Apple is expected to begin unveiling their M4 Mac lineup in under two weeks, with updates to the iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini to start off the new M4 transition.
It’s unclear whether there will be a proper Apple Event, since the company previously opted for a press release format for the new iPad mini. Regardless, the new Macs are confirmed to reach customers starting on November 1st.
16GB RAM as Standard
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to start shipping at least 16GB of RAM on the new M4 Macs, including the base model 14” MacBook Pro, the new Mac mini, and the new iMac.
Apple has been shipping 8GB of RAM on its base model Macs for the past eight years, making this an anticipated change. This upgrade aligns well with the increasing demands of Apple’s software, which tends to be more memory-intensive.
Mac Mini Redesign
Reports suggest that Apple’s upcoming Mac mini will feature its most significant redesign in 14 years, with a plan to reduce its size significantly. In this update, the device may also drop support for USB-A ports, but it is expected to gain additional USB-C ports. Additionally, ports are likely to be positioned on the front, similar to the Mac Studio.
While specific details about its appearance remain scarce, the redesign is generating excitement, particularly since it is one of Apple’s more affordable Macs.
USB-C Magic Mouse, Keyboard, and Trackpad
Rumors indicate a new iMac may arrive this month, which could mean a refresh of all the Magic accessories. Given Apple’s deadline to comply with the European Union’s USB-C mandate by the end of the year, it is almost certain that the new M4 iMac will phase out Lightning in favor of USB-C.
Space Black on the Cheapest MacBook Pro
Currently, the Space Black color option is exclusive to higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros, while the base model M3 MacBook Pro continues to be available only in Space Gray. This discrepancy raises questions about Apple’s design choices.
Last year, when the new M3 MacBook Pro debuted, it was discovered that it was running macOS Ventura out of the box, unlike its more advanced counterparts that featured macOS Sonoma. This suggests that the base model may have been prepared for release before the higher-end versions, which could explain the inconsistency in color options.
Many hope that the new M4 MacBook Pro will finally include the Space Black option.
Brand New M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips
Although the base M4 chip was debuted in the iPad Pro back in May, Apple has yet to reveal its higher-end chips, the M4 Pro and M4 Max. These chips should be making their premiere in the upcoming higher-end MacBook Pros later this month.
While specific details about the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips remain scarce, they are expected to utilize TSMC’s more efficient 3nm process, similar to the A18 and base M4 chips. As usual, they are anticipated to deliver increased performance, although core count details are not yet available.
Wi-Fi 7
The upcoming M4 Macs are likely to support the Wi-Fi 7 standard, as seen with the iPhone 16 lineup.
Wi-Fi 7 enables speeds of up to 46 Gbps, surpassing Wi-Fi 6E’s 9 Gbps by more than five times. It operates over 320 MHz channels and supports the 6 GHz band, significantly reducing interference and signal congestion.
Wrap Up
Overall, the M4 Mac lineup is shaping up to be quite promising, especially the base model MacBook Pro. It remains to be seen if prices will adjust with the RAM upgrade. The Mac mini’s first redesign in over a decade is equally exciting, particularly with enhanced front I/O options.
We invite you to share your excitement about the upcoming M4 Mac lineup below. Will you be purchasing one? Join the conversation in the comments!
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