Looks like some new Macs are on the way. Apple is holding an online-only launch event on October 30th, where its next big chip updates are expected to go along with some Macs. Apple is calling the pre-Halloween announcement a “Scary Fast” event, and its YouTube channel is urging viewers to “treat yourself.”
Almost every Apple event invitation has a themed Apple logo that hints at what to expect. This time, the company’s event website features an animated Apple logo that turns into a Finder icon, confirming that some new Macs are on the cards. Meanwhile, “frightening speed” points to the possibility that Apple will announce brand new M3 processors that will debut in some upgraded Macs — including the long-awaited iMac desktop update. Will it be faster than Qualcomm’s apparently M2-beating X Elite processors? We won’t have to wait long to find out.
When will the Apple event start?
The “Scary Fast” Apple event is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT. The livestream is unusual for Apple, taking place in the evening instead of the morning like the company’s other product announcements.
How to Watch Apple’s “Scary Fast” Mac Event
Apple offers livestream access Its homepage And YouTube channel; The YouTube stream is embedded above. You can also watch Apple event livestreams on Apple TV boxes within the TV app under the Apple Event category.
Let’s break down the speculation about what Apple has in store for us.
Introducing the M3
Apple released its M2 chips earlier this year, so now it’s time to move on to the M3 lineup. On Monday, we’ll see the first batch of those chips, which could offer big performance gains over the M2 generation.
New M3 chips It is said to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process, the same process used in the A17 Pro chips in the new iPhone 15 Pro. The smaller process should make M3 chips faster and more efficient than the 5nm process used in the M2 line. Apple has reportedly locked up all production of TSMC’s 3nm chips Approximately next yearGives the company’s hardware an edge over competitors.
Apple’s M-series chips have been hailed as powerful, cool and efficient, but they’re suddenly facing some real competition. Qualcomm said this week that its new Snapdragon X Elite will be 50 percent faster than Apple’s M2. That means it’s a good time for Apple to introduce something even faster.
Whatever computers Apple announces, it’s the M3 that’s the star of the show.
A new M3-powered iMac
The iMac hasn’t been refreshed since the M1 model appeared in April 2021 with a brand new design. But rumors of Apple’s all-in-one updates have been circulating throughout the year. We won’t see a larger 32-inch iMac until next year, but it looks like we’ll be getting a new 24-incher.
The updated model is expected to feature a brand new chip: Apple’s M3 processor. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman added Apple tested M3 chips with eight-core CPUs and 10-core GPUs, matching the previous base model M chips. TSMC claims the 3nm process will lead to a 15 percent speed boost with 30 percent power savings.
The updated iMac is also reported to be getting some Altered interiors and modified manufacturing process. But externally, the design is expected to be very similar or the same as before.
Faster M3 chips in faster MacBook Pros
Despite their refresh earlier this year, Apple’s stock of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops with M2 Pro and Max chips is dwindling. This is May point to M3 update Before the end of the month for two major MacBook Pro models.
Apple will announce the M3 Pro and M3 Max versions of the 14- and 16-inch laptops at Monday’s event. Bloomberg and early October Digi Times Report It suggests that new MacBook Pro models will arrive with more efficient Mini LED displays by the end of the year. Apple is reportedly testing new MacBook Pro models using M3 Pro and M3 Max chips with 16-core CPUs, 40-core GPUs and 48GB of memory. Those key figures are higher than current models maximum There is no 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU and 48GB memory option for the 16-inch Pro laptop. (Instead, they’re available with 32GB, 64GB, or 96GB memory options.)
Launched 11 months after the last MacBook Pro, effectively making this a mid-cycle refresh. But I doubt anyone is really complaining – unless you buy one of the M2 models.
Well, what’s next?
Some of the more shocking rumors include a 13-inch MacBook Pro or new MacBook Air models. Apple uses the same chips in the Mac Mini. So far, no one seems to have predicted the update, although it wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
In the world of Apple accessories, it would be weird if the new iMac didn’t come with the new USB-C Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, right? So we have a real chance to see them. (Is it too much to hope that Apple will move the charging port to the mouse?)
Other than that, there are no strong signs of anything else coming this year. There have been rumors of updated iPads — but with Apple announcing a new Pencil, those won’t arrive until next year. All the big rumors, like a 32-inch iMac, an OLED MacBook Pro, or a redesigned iPad Pro, are a year or more away. Vision Pro is still slated for early next year.
