M4 MacBook Pro may launch sooner than you think — but should you wait?

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The M3 MacBook Pros are easily some of the best MacBooks Apple has ever released, but oddly, we’re going to tell you to stop buying them (unless there’s like a really good deal).

That’s because ahead of a predicted Apple October event, DigiTimes is reporting the next generation M4 MacBook Pro models — including M4 Pro and M4 Max options — have entered mass production this month ahead of an expected release in two months.

More power, more of the same

MacBook Pro M3 Pro on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

The rumor mill is also pointing to a new M4 iMac and Mac Mini too, but none of these are getting any significant redesigns. This is no bad thing given how much I do love the utilitarian aluminum unibody enclosure of the MacBook Pro — giving you a real sense of premium pride in owning it. Plus, while the wait for OLED is still ongoing, you could do a lot worse than that bright and vivid Mini LED panel.

Instead, we’re getting that beefy spec bump to M4. We’ve already seen the impressive gains capable with this new generation of Apple’s 3nm chip in the M4 iPad Pro. For example, we’re seeing an up to 17% improvement in the chips processing performance when compared to the M3 MacBook Pro.

Alongside that, the graphics and AI performance are greatly enhanced too for handily crushing more intensive tasks. And you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll see even more squeezed out of the M4 Pro and M4 Max.

Not only that, but this may be the year we finally say “sayonara” to 8GB of RAM, as developer logs suggest that “base-level” M4 Macs will start at 16GB. This is huge, as it’s become clear that this paltry amount of multitasking memory was never going to be enough going forward.

But if you have to buy a MacBook Pro right now

MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 holding in air open — (Image credit: Future)

Look, I know we’re saying don’t buy a MacBook Pro until you see what the M4s are capable of. However, it’s a bit stickier than that — primarily because Apple seems to be on a bit of a price drop binge ahead of this rumored October event.

If you need one right now, you can save big. Perfect timing ahead of going to college or if you need a peak productive rig right now.

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Jason brings a decade of tech and gaming journalism experience to his role as a Managing Editor of Computing at Tom's Guide. He has previously written for Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Kotaku, Stuff and BBC Science Focus. In his spare time, you'll find Jason looking for good dogs to pet or thinking about eating pizza if he isn't already.