Recent leaks out of Russia have sparked speculation about Apple's upcoming M4 MacBook Pro lineup, including suggestions that the base 14-inch model may launch with a sleek new Space Black color option.
Space Black is currently exclusive to the higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max variants in Apple's existing MacBook Pro lineup, but it could be making its way to the entry-level 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro.
This information comes from a series of unexpected leaks originating in Russia, including listings on the classified ads website Avito and unboxing videos shared by Russian YouTube channels. The leaks described a 14-inch M4 model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage in the Space Black finish. The current base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip is only available in Silver and Space Gray.
One of the standout features of the Space Black finish on current MacBook Pro models is its resistance to fingerprints. Apple describes it as "a gorgeous dark aluminum finish" created using a "breakthrough anodization method that resists fingerprints." The company claims this special anodization seal significantly reduces the visibility of fingerprints and smudges, which is a common complaint with darker-colored aluminum devices.
Apple recently extended this fingerprint-resistant technology to the Midnight color option of the MacBook Air, suggesting a broader adoption of this feature across its product lines. If the base M4 MacBook Pro indeed comes in Space Black, it's likely to incorporate this same fingerprint-resistant coating, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
As with all leaks and rumors, this information should be approached with caution. Apple has not officially announced any details about its upcoming MacBook Pro models. The company typically maintains strict secrecy around unreleased products, making these leaks particularly unusual. But if the rumors hold true, we might see the new M4 MacBook Pro lineup, possibly including a Space Black base model, as soon as early November.
