Apple is alleged to be introducing an entirely refreshed lineup of Macs later this month. The occasion is said to be on October 27th, which we first speculated earlier this month. The brand new Macs are anticipated to be out there to shoppers this month, as effectively.
As is commonly the case with Apple occasions, we already know a very good portion of what the corporate has up its sleeve. Learn on for a roundup of what to anticipate…
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air actually isn’t anticipated to be the star of the present this yr, however the lineup will obtain some consideration. It has been reported that Apple will discontinue the 11-inch mannequin with the intention to direct its consideration to the 12-inch MacBook and 13-inch MacBook Air. Some sources, nonetheless, have forged doubt as to the probability of this occurring.
Whereas the general design of the MacBook Air will stay the identical, the machines are anticipated to be up to date with USB-C assist, based on a brand new Bloomberg report. Because it appears now, nonetheless, the show high quality will stay the identical. The MacBook Air’s show high quality is a side that many have known as for an improve to, however seeing that it’s Apple’s entry-level laptop computer, the corporate isn’t seeking to give it the entire top-of-the-line options.
Ought to the 11-inch MacBook Air get discontinued, it’s doable that Apple will reduce the value of the 13-inch mannequin, as Ben speculated this morning. The 12-inch MacBook’s value level may additionally profit from the loss of life of the 11-inch Air, too.
Nonetheless, the MacBook Air clearly gained’t be the point of interest of this yr’s modifications, however some upgrades will happen to carry it as much as par.
iMac
Very like the MacBook Air, the iMac isn’t anticipated to obtain a significant overhaul this yr, although Apple is planning some under-the-hood modifications to maintain it considerably updated.
The largest change will come to the graphics efficiency. Apple is alleged to be planning new choices for GPUs from AMD, whereas different under-the-hood specs will probably even be bumped up. Design and scree specs are anticipated to stay the identical. The addition of USB-C can be doable.
Exterior 5K Show
Apple formally discontinued its outdated and overpriced Thunderbolt Display earlier this year, paving the way in which for a more moderen and extra succesful mannequin. It’s anticipated that Apple will introduce a brand new 5K exterior show at its occasion this month that additionally features a built-in GPU. We first reported on Apple’s plans for a 5K display with an built-in GPU earlier this yr.
The show is anticipated to characteristic a 5K decision of 5120 x 2880, whereas the highly effective inner GPU will be capable to help lower-powered Macs in pushing that many pixels.
It’s unclear how Apple plans to cost its new 5K show, however we must always know extra following the occasion subsequent week. Don’t anticipate it to be low cost, although, given the $1000 value level of the Thunderbolt Show and the addition of a GPU.
One factor to notice, nonetheless, is that the discharge date for this show has modified a number of occasions already, so it’s doable that Apple has certainly pushed it again once more and we gained’t see it at this yr’s occasion.
MacBook Professional
The star of the present this month is extensively anticipated to be the MacBook Professional. Apple’s “Professional” laptop computer hasn’t seen a significant overhaul in 4 years and is effectively overdue for one, and the corporate actually appears to have lots deliberate for this yr’s refresh.
First off, let’s speak design. The brand new MacBook Professional is anticipated to be a lot thinner and lighter than the present fashions, although it’s unlikely that they are going to characteristic a wedge design just like the MacBook Air and 12-inch MacBook. Nonetheless, the general footprint of the laptop computer is anticipated to smaller, whereas the trackpad shall be barely larger.
The design modifications lengthen to the port choices, as effectively. The brand new MacBook Professionals will probably ditch all of its conventional ports in favor of USB-C connectivity. MagSafe can be getting the axe this yr, as charging could be accomplished through USB-C.
The largest change to the design, nonetheless, would be the addition of a brand new OLED contact show in change of the usual perform keys on the prime of the keyboard. This show is anticipated to offer fast motion buttons for frequent duties that fluctuate relying on which app is open. Apple is alleged to be working with third-party app builders to make sure that quite a lot of software program is optimized for the brand new contact bar at launch, as effectively.
Contact ID can be anticipated to return to the MacBook Professional this yr, probably being situated on the power button of the machine. Whereas Auto Unlock allows Apple Watch users to unlock their Mac when their Apple Watch is in shut proximity, Contact ID will enable for all customers to unlock their machine with out typing within the precise password.
The MacBook Professional lineup can even get velocity boosts under-the-hood. Whereas specifics of the spec upgrades are unclear, Apple is anticipated to supply considered one of AMD’s Polaris GPUs and Intel’s Skylake processors. The design of the Polaris GPU is sufficiently small to slot in the smaller footprint of the Professional, whereas additionally providing one of the best mixture of energy and battery utilization.
AirPods
One other factor we must always anticipate to see at subsequent week’s occasion is the discharge of Apple’s really wi-fi AirPods, or no less than the announcement of an precise launch date. On the iPhone 7 occasion final month, Apple teased that AirPods would be available in late October, however the firm has not mentioned something since.
If Apple sticks to its phrase, then we must always anticipate an AirPods launch sooner relatively than later.
Odds and Ends
A refresh of Apple’s AirPort equipment isn’t out of the query for this yr’s occasion. The AirPort Specific remains to be caught on 802.11n, whereas the AirPort Excessive and Apple’s Mac lineup have been up to date to assist the newer and sooner 802.11ac. So it appears logical for the AirPort Specific to lastly obtain that replace.
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Moreover, it’s doable that Apple introduces new peripherals, equivalent to a brand new Magic Keyboard with an OLED contact bar. Whereas it’s unlikely, new colours of the peripherals would probably be met with fanfare, equivalent to rose gold, gold, area gray, and jet black.
That is speculative, although, and certain gained’t be a giant portion of Apple’s bulletins.
Mac Professional/Mac Mini (or what to not anticipate)
The 2 machines that usually really feel most uncared for by Apple could possibly be headed for a similar destiny this yr. There haven’t been any rumors regarding Apple’s entry-level Mac Mini or its Professional-level Mac Professional. The latter of the 2 was dramatically overhauled three years in the past, however hasn’t seen an replace since. The Mac Mini, alternatively, hasn’t been up to date in two years.
Whereas minor under-the-hood refreshes aren’t out of the query, it’s unlikely that Apple has something main deliberate for the Mac Professional or Mac Mini.
Wrap-up
It’s clear that the MacBook Professional and exterior show would be the star of Apple’s October occasion this yr, and rightfully so. Each are due for his or her respective upgrades and it seems that Apple has fairly a bit deliberate for every.
Whereas Apple has not but despatched out press invitations for the October twenty seventh occasion, we must always anticipate them to return at any second. As at all times, we’ll have dwell protection of Apple’s occasion because it occurs.
What do you propose on buying this yr? Tell us down within the feedback.
- Report: New MacBook Air, iMac & 5K display coming in October
- New MacBook Pros: smaller footprint; thinner but not wedge-shaped; bigger trackpad, AMD graphics option, more
- Apple readying new external 5K Display as current model goes out of stock, may feature integrated GPU
- Apple announces truly wireless $159 AirPods for iPhone 7, automatically pair with Apple Watch and iPhone 7
- How will Apple’s rumored MacBook Pro OLED touch screen work?
- Apple prepping thinner MacBook Pros with OLED screen above keyboard
- Resources found in macOS Sierra hint at upcoming OLED touch bar, Touch ID support, more
- Leaked images claim to show MacBook Pro with OLED touch bar cutout
- Resources found in macOS Sierra hint at upcoming OLED touch bar, Touch ID support, more
- Apple prepping thinner MacBook Pros with Touch ID
- Apple prepping thinner MacBook Pros with USB-C
- Leaked images claim to show MacBook Pro with OLED touch bar cutout, four USB-C ports
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