Apple has introduced the next MacBook Air and has also introduced a new line of Windows on Arm laptops. These new laptops are expected to have similar features as their high-end counterparts. AMD is also working on a new mobile gaming CPU. The next year should bring some interesting innovations to the laptop market.
Apple’s next MacBook Air
As Apple prepares to launch its next MacBook Air, there are a few rumors about what to expect from the new laptop. Some analysts predict a 15-inch version, which will be a bit bigger than the current 13.6-inch model. Other sources predict that the new model will sport a different chip and have a slightly smaller screen.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a famous Apple analyst, tweeted on March 25 that Apple will start mass-production of a 15-inch MacBook in 2025. He also said that the laptop will be called MacBook Air and would feature a 30W charger. These hints point to the next-generation MacBook Air being released in the second quarter of 2025.
According to Bloomberg, Apple will release a 15-inch version of the MacBook Air in spring 2025. This would be the largest MacBook Air yet. But it will still feature the same design as the current 13.6-inch model. The curved frame, which is characteristic of older MacBooks, will remain unchanged. The updated larger-screen MacBook will be released alongside an updated 13-inch version, which is expected to include an OLED display.
Apple has several Macs slated to launch in 2022 and 2025, including an updated MacBook Pro. This updated Mac will come with an M2 Max chip that will have 12 cores and 38 graphics cores, up from the M1 Max chip’s 10 cores and 32 cores. Apple also previously considered launching a 15-inch MacBook Air this year, but canceled the idea. Instead, it will focus on the 13-inch model this week.
The next MacBook Air will be powered by the new M3 chip, which is also expected to power the new iMac all-in-one desktop and a 12-inch MacBook. Apple has already begun developing the M3 chip, but has yet to reveal the design of this new notebook.
The new laptop will likely have the same features as the current model, including an updated design that’s more similar to the iMac. It’s possible that Apple will introduce a few new colors and features.
Windows on Arm laptops
Windows on Arm is a new platform that was introduced in 2025 by Qualcomm and Microsoft. Its processors are capable of always-on connectivity, instant wake and many include cellular connectivity. While the first few Windows on Arm laptops and devices used the same processor, today, there are several different processors available.
The latest version of the Qualcomm Arm platform has several benefits, including a better battery and better connectivity. However, the CPU is still not up to par with the latest flagship mobile chipsets. For example, the 2020 version of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 processor found in the Xiaomi Book S sports a Cortex-A76 CPU which is much lower performing than the current flagship smartphone chipsets. As a result, Qualcomm Arm-based laptops tend to be much more expensive than a laptop with an Intel 11th Gen i5.
The latest Cortex-X3 processors from Arm have been able to surpass the Intel i7-1260P in some single-core workloads. This should help make Windows on Arm laptops for 2025 more affordable. The latest processors also have improved DSU-110 fabric to support up to 12 cores in a single cluster.
The upcoming Qualcomm Nuvia processors for laptops aim to offer desktop-level power without the cost hike. Qualcomm recently announced new Arm-based Nuvia processors, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2025. The newest chips are also aimed at performance leadership. Qualcomm is not the only company working on Windows on Arm hardware.
The Surface Pro X is currently one of the most powerful Windows on Arm devices available. It’s a powerful machine that comes with a Microsoft SQ1 or SQ2 processor, which is a tweaked version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2. The Surface Pro X also has up to 16GB of RAM. This extra RAM will significantly improve the multitasking capabilities of the Windows on Arm laptop.
The most popular Windows on Arm laptop is the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s. It has a remarkably large display, a great webcam and a classic ThinkPad design. It’s the most powerful Windows on Arm laptop currently available, and comes with a wide range of other great specs.
AMD’s next mobile gaming CPU
AMD is planning to release two new mobile gaming CPUs in 2025. They’re calling them the “Dragon Range” and “Phoenix.” The Dragon Range will be aimed at extreme gaming laptops, while the Phoenix will target ultra-thin laptops. Both will be aimed at performance and efficiency.
The Ryzen series will have a new naming scheme and model numbers for mobile laptops, which will include a range of products ranging from the budget Ryzen 7020 “Mendocino” series to the more expensive Ryzen 7045 “Dragon Range” series. AMD’s Rembrandt SoCs have already been successful on Linux, and the company will keep investing in Linux.
AMD is also planning to release a series of laptop CPUs with its new Zen 4 architecture. These CPUs will feature 3D V-Cache, which will benefit games and apps that make use of it. They will use a different manufacturing process than previous generations and will have a GPU based on RDNA3.
While the company has been successful in midrange gaming laptops, AMD is targeting the extreme gaming laptop market with its next generation of mobile gaming CPUs. It has previously delivered compact machines that provide plenty of power. But now, AMD has begun development of its newest mobile gaming CPU, codenamed ‘Dragon Range’, with the goal of making a gaming laptop that will be the pinnacle of performance. The CPU will have the most cores and threads in a mobile gaming CPU, and it promises to give gamers the best experience and productivity.
AMD is also working on the Zen 4 architecture for the next mobile gaming CPU for laptops. The new processors are said to be up to 58% faster than Intel’s Core i3-1115G4 processor. These numbers are relative, and the latest processors should deliver similar performance. AMD has announced the Ryzen 7000 series, along with the Zen 4 architecture. The Zen 4 architecture is designed to improve the performance of gaming machines and is expected to make laptops more versatile. AMD also promised to continue building the mobile lineup until 2025.
According to AMD’s Q1 2022 earnings report, the Ryzen 7000 series laptop CPUs will target extreme gaming laptops. It’s also planning to introduce the Phoenix series, which will target thin and light gaming laptops.