Apple’s latest Macs: faster chips, lower prices

Published: 2025-03-06 14:27 +02:00 by Mark Gurman tag: Electronics and hardware

Apple has rolled out updated Macs, seeking to maintain a sales resurgence for the company’s computer line.

Apple rolled out updated MacBook Air laptops and Mac Studio desktops, seeking to maintain a sales resurgence for the company’s computer line.

The new MacBook Air gets the speedier, AI-focused M4 processor, an upgrade from the M3. The models come in the same 13-inch and 15-inch sizes and start at US$999 and $1 199 in the US, a $100 price cut from the M3 versions. Beyond the new chips, the machines are available in a new sky blue colour option and include an upgraded FaceTime camera.

Apple also updated the Mac Studio, a desktop computer that’s positioned between the Mac mini and Mac Pro. The new version comes in M4 Max and M3 Ultra configurations — an usual approach that offers consumers a choice between a new chip architecture and an older one with more horsepower.

The M4 chip comes to the MacBook Air after first launching in the iPad Pro last May

The Mac Studio is priced from $1 999, matching the prior M2 Max version.

Apple’s Mac line performed better than expected during the holiday season, helping offset sluggish demand for the iPhone. The segment grew 16% to $9-billion, topping the $7.9-billion estimated by Wall Street. On the company’s quarterly earnings call, CEO Tim Cook cited the MacBook Air as one of the reasons.

The M4 chip comes to the MacBook Air after first launching in the iPad Pro last May. The processor was also at the heart of the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini models unveiled last year. The chip’s CPU has 10 cores, up from eight in the M3 MacBook Air. Both models include a GPU with 10 cores.

Mac Studio

The Mac Studio represents the model’s first update in nearly two years, and it brings some potential dissonance to the broader line-up. The $5 999 Mac Pro wasn’t updated as part of the unveiling and is now less powerful than a model with a significantly lower price.

After putting the M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio, Apple could theoretically use a newer-generation chip in the next version of the Mac Pro, helping justify the cost of its top-of-the-line model.

The M4 Max chip in the standard configuration of the Mac Studio arrives after first coming to high-end MacBook Pros. That component has a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, up from the 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU in the M2 Max Mac Studio.

The rear of the new Mac Studio

The M3 Ultra chip has a 32-core CPU and 80-core GPU, up from the 24-core CPU and 76-core GPU in the M2 Ultra it replaces.

The move to the M3 and M4 in the Mac Studio also enables ray tracing, a technology that improves graphics in gaming. And the upgrades better position the device as an AI development machine, a category that the PC industry has embraced recently.

Read: Meet the iPhone 16e: Apple’s new ‘budget’ smartphone

Wednesday’s Mac upgrades follow a slew of other new Apple products. On Tuesday, the company introduced a new iPad Air with an M3 chip and a low-end Magic Keyboard, as well as an updated entry-level iPad that adds an A16 processor. Last week, it started selling the iPhone 16e. — (c) 2025 Bloomberg LP

Get breaking news from TechCentral on WhatsApp. Sign up here .

Don’t miss:

Apple launches M3 iPad Air with AI features to stoke sales

Enhanced Investments, Inc.
329 South Oyster Bay Road #2085
Plainview, NY 11803
team@eninvs.com

Important disclosures

Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.

Nothing on this website should be considered an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns [or probability projections] are hypothetical in nature and may not reflect actual future performance.
All the strategies assume investments in equity invstrumenta only and are more relevant for "agressive investment profile". Eastern European flagship strategy assumes using up to 20% leverage of total portfolio. GlobalCommodities and US Growth strategy currently assume no leverage.
Results for the Enhanced Investments strategies as compared to the performance of Illustrative Benchmarks is for informational purposes only. Our investment program does not mirror that of the Illustrative Benchmarks and the volatility may be materially different from the volatility of Illustrative Benchmarks. Reference or comparison to an Illustrative Benchmark does not imply that strategies of Enhanced Investments will be constructed in the same way as the Illustrative Benchmark or achieve returns, volatility, or other results similar to those of the Illustrative Benchmark. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance.
Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.