The release of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, featuring Apple Silicon and a redesigned look, has been delayed. This delay is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the market conditions have led to slower-than-expected sales of the 15-inch MacBook Air, the first consumer macOS laptop with a larger display. Secondly, there has been a decline in laptop and desk-bound PC sales across the board, as companies shift back to office-based work post-pandemic. Additionally, Apple’s focus on its flagship product, the iPhone, and its future moonshot, the Apple Vision Pro headset, may have contributed to the delay.
The introduction of Apple Silicon has completed the Mac’s transition, making it less of a priority compared to other products in Apple’s portfolio. With the Mac platform moving to ARM-based computing becoming the baseline, the next-generation MacBooks, expected to launch with the M3 hardware, need to offer something significantly different and convince both loyal customers to upgrade and attract newcomers to the platform. The decision to delay the release of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air should be seen in the context of these market conditions and priorities.
Ultimately, if there is a silicon shortage, Apple is likely to prioritize the linchpin iPhone and its new offerings rather than a workhorse laptop. As a result, the Mac’s moment to shine and grab the limelight seems to have passed, with other products taking precedence.