Credits: Apple

Yesterday marked the end of Apple's week of "anticipated" releases. We initially thought it would be a one-day event, possibly in the form of an online presentation, but Apple’s marketers can’t resist surprises and stretched the event over three days if we can call these separate daily press releases that. So, following the usual tradition from Silicon Valley, we’re checking out the new products on Halloween.

On a Monday morning, Apple unveiled its new Apple Intelligence capabilities. These features are currently accessible on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac via a free software update that comes with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. This upgrade offers a comprehensive personal intelligence system that improves language and picture processing, app interactions, and personal context management while maintaining strong privacy safeguards. This release's main features are writing tools that let users edit, proofread, and condense text in a variety of apps, including Notes, Messages, and Mail.

Siri has been transformed into a more intuitive and conversational assistant, capable of understanding nuanced language and maintaining context across multiple requests. The Photos app has been upgraded to support natural language search, allowing users to find images and videos by simply describing them, and includes a Clean Up tool to say goodbye to unintended objects from photos. Additionally, Apple Intelligence introduces Priority Messages for email prioritization and the ability to summarize notifications directly on the Lock Screen, helping users stay organized and focused. This suite of features is designed to streamline everyday tasks and enrich the user experience through privacy-centric AI innovations, with additional capabilities set to roll out in the coming months.

The same day, Apple debuted the new iMac, with a sleek, incredibly thin appearance and outstanding performance thanks to Apple Intelligence and the M4 CPU. The iMac's capabilities are greatly increased by the M4 chip, which provides up to 1.7 times quicker processing for routine operations and more than twice the speed for intensive activities like gaming and photo editing compared to its predecessor with the M1 chip. The iMac is the top all-in-one for AI applications because of its powerful Neural Engine, which combines with Apple Intelligence to revolutionize user interaction through work, communication, and creative expression while maintaining strong privacy.

Among the vibrant color palettes of the new iMac are green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. An optional nano-texture glass is now available for the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, which lowers glare and guarantees superb image quality—perfect for a range of lighting situations.

The iMac's video capabilities have also been improved, with a new 12MP Center Stage Camera for better video calling. The Desk View function of this camera is especially useful because it uses its wide-angle lens to simultaneously take a picture of the user and their workstation. An immersive six-speaker sound system and a studio-caliber three-microphone array complete this sophisticated audio setup.

Connectivity is upgraded with four USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4, allowing for rapid data transfers and the connection of multiple high-resolution displays. Additionally, the iMac supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, alongside the secure convenience of Touch ID for user authentication and purchases.

macOS Sequoia enhances the iMac experience, offering features like iPhone Mirroring—you can interact with iPhone applications directly from the Mac, and a suite of tools that improve organization and productivity. The operating system includes new gaming features, a redesigned Safari with distraction-free viewing options, and a Passwords app for secure credential management.

USB-C Ports

But that's not all—The new iMac accessories now include USB-C ports, enabling you to charge multiple devices with one cable. This feature reduces clutter and enhances convenience, making your workspace both efficient and visually appealing.

iMac M4 Price

The new iMac starts at $1,299 and is available for pre-order, with a general release set for November 8. It features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, providing robust performance for a range of tasks. For those seeking even more power, a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU configuration are available, starting at $1,499. Both versions come with 16GB of unified memory, which can be configured up to 32GB, ensuring smooth multitasking and enhanced performance for intensive applications. Storage options range from a 256GB SSD, configurable up to 2TB, catering to diverse user needs. This comprehensive set of features positions the iMac as a versatile and powerful tool for personal and professional use.

The next day, Tuesday is been struck with the unveiling of Apple's all-new Mac mini, compact enough to rest in the palm of your hand. Sporting the cutting-edge M4 and M4 Pro chips, this redesigned marvel of technology brings unparalleled performance to its 5 by 5-inch frame. With M4, users can experience up to 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU speeds when compared to the previous M1 model. The M4 Pro further elevates this prowess, scaling up capabilities for more demanding tasks, while introducing Thunderbolt 5 for lightning-fast data transfers.

This iteration of the Mac mini excels in monitor compatibility, enabling connections to multiple high-resolution displays. The M4 model accommodates up to two 6K displays and an additional 5K display, while the M4 Pro extends support to three 6K displays operating at 60Hz. Despite its compact size, the Mac mini does not sacrifice connectivity, offering a range of ports to suit any setup. The M4 version is equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, whereas the M4 Pro features upgraded Thunderbolt 5 ports, facilitating seamless connections to advanced displays. This efficient design optimizes space usage, ensuring powerful performance and extensive connectivity options without compromise.

Mac mini M4 chip Price

With macOS Sequoia, the Mac mini offers iPhone Mirroring and of course Apple Intelligence capabilities. Available for pre-order starting at just $599.

Finally, Wednesday brought more thrilling news: Apple introduced the groundbreaking M4 family of chips and new MacBooks. The M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, crafted with revolutionary 3-nanometer technology, deliver exceptional power efficiency and performance. These chips are distinguished by the world's fastest CPU core, offering unmatched single-threaded and multithreaded capabilities. The GPUs feature an innovative graphics architecture with enhanced core speeds and a ray-tracing engine twice as fast as before. With Thunderbolt 5 introduced in the M4 Pro and M4 Max, unified memory bandwidth sees a significant increase, alongside a Neural Engine adept at handling AI tasks with impressive efficiency.

The new MacBook Pro models embody this technological leap, available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes and offered in space black and silver. Powered by the M4 chips, these laptops ensure lightning-fast processing and superior connectivity with Thunderbolt 5. Notably, the MacBook Pro now supports up to four external displays, thanks to the enhanced display engine, making it an ideal choice for specialists who require an expansive screen.

The advanced audio system is another highlight, featuring a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers and Spatial Audio support, delivering an immersive listening experience. The Liquid Retina XDR display elevates the visual experience to new heights, providing up to 1600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content, ensuring vibrant and lifelike images. The 12MP Center Stage camera enhances video quality and automatically keeps users centered during video calls, offering an upgraded experience for virtual meetings.

With a remarkable battery life of up to 24 hours, these MacBook Pros redefine what professionals can expect from their laptops in terms of power, design, and durability. They cater to users who demand high performance for tasks such as video editing, software development, and other professional applications, making them ideal for creative and professional use on the go.

Surprising Macbook Air

Alongside these, Apple unveiled updates to the MacBook Air. Now starting with 16GB of unified memory, double the previous standard, the MacBook Air remains an icon of portability and performance we all love. It is perfect for students and creatives who need reliable performance on the go.

MacBooks 2024 Price

In terms of pricing, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is set at $1,599. The 14-inch model equipped with the M4 Pro is priced at $1,999, while the 16-inch version with the M4 Max starts at $2,499. The MacBook Air with M2 and M3, now offering increased memory, is attractively priced at $999. Pre-orders are open now, and as we know, devices will become available on November 8.

Apple skillfully maintains interest in its products, keeping us always on our toes. While we may no longer feel the "WOW" effect due to constant "leaks," elements of surprise are still present, and that's great. Keep it up, Cupertino!

Source: Apple Newsroom