Amber Neely
A new report suggests that Apple's new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro will show up at an Apple Event in 2022, sporting Apple's rumored new M2 chip.
On Tuesday, Apple announced the brand new Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPad Air 5, and iPhone SE.
Notably, the MacBook Air was not at the event, making it more likely that the model will appear at an event later in the year.
It's possible that the next-generation MacBook Air would see some significant redesigns. For example, it's anticipated that the new MacBook Air will mimic the 24-inch iMac color choices.
But, it's also looking more likely that it will see an internal upgrade as well.
According to sources talking to 9to5Mac, the MacBook Air, said to be codenamed J413, will boast Apple's next-gen entry-level M2 chip. The M2 chip will be based on the A15 chip and will allegedly feature the same eight-core CPU of the M1 but boast a more powerful 10-core GPU.
The sources also allegedly say that the 13-inch MacBook Pro will stick around for a while longer and receive the M2 chip. The new MacBook Pro (codenamed J493) isn't anticipated to get a redesign upon the next update.
It's also been rumored for some time that Apple may drop the word "Air" or "Pro" from an upcoming model, returning its status to just "MacBook."
Apple often rolls out upgrades to new devices by starting with lower-end models, and it has been incrementing a digit to show that the new product is an update for some time. The 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air were the first models to receive Apple's M1 chip, and will be first in line to receive the next chip upgrade which has been rumored to be, and is logically, going to be called the M2.
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10 Comments
It will be very interesting to see a redesigned chassis for the 'Air', something like the MacBook that was so lovely and thin (but lacking adequate power with that crappy Intel chip). This could be a very interesting laptop for the masses who don't require the extra power of the Pro line. No fan, sleek design, slim chassis, fun colours wouldn't be bad.
My 2012 11" Air is still doing great, but could use a decent upgrade.
Why would they want to drop the Air and Pro labels from their laptops? What advantage would that bring? It just becomes more confusing. When someone says they have a MacBook Pro it means something...a more expensive laptop for dedicated work. MacBook Air means a more general all purpose laptop meant for home use. These labels have been around for a long time and they help differentiate the models. They are engraved in our minds by now. Same reason Honda has their Accord and Acura lines...no point in just making both cars called Honda. Also, I think they should make yet a third model with the same new design language and maybe called it the MacBook SE which would still use the M1 chip but this one would be geared towards Students (hence SE...Student Edition). A more cost effective laptop with the new design language.
This will start to get exciting once we find out what the “M2” really is, i.e., move beyond the “allegedly”state.
Maybe we’ll know by WWDC?