All in all, Apple’s Glowtime occasion earlier this month was mildly disappointing. The brand new iPhones are one more cautious iteration on a product with nowhere attention-grabbing left to go; the brand new AirPods didn’t do the one factor we had been all enthusiastic about (dropping the value under $100); the ‘up to date’ AirPods Max are a nasty joke; and the rumored iPad mini didn’t seem in any respect. I’ll admit that I just like the look of the redesigned Apple Watch, nevertheless it stays a relatively area of interest product and I’m not satisfied its adjustments will make an enormous distinction to the person expertise anyway.
However that’s okay, as a result of Apple has by no means felt it essential to house out its launch occasions in a wise style. We get one occasion most springs; we get one occasion (WWDC) every summer season; and within the fall, we get anyplace from one to a frankly insane three. And most pundits reckon one other Apple occasion, and an opportunity for the corporate to make amends for the tedium of September, will occur as quickly as subsequent month.
The principle motive for that expectation is the truth that a great deal of rumored merchandise nonetheless should be introduced. The aforementioned iPad mini, in fact (plus doubtless the Eleventh-gen iPad), but in addition new variations of a number of necessary Mac strains. And the one that would flip the October occasion into a real extravaganza—the form of extravaganza that Glowtime was not—is the new Mac mini.
In accordance with credible sources, the mini is about to get a main bodily revamp, lastly shelving the design first unveiled again in 2010. It’ll be considerably smaller, which suggests extra free desk house, much less muddle, and a potential future for the Mac mini as a transportable workstation. So it’s bought the exterior refresh coated, just like the Apple Watch Sequence 10.
However Apple reportedly gained’t neglect the inside both, with the mini anticipated to be on the forefront of the M4 rollout. That’s a chip which has already debuted on the iPad Professional, however doesn’t at present function in any Macs… so at launch, the Mac mini will likely be as properly outfitted as any of its costlier siblings. (Effectively, when it comes to chip technology, anyway. Whereas the mini will get M4 or M4 Professional, the higher-end Macs will presumably get entry to Max and even Extremely imprints of the chip, in addition to extra RAM.) With a soar from M2 on the earlier mannequin (and with many homeowners nonetheless working Intel-based machines), the 2024 Mac mini will provide customers an considerable bump in efficiency to go along with its revamped exterior.
Lastly, the Mac mini will likely be simply as a lot part of the Apple Intelligence story because the iPhone 16. (A narrative, be aware, that the Apple Watch Sequence 10 has been written out of.) The brand new mini will likely be comfortably highly effective sufficient to deal with AI’s processing calls for, and because of its comparatively low price ticket it is going to be essential in driving widespread participation within the mission. If you wish to see what Apple Intelligence can do, the brand new Mac mini will likely be among the best methods to seek out out.
The issue with the Mac mini, in fact, is exactly what most of us like about it: that reasonably priced price ticket. The low(ish) value means a low(ish) revenue margin, and a have to make compromises when it comes to design and specs; each are liable to make the mini unappealing as the focus of a presentation. So the machine, sarcastically, is probably not the centerpiece of the occasion it should elevate by its presence, sidelined maybe in favor of a brand new Mac Studio with a well-recognized design and an alarmingly excessive value.
Nonetheless, the merchandise that take advantage of distinction are those which might be accessible for the most individuals–a precept which Apple used to carry expensive. So whether or not it’s first on stage, held again for One Extra Factor, or marooned in a graveyard slot someplace in between, the brand new Mac mini feels like precisely the form of significant improve we missed this month.
Assuming, that’s, the rumors are correct. (They normally are, lately, however you possibly can by no means ensure.) On reflection, maybe we must always mood our pleasure. As I used to be at all times instructed, anticipate nothing, and also you’ll by no means be dissatisfied.
Our weekly Apple Breakfast column contains all of the Apple information you missed final week in a helpful bite-sized roundup. We name it Apple Breakfast as a result of we expect it goes nice with a Monday morning cup of espresso or tea, nevertheless it’s cool if you wish to give it a learn throughout lunch or dinner hours too.
Trending: Prime tales
The ‘new’ AirPods Max are one other lazy Apple replace nobody needs.
Michael Simon explains why he’s switching from an iPhone 15 Professional Max to an iPhone 16 Plus.
iOS 18 is lacking extra than simply Apple Intelligence, reckons Dan Moren.
The iPhone 16 isn’t the Google Pixel killer I hoped for, laments Mahmoud Itani.
The iPhone 16 is doomed and it’s all Apple Intelligence’s fault.
iOS 18: All of the little particulars and hidden options you gained’t wish to miss.
We current 6 causes why you should improve to macOS Sequoia.
Apple might quickly make at the very least some chips in america.
Podcast of the week
New main releases of Apple’s working methods can be found, however do you have to even trouble? We speak about iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and why it is best to replace now or wait, within the newest episode of the Macworld Podcast!
You may catch each episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our personal website.
Evaluations nook
The rumor mill
The fall Mac occasion will function M4 MacBooks and a redesigned Mac mini.
Speaking of which… New 5-port Mac mini noticed in Apple’s macOS 15 code.
A plastic Apple Watch SE remains to be coming subsequent yr.
Software program updates, bugs, and issues
PSA: Hyperlink-sharing bug in iOS 18 Messages may cause iPhone crashes, knowledge loss.
iPadOS 18 replace pulled after bricking M4 iPad Professional.
Apple releases safety updates for macOS Sonoma and Ventura.
Apple releases iOS and iPadOS 17.7 with necessary safety fixes.
Apple updates iOS 18 firmware for AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods 4.
And with that, we’re achieved for this week’s Apple Breakfast. When you’d prefer to get common roundups, join our newsletters. You can even comply with us on Fb, Threads, or Twitter for dialogue of breaking Apple information tales. See you subsequent Monday, and keep Appley.