A quick rundown of Apple’s October Mac announcements

Apple’s M4 chips power the latest iMac, MacBook Pros, and Mac mini.

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Shubham Sawarkar is a technology journalist at GadgetBond, covering Apple, AI, consumer technology, software, gadgets, and product launches. His work explores emerging technologies, industry developments, product...

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Oct 31, 2024, 2:17 AM EDT

In its October Mac lineup refresh, Apple introduced powerful upgrades and some surprises, catering to everyone from casual users to power-hungry pros. Here’s a look at what was announced.

Colorful M4 iMac

The new iMac not only packs the M4 chip with enhanced processing power but also gives a colorful nod to the past, launching in seven shades, from green to pink and silver. This model comes with a 10-core CPU and GPU setup, and its base 16GB RAM boosts performance and multitasking. Starting at $1,299, it’s available with a choice of two or four Thunderbolt ports depending on the model.

An image of the new Apple M4 iMac in different colors, highlighting its features like the M4 chip, Retina display, and Center Stage camera. — Image: Apple

M4/Pro/Max MacBook Pros

The MacBook Pro now comes with three chip variants: M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. These chips, built on a second-gen 3nm process, offer a significant performance boost, with the M4 Max featuring a 16-core CPU and up to 40-core GPU, perfect for creative professionals who require advanced capabilities like ray tracing and mesh shading. With prices starting at $1,599 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch model, these MacBook Pros are available in space black and silver.

A look at the front and the back of the Apple's M4 MacBook Pro in Space Black and Silver. — Image: Apple

The perfect Mac mini with M4 chip

Compact yet robust, the updated Mac mini sports an M4 chip with a base 16GB RAM. With a width and length of just five inches, it keeps the essential connectivity options, like USB-C and Ethernet, along with multiple Thunderbolt ports. It starts at $599, making it an appealing option for users seeking high performance in a small form.

Apple M4 Mac mini is shown from the back. — Image: Apple

MacBook Air’s enhanced memory

Apple’s popular MacBook Air gets a notable RAM bump: both the M2 and M3 models now come standard with 16GB RAM instead of 8GB, a move likely made to accommodate Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of AI-based tools. The upgrade ensures smoother multitasking and is available without any increase in price.

USB-C accessories for Mac

Apple also updated its accessories, bringing USB-C to the Magic Mouse, Keyboard, and Trackpad, aligning with recent changes across its product lines. Unfortunately, the charging port on the Magic Mouse remains on the bottom, making it unusable while charging — a longstanding complaint among users.

Apple Magic Mouse USB-C port downward — Image: Apple

Apple Intelligence rolls out on macOS

The new Apple Intelligence features bring AI-driven tools to the Mac lineup, including writing assistance, photo organization, and Smart Replies in Messages. Currently available with macOS Sequoia, these features are expected to expand soon, with future integrations like ChatGPT anticipated in December.

New Apple Intelligence features are shown on a range of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. — Image: Apple

This refresh not only emphasizes Apple’s push towards AI-driven features but also showcases advancements across its hardware lineup, especially with the introduction of the M4 chips. For Apple fans and new buyers alike, this week’s announcements mark another step in the company’s commitment to innovation and performance enhancements.