Apple is gearing up to refresh its MacBook Pro lineup later this year by introducing devices powered with its advanced M4 chip, the first to be built on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process. This innovation was initially seen in the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models, but is expected to make its way into an array of Macs in the forthcoming months. Alongside the Mac mini and iMac models that are set to feature the new Apple Silicon, there is a buzz around potential releases of the M4 Pro and M4 Max, which would accompany the standard variant of the chipset, following Apple’s previous release strategies.
The much-anticipated M4 MacBook Pro range, which includes an entry-level and two high-end models with 14-inch and 16-inch display options, is projected to make its debut in the market in the last quarter of the current year. According to insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the design of these latest MacBook Pro models will likely mirror their predecessors from the M3 range. In addition to the MacBook Pro, updated versions of the Mac mini and iMac are also on the horizon.
Looking further ahead to 2025, Apple enthusiasts can expect the arrival of the more robust Mac Studio and Mac Pro, which are rumored to be equipped with the powerful M4 Ultra SoC. After skipping the M3 iteration for the Mac mini, Apple appears poised to pack this model with the more potent M4 chipset. Configurations featuring the M4 Pro could be available as well, while the M4 Max is anticipated to headline the Mac Studio lineup next year.
Performance expectations for the M4 are high, given the impressive benchmarks set by its predecessors. The M4 has demonstrated superiority over the M2 and M3 with its 10-core CPU configuration, outperforming the M3 Pro and even the Snapdragon X Elite in certain assessments. The 9-core variant also showed remarkable capabilities, achieving an unmatched single-core score in Geekbench 6. When put to the test under liquid nitrogen cooling, the M4 chip impressively surpassed the 4,000 points threshold in single-core performance on Geekbench 6. With integrated active cooling fans, the new MacBook Pros are likely to yield even more impressive results compared to the passively-cooled iPad Pro.
While enthusiasts and professionals eagerly await concrete data on the performance of the M4 and its more advanced counterparts, it is certain that these chipsets will significantly raise the bar in computing power for the Mac lineup. As we inch closer to the official launch dates, stay tuned for more details and updates.
