Apple's M4-powered MacBook Air might launch sooner than expected

Apple's M4 chips, showcased in the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, have demonstrated impressive power. However, the M4-powered MacBook Air has yet to make its debut. While there is no official word from Apple on its launch, Apple analyst Mark Gurman from Bloomberg suggests that the MacBook Air with the M4 chip could arrive sooner than anticipated.

In a recent post on X, Gurman reaffirmed that the iPhone SE 4, iPad 11, and next-generation iPad Air are slated for a Spring 2025 release, likely around May or June, potentially coinciding with Apple's annual WWDC event. However, Gurman hints that the MacBook Air M4 might launch even earlier than these devices.

This timeline differs from Apple's usual launch schedule, which typically includes WWDC in June, an iPhone event in September, and a Mac event later in the year. The MacBook Air M4 could therefore be announced via a press release.

Apple is expected to release both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models powered by the M4 chip. The launch was inadvertently confirmed by Apple through a macOS 15.2 release, which mentioned new MacBook Air models coming in 2025. A recent report indicates that Apple is already deeply involved in manufacturing the new MacBook Air, suggesting a possible first-quarter 2025 release.

Regarding potential features, significant design changes are unlikely. Rumors suggest the new MacBook Air will include the M4 chip and minor enhancements, such as a Center Stage camera for improved video calls and an upgrade from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Earlier this year, Apple updated the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini with M4 chip options. According to Geekbench results, the M4 chip offers approximately a 25% boost in multi-core CPU performance compared to the M3 chip.