When did Apple release the M4 update for all of its Macs?

Macs – A Selection
Apple’s entire Mac line is expected to be upgraded to the M4 processor — but not at once. Here’s the date for Apple’s next desktop and laptop upgrade. Macs are diverse enough to receive updates several times a year. Apple Silicon made it possible to update more frequently as newer chip generation came out. Since the iPad Pro uses the M4 chip and most Macs run on the M3 processor, Mac updates are expected. What gets updated and when is another issue. Rumors have circulated about upcoming product launches that would bring the Macs up to the iPad Pro M4 standard. When those upgrades will arrive is another matter. Here’s the latest Mac upgrade date based on rumors, previous upgrades, and Apple’s preference in product launch timings. Apple’s launch schedule is fairly stable, barring a global catastrophe. The next opportunity to launch hardware will be in the autumn, following the lack of hardware at WWDC. Apple’s iPhone launch event, which usually takes place in September, is always packed with products. Apple also sometimes delays its Mac update until a later date. Usually, this event is held in October and very rarely in November. After this event, we’ll probably have to wait until the end of March before Apple releases any new products. Apple has launched hardware before in January, but prefers to hold its spring events in March. Apple may not wait until an event to update Mac hardware, but that’s not a guarantee. Apple has released press releases many times for Mac updates in the past. However, these were usually for minor internal changes rather than major overhauls. Apple’s decision to only update the chip will effectively throw all timing bets out the window. Mac mini: October is the earliest. The Mac mini has the best chance of an early upgrade. This model was one of the first to receive an update for the M1 or M2 chips and continues to be a strong candidate this time. It was expected that the Mac mini would be updated at the 2024 WWDC. This didn’t happen. Early renderings of a Mac Mini overhaul, around the release of the M2 model. The last time Apple upgraded the Mac Mini was January 2023. That’s over a year-and-a-half since it was updated. Rumors suggest that a Mac Mini update will be released between 2024 and 2025. This puts it in the window for the next round of updates. The M4 Mac Mini is said to have a new form factor that has been long awaited. This update would be better served by a presentation than a press announcement, which makes an October launch more likely. It is likely that the M4 Mac Mini will be joined by a M4 Pro Edition. This could be released around the same timeframe. iMac: At the earliest, October. Like the Mac Mini, the iMac will also be updated in late 2024 or 2025. Unlike the Mac Mini, we have fewer previous updates to consider in terms of upgrade cycles. It took a year-and-a-half to get an update between M1 and M3 versions, and M2 was completely skipped. Apple’s 24-inch iMacThere is also the issue of the M3 upgrade happening in November 2023. If the update happens in late 2024 it could be just under a calendar year between cycles, if it is included in an event in October. Apple has done Mac chip updates on a shorter cycle in the past. It’s not out of the realm of possibility at this point. Apple may not limit its iMac updates to a chip upgrade. Rumors persist about an iMac that has a larger display, possibly 32 inches compared to the current 24-inch version. MacBook Pro: At the earliest, October The popular portable 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros are also strong candidates to be launched in October. Rumors have been circulating for some time that the models will be updated in late 2024. MacBook ProThis is also partly confirmed by the update cycle. Apple introduced M3 models in October 2023. Apple’s past and the importance of MacBook Pro in the overall catalog make a launch at the same time possible. A launch in October would also be in line with Apple’s previous gap of several months between the base M series chip and the Pro/Max releases from the M1 and M2 generation. In the October 2023 update, all three chip tiers were introduced at the same moment in the MacBook Air lineup. If you consider the iPad Pro update to be the M4’s official introduction, then this could also be viewed as a return of the months-gap thinking. MacBook Air: Spring 2020 The MacBook Pro update is imminent, but the MacBook Air upgrade could be further off. According to multiple rumors, New MacBook Air models will be available in the spring 2025. A reliable leaker made a claim in early August that the MacBook Air models would arrive “sometime around 2025.” Apple updated the 13-inch MacBook Air in March 2024 and the 15-inch MacBook Air in March 2024 to M3. A spring launch is most likely, since the last update was made to the MacBook Airs of both sizes. Even if the update is only a chip. Mac Studio and Mac Pro : Mid to Late 2025 The Mac Studio is a replacement of the Mac Pro, for most users. It hasn’t seen a lot of upgrades. After being introduced with the M1 in March 2022, it was updated to M2 by June 2023 – a year and quarter later. Since then, the M1 has not been updated to the M3 and now we are concerned with the M4 chip. Mac StudioAn launch of M3 is unlikely given the existence of M4. Although an October update would come about a year, four months, and a half after the last one, it is believed that the models could have to wait longer. Rumors suggest that an updated Mac Studio will be released in 2025, with estimates ranging from sometime in 2025 up to a more firm timeline of late-2025. The Mac Pro’s last update took place in June 2023. This brought it into the age of Apple Silicon. Apple Silicon Mac ProThis update was made at the same time that the Mac Studio. It’s easy to imagine that it will follow the same timeline. Rumors have suggested that a Mac Pro update is expected in 2025. It’s reasonable that Apple could release a new Mac Pro along with the Mac Studio. Apple could wait longer to update the Apple Silicon Mac Pro, but since it wasn’t well received.