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I find this decision to put it in the iPad Pro somewhat puzzling. One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while, knowin

I find this decision to put it in the iPad Pro somewhat puzzling. One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while, knowing that such a big leap in performance is around the corner. Does Apple really sell more iPad Pros than MacBooks to make it worthwhile? I was under the impression that the iPad Pro is a somewhat niche product and the Air is far more popular.

CubsFan1060 2y ago
I think the theory is that there is going to be a large on-device AI push at WWDC. And iPads generally have a very long refresh cycle. In order for iPads to participate, they needed the M4's.
wilsonnb3 2y ago
> One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while, knowing that such a big leap in performance is around the corner. I think this is one of those things that only enthusiasts care about, and if you care that much about performance you’re probably one of the people who buys a new one every year or two anyways so they aren’t really missing out on your revenue. Most people just need or want a new laptop and order whatever one is currently available.
hocuspocus 2y ago
I think it makes total sense. I speculate the M4 might be too expensive to manufacture for a MBA right now. The iPad Pro is a relatively niche, slow cycle and high-margin product. People who buy MacBooks aren't suddenly going to stop or switch to Windows because of some Osborne effect. The entry-level M3 MBA is still extremely hard to beat at the same price point.
re-thc 2y ago
> One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while Like how long? M4 MacBook Pros could in theory launch in a month (i.e. WWDC). That's worthwhile.
- zarzavat 2y ago
  I believe that refreshed MacBooks are not expected at WWDC and there may be quite a wait as we are mid-cycle.
  - re-thc 2y ago
    > I believe that Most believed that M4 was not coming either until a last minute rumor. So who knows. Related rumors: - M3 process is expensive so it's getting dropped ASAP - M4 needed for AI so the whole line is getting refreshed - There's competition from Nuvia etc and M4 is needed to get ahead
  - mcphage 2y ago
    M3s are also in mid-cycle. Or rather, they were.
zmb_ 2y ago
They mentioned during the presentation that they need the new display controller on the M4 to drive the new dual panel display.
- AlanYx 2y ago
  That's really an underrated part of the announcement. It sounds like they're moving the entire display TCON on-chip.
- paulmd 2y ago
  Interestingly that probably means having proper support for 2 external displayport on MBA as well, I'd assume...
barkingcat 2y ago
the ipad is not a replacement for macbooks so the assumption is not correct. I think it's more likely that current owners of m3 macbooks will be enticed to buy m4 ipads and thus apple makes more money. And owners of older macbooks would buy both the m3 macbook and the m4 ipad It sounds backwards, but that's how the apple ecosystem works.

CubsFan1060 2y ago

I think the theory is that there is going to be a large on-device AI push at WWDC. And iPads generally have a very long refresh cycle. In order for iPads to participate, they needed the M4's.

wilsonnb3 2y ago

> One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while, knowing that such a big leap in performance is around the corner. I think this is one of those things that only enthusiasts care about, and if you care that much about performance you’re probably one of the people who buys a new one every year or two anyways so they aren’t really missing out on your revenue. Most people just need or want a new laptop and order whatever one is currently available.

hocuspocus 2y ago

I think it makes total sense. I speculate the M4 might be too expensive to manufacture for a MBA right now. The iPad Pro is a relatively niche, slow cycle and high-margin product. People who buy MacBooks aren't suddenly going to stop or switch to Windows because of some Osborne effect. The entry-level M3 MBA is still extremely hard to beat at the same price point.

re-thc 2y ago

> One consequence of this is that nobody is going to want to buy M3 MacBooks for a while Like how long? M4 MacBook Pros could in theory launch in a month (i.e. WWDC). That's worthwhile.

zarzavat 2y ago
I believe that refreshed MacBooks are not expected at WWDC and there may be quite a wait as we are mid-cycle.
- re-thc 2y ago
  > I believe that Most believed that M4 was not coming either until a last minute rumor. So who knows. Related rumors: - M3 process is expensive so it's getting dropped ASAP - M4 needed for AI so the whole line is getting refreshed - There's competition from Nuvia etc and M4 is needed to get ahead
- mcphage 2y ago
  M3s are also in mid-cycle. Or rather, they were.

zmb_ 2y ago

They mentioned during the presentation that they need the new display controller on the M4 to drive the new dual panel display.

AlanYx 2y ago
That's really an underrated part of the announcement. It sounds like they're moving the entire display TCON on-chip.
paulmd 2y ago
Interestingly that probably means having proper support for 2 external displayport on MBA as well, I'd assume...

barkingcat 2y ago

the ipad is not a replacement for macbooks so the assumption is not correct. I think it's more likely that current owners of m3 macbooks will be enticed to buy m4 ipads and thus apple makes more money. And owners of older macbooks would buy both the m3 macbook and the m4 ipad It sounds backwards, but that's how the apple ecosystem works.