Whether or not you’re updating your previous MacBook laptop computer or planning to purchase your first Mac a part of the choice of which mannequin to purchase ought to be based mostly on timing. Earlier than you half along with your cash you need to verify that the mannequin you’re shopping for isn’t about to be upgraded by Apple. There’s nothing worse than shopping for a brand new MacBook Air solely to see Apple replace the fashions a month later. Fortunately you’re right here studying this text so the possibility of you making a mistake like that’s slim (though you need to verify the date this text was final up to date!)
On this article, we’ll inform you the perfect time to purchase a MacBook, when to purchase a Mac, at what time of 12 months Apple normally updates its Macs, and whether or not an replace is anticipated quickly. We’ll additionally point out if there are any specific configurations to keep away from.
We are going to run by means of every Mac and MacBook Apple presently sells and assess whether or not now is an efficient time to purchase one based mostly on educated guesses as to when the subsequent one will launch. Generally when you wait a month or two you may get extra in your cash – offered Apple retains its costs the identical.
Earlier than you make the choice of which Mac to purchase you also needs to try our Mac shopping for information and our MacBook shopping for information. We additionally supply recommendation about how a lot storage, RAM and cores in How a lot MacBook RAM, SSD, GPU and CPU do you actually need?
If you’re studying this round Black Friday, learn our recommendation in our information to the greatest Black Friday MacBook offers and the greatest Mac mini and iMac offers. And if you wish to know what different Apple merchandise are discounted learn Finest Black Friday Apple offers.
When will Apple launch new Macs?
There are a few issues that may assist when predicting when a brand new mannequin would possibly land. One is to concentrate on when Apple final up to date the vary. The opposite is to notice when Apple has beforehand introduced updates to that vary.
Apple up to date the MacBook Professional, Mac mini and iMac at an occasion in October 2024. We don’t anticipate any extra Mac updates till spring 2025. check out our article about Apple Occasions and the new merchandise anticipated from Apple to verify that the outlook hasn’t modified.
Most up-to-date/present launches:
- 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional, M4, M4 Professional and M4 Max – October 2024
- 24-inch iMac, M4 – October 2024
- Mac mini, M4 and M4 Professional – October 2024
- 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 – March 2024 (RAM replace in October 2024)
- Mac Studio, M2 Max and M2 Extremely – June 2023
- Mac Professional, M2 Extremely – June 2023
- 13-inch MacBook Air, M2 – July 2022 (RAM replace in October 2024)
As for the instances when a Mac launch is most certainly. Prior to now, the most certainly instances to see Mac updates have been: WWDC in June for skilled Mac fashions (e.g. Mac Studio and Mac Professional) and October for consumer-focused Macs (e.g. MacBook Air and Mac mini). Nevertheless, as you will notice if you learn on, this isn’t a rule that Apple abides by significantly, nor does Apple all the time launch new Macs at particular occasions: it usually simply takes the Apple Retailer offline for a couple of hours after which when it returns new Mac fashions can be found because it did in October 2024.
It was once simpler to foretell when Apple would launch new Macs as a result of updates have been usually tied to the launch of the subsequent technology of Intel processors. Now that Apple has transitioned from Intel to its personal collection of processors, it’s now not tied to Intel’s improve cycle. This doesn’t essentially imply that the updates occur extra incessantly although.
We do, nevertheless, suppose that updates for the next Macs are more likely to arrive within the subsequent few months.
- 13- & 15-inch MacBook Air, M4: Now that the MacBook Professional has an M4 chip we anticipate that the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will get an replace quickly. See: MacBook Air rumors. Anticipated launch: Spring 2025.
- Mac Studio, M4: The Mac Studio go the M2 Max and M2 Extremely in June 2023. We anticipate that the entire of 2024 will go with out an replace so anticipate an M4-Max/Extremely in 2025, maybe at WWDC. See: M4 Mac Studio.
- Mac Professional, M4: Just like the Mac Studio, we anticipate a replace in June 2024.
- iMac Professional: Apple discontinued the larger-screened 27-inch iMac when the Mac Studio was launched, however there are rumors that it may make a comeback. Learn concerning the new iMac Professional. Anticipated launch: 2025.
Ought to I look ahead to Black Friday offers?
If you’re pondering of shopping for a brand new Mac and the previous few months of the 12 months are approaching, you need to maintain on to benefit from offers season. From October onwards is once we are inclined to see probably the most offers, with everybody saving their greatest reductions for the weeks round Black Friday on the finish of November. If you’re questioning whether or not to attend till Black Friday itself or benefit from an early deal that’s marked as being ‘early Black Friday’ or related, our recommendation is to simply go for it! Prior to now a number of retailers have began their Black Fridays gross sales a very long time earlier than the day itself and promised that costs gained’t go any decrease on Black Friday itself.
It’s unlikely that Apple will supply any reductions for Black Friday although. The corporate tends to supply vouchers with qualifying gross sales round Black Friday, and we don’t anticipate that to vary: right here’s what Apple is more likely to be doing for Black Friday. So don’t anticipate Apple to supply reductions on Black Friday, however you would possibly be capable of get cash off Apple merchandise from one other reseller. We see many resellers providing Black Friday offers on Apple merchandise, so come again round Black Friday and take a look at our greatest
However we don’t solely see costs minimize for Black Friday, we see offers on Apple merchandise all 12 months spherical – so don’t assume you possibly can’t get cash off a brand new Apple product when it is advisable to purchase one. Take a look at our round-ups of the greatest Apple offers:
There are different methods to economize too:
Is it an excellent time to purchase a Mac or MacBook?
Let’s check out every Mac and MacBook available on the market and assess when you ought to contemplate shopping for it now. Examine the date on the prime of the article to see once we final up to date this data.
Ought to I purchase a 13-inch MacBook Air now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,099
- Final replace: March 2024
- Subsequent replace: Spring 2025
There are three variations of the MacBook Air in the stores proper now. There are two 13-inch fashions: one with an M2 chip that launched in July 2022 and one with an M3 chip that went on sale in March 2024. There’s additionally a 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 that was up to date in March 2024, which we focus on beneath.
The M2 MacBook Air, with its brand-new design, arrived in the summertime of 2022. It gained a MagSafe charging port, that means that two USB-C ports can be found. In our 13-inch M2 MacBook Air overview we described it as “excellent for almost each consumer” due to its improved show with thinner bezels, full-size operate row, killer battery life and excellent efficiency in its class. There are nonetheless some areas that permit it down although, for instance, the truth that you possibly can’t plug in multiple different monitor, except you shut the MacBook lid or comply with this workaround: The way to join two or extra exterior shows to Apple Silicon Macs.
When the M3 model of the MacBook Air arrived in spring 2024 we have been impressed, discovering that the M3 chip gave a pleasant efficiency enhance. In October 2024, with the arrival of the M4 within the MacBook Professional, the MacBook Air does look rather less spectacular, however Apple elevated the unified reminiscence (RAM) within the M3 and M2 MacBook Air, from 8GB to 16GB, paving the way in which for Apple Intelligence.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a 13-inch MacBook Air?
The M2 MacBook Air is a superb machine and it’s the most cost-effective Mac laptop computer proper now. Nevertheless, the 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip solely prices $100/£100 extra, so our recommendation could be to pay slightly further for higher specs. In October 2024 the M3 MacBook Air had a RAM enhance, which is definitely some extent in favor of shopping for one proper now, however, with the MacBook Professional gaining an M4 chip on the similar time, it’s doubtless that the MacBook Air will get an analogous replace quickly.
Our advice is that when you discover a good low cost on the worth of the M3 MacBook Air verify that the mannequin being bought contains the now commonplace 16GB RAM, fairly than 8GB RAM. If you happen to discover a 16GB outfitted M3 MacBook Air at an excellent value then will probably be an excellent purchase, so long as you’re ready for disappointment in early 2025 when the MacBook Air is upgraded. If you wish to purchase a MacBook Air now try our round-up of the Finest MacBook Air offers.
Ought to I purchase a 15-inch MacBook Air now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,299
- Final replace: June 2023
- Subsequent replace: Spring 2025
There’s one other MacBook Air to contemplate. In our overview of the 15-inch MacBook Air we stated that the 15-inch MacBook Air is “precisely just like the 13-inch MacBook Air solely with a much bigger show (and thus chassis) and higher audio system”. However when you desire bigger laptops then the 15-inch MacBook Air will prevent hundreds in comparison with the 16-inch MacBook Professional.
It gives higher battery life than the smaller mannequin and gives a bigger display, and whereas it prices a bit greater than the 13-inch mannequin, it’s a lot lower than the opposite Mac laptops with bigger screens. The 14-inch MacBook Professional begins at $1,599/£1,599, whereas the 15-inch MacBook Air begins at $1,299/£1,399.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a 15-inch MacBook Air?
Apple launched the 15-inch MacBook Air in March 2024, however whereas it’s nonetheless lower than a 12 months previous, we do anticipate that Apple will replace it in early 2025 with the M4 chip that arrived within the MacBook Professional, iMac and Mac mini in October 2024.
One level in favor of the 15-inch MacBook Air is that Apple doubled the unified reminiscence (RAM) in October 2024, so there may be not less than 16GB RAM as commonplace within the 15-inch MacBook Air, which ought to imply that when you discover a whole lot on a 16GB RAM-equipped mannequin you gained’t remorse spending your cash.
Ought to I purchase a 14-inch MacBook Professional now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,599 | £1,799 | £1,999
- Final replace: October 2024
- Subsequent replace: October 2025
Apple upgraded the 14-inch MacBook Professional with the M4, M4 Professional and M4 Max in October 2024. We don’t anticipate to see one other replace till not less than the autumn of 2025.
Once we reviewed the MacBook Professional M4 mannequin we discovered it supplied an excellent efficiency enhance over the MacBook Professional M3. The enhance from 8GB to 16GB unified reminiscence is one profit, one other acquire comes within the type of an additional Thunderbolt/USB 4 port. In our overview we described the M4 MacBook Professional as: “a bundle bursting with worth. It now not appears like a compromised laptop computer, and also you get lots of efficiency and options for the worth”.
If you’re a professional consumer who wants slightly extra oomph then the M4 Professional or M4 Max fashions supply extra ports (together with Thunderbolt 5) and superior energy. In our overview of the M4 Professional fashions we stated they “have what it takes to beat your processing calls for”. Learn our overview right here: 14-inch MacBook Professional M4 overview.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a 14-inch MacBook Professional?
At $1,599/£1,599 the worth of the 14-inch MacBook Professional with M4 is a excessive in comparison with the 15-inch MacBook Air, which you may get for $1,299/£1,299, however the latter nonetheless solely gives the M3 chip and the M4 within the MacBook Professional is leaps forward. So or advice proper now’s to purchase the MacBook Professional when you see an excellent deal. If you happen to discover a deal on the older M3 MacBook Professional we might advise towards it as a result of that mannequin has much less RAM.
If it’s the M4 Professional or M4 Max version you’re after, our advice is purchase one, you gained’t be upset. If you wish to get the perfect value for a brand new MacBook Professional try our round-up of the Finest MacBook Professional offers.
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M4) overview
Ought to I purchase a 16-inch MacBook Professional now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£2,499 | £2,899
- Final replace: October 2024
- Subsequent replace: October 2025
Alongside the 14-inch MacBook Professional, in October 2024, Apple launched a 16-inch MacBook Professional with M4 Professional or M4 Max. Once we reviewed the M4 Professional 16-inch MacBook Professional mannequin we described it as “a robust workstation and Apple makes the bundle even higher with Thunderbolt 5, the 12MP Heart Stage digital camera, and the Nano-texture glass show possibility”.
If you happen to want the last word in processing muscle, you really need an M4 Max chip, but when a $3,499/£3,499 laptop computer is out of your finances, the M4 Professional fashions have what it takes to beat your processing calls for.
The bigger 16-inch mannequin prices greater than it’s smaller sibling, however when you want extra battery life and a much bigger display then that is the mannequin for you.
If you happen to’re nonetheless utilizing an Intel-based MacBook Professional, it’s time to improve.
For extra recommendation learn our comparability of all of the MacBook Professional fashions.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a 16-inch MacBook Professional?
The 16-inch MacBook Professional was up to date in October 2024, so we don’t anticipate one other replace for a while. If you could find an excellent deal then positively purchase one.
If it’s energy you want and portability isn’t an element, you might also need to contemplate the M4 Professional within the Mac mini and a show as a less expensive possibility than the 16-inch MacBook Professional.
Learn our full
Apple 16-inch MacBook Professional (M4 Professional) overview
Ought to I purchase a 24-inch iMac now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,299 | £1,499 | £1,699 | £1,899
- Final replace: October 2024
- Subsequent replace: Late 2025/2026
The 24-inch iMac is eye-catching, each by way of the standard of the 4.5K show and the colourful case. The M4 mannequin arrived in October 2024 with every mannequin obtainable in blue, inexperienced, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and silver, with all however silver providing a daring tone on the again that’s complemented by a paler model on the entrance.
On the within the variations are spectacular. As we stated in our overview, “the brand new 16GB RAM commonplace, the implementation of Thunderbolt throughout the board, the improved FaceTime digital camera, and the Nano-texture glass possibility are all successful strikes by Apple.”
The M4 chip inside is identical as you could find within the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Professional and Mac mini. The iMac is cheaper than the MacBook Professional, beginning at $1,299/£1,299 in comparison with $1,599/£1,599 for the MacBook Professional, however the MacBook Professional is healthier outfitted, with a 10-core GPU, fairly than the 8-core GPU present in that entry-level iMac. There’s additionally double the storage within the MacBook (512GB in comparison with 256GB). If you’re on the lookout for the perfect worth although, the Mac mini is less expensive than the iMac, beginning at $599/£599 for a similar spec.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a 24-inch iMac?
Whereas we really feel that it’s overpriced, we settle for that there are locations for which the iMac is good–reception desks, dwelling rooms, and so forth. If If you happen to’re on the lookout for a brand new, full Mac setup– a pc, show, and enter gadgets–the M4 iMac is a superb selection.
If you happen to do need to purchase one then don’t pay full value, verify our round-up of the greatest iMac offers.
If you happen to want an iMac that’s designed with artistic execs in thoughts you need to take a look at the Mac mini with M4 Professional.
Learn our full
Apple iMac (M4) overview
Ought to I purchase a Mac mini now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£599 | £799 | £999
- Final replace: October 2024
- Subsequent replace: Late 2025/2026
Apple launched the M4 Mac mini and M4 Professional Mac mini in October 2024. The Mac mini with M4 or M4 Professional is the lengthy awaited successor to the M2 Mac mini and M2 Professional model.
The Mac mini is now even smaller, but it surely’s simply as highly effective as some other M4 outfitted Mac. The efficiency and worth on supply for simply $599/£599 is great, if you’re making an attempt to spec up a machine to fulfill greater calls for we discovered that may be costly, however that’s the case with all of Apple’s build-to-order choices.
The professional model of the Mac mini does a lot to fill the hole left by the elimination of the 27-inch iMac, so long as you’ve gotten an honest monitor you need to use.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a Mac mini?
We suggest the M4 Mac mini. It gives the identical specs as the opposite M4 Macs for a lot much less cash, the one distinction being the absence of a display. However since you should purchase an honest 4K show for lower than £300/$300 we don’t suppose that could be a large downside. See our round-up of the greatest displays for Mac.
The M4 Professional Mac mini is a superb possibility for anybody who wants reasonably priced energy. The one motive to carry off shopping for is if you wish to look ahead to Apple to replace the Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Extremely. Nevertheless, the Mac Studio begins at $1,999/£2,099, whereas the M2 Professional Mac mini gives a lot better worth at $1,299/£1,299.
If you wish to purchase a Mac mini now try our round-up of the Finest Mac mini offers.
Ought to I purchase a Mac Studio now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
£2,099
Final replace: June 2023
Subsequent replace: 2025
The Mac Studio arrived in March 2022 and we have been impressed by its processing energy, port flexibility and value. In our overview we stated “The Mac Studio gives thrilling processing prowess,” and added: “It could even be an acceptable substitute for an Intel Mac Professional in sure conditions.” That mannequin was changed by a Mac Studio with M2 Max or M2 Extremely again in June 2023, however there hasn’t been an replace in 2024.
In our overview of the mannequin that arrived in June 2023, we stated that: “The Mac Studio is the perfect Mac–it’s highly effective, priced appropriately, has a number of ports for connecting gadgets, and it gained’t take up lots of desk area,” and described it as a “full bundle of processing energy, options, and design”. An HDMI improve fixes one among our largest issues with the unique Mac Studio, bringing 8K show assist and assist for extra shows general.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a Mac Studio?
Almost a 12 months and a half after the Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Extremely arrived in June 2023, the M4 Max has arrived within the MacBook Professional. That chip which can ultimately be destined for the Mac Studio, together with the M4 Extremely (except Apple jumps straight to the M5).
With an replace log overdue it definitely appears doubtless that the Mac Studio will see an replace in 2025. We anticipate Apple to replace the mannequin both at, or earlier than, WWDC in June. If you happen to want a robust machine within the meantime then you’re higher off contemplating the M4 Professional Mac mini or M4 Professional or M4 Max MacBook Professional.
Alternatively, benefit from the Finest Mac Studio offers, as a result of we do see some large reductions on these fashions.
Learn our full
Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023) overview
Ought to I purchase a Mac Professional now or wait?
Worth When Reviewed:
From £7,199
- Final replace: June 2023
- Subsequent replace: 2025
Apple launched the present Mac Professional in June 2023, three and a half years after the vary was final up to date in December 2019. That was the primary replace since December 2013 (which was a wait of six years!)
The primary advantage of the 2019 Mac Professional design is shared by the design of the 2023 Mac Professional: it gives PCIe enlargement slots (seven in whole) and its modular design ought to imply that there’s the potential for SSD upgrades down the road (though RAM gained’t be upgradable and nor will the GPU or CPU).
The Mac Professional has lots of competitors within the type of the Mac Studio, which gives the very same spec because the Mac Studio and is cheaper. The Mac Professional brings an additional fan, extra ports and there’s a rack-mounted possibility.
Is now an excellent time to purchase a Mac Professional?
The drawback is that Apple hasn’t up to date the Mac Professional (or Mac Studio) since mid 2023. Whereas Apple usually waits a very long time between Mac Professional updates, the M4 Professional has greater than caught up with the M2 Max and the M4 Max has edged forward of the M2 Extremely, so when you want the ability then the Mac Professional isn’t trying as enticing subsequent to its siblings
When the Mac Professional is lastly up to date we anticipate it to leap forward, so our advice it to attend. We anticipate an replace at, or earlier than, WWDC.
