MacBook Air 2024: latest news, rumors and what we want to see

With the M3 chip coming out and powering new MacBook Pro models (and that iMac 24-inch), expectations are certainly high that Apple will introduce this newly launched silicon to power the MacBook Air in 2024.

It’s fully expected that we’ll see a refreshed MacBook Air in 2024, but what else will this laptop package save for the obvious M3 upgrade? That’s what we’ll be exploring here, as well as all the gossip about release dates, pricing and everything else you might want to know about the next-gen Air.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? Apple’s next generation MacBook Air laptop
• When is it out? Early to mid 2024
• How much is it? We suspect that prices are likely to remain at current levels

MacBook Air 2024 Rumored Release Date and Price

It’s a pretty safe bet that the next version of the MacBook Air with the M3 inside – both 13-inch and a refresh of the new 15-inch version launched in mid-2023 – will arrive next year. With new MacBook Pro models hitting the market at the end of 2023, Apple will surely follow suit soon enough with similar innovations for its other laptop ranges.

Rumors of the MacBook Air releasing in 2024 have been circulating for a while, and this makes sense given Apple’s release frequency thus far. We had the MacBook Air with M1 in 2020, and the M2 model (13-inch) first appeared in mid-2022, so the logical progression is a 2024 debut for the M3 laptops.

Speculation even suggests that the MacBook Air M3 models were close to being ready in October 2023 – and according to noted Apple leaker Mark Gurman, they’re ready for a 2024 launch around spring to summer, so in theory March through August . .

However, we’d most likely pin it until June at the latest since WWDC 2024 is happening then, which would be the most obvious event to launch these new MacBooks.

As for pricing, we haven’t heard anything yet about where Apple might launch the next-generation MacBook Air, but there is (still) an idea floating around that Tim Cook’s company may be considering a low-cost MacBook (possibly reviving it) 12-inch form factor) to fit under the MacBook Air (and Pro).

If that’s the case, and this notebook hits the market next year (as the rumor mill has theorized), then that doesn’t bode well for the MacBook Air’s affordability. Not when this other laptop is in the wallet-friendly category.

Also consider that Apple increased the price of the MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) in 2022 when it was first launched, bringing it to $1,199 / £1,249 / AU$1,899 (although it subsequently increased after the 15th century dollars lost). -inch Air was launched).

Given all this, we don’t have too much hope for a positive move in the pricing department, and it seems very likely that pricing will remain in place (or even increase slightly – although the latter could be an ambitious move in the current sales climate are to say the least).

MacBook Air 2024 news and rumors

Are we going to see Apple implement some big changes and notable new elements in the next generation MacBook Air? Probably not, according to the latest rumors.

Okay, so the M3 chip is a given upgrade, as we’ve already mentioned, and that’s a solid step up that will certainly make a difference in adding some extra oomph to the laptop (even if it’s a not-too-convincing image). (for those who already have an M2 in their portable computer).

Of course, we assume that the MacBook Air 2024 will carry the vanilla M3 and not the faster Pro or Max variants. (Unless the latter comes to the 15-inch model, but that would further blur the line between the MacBook Pro and Air offerings, so we’re not sure Apple would want to do that).

We can keep our fingers crossed that the more efficient M3 chip should also contribute to better battery life in the next-generation Air.

What about the possibility of an OLED screen? It’s true that this has been rumored in the past (think back to March 2023), but since then it’s been rumored that Apple will bring OLED to the MacBook Pro first, with the MacBook Air following suit.

Apparently even the MacBook Pro won’t get OLED until 2026 (or maybe even 2027), remember, so the gossip goes – and again, there’s some consistency here.

In short, you can forget about OLED on the MacBook Air 2024.

Mind you, the MacBook Air screen is great anyway (as we point out in our reviews of both the current 13-inch and 15-inch versions), so does it need an upgrade? It is of high quality and very clear and powerful, and that will work for the time being, we think.

Otherwise, there’s been little talk about the MacBook Air 2024, which tells a story in itself: namely that major upgrades are unlikely to fall outside of the M3’s performance boost. One thing we can expect, however, is better wireless connectivity: Apple has introduced Wi-Fi 6E in the new M3-powered MacBook Pro models, so it would be very strange if the same didn’t happen with the Air.

It’s also likely that the design will remain much the same for these next generation MacBook Air laptops, especially since the MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) benefited from a new design when it launched. It’s unlikely that Apple will change much that quickly, and the lack of talk of potential refreshes coming through the rumor mill is another signal that Apple will pretty much stick with what it already has, perhaps with only minor tweaks.

MacBook Air 2024 wishlist

Rumors aside, here’s what we hope Apple could do with the next-generation MacBook Air:

1. Drop that price tag, please

While we’ve already discussed the possibility of Apple making the MacBook Air more affordable as this seems rather unlikely, we can still hope for this.

Or rather, we can hope that Apple doesn’t take the angle on the rumored 12-inch cheaper MacBook model, and that this could help bring the Air’s asking price back to where it was before the mentioned price hike in 2011. 2022 Especially if the updated 2024 Air doesn’t do as much work in terms of upgrades, and Apple wants to make it seem more attractive in a market with serious sales headwinds.

But unfortunately, it’s more likely that the M2 version will be retained by Apple as a cheaper alternative to the new M3 models, just as the M1 variant is currently positioned.

2. A more meaningful 15-inch laptop

Not everyone understands or wants the 15-inch model, as it defeats some of the point of the MacBook Air as it is heavier and less portable (and won’t fit on the small tables you’ll use when you travel) . train or plane).

But for those who do want the benefits of a bigger screen and form factor, it would be nice to see the super-sized Air pack a bit more power under the hood – or some sort of upgrades that make it more than a ‘MacBook Air’ . 13-inch but larger laptop. This lack of differentiation was one of the main complaints in our MacBook Air 15-inch review.

3. A splash of color?

Since the MacBook Air is the consumer variant of Apple’s laptops – although the line between the Air and Pro has become considerably blurred of late – perhaps we could get some funkier color schemes beyond the traditional silver and gray paint jobs?

Don’t get us wrong, those look good, but adding a more diverse color spray is a fairly simple change that would make the new MacBook Air models more attractive.

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