David Bridges
The air drifting up from Apple’s futuristic spaceship headquarters is beginning to resemble the faint scent of fan-less laptop exhaust. In an intriguing post on X, Apple CEO Tim Cook shares with fans that there is “something in the air”—and it’s highly likely that it pertains to the upcoming MacBook Air.
While Cook remains tight-lipped about specifics, everything points towards the imminent arrival of the MacBook Air M4. The timing couldn’t be better, especially since Apple unveiled the M3 MacBook Air in both 13-inch and 15-inch models last March. Recent insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have indicated that we might witness an official reveal of the MacBook Air very soon. In his latest newsletter, Gurman hinted that the launch could occur as early as this week.
This week. pic.twitter.com/uXqQaGNkSk
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 3, 2025
Additionally, Apple may have more surprises in store for fans. Gurman was the first to highlight that Apple is depleting its iPad Air inventory, suggesting that new models with upgraded chips could be on the horizon, potentially outperforming last year’s 11- and 13-inch versions equipped with M2 silicon. However, it’s important not to expect the much-rumored iPhone 17 Air just yet. Following Apple’s typical release rhythm, this slim mobile device is likely to debut later this year.
In terms of design, we anticipate minimal changes for the next lightweight MacBook. Apple has maintained a consistent flat and squared aesthetic since the launch of the M2 MacBook Air. Our predictions lean towards the introduction of both 15-inch and 13-inch variants, mirroring last year’s offerings. Recent benchmark leaks suggest that Apple may keep the M4 chip uniform across both the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, although the Air could feature lower graphical capabilities similar to the previous M3 model.
Furthermore, there are whispers that the upcoming MacBook Air could support dual displays, provided Apple upgrades the ports to Thunderbolt 5 from the current Thunderbolt 4 used in the M3 MacBook Air. This enhancement would significantly improve connectivity options and overall user experience.
Apple’s last major hardware release, the iPhone 16e, occurred mid-week following a similar teaser from Cook on Elon Musk’s preferred social media platform. Apple subsequently announced the new, budget-friendly $600 iPhone just six days later. The MacBook Air could follow a similar trajectory, revealing its features later this week. However, it remains to be seen whether this launch will match the light and airy vibe of Apple’s recent “budget” smartphone unveiling.
Daniel Mercer
