Apple's Big October Surprise: M4 Macs Are Just Around the Corner
- Apple’s next event might drop the hottest MacBook Pro update we’ve seen in years.
- Rumor has it, the Mac mini is getting a sleek redesign—and maybe losing some beloved ports.
- New chips, new colors, and more power: Apple’s October lineup could change everything.
The fall season is traditionally a time for Apple's Mac announcements, but this year, anticipation is mounting as we near mid-October without an official word from Cupertino. Recent reports, however, hint at an imminent launch of Apple M4-powered Macs. Here's a deep dive into what the rumor mill is saying.
Apple's Mac Lineup: What's Due for an Upgrade?
Apple last refreshed its Mac lineup in March 2024, introducing M3 versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air. Prior to that, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, with options for M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips, arrived in October 2023 alongside a refreshed 24-inch iMac.
Despite these updates, some of Apple’s popular machines are still waiting for a refresh:
- Mac Studio and Mac Pro (Last updated: June 2023)
- Mac mini (Last updated: January 2023)
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that new M4-based Macs could arrive as soon as November 1, with Apple planning a late-October event. This follows a similar pattern from 2023 when Apple held a "Scary Fast" Mac event just before Halloween.
MacBook Pro: What to Expect from the M4 Refresh
The most notable expectation is for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Sources suggest that Apple will unveil:
- A new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an entry-level M4 chip.
- Higher-end versions featuring M4 Pro and M4 Max processors.
Photo via YouTube // Is this Apple's upcoming M4 MacBook Pro? Multiple Russian YouTubers say yes, but analysts are somewhat skeptical. It's looking more and more real by the day, though, as more information becomes available.
One of the more intriguing rumors comes from a Russian YouTuber, who claims the base M4 MacBook Pro will come with three Thunderbolt 4 ports and support up to two external displays, a marked improvement from the M3's limitation to one external display. The same leaker hinted at a Space Black color option, previously exclusive to the higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max models.
Photo via YouTube // A view of the ports on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro, as shown by a Russian YouTuber in the infamous "Russian M4 leak" earlier this week.
Mac mini: Slimmer, Faster, and Packed with Features
Rumor has it the Mac mini is also getting an M4-powered refresh. The design is expected to be slimmer, potentially close in size to an Apple TV, but taller. Prototype models reportedly feature five USB-C ports, a power cable, and an HDMI port, with USB-A ports likely to be dropped.
For the first time, the Mac mini may come with 16GB Unified Memory as standard, catering to more intensive Apple Intelligence features.
Photo via Cult of Mac // "The Mac mini (on left) could be as small as an Apple TV (on right)."
iMac: Same Design, More Power
Apple's beloved 24-inch iMac is due for an upgrade with the M4 chip, potentially making it one of the more powerful all-in-one computers on the market. The new iMac could also begin with 16GB RAM as the standard configuration, following a trend spotted in developer logs for other M4 Macs.
However, no major design changes are expected—Apple seems content with the current iMac’s aesthetic, last redesigned in 2021.
Photo via 9to5Mac // Apple's M4 iMac is coming, rumors say. However, don't expect it to look very different compared to earlier models.
M4 Chip: A New Level of Performance
The transition to Apple’s M4 chip is gathering pace across its product lines. Built on a 3nm process like its predecessor, the M3, the M4 brings incremental improvements in performance and power efficiency. Most notably, the M4 includes a Neural Engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second, aimed at accelerating AI workloads.
Recent Geekbench benchmarks give us insight into the M4’s potential:
| Model | Single-Core Score | Multi-Core Score |
|---|---|---|
| M4 Mac | 3864 | 15288 |
| M4 iPad Pro | 3647 | 13135 |
| M3 iMac | 3048 | 11708 |
These scores suggest the M4 offers a 26.7% improvement in single-core performance and a 30.6% boost in multi-core performance compared to the M3. According to Apple, the M4 chip is up to 25% faster than the M3, with similar or better results expected in the new Macs.
Photo via Apple Inc. // Apple's M4 chip was first announced on May 7, 2024. Here are some of the features of Apple's M4 chip.
Conclusion: What’s on the Horizon?
Apple’s rumored October event is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for its Mac lineup. With MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac updates expected, the M4 chip could mark a significant leap in power and efficiency. Consumers and power users alike are eager to see how the new models will stack up against the competition, and with a potential release date of November 1, we won’t have to wait long.
Apple enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on this event, especially given the potential for a Space Black MacBook Pro and other exciting features that could make this year’s Mac refresh a game-changer.
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