Where to Preorder the M4-Powered MacBook Air
The new MacBook Air will be available in stores on March 12th in sky blue, black, silver, and a "starlight" cream shade. You can preorder the 13-inch base model with a 10-core CPU, eight-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage starting at $999 from Apple, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. You can also preorder the laptop with a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,199. Meanwhile, the model with 24GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 10-core CPU and GPU goes for $1,399.
Upgrading Storage and RAM
Apple also lets you upgrade storage and RAM. Upgrading to 512GB of storage will cost you an extra $200, 1TB an extra $400, and 2TB an extra $800. You can also preorder the laptop with 24GB of RAM for $200 more, while 32GB of RAM costs $400 extra. If you opt for 512GB of storage or more, you have the option to purchase a 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter or 70W USB-C Power Adapter for $20 extra.
M4 Max Mac Studio
The M4 Max Mac Studio is "up to 3.5x faster" than the original M1 Max model from 2022. Compared to its outgoing predecessor, the M2 Max Studio from 2023, it offers a maximum of 128GB of RAM, up from 96GB. The Mac Studio’s four rear USB-C ports have been upgraded from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5.
M3 Ultra Mac Studio
Apple claims the Mac Studio with an M3 Ultra chip is twice as fast as the M4 Max for GPU- and CPU-demanding workloads. Apple also says the system boasts "50 percent more performance cores" than its M2 Ultra predecessors. It, too, can be configured with up to 512GB of RAM and 16TB of storage, up from its outgoing predecessor’s maximum of 192GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. The front USB-C ports on the M3 Ultra Mac Studio also support Thunderbolt 5, unlike the ones on the M4 Max version, and it can support up to eight displays, as opposed to five.
Conclusion
The new MacBook Air and Mac Studio are available for preorder now, with the former starting at $999 and the latter starting at $1,999. Both devices offer significant upgrades over their predecessors, with the M4 chip providing a significant boost in performance. For those looking for a more powerful machine, the M3 Ultra Mac Studio is a good option, with its increased RAM and storage capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the new MacBook Air available for preorder?
A: The new MacBook Air is available for preorder starting March 12th.
Q: What are the starting prices for the new MacBook Air?
A: The starting prices for the new MacBook Air are $999 for the 13-inch base model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model.
Q: What are the upgrade options for the new MacBook Air?
A: You can upgrade storage and RAM on the new MacBook Air. Upgrading to 512GB of storage will cost you an extra $200, 1TB an extra $400, and 2TB an extra $800. You can also preorder the laptop with 24GB of RAM for $200 more, while 32GB of RAM costs $400 extra.
Q: What are the differences between the M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studio?
A: The M4 Max Mac Studio is "up to 3.5x faster" than the original M1 Max model from 2022, while the M3 Ultra Mac Studio is twice as fast as the M4 Max for GPU- and CPU-demanding workloads. The M3 Ultra Mac Studio also has a maximum of 512GB of RAM and 16TB of storage, up from its outgoing predecessor’s maximum of 192GB of RAM and 8TB of storage.
