Shubham Sawarkar
Apple is working to release new Mac laptops with processors that match the performance of its current M2 chip, in hopes of turning around declining sales. The company has begun testing the new devices with third-party apps from the App Store, a necessary step before launching any new product.
The new Macs are expected to include a laptop with processor specifications similar to current models but with a larger and higher-resolution display. This is likely to be the 15-inch MacBook Air, which Apple has been planning to introduce this year.
The new laptops will feature a chip with eight main processing cores and 10 graphics cores, similar to the current M2 chip. The CPU will continue to be split between high-performance and efficiency cores, with 8 gigabytes of memory in line with the existing MacBook Air. The new Macs are expected to run on macOS 14, which Apple plans to announce on June 5 at its Worldwide Developers Conference.
The new 15-inch MacBook Air is also expected to have the same screen resolution as the 14-inch high-end MacBook Pro but with slightly less sharpness. This is consistent with Apple’s previous approach to differentiate its consumer and pro-focused laptops.
Apple is also working on an update to the 13-inch Air model, the 24-inch iMac, and the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, as well as its first Mac Pro using the company’s homegrown chips known as Apple Silicon. However, the Mac Pro has faced delays and specification changes.
Apple is also planning to refresh the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros in the first half of 2024 with higher-end versions of the M3 chip. The M3 chip represents a transition to a 3-nanometer production process from the current 5-nanometer standard, allowing for improved performance and efficiency.
Apple has faced declining Mac sales, with shipments plunging over 40% in the first quarter, according to IDC. The company is counting on new devices to entice shoppers and reverse this trend.
Developer logs have previously provided accurate details surrounding M2 Macs and Mac Pro testing, as well as the names of the company’s first high-end M1 chips. While Apple has declined to comment on these latest developments, it’s clear the company is ramping up efforts to release new and improved Macs in the near future.
