Tag: M4 chipsets

  • Apple’s 2024 Mac Mini: Smaller Design, New M4 Chip

    Apple’s 2024 Mac Mini: Smaller Design, New M4 Chip

    Apple is reportedly gearing up for a significant overhaul of its compact PC, the Mac mini. This would be the first redesign in the product line in over ten years. Despite a more compact design, Apple might also integrate its new M4 chipset into this mini PC.

    Apple 2024 Mac mini: Upcoming Features

    The information about Apple’s next-generation Mac mini comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He stated that the company aims to make the Mac mini even more compact. The upcoming Apple PC could become the smallest Mac mini ever. Gurman mentioned that this model will have a form factor similar to the Apple TV. Although the device may become smaller, the internal hardware is set for an upgrade. The Mac mini is expected to be available in two versions: the M4 and M4 Pro chipsets.

    M1 Mac mini

    The connectivity options include three USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a power cable. The higher-end M4 Pro variant might come with additional RAM support and enhanced graphics. While the overall physical footprint is smaller, it might be a bit taller than the current Mac mini, which is 1.4 inches in height. The new model will continue to feature the iconic aluminum body like its predecessors. Mark Gurman compared the M4 Mac mini to an “iPad Pro in a small box.”

    Apple is rumored to update its Mac lineup with M4 chips in 2025. However, the Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac could transition to these newer chips within the current year. Apple is anticipated to launch the Mac mini in the coming months, with the high-end model potentially releasing in October. Unfortunately, there is no information regarding the pricing. There is a possibility that the 2024 Mac mini might see a price increase, but this remains uncertain.

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  • Apple Denies iPad-Mac Rivalry, Unveils Touchscreen MacBook Plans

    Apple Denies iPad-Mac Rivalry, Unveils Touchscreen MacBook Plans

    Apple recently introduced the iPad Pro 2024, which surprisingly features the new M4 chipsets. This comes even though the M3 processors are still less than a year old. The latest iPad Pro models seem almost excessively powerful given the constraints of iPadOS. Historically, Apple has promoted these iPads as viable laptop alternatives, causing a blurring of the lines between tablets and laptops. Unlike iPads, MacBooks do not offer touchscreens or the same level of versatility. Now, Apple's VP of iPad and Mac Product Marketing has discussed how the two devices compare and whether Apple plans to add touchscreen support to its laptops.

    Apple Might Still Consider Touchscreen Macs

    The new iPad Pro models undeniably outperform Macs, but they fall short due to iPadOS's lack of optimization. In a discussion with The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern, Apple VP Tom Boger compared the two devices. According to Boger, Apple views iPads and MacBooks as complementary rather than competitive. The iPad is designed primarily for touch interaction, whereas the Mac is intended for use with a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad.

    When asked if Apple would introduce a touchscreen Mac, Boger clarified that iPads are designed for touch while Macs are not, due to the different computing paradigm offered by macOS. He noted that many users own both types of devices, using iPads to extend their work from Macs. Apple's Continuity feature further enhances this seamless integration.

    Future Possibilities for Touchscreen MacBooks

    Joanna Stern also inquired whether Apple might reconsider its stance on touchscreen MacBooks. Boger hinted at the possibility, stating, "Oh, I can’t say we never change our mind." This suggests that Apple has not entirely ruled out the idea of a touchscreen MacBook, even though it seems unlikely in the near term.

    Previously, Mark Gurman reported that Apple is indeed working on a touchscreen MacBook with a potential release date set for 2025.

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