Apple Tipped To Launch Next-Gen Macs With Powerful M4 Chip, New iMac & MacBook Pro Models Included

This week, Apple is expected to introduce a 24-inch iMac and two revamped Mac mini models, as well as new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with various configurations.

Apple is reportedly gearing up to reveal a major refresh across its Mac lineup, featuring its much-anticipated M4 chip. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple’s plans include updated iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models, alongside hints of a new low-cost iPad arriving in 2024.

Fresh Mac Lineup Incoming

This week, Apple is expected to introduce a 24-inch iMac and two revamped Mac mini models, as well as new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with various configurations. The iMac will reportedly house the base-level M4 chip, while the Mac mini will offer both standard M4 and M4 Pro versions. The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros will feature advanced M4 chip versions for enhanced performance.

M4 Chip Boosts AI and Graphics

The M4 chip is set to deliver a substantial performance leap, reaching up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), significantly more than the M3's 18 TOPS. This improvement will be especially beneficial for artificial intelligence applications.

Additionally, the Mac mini will now support ray tracing for more realistic graphics, a feature especially attractive to gamers. The Mac Studio and Mac Pro are also expected to transition to the M4 chip next year, extending the high-performance benefits to these models.

Updated Specs and Design Overhauls

Gurman reports that the iPad Pro with M4 will come in two configurations: a nine-core CPU with ten GPU cores, or a ten-core CPU with the same GPU count. Entry-level MacBook Pros will feature the higher-end CPU option, while some Macs may come with 16GB of memory, meeting Apple’s AI demands but potentially limiting other memory-intensive applications.

Apple has also redesigned the Mac mini, slimming it down to dimensions comparable to an Apple TV, with two front ports and three or more at the back. This marks its first refresh since early 2023, with new design details aligning with Apple’s minimalist aesthetic.

Launch Date (Expected)

The MacBook Air with M4 is expected early next year, likely between January and March, followed by Mac Studio updates in the spring. The top-tier Mac Pro, equipped with the highest M4 variant, is projected for a mid-to-late 2024 release. Apple’s product announcements will start Monday, culminating in a hands-on media event in Los Angeles later in the week, signaling a strategic return to staggered launch events similar to previous Apple releases.