Apple is buzzing with activity as rumors and leaks point to the imminent launch of new iPad Air models and the highly anticipated M4 MacBook Air. Tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting official announcements, with speculation rife about specifications, design tweaks, and pricing strategies. Here's what we know so far.
iPad Air: Familiar Design, Performance Boost
The new iPad Air, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, is expected to retain its familiar design while receiving a minor performance boost. The tablets are slated to ship around March 12, offering users a refreshed experience without a radical departure from the current aesthetic. Apple is also continuing to integrate further into the home with security cameras that are compatible with Apple HomeKit and Siri. These security cameras are expected to be the best ones to buy in 2025.
Recent reports also suggest that Apple is focusing on enhancing the AI capabilities of its devices. The M4 chip, expected to power both the iPad Pro and the MacBook Air, boasts an improved Neural Engine capable of over 38 trillion operations per second. While Apple has remained tight-lipped about specific real-world applications, the potential for AI-driven features is generating considerable excitement.
M4 MacBook Air: What to Expect
The M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini are already available, but the M4 MacBook Air has been noticeably absent. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the M4 MacBook Air is predicted to be announced around March 5, 2025, with sales potentially starting no earlier than March 13. This timeline aligns with Apple's current Higher Education Offer in Australia, which runs until March 13 and offers free AirPods with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac purchases.
Tim Cook himself fueled the speculation with a cryptic tweet hinting at something "in the Air" this week. While the tweet could refer to the iPad Air update, the consensus is that the M4 MacBook Air is the more likely candidate.
Under the Hood: M4 Chip and Design
The M4 chip is expected to bring significant performance improvements compared to its predecessor, the M3. The M4 features two extra efficiency cores and higher memory bandwidth (120GBps versus 100GBps). It's anticipated that Apple will use the 10-core CPU version of the chip for the MacBook Air.
Design-wise, the M4 MacBook Air is not expected to deviate significantly from the current aesthetic introduced with the M2 chip. However, the Midnight version may retain its anodization seal to reduce fingerprints, a feature previously introduced with the Space Black MacBook Pro.
Potential Price Points and Product Lineup
There's speculation that Apple might discontinue the M3 MacBook Air, potentially keeping the M2 MacBook Air in the lineup to offer a more affordable entry point. Pricing remains a key consideration, especially with potential tariff implications. The current M3 MacBook Air models are priced as follows:
13-inch MacBook Air: - $1,099/£1,099: M3 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU; 16GB unified memory; 256GB SSD - $1,299/£1,299: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB unified memory; 512GB SSD - $1,499/£1,499: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB unified memory; 512GB SSD
Apple will likely offer similar configurations for the M4 MacBook Air, but the possibility of a less powerful entry-level model remains to offset potential price increases. Only time will tell how Apple navigates these challenges.
With announcements expected soon, the tech world is holding its breath to see what Apple has in store. Keep checking back for updates as more information becomes available.