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Tag: Thunderbolt 3

  • Rumor: Apple to release updated, M1X-based Mac mini with additional ports over the next several months

    Rumor: Apple to release updated, M1X-based Mac mini with additional ports over the next several months

    Per the mighty Mark Gurman, Apple’s Mac mini is rumored to be receiving a significant redesign in the next few months.

    The desktop was among the first Apple products to receive the M1 processor in 2020, with no major changes being made to its overall design.

    According to Gurman, the forthcoming generation of the desktop is expected to receive an M1X processor, will have an updated design, and more ports than the current model.

    Per noted YouTuber Jon Prosser, the upcoming M1X-powered Mac mini will also introduce a new generation of industrial design for Apple’s standalone Mac. According to him, the 2021 Mac mini will feature a new external chassis with a “plexiglass-like” reflective surface on the top, in an otherwise aluminum enclosure.

    The M1X chip will enable Apple to offer a full lineup of ports once more, including four USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A, Ethernet, and HDMI out.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac, Bloomberg, and Jon Prosser

  • Apple announces Apple Silicon-based 13-inch MacBook Pro, cites faster performance, dramatically improved battery life

    This could be the dead sexy MacBook Pro you’ve been hankering for.

    During Apple’s “One More Thing” media event, the company unveiled an Apple Silicon-based 13-inch MacBook Pro notebook. The notebook features Apple’s M1 processor, which boasts 8 cores and offers up to 2.8x faster performance compared to the previous-gen 13-inch MacBook Pro. Apple has also cited that the notebook offers up to 20 hours of video playback on a single charge, twice the previous quoted figure.

    The M1 chip also brings the Neural Engine for high-speed machine learning compute. Apple called it the world’s fastest compact pro notebook for ML tasks.

    Other improvements include a “studio quality” mic array and an upgraded webcam that’s been boosted through improvements to the image signal processor. The notebook features two USB-C ports that support USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4, allowing the computer to drive the 6K Pro Display XDR at full resolution.

    If there’s one downside, it’s that the new MacBook Pro appears to only be available with 16GB of RAM.

    The new MacBook Pro is available to order today, and will start shipping next week.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac

  • Apple Silicon-based Mac mini announced, starts at $699

    The first Apple Silicon-based Mac mini is out the door.

    Over at Apple’s “One More Thing” event, the company introduced the desktop, complete with the 8-core M1 chip, which is cited as offering up to three times the CPU performance and six times the graphics performance compared to the previous four-core Intel version.

    Apple says that the new Apple Silicon Mac mini can compile code in Xcode up to three times faster, render a complex timeline in Final Cut Pro up to 6 times faster, and play graphics-intensive games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with up to 4 times higher frame rates. ML workloads are seeing likely the most significant boost, and will be up to 15 times faster.

    The new Mac mini sports two USB 4 ports and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which allow users to run up to two Pro Display XDR monitors at full 6K resolution. Other features includes Wi-Fi 6 support and a new thermal design with a fan that allows it to sustain performance while keeping cool and quiet.

    In comparison with the Intel-based Mac mini, there are now only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which has been pared down from the previous four Thunderbolt 3 ports found on the Intel model, and 10-gigabit Ethernet is no longer available as an upgrade option.

    Apple’s M1 Mac mini starts at $699, while an upgrade to 16GB of unified memory retails for $200. The 256GB model can be upgraded to 512GB for $200, 1TB for $400, and 2TB for $800.

    The new Mac mini is currently available via the Apple Store’s web site and will be available via retail on November 17th.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Apple releases updated MacBook Air featuring faster CPU and GPU, Magic Keyboard, and lower starting price

    Apple on Wednesday released its updated MacBook Air, complete with faster processors, a boosted graphics system, scissor switch Magic Keyboard, and other new bells and whistles.

    The update notebook features a 10-gen Intel Core processor, which includes a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8GHz. The updated Intel Iris Plus Graphics offer up to 80 percent faster graphics performance.

    The notebook’s redesigned scissor mechanism, first introduced on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, offers 1mm of key travel, plus a new inverted-“T” arrangement for the arrow keys. This keyboard should hopefully prove far more reliable than the infamous butterfly keyboard than found on the previous MacBook Air.

    The new MacBook Air has a starting price of $999 with 256GB of storage in the United States. Education pricing starting at $899 is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff and homeschool teachers of all grade levels.

    The updated MacBook Air features a 13-inch Retina desk-lay with True Tone, Touch ID, Force Touch trackpad, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, stereo speakers, an Apple-designed T2 security chip, and three microphones. 

    Customers can snag the update MacBook Air via Apple’s web site or the Apple Store app in most countries. The notebook is available in space gray, silver, or gold colors.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and store.apple.com

  • Apple releases 2020 model Mac mini, complete with faster processors and increased storage capacities

    Apple on Wednesday released a decently bumped Mac mini model.

    The 2020 Mac mini features increased PCIe-based SSDs, complete with increased capacities. The $799 model now includes 256GB (up from 128GB), and the $1,099 model has 512GB (up from 256GB).

    The updated Mac mini is available in the following configurations:

    • $799: 3.6GHz quad-core Core i3 CPU, 8GB of memory, 256GB SSD storage, integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU.
    • $1,099: 3.0GHz 6-core Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, 512GB SSD storage, integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU.

    The Mac mini features the following standard ports:

    • Gigabit ethernet (with an option to upgrade to 10 gigabit ethernet)
    • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
    • HDMI
    • Two USB-A ports
    • Headphone jack/audio out

    Users can also snag AppleCare for $99, which extends the standard one-year warranty to three years.

    If you have a chance to pick one of these up, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via Macworld