Apple fans have reason to be excited as the company gears up for its anticipated Fall 2024 product releases. Following the successful launch of the iPhone 16 series and Apple Watch 10 in September, Apple is expected to showcase a lineup of new devices. These include updates to its MacBook Pro, iPad Mini, iMac, and Mac mini, all featuring Apple’s latest M4 chip technology. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we can make some projections based on Apple’s current product line and rumors circulating around the web. Here’s a closer look at what’s rumored to be on the way.
One of the most anticipated devices is the iPad Mini 7, which addresses a significant design flaw from the previous version. The iPad Mini 6 faced criticism for “jelly scrolling,” a display issue where one half of the screen refreshed slower than the other, causing a wobbling effect during scrolling. This flaw even led to a class-action lawsuit, with users claiming the device was unusable. The new iPad Mini 7 promises a re-engineered display to eliminate this issue, though it is expected to retain its 60Hz refresh rate and LCD technology.
Apple hasn’t confirmed which chip the iPad Mini 7 will use, but speculation points to either the A17 Pro or A18 chip, both of which will offer significant performance upgrades, particularly for multitasking and gaming. With a more powerful chip and Apple Intelligence features, the iPad Mini 7 is poised to be a strong contender in the small tablet market.
Apple is also set to unveil a new MacBook Pro powered by the M4 chip, which promises a major performance boost over the M3 model. The leaked details suggest the new MacBook Pro will feature a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. With a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and ProMotion technology, the new MacBook Pro will offer a stunning visual experience with a high refresh rate and crisp resolution.
The laptop’s design will largely mirror its predecessor, but with upgraded internals. Connectivity options include three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a MagSafe 3 port, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot. Overall, the M4 MacBook Pro is expected to be a top performer, particularly for creative professionals and power users.
The Mac mini is getting a much-needed update as well. Rumors suggest that the new M4 Mac mini could be Apple’s smallest desktop computer to date, with a chassis nearly the size of the Apple TV. Despite its compact design, the M4 Mac mini will likely pack a punch with 16GB of RAM, making it capable of handling Apple Intelligence features.
With a slimmer profile and more ports than its predecessor—including three USB-C ports, HDMI, and a power port—the new Mac mini will be an attractive option for users seeking a compact yet powerful desktop setup.
The iMac is another device (possibly) receiving the M4 treatment. The new M4 iMac is expected to feature 16GB of RAM, up from the 8GB found in the previous model, making it better suited for multitasking and more demanding applications. While the iMac won’t see a major design overhaul, the M4 chip promises faster performance and better graphics processing, which will make it an ideal choice for those using creative software or working with large datasets.
These new Macs and iPads are projected to hit the market in November, 2024, just in time for holiday shopping…assuming they materialize at all.