Doubtful rumor has M3 MacBook Air coming out by late 2023

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited February 2023
A new and questionable report suggests that Apple's next MacBook Air running the M3 processor is coming in the second half of 2023.

Apple could bring M3 to MacBook Air sooner than expected
Apple could bring M3 to MacBook Air sooner than expected


The MacBook Air was only just refreshed during WWDC 2022 in June, but rumors are already pointing to a chip update before the end of 2023. That would make it the fastest upgrade cycle of an Apple Silicon Mac since Apple began the transition in 2020.

The report originates from Digitimes, which briefly mentions that the supply chain was focused on ramping up production of the next MacBook Air. It would run the M3 processor, which will be built on the newer 3nm process.

There are numerous reasons to be skeptical of this report. Not only does it not align with Apple's usual schedule, it comes from a source that has missed the mark on very nearly all of its reports regarding Apple's scheduling and product lineup for the last five years.

First, Apple has only just announced its mid-tier M2 processors, the M2 Pro and M2 Max. That leaves the M2 Ultra before Apple will even consider moving on to its third-generation M-series processor.

TSMC may have begun 3nm chip production, but it is likely that the processor being produced is for the iPhone 15 lineup due in fall 2023. Unless Apple finishes revealing its entire Mac lineup running M2 processors by the summer, a fall M3 announcement seems unlikely.

Prior to Apple's MacBook Pro refresh, rumors pointed to a 15-inch MacBook Air being announced at some point in 2023. Nothing indicates that Apple would use the M3 processor in this machine. In fact, most rumors point to the M2 or M2 Pro for the larger laptop.

Finally, Digitimes seems to have a faulty source. Their "industry sources" previously told them that the MacBook Pro refresh would be delayed later into 2023, which didn't happen.

The source has also reported things like a colorful 27-inch iMac going into production in 2021, mislabeled the Pro Display XDR as a large iMac, and even called an upcoming Apple TV a new Mac.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    sflagelsflagel Posts: 803member
    Interesting, but where is the 15 inch MacBook Air? That one’s really urgent.
    edited January 2023 retrogustoJapheywatto_cobraTheObannonFilenetrox
  • Reply 2 of 10
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    sflagel said:
    Interesting, but where is the 15 inch MacBook Air? That one’s really urgent.
    👎
    sflagelwilliamlondonM68000darkvader
  • Reply 3 of 10
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    That seems a bit soon after the M2 release. Of course it get’s confusing because of the overlap, they are still producing M1 things yet. 
    watto_cobra9secondkox2
  • Reply 4 of 10
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    If true then it is for M3 15" Macbook Air in 2nd half 2023. Then M3 14" Macbook upgrade in 2024.
  • Reply 5 of 10
    That tracks with M1 to M2 release. Just over 18 months. Would make sense to have M3 by end of this year and other variants in pro by fallish of next. 
    edited January 2023
  • Reply 6 of 10
    IMHO M2 Ultra will not arrive before May and then it’s the 3nm process for the iPhone A17 processor. Then in early 2024 we will see first versions of the M3 (not pro or max) so that sets up the end of 2024 when we should see M3 Pro and Max processors.  That would place the computer processors on an 18 month release schedule which seemed to be the goal all along. 
  • Reply 7 of 10
    I wonder how people are going to feel when the M3 base outperforms the M2 Max. 

    It’s going to get real if the MBA is;

    a) the first to launch with M3

    and 

    b) has a 15” screen. 
  • Reply 8 of 10
    DAalseth said:
    That seems a bit soon after the M2 release. Of course it get’s confusing because of the overlap, they are still producing M1 things yet. 
    A year after the m2 launch is NOT soon. LOL

    It’s right on time. Let’s not forget the m2 pro and max were delayed. The m2 came out last fall. So when the m3 launches this fall, it’s absolutely on time. 
  • Reply 9 of 10
    darkvaderdarkvader Posts: 1,146member
    sflagel said:
    Interesting, but where is the 15 inch MacBook Air? That one’s really urgent.

    What's the point?

    I think you may be the only person I've ever heard ask for that.

    FAR more in demand is a new 17" MacBook Pro.
  • Reply 10 of 10
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    I wonder how people are going to feel when the M3 base outperforms the M2 Max. 

    It’s going to get real if the MBA is;

    a) the first to launch with M3

    and 

    b) has a 15” screen. 
    M3 based on N3 should be no more than 1.5x M2. This would put it at M1 Pro level.

    M3 = M1 Pro (~5TFLOPs)
    M3 Pro = M1 Max (~10TFLOPs)
    M2 Max (~14TFLOPs)
    M3 Max = M1 Ultra (~20TFLOPs)

    People would feel great about a faster Air because it would mean high performance is getting more affordable but it's also not so affordable that anyone buying the higher-end models would feel bad.

    An M3 13.6" Air 16/512 would be $1600 and a 15.4" 16/512 would be $1800.
    The equivalent 14" M2 Pro MBP is $2000 and 16" is $2500.

    People who just want a bigger screen would be able to save $700, the 14"/16" buyers get a better quality display (Air doesn't have XDR display).
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