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Everything We Expect to See From Tomorrow's Apple Event
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I will be buying the SE after this event. Either whatever new one they announce or the 2020 one if there’s not much difference. I’m hoping the price for the SE2020 will drop once the 5G one is released.
Does anyone think there’s a chance the battery will be improved for this new SE?
Also, how soon after the event can we buy the new stuff? Does it take weeks to be added to the Apple website or will these new products be available right away?
Does anyone think there’s a chance the battery will be improved for this new SE?
Also, how soon after the event can we buy the new stuff? Does it take weeks to be added to the Apple website or will these new products be available right away?
For spring events taking the rumors and selecting the most uninspired, incremental ones is generally the winning ticket.. with the thrill and excitement in new cases/band colors and emojis.
The 13" laptop will remain, but it will no longer be called a "MacBook Pro". It is likely that all of the renders we keep seeing, with the white bezels are for this new machine, not the MacBook Air. I'm leaning towards this machine being called the "MacBook" or "MacBook Studio". We may see this in the March event.
The MacBook Air will likely get a design update, but is unlikely to lose its distinctive shape. We may see this in the March Event.
Expect M1 Max Duo and Quadra devices, possible also M1 Pro Duo and Quadra, but those are less likely given that the Max is already a suped up version of the M1 Pro. These processor modules might see their way into a more professional iMac, and a more professional desktop. Both may receive the "Studio" moniker. I see this being announced at the March Event, with shipments at least 1 month away, other devices will be available within a week.
I strongly feel there is evidence that Apple is going to have a 3x3 product matrix, with "Normal", "Studio", and "Pro" product levels for each of their three Mac categories, iMac, Mac, and MacBook.
I highly doubt we will see the actual Mac Pro at this event, but I do believe that Apple will state that they are working on it, including the ability to have expandability, at this event, to be unveiled at WWDC. I can only imagine that, much like with getting TB4 certification, they are going to have to either use M2 chips or will need more M1 Max cores to allow for the expandability, as it feels like the base M1 processor has a limited number of PCIe lanes, and Apple doesn't want to need a South Bridge to meet the demands, or they are still working on an ARM compatible South Bridge, that won't harm performance. I still see a tower with PCIe and MPX slots in the Mac Pro's future, and possibly, having built in "Level 1" unified RAM, with the ability to use DDR5 external RAM as "Level 2", much like how CPU caching expanded and changed over the course of the 90s.
I don't see many changes coming to the iPad lineup, except moving into Mx processors, possibly an M1 or M2 in the Pro, and trickling down the older chip into the Air, which will get Thunderbolt. We also may see one last iPad with lightning, but with a laminated display, and next year, seeing it move to USB-C with the rest of the lineup.
I'm unsure about an SE, as it took Apple a long time to get us the SE 2, but given the loss of 3G in many places, it would be logical to come out with a 5G model that uses LTE as backup, instead of being LTE only. The only design changes would be those to match a currently manufactured phone, and it will likely keep the home button and touch ID.
The MacBook Air will likely get a design update, but is unlikely to lose its distinctive shape. We may see this in the March Event.
Expect M1 Max Duo and Quadra devices, possible also M1 Pro Duo and Quadra, but those are less likely given that the Max is already a suped up version of the M1 Pro. These processor modules might see their way into a more professional iMac, and a more professional desktop. Both may receive the "Studio" moniker. I see this being announced at the March Event, with shipments at least 1 month away, other devices will be available within a week.
I strongly feel there is evidence that Apple is going to have a 3x3 product matrix, with "Normal", "Studio", and "Pro" product levels for each of their three Mac categories, iMac, Mac, and MacBook.
I highly doubt we will see the actual Mac Pro at this event, but I do believe that Apple will state that they are working on it, including the ability to have expandability, at this event, to be unveiled at WWDC. I can only imagine that, much like with getting TB4 certification, they are going to have to either use M2 chips or will need more M1 Max cores to allow for the expandability, as it feels like the base M1 processor has a limited number of PCIe lanes, and Apple doesn't want to need a South Bridge to meet the demands, or they are still working on an ARM compatible South Bridge, that won't harm performance. I still see a tower with PCIe and MPX slots in the Mac Pro's future, and possibly, having built in "Level 1" unified RAM, with the ability to use DDR5 external RAM as "Level 2", much like how CPU caching expanded and changed over the course of the 90s.
I don't see many changes coming to the iPad lineup, except moving into Mx processors, possibly an M1 or M2 in the Pro, and trickling down the older chip into the Air, which will get Thunderbolt. We also may see one last iPad with lightning, but with a laminated display, and next year, seeing it move to USB-C with the rest of the lineup.
I'm unsure about an SE, as it took Apple a long time to get us the SE 2, but given the loss of 3G in many places, it would be logical to come out with a 5G model that uses LTE as backup, instead of being LTE only. The only design changes would be those to match a currently manufactured phone, and it will likely keep the home button and touch ID.
Do they release a lot of Mac stuff in March? I thought it was watch / phone / iPad stuff mainly.
Last year it was in April, and was the iMac, AirTags, Apple TV, and iPad Pro M1 (plus purple iPhone).
Further to your claim that the new MacBook Pro’s “have the same old screen technology,” here is the truth:
2018: IPS LCD
2021: Mini LED
2018: 221 ppi
2021: 254 ppi
2018: 2880x1800 px
2021: 3456x2234 px
2018: 60Hz
2021: 120Hz
2018: 1331:1 contrast
2021: 25700:1 contrast
2018: 500 nits
2021: 1600 peak nits HDR, 500 nits SDR
Not to mention being 16” instead of 15” diagonal.
Though you seem to not care about performance, note, too:
2018: 1028 ST/ 4979 MT Geekbench
2021: 1773 ST/12486 MT Geekbench
You do claim to care about the keyboard, but you seem unaware that unlike the 2018’s, the 2021’s have a good keyboard. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/butterfly-keyboard-vs-scissor-keyboard/
This is when I miss live event versus the Apple dog and pony show. When live we'd know pretty much what was going to be announced by now. Apple would be setting up the facility for the show so leaks from people involved in printing banners, brochures, swag, facilities people setting up booths, media already in town seeing previews and doing interviews. Lots of eyes and ears and some would start talk. So that I miss. I don't miss the Apple actual dog and pony show dragging things out for hours. So the current online is a nicely produced hour or so here it is, here the crap to believe about it, and see ya till the next event.
Apple is set to hold its first event of 2022 on Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple's spring events often aren't as exciting as the September and October events, but it's nice to have new devices on the horizon in the new year.
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For the 2022 spring event, we're expecting a refreshed version of the iPhone SE, a new iPad Air, and at least one new Apple silicon Mac. We've rounded up everything that we might see at the March 8 event below.
iPhone SE 5G
The 2022 iPhone SE is going to look just like the 2020 iPhone SE, with no design changes expected. Apple's current iPhone SE is modeled after the iPhone 8, featuring thick top and bottom bezels, a Touch ID Home button, and a 4.7-inch LCD display.
The iPhone SE is and will continue to be the only iPhone that Apple offers with Touch ID instead of Face ID, and it will be the only iPhone released in 2022 with an older LCD display as Apple has transitioned to OLED for the flagship lineup.
Wireless charging will be supported, but we're not expecting MagSafe, nor are there likely to be notable changes to battery life. The current iPhone SE is available in black, white, and red, and we are likely to see similar color options.
With no design changes on the horizon, the updates to the iPhone SE are all internal. We're expecting a faster chip, and the iPhone SE could get the same A15 chip that's in the iPhone 13 for a drastic increase in performance. Storage is rumored to start at 64GB, with Apple offering 64, 128, and 256GB options.
The other major new feature coming to the iPhone SE is 5G connectivity, which will put the iPhone SE on par with the flagship iPhones when it comes to connection speed. Apple's iPhone SE will be the cheapest 5G iPhone, and it is expected to be priced at $399.
The only other rumor we've heard about the iPhone SE is a possible updated camera, so it could get the latest Wide camera from the iPhone 13.
iPad Air
There's a new version of the iPad Air in the works, but like the iPhone SE, there are no design changes expected. The next-generation iPad Air will continue to look like the current iPad Air, though there's a possibility we could see new color options. Right now, the iPad Air comes in space gray, silver, rose gold, green, and blue.
Rumors suggest that much of the iPad Air update will focus on bringing the device in line with the sixth-generation iPad mini released last fall, so it is expected to get an updated A15 chip, which Apple added to the iPad mini after introducing it in the iPhone 13 models.
Apple downclocked the A15 chip in the iPad mini, so it runs at 2.9GHz instead of 3.2GHz as it does in the iPhone, but it's not clear if the same clock speed will be used for the iPad Air. Either way, the A15 will be an improvement over the A14 chip in the current model.
For cellular iPad Air models, Apple will add 5G connectivity, so the updated devices will work with faster 5G networks. The chip in the iPad mini is limited to sub-6GHz 5G networks rather than the fastest mmWave 5G networks, so it's possible we could see this same limitation in the iPad Air.
Sub-6GHz 5G is the more widely available version of 5G that can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States and other countries, while mmWave 5G is more limited in availability and in range.
AT&T and Verizon have recently expanded their 5G networks with C-band spectrum that improves the availability of mmWave networks in the U.S., so it's possible Apple will take this into account when updating the iPad Air.
The iPad Air will feature mostly internal changes, but it could get the same updated 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera that will work with Center Stage, a feature first introduced in the iPad Pro and the iPad mini 6.
Center Stage is a FaceTime feature designed to keep you in focus and perfectly framed when you're on a FaceTime video call. The wide-angle front-facing camera shows more of the room that you're in, while the processor inside the iPad works to keep you front and center even as you move around. If more than one person is in the call, the camera will also zoom out to keep everyone in view.
The rear camera is expected to continue to feature a single-lens setup, though a quad-LED True Tone flash could be added. As for other features, it will continue to use a USB-C port, and we're not expecting notable changes to battery life.
Pricing on the iPad Air is likely to stay the same, so the new model could be priced starting at $599 for 64GB storage.
Mac mini
Apple in 2020 updated the lower-end Mac mini with an M1 chip, and now it's the higher-end Mac mini's turn for an update. Rumors suggest the new machine will be equipped with Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, with Apple eliminating Intel chips from the Mac mini lineup.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips feature a 10-core CPU with eight high-power cores and two high-efficiency cores, though there is also an 8-core version used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
As for GPU performance, the M1 Pro chip features a 16-core GPU (14-cores in the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro), while the M1 Max features a 32-core GPU. There's also a lower tier 24-core option available as a build to order option. These same chips may come to the Mac mini.
The M1 Pro chip supports up to 32GB RAM and the M1 Max supports up to 64GB, so the new Mac mini will continue to offer support for up to 64GB RAM. The M1 version of the Mac mini is limited to 16GB RAM.
Rumors suggest the Mac mini is going to get a new look, perhaps with a smaller casing size that has a plexiglass-like top and a two-tone color scheme. If Apple is introducing a new color scheme, the Mac mini could potentially come in colors other than space gray or silver, similar to the 24-inch iMac, but updated colors are just speculation at this point.
Apple's new Mac mini is said to be equipped with four Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI port, along with the same magnetic charging cable used for the 24-inch iMac.
13-Inch MacBook Pro
A few rumors have suggested that Apple will introduce an updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro at the spring event, but it's not clear if that's accurate as the machine will likely use an updated M2 chip, but other Macs that are also going to adopt the M2 chip, like the refreshed MacBook Air, aren't launching until later in the year.
It's questionable that Apple would introduce the M2 chip in the 13-inch MacBook Pro at this point in time, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.
If there is a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro coming, it's not going to get a major design refresh. It will look like the prior-generation version, though there is mixed information on the Touch Bar. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the 13-inch MacBook Pro, while other leaked information has suggested it will stay.
As an entry level machine, the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro will not include a mini-LED display, nor is it expected to support 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates.
The M2 chip that Apple has in the works is expected to have the same 8-core CPU as the M1, but there will be speed and efficiency improvements as it could be built on a smaller node.
As for GPU improvements, it will have additional GPU cores. 9 and 10-core GPU options are expected to be available, up from the 7 and 8-core GPU options available in the original M1. The M2 will not be as powerful as the M1 Pro and the M1 Max, which will be succeeded by the M2 Pro and M2 Max.
New iPhone Case Colors
New iPhone case colors were leaked on Twitter at the end of February, and it's likely these cases are going to be released following the March event. New colors include a light blue, a darker green blue, an orange shade, and a yellow.
It's also likely we'll see these same colors available for iPad cases and perhaps Apple Watch bands. Apple won't focus on these new cases on stage, but we'll see them added to the online store after the event.
iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey Release Dates
Apple has been beta testing iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 since late January, and now the updates are nearly ready to launch. The software may not come out on March 8, but Apple will likely provide us with launch date information and release candidates could also come following the event.
iOS 15.4 is a huge update that brings support for using Face ID while wearing a mask if you have an iPhone 12 or newer, plus it introduces new emoji characters, lays the groundwork for Tap to Pay, adds a Siri voice, and improves the anti-stalking functionality of AirTags.
macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 add the long awaited Universal Control feature that's designed to allow multiple Macs and iPads to be controlled with a single mouse/trackpad and keyboard. We have a full guide with all of the new features coming in iOS 15.4 for those who are curious about what's included.
Event Coverage
Apple will live stream the March 8 event on the Apple Events website, YouTube, and in the Apple TV app on the Apple TV and other platforms.
For those unable to watch a live stream, MacRumors will provide live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Article Link: Everything We Expect to See From the Apple Event on March 8
This event only thing I'm interested in is a new Mac Mini Pro.
Yeah, no.
It's not about affording it, I can take anything Apple throws at me if it's worth it. But I suspect they are going to bend me over and keep me there too long on the cost of the 'Studio' for no real benefit to me.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, contrary to what many people seem to think, there is a $2999 config Mac Mini in the Apple store right now, using relatively old parts. Go look. It's there right now.
So many of these threads seem to be full of people who think Mac Mini are < $1000 Macs... but Apple offered > $2000 Mac Minis several years ago. That's why the rumor of PRO & MAX in Mini for $2K-$5K is not an impossible concept. Yes, it seems pretty unlikely to get PRO & MAX in < $1000 Minis, but Apple can certainly load them in the Mini box and price them like MBpros sans lid, keyboard, touchpad, etc.
All these armchair marketers who seem worried about Apple's profits should realize that if a loaded Mini is priced just like MBpros minus a bit for the parts Mini definitely will not have, it can be just as profitable- or MORE profitable- than MBpros. Conceptually, Mac Mini could be the most profitable computer Apple is selling after MAR 8. All that takes is pricing them accordingly.
Too many seem locked into this idea that if PRO & MAX are in minis, Apple will completely undermine MBpro pricing/profitability. But that's only true if Mini pricing is surprisingly low. What if it goes the OTHER way? What if it is surprisingly high? Then all this seemingly misplaced worry (apparently for Apple's sake) evaporates as Apple may be making more profit selling Minis than any other Macs. Don't worry marketers: I don't think Apple knows how to do "too low" anymore. ?
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I may be in the unpopular crowd, anyone really want to see a re-birth of the AirPort line up? The current pricing for a WiFi 6E router is still high let alone a mesh system. I am fine with just one product sans Express and Time Capsule.
Maybe some combo unit (Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, NAS) under the "Apple Studio" branding...?
- WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0
- Four 10Gb Ethernet (RJ45) LAN ports
- One 10Gb Ethernet (RJ45) WAN port
- Six 3.5" SATAIII HDD slots
- M1 SoC (7/7, 8/512)
No.
Because it’s unnecessary, because there’s way too much competition in that segment now. The Airport was significant, because it was a pioneer in it’s time, but it’s been surpassed by so many different iterations, but even if it did make a comeback, it wouldn’t be what it once was because of all the other advancements from other manufacturers/brands.
Why arent folks speculating that the peek performance title could mean a peek into the potential power of a MacPro level chip? A peek at an M2 doesn’t make much sense to me if they are releasing M1 branded chips yet in the same keynote. But if you peek at a whole new level of power and - price - it could excite a different class of users waiting for the Apple Hulk Chip. Not my market, but would be cool to see what their fully scaled processor can do.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
if you want an LG monitor and Apple store can’t deliver, buy it from countless other stores.
I would love Airport to come back. I’ve tried lots of other brands, and I’ve never gotten the reliability I got out of Airports. At the moment I’m using synology routers, after previously trying Ubiquiti’s AMPLIFI and netgear. I’ve had various problems with all of them (things like wifi not working for only some clients, the router reverting to half-duplex with the cable modem, the mesh points having to be rebooted otherwise the whole network fails, wifi stops working but wired works, wifi works but wired stops working, etc. etc.). I never had to reboot my Airports except when updating the firmware. Not the case with anything I’ve tried since (or for that matter, prior to me using Airports, when I usually used Linksys equipment).
Wouldn’t make a whole heck of a lot of sense to talk about that now unless they are going on sale soon - Apple doesn’t want people not buying iMacs and minis just because they want to wait. Also, given the timing, if something like existed it would make more sense to talk about it in a couple of months at WWDC.
Looking for the Mac Mini with M1 Pro and possibly Max. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple limits the Mini to just the Pro and not the Max. Maybe reserve that for the "Mac Mini Studio", but who knows.
My best guess for prices based on 13" and 14" MacBook Pro prices is:
I'm 100% sure these prices will be as accurate as Gurman's predictions.
My best guess for prices based on 13" and 14" MacBook Pro prices is:
| Mac Mini M1 Pro | CPU Cores / GPU Cores | Price |
|---|---|---|
512 GB / 16 GB | 8 / 14 | $1399 |
512 GB / 16 GB | 10 / 14 | $1599 |
512 GB / 16 GB | 10 / 16 | $1699 |
I'm 100% sure these prices will be as accurate as Gurman's predictions.
It's simply because they have admitted that Steve was THE Apple genius, and that genius is gone, so they are better off rehashing the rMBP bodies, and the iPhone 4 bodies, as there is no way they can come up with something new that is better.
I plan on that but I just found it strange. Me thinking a new one is coming and maybe I should hold off.
Yes mate, the 2016-2020 MBP's were buckets of junk. Want a good one? Get a brand new 14/16" M1 Pro/Max MBP, or a second hand pre-2016 Retina MBP. I have the 2015 15" MBP, and it's a gem, very few issues, and keeps on chugging on. I have earmarked to get a 16" M1 Pro MBP sooner or latter, so far the reviews are very positive. I'll be happy to wait and see if any issues pop up, but if my 2015 dies in the meantime, I'll be running down to the Apple store to pick up a new one.
As far as I can tell, the 2016-2020's were junk because it was long enough after Steve died that little Timmy was starting to believe his own press, and got cocky enough to think he could put his own stupid mark on Macs (combined w Jonny Ives' genius, without the tempering of Steve's genius reigning him in, was let run free with form over function). The result was, creative and corporate customers started to abandon the platform in droves. To timmy's credit, he did pull his head in, kick off the Apple Pro Workflow Team to get the Pro devices back on track with what that customers actually want, and start to fix things. The result is bringing Steve's genius A-series chips into the Macs (as was discussed before Steve left, so yep, the M1 is actually Steve's work, thankfully), sorting out the woeful heat management (via thicker chassis, beefier heat pipes and heat sinks, and bigger and quieter fans), bringing back the old keyboard, bringing back ports, and bringing back MagSafe.
Now all we need is a Pro Software Workflow Team to sort out the horrendous software quality control and feature wander that is a mess throughout the entire Apple ecosystem. If they can get that sorted, Apple might even be able to bring back the iconic "It just works" slogan. I'm not holding my breath though, as it appears as if someone in the top software management has some pics of timmy with that goat, and they are impervious to being fired. Regardless, the OS is at least good enough that you can get by with its quirks and bugs.