What to Expect From an Apple Event in October: iPad Pro, M2 Macs, and More

[Snahbah]

Im intrigued to see how the new Mac Pro will work. There really isn’t much Apple can do in terms of making it modular.

I am too. I think there will be some modularity - but it will be proprietary, and a huge arrogant mistake by Apple.

I, like many, are being forced to consider a PC build.

The new RTX 4090s are going to rip the M2s apart for my needs. I'm a professional creator (3D, film, etc) and quite a lot of the intensive tasks I do are moving to GPU processing, and apart from the VRAM headroom, the GPUs just can't compete with a pair or quad RTX cards (particle dynamics, Octane/Redshift, etc).

The hope I have is that Apple forget about saving electricity, and sticking mobile-focussed silicone in a work station and unleash a monster in the Mac Pro.

My day rate won't struggle to cover the extra power consumption. But my time will have an issue with slow GPUs.

Let's see - we only have to wait a month or so to see into the future. Mac Pro vs Threadripper Pro & RTX 4090s.

 

[Joseph C]

I'm hoping for a big focus on TV and Music - both notably absent from WWDC.

A new Apple TV box, perhaps a cheaper option additionally, both featuring a new tvOS UI (unified home screen perhaps, ditching the app icon grid + TV app we have now).

A relaunched Music app for Mac and iOS with an all-new design and experience, rebuilt from the ground up with huge improvements. Smart crossfade arriving on iOS, more sorting options from the Mac making it to iOS too and improvements to Apple Music with more algorithmic mixes, song suggestions for playlists and so on.

 

[dandeco]

Oh boy, an M2 Pro-equipped Mac Mini! Now I can finally replace my 2012 quad-core i7 Mac Mini with an Apple Silicon version! (But the 2012 Mini will still become part of my collection of older Macs!)

 

[uptownnyc]

Oh boy, an M2 Pro-equipped Mac Mini! Now I can finally replace my 2012 quad-core i7 Mac Mini with an Apple Silicon version! (But the 2012 Mini will still become part of my collection of older Macs!)

I'm still running a 2012 Quad-Core too (though the 32gb 27" iMac variety). I'm sure I'll be stunned by the performance jump when I do upgrade to an "M" series device, but I'm really amazed how performant this ancient device still is a decade later.

 

[Samuel Sosa]

Judging my the $400 price drop for the 14in MBP on Amazon and at Best Buy you know we are getting the M2s soon.

 

[ColdShadow]

I’ really looking forward to a new iMac design.
I’ve been iMac fan and owner for 15+ years,but I REALLY don’t like the way M1 iMacs look.
I’m due to upgrade but I refuse to buy this design,if they continue the same I’m forced to either get a Mac Mini or more likely switch back entirely to Windows PC.
I do care about product design alot.

 

[0906742]

Judging my the $400 price drop for the 14in MBP on Amazon and at Best Buy you know we are getting the M2s soon.

Yeah, but might have something to do with Apple Back to School campaign to match that offer.

Anyway, interesting to see what happens. I just read Forbes article dated Sep. 10th, assuming there will be M2 Pro and Max in MBP models but M1 Pro and Max would still be sold also, in that case M2 based ones have a premium on the current prices. Hard to say, but at least outside USA that premium is more than likely. I just hope it does not go hand in hand that of iPhone Pro's, it would mean 350-400 price increase for the MBP's...

 

[EugW]

Judging my the $400 price drop for the 14in MBP on Amazon and at Best Buy you know we are getting the M2s soon.

Not really. It's common for these stores to drop pricing before a rumoured new model, but that new model doesn't always come.

For example, in 2015 Best Buy had a fire sale on the iPad Air 2 shortly before the rumoured iPad Air 3 was supposed to arrive, so I bought one for cheap from the sale.

The iPad Air 3 never came that year, so Best Buy just raised the prices back up again to full retail.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

This is it! The last event of 2022, the target for the AS Transition!

I didn't watch the iPhone Event (I knew it'd be boring), but this next one is the ONE.

I would love for Apple to release a new Magic Keyboard for iPad with MagSafe charging (like the MacBooks), and a function row for brightness and audio controls at least.

Other than that, I'm merely curious what they will do to the iPads and Macs because I am more than happy with my 12.9 iPad Pro #ModularHeaven. I won't be replacing that guy for several years yet.

Also, I'm in the market for an Apple TV, so let's see what they do with that.

 

[Butler Trumpet]

I know there aren't many rumors about this - but I would love some sort of home hub with a screen type device (Like Alexa or Google Home) On my kitchen counter at home I have a HomePod mini, Google Home (with screen) and a Sonos One. It would be great to combine those all in one. One Apple device with a screen and high end speaker.

 

[arkitect]

I agree there is room for a higher end Mac mini, but this has been a debate for the past 2 years now. Many are convinced it's not going to happen, esp. now that the M2 supports 24 GB RAM.

Personally, all I want is more USB ports. I don't care if it's M2 or M2 Pro. I would actually prefer 24 GB RAM over 32 GB RAM too, since 32 GB is way overkill for me, so I'm disinclined to pay for 32 GB. Actually, 16 GB would be OK for me too, but if 24 GB is available at a decent price, I may go for that.

This! 👍

Just give me a Silicon Mini with the ports of the 2018 Intel Mini… and more than 16GB — I'd buy it on release.

 

[rumz]

I would be really surprised if MBP 14"/16" are released this year. Not a lot of room for improvement besides FaceID, HDMI 2.1 and better SoC

If the chips are ready, then there's no reason not to do a spec bump. The trick now is that because it's Apple's own silicon, they need some kind of marketing spin to introduce them, and can't imagine them doing that with a press release as opposed to an event. They didn't need to hype an Intel CPU spec bump when they did those. Because I agree-- there's not a lot they can or should do in the short term to update these machines.

 

[Kuskah]

What to Expect From an Apple Event in October

More price bumps, the way things have been going...

 

[macsteve27]

Could be. Could be a stand-alone display. If it’s an iMac 27” with the display that Ross Young seems to have intel on (5k, miniLED, high refresh rate), it’ll be an iMac Pro I’d guess, and not be in the same price range as the previous 27” iMacs.

Sadly, I'm more and more coming to this as the most likely outcome. The 27" 5k Intel iMacs represented an OUTSTANDING value for having a 5k screen. It seems more and more likely that Apple has no plans to continue providing a large 5k iMac as a value option. They are rumored to be working on one that sounds more like a "iMac Pro" with mini-LED and Pro Motion (as per Ross Young). Those who want a 5k screen with Apple Silicon will likely be left with:

Mac Mini M2/Pro + Apple Studio Display: $2700+ ($1099 + $1599)
Mac Studio M1/M2 Max + Apple Studio Display: $3600+ ($1999 + $1599)
2023 iMac Pro 27" rumored with M3/mini-LED/Pro Motion: probably $$$$, at least $3500?

For reference the old Intel 27" iMacs started at $1799... with a mouse and a keyboard... this is why people (including myself) are understandably miffed.

 

[smulji]

Could be. Could be a stand-alone display. If it’s an iMac 27” with the display that Ross Young seems to have intel on (5k, miniLED, high refresh rate), it’ll be an iMac Pro I’d guess, and not be in the same price range as the previous 27” iMacs.

I actually think Apple isn't focused anymore on having Pro iMacs and just letting them be consumer machines. If, or when, we see the 27" ASi iMac I don't think it'll have anything more powerful than the M2 Pro which, to me, is fine.

 

[smulji]

Sadly, I'm more and more coming to this as the most likely outcome. The 27" 5k Intel iMacs represented an OUTSTANDING value for having a 5k screen. It seems more and more likely that Apple has no plans to continue providing a large 5k iMac as a value option. They are rumored to be working on one that sounds more like a "iMac Pro" with mini-LED and Pro Motion (as per Ross Young). Those who want a 5k screen with Apple Silicon will likely be left with:

Mac Mini M2/Pro + Apple Studio Display: $2700+ ($1099 + $1599)
Mac Studio M1/M2 Max + Apple Studio Display: $3600+ ($1999 + $1599)
2023 iMac Pro 27" rumored with M3/mini-LED/Pro Motion: probably $$$$, at least $3500?

For reference the old Intel 27" iMacs started at $1799... with a mouse and a keyboard... this is why people (including myself) are understandably miffed.

Respectfully disagree

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-to-expect-from-an-apple-event-in-october-ipad-pro-m2-macs-and-more.2358273/post-31451404

 

[macsteve27]

Respectfully disagree

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-to-expect-from-an-apple-event-in-october-ipad-pro-m2-macs-and-more.2358273/post-31451404

I hope you're right, I have a 2015 iMac 5k I want to replace with an Apple Silicon one haha.

What kind of specs for the new iMac do you envision if you don't think they are going the direction of a 27" iMac Pro with M3/mini-LED/Pro Motion?

 

[smulji]

I hope you're right, I have a 2015 iMac 5k I want to replace with an Apple Silicon one haha.

What kind of specs for the new iMac do you envision if you don't think they are going the direction of a 27" iMac Pro with M3/mini-LED/Pro Motion?

Basically a bigger version of the iMac 24" but with M2 / M2 Pro SoC, up to 32GB RAM, same 5K panel as the Studio Display, better speaker system

 

[EugW]

At this point I'd be shocked if they brought back an iMac Pro. I'd also be surprised by an iMac 27+ incher, although a little less surprised.

 

[BGarza]

I'd really like to see the UX for Apple TV include a redesign. My biggest gripe is that there needs to be a more discernible perimeter box, zoom effect, or something to highlight what show or movie the cursor is currently selecting. For example, when my 3 year old wants me to choose a Mister Rogers or Brain Candy TV episode, he can't help confirm what his desired selection is, no matter what app we are using (YouTube Kids, Amazon Prime, PBS Kids, etc...). If I make the wrong choice, I'm committed to quite a bit of lost time before I realize I'm on the wrong show.

This is a small gripe of course. I really love the ability to airplay to homepod minis. Compared to my TV's built in speakers 15 feet away, the stereo homepods on our nightstands do such a great job of emphasizing dialogue. My only gripe for those, is every time I request Apple Music via Siri, I have to reconnect my TV to Airplay. I wish it could be locked in more permanently.

Last request, put a subwoofer output on Apple TV. I've spent a small fortune on HDMI splitters and wallwarts to power them, it's totally silly. That, or make an Airplay subwoofer that can move some low frequencies for a dance party. I'm talking 12 inch.

 

[rumz]

I actually think Apple isn't focused anymore on having Pro iMacs and just letting them be consumer machines. If, or when, we see the 27" ASi iMac I don't think it'll have anything more powerful than the M2 Pro which, to me, is fine.

My point was that there is some evidence (apparently) that there's an "XDR" 27" display in the works-- and that I don't see Apple slapping that into an iMac that's not a premium "Pro" machine (with a corresponding Pro price tag). Otherwise, I agree-- the iMac Pro was born out of the original intent to discontinue the Mac Pro which they then later changed course on; once they re-committed to the Mac Pro, the iMac Pro became less necessary. (Some might still like it, but yeah.)

 

[rumz]

Basically a bigger version of the iMac 24" but with M2 / M2 Pro SoC, up to 64GB RAM, same 5K panel as the Studio Display, better speaker system

I guess they'd have to make 64gb an option on the M2 Pro-- it's not currently an option on the M1 Pro-- have to move up to the Max to get 64gb.

And we'll see, I guess. Apple could make the system you've described; But with the Mac Studio (and especially if they fill in the current gap of desktop machines with an M2 Pro Mac mini), I'm less convinced they see a need to create another all-in-one.

 

[smulji]

I guess they'd have to make 64gb an option on the M2 Pro-- it's not currently an option on the M1 Pro-- have to move up to the Max to get 64gb.

Good point. I've edited my previous post to reflect that change.

 

[name99]

They’re not slow. It’s not coming. It’s pretty clear they see the Mac Studio as the successor to that business.

I don't think that's a good hypothesis. If that (and related claims) were the case, why do they still sell an Intel Mac Mini? And why not announce an updated mac mini with M2?

I think a better overall answer is that
- a *different* set of chips (not "just" M2 Pro/Max/Ultra) are being prepared for the desktop, chips that are optimized more on the performance side and less on the energy efficiency side.
- these chips are built on N3
- which is why all the products requiring them (Mac Pro, iMac Pro/Bigscreen, even mac mini) have been waiting on N3.


Exactly how these might be packaged is less clear to me.
Does Apple want two (mini+studio) or three (mini+studio+pro) "tower-like" SKU's?
Do they want to sell just Studio+monitor or the package of studio inside a monitor (ie iMac Pro)?

It's not clear to me that the answers are as obvious as people claim. Yes, one can build an iMac Pro from a Studio+Display, but plenty of people want the convenience of one box. If the extra margin they are willing to pay for that one box covers the design and tooling costs, why wouldn't Apple do this?
Similarly of course three different sizes of "tower-like" is a little more hassle for Apple. But they are not that complicated to design and build, and customers probably find real value in being able to buy the smallest box that meets their needs (mini for HTPC, big pro for video editing)?

 

[GMShadow]

I don't think that's a good hypothesis. If that (and related claims) were the case, why do they still sell an Intel Mac Mini? And why not announce an updated mac mini with M2?

Because they know some developers in particular want an X86 box, and it's not a large extra cost for them as it's the same chassis. I think they also didn't want to use supply-constrained M1 Pro/Max chips on the Mini last year.

The Mac mini has rarely been a priority. It'll likely get M2 next month and then be untouched for a while.