Apple is expected to launch M4 versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac next week. The launch is now tipped for an early to midweek date.
Last year's October Apple event had a Halloween theme and the slogan "scary fast" to launch its M3 MacBook Pros. And it looks like this year's launch of Apple's M4 Macs is going to happen on or before Halloween: according to a well-connected insider the launch is planned for next week.
That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who posted on X that it's a "busy week for Apple next week: Apple Intelligence on Monday, then M4 Mac launch, then earnings results on Thursday... happy Halloween!"
That fits with previous reports of a very late October launch and November deliveries.
Busy week for Apple next week: Apple Intelligence on Monday, then M4 Mac launch, then earnings results on Thursday (perhaps the last with the current CFO). Happy Halloween!October 22, 2024
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Apple is expected to launch four new models with M4 processors inside. Most of them will look pretty much identical to the current models with only internal upgrades. But the exception is the Mac mini, which is being significantly redesigned and will reportedly look much more like the Apple TV 4K.
The other M4 Macs we're looking forward to are a new 14-inch MacBook Pro M4; 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors; and a new, M4-powered iMac. It hasn't been confirmed yet but some reports also say that the M4 devices will come with a minimum of 16GB of memory rather than the 8GB of their predecessors.
Moving to 16GB of integrated memory would address one of the biggest criticisms of current Apple Silicon Macs: upping the RAM from the standard 8GB is very expensive – increasing it to 16GB adds £200 to the price of a MacBook Pro and if you want 24GB that's a £400 option – and of course because it's integrated memory it can't be upgraded later.
In addition to the Macs, we're also expecting Apple to launch USB-C versions of its Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard. If the Magic Mouse hasn't been redesigned other than a port change that means it could be the perfect fit for a Halloween event: the charging port's location is famously horrible.
