why is Macbook air listed as CAUTION in the buyer's guide?

[kofman13]

so i have a 2019 MBP 13 inch intel i5 i want to upgrade to M chip macbook air. It's temping to get M4 air base model with the apple black friday savings event for $175 off.
but i was looking at Macrumors buying guide, why does it show "CAUTION" for macbook air if they dont expect another until march 2026? and whats with this budget macbook rumor? should i wait?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Don't pay any attention to the caution. There is nothing wrong with the Air.

 

[KaliYoni]

why does it show "CAUTION" for macbook air if they dont expect another until march 2026? and whats with this budget macbook rumor? should i wait?

Note that Caution status is related to MR's estimate of where a given model is in its release lifecycle, not an indication of quality or reliability.

For the MBA 13", I'd say that Q1 2026 is not too far off. Even if the March release prediction is correct, that is only about 120 days from now. January and February are, obviously, even closer. So I think Caution is appropriate given waiting 2-4 months could result in 1-3 years longer before Apple stops providing software updates or puts the purchased model into vintage or obsolete status.

As for waiting, I'd say only you can answer that question. If you need a machine right away, then you can't wait for an undetermined period. But if a new MBA is a want or a nice-to-have, postponing buying until the 2026 MBA and A-series processor Macs are announced might make sense. Or, if you have a better use for the money you would spend on buying a computer now (for example, avoiding paying credit card interest on holiday spending), waiting would be a wise decision.

 

[joeblow7777]

It just means that a newer model is expected within the next 6 months or so. There is nothing wrong with the current model.

 

[kofman13]

Thanks for the insights everyone. I know the caution doesn’t mean quality or concern. I know it’s related to cycle and release dates, I just thought caution should be for something getting refreshed in 1-2 months, not in March lol.

 

[H_D]

No, it relates to the fact that an improved model will soon be available for the same price.

I just recently sat with two very nice parent in the Apple Store and they got their day the regular iPad. And I was wondering Should I tell them the new one is coming and feature the major improvement of being AI-ready? It’s basically that as a service by MacRumors.

 

[JPack]

The $7xx pricing, you could get it all summer during the BTS deal. The Apple Black Friday deal is actually pretty bad.

If you’re the type that pays regular price, they don’t mind the Caution. Otherwise, no way you should be buying now unless the price is $6xx.

 

[kofman13]

The $7xx pricing, you could get it all summer during the BTS deal. The Apple Black Friday deal is actually pretty bad.

If you’re the type that pays regular price, they don’t mind the Caution. Otherwise, no way you should be buying now unless the price is $6xx.

I cannot find a single store selling M4 MBA for less than $899, Best Buy, micro center, etc etc

 

[flowrider]

^^^^I see the 13" model selling for $749. in many stores

Lou

 

[NoBoMac]

^this. Best Buy is showing $749. Ditto Amazon (non-Prime price). Walmart is showing $899 for me.

Should I tell them the new one is coming and feature the major improvement of being AI-ready?

Probably don't know and don't care.

Ditto for me. Pulled the trigger on $75 off for A16 iPad, Black Friday deal, replacing a 7.5+ yo model needing a new battery and Lightning port that is acting up and don't care about any AI features. Good enough and cheap enough for what I need/want.

 

[kofman13]

Thanks guys gonna probably get 749$ Air tomorrow at Best Buy. 16gb enough for Tahoe for web browsing streaming emailing, tables in notion and some light Lightroom usage ? I’m spoiled on desktop with 32gb Mac studio

 

[kofman13]

about to upgrade from intel i5 macbook pro 8gb ram to base model M4 16gb mba for $749. amazing price but thinking what if they come out with M5 MBA

 

[jz0309]

about to upgrade from intel i5 macbook pro 8gb ram to base model M4 16gb mba for $749. amazing price but thinking what if they come out with M5 MBA

when the M5 comes out it might be priced again at $999, or there might be an increase - no-one knows. And sales on the new model will likely be a few weeks delayed and certainly not be at the price you can get the M4 at now...

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Low. If you need a new computer right now, get it at a good price. One series jump isn't much improvement to wait five months for. Any M series will blow yours away.

 

[MBAir2010]

seems to me that when a filthy rich aloof  CEO needs, realllllly needs that extra billion or two,
they might update MBA earlier than march '26
and succeed!

 

[FatLouie]

about to upgrade from intel i5 macbook pro 8gb ram to base model M4 16gb mba for $749. amazing price but thinking what if they come out with M5 MBA

Is the purchase about the price, or about whether you need M4 silicon or M5 silicon in an MBA? Do you need or want the MBA today, or at some point in the future? Knowing a device life cycle can end, are you willing to wait 'x' number of months for the latest?

Some people, well, most people, whether they will admit it or not, have buyer's remorse when purchasing an item just months before a newer release is available. That is why there is a Caution on the MR buyer's guide. I consider it a courtesy warning from MR., a warning that sellers and Apple employees who have sales targets will not tell you about.

 

[ignatius345]

Thanks for the insights everyone. I know the caution doesn’t mean quality or concern. I know it’s related to cycle and release dates, I just thought caution should be for something getting refreshed in 1-2 months, not in March lol.

Honestly, even if it was it's probably gonna be the same design with just an updated processor that's marginally faster. If you're coming from a 2019 Intel MacBook, any of the Apple Silicon MacBooks is going to feel like a rocket ship with 3x the battery life.

 

[JPack]

Updated processor with 2x faster SSD speeds. Personally, I'd wait for it since we're at the tail end of M4.