The sleek MacBook Air will get upgraded with the recently released M3 processor this spring, according to a trusted source of insider info.
The Apple M3 is also supposedly coming to the iPad Pro, probably at the same event.
Powerful M3 chip heading for MacBook Air
The M3 processor that Apple introduced in fall 2023 brings a significant speed boost. The performance cores in the new chips are up to 30% faster than the original M1 from 2020, and the efficiency cores are up to 50% faster, according to the Mac-maker.
The chip is already in the latest MacBook Pro models, and is coming to the MacBook Air this spring, according Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch variants of the Air might get the M3 at the same time. This will almost certainly be the base version of the chip. No current model of Apple’s consumer-oriented laptop has an M2 Pro or M2 Max, which are intended for professional-grade models. The smart money says that’ll continue with the new processor line.
A redesign for either isn’t considered likely, either. Apple apparently will simply drop in the faster processor to replace the M2. That’s what happened with the late-2023 MacBook Pro models, too. The 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip is still practically new. This larger version launched in summer 2023. The 13-inch MacBook Air brought a significant redesign when it hit the market in 2022.
Expect new iPads soon, too
Apple seems poised to hold a product launch event this spring. It’s reportedly bringing out enough new models to justify one.
“Apple is aiming to release fresh iPad Airs, including a larger model, revamped iPad Pros and M3 MacBook Airs in the spring,” reported Gurman.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of these upgrades. Unconfirmed reports that these notebooks and tablets are on the way have circulated for months. But the latest Bloomberg leak indicates that the computers are still on the way and haven’t run into unexpected problems that might push the release back to summer or even later.
But there could be a slight delay — previously the new MacBooks and iPads were thought to be coming in March. Now, Gurman can only say there’ll be out in spring.
In addition to the M3 MacBook Air, the first 12.-9 inch iPad Air is likely referenced in the leak. As is the OLED iPad Pro that’s been the subject of its own leaks.
