Apple may’ve solely launched the iPhone 16 a couple of weeks in the past, however whispers recommend that Apple isn’t fairly executed with its 2024 slate of releases. As an alternative, it’s stated to be gearing up for a Mac and iPad-themed October occasion, and it might be a doozy.
The web hearsay mill has been churning away, with claims that the yet-unconfirmed Apple October Occasion may see the reveal of M4-equipped MacBooks, iMacs and Mac Minis, whereas the iPad Mini and entry-level iPad may additionally get a much-needed refresh.
Oh, and it’s rumoured to be an thrilling one for iPhone 16 house owners too, with indicators pointing in the direction of the announcement of the Apple Intelligence public launch date.
With that stated, right here’s every little thing you need to anticipate from Apple’s October 2024 occasion.
When will the Apple October Occasion happen?
Whereas it’s seemingly apparent that the Apple October Occasion will happen in October, the query is, when in October? Whereas Apple has but to substantiate the existence of the anticipated launch, we are able to look again at earlier October occasions – of which there are fairly a couple of – to offer us a good suggestion.
Right here’s a short abstract of Apple Occasions that occurred in October:
- 30 October 2023
- 18 October 2021
- 13 October 2020
- 30 October 2018
Taking a look at earlier launch dates, it appears Apple prefers a mid- to late-October launch, suggesting that the occasion will doubtless occur within the final two weeks of October this 12 months – however we’ll replace this part as soon as we get affirmation.
What ought to I anticipate from the Apple October Occasion?
Apple’s October Occasion is alleged to not solely concentrate on Macs and iPads, however may probably function a launchpad for Apple Intelligence after being absent at launch.
Public launch of Apple Intelligence
Whereas it wasn’t fairly prepared for the preliminary launch of iOS 18 (regardless of being the principle focus of a lot of the iPhone 16 promoting marketing campaign), Apple is anticipated to launch Apple Intelligence on the October Occasion. It’s already in beta testing, and you may even join entry through the public beta should you’ve bought a suitable gadget, nevertheless it’ll formally roll out in October.
That is solely the primary of many iOS updates that’ll convey Apple Intelligence options to supported gadgets, nevertheless, with the preliminary launch together with options like an upgraded Siri, AI notification summaries, writing instruments, object elimination instruments, Safari webpage summaries and extra.
It’s value noting that this launch is anticipated to be unique to the US, with a wider rollout within the areas together with the UK anticipated later this 12 months.
M4 MacBook Professional
A MacBook Professional refresh at Apple’s October occasion is seemingly a given, with each Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ross Younger suggesting {that a} refresh is coming.
Ross Younger means that 14-inch and 16-inch panels have been shipped in Q3 2024 and, primarily based on traditional timelines, suggests a launch in This fall 2024, whereas Gurman claims that the MacBook Professional could be the primary laptop computer to get the M4 chipset in late 2024.
Nonetheless, it’s not simply the M4 that’s stated to be making its solution to the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional vary; relying on the configuration, you’ll additionally be capable of get the M4 Professional and M4 Max.
Not a lot else is thought in regards to the new MacBook Professional, however on condition that the laptop computer was solely given a design overhaul a couple of generations in the past, we’re unlikely to see sweeping modifications right here.
M4 Mac Mini
The M4 Mac Mini is an fascinating prospect, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggesting that the transportable Mac may get a redesign with this 12 months’s launch. Per Gurman’s sources, the brand new Mac Mini ought to have a smaller total footprint, although it might be taller than the present mannequin’s 1.4 inches, and describe it as “an iPad Professional in a small field”.
Elsewhere, rumours recommend that the brand new Mac Mini might be out there in two configurations, one with the Apple M4 and one other with the Apple M4 Professional, with configurable RAM and graphics, and it may include as much as three USB-C ports on the rear alongside the ability cable and a HDMI port.
Contemplating the M2-powered Mac Mini was launched at the start of 2023, an overhaul on the October occasion makes lots of sense.
M4 iMac
Together with the Mac Mini and MacBook Professional, the iMac can be anticipated to get a spec bump to the M4 – regardless of not getting a refresh to the M3 a little bit beneath a 12 months in the past, making its debut in November 2023.
Except for the brand new processor, not a lot is thought in regards to the next-gen Apple desktop pc. It’s potential that Apple may lastly ship the iMac in new colors, having saved the color choices the identical since its M1 redesign, and new USB-C equipment could be a pleasant contact too, however we’ll have to attend and see for certain.
New iPad Mini
With no replace in three years, Apple’s iPad Mini is anticipated to get a refresh on the October occasion. It is smart, as Apple has bundled Mac and iPad bulletins prior to now, and the iPad Mini replace is desperately wanted at this level.
It doubtless received’t be as large an replace because the iPad Mini 6 was, sporting a completely new design and help for up to date equipment, as an alternative probably specializing in boosting the internals to one thing just like the A18 and even M1 to help Apple Intelligence and providing help for brand spanking new equipment just like the Apple Pencil Professional.
A repair for the show’s jelly-scrolling subject, which was coated extensively at launch, must also be on the prime of Apple’s to-do record for the iPad mini 7.
New entry-level iPad – possibly
This one’s a little bit of a wildcard for the Apple October Occasion as, till simply earlier than Apple’s September Glowtime occasion, rumours have been swirling that your entire iPad vary would get an improve in 2024. We’ve already seen new fashions of iPad Professional and iPad Air, and if the reveal of the brand new iPad Mini on the October occasion is appropriate, that’d solely depart the entry-level iPad.
Nonetheless, in a newer growth, show analyst Ross Younger – with a fairly good observe report for display-related predictions – claims that panel shipments for the brand new entry-level iPad aren’t resulting from even ship till October, suggesting an early 2025 launch may be extra doubtless.
Now, this might be as a result of, just like the iPad Professional and iPad Air, Apple is planning on releasing two sizes of entry-level iPad with one due for launch now and the opposite in early 2025, however that does appear to be a fairly sizeable hole between announcement and launch for one thing that’s not a completely new product class like Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
However hey, we’ve actually bought our fingers crossed!