Navigating the world of Macs can be overwhelming with the diverse range of laptops and desktops available. Whether you’re eyeing a sleek MacBook Air, a powerful MacBook Pro, or a versatile desktop Mac, understanding the latest models and their upcoming updates is crucial for making an informed purchase. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of each Mac model, highlighting their key features and predicted release timelines.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch on a table.
MacBook Pro: Power and Performance
The MacBook Pro, Apple’s flagship laptop, received a significant update in October 2024, featuring the powerful M4 chip series (M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max). This update brought more than just processing power. Apple doubled the starting RAM, introduced a striking black color option for the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro, enhanced the display with a nano-texture option, improved the webcam, added more Thunderbolt 4 ports, and extended battery life. The stunning mini-LED display boasts up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 nits of SDR brightness. With this recent refresh, the next MacBook Pro isn’t expected until at least fall 2025, likely a modest upgrade, with a more substantial redesign, potentially featuring an OLED display and thinner chassis, rumored for 2026. A foldable MacBook is also anticipated in the coming years.
MacBook Air: Ultraportable Productivity
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.
Apple’s slimmest and lightest laptop, the MacBook Air, last saw updates in March 2024 with the introduction of the M3 chip. This brought hardware-accelerated ray tracing, a performance boost, improved microphones, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. The next MacBook Air iteration is expected in spring 2025, almost certainly featuring the M4 chip. Rumors suggest a future OLED MacBook Air, though not expected for a few years.
Mac mini: Compact Powerhouse
The Mac mini up on its side on a desk.
The Mac mini underwent a major redesign in October 2024, its first in 14 years. Resembling a smaller Mac Studio, its footprint is about half the size of its predecessor. Leapfrogging the M3 chip, Apple equipped it with the M4 and M4 Pro, delivering a significant performance jump. Memory capacity increased across all tiers, support for up to three external displays was added, the M4 Pro model boasts Thunderbolt 5, and two front-facing USB-C ports replaced the USB-A ports. The next Mac mini isn’t anticipated until at least fall 2025.
iMac: All-in-One Elegance
iMac with M4
The iMac, the first Apple computer to receive the M4 chip (after the iPad Pro), was updated in October 2024. Alongside the new chip, it offers a refreshed color palette, increased memory bandwidth, more starting memory, an improved webcam, and Apple’s nano-texture glass option for reduced glare. The next iMac update is likely due around fall 2025. Rumors hint at a larger iMac, possibly 30 or 32 inches with mini-LED technology, though this has been subject to delays.
Mac Studio: Desktop Powerhouse
Apple Mac Studio top down view showing PC and keyboard.
Updated in June 2023, the Mac Studio features M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, extensive memory options, broad external display support, compatibility with high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its compact design makes it ideal for demanding tasks. Bypassing the M3 generation, the next update is expected to bring M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips, significantly boosting performance. The M4 Ultra is rumored to have double the core count of the MacBook Pro’s M4 Max chip, with 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores.
Mac Pro: Ultimate Performance
Apple
The Mac Pro, updated in June 2023, transitioned to Apple silicon with the M2 Ultra. This modular and expensive Mac offers PCIe expansion, vast memory capacity, extensive external display support, and top-tier CPU and GPU performance. The M4 Ultra is anticipated for mid-2025, potentially increasing the maximum memory capacity to 512GB from the current 192GB. While the current chassis, designed for the hotter-running Intel chips and expandable graphics cards of the 2019 model, may seem oversized for Apple silicon, a redesign isn’t expected immediately.
Apple Studio Display: 5K Visuals
A person uses an Apple Mac Studio and a Studio Display monitor at a desk.
Apple’s more affordable monitor, the 27-inch Studio Display, offers a 5K resolution, 600 nits of brightness, an A13 Bionic chip for Center Stage and Spatial Audio, a nano-texture glass option, one Thunderbolt 3 port, three USB-C ports, and two stand options. The release date of a new version remains unclear, with conflicting reports and rumors of a suspended 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate model.
Pro Display XDR: Professional-Grade Display
Members of the press photograph an Apple Pro Display XDR at WWDC 2019.
Launched in 2019 alongside the redesigned Mac Pro, the Pro Display XDR is Apple’s most advanced monitor. It features a 32-inch 6K display, up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness, 576 local dimming zones, a nano-texture glass option, one Thunderbolt 3 port, three USB-C ports, and two stand options. An update is anticipated alongside the Mac Pro refresh in 2025, possibly including an onboard chip for enhanced software features.
