The technology company will launch new models of one of its flagship products before the Christmas season.
Apple is expected to launch three powerful new MacBooks this month: the MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, the MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip, and the MacBook Pro with an M4 Max chip, all of which will go on sale during the first week of November . These models will introduce the new M4 Silicon chip to the Mac platform, though the company decided to debut that chip in the iPad Pro in May. The focus will still be on the MacBook Pro branding, and you’ll be faced with the classic Apple choice: three processors with varying levels of performance.
There is a group of users who really need a high level of computing power, and many of them require that power in a portable form factor like a laptop. However, for the rest, the best option is the lighter and more affordable MacBook Air. It is important to note that Apple is not expected to introduce a MacBook Air with an M4 chip at the upcoming event . Instead, if you are looking for a new laptop for the holiday season, you will be directed towards the MacBook Pro with the entry-level M4 chip.
Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter , noted that Apple is lagging in the realm of generative AI. The launch of the iPhone 16 in September highlighted the company’s efforts around so-called Apple Intelligence. However, neither iOS nor iPadOS have this technology yet, and you’ll have to wait until Halloween week to download the first versions of this software , which will be released in stages.
When the new MacBook Pros do come out, they’ll also emphasize AI, but full implementation won’t be available until March 2025. Even as the company pushes AI as the next big thing, it’s years behind the competition . According to some Apple employees, its generative AI technology is at least two years behind industry leaders.
If you’re considering a MacBook Pro, keep in mind that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models are likely too powerful for the average consumer. The laptop with the base M4 chip might seem like the best option , but the machine itself is in an awkward position in Apple’s lineup. It’s basically a MacBook Air with a fan to cool the chip, which provides a small boost in power.
If you need more power, then you should consider the more expensive versions of the MacBook Pro, as the extra investment will pay off over the life of the machine. However, if price is a concern, the MacBook Air is the more reasonable choice. In previous years, Apple’s cheaper laptops were seen as less capable, but the introduction of Apple Silicon chips changed that perception. Even the MacBook Air with the M1 chip outperformed many Windows laptops sold at twice the price.
The argument that you couldn’t get performance at a base price no longer holds water. The MacBook Air with the M1 chip could comfortably compete with the best consumer-focused laptops. This remains true today, even as Apple struggles to regain leadership in generative AI for consumers.
If you really need maximum power, MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are for you. But the advancements made by Apple Silicon mean that even a base MacBook Air offers enough power and flexibility for content creators, developers, and artists, while meeting the needs of enterprise-level IT departments around the world.
For most users, it’s best to skip the new MacBook Pro and wait for the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. If you’re in a hurry, seriously consider the current MacBook Air with the M3 chip.
