Apple Set to Launch M4 Chips in Refreshed iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini Models

Apple is gearing up for a significant transformation in its Mac lineup with the imminent arrival of the M4 chip family. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Apple is in the final stages of preparations for the launch of a "new family of proprietary processors aimed at showcasing artificial intelligence."

The Debut of the M4

The debut of the M4 chips is expected to commence this year, with Apple already edging closer to the production phase. Renowned tech analyst Mark Gurman notes that the M4 chips will be offered in at least three primary variants, with plans to incorporate them into every Mac model.

The transition to the M4 architecture will kick off later in the year and will encompass a range of Mac devices. This includes a refreshed iMac, a lower-tier 14-inch MacBook Pro, as well as higher-end iterations of both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, alongside an updated Mac mini.

Apple's rollout strategy for the updated Mac lineup is slated to commence towards the end of the year and extend into the early months of the following year. The lineup will feature revamped iMacs, a budget-friendly 14-inch MacBook Pro, premium variants of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and upgraded Mac minis - all powered by the M4 chips. However, these plans remain subject to potential alterations.

Following the initial wave, Apple is planning subsequent releases of M4-equipped Macs throughout 2025. This roadmap includes refreshes for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air by spring, the introduction of the Mac Studio around mid-year, and updates to the Mac Pro towards the latter part of 2025.

The M4 chip family will comprise an entry-level iteration along with at least two high-performance variants. Apple intends to leverage the AI processing capabilities of these chips and their seamless integration with the upcoming macOS iteration.

The entry-level M4 chip, known internally as Donan, is set to power the base model MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and entry-level Mac mini. Meanwhile, the first high-end variant, codenamed Brava, will find its place in the Mac Studio, top-tier MacBook Pro configurations, and a premium Mac mini model.

The Mac Pro

For the pinnacle of Apple's desktop offerings, the Mac Pro, the company plans to introduce the new Hidra chip. Despite being the less popular choice among Apple's desktop lineup, the Mac Pro is cherished by a dedicated fan base. In response to customer feedback regarding the performance of Apple's proprietary chips, the company is poised to enhance the capabilities of the Mac Pro in the upcoming year.

In a bid to cater to the demands of power users, Apple is exploring the possibility of supporting up to 500GB of RAM in its highest-end desktop configurations, a significant increase from the existing maximum of 192GB.

As of now, Apple has yet to unveil an M3-powered version of the Mac Studio or the Mac Pro. However, Gurman's report maintains the possibility of an M3 Mac Studio equipped with a yet-to-be-released M3-era chip.

To recap, while the Mac Studio is currently available with M2 Max and M2 Ultra configurations, the M3 Max variant is already featured in the MacBook Pro lineup. However, Apple has not yet unveiled the M3 equivalent of the M2 Ultra.