Apple’s M4 Week: MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini — Here’s What’s Coming
- Apple’s about to shake things up — get ready for a week of M4-powered reveals!
- The Mac mini’s smallest redesign ever? Apple fans won’t want to miss this.
- Expect a little more speed and a lot more ports in Apple’s next-gen M4 Macs.
Apple enthusiasts, mark your calendars. After weeks of speculation, Apple is set to roll out a series of Mac-related announcements next week. While an official event is not on the agenda, Greg Joswiak, Apple's VP of Worldwide Marketing, confirmed that an “exciting week of announcements” is on the way, beginning Monday, October 28. Here’s everything we know about what’s likely coming.
Photo via 9to5Mac // Apple's M4 Mac event is coming.
1. MacBook Pro with M4 Chips
- Entry-Level Upgrades: The 14-inch MacBook Pro’s base model is expected to feature an upgraded M4 chip, doubling its unified memory from 8GB to 16GB. For users craving higher performance, the advanced 14-inch and 16-inch models will likely come with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, respectively.
- Enhanced Color and Connectivity: Apple seems to be diversifying color options, with a sleek Space Black finish for the entry-level MacBook Pro — a first for Apple’s base Pro models. Additionally, new M4 Pro models could feature three Thunderbolt 4 ports, up from two in the previous versions, based on recent packaging leaks.
Photo via YouTube // Apple’s new M4-powered MacBook Pro is expected to bring enhanced performance and more Thunderbolt ports.
2. A New Look for the Mac mini
- Design Overhaul: Rumors from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest that Apple’s smallest desktop computer will get a significant redesign, marking its first major appearance change in over a decade. The new M4 Mac mini is expected to be more compact, closely resembling the Apple TV box, with two front-facing USB-C ports.
- Expanded Connectivity: Expect five USB ports in the 2024 Mac mini, all of which are likely to be USB-C, a notable shift from the USB-A slots on the current Mac mini.
Apple’s plans to make the Mac mini smaller than ever signals an ambitious leap. “Apple’s cheapest Mac just got even more exciting,” remarked Gurman, in his coverage of the expected redesign. Such a move could be a game-changer, appealing to anyone looking to streamline their desktop workspace without sacrificing power.
Photo via 9to5Mac // A concept render of Apple’s rumored compact M4 Mac mini, expected to be the smallest yet.
3. M4 iMac and Magic Accessories with USB-C
- Chip Update: Apple is anticipated to reveal a new 24-inch iMac powered by the M4 chip. Beyond this, changes are expected to be subtle, without any Pro or Max versions.
- Accessory Refresh: As part of Apple's ongoing compliance with the European Union’s USB-C mandate, the tech giant is expected to update its Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad to USB-C, effectively replacing Lightning connectivity across the board.
Photo via Mark Ellis // The M4 iMac could debut with Apple’s latest chip and refreshed USB-C Magic accessories.
What Won’t Be in October’s Lineup
- Mac Studio and Mac Pro: Despite interest, updates to the Mac Studio and Mac Pro will likely be deferred to 2025, due to the longer development cycles required for high-end models.
- MacBook Air: While a spring 2025 release is on the radar, the MacBook Air won’t appear at next week’s event.
- iPad Lineup: Apple recently tweaked the iPad mini, lowering its price and removing the EU charger. For now, a complete revamp seems more likely next year.
M4 Chip: Faster, Smarter, and Ready for the Future
Apple has always been known for taking big steps in hardware innovation, and the M4 chip is no exception. With a new 3nm architecture and potential support for Wi-Fi 7 (a 5x speed improvement over Wi-Fi 6E), the M4 chip’s faster connectivity and computing abilities should offer a smoother user experience.
Photo via FNX // Apple’s M4 chip is rumored to double unified memory to 16GB in the entry-level MacBook Pro.
Thunderbolt Expansion
As Fred noted in a recent Twitter analysis, the M4 chip seems to sport four Thunderbolt controllers, signaling expanded connectivity for M4-based Macs. Thunderbolt 4’s upgrade is especially promising for professionals who rely on Apple’s hardware for high-demand tasks.
Final Thoughts
With improved performance and versatile upgrades, Apple’s M4-powered lineup is set to redefine what Macs can deliver in terms of power, design, and user experience.
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Published to Apple Scoop on 26th October, 2024.
