It is virtually September, however Apple nonetheless has a number of new product launches deliberate for 2024. New iPhone 16 fashions and Apple Watches are coming in September, and we’re additionally going to get not less than three Mac updates with M4 chips this yr, in response to rumors.
This is what’s on the horizon.
MacBook Professional
Apple plans to refresh each the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional fashions, including M4 chips. The MacBook Professional lineup was final up to date in October 2023, so the machines are due for a yearly refresh.
Apple did away with the 13-inch MacBook Professional final yr, so there’s now an entry-level 14-inch mannequin, and that is what is going on to get the usual M4 chip that was used within the iPad Professional.
Center tier and higher-end 14-inch fashions will get the M4 Professional and M4 Max chips, as will the 16-inch fashions. The M4 chips are constructed on the 3-nanometer course of, however in comparison with the M3 chips, they’ve improved efficiency, effectivity, and AI capabilities. Apple launched a brand new, extra highly effective Neural Engine.
There are not any design updates anticipated for the MacBook Professional fashions this yr, with Apple specializing in inner enhancements. Particularly, the M4 chip would be the star of the improve, and Apple is aiming to get its whole Mac lineup on the identical M4 chip collection throughout 2024 and 2025.
Mac mini
In contrast to the MacBook Professional, Apple does have a design refresh deliberate for the Mac mini. Based on Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the Mac mini can be Apple’s smallest laptop thus far, even smaller than the prior-generation model.
It’s anticipated to be across the measurement of the Apple TV, although will probably be thicker than the Apple TV and the present Mac mini, which is 1.4 inches tall. The machine will proceed to be created from aluminum, simply in an general smaller bundle.
Apple has examined Mac mini fashions which have not less than three USB-C ports, together with an HDMI port and an influence cable.
Apple plans to make use of the M4 and M4 Professional chips for the Mac mini fashions, and since these by no means bought an M3 replace, they’re going to go from M2 to M4 and can see some notable efficiency enhancements.
iMac
The 24-inch iMac can also be anticipated to see an replace this yr, going from the M3 chip to the M4 chip. Design modifications usually are not rumored for the iMac, so we will count on to see the identical 24-inch show with a number of shade choices.
Apple continues to be exploring a model of the iMac with a bigger ~30-inch show, however an iMac with an even bigger show just isn’t anticipated in 2024, and it is not clear if it is going to are available in 2025, both.
Doable Launch Timeline
Apple doesn’t usually unveil Macs at its September occasions, which give attention to the iPhone and the Apple Watch. We’re anticipating Apple to carry an occasion round September 10 to unveil new iPhone 16 fashions, however Macs will possible come later within the yr.
When Apple has Macs to unveil round fall, it usually introduces the machines in October or November. Final yr, for instance, Apple held a Mac-centric occasion in October to refresh the MacBook Professional and iMac. October/November occasions aren’t as constant as iPhone occasions, so nailing down a goal date is harder. Apple has held second fall occasions on these dates previously:
- October 30, 2023 – Scary Quick occasion with MacBook Professional and iMac.
- October 18, 2021 – Unleashed occasion with new MacBook Professional fashions and AirPods 3.
- November 10, 2020 – One Extra Factor occasion with M1 MacBook Air, Mac mini, and MacBook Professional.
- October 30, 2018 – Apple refreshed the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iPad Professional.
- October 27, 2016 – Apple unveiled a brand new MacBook Professional and Apple TV app.
Apple might additionally skip an occasion and unveil the brand new Macs with a press launch, although the small occasion we bought final yr for the M3 MacBook Professional and iMac fashions might be repeated in 2024.
Macs Coming in 2025
Whereas the MacBook Professional, iMac, and Mac mini are anticipated to get the M4 chip earlier than the top of the yr, M4 updates for the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Professional will not be occurring till 2025.