Category: Apple Silicon

  • Rumor: Apple may release Apple Silicon-based Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro this summer

    Rumor: Apple may release Apple Silicon-based Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro this summer

    The Apple Silicon processors you love could find their way to multiple new Macs, including a redesigned Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro starting this summer.

    Apple has previously committed to moving all of its Macs to Apple Silicon within two years, but now that transition is said to include redesigns of even the existing new M1 Macs. A new report claims that the MacBook Pro models will see a revamp in summer 2021, while the successor to the M1 will be in a redesigned MacBook Air to come at the end of the year.

    Per Bloomberg, Apple is said to be planning to offer its MacBook Pro notebook with two processor options. The projects, reportedly codenamed “Jade C-Chop” and “Jade C-Die,” will both feature eight high-performance cores, and two energy-efficient cores. The processors will vary by including either 16, or 32, graphics cores as well as an improved Neural Engine.

    Both new MacBook Pro models will come with a redesigned chassis that, as previously predicted, includes a MagSafe charger port, HDMI, and SD card support.

    The two models could offer support of up to 64GB of Unified RAM, upping the present maximum limit of 16GB, as well as offer more Thunderbolt ports.

    Apple is also said to be planning a new revision of the Mac mini, which could use either or both of the new 10-core processors. It’s also reported that the revisions could offer the computer four ports as opposed to two.

    Other rumors have indicated that the Mac mini could be delayed, or even canceled, and that a 27-inch iMac with an Apple Silicon processor could be in the works.

    Furthermore, Apple is said to be working on a direct successor to the M1 processor. The updated unit, reportedly codenamed “Staten,” could offer the same number of computing cores, but run faster than the M1 processor. It could also feature an increase in graphics cores from the present seven or eight, to nine or 10.

    Apple is claimed to be intending to use the same Staten processor in a revision of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It has no timetable for that, however.

    There are also rumors of a new Intel-based Mac, and it’s been noted that the current M1-based Macs continue to feature some Intel technology. Specifically, they all have an Intel USB Retimer, which helps power USB-C and Thunderbolt ports.

    Finally, it’s been rumored that Apple is preparing to replace Intel’s components with those of its own design, with this potentially occurring in 2022.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Bloomberg

  • Updated iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K available in Apple Store retail locations on Friday, May 21st

    Updated iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K available in Apple Store retail locations on Friday, May 21st

    If you’re hankering to buy a new iMac, iPad Pro, or Apple TV 4K in person, Apple has stated that they’ll be available in Apple Store retail locations as of Friday, May 21st. The company also stated that those who previously placed orders will start receiving their products too.

    The new iMac is available in up to seven colors (depends on processor cores per model), feature the M1 processor, and begin at $1,299 for seven cores, with the eight core modeling starting at $1,400. The new iPad Pro also contains the M1 chip, and the 12.9-inch model has a Liquid Retina XDR display that brings extreme dynamic range to the device. The 11-inch starts at $799, with the 12.9-inch starting at $1,099. The updated Apple TV 4K, complete with a redesigned Siri remote, starts at $179, and the new remote control can be purchased separately for $59.

    Apple has stated that that 99 percent of its retail locations are now open. You can, of course, order online still via store.apple.com

    Via The Mac Observer

  • Some M1-based iPad Pros undergo shipping status updates, set to arrive on May 21st

    Some M1-based iPad Pros undergo shipping status updates, set to arrive on May 21st

    If you ordered an M1-based iPad Pro, it could arrive as soon as May 21st.

    A number of Twitter users have reported that their M1 iPad Pro orders have had their status updated from “Preparing to ship” to “Shipped.”

    While Apple has remained vague as to the actual launch and delivery dates of the tablets, some HTML code in a website announcement indicated that delivery could occur anywhere from May 21 to May 28.

    When announcing this year’s iPad Pro models, Apple highlighted the M1 chip, optional 5G, and the “Liquid Retina XDR” miniLED screen.

    Apple today announced the most powerful and advanced iPad Pro ever, pushing the limits of what’s possible on iPad. The addition of the Apple-designed M1 chip delivers a massive leap in performance, making iPad Pro the fastest device of its kind.

    The 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a new Liquid Retina XDR display that brings extreme dynamic range to iPad Pro, offering a stunning visual experience with more true-to-life details to the most demanding HDR workflows.

    Cellular models with 5G deliver even faster wireless connectivity when on the go, and to provide users with pro-level throughput for high-speed accessories, iPad Pro now includes support for Thunderbolt.

    Apple also highlighted its new Center Stage feature, which uses digital cropping from the ultra-wide front camera to provide artificial tracking of users during video calls.

    If you’ve seen this on your end, please let us know in the comments.

    Via 9to5Mac and @chrisgrant

  • Some users note that their M1-based 24-inch iMacs have shipped, are slated to arrive on May 21st

    Some users note that their M1-based 24-inch iMacs have shipped, are slated to arrive on May 21st

    While the new M1-based 24-inch iMac is officially more than a week away from launching, a few customers have begun to see their orders marked as “shipped” on Apple’s online store, complete with a May 21 delivery date.

    Two Canadian users alerted MacRumors that their orders had moved to “shipped” status as of Wednesday.

    For customers who still see their iMac order in the “processing” or “preparing to ship” stages, this is still normal at this time. Many of the initial orders that are now shifting to “shipped” status are likely custom built-to-order configurations from Apple’s online store, with shipments coming directly from China following assembly.

    Apple’s M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an up to 8-core GPU. The desktop can be configured with 16GB of unified memory as well as 2TB of SSD storage. There’s also a minimum of two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, with an additional two USB 3 ports on higher-end models. The updated iMac is 11.5mm thick and available in up to seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.

    The new iMac became available to order via Apple’s online store as of April 30, with pricing beginning at $1,299 in the United States.

    If you’ve seen this status change on your end, please let us know in the comments.

    Via MacRumors

  • Rumor: Apple could offer color options for upcoming MacBook Air notebooks

    Rumor: Apple could offer color options for upcoming MacBook Air notebooks

    The rumor mill has it that Apple’s redesigned MacBook Air notebooks could arrive in multiple color choices like the updated 24-inch iMac.

    Per noted leaker jon Prosser’s latest Front Page Tech video, Prosser claims he received a tip from his source about a blue MacBook Prototype.

    The source stated “colors for average consumers” alongside an old image from an Apple event. This suggests that color options would be made available for consumer devices, where “pro” Macs will have more subdued shades of gray and silver.

    Prosser has indicated that this might mean the MacBook Air could receive color options similar to those found on the new iMac. The iMac has a saturated back panel with muted colors on the face plate. Concept images shared by Prosser show a MacBook Air with a more pastel color design.

    Apple is thought to be working on a refreshed design as well as an M-series processor for the new MacBook Air notebooks.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and YouTube (Front Page Tech)