Apple could refresh the MacBook Air with M4 chip next month

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Apple is gearing up to launch its next-generation MacBook Air models, which will feature the highly anticipated M4 silicon. Reports suggest a release in March. 

Bloomberg indicates that Apple is reducing inventory of the current M3 models in preparation for this new iteration. 

However, the M4 MacBook Air is expected to retain the same sleek and lightweight design introduced with the M2 MacBook Air.

M4-powered MacBook Air models are coming 

The most substantial upgrade lies under the hood, with the M4 chip delivering a significant performance boost.

Built with a 10-core CPU—comprising four performance and six efficiency cores—the M4 promises a notable leap in speed and efficiency. 

It also includes a 10-core GPU, making it a powerhouse for graphics-intensive tasks.

Apple claims that the M4 is nearly 1.8 times faster than the M1, with an even more impressive 3.4x performance gain in demanding applications such as Blender’s graphics rendering. 

Recent Geekbench benchmarks suggest that the M4 MacBook Air’s performance is approaching that of the MacBook Pro, an impressive feat for a fan-less, entry-level machine.

Artificial intelligence (AI) processing also sees a significant boost, courtesy of a next-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that reportedly offers 3x the speed of its predecessor. 

Another significant improvement is expected in external display support. The M4 MacBook Air may finally allow users to connect two monitors without the current limitation of closing the laptop lid. 

Despite these advancements, the display technology will likely remain unchanged, with Apple continuing to use LCD panels rather than transitioning to mini-LED due to cost constraints.

However, rumors indicate that Apple is exploring OLED technology for future MacBook models. 

The webcam situation remains uncertain, with Apple possibly upgrading the current 1080p camera to the M4 MacBook Pro’s 12MP Center Stage-equipped front-facing camera.

However, it remains to see if the new MacBook Air will introduce fresh color options, similar to how previous models debuted Midnight and Starlight shades.

What do you think about an M4 refresh for the MacBook Air? Are you looking forward to buying one? Tell us what you think in the comments, down below, or via our Twitter or Facebook.