Top Stories: New M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini!

Following the iPad mini launch last week and a tease about Mac announcements for this week, Apple indeed made three key Mac product announcements: new iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models.

top stories 2nov2024
These machines bring the M4 chip series to Apple's Mac lineup for the first time, but each in its own way offers several new features and changes that go beyond processors, so read on below for details on all of the hardware announcements plus the release of iOS 18.1 and related updates with Apple Intelligence!

Apple Announces MacBook Pro Models With M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips, Thunderbolt 5 Support, and More

Apple saved the biggest news as a wrap-up for the three-day flurry of announcements, and that's the MacBook Pro.

M4 MacBook Pro Thumb 3
The entry-level 14-inch machine with the M4 chip got a major upgrade bringing it closer in line with higher-spec models with features like a space black color option, a third Thunderbolt port, and more.

The higher-end models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chip options take things to the next level with Thunderbolt 5 ports and up to 40 graphics cores for maximum portable performance.

Apple Announces Redesigned Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Chips, Two Front USB-C Ports, and More

As expected, the Mac mini not only received an upgrade to M4 and M4 Pro chip options, but it also got its first design overhaul since 2010 with a significantly smaller form factor.

M4 mini Thumb 2
Other improvements include a pair of USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front for easy access, as well as three Thunderbolt ports on the rear with M4 Pro models featuring cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5.

Apple Announces iMac With M4 Chip, Center Stage Camera, Nano-Texture Display Option, and More

Kicking off the week was an update to the iconic iMac, with the all-in-one desktop getting an upgrade to the M4 chip, a new Center Stage camera, and optional nano-texture display glass to reduce glare.

Apple iMac M4 hero feature
Apple also finally updated its Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard accessories to feature USB-C charging ports, moving Apple tantalizingly closer to ending its use of Lightning. But in case you were wondering, yes, the Magic Mouse charging port is still on the bottom.

Apple Announces MacBook Air Now Starts With Increased 16GB of RAM With No Price Increase

In a bit of a surprise move, Apple this week announced that it has boosted the memory on all M2 and M3 MacBook Air configurations at no extra charge, bumping the starting memory to 16GB on all models.

MacBook Air 15 Inch Feature Purple
With that change and the rest of this week's announcements, Apple's entire Mac lineup now starts with at least 16GB of memory, which will help support new and future Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Releases iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence

This week wasn't just all about hardware, as Apple also released iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and other related updates to deliver the first Apple Intelligence features.

iOS 18
Apple Intelligence features are currently available only in U.S. English, but they can be used in most countries as long as the device's region and language are set to the United States. Support for English localizations in several other countries is coming in December, with many other languages rolling out in 2025.

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Top Rated Comments

Sirious Avatar
9 months ago
All really good updates honestly. I am not one of those who upgrades their computer regularly but I always get envious when there is new hardware :P
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crow_Servo Avatar
9 months ago

Should I stay and wait for the Studio with an M4 Max or
Should I go and buy the mini with the M4 pro ?
Oh dang, I know this one! Hope someone else has the definitive answer without knowing anything about this person’s use cases…

But in all seriousness, I’m probably going to wait for the Mac Studio, since for the extra $600 it will likely be worth it for the extra benefits.

But I could also save $1000 and get the regular Mac Mini with 512GB storage and 24GB RAM and be just fine.

With Apple, it’s all about willpower. How long can you hold out for the perfect version of your desired product (which may never come)?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lihto Avatar
9 months ago

Should I stay and wait for the Studio with an M4 Max or
Should I go and buy the mini with the M4 pro ?
It's tricky.. m4 pro1600$+100$ for 10gigabit.. and studio is 2000$ with 10gigabit, and its gonna come with more ram and M4 Max with 300$ more. This studio should be best buy if they release soon..
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheOldChevy Avatar
9 months ago
Should I stay and wait for the Studio with an M4 Max or
Should I go and buy the mini with the M4 pro ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dynamojoe Avatar
9 months ago
I'm in for a 14" M4 Pro 24G/1T. I'm kinda bummed it won't be delivered until the 19th. Are other M4Pro orders also slow or did I just pick a less-popular config?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
9 months ago

BREAKING NEWS: This just in...Apple's 2024 Mac refresh continued to ignore the HDR content market by steadfastly refusing to provide its long-devoted iMac user base with an XDR iMac. iMac content creators and artists working in HDR for their 1080P, 4K, 6K and burgeoning 8K video and still imagery needs will once again have to continue shopping about to try and cobble something together for their all-in-one HDR needs.

In other news today...
Display support for models other then the base model 8 core M4.
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:


* Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz or one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz

Thunderbolt 4 digital video output


* Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C

Video Playback

* Supported formats include HEVC, H.264, AV1, and ProRes
* HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, and HLG

======
Even if Apple incorporated a Studio Display in a larger iMac it wouldn't be HDR capable, that takes mini-Led or OLED. But as you can see what is stopping anyone from using HDR capable external displays? ;)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)