Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly intends to use its 3nm-based M3 chip on its upcoming 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. Previous rumors claimed Apple’s existing M2 chip would power the 15-inch MacBook Air.
The company is also working on a 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh with the same chip.
15-inch MacBook Air will use Apple’s latest chip
9to5Mac reports that Apple is working on 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with its M3 chip. The company seemingly plans to use the entry-level variant of the SoC on both models, featuring an 8-core CPU. It does not plan on offering the 15-inch MacBook Air with a more powerful Pro variant of its 3nm chip.
Based on TSMC’s 3nm node, Apple’s M3 SoC should bring a notable jump in performance and efficiency.
Additionally, Apple is developing a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same entry-level M3 SoC. The Cupertino giant purportedly considered dropping the “Pro” branding from this model last year but eventually decided against it.
Dropping the Pro moniker would have made sense. Unlike the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 13-inch model has an older design and misses out on a dedicated HDMI port and SD card slot. It is also the only MacBook in Apple’s lineup to continue featuring a Touch Bar.
New MacBook Airs might arrive at WWDC23
With both new MacBook Air models using an M3 chip, it is more than likely that they will debut at WWDC23. Apple unveiled its M2 chip, the 2022 MacBook Air, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro at WWDC22. So, the follow-up models launching at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference are a possibility.
Apple is also expected to announce the Apple silicon-powered Mac Pro at WWDC23. Rumors previously claimed the long-overdue Apple silicon Mac Pro and the 15-inch MacBook Air could debut this month. But at this point, that seems unlikely to happen.