Apple is gearing up for its final product launch of the year on Monday, and it promises to be a “Scary Fast” event. Taking place at an unconventional 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT time slot, the timing on Halloween Eve adds a spooky twist to this online-only event, breaking from Apple’s usual in-person gatherings.
While Apple has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the event, Bloomberg has reported that we can expect updates to the MacBook Pro and iMac. These updates won’t feature a radical redesign but will likely include Apple’s first M3 3-nanometer processors, a substantial improvement over the M2 chips introduced in June 2022.
Apple has already unveiled several new Macs this year, including MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January, as well as a new 15-inch MacBook Air, faster Mac Studio models, and a Mac Pro using Apple Silicon in June.
Although Macs are no longer at the core of Apple’s business, they still contribute significantly to the company’s bottom line, accounting for approximately 10% of annual sales, putting them ahead of the iPad and on par with Apple’s wearables lineup.
Here’s what we can expect at the upcoming event:
MacBook Pro
Apple is set to introduce high-end MacBook Pros codenamed J514 and J516. While their appearance won’t change significantly, they will come equipped with the new M3 Pro and M3 Max processors. These processors come in various configurations, with the top-end version featuring 16 main processing cores and 40 graphics cores. The M3 chips will also likely improve gaming capabilities, akin to the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 chip.
Apple has tested new memory configurations, including 24-gigabyte and 48-gigabyte options, although the final product specs remain uncertain.
iMac
The iMac will see its first update in over 900 days. However, the design won’t undergo a major overhaul. Instead, the new iMacs, codenamed J433 and J434, will closely resemble their predecessors. They will be powered by the M3 chip and feature design changes and a revamped stand. While the company has experimented with similar colors to the existing models, final options may be revealed at the event.
The new iMacs will have the same number of main processing cores as the M2 (four for high performance and four for efficiency). There will also be new graphics configurations, including a version with 10 graphics cores. As part of a broader shift to USB-C connectors, Apple will likely unveil updated accessories that replace old Lightning ports.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the iMac, one of the first products introduced by Steve Jobs upon his return to Apple in the late 1990s.
While there have been rumors of a low-end MacBook Pro (13-inch model) with an M3 chip (J504), it’s unlikely to make an appearance at this event. New 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with M3 chips (J613 and J615) are also in development but aren’t scheduled for release until the first half of 2024.
Apple is not planning to introduce new iPads until the spring, including an iPad Pro with an M3 chip, refreshed versions of the iPad Air, iPad mini, and the entry-level iPad. AirPods updates are expected in the coming years, with new low-end models and AirPods Max headphones in late 2024, and an update to the AirPods Pro in 2025.
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