Gurman: Apple plans to overhaul the entire Mac line-up with AI-focused M4 chips

Apple is preparing to overhaul its entire Mac line with a new family of in-house processors designed to highlight artificial intelligence, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The company, which released its first Macs with M3 chips five months ago, is already nearing production of the next generation — the M4 processor — the article adds, quoting unnamed “people with knowledge of the matter.” Gurman says the new chip will come in at least three main varieties, and Apple is looking to update every Mac model with it.

According to his report, the iMac, low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini machines will be updated with M4 chips first, followed by the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models in spring 2025, the Mac Studio in mid-2025, and the Mac Pro later in 2025.

It’s no surprise that Apple is almost certainly working on including artificial intelligence features on the Mac, as well as the iPhone. IDC expects 2024 and beyond to see personal computer sales grow due to the introduction of  artificial intelligence PCs. The research groups says such computers will ultimately drive the market forward to 292.2 million units in 2028 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4% over the 2024–2028 forecast period.

Most of Apple’s interest in AI has revolved around iOS 18. However, the company’s press release for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air calls the notebook the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI.”