All articles tagged with #macs
MacRumors outlines what it does not expect to see at Apple's Sept. 9 'Surprise and Shine' event—no iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, Apple Watch SE 4, new Macs, iPad mini, Apple TV, HomePod mini, or a Home hub—with the focus expected to be on the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and possibly a foldable iPhone, while other products may arrive later this year or in 2027.
Apple updated its site with a 2026 tax-free holiday list detailing which products—primarily Macs, iPads and accessories, with iPhone and Apple Vision Pro included in a few states—are eligible in 10 states. The holidays run roughly July 17–August 20 (dates vary by state) and savings may not show at checkout but will appear on the final receipt; the offer can pair with Apple’s Back to School promotion (free or discounted accessory or gift card) with qualifying purchases.
Bloomberg reports Apple will skip M6 Pro/Max and fast‑track an AI‑focused M7 lineup: a base M6 could ship as early as this year, the M7 base in the first half of 2027, and M7 Pro/Max by late 2027, with the M7 Ultra expected in 2028. The M5 Ultra may be the only near‑term upgrade for high‑end Macs, potentially delaying top‑tier silicon until 2027–28.
Apple raised prices on certain MacBook and iPad models by up to $200, citing soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI boom; examples include the MacBook Pro base model at $1,999 (from $1,699), the MacBook Neo at $699, the iPad Air at $749, and the iPad Pro at $1,199.
Apple has announced that the 11-inch MacBook Air and two other Mac models are now considered obsolete, indicating they are no longer supported or available for sale by the company.
Apple's September 9 event is expected to focus on new iPhone 17 models, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3, while several other products like new Macs, HomePod Touch, and AirPods Max are unlikely to be announced this fall, with some devices delayed until 2026 or later.
Apple plans to integrate its custom 5G modems into future Macs and possibly Vision Pro devices, with cellular-enabled Macs expected by 2026. The company aims to phase out Qualcomm modems, starting with the iPhone SE next year, and eventually include the modems in high-end iPhones and iPads. Additionally, Apple may incorporate the technology into augmented reality glasses in the future.
Apple has secretly included a Thread radio in its latest M3 Mac models and M4 iPad Pros, as well as other recent devices, without disclosing it in the product specs. This hidden component, which was discovered through FCC reports, could enable future smart home integrations via the Home app, potentially revealed in upcoming software updates. Apple has not commented on the discovery.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed a roadmap for the launch of Macs with M4 series chips, starting with a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac expected by the end of 2024, followed by high-end MacBook Pros, Mac mini, MacBook Airs, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro with M4 chips in 2025. Gurman emphasized that Apple will focus on the artificial intelligence capabilities of the M4 chip series and suggested that high-end desktops may skip the M3 chip series.
Apple is reportedly planning to release four versions of its M4 chipset, with the top-tier M4 Ultra designed for its most powerful machines. The chipsets are expected to support advanced AI-related functionality, but specific details such as CPU and GPU core counts are currently unknown. The M4 lineup is rumored to include a base chip, higher-end versions, and an M4 Ultra, with the possibility of a larger Neural Engine to handle AI-related tasks. Apple is expected to unveil the chipsets in a manner similar to its previous M3 launch strategy, with more information likely to be revealed in the future.
Apple is reportedly planning to release Macs with M4 processors later this year, with at least three main versions of the M4 expected. The M4 series is anticipated to focus more on artificial intelligence, with plans to update every model of the Mac with one of those chips by early 2025. The company aims to highlight the on-device AI processing capabilities of the M4 chipsets, integrating with the hardware and the latest version of macOS, and is also planning AI-focused upgrades to the processors used in this year's iPhones.
Apple reportedly plans to announce new iPads and Macs through online videos and marketing campaigns instead of a traditional event. The expected products include new iPad Pro models, a new Magic Keyboard, iPad Air models, Apple Pencil, and MacBook Air models. The new iPad Pro models are rumored to be thinner and equipped with an OLED display and a landscape-oriented front camera. The release is anticipated for March or April, coinciding with the launch of a special version of iOS 17.4 with support for the new hardware.
Apple updated an internal support document about "unannounced or unreleased products," coinciding with rumors of new iPads and Macs. The document informs support advisors on how to handle customer inquiries about such products. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts updated iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air models by late March, with rumored features including OLED displays, M3 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, and Wi-Fi 6E support. Additionally, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are expected to be updated with the M3 chip, and a new iPhone color option may be released in March or April.
Apple is expected to release new Macs this spring, including an M3 upgrade for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air and a potential M3 Mac mini release. However, it's unlikely that there will be updates for the MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro at this event.
Capcom has officially launched Resident Evil 4 for select iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, iPad Pro or Air with M1 or M2 chip, and Mac with M1, M2, or M3 chip. The game requires 70 GB of storage and is available for a limited time at a 50% off launch price. Players can download the game from the App Store and experience the modernized gameplay, reimagined storyline, and detailed graphics of this survival horror classic.