Here’s a recap of all the latest Apple announcements.
This year’s October Mac launch was slightly different from what we’ve come to expect. Instead of a pre-recorded event, Apple announced its new products via press releases.
The company refreshed its MacBook Pros, Mac minis, and iMacs with new M4 chips and upgraded the RAM from the 8GB base version to 16GB, among other features.
While MacBook Airs weren’t upgraded with the latest chip, they also got a welcome base memory upgrade.
Now, MacBook Airs with M2 and M3 chips are sold with the base 16GB of RAM, and they cost the same as the previous versions with 8GB. For example, a 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB SSD at the US Apple store costs $999.
Other Macs can be preordered now, with shipping and availability coming on November 8th.
MacBook Pro has a longer battery life
The new M4-series chips significantly improve the MacBook Pro line. Now, these Apple laptops are faster and better equipped to handle AI tasks.
The new chips also result in more efficiency: with the M4 MacBook Pros, Apple promises 24-hour battery life, a 2-6 hour increase over the M3, depending on the exact chip.
Aside from the M4 chip, MacBook Pros got a few other upgrades. Now, the devices come with Liquid Retina XDR display with an all-new nano-texture display option and up to 1000 nits of brightness, and also have an upgraded 12 MP main camera.
The base model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip with 16GB of RAM and 512 SSD costs $1599, while the 16-inch Macbook with M4 Pro chip, which has 24GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD, is $2499.
Redesigned Mac mini
The new Mac mini, unveiled this Tuesday, got its biggest redesign in 14 years. This is the first company’s carbon-neutral Mac, and now it measures 5x5 inches, a significant decrease in size over the previous 7.75x7.75 inches.
The upgraded device now includes front-facing ports – two USB-C ports supporting USB 3 and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
On the back, there are three Thunderbolt 4 slots, one more than on the previous Mac mini. This new Thunderbolt port also means that the new Mac does not have a place for USB-A.
The base Mac mini M4 model with 16GB of RAM starts at $599. The more powerful version, with the M4 Pro chip with 24GB of memory, starts at $1399.
Slightly upgraded iMacs
The refreshed Apple all-in-one desktop comes with relatively modest upgrades. Like MacBook Pros, it now has a 12MP Center-Stage camera and a texture glass option, which should help reduce reflection.
There are also slightly refreshed shades of the same seven colors: green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. And that’s about it.
Every iMac comes with a color-matched Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad, which includes a USB-C port.
The base iMac version in the US starts at $1299.
Apple Intelligence
All of the new devices will support Apple Intelligence features, which the company started rolling out this Monday in the US. These new tools will be available in Europe next year.
They will include writing tools, priority notifications, a slightly improved Siri, photo editing, and other features.
Those who want to try Apple Intelligence out might have to wait in a queue.
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