Are you looking to replace your Mac laptop or desktop? There’s never been a better line-up available! But what if when you do, Apple releases another, better Mac, for less money? That’s always the worry.
This article can help. I’ve explored the current state of Apple’s Mac line-up, interpreted the rumours of future models, and for each model offered a shiny ‘Stuff says’ buying recommendation.
Apple’s M4 chip launched in March 2025, powering the new MacBook Air, followed by rolling out M4‑based updates to the MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and even freshly minted Mac Studio configurations. WWDC 2025 is behind us and we know the next version of Mac software. So here’s what each Mac device’s future holds, through the end of 2025. Or at least according to the latest rumours.
MacBook Air
State of play: The M4‑powered 13-inch and 15-inch Airs arrived in March, bringing 10‑core CPU/GPU performance, a 12 MP Center Stage cam, and support for two external 6K displays. Plus, we got the new Sky Blue finish (you can debated how blue it really is) and an impressive $999/£999 starting price – actually $100/£100 cheaper that the previous release. Our review scored the machine a full five stars, touting that “the MacBook AIr is still the everyday laptop to beat.”
What’s next: The current design is likely to stick around until at least 2026. Top Apple analyst Mark Gurman suggests the next silicon leap – M5 – is earmarked for MacBook Pro first (more on that later), with iPads and other Macs following in early 2026.
Stuff says: If you’re after a cracking, portable, fan‑less performer, the M4 Air is a no‑brainer. It’s brilliant for day‑to‑day, creative light work, and all without the Pro price. Just maybe add a bigger SSD – the base 256GB is a bit stingy. So unless you’re holding out for a full redesign, the M4 Air’s a great buy right now.
MacBook Pro
State of play: The 14-inch and 16-inch models got the M4 Pro/Max treatment last year, bringing some incredible new power, upgraded connectivity options, and an absolutely stunning new nanotexture display option. It’s a beast for creatives doing editing, coding or heavy lifting. Our review reward this beast of a machine a full five stars, praising it for “a simply incredible experience, now with a step-forward software experience.” Honestly, it’s the best laptop I’ve ever used.
What’s next: Gurman says new M5 Macs Pro are due this autumn (most likely in October). The upcoming M5 processor is expected to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process, which means it’ll be even faster than the insane speeds of M4. While that’s impressive enough, the big changes are coming in 2026. Next year, we’re expecting some design changes to the chassis and one of the biggest upgrades in years – an OLED display.
Stuff says: The current M4 Pro/Max models are absolutely still worth getting – even if new chips drop later this year. Unless you need the absolute fastest speeds on offer, M4 will more than have you covered. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting to buy a M4 MacBook Pro until the M5 machines come out could save you some cash. And if you want some huge improvements? Circle October 2026 on your calendar.
Mac mini
State of play: The Mac mini also got the M4 chip earlier this year alongside the rest of the line-up. But that wasn’t the most impressive thing about it. This new model is absolutely tiny – even smaller than an Apple TV! It’s also now robust enough to handle two monitors, streamlining its performance footprint for home offices and study desks.
What’s next: Unlike the Pro, the Mac mini tends to skip a year in its upgrade cycle. We didn’t get an M3 Mac mini, for example. Either expect an M5 refresh to appear at the end of this year, or (more likely) an M6 version at the end of 2026. I don’t expect any further design changes, with the exception perhaps of an SD card slot on the front.
Stuff says: For a no‑fuss desktop Mac at a decent price, the current Mac mini is solid. With the most likely scenario being that we’re more than a year out from the next version, there’s nothing holding back your purchase right now. In fact, I’d say that it’s easily the best value Mac.
iMac
State of play: The 24-inch M4 iMac slipped out alongside the Mac mini in October 2024, filling the gap since 2021’s model. It’s got the same design, but is now faster thanks to the M4 chip, offers a brighter cam, and better AI integration thanks to Apple Intelligence. It’s better value than it’s ever been, offering plenty of welly behind it.
What’s next: Another reputable Apple analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo chimes in here, predicting a larger 32-inch mini‑LED iMac landing between late 2025 and 2026 . But if you’re not hell‑bent on extra screen real‑estate, grabbing the current M4 iMac makes sense – big redesigns are probably off‑track until 2026.
Stuf says: The 24-inch M4 iMac is great value – it’s bright, speedy, and plenty for most home/office work. Unless you’ve got cash burning a whole in your pocket for a mega 32-inch beast, this one’s worth considering now.
Mac Studio
State of play: Apple quietly launched M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studios in March – hitting wild performance levels and confusing everyone with the naming schemes. The M3 Ultra version offers up to a mind-bending 512 GB of RAM and smashes through AI, video, even DNA sequencing workloads. Whereas the M4 Max edition serves up excellent Pro-level grunt at a more palatable base price.
What’s next: This machine is crazy powerful, but I was let down by the lack of an M4 Ultra chipset. Gurman notes Ultra-tier chips don’t appear every generation, but I personally think Apple is reserving the M4 Ultra for a Mac Pro update soon. If Apple follows past form, a proper M4 Ultra or M5 variant might land in 2026 – but that’s very far from certain. In past years, the tech giant has skipped a chip generation for the Mac Studio – so we may not see another release until M6 Max is ready.
Stuff says: These Mac Studio models are crazy powerful. If you need a compact desktop that can crunch cinema‑grade video, train ML models, or surf Mars terrain in Unreal Engine – this is it. Just check: M3 Ultra outpaces the M4 Max in heavy unified‑memory tasks. So compare workloads before choosing.
Mac Pro
State of play: Things are still quiet since the M2 Ultra release in mid‑2023. No refreshed models surfaced at Apple’s March Mac event or WWDC 2025 yet. This release was a questionable one, with the usual crazy prices for similar performance to the Mac Studio. The modularity is all that sets this apart, which could be useful for the proiest of pros.
What’s next: Rumours floated mid‑2025 for an update, possibly with M4 Ultra or even M5 – but since WWDC 2025 has been and gone, this seems unlikely. I do think M4 Ultra has been reserved for the Mac Pro first, so an October launch alongside the next generation of MacBook Pros seems most likely.
Stuff says: If you’re in full‑on Hollywood‑scale editing, maybe hold for an M4 Ultra Mac Pro. But if you need power now (deep custom I/O, PCIe cards, heck even densest RAM), the current M2 Ultra Mac Pro is still untouchable. Just consider the M2 Ultra Mac Studio, and ask yourself if you really need modularity for all those extra zeroes on the price.
Should you wait before upgrading your Mac?
Look, you can’t live your life waiting for “the next big thing.” The current M4 range is beautifully balanced across value, power, and AI smarts. If your heart’s set on bleeding‑edge, wait for M5 this autumn, but don’t sweat if you can’t hold off. The current Macs will serve beautifully for years, and you’ll probably be able to save yourself a pretty penny when the new ones drop.
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