: A mystery for now. The M4’s impact on battery life remains unclear. It could be more efficient, boosting battery life, or power-hungry, leading to the opposite effect.
Colors: A splash of possibility? With the M3 Pro/Max release, Apple introduced Space Black alongside Silver. The base M3 model offered Space Gray or Silver. While unconfirmed, a new color option for the M4 MacBook Pro isn’t out of the question.
Other Features: Here’s what likely won’t change: display brightness (likely staying at 600 nits), size, weight, camera, mics, speakers, ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
14-inch MacBook Pro
- $1,599/£1,699: M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
- $1,799/£1,899: M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.
- $1,999/£2,099: Two options:
- M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.
- M3 Pro chip with 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
- $2,399/£2,499: M3 Pro chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.
- $3,199/£3,299: M3 Max chip with 14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.
16-inch MacBook Pro
- $2,499/£2,599: M3 Pro chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
- $2,899/£2,999: M3 Pro chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
- $3,499/£3,599: M3 Max chip with 14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.
- $3,999/£4,099: M3 Max chip with 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage.