Apple is rumored to be planning the release of its M2 chip along with a new version of the MacBook Air in the first half of 2022. The M2 chip appears to be different from the M1X chip that is allegedly reserved for high-end Pro Mac devices such as the MacBook Pro and a larger iMac Pro.
According to the well-known leaker Dylandkt, Apple is planning to launch the M2 chip in redesigned MacBook Air versions. The remodeled versions will feature colorful designs similar to the colors the iMac range boasts.
https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1412089676220055555
Multiple other sources echo Dylan’s prediction about the MacBook Air’s colors. For instance, in May, leaker Jon Prosser claimed that Apple has recently been testing prototypes of a new MacBook in various shades, including a blue one. He went on to predict that the company will likely be releasing “colors for average consumers,” implying that the new MacBook Air could get color options.
The reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo strengthened a part of Dylan’s prediction by announcing that Apple will most probably be releasing a new MacBook Air with a mini-LED display in 2022.
“In 2022, there will be a new MacBook air featuring a fresh design that will be priced lower than the current M1 version,” he said.
Dylan also notes that the M2 chip is different from the rumored M1X chip that is a variant of the M1 we might see in just a few months, saying that the “M1X is an extension of the M1 processor with greater power draw, more CPU and GPU cores. M2 is a next-generation chip most likely built on the same foundation the A15 is built on.”
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman’s prediction on Apple’s future plans also aligns with Dylan’s claims. Gurman claimed that “Apple is said to be reserving the M2 name for next year’s chips, and that this will likely debut in a new MacBook Air.”
The timing of 2022 does, however, counter some recent rumors that the redesigned MacBook Air could get squeezed into 2021 alongside the relaunched MacBook Pro.
Dylan has a track record of accurate predictions. In November 2020, he announced that the new model of the iPad Pro will leverage the M1 chip and, five months later, the product was launched featuring the same chip. Earlier in 2021, he claimed that the new iMac would feature an M1 chip and not the M1X. This claim also turned out to be correct, so there are clearly reasons for us to believe his latest prediction as well.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.