According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is planning a significant refresh of its entire Mac lineup later this year, featuring a new generation of in-house processors designed with artificial intelligence (AI) at their core.
This news comes just five months after Apple released its first M3-powered Macs. The new M4 chip will reportedly come in at least three variants, with the intention of equipping every Mac model. This aggressive rollout strategy follows a period of sluggish Mac sales, which fell 27% in Apple's last fiscal year.
The focus on AI reflects Apple's aim to catch up with competitors like Microsoft and Google in this rapidly developing field. The M4 chips are expected to integrate seamlessly with the next iteration of macOS, which will be unveiled at Apple's developer conference in June.
Faster Macs with AI Integration
The report details a range of upcoming Macs powered by the M4 chip lineup. This includes new iMacs, a lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, higher-end versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and refreshed Mac minis. The M4 line will reportedly include an entry-level "Donan" chip, a mid-range "Brava" series, and a top-of-the-line "Hidra" processor.
Apple is aiming for a significant performance boost in AI tasks for these new Macs. This aligns with their expected announcement of various AI-powered features at the developer conference in June. Many of these features are designed to run directly on the devices, leveraging the processing power of the M4 chips, rather than relying on remote servers.
Upgrades Across the Mac Lineup
The refresh extends beyond just the processor. Apple is reportedly considering allowing its high-end Mac desktops to support up to 512GB of memory, a significant increase from the current 192GB limit. This move addresses previous customer concerns about memory limitations on Apple Silicon Macs compared to their Intel-based predecessors.
The focus on AI and performance improvements signifies a strategic shift for Apple. With the M4 chip, Apple aims to solidify its position in the AI race while simultaneously revitalizing its Mac lineup.