New MacBook Air coming soon – M4 chip in focus Apfelpatient

Apple plans to introduce new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip and, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, sales should begin no later than March 2025. That would be a year after the last update of the MacBook Air series with the M3 chip. The new models with 13- and 15-inch displays will most likely mark the next stage of development of the MacBook Air series.

Apple follows a relatively stable update cycle for the MacBook Air. While there used to often be several years between new models, Apple has been releasing regular annual updates in recent years, especially since switching to its own Apple Silicon processors. The last update, the MacBook Air with M3 chip, was released in March 2024. Now, a year later, Apple seems to be planning another update. Stocks of the M3 MacBook Air are dwindling, suggesting that its successor could be coming soon.

Release date and notes from macOS Sequoia

Mark Gurman according to Apple will introduce the new MacBook Air models within the next few weeks, with sales expected to start in March at the latest. The first hints of the new devices were already available in December 2024, when Apple released internal files with the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update that pointed to two unreleased devices:

Mac16,12 – probably the MacBook Air 13-inch with M4
Mac16,13 – probably the MacBook Air 15-inch with M4

These clues were quickly discovered and since then it has been clear that Apple is working on new MacBook Air models.

Design and display – will everything stay the same?

The design of the MacBook Air changed significantly with the introduction of the M2 chip in 2022, and has since opted for a more angular chassis without the previous wedge shape. It is unlikely that Apple is planning any major design changes for the MacBook Air M4. No major changes are expected in the display either.

Pricing – will the MacBook Air M4 remain affordable?

There is no official information yet about the price of the new models. However, it can be assumed that Apple will stick to the previous prices.

MacBook Air 13-inch (M4): expected to be available from 1,299 euros
MacBook Air 15-inch (M4): expected to be available from 1,599 euros

Is it worth waiting for the MacBook Air M4?

Anyone who currently owns a MacBook Air with M3 will probably not necessarily need an upgrade, as the devices are still powerful. However, anyone who uses an older MacBook or is currently thinking about buying a MacBook Air could benefit from the new model. This is because:

Future-proofing: The M4 chip is expected to receive software updates for several years.
Performance improvement: Those who use computationally intensive programs could benefit from the M4.
Longer battery life: Apple optimizes energy efficiency with each new chip.

If you use the MacBook Air more for everyday tasks such as browsing, office work or streaming, you could also go for the M3 MacBook Air, especially if it becomes cheaper in the next few weeks.

Apple prepares to launch the MacBook Air M4

All indications are that Apple will introduce the new MacBook Air models by March 2025 at the latest. Stocks of the current models are dwindling, and data on the new devices has already been found with the macOS Sequoia update. The biggest difference from the predecessor will be the M4 chip, which will likely provide more power and longer battery life. Anyone looking for a powerful and future-proof MacBook should keep an eye on the official announcement in the next few weeks. (Image: Apple)