According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may be gearing up for a new product launch in October, focusing primarily on new Macs. Gurman speculates that the long-awaited M3-powered iMac could be among the highlights of this event. While Gurman hedges on this prediction, the timing seems favorable, as it has been over two years since Apple introduced its colorful iMac redesign.
The first Macs powered by the next-generation Apple Silicon M3 chips to arrive this year
Unfortunately, Apple will not be making any significant changes to the iMac’s form factor just yet. Gurman noted in his recent “Power On,” newsletter that larger iMac models, potentially reaching 32 inches, are not expected until late 2024. Consequently, this refresh might be a spec upgrade for the existing 24-inch model – which, nevertheless, remains an exciting development.
Now that Apple has gotten the 15-inch MacBook Air and new M2 Ultra-based Macs out the door, the October launch could feature the first Macs with M3 chips. October is too early for new high-end MacBook Pros or desktops, so the first beneficiaries of the new chip should be the next iMac, 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Gurman also anticipates M3-equipped updates for Apple’s 13-inch MacBooks, including the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. However, he remains ambiguous about the iPad, hinting at a possible M3 version of the iPad Pro with an OLED screen arriving next year. Nonetheless, Gurman does mention the development of a faster iPad Air model, signaling a return to a yearly release cycle after the M1-powered iPad Air skipped a refresh in 2021 and debuted in 2022.
The M3 Macs, particularly the iMac and 13-inch MacBook Air, are expected to feature Apple’s new rumored 3nm Apple Silicon chips. Gurman previously suggested that these devices could appear either later this year or in 2023, marking them as the first devices to showcase these advanced chips. Meanwhile, Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-connected supply chain analyst, has indicated that new M3 Pro/Max chips are likely to debut in the first half of 2024.
As the end of the year approaches, only time will tell if Gurman’s predictions hold true. Apple enthusiasts will eagerly await further announcements regarding these potential new Macs and the anticipated technological advancements they bring.
