MacBook Air and 'MacBook' With M2 Chips Slated for Launch Later This Year

Apple is working on the successor to the M1 chip, expected to be called the M2, and multiple rumors have already suggested that these chips are going to be used in machines that include a refreshed MacBook Air and a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

macbook air rounded mock purple
A new report today from 9to5Mac once again reiterates these rumors, with the site claiming that Apple will introduce a ‌MacBook Air‌ and a 13-inch MacBook Pro with ‌M2‌ chip later this year. Notably, 9to5Mac says that Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo's recent prediction that the next-generation ‌MacBook Air‌ will use either the ‌M1‌ or an updated version of it is incorrect.

While analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the new MacBook Air will have an updated M1 chip, our reliable sources have told us that the machine is being developed with the new M2 chip.

Codenamed J413, the next generation MacBook Air is expected to be released in a single version featuring M2.

As for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9to5Mac claims that Apple could drop the "Pro" labeling, referring to the new machine as just "MacBook" as it has done in the past.

We've already heard plenty about the next-generation versions of the ‌MacBook Air‌ and 13-inch MacBook Pro from sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has confirmed that the new ‌MacBook Air‌ will see a complete redesign. Gurman has also provided details on the ‌M2‌ chip, which is expected to feature the same 8-core CPU as the ‌M1‌, but with 9 and 10-core GPU options.

There is no word on a release date as of yet, but ‌M2‌ machines are likely to come out in the later months of the year.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13"
Related Forums: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

CrazyForCashews Avatar
16 months ago
Dear Apple,

Don't be dumb and make the bezels white or any other colour other than black.

From: Everyone
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SW3029 Avatar
16 months ago
We need a 15 inch MacBook Air. Yes, I’m going to die on this hill.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
16 months ago

I'm guessing the rumor mill echo chamber is dead wrong on M2 in 2022.

I would also guess there are zero first party sources on these rumors. Just people looking at historical upgrade cycles and adding 1 to M1 and saying it's coming. Pure conjecture.
Why am I seeing this so many times?
Apple updates the iPhone CPU, the lowest end CPU, every year.
It makes sense that their lowest end Mac chip would follow a similar trajectory.
Why on earth would they brag about switching to new silicon, how it would stop the product line stagnation that happened under Intel… and then go three years without updating the CPU on their most popular Mac.
That makes absolutely no sense.
According to Apple at their event just two days ago, the ultra is the last processor in the M1 Family.
Now we move on to M2, starting with their lowest end chip just like they did with M1.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
16 months ago
Looks like MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2022. They will sell like hot cakes. Can't wait to see the new gorgeous colors.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
16 months ago
Called it.
Given that the old MBP design is almost 6 years old, it’s much cheaper to produce at this point.
If they remove the Touch Bar, they can drop down the price even more.
So my prediction is that the thicker, heavier, silver and gray, thick bezeled MacBook will slot in at that $999 price point, replacing the old MacBook Air.
Than the new MacBook Air which is thinner, lighter, colorful, with thinner bezels and a notch will be priced at $1299.
So it would literally mirror the iPad lineup with the obvious exception of the mini.
iPad/MacBook: cheapest, thicker, heavier, silver and gray only, LCD display, thick bezels.
iPad Air/MacBook Air: thin, light, colorful, midrange.
iPad Pro/MacBook Pro: top-of-the-line, best CPU, mini LED, 120 Hz
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigchungus Avatar
16 months ago
It's possible that they'd just retire the 13 inch MacBook Pro, replace it with this new M2 MacBook, and keep the old Air in the lineup.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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