Apple's Bold Move: M4 MacBook Air Kills The Cheaper M3, M2 Variants

In a move that caught many off guard, Apple has quietly discontinued its M2 and M3 MacBook Air models following the launch of its latest M4-powered iteration. The tech giant’s decision to pull these devices from its official lineup came swiftly, with the older versions disappearing from Apple’s website mere days after the M4’s debut.

The M2 MacBook Air, a fan favourite since its 2022 release, and its successor, the M3 model introduced last year, are no longer available as new purchases directly from Apple. However, shoppers aren’t entirely out of luck. Bargain hunters can still find remaining stock through third-party retailers like Amazon and Flipkart, as well as electronics chains such as Croma and Reliance Digital.

Power meets precision: The M4’s bold claims

The new M4 MacBook Air arrives in two sizes—13-inch and 15-inch—comes with macOS Sequoia and is equipped to handle Apple Intelligence, the company’s latest AI-driven feature suite. Apple touts the M4 chip as a game-changer, boasting speeds up to 23 times faster than older Intel-based MacBooks and two times faster than the 2020 M1 model. Yet, conspicuously absent are direct comparisons to the M2 and M3 chips, sparking curiosity about how much of an upgrade the M4 truly offers.

Pricing

In India, the 13-inch base model starts at INR 99,900, featuring 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the larger 15-inch variant kicks off at INR 1,24,900. This pricing strategy places the M4 models firmly in the premium segment, potentially stretching budgets for students and casual users.

But why the sudden change?

Analysts suggest Apple’s abrupt phase-out aligns with its push to dominate the AI hardware race. By eliminating older models, the company streamlines its ecosystem, ensuring developers and users focus on optimising for the M4’s advanced capabilities. Still, the shift has left some customers in a bind—those seeking affordability must now hunt for refurbished units or pivot to competitors from the Windows-based laptops, which start at a lower price point.

The bigger picture

This isn’t just about laptops. Apple’s bold move reflects its broader ambition to control every layer of its technology, from custom chips to AI integration. While early adopters celebrate the M4’s raw power, the decision underscores a growing divide: cutting-edge innovation comes at a cost and Apple seems willing to leave budget buyers behind to secure its future as a tech titan.

That said, you can always count on third-party retailers like Flipkart, Amazon and Reliance Digital to lower the prices during festive seasons in a bid to move more units. It won't be surprising to see the base spec M4 MacBook Air costing less than INR 90,000 during the festive season sale in October.!

For now, the message is clear—Apple’s all-in on the M4 era and it’s not looking back.

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