MacBook Air and 'MacBook' With M2 Chips Slated for Launch Later This Year

Apple is working on the successor to the M1 chip, expected to be called the M2, and multiple rumors have already suggested that these chips are going to be used in machines that include a refreshed MacBook Air and a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

macbook air rounded mock purple
A new report today from 9to5Mac once again reiterates these rumors, with the site claiming that Apple will introduce a ‌MacBook Air‌ and a 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with ‌M2‌ chip later this year. Notably, 9to5Mac says that Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo's recent prediction that the next-generation ‌MacBook Air‌ will use either the ‌M1‌ or an updated version of it is incorrect.

While analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the new MacBook Air will have an updated M1 chip, our reliable sources have told us that the machine is being developed with the new M2 chip.

Codenamed J413, the next generation MacBook Air is expected to be released in a single version featuring M2.

As for the 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, 9to5Mac claims that Apple could drop the "Pro" labeling, referring to the new machine as just "MacBook" as it has done in the past.

We've already heard plenty about the next-generation versions of the ‌MacBook Air‌ and 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ from sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has confirmed that the new ‌MacBook Air‌ will see a complete redesign. Gurman has also provided details on the ‌M2‌ chip, which is expected to feature the same 8-core CPU as the ‌M1‌, but with 9 and 10-core GPU options.

There is no word on a release date as of yet, but ‌M2‌ machines are likely to come out in the later months of the year.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iPhone 17 Pro and Air N1 Feature

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16 Wi-Fi Speeds: New Study Reveals the Winner

Tuesday November 18, 2025 10:53 am PST by
A new study has revealed that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air achieve significantly faster average Wi-Fi speeds compared to the iPhone 16 series, thanks to Apple's custom-designed N1 chip. The study was conducted by Ookla, the company behind the popular Speedtest website and app. It said the results are based on global, crowdsourced Speedtest user data...
macbook black friday

The Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals

Tuesday November 18, 2025 7:32 am PST by
We're getting closer to Black Friday, which lands next week on Friday, November 28. In the lead-up to the shopping holiday, we're tracking a few lowest-ever prices on Apple's most popular Macs, including the M4 MacBook Air and brand new M5 MacBook Pro. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment,...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...

Top Rated Comments

CrazyForCashews Avatar
48 months ago
Dear Apple,

Don't be dumb and make the bezels white or any other colour other than black.

From: Everyone
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SW3029 Avatar
48 months ago
We need a 15 inch MacBook Air. Yes, I’m going to die on this hill.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
48 months ago

I'm guessing the rumor mill echo chamber is dead wrong on M2 in 2022.

I would also guess there are zero first party sources on these rumors. Just people looking at historical upgrade cycles and adding 1 to M1 and saying it's coming. Pure conjecture.
Why am I seeing this so many times?
Apple updates the iPhone CPU, the lowest end CPU, every year.
It makes sense that their lowest end Mac chip would follow a similar trajectory.
Why on earth would they brag about switching to new silicon, how it would stop the product line stagnation that happened under Intel… and then go three years without updating the CPU on their most popular Mac.
That makes absolutely no sense.
According to Apple at their event just two days ago, the ultra is the last processor in the M1 Family.
Now we move on to M2, starting with their lowest end chip just like they did with M1.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 months ago
Looks like MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2022. They will sell like hot cakes. Can't wait to see the new gorgeous colors.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
48 months ago
Called it.
Given that the old MBP design is almost 6 years old, it’s much cheaper to produce at this point.
If they remove the Touch Bar, they can drop down the price even more.
So my prediction is that the thicker, heavier, silver and gray, thick bezeled MacBook will slot in at that $999 price point, replacing the old MacBook Air.
Than the new MacBook Air which is thinner, lighter, colorful, with thinner bezels and a notch will be priced at $1299.
So it would literally mirror the iPad lineup with the obvious exception of the mini.
iPad/MacBook: cheapest, thicker, heavier, silver and gray only, LCD display, thick bezels.
iPad Air/MacBook Air: thin, light, colorful, midrange.
iPad Pro/MacBook Pro: top-of-the-line, best CPU, mini LED, 120 Hz
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigchungus Avatar
48 months ago
It's possible that they'd just retire the 13 inch MacBook Pro, replace it with this new M2 MacBook, and keep the old Air in the lineup.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)