Apple’s decision to equip the new iPad Pros with the latest M4 chip has disrupted the anticipated timeline for Mac upgrades. While the M3 chip was expected to make its debut on Macs, the M4 chip has now taken center stage on the iPad. This move has left Mac enthusiasts wondering when they can expect to see M4-powered Macs.
One possibility is that Apple will unveil M4 Macs at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10. WWDC often serves as a platform for Apple to introduce new Mac hardware, especially since it attracts developers who predominantly use Macs for app and software development. However, this is by no means a guarantee.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman suggests that the first M4 Macs may not arrive until late 2024, indicating a significant delay. This could result in a slow year for Mac releases in 2024. Gurman has outlined a potential release schedule for M4 Macs, starting with a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac in late 2024. This would be followed by high-end 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips sometime between late 2024 and early 2025. A Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chip options is also expected around this time. Gurman believes that 15-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs will arrive in spring 2025, with the M4-series Mac Studio debuting in summer 2025. Finally, the Mac Pro is predicted to transition to M4-series chips in late 2025.
This extended waiting period raises concerns, particularly considering that the iPad Pro will surpass the M3 MacBook Air in terms of chip power for a whole year. The reason for the potential absence of Macs at WWDC this summer may lie in Apple’s focus on software, particularly its AI tools and features. This shift in emphasis suggests that Macs may not be a top priority for Apple at the moment, leading to a potentially lengthy wait for the next generation of Mac hardware.
