TECH

New iPad, MacBook Air, Mac mini: what to expect from Apple's spring presentation

Apple CEO Tim Cook near MacBook Air, Mac mini and iPad Pro

Apple has a lot of products in development, including some Mac updates, new iPads, and more. Here's what's rumored to be coming to Apple's March 2024 event.

After the launch of Apple Vision Pro in early February, the rumor universe has turned its attention to the launch of Apple's next products. Luckily, you may not have to wait long for them to arrive.

With a special event highly likely, here's what leaders and industry observers say the Cupertino company can expect.

When is the next Apple event?

Everyone is familiar with the September event where the iPhone and some other products will be unveiled. That, and the usual look and feel of Mac updates a month later.

Another rather static event is WWDC, where Apple shows updates to its operating system that will be released along with the fall product line. Even though Apple is focused on software and developers, Apple uses the event to launch some hardware, with a lot of discussion about Apple Silicon in recent years.

Apple has a third general event period, and it falls in the spring. However, this is not a guaranteed thing.

Over the past ten years, Apple has held the spring event six times: in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. The lack of a spring event in 2023 makes it a little more interesting. it will probably take place this year.

In terms of timing, three of these events were held in late March, two in early March and one in April. Therefore, the event at the end of March is a favorite.

It also helps that the rumors mention a March product update.

This discussion is about events, but it is equally likely that Apple will issue a press release for products instead of a full presentation.

In 2020, the company released updated iPad Pro models and the 13-inch MacBook Air in March, followed by an April update to the iPhone SE and updates to the MacBook Pro in May. In 2017, Apple introduced the iPhone SE and iPad in March, and in the spring of 2014 the same with the iPhone 5C 8 GB and MacBook Air.

A formal event is by far the preferred medium for Apple presentations. But at the same time, he receives a similar reaction from the media by handing out press releases.

The event may or may not occur, but it is likely that the goods will be delivered regardless.

M3 MacBook Air

Following the introduction of the M3 generation of chips and new MacBook Pro models in October, it looks like the MacBook Air line is a prime candidate for an update to the latest Apple Silicon lineup.

2020 MacBook Air

Both the 13-inch MacBook Air and 15-inch MacBook Air should undergo changes in the early months of 2024.

Rumors from a March 2023 DigiTimes report suggest that there will be a MacBook Air refresh in 2024 or 2025, but Apple will switch to an OLED-based display instead of an LCD version. This won't necessarily happen due to additional manufacturing costs that will increase the price of the MacBook Air itself.

In October, ahead of the Scary Fast event, Mark Gurman suggested that the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines would receive updates in the spring of 2024. Although the MacBook Pro is already on sale, it remains the MacBook Air that is actually a ship.

Following the October event, Gurman revised his predictions, instead reporting that M3 versions of the 13-inch MacBook Air and 15-inch MacBook Air would go on sale in March. The models, codenamed J613 and J615, will essentially be a spec refresh, meaning upgrades to chips and internals without other major feature changes.

iPad and iPad Pro

Apple has not made significant changes to the iPad or iPad Pro will be available in 2023. The only change was the appearance of the new Apple Pencil USB-C.

Early 2024 is the time for iPad updates.

2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard

Starting with the iPad Air, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's November announcement suggested two iPads Air models may include a 10.9-inch model and a 12.9-inch version. Rumors of similar statements circulated in October.

This is theoretically the same size as the iPad Pro line, but it won't have the mini-LED backlight of the iPad Pro. Despite this, using an Oxide backplane with a similar specification may still provide benefits.

Kuo also predicts that there will be two iPad Pro models with OLED displays, which will replace the existing mini-LED versions. Offering a new form factor design, the tablets will still use the latest M3 chip, while the OLED display itself will feature a tandem design with LTPO backplanes.

In December, Gurman's claims doubled down on a larger update to the iPad Air, as well as iPad Pro models with an OLED display without any size changes. The reporter also talked about the updates to the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

Later in December, Gurman added that the iPad Pro would be updated, but did not say what the update would entail.

In this report, he also provided some information about the rest of the iPad lineup: the iPad mini and entry-level iPad are expected to be updated. Instead of a direct change, it will consist of a move to newer A-series chips for both models.

Mac mini

Mac mini is usually one of the first devices to be updated in the Apple Silicon generation, but until now So far he has not been able to obtain the M3 chip. The only problem is that there have been virtually no rumors about a compact desktop Mac in recent months.

Mac mini

In August 2023, there was supposed testing of the Mac mini M3, although Gurman predicted that it would not appear in the fall until later that year turned out to be correct . At the time, Gurman considered the M3 Mac mini to be a “sure thing” that would “eventually arrive” but could potentially arrive in late 2024.

As for what it might look like, Kuo's January 2023 announcement predicts that the 2024 Mac mini will be similar to previous models in terms of design.

It's possible that Apple could bundle the Mac mini with other Mac updates for the WWDC announcement, but it's entirely possible that an earlier launch would be made using the available range of M3 chips.

Unlikely Appearances

While there are lists of products that might pop up in the spring, there are also collections that are unlikely to pop up to the surface.

Earlier iPhone SE models

To begin with, there are many rumors that the iPhone SE 4 will receive elements such as an action button, and new design. , rumors also keep saying the release will happen in 2025 rather than 2024.

There are also many products that have been released too recently to be potential candidates for an updated version around March. Specifically anything that came out after the 2023 WWDC, as they're too recent and could cause some serious buyer's remorse.

Apple's powerful Mac Pro and Mac Studio computers last saw updates at WWDC 2023, offering the M2 Ultra chip. Neither is suitable for a March launch, not least because of the nine-month time difference.

Because they require the M3 Ultra, as well as their high-performance hardware status, they seem more suited to launch at WWDC 2024, when Apple is more likely to release the necessary chips. . Although after a disastrous launch, the Mac Pro may well skip this release altogether.

We already have the 24-inch iMac M3, but there have been rumors of a larger model coming. However, rumors indicate that the 32-inch model will arrive later in 2024 or, more likely, 2025.

HomePod updates are also a possibility for launch, but there haven't been any major rumors for months. for HomePod and HomePod mini.

According to Kuo, there have been rumors of a HomePod with a seven-inch display that will appear in the first half of 2024. However, after the forecast for March 2023, there were no specific rumors.

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