It would be weird for Apple to have the two sizes of MBA on different processor update schedules--akin to the 14" MBP getting updated eight months before the 16" MBP. Your choice should be about screen size, not which model from the same laptop line has the better processor. Apple will certainly not be dropping an M3 into the 15" MBA this fall, so I think we'll see both models get the M3 next summer.
Just give it a cycle. Ie, but the time the M4 rolls around, the MBA13 and MBA15 will be on the same update schedule.
If the MBA15 proves popular, it will have a short cycle with the M2 and M3 such that by the time the M4 comes, it will be on the same schedule.
Still keeping that MBP13 alive, per this rumor. If the MBA15 doesn't kill it, who knows what will. Must be some big enterprise contracts for laptops that have to run out before it is killed.
Maybe, but the “Pro” components it does have are audio, not visual. Logic Pro takes full advantage of the Touch Bar, so it’s possible music industry folks buy enough of them for Apple to keep refreshing it. If so, then it’s also possible it’s a placeholder for a touch-screen Mac with audio components aimed at the same market.
The biggest ‘pro’ component is the fan. I love my m2 MBA, but it does throttle under load.
Ah, yes, you’re right. If you look at Apple’s marketing for it, that’s front and center. They highlight Final Cut Pro in that context. The “studio quality” audio components are third or fourth on the list. So then then it’s about using it in “clamshell” mode, where the MacBook spends most of its time closed, connected to a single external display. You don’t need a Liquid Retina ProMotion display built in if it’s sitting closed on your desktop.
There’s a niche there, Apple knows it, so they keep selling it. I have to say I was tempted to move on from my M1 Mini when I was looking at the marketing materials just now!
It’s a strange niche then.
At the present time, the MBP13 and MBA15 are in direct price competition. The difference is about is 32% more display area versus a fan and same 10% more performance. if someone is really stressing the SoC, the MBP14 is a nice step up for not much more money.
If it is a sustained niche, Apple should update the chassis to look like a modern MBP.
I want an M3 MacBook Pro! My 15" 2019 i9 MacBook Pro runs like molasses sometime when using Vectorworks 2023.
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on 16" MBP with an M2 Max, but could wait a bit if it's certain (more or less, this being Apple) it were coming in the fall..
You’re aware that there is a 14-inch MacBook Pro model with an M2 Pro or Max right now, right?
PS. I have the same model of MBP you do, the i9, and overall I’m still pretty happy with the speed, but what I’m really hoping to get out of the M2 or M3 model I’m going to upgrade to is (in addition to MOAR SPEED) is a reduction in fan use. When I’m doing some audio processing or video transcoding, the fans ramp up in this i9 something awful. I’m hopeful that not only with the M2 or M3 get the job done much quicker, but also relatively more quietly.
I want an M3 MacBook Pro! My 15" 2019 i9 MacBook Pro runs like molasses sometime when using Vectorworks 2023.
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on 16" MBP with an M2 Max, but could wait a bit if it's certain (more or less, this being Apple) it were coming in the fall.
Hopefully Apple releases an M3 MBP along with an M3 iMac.
The M2 MBP was in January, it's rare for Apple to do two updates in a year. The M3 Pro/Max MBP is more likely in 2024. If they updated too often, TSMC wouldn't have new chips for a while. 2nm will be 2025 so M3 Pro/Max/Ultra is likely to launch mid-2024.
Performance-wise, M1 is around double the last Intel models and each new model will be around 50% faster. It does this at roughly 1/3 the power (fan rarely goes above idle speed) so it's around 5x performance-per-watt improvement over Intel.
M3 Max will likely be more than 2x M1 Max performance so is worth waiting for but M2 Max would be a good option just now. The difference between M3 Max and M2 Max wouldn't be worth waiting 8+ months for.
The problem you will get into is thinking if they might launch in October, it's worth a 3 month wait but then when it doesn't, you will think if they update in January, it's worth another 3 month wait, then when it doesn't, you will think if they launch in March, it's worth another 2 month wait. By that time you will have suffered 8 more months of torture using the Intel junk.
It's best to buy new Macs close to launch and M2 Max is only 6 months old so it's a good time to buy one and there are discounted models:
Reviews of the new M-series Macs aren't exaggerating, they are way better than the Intel models. They behave like iPads where no matter what you do with them, they barely get warm to the touch, no slowdowns, really fast SSDs, nice keyboard, amazing quality display with great black levels.
In 2025, upgrading to M4 Max will give 2x performance.
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Performance-wise, M1 is around double the last Intel models and each new model will be around 50% faster. It does this at roughly 1/3 the power (fan rarely goes above idle speed) so it's around 5x performance-per-watt improvement over Intel.
M3 Max will likely be more than 2x M1 Max performance so is worth waiting for but M2 Max would be a good option just now. The difference between M3 Max and M2 Max wouldn't be worth waiting 8+ months for.
The problem you will get into is thinking if they might launch in October, it's worth a 3 month wait but then when it doesn't, you will think if they update in January, it's worth another 3 month wait, then when it doesn't, you will think if they launch in March, it's worth another 2 month wait. By that time you will have suffered 8 more months of torture using the Intel junk.
It's best to buy new Macs close to launch and M2 Max is only 6 months old so it's a good time to buy one and there are discounted models:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/FNWA3LL/A/refurbished-16-inch-macbook-pro-apple-m2-max-chip-with-12‑core-cpu-and-38‑core-gpu-space-gray
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/FNWE3LL/A/refurbished-16-inch-macbook-pro-apple-m2-max-chip-with-12‑core-cpu-and-38‑core-gpu-silver
Reviews of the new M-series Macs aren't exaggerating, they are way better than the Intel models. They behave like iPads where no matter what you do with them, they barely get warm to the touch, no slowdowns, really fast SSDs, nice keyboard, amazing quality display with great black levels.
In 2025, upgrading to M4 Max will give 2x performance.