Apple CEO Tim Cook with the new 15-inch MacBook Air at Apple Worldwide Developers … [+]
While Apple’s iPhone is updated annually and is expected to arrive on the second Tuesday of September, there’s less certainty when it comes to updates for Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop. Mid-to-late October is generally considered to be the traditional release date for new MacBooks. Still, Apple happily launches macOS hardware throughout the year, with the Worldwide Developers Conference in May and the mid-cycle iPhone update in March also being popular spots on the calendar.
Despite this, the Apple community has set an October 2024 release date for the next generation of MacBook laptops. Apple’s Apple SVP Geg Joswiak predicted a number of new product announcements in the week starting October 28, including updates to macOS hardware and macOS itself.
This is consistent with industry reports that new MacBook Pro laptops will be announced this Monday, along with an update to macOS for both new and existing Mac hardware.
MacBook Pro
Apple will probably offer at least five different MacBook options. Aside from the different levels of memory and storage that may be offered, there should be 14-inch and 16-inch models running both the M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets. These should be considered the upcoming professional MacBook Pro laptops.
The fifth model is the consumer version. This should also ship in a 14-inch design, but with a vanilla M4 chipset. This would be the entry-level MacBook Pro, but many people consider this to be false economy. Previously, the vanilla MacBook Pro was an upgraded MacBook Air with active cooling that allows the M4 chipset to run cooler and faster.
Frankly, if you need extra power, go for the full-throttle (and more expensive) M4 Pro and M4 Max models. If you want value for money, wait for the M4 MacBook Air (coming March 2025) or consider the current M3 MacBook Air.
macOS Sequoia 15.1
Apple made macOS 15 generally available in September, with a Sequoia suffix instead of a version number. However, future point updates will move to macOS 15.1 instead of macOS Sequoia.One. I leave that choice to the branding department.
Two major quality-of-life features are being added to macOS. Drag-and-drop support has been added to the iPhone Mirroring app, making it easy to move files back and forth between your Mac and iPhone (assuming both are running the latest versions of their respective operating systems).
The second is the ability to quickly activate low power mode. This option has been around for a few years, but it’s in the system settings so it’s not easily accessible or buried. Things can change in just two clicks.
It’s also worth noting that Apple is backporting macOS Sequoia to run on Intel-based Macs, but with a growing number of features only available on Macs running Apple Silicon-based Macs. Masu. Given that many of these machines are nearly five years old, it makes sense to move them from active feature support to maintenance support.
Apple also plans to update iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, HomePod software, and visionOS.
apple intelligence
The most important addition to macOS Sequoia is Apple Intelligence. The use of generative artificial intelligence in consumer hardware has exploded over the past 18 months, with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops all providing the power to compose, edit, and enhance many areas of your creative life. Equipped with supporting software. This is a field in which Apple has not yet opened an open recruitment field.
Even though iOS software wasn’t yet ready for public release, the iPhone 16 family announcement relied heavily on the awkward backronym Apple Intelligence. The same is true for macOS, but the difference is less pronounced. macOS Sequoia15.1 will be generally available for existing hardware at some point next week, and will no doubt ship to people who purchase new MacBook Pro laptops. The first units are sold.
Like Apple Intelligence on iOS, this week’s release is a subset of the software suite. ChatGPT integration is expected to be released in macOS Sequoia (probably in December), and the first generation suite is expected to be fully functional in March 2025.
Beyond the MacBook Pro
Apple will announce additional Mac hardware at the event. iMac and Mac Mini are expected to receive updates using M4. Related desktop accessories are also getting a design change, with the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard now switching to USB-C.
New MacBook Pro focus
Following the launch of Apple Silicon and the subsequent transition from x86 to ARM, the Mac platform received a lot of attention from Apple’s PR team, resulting in significant changes over the past four years. The release of the 15-inch MacBook Air in June 2023 could completely revamp the portfolio and turn attention elsewhere.
But this MacBook update will get even more attention as Apple looks to establish itself as a player in the generative AI space. We expect this presentation to focus on AI capabilities, even though it will be another six months before the full capabilities of Apple Intelligence are generally available.
Read the latest Macbook Pro, iPhone, and iPad headlines in Forbes’ weekly Apple Loop News Digest…
