Apple is reportedly intensifying its testing of four new Mac models equipped with the M4 processor, which are expected to be released later this year. According to a report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, these new Macs include updates to the entry-level MacBook Pro, specifically in terms of RAM and potentially CPUs as well.
Gurman’s report suggests that Apple is testing four Mac models with entry-level M4 chips. Three of these models feature a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, while the other model is equipped with an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. Interestingly, the latter configuration is new and not currently found in the iPad Pro models.
One significant update mentioned in the report is the potential increase in RAM for these new Mac models. According to Gurman, all the M4 Macs that were spotted during testing were loaded with either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory. It is worth noting that there were no configurations with only 8GB of RAM. This hints at a major RAM upgrade for the base-level MacBook Pro 14-inch, which could potentially be matched by the Mac mini, iMac, and the upcoming MacBook Air M4.
Considering the nature of these entry-level Mac models, Apple’s decision to increase RAM across the board makes sense. The MacBook Pro, in particular, is designed for professionals and users with heavier computing workloads. Having models with only 8GB of RAM in 2024 seems inadequate and could be perceived as a strategy to force users to pay more for a necessary upgrade to 16GB.
Moreover, Apple has been increasingly focusing on AI and leveraging its AI technology, known as Apple Intelligence. The company has been incorporating AI-related features for coding, which require at least 16GB of RAM to function properly. In the future, it is likely that macOS will demand more memory for AI functionality. By setting 16GB as the base configuration for all M4 Macs, Apple would also be keeping up with competitors like Microsoft and its Copilot+ PCs, which require a minimum of 16GB of RAM.
While this RAM upgrade seems likely, it is crucial to approach leaked information with caution. This specific rumor could turn out to be incorrect. The same applies to the speculation about CPU upgrades mentioned in the report. It is possible that the absence of M4 Pro or Max models in the developer logs might not necessarily mean they won’t be released. The MacBook Pro 16-inch, for example, is expected to receive an update, and screen shipments have reportedly already begun.
In conclusion, it is reasonable to anticipate a RAM upgrade to 16GB for the M4 Mac models, considering Apple’s focus on AI and the demands it places on memory. However, pricing remains a concern, especially regarding the entry-level MacBook Pro 14-inch. Hopefully, the cost of this upgrade will not be as significant as the current cost of upgrading from 8GB to 16GB.
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