The Mac replace cycle for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 will embrace the anticipated M4 chip updates — and at the least one main product design refresh, based on a brand new rumor.
To this point, just one Apple machine has gotten Apple’s next-generation M4 chip, and that was the iPad Professional. As Apple brings its next-generation chip to its Mac lineup, the chance for {hardware} refreshes giant and small may even be taken benefit of — beginning with the iMac, MacBook Professional, and Mac mini.
Whereas it is anticipated that every one three of the 2024 Mac updates will retain the identical primary design, Apple’s transition away from Lightning connectors ought to have an effect on the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad equipment included within the equipment for the iMac and obtainable for different gadgets.
Presently, these equipment depend on included Lightning-to-USB-C cables for charging, however are more likely to be up to date to make use of USB-C connectors all through. No different main design modifications to the iMac, Mac mini, or MacBook Professional type elements are at present anticipated.
Redesigns doubtless coming in 2025
Customers looking forward to M4-based updates to the Mac Professional, Mac Studio, and MacBook Air should wait till someday in 2025, writes Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He hints that at the least one forthcoming revision will mark a “dramatic change” from its current design.
If correct, that is the primary report that there could also be a design change coming to a Mac sooner, reasonably than later.
The most probably candidate for a major design rethink could be the Mac Mini, which has used primarily the identical design since 2010, solely altering ports and different connectors with common business developments. Some Mac merchandise by no means obtained the M3 chip in any respect, together with the low-end MacBook Air, the Mac mini, and the Mac Studio.
The M4 chip household for use within the upcoming updates is alleged to be considerably extra highly effective than the M3. Particularly, graphics processing and the Neural Engine are mentioned to realize critical upgrades in comparison with the M3 household of chips, primarily based on early benchmarks.