Apple's October Event: M4 Macs and New iPads on the Horizon

M4 Macs expected at Apple's event this month - here's everything we know

While there's no official date yet, here's why we're predicting these product reveals sooner rather than later. We're in the home stretch of 2024, but Apple isn't slowing down. The Cupertino-based tech giant is expected to hold a second Fall media event later this month. While recent history suggests the event could take place anytime before the end of October, our money's on mid-month. It's an election year in the US, and Apple probably doesn't want its news overshadowed. Also: M3 MacBook Air vs M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy? Expect an official announcement confirming the event date within the next week or so. As usual, the presentation likely will kick off at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on YouTube and Apple's website. With those details out of the way, one question remains: What's planned for the event? So far this year, we've already seen new iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, so the most significant product category clamoring for updates are Mac computers. Below is a list of what I think will be the stars of Apple's upcoming show. Earlier in the year, Apple released a revamped iPad Pro housing its new M4 chipset. The processor has proven to be powerful, fast, and reliable, and it's one of the main reasons we loved the device. Logic dictates that the same processor would eventually make its way to a new MacBook and iMac. Review: I replaced my MacBook with M4 iPad Pro and was less bothered than I expected In his most recent newsletter, Apple watcher Mark Gurman stated that the M4 chip will be used in the upcoming MacBook Pros and iMacs. Gurman doesn't say whether or not there will be different configurations, but we expect to see the base M4 as well as M4 Pro and M4 Max options for the two Mac models. We also predict that Apple will show off the next MacBook Pro in two sizes -- one with a 14-inch display and the second with a 16-inch display. Gurman claims the "M4 chip will come to the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro" next year. The Mac Mini is overdue for an update as the current model only has an M2 chip. As Apple's smallest desktop computer skipped the M3 generation, the M4 chip would allow it to catch up to other Apple hardware. In addition to the internal upgrade, multiple sources suggest the new Mac Mini will see several external changes. Review: Apple Mac Mini (2023) review: Faster, cheaper, better It's been reported that the model will emphasize the "Mini" in its name, shrinking to the width of an Apple TV box -- about four inches across. The future Mac Mini will be taller to compensate for the smaller width. Tech reporter Aaron Perris discovered a code string inside Apple software in mid-September, revealing that the Mac Mini has five ports. It's unknown precisely what kind of ports they are, but MacRumors believes they are five Thunderbolt 4 ports. In contrast, the M2 Mac Mini has two Thunderbolt 4 inputs. In his recent newsletter, Gurman also claimed that by the end of 2024, there would be three new iPad models -- two iPad Air tablets plus an iPad Mini. He didn't reveal much about them besides the two iPad Airs "will focus on internal improvements." This is probably a reference to the introduction of the M4 chip. Also: Why I'm more excited about an iPad Mini with Apple Intelligence than the new iPhone 16 models The last iPad Mini was released about three years ago, and much has changed since then. We don't expect this tablet to receive the M4 chip, as iPad Minis are designed to be Apple's low-cost tablet. Instead, there's a good chance it'll receive M1 or M2 hardware, which would allow it to run Apple Intelligence. Although the Mac models will take center stage at the event, we expect Apple Intelligence to make an appearance, albeit a small one. Many AI features still aren't available to iPhone users. These include but are not limited to Genmoji, the Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration. Also: 6 AI features iPhone users can expect first on iOS 18 (and what's coming later) iOS 18.1 should leave its beta state and officially roll out within the coming weeks. An early version of iOS 18.2 will likely be released soon after to testers. In the upcoming patch, we could finally see Genmoji and the other Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone. But we can't say for sure until the event kicks off. Be sure to stay tuned for ZDNET's coverage.

What to Expect From Apple's Rumored October Mac and iPad Event

Expertise Laptops | Desktops | All-in-one PCs | Streaming devices | Streaming platforms Apple tends to have two big product drops every fall: the iPhone and Apple Watch event in September, and something Mac/iPad-related in October. Last year, Apple had an unusual Halloween-themed night reveal of its M3 chips. This year, a similar event might be in store with an M4 spin, and perhaps some Apple Intelligence. Multiple reports have already strongly suggested that new products will be revealed soon, and it's also pretty clear what they might be (we think). According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, you can expect new MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini models, along with an updated iPad Mini and entry-level iPad. We may not get all of these things, but we'd be surprised if we didn't. If you're shopping right now for any of the aforementioned Apple products, wait. If you want a MacBook Air, iPad Air or iPad Pro, you're fine buying something now without regrets since updates aren't imminent for those lines. As for the Mac and iPad refreshes we expect to see soon, keep reading. We've been in a strange spot for the past few months where you can get Apple's latest M4 processor in an iPad but not in a MacBook. That's about to change because Apple is expected to roll out M4 chips to MacBook Pro models. You can expect the 14-inch MacBook Pro to get the same M4 processor found in the iPad Pro, with the 16-inch MacBook Pro getting M4 Pro and M4 Max versions of the chip. Reports also point to the iMac getting an M4 update. If you are looking for thinner or sleeker designs, you will likely be out of luck because it appears Apple is refreshing only the internals for its MacBook Pro and iMac lines. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air is not expected to get an M4 update until the early part of next year, with Mac Studio and Mac Pro updates to follow later in 2025. There is one Mac that could get a new look in this cycle. The Mac Mini is rumored to be a part of the M4 update, which would be a big leap from the current model's M2 processor. In addition to its new internals, the Mac Mini is expected to debut a new, more compact design. One item I'd like to see is a minimum 16GB of RAM for the new M4 MacBook Pros. We are well past the point where 8GB of memory is acceptable in a Pro-level laptop -- especially when Apple turns around and charges a hefty $200 to double the 8GB of RAM on the $1,599 and $1,799 baseline models of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple had a big splash reveal of its bleeding-edge iPad Pro, along with a new M4 chip, this past May. Apple also introduced new iPad Air models, a new Pencil Pro stylus, and dropped the price of its entry-level iPad (10th generation) then too. We still haven't seen any updates to its lower-end models -- the iPad Mini and entry iPad -- this year. Reports point strongly to a new iPad Mini, which should have (as expected) a chip upgrade, possibly a better display, and maybe Pencil Pro compatibility. The most interesting upgrade could be Apple Intelligence. Apple's still-unreleased generative AI additions to its iPhone, iPad and Mac products require certain processors, and on the iPad it's M1 or higher. Could the Mini get an M-series chip as well? The same question applies to the entry-level iPad. The 10th-gen iPad introduced a helpful landscape-oriented front camera that's now standard across the new iPad line and had its own new Smart Keyboard Folio case, plus a more modern bezel-reduced larger display with Touch ID button off to the side. The only thing I'd want from a new entry iPad is Apple Intelligence compatibility. It's unclear whether Apple would put that into a low-cost iPad, but the entire iPhone lineup is now AI-ready... so why not? Well, I also want a better Apple Pencil solution than the weird USB-C option. Maybe Apple enables Pencil 2 support this time too. Apple hasn't formally launched its most-heralded iOS 18 software feature yet, but iOS 18.1 with a few Apple Intelligence features is already in public beta. Apple Intelligence's first features are expected to arrive in October. If Apple is debuting new Macs and iPads, it would make a ton of sense to time that news close to Apple Intelligence's debut, and make these new Macs and iPads feel like another piece in Apple's new AI pitch. It may also lend that "something new" feel to a lineup of upgraded Macs and iPads that, otherwise, may not amount to much more than chip upgrades.

October will be big for Apple products, here's what's coming next - 9to5Mac

September is always Apple's most packed month for product launches. This year, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4 were joined by key software updates like iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, visionOS 2, and more. But now October is here, and Apple has plenty more announcements and product launches to make. Here's what's coming next. It didn't quite make the iPhone 16's launch, but Apple Intelligence will be here soon. Interested users with a compatible device can hop on the iOS 18.1 public beta today. For everyone else though, Apple Intelligence is expected in mid-to-late October. Later this month as part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple will ship its first wave of AI features to the masses. Capabilities will include: These features will be just the start of an AI-heavy year ahead, as Apple seeks to infuse its products with powerful new capabilities. One of Apple's most popular Macs, the MacBook Pro, is getting updated with the M4 chip this month. And not just the base M4, but three different variations in total. Depending on your MacBook Pro configuration you'll be able to get the: Apple is expected to rev all three of its current MacBook Pro models. The lower-end 14-inch, plus the more premium 14- and 16-inch versions. Details have been sparse on these updates overall. Don't expect any major changes to the MacBook Pro's industrial design, but hopefully Apple has some other surprises in store beyond the new chips. The Mac mini is getting even more mini. Apple is prepping an M4 Mac mini with a brand new, more compact design. It won't get quite as small as the Apple TV 4K, but expect a significantly smaller footprint from Apple's most versatile Mac. Beyond the major hardware redesign, the Mac mini will once again come with a couple different chip options: the M4 and M4 Pro. Though indications are that the Pro variant might have a later shipping date than the standard M4. Another beloved 'mini' product is getting an October update. Three years after its predecessor, the iPad mini 7 is coming soon. 2021's iPad mini 6 introduced a more modern design, dropping the Home button and thinning its bezels. Expect a similar look for the iPad mini 7, with a focus on internal upgrades. Since Apple updates the iPad mini so rarely, it usually brings a solid set of improvements. Though rumors are sparse, some of our expectations include: There's one last Mac Apple is expected to ship this year: an M4 iMac. It hasn't been long since the M3 iMac debuted, so it will be interesting to see if this is just a spec bump. All we know so far is that the M4 will be included, but USB-C accessories are at the top of my wish list. It would be great to see new color options too, as the current iMac colors are unchanged since the M1 model. Shortly after iOS 18.1 launches, Apple will ship the first beta of iOS 18.2 to developers. This should prove an especially exciting release, because it's expected to bring some of the most highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features. Here's what we're expecting from iOS 18.2: If all of this ends up making its way into iOS 18.2, it will prove a huge update for users. Up until very recently, rumors indicated Apple would update its entire iPad lineup in 2024. That meant a new base-model iPad would debut in October too, ahead of the holidays. However, reliable display analyst Ross Young indicates panel shipments for the new iPad aren't starting until October, which points to a product launch in early 2025. Perhaps Apple is planning a new, separate SKU for the base iPad, with one model in October and another coming in the new year. More likely though, the base iPad just isn't ready to release yet. Apple's fall is always a busy -- and expensive -- time for new products. Between all of the new hardware and software that launched in September and is coming in October, Apple will have a strong lineup of offerings ready for the holiday season and beyond. Which October launches are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.