Here is everything that can be expected on Monday:
MacBook Pro:
High-end MacBook Pros codenamed J514 and J516. The machines will look nearly identical to current models, but will probably include speedier new M3 Pro and M3 Max processors.
The company has been testing multiple different versions of the M3 Pro processor. One baseline version in the works has 12 main processor cores, made up of six high-performance blocks and six high-efficiency cores. Generally speaking, the more cores you have, the more powerful the chip. The product also has 18 cores for processing graphics. That would be an increase of two main processing cores — known as CPU cores — and two graphics cores over the current model. Another M3 Pro chip seen in testing by developers has 14 main processing cores, including 10 for high performance and four for efficiency, and 30 graphics cores.
There are multiple versions of the M3 Max in testing, including a top-end version with 16 main processing cores — 12 for high performance and four for efficiency — and 40 graphics cores.
Apple has also tested updated configurations for memory, or RAM, including new 24-gigabyte and 48-gigabyte options.
While it’s unclear which chip configurations will ultimately ship, the components are likely to include improved gaming capabilities — similar to the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 chip.
iMac:
An updated iMac for the first time in more than 900 days — an unusually long stretch. But don’t expect a bold new design. Like the MacBook Pros, the iMacs will look nearly identical to the existing versions. The current iMac design was announced in April 2021 when the company shifted to the M1 chip.
The new 24-inch iMac — codenamed J433 and J434 — includes internal design changes and a revamped stand. The company has tested the machine in similar colors as the current models, but Apple could still change up the options at the unveiling.
Apple developed this new iMac with the M3 chip. In testing, the company has used versions with the same number of main processing cores as the M2: four for high performance and four for efficiency. But it has tried new graphics configurations, including a chip with 10 graphics cores.
As part of a broader shift to USB-C connectors, the company will likely roll out updated versions of accessories — including its trackpad, mouse and keyboard — that ditch the old Lightning ports.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the iMac, which was one of the first products Steve Jobs introduced after returning to Apple in the late 1990s. The very first Mac, then called the Macintosh, debuted in early 1984.
Coming Later:
While the company has been working on a low-end MacBook Pro codenamed J504 with a base version of the M3 chip, that machine likely won’t appear Monday.
New 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with M3 chips — codenamed J613 and J615 — are also in development, but those aren’t scheduled for release until the first half of 2024.
Though Apple typically introduces updated iPads around the same time as Macs, the company isn’t planning to debut new tablets until the spring. It’s working on an iPad Pro with an M3 chip, in addition to refreshed versions of the iPad Air, iPad mini and entry-level iPad. The company also announced a cheaper Apple Pencil earlier this month.
AirPods won’t be updated again until next year. The company is working on new low-end models and AirPods Max headphones for late 2024. The AirPods Pro will get updated in 2025.
-24" iMac with M3, new accessories that use USB-C rather than Lightining (hopefully not the same magic mouse design, please, Apple).
Later on:
-MacBook Pro 13" with M3, I would hope it’s not the same as the M2/M1 Pro? I like the touch bar but the design is being dragged on.
-MacBook Air 13"/15" with M3, 2024
New iPads, Spring 2024 at the earliest. iPad Pro with M3, refreshed Air (probably with M2), refreshed Mini (My guess, either with A16 or the rumored basic A18 in the iPhone 16/16 Plus)
I mean they gave it the M2 Pro, it’s also the best value Mac and one of the best valued computers imo. I just think they aren’t in a rush to update it yet. They probably will with the next Studio and maybe the next Pro later in 2024/early 2025 if I had to guess.
Yeah, I feel like the Mac Mini is not in dire need of an update. It’s on the latest Apple Silicon (M2). Even if M3 releases tomorrow, I don’t think the M2 will actually be outdated any time soon.
So Apple is going to release an M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro and M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro in the same year?
When was the last time Apple released the top end sku first? At least with the M chips they have always started with the base and released the Pro/Max chips later.
I’d more expect the M3 iMac to be shown off first, and maybe even released first. Then the M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pros shown second at the event.
So technically they’re still showing the base sku first, but they’re all coming out at the same time this generation, which is new. M3 Ultra will probably be out mid/late 2024 though, if they’re doing another one.
I think status quo will be kept until the rumored 12"/13" MacBooks that’ll replace the M1 Air. At most, insignificant price reductions of M2 Max and M2 Ultra models due to lower demand.
At this point the iMac is the only device with M1 still sold by Apple, and it’s customary for them to take high-end models out of the store when the successor is unveiled. They will all be taken out of sale.
Bingo! This is classic tutti fruitti, phoney baloney, plastic banana, good time rock n roll Apple PR hype. These decisions have been locked-in for months but Apple PR has to pretend that Apple is SO bleeding edge that they are LITERALLY making these decisions up to the moment they press “Play.” Apple learned their lesson with the original HomePod - you need to have a clear, iterative upgrade path.
What Apple PR? This is Bloomberg, sharing rumors and half-made up theories, edited to sound more appealing and exciting and attract more readers and clicks.
Why should a MacBook Pro have better M3’s than the iMac? The fact that laptops are the powerhouses of Mac’s consumer level machines is annoying af… iMacs are my favorite devices ever :(
Even before I only remember seeing iMacs on schools.
And I bet most schools aren’t updating their hardware so often. Students rarely take on projects you’d consider ambitious and big at schools that require powerful iMacs so it’s more of a learning tool.
This purely market-driven approach post-Jobs is lame. It goes hand in hand with the iOSification of macOS and the general incremental nature of their product line updates
Apple plays it safe, lets the industry innovate around it, etc. they have the best product ecosystem and if it weren’t for that and my complete lack of excitement for Windows, I’d be switching. And I still might, form factor/design innovation is what brought me to them in the first place
I like iMac too. I really want the colored 24” but with HDR and 120hz. Like a “Pro” but still the regular colors and shape…not the “Pro means no color” thing.
I’ve been waiting like 2 years for an iMac update. I guess I should have just bought the M1 but I hesitated.
For those behind the paywall!
TLDR and some extra stuff I added:
Monday:
-MacBook Pro 14"/16" with M3 Pro and M3 Max
-24" iMac with M3, new accessories that use USB-C rather than Lightining (hopefully not the same magic mouse design, please, Apple).
Later on:
-MacBook Pro 13" with M3, I would hope it’s not the same as the M2/M1 Pro? I like the touch bar but the design is being dragged on.
-MacBook Air 13"/15" with M3, 2024
New iPads, Spring 2024 at the earliest. iPad Pro with M3, refreshed Air (probably with M2), refreshed Mini (My guess, either with A16 or the rumored basic A18 in the iPhone 16/16 Plus)
New AirPods, Max in 2024, Pro in 2025.
Thanks! Take my poor man’s award🏅🆙
TLDR: M3
Cheaper Pros would be awesome. The screen of the Pro with the slimness of the air is all I want. The pros are wayyyy too thick and heavy
It makes me laugh how Apple totally forgot about the Mac Mini even though it was last released alongside the MacBook Pros
I mean they gave it the M2 Pro, it’s also the best value Mac and one of the best valued computers imo. I just think they aren’t in a rush to update it yet. They probably will with the next Studio and maybe the next Pro later in 2024/early 2025 if I had to guess.
Yeah, I feel like the Mac Mini is not in dire need of an update. It’s on the latest Apple Silicon (M2). Even if M3 releases tomorrow, I don’t think the M2 will actually be outdated any time soon.
I just bought an m2 pro mac mini last week and it’s within the return window, so I had my fingers crossed for an m3 pro refresh.
The first iMac occurred 25 years ago back in August.
So Apple is going to release an M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro and M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro in the same year?
When was the last time Apple released the top end sku first? At least with the M chips they have always started with the base and released the Pro/Max chips later.
As someone who owns the M2 Pro MBP as of the last month…I’m a little upset
It’ll likely be incremental
I’d more expect the M3 iMac to be shown off first, and maybe even released first. Then the M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pros shown second at the event.
So technically they’re still showing the base sku first, but they’re all coming out at the same time this generation, which is new. M3 Ultra will probably be out mid/late 2024 though, if they’re doing another one.
Still seems strange to me. But will be interesting to see what M chips they continue to sell if this is the case.
Will they continue to sell M1 devices and if we see any price reduction on M2.
I think status quo will be kept until the rumored 12"/13" MacBooks that’ll replace the M1 Air. At most, insignificant price reductions of M2 Max and M2 Ultra models due to lower demand.
Or maybe they’ll drop M2 and sell M1 as the cheap version and M3 as the current model.
Do we know anything about associated price drops on the existing models?
At this point the iMac is the only device with M1 still sold by Apple, and it’s customary for them to take high-end models out of the store when the successor is unveiled. They will all be taken out of sale.
I wonder if they’re finally upping the base RAM configs. M3 start at 16GB then upgrade to 32GB, M3 Pro 24GB then upgrade to 48GB.
I find that line hilarious.
As if it wasn’t set in stone months before and all it took was Tim Apple to decide on launch day, let’s edit the video and add some new colors.
Bingo! This is classic tutti fruitti, phoney baloney, plastic banana, good time rock n roll Apple PR hype. These decisions have been locked-in for months but Apple PR has to pretend that Apple is SO bleeding edge that they are LITERALLY making these decisions up to the moment they press “Play.” Apple learned their lesson with the original HomePod - you need to have a clear, iterative upgrade path.
What Apple PR? This is Bloomberg, sharing rumors and half-made up theories, edited to sound more appealing and exciting and attract more readers and clicks.
They get much of their information from Apple PR and report it as “leaks.” Some people have to play their little games.
Legend 🔝
Why should a MacBook Pro have better M3’s than the iMac? The fact that laptops are the powerhouses of Mac’s consumer level machines is annoying af… iMacs are my favorite devices ever :(
Even before I only remember seeing iMacs on schools.
And I bet most schools aren’t updating their hardware so often. Students rarely take on projects you’d consider ambitious and big at schools that require powerful iMacs so it’s more of a learning tool.
This purely market-driven approach post-Jobs is lame. It goes hand in hand with the iOSification of macOS and the general incremental nature of their product line updates
Apple plays it safe, lets the industry innovate around it, etc. they have the best product ecosystem and if it weren’t for that and my complete lack of excitement for Windows, I’d be switching. And I still might, form factor/design innovation is what brought me to them in the first place
it always been the design for many, their OS and hardware simply destroys the competition.
I like iMac too. I really want the colored 24” but with HDR and 120hz. Like a “Pro” but still the regular colors and shape…not the “Pro means no color” thing.
I’ve been waiting like 2 years for an iMac update. I guess I should have just bought the M1 but I hesitated.
An M3 Ultra 32" iMac. I hope I win the lottery !!!
Thanks very much for this, much obliged.
Who thinks the MacBook Pro 13 makes no sense ?