New M4 Macs Are Coming—Here's What You Need to Know
- Apple's cranking up the gears for a new MacBook Pro—just in time for fall.
- Expect the M4 chips to kick things up a notch in the 14-inch and 16-inch models.
- Is Apple finally ditching 8GB RAM for good? Rumor has it, 16GB might be the new norm.
- All signs point to an October or November launch—mark your calendars.
As the tech world waits with bated breath for Apple’s fall event, attention is not only on the expected iPhone 16 launch but also on the anticipated release of new MacBook Pro models powered by the next-gen M4 chips. Reports from DigiTimes reveal that Apple’s supply chain has kicked into high gear, despite some minor hiccups, preparing for what could be a significant update to the MacBook Pro lineup this fall.
Supply Chain Movements and Industry Insights
The production of new MacBook Pros has reportedly been in full swing this August, as Apple’s assembly partners gear up for the final quarter. This timeline is slightly delayed compared to typical schedules but remains within the expected timeframe for Apple’s annual product launches.
The focus is on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are set to feature the much-anticipated M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. This aligns with predictions that the MacBook Pro refresh will occur in late 2024, likely during Apple's October event, a month traditionally reserved for Mac announcements.
Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), supports this timing. He noted that display panel shipments for the upcoming MacBook Pros began in July, suggesting that the devices are on track for a Q4 release. Young's insights often hold weight in the industry, making this a credible indicator of what’s to come.
Photo via 9to5Mac // A fan-made rendering of what Apple's upcoming M4 MacBook Pro might look like.
What to Expect from the M4 Pro and M4 Max
The M4 chip series is already making waves, having debuted in the iPad Pro earlier this year. Benchmarks showed a substantial leap in multi-core CPU performance—up to 25% faster than the M3 chip. This kind of improvement sets high expectations for the MacBook Pro versions of the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max, which are anticipated to bring moderate yet meaningful enhancements in both performance and power efficiency.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has also chimed in, confirming that the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are slated for release later this year. He hinted that these new processors would likely be included in three Mac models, including a lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, an iMac, and a Mac mini.
No Major Design Overhauls—Yet
While the performance upgrades are exciting, don’t expect a radical redesign of the MacBook Pro just yet. Significant changes, such as the introduction of an OLED display, appear to be a few years away. Gurman suggests that Apple might also make the MacBook Pro thinner "over the next couple of years," but no major design shifts are anticipated in this year’s models, he says.
RAM Upgrades: The New Standard?
Perhaps one of the most noteworthy changes could be the base RAM configuration. For years, Apple has been criticized for sticking with 8GB of RAM in its base models, especially as applications become more demanding. Recent reports, including those from Gurman, suggest that Apple may finally be addressing these concerns by standardizing 16GB of RAM in its upcoming M4 Macs. This would be a welcome shift, especially for professionals who have long argued that 8GB is insufficient for high-performance tasks.
Photo via Apple Inc. // Some of the features and functionality of Apple's M4 custom Apple Silicon. Announced by Apple.
Looking Ahead: October or November Launch?
Historically, Apple has unveiled new Macs during October or November events. Given the current pace of production and the completion of display panel shipments, it’s reasonable to expect the M4 MacBook Pro to be announced during this period.
While the exact date remains uncertain, the tech community is buzzing with anticipation. As the launch window narrows, all eyes are on Apple to see how these new MacBook Pros will redefine the laptop market.
In Summary:
- Production Timeline: MacBook Pro production is underway, with displays already shipped.
- Expected Models: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros featuring M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
- Performance Boost: Up to 25% faster CPU performance compared to the M3 chip.
- RAM Upgrade: Possible shift to a base of 16GB RAM.
- Launch Date: Likely in October or November 2024.
Ross Young and Mark Gurman are among the industry voices confirming these developments, adding credibility to the upcoming MacBook Pro updates. Stay tuned for what promises to be a significant upgrade in Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup.
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