M4 MacBook Pro leaked to Russia before official presentation
The unboxing of a yet-unlaunched MacBook with an M4 chipset on board is all over the web today, competing for the title of the most outrageous breaking news story of the month. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened: once (on March 18, 2010), Apple engineer Gray Powell accidentally left an iPhone 4 prototype at a bar in California, and history knows many more unintended and intended leaks of specs and products per se that occurred before the official presentation thereof. Let’s see what’s known about the new M4 MacBook now and recount some of the most noteworthy accidents of this sort.
Leaked Specifications of M4 MacBook Pro
So, the laptop that Russian YouTubers Wylsacom and Romancev768 got in their hands (independently from each other, it would seem) and reviewed looks like the new entry level computer of the respective Apple lineup. According to the unboxers, the specs of M4 MacBook Pro are:
- 14-inch display;
- M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU;
- 16GB RAM (a notable increase from the typical 8GB Apple packed the comparable previous model with)
- 512GB SSD
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (more than used to be)
- Space Black color, which is so far considered reserved for higher-end models.
It should be noted that, as of this writing, no major outlet vocally refused to challenge the veracity of the video. Most put it in the “quite possibly true” box, although some inconsistencies, such as Apple ID instead of Apple Account (Cupertino company abolished the former), were noticed.
M4 MacBook Pro leak – similar Incidents
Let’s recall some other notable leaks that had tech enthusiasts excited before the official announcements.
- Google Pixel 9. This one is recent; just before its launch, key specifications of the Google Pixel 9 were leaked accidentally through NCC, a Taiwanese regulator. The leak revealed all the specs that matter, including details about the phone’s processor and storage options.
- Nintendo Switch 2. Here, we deal with leaks that feel intended, a marketing gimmick; the console won’t be announced before April 2025, but gamers all over the world have already had a chance to see the design and learn the specs, which, first off, keeps them warmed up about the device, and secondly, allows collecting valuable feedback while there’s still time to adjust it.
- Samsung Galaxy S20. In January 2020, the web was hit with several leaks revealing everything important and even some secondary information about the entire then-new Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup. Overall, the leaks made the series one of the most talked-about launches in early 2020, and set high expectations for Samsung's flagships.
- Apple AirPods Max. Back in late 2020, this was big news. The leaks were significant and generated considerable buzz ahead of the official release of the headphones, which somewhat suggests intended character thereof, an assumption further solidified by the participation of influencers like Mark Gurman in distribution of the leaked information.
- Microsoft Surface Duo. While the phone was eventually considered not really handy in many common scenarios, and overpriced, the leaks thereabout stirred up a lot of excitement in the tech community. It was, after all, a phone with two displays from one of the undisputed technological leaders of the world today.
While the specific points and levers that enabled leaks are rarely discovered (or disclosed), it would be safe to assume that, in such situations, we are dealing with a security breach quite often. If you have essential data and information stored on your computer and/or within your network, the best thing to do is to reevaluate the respective means of protection on a regular basis. When facing this task the next time, browse Informer’s catalog of data safety and cybersecurity solutions:
