As anticipation builds for Apple’s latest iPhone and Apple Watch releases, speculation is already swirling around the company’s next big product announcement, expected to take place in October. Historically, Apple has used October events to showcase new Macs and iPads, following their September iPhone unveilings. This year, the focus appears to be on refreshing products that missed out on the iPhone event spotlight.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has hinted that the upcoming event will likely spotlight the first wave of Macs featuring M4 processors. This follows the earlier introduction of the M4 chip in the iPad Pro. Gurman anticipates the release of new MacBook Pro models equipped with M4 processors and “pro-level” M4 variants, possibly the M4 Pro and M4 Max. Additionally, an M4-powered version of the 24-inch iMac is expected.
However, the most intriguing reveal might be the redesigned Mac mini. This model, which has not yet received an M3 update and has retained its fundamental design since 2010, is rumored to be significantly revamped. The new Mac mini is expected to be more compact, resembling the size of an Apple TV, and will feature an internal power supply, eliminating the need for an external power brick. A notable upgrade includes a shift towards USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, as confirmed by a recent Apple software update that mentioned a “Mac silicon Mac mini (5 ports).” This suggests a redesign that may include ports on the front, akin to the Mac Studio’s design—a feature that many users have been eagerly anticipating.
The mention of a “five port” model implies that there could be other versions with differing port configurations, much like the various models of Intel-based MacBook Pros. The current M2 Mac mini models have fewer ports compared to those with the M2 Pro chip, reflecting the higher I/O capabilities of the more powerful processors. Thus, if an M4 Pro version of the Mac mini is introduced, it is expected to offer more ports than the standard M4 model.
Gurman also notes that other Mac models, such as the Mac Studio, Mac Pro, and MacBook Air, are slated for M4-series updates throughout 2025. Notably, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro have not seen updates for some time, continuing to use M2-series chips.
In addition to the new Macs, Apple is anticipated to introduce lower-end iPads during the October event. The $349 iPad 10 and the iPad mini, which have not been updated in over a year, are likely candidates for refreshes with newer chips and potentially updated designs. This dual focus on Macs and iPads aligns with Apple’s tradition of bundling hardware updates in late-fall announcements.
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