The MacRumors Show: Apple’s shocking M4 MacBook Pro leak

On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the unprecedented leak of Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro models and the company’s rumored move toward more staggered hardware and software releases.

Several leaks surrounding Apple’s unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip have recently surfaced online. The leaks started with unboxing videos shared by several Russian YouTube channels, showcasing the new entry-level MacBook Pro ahead of its official announcement. These leaks were followed by a listing on a Russian classifieds site where several units were said to have been sold after what appeared to be a theft from a warehouse. This represents one of Apple’s most significant leaks in recent memory, drawing comparisons to the iPhone 4 prototype incident in 2010.

The leaked MacBook Pro reveals several notable upgrades. The M4 chip with a 10-core CPU is 25% faster than the M3’s 8-core CPU. It’s also rumored to have 16GB of RAM as a new base configuration, doubling the previous standard of 8GB, and supports up to two external displays with the lid open. Another key improvement is the addition of a third Thunderbolt port, bringing the entry-level model on par with the higher-end configurations. It also looks like the entry-level MacBook Pro will be available in Space Black color option for the first time. Despite these improvements, the display, general design and other features remain unchanged from the current MacBook Pro. These revelations come just weeks before Apple is expected to officially unveil its first M4-powered Macs, with a rumored release date of November 1st.

Accordingly BloombergAccording to Mark Gurman, Apple appears to be slowly moving away from its traditional annual hardware and software release schedule, favoring a more staggered approach. This shift will be evident with the launch of iOS 18, where key features such as Apple Intelligence will be delayed and will be introduced in subsequent updates throughout 2025. As Apple’s product lineup becomes more complex, this strategy would allow for better quality control and innovation, releasing products and features as they are fully developed rather than adhering to fixed schedules.

While iPhones are expected to maintain their annual updates, other products like the Apple Watch and Mac lineup may follow a multi-year or staggered release schedule to make the company’s launches less predictable and more flexible. We discuss whether this is a good move for Apple and take stock of the overall product strategy in light of recent releases.

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If you haven’t heard the previous episode of “The MacRumors Show,” you can follow our discussion of the latest rumors surrounding Apple’s “home accessory” product, which could launch as early as next year.

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