Apple to launch M4-based MacBook Pro models, more in October

As has been rumored for some time, Apple is expected to show off its updated MacBook Pro lineup, offering a low-end 14-inch model with the M4 processor, as well as higher-tier 14-inch and 16-inch models with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips in an event in late October.

The report by Bloomberg disclosing the dates also mentions the expectation of a new iPad mini.

Ever since the introduction of the M4 varieties of iPad Pro, there has been demand for Apple to do the same for its Apple Silicon Mac models.

Apple is expected to make big changes to the M4 Mac mini

Rumors predict a new smaller form factor that shifts away from its long-running design for something even sleeker. There’s even talk of it having five USB Type-C ports instead of USB-A.

An M4 MacBook Pro could be arriving soon

A more obvious change would be to the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Updated in fall 2023, a one-year gap between updates would be reasonable for Apple’s flagship Mac offering.

A revision to the iMac is possible, but almost nothing has been rumored about it recently, other than a possible 32-inch version. The MacBook Pro and Mac mini releases seem like a lock for November 1.

Both the iPad and iPad mini haven’t been updated for quite some time. The iPad was last refreshed in the fall of 2022, while the iPad mini hasn’t seen an update in three years.

While rumors haven’t said much about the base-grade iPad’s updates, the most likely change — if one arrives in October — will be a spec-bump update to a more modern chip. This makes sense as Apple would want to bring Apple Intelligence to as many devices as possible, and that would include the iPad.

The iPad mini hasn’t been updated in three years.

For the iPad mini, there are a lot more possibilities, including a shift of the front camera to the side so it can be better used in a landscape orientation. There are also thoughts that the rear camera could be updated to a 48MP sensor to match the iPhone 16, rather than staying on a 12MP version.