Apple updates its products on a rhythm. See how long each model has been on sale, how long its predecessors lasted, and whether it's a good time to buy.
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Show cycles in
Mac models
MacBook Air
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 7 mo of a usual 16 mo cycle.(Mid-Product Cycle)
Thin and light in 13- and 15-inch sizes, now with the M5 chip, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 512GB of storage to start.
MacBook Air (M5)Mar 11, 2026
7 mo215 d
MacBook Air (M4)Mar 12, 2025
12 mo364 d
MacBook Air (M3)Mar 8, 2024
12 mo369 d
MacBook Air (M2)Jul 15, 2022
20 mo602 d
MacBook Air (M1)Nov 17, 2020
20 mo605 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
16 mo485 d
Next update expected ~Jul 2027
MacBook Pro
Don't BuyA replacement is due any time now — wait if you can. On sale for 7 mo of a usual 14 mo cycle.(Rumored Nov 2026)
Pro laptops in 14- and 16-inch sizes with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, up to 128GB of unified memory and up to 24 hours of battery life.
MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max)Mar 11, 2026
7 mo215 d
MacBook Pro (M4 Pro/Max)Nov 8, 2024
16 mo488 d
MacBook Pro (M3)Nov 7, 2023
12 mo367 d
MacBook Pro (M2 Pro/Max)Jan 24, 2023
9 mo287 d
MacBook Pro (M1 Pro/Max)Oct 18, 2021
15 mo463 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
13 mo401 d
RumorUpdate expected November 2026 (unconfirmed · MacRumors)
MacBook Neo
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 7 mo of a usual 12 mo cycle (assumed).(Mid-Product Cycle)
Apple's new entry-level MacBook, powered by the A18 Pro chip with 8GB of unified memory.
MacBook NeoMar 11, 2026
7 mo215 d
Next update expected ~Mar 2027 (assumes a 12-month cycle)
iMac
Don't BuyA replacement is due any time now — wait if you can. On sale for 23 mo of a usual 21 mo cycle.(Updates Soon)
The 24-inch all-in-one desktop with the M4 chip, a 4.5K Retina display, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera and Thunderbolt 4.
iMac (M4)Nov 8, 2024
23 mo703 d
iMac (M3)Nov 7, 2023
12 mo367 d
iMac (M1)May 21, 2021
2.5 yr900 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
21 mo634 d
Past its usual cycle of about 21 mo — an update could arrive any time.
Mac mini
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 20 days of a usual 22 mo cycle.(Just Updated)
The compact desktop, now with the M6 chip (Apple's first 2nm chip, with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU) and an M5 Pro option.
Mac mini (M6)Sep 22, 2026
20 days20 d
Mac mini (M4)Nov 8, 2024
22 mo683 d
Mac mini (M2)Jan 24, 2023
21 mo654 d
Mac mini (M1)Nov 17, 2020
2.2 yr798 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
23 mo712 d
Next update expected ~Aug 2028
Mac Studio
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 20 days of a usual 18 mo cycle.(Just Updated)
The high-performance desktop with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, up to 512GB of unified memory, Thunderbolt 5 and Wi-Fi 7.
Mac Studio (M5 Max/Ultra)Sep 22, 2026
20 days20 d
Mac Studio (M4 Max/M3 Ultra)Mar 12, 2025
18 mo559 d
Mac Studio (M2 Max/Ultra)Jun 13, 2023
21 mo638 d
Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra)Mar 18, 2022
15 mo452 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
18 mo550 d
Next update expected ~Apr 2028
In each timeline, the dashed outline is the expected length of the cycle and the colored bar is how much of it has passed. Grey bars are how long previous models lasted, and the blue Average bar is the mean of all past cycles.
How the Buyer's Guide works
How does the Buyer's Guide decide when to buy?
Apple updates most products on a fairly regular schedule. For each product we measure how long the previous models took to arrive, then compare that cycle with how long the current model has been on sale. A recently released model is a safe buy; one that has gone most of its usual cycle is likely to be replaced soon.
What do the release dates mean?
Dates are when each model first went on sale, not when it was announced, so they can be a few days after Apple's event.
Is the recommendation always right?
No. It is based on past release patterns, not on inside information. Apple sometimes skips or delays a generation, so treat it as a guide. When we know something the cycle can't, such as a confirmed launch date, we override the automatic result.
Want to know which software version a device supports? Try Can I Update?
