MacBook Air laptops are showcased during WWDC22 at Apple Park (Photo by Justin … [+]
Apple is gearing up for a busy first quarter of 2025. With the recent unveiling of the iPhone 16e, tech fans are now turning their attention to the Mac lineup. They’re eager to see if Apple will introduce a new MacBook Air featuring the advanced M4 chipset.
Two MacBook Air models have already surfaced in online benchmarking tools. This indicates that a launch could be happening soon, and gives us a glimpse into the potential performance of these new laptops.
Benchmarking The MacBook Air M4
Information about the next MacBook Air, likely the first to include the M4 chip, comes from Geekbench.
The “Mac 16,2” model, believed to be the upcoming 13-inch MacBook Air, has shown impressive results, outperforming the current M3 model. The “Mac 16,3,” recognized as the forthcoming 15-inch version, is also in the spotlight.
The benchmark data reveals that these models are running a 10-core variant of the M4 chip. While 8-core and 9-core versions may also be offered, it seems likely the 10-core option will be available in higher-end configurations. Apple aims to maintain the starting price of the MacBook at $999, which might mean using lower-spec chips for budget-friendly models.
The MacBook Air M4 Thermal Limits
These early benchmarks highlight the performance edge of the M4 over the M3. Additionally, it appears that the M4 MacBook Pro will outperform the M4 MacBook Air.
This trend has been consistent since the introduction of Apple’s silicon with the M1 chip in the MacBook Air and M2 Pro. Both models had the same chipset, but the Pro had a cooling fan, which allowed it to maintain peak performance for longer periods.
This pattern held true with the M2 and M3, and there’s little reason to believe the M4 will be any different.
The most significant performance boost seems to be in the GPU. Testing with Metal and OpenCL indicates a performance increase of over 30%. For users seeking a laptop with strong graphics capabilities, the M4 MacBook Air might just be the right fit. However, it remains uncertain if this level of performance can be consistently delivered without overheating.
The Benefits Of Older MacBook Air Specs
While the M1 chipset debuted the MacBook Air, the M4 version will be one of the last to roll out. The M4 chip was launched in May 2024, first appearing in the iPad Pro. The M4 Pro and M4 Max followed later in November 2024 for the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini.
As we near ten months since the M4’s debut, Apple seems to be settling into a regular release cycle. The MacBook Air could see a quick turnaround before another potential M5 launch at the Worldwide Developer Conference in May or June.
Despite the age of the M4 chip, Apple Silicon has consistently delivered solid performance since its launch in late 2020. Users needing extra power for demanding tasks, like coding or video editing, may prefer the MacBook Pro. However, for everyday needs, the MacBook Air’s performance is more than adequate, keeping Apple’s sales healthy.
Check out the latest updates on the MacBook Air, iPhone, and iOS in Forbes’ weekly Apple digest…
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