New Apple M4 release schedules detailed with 'AI focused' overhaul planned and special Hidra chipset for next Mac Pro

Apple has not finished upgrading its product stack to its Apple M3 generation yet. For now, the chipset has graced multiple Mac models through the Apple M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max, most recently with the releases of the MacBook Air 13 and MacBook Air 15. However, new iPad Pro models are expected to land next month, both with Apple M3 chipsets as part of a significant redesign for the series.

Nonetheless, Mark Gurman has already moved on to what could be in store for Apple M4-generation devices. Writing again on Bloomberg, the Apple analyst asserts that Apple M4 will mark an 'AI focused' overhaul of its 'entire Mac line'. Specifically, Gurman states that Apple has developed three M4 variants codenamed as follows:

• Donan - possible Apple M4
• Brava - possible Apple M4 Pro
• Hidra - possible Apple M4 Ultra

According to Gurman, the iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 will receive Apple M4-based upgrades first, starting in late 2024 or early 2025. Moreover, Gurman adds that Apple will continue to delineate between entry-level and high-end MacBook Pro 14 SKUs, likely by equipping the former with 'Donan' while affording the 'Brava' to the latter. Supposedly, these refreshes could occur in late 2024 or early 2024, with MacBook Air releases scheduled for spring 2025.

Meanwhile, the desktop-based Mac Studio and Mac Pro are expected to join the Apple M4 party in mid and 'later' 2025, respectively. Apparently, only the Mac Pro will launch with 'Hidra', possibly with a new 512 GB unified memory (RAM) variant. Although still short of older Mac Pro support for 1.5 TB RAM, it would be a considerable improvement over the current model's 192 GB unified memory limit. Currently, Gurman believes that Apple will showcase 'a slew' of new on-device AI features in June at WWDC 2024, which runs between June 10 and June 14.

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