According to a recent report, Apple is stepping up its testing efforts for the highly-anticipated next-generation 15-inch MacBook Air. Sources indicate that the upcoming laptop will boast a screen resolution identical to that of the 14-inch MacBook Air, as well as Apple Silicon performance that is said to be “on par” with the forthcoming M2 Macs.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that an unannounced 15-inch MacBook Air has been identified in App Store developer logs, featuring a processor that is “on par” with the highly anticipated M2 chip. The long-awaited laptop is expected to be unveiled during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, ending years of rumors and speculation about the next-generation MacBook Air.
The recently discovered MacBook Air model spotted in App Store developer logs reportedly features an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, specifications that are in line with what’s expected of the upcoming M2 chip. Additionally, the laptop configuration is listed as having 8GB of RAM and is identified with the model name “Mac 15,3”. The MacBook Air is listed as running macOS 14, a new operating system version that is likely to be unveiled during WWDC, alongside the announcement of iOS 17 and other updates. The device is also listed as having a display resolution identical to that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
To clarify, the 15-inch MacBook Air model recently discovered in App Store developer logs is reported to have a display resolution equivalent to that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. However, this does not mean that the display size of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro will be identical. Rather, it indicates that the MacBook Air’s display will run at the same resolution as the MacBook Pro, but with slightly less sharpness due to the larger screen size.
It is yet to be confirmed whether the processor in the 15-inch MacBook Air spotted in the developer logs is the M2 chip or another variant. The current report suggests that the device’s performance is “on par” with the M2 chip. However, there has been no official announcement from Apple regarding the release date of the upcoming 15-inch MacBook Air. As such, we will have to wait for additional information to confirm the details surrounding the new laptop.
Reports suggest that Apple is likely to implement a new 3 nm fabrication process for certain versions of the M3 chip, resulting in a significant improvement in performance and efficiency. However, it is not yet clear whether this advanced technology will be used across all M3 chip variants. Apple may choose to adopt a bifurcated approach by utilizing a 5 nm process for the standard M3 chip and reserving the 3 nm process for higher-end models such as the M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra. By taking this approach, Apple could better balance the cost and performance of its various M3 chip offerings.
According to recent reports, Apple is developing new versions of the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 24-inch iMac, and the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro. The tech giant is also planning updates to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros for the first half of 2024. However, the project to create the first Mac Pro with Apple Silicon has reportedly encountered delays and specification changes. Despite this setback, Apple is still pursuing the development of the Mac Pro with the aim of releasing it in the future. Additionally, there are rumors of an updated 13-inch MacBook Air being in the works.
Just to recap, rumors of a larger MacBook Air first surfaced in 2021, with reports suggesting that production of 15-inch display panels had recently increased. While it remains unclear exactly when this laptop will be released, it is expected to be announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, which begins on June 5. It’s worth noting that at last year’s WWDC, Apple announced the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, which has been a significant upgrade over its predecessor. As such, there is much anticipation surrounding the announcement of the larger MacBook Air and what improvements it may bring.
Source: Bloomberg