Apple Mac M4, new iPad Mini and iPad 11 before launch

The upcoming Apple event in October could introduce new Macs, MacBook Pros, and new iPads with the M4 chipsets.

September 16, 2024 14 0

Apple is expected to hold another event this October to announce new Macs and iPads. If so, it would be the fourth time in the last five years that Apple has held an event in October. Last year, Apple held a virtual event on Monday, October 30, featuring new MacBook Pro and iMac models with M3 series chips.

In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reiterated Apple’s plans to announce the first M4 Macs and new lower-end iPads at the next event “in the coming weeks.” He expects the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini to get an update to the M4 chip series this year. The MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro will follow later in 2025. Some of the M4 Macs are even already in production.

Gurman expects the following products to be updated at the next Apple event.

Apple MacBook Pro

According to Gurman, Apple plans to unveil updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips at its next event. No design changes have been reported for the notebooks this year, with improvements such as an OLED display and a thinner design planned for 2026 at the earliest.

Apple last updated the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2021. The Americans released the latest models with M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips last October.

Apple iMac

According to Gurman, Apple also plans to unveil the Apple iMac with the M4 chip at the event. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad for the iMac could finally switch from Lightning to USB-C this year.

Mac mini

Gurman expects Apple to show the new Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips at the event. In addition, the desktop computer will be almost as small as an Apple TV. However, the new Mac mini will be rumored to lack USB-A ports.

iPad mini

Gurman previously said that the seventh generation iPad mini will also be launched at the event. Under the hood, there is said to be a faster chip, improved front and rear cameras, a fix for “jelly scrolling” screen tearing in portrait mode, and Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 models. There will also be new color options.

Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the next iPad mini will arrive in the second half of 2024. Therefore, there is agreement from several credible sources that the device will get an upgrade this year.

Apple launched the current iPad mini in September 2021. At the time, there were various updates on board, such as a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power button and the A15 Bionic chip with 5G support on cellular models. There is also a 12 megapixel main camera with Center Stage support, compatibility with the second generation Apple Pencil and more.