Apple is preparing to announce major upgrades to its Mac lineup, including the highly anticipated M4 chip, as reported by Mark Gurman in Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter. This announcement coincides with news of a new low-end iPad expected next year.
New Devices on the Horizon
This week, Apple plans to launch a 24-inch iMac along with two refreshed versions of the Mac mini. The company will also introduce a new 16-inch MacBook Pro, along with both low-end and high-end configurations of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
The iMac will feature an entry-level M4 chip, while the Mac mini will offer options with both the standard M4 and the M4 Pro. The MacBook Pro will utilize higher-end variants of the M4 chip.
Enhanced Performance with M4 Chip
With the M4 chip, users can expect nearly double the performance, achieving 38 TOPS compared to the M3’s 18 TOPS, significantly enhancing efficiency for AI-driven tasks.
For the first time, the Mac mini will also include ray tracing, a graphics technique that improves image realism, particularly benefiting gamers. Similar upgrades are anticipated for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro next year as they transition from the M2 to the M4, according to Gurman.
Key Specifications
Gurman outlines two configurations for the iPad Pro featuring the M4 chip:
- Configuration One: Nine CPU cores (three for high performance and six for efficiency) and 10 GPU cores.
- Configuration Two: Ten CPU cores (four for performance and six for efficiency) with 10 GPU cores.
It appears that the base-level MacBook Pro will skip the nine-core CPU, opting instead for the 10-core unit. Additionally, some low-end Macs may ship with a minimum of 16GB of memory, meeting Apple’s requirement of 8GB for its AI functionalities, although this could limit memory availability for other tasks.
Design Changes and Expectations
The new Mac mini will undergo a notable redesign, shrinking in size to be comparable to an Apple TV. It will feature two front ports and at least three additional ports on the back. This marks the first update since the January 2023 refresh. Historically, the MacBook Pro has received updates every fall, with the last high-end Apple Silicon version released in late 2021.
The new iMac reflects a strategic shift for Apple. Following the M1 version launched in spring 2021, the iMac only saw a refresh in late 2023 with the M3 variant. The M4 chip is critical to Apple’s AI initiatives, prompting a comprehensive update of the Mac lineup—the first since Apple transitioned to in-house processors.
Release Timeline and Launch Strategy
Gurman anticipates that the base-level MacBook Air will feature the M4 chip between January and March, followed by the Mac Studio receiving the M4 from March to June.
The Mac Pro, which will incorporate the highest-end M4 variant, is expected between June and fall of next year. Apple’s launch strategy has evolved since the pandemic, now including live presentations for select media.
A hands-on briefing in Los Angeles is scheduled for this Wednesday, with announcements set to commence on Monday and continue throughout the week. This approach mirrors Apple’s previous strategy of launching products over several consecutive days, as noted by Gurman.
Other Upcoming Updates
New Low-End iPad
Gurman also reveals that Apple plans to launch a new low-end iPad next spring as part of its updated lineup. This follows the introduction of the M4 chip in the iPad Pro and a 13-inch option for the iPad Air.
The new 11th generation iPad will resemble the 2022 model but will feature improved performance. It is expected to release alongside the new iPhone SE and iPad Air, with the next iPad Pro anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026, following the launch of the M5 chip.
Advancements in Diabetes Monitoring
Apple has been developing a noninvasive glucose monitor since 2010, aimed at assisting diabetics in tracking blood sugar without the need for skin pricks. While recent advancements suggest feasibility, a product release may still take years, initially providing only prediabetic status.
Gurman also notes that Apple is exploring preventive measures for Type 2 diabetes, having tested an employee app for logging food intake and connecting to third-party blood-sugar monitors. Although this app may not be publicly released, it is expected to guide future developments and integrate with Apple Health.
Beta Testing for Apple Intelligence
Apple is rolling out the first version of Apple Intelligence this week, with a significant update expected in December with iOS 18.2. This update includes features like Genmoji (AI-generated emojis), the Image Playground app, and enhancements to writing tools. The iPhone 16 will also introduce Visual Intelligence, offering insights about the environment and integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
New Smart Home Display
Apple is making progress on a new smart home display with a design reminiscent of the iMac G4. The device will be compact, approximately the size of two iPhones side by side, featuring an angled screen on a small base that may include speakers, essentially transforming it into a HomePod with a display.
This affordable device will run a new system with iPad-like apps for managing smart home devices, with a more advanced version expected by 2026, featuring a larger screen and priced around $1,000.