Foreign media: Apple will update at least three Mac models this year to upgrade to M4 chips

It is almost September, but Apple still plans to launch a number of new products in 2024. According to rumors, the iPhone 16 series and Apple Watch will be released in September. In addition, Apple Mac models equipped with M4 chips will be updated this year, including the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac.

MacBook Pro

Apple plans to update 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models to M4 chips. The MacBook Pro series was last updated in October 2023, and these devices are updated every year.

Apple abandoned the 13-inch MacBook Pro last year. Now, an entry-level 14-inch model will be powered by the standard M4 chip, used in the iPad Pro. The mid-range and high-end 14-inch models, along with the 16-inch version, will be equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. M4 chips are manufactured using a 3nm process, offering improved performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities compared to M3 chips.

This year’s MacBook Pro models are not expected to receive design updates. Apple will focus on internal improvements, with the M4 chip being the highlight. The company plans to have its entire Mac product line use the M4 chip series in 2024 and 2025.

Mac mini

Unlike the MacBook Pro, Apple does plan to give the Mac mini a design refresh. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Mac mini will be Apple’s smallest computer yet, even smaller than the previous generation.

It’s expected to be about the same size as the Apple TV, but thicker than the Apple TV and the current Mac mini, which is 1.4 inches. The machine will continue to be made of aluminum but will be smaller overall.

Apple plans to use the M4 and M4 Pro chips in Mac mini models, which should bring significant performance improvements.

iMac

The 24-inch iMac is also expected to be updated this year, upgrading from an M3 chip to an M4 chip. The iMac’s design is rumored to be unchanged, so we expect to see the same 24-inch display, available in a variety of colors.

Apple is still exploring a version of the iMac with a larger display (around 30 inches), but an iMac with a larger display isn’t expected to launch in 2024, and it’s unclear if it will launch in 2025.

Possible release date

Apple doesn’t usually announce Macs at September events and may release them later in the year, usually holding the event in October or November. For example, last October, Apple held a Mac-centric event to update MacBook Pros and iMacs.

Of course, Apple may not hold an event and instead release the new Mac through a press release.

While the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini are expected to ship with the M4 chip before the end of the year, the M4 update for the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro won’t be available until 2025.

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