O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Apple Silicon

  • iFixit releases full teardown video of M1 iPad Pro, highlights XDR display, processor, and construction

    iFixit releases full teardown video of M1 iPad Pro, highlights XDR display, processor, and construction

    Once again, the super cool cats at iFixit have come through with another spiffy teardown report, this time covering and posting a full video of a teardown of the new 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro, which began arriving to customers’ locations on its May 21 launch date. The company noted a variety of interesting bells and whistles in the new report, including the new “XDR” mini-LED display, new 5G antennas at the sides to enable 5G connectivity, and a 10566 mAh (40.33Wh) battery inside.

    Per the display, it’s now slightly thicker than the Liquid Retina display found in the prior-generation iPad Pro (0.5mm), and “quite a bit heavier.” Unlike a traditional LED display, the mini-LED display in the ‌iPad Pro‌ features a giant grid of tiny LEDs that introduce the contrast and quality improvements seen in the 2021 ‌iPad Pro‌.

    There are now 2,596 local dimming zones found in the M1 iPad Pro, each consisting of a squire with four tiny LEDs inside. The non-XDR ‌iPad‌ display, meanwhile, uses a single strip of LEDs along one side, which functions as a primary difference between the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ and the 2021 12.9-inch version.

    A picture’s worth a thousand words, so check out the video and the link to the full write up and if you’ve been able to snag an M1 iPad Pro, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and iFixit

  • Chinese regulatory filing hints at updated 16-inch MacBook Pro battery, possible next-gen notebook that could be announced at WWDC 2021

    Chinese regulatory filing hints at updated 16-inch MacBook Pro battery, possible next-gen notebook that could be announced at WWDC 2021

    Once again, it might be the regulatory filing that hints at a really cool thing just around the corner.

    A Chinese regulatory filing for what appears to be a 16-inch MacBook Pro battery has been sighted ahead of a rumored WWDC 2021 announcement.

    The regulatory listing, filed on April 14 by Apple supplier Sunwoda Electronic, doesn’t specifically mention Apple. However, it carries a model identifier of A2527, which lines up with Apple’s other model numbers.

    Within the filing, Sunwoda Electric stated that the battery is rated at 8,693 mAh/11.45V. This places its operating specs very close to the current 16-inch MacBook Pro battery, which is rated at 8,790 mAh/11.36V.

    While the filing doesn’t offer any details as to Apple’s MacBook plans, it matches up with rumors about next-gen MacBook notebooks.

    Apple is largely expected to unveil a new 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro model with upgraded M1 chips in 2021. Those devices could sport a new 10-core Apple Silicon processor, a miniLED display, and a slight chassis redesign. The models could also bring back a MagSafe power port, SD card slot, and an HDMI port.

    Should the leak turn out to be accurate, it could indicate a very slight decrease in battery capacity. Still, given that the Apple Silicon architecture is more energy efficient than Intel’s, the new unit could offer identical – or improved – battery life.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and MacRumors

  • Rumor: Apple Silicon Mac mini will sport Apple “M1X” processor, thinner enclosure, M1 iMac magnetic power connector, other changes

    Rumor: Apple Silicon Mac mini will sport Apple “M1X” processor, thinner enclosure, M1 iMac magnetic power connector, other changes

    Per noted leaker Jon Prosser, the upcoming Apple Silicon Mac mini could provide some impressive new changes.

    Prosser noted that aside from a conventional specifications bump, published renders have depicted a thinner model using the same magnetic power connection as the 24-inch iMac. He also cited that Apple could include the “M1X” chip as the unit’s processor.

    The renders apparently indicate that the new Mac mini will take advantage of the small size of internal components to make the Apple Silicon Mac mini enclosure thinner. This could result in a shorter Mac mini that appears to have the same desk footprint as previous models.

    Apple is alto thought to be including four USB 4-Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A connections, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI. Joining the roster is the magnetic circular power connection, the same as used on the 24-inch iMac.

    The use of the magnetic connector could indicate that Apple may be externalizing the unit’s power supply to a similar power brick as found with the 24-inch iMac. If true, Apple could also be moving the Gigabit Ethernet connection to the power brick as a means of saving room on the back of the Mac mini itself. An additional rumor has indicated that the chassis will not only be thinner, but it will also be redesigned to have aluminum sides but a “plexiglass-like” top panel. Color options may be on the way, as they have apparently been “tested” by Apple.

    The usual circular base of the Mac mini will allegedly be replaced by a pair of rubber strips. The vent, which is usually located at the back panel near the ports, has been moved to the base.

    Finally, the so-called “M1X” chip, as of February, has been rumored to be a 12-core CPU with a 16-core GPU, a marked improvement from the 8-core CPU and 7-core or 8-core GPU found in Apple’s new M1 chip. The chip is also predicted to use up to 16GB of memory, feature 256 execution units instead of the M1’s 128, and could drive three displays instead of two.

    As always, stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and @jon_prosser

  • The Battle of the Oranges: iMac historian creates tangerine iMac G3 vs. orange M1 iMac comparison video

    The Battle of the Oranges: iMac historian creates tangerine iMac G3 vs. orange M1 iMac comparison video

    The battle of the oranges has begun, and it is both nostalgic and nifty.

    Podcaster and iMac historian Stephen Hackett has published the following video comparing the new orange M1 iMac to the classic tangerine iMac G3.

    For those unfamiliar, Stephen has a storied history with the iMac G3. In 2016, he set out to collect all 13 colors of the iMac G3, and he was successful in his mission. After he wrapped up work on his projects with the iMacs, he donated them to The Henry Forward Museum. 

    Per his post, “no one asked for this comparison,” still it’s a fun stroll down memory lane, and pretty cool to note the hardware comparisons between 1998 and 2021.

    Please let us know what you think in the comments and thanks!

    Via 9to5Mac and 512 Pixels

  • M1-based iMacs, M1 iPad Pro, and updated Apple TV 4K and new Siri Remote now available to purchase in retail locations

    M1-based iMacs, M1 iPad Pro, and updated Apple TV 4K and new Siri Remote now available to purchase in retail locations

    You can now snag Apple’s newest gear in retail locations such as the Apple Store.

    Customers can now buy the new 24-inch M1 iMac. The redesigned device starts at 1,299 and comes in seven different colors.

    The new desktop features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, studio-quality mics, and a six-speaker sound system. There are 7-core and 8-core options, with prices starting at $1,299. Monthly financing options are available.

    The new iPad Pro with an M1 chip became available to buy in-store and online on Friday. The 11-inch model starts at $799 and the 12.9-inch model starts at $1,099.

    The updated tablet offers a Liquid Retina XDR display, 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Apple Neural engine as well as storage options up to 2TB. The M1 iPad Pro is available in Wi-Fi and cellular 5G-enabled options, and arrives in either space grey or silver colors. There are monthly payment options available, and engraving is available for free.

    Finally, the updated Apple TV 4K is now available for retail purchase. The unit features Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, which offers improved graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing. It also supports high frame rate HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Dolby Vision video.  This allows content to play more smoothly at 60 frames per second content. Furthermore, users can AirPlay HDR videos shot on an iPhone 12 Pro to the device and play them back in full 60-fps Dolby Vision.

    The Siri Remote, which has long been a source of frustration for Apple TV users. The updated version is now touch-enabled with a clicked control that offers five-way navigation. The outer ring of the clickpad supports a circular gesture too and the remote’s power button can also control a TV’s power.

    Please let us know if you pick up any of the new fear and let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via The Mac Observer