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Tag: Pro Display XDR

  • Prominent leakers hint at new iMacs in a variety of colors, Apple Silicon hardware at Apple’s “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday

    Prominent leakers hint at new iMacs in a variety of colors, Apple Silicon hardware at Apple’s “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday

    A prominent leaked by the handle of “Lovetodream” has hinted that Apple is set to introduce a variety of color options for its updated iMac models at its “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday, April 20. Another pundit has indicated that the event will be an Apple Silicon launch.

    Per “Lovetodream,” tweeting on Saturday, the account puts together an image of the AR invite’s logo alongside one displaying multiple G3 iMacs. The model in question was well known for being offered to the public in a wide variety of bright colors.

    The leaker then followed this up with a second message that they “didn’t say anything” in that first post.

    Previously, the tweeter speculated that Apple could introduce an iMac with a much larger screen than the existing 27-inch iMac model, though stopped short of advising on sizes.

    Previous rumors have stated that Apple may be looking into providing color options for the new iMac. The models were described to be a blend of the Pro Display XDR and iPad Pro, complete with edge-to-edge displays and colors similar to the iPad Air.

    It seems likely that Apple will use the event to introduce new Apple Silicon-based hardware, although it’s unclear if it will continue with the M1 or introduce a new variant. It’s also been speculated that Apple could release computer hardware using chips similar to its M-series, its A-series, or a modified version of the M1 in the iMac. Apple typically uses upgraded versions of A-series chips in its iPad Pro lineup, which is something that Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has speculated on.

    Speculation from February had the “M1X” as a 12-core CPU, up from the 8 cores in the M1, as well as increasing the GPU from 8 cores to 16 cores. There were also claims the chip is made using a 5-nanometer process, have 256 execution units versus 128 in the M1, and be able to drive three displays instead of two.

    It’s all up in the air right now, but should hopefully make more sense after Tuesday’s media event.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider, Bloomberg, and @lovetodream

  • Rumor: Apple developing two new Mac Pro models alongside cheaper external display

    Following up on the rumor that Apple is working on an iMac redesign for 2021, the company is also rumored to be planning two new versions of the Mac Pro desktop. The first version will offer the same design as the current Mac Pro and one version that is “less than half the size” of the current design. The smaller Mac Pro could “invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube.”

    The rumor also stated that the larger unit with the same design as the current Mac Pro would continue using Intel processors for the time being, while the smaller Mac Pro will use Apple Silicon:

    One version is a direct update to the current Mac Pro and will continue to use the same design as the version launched in 2019. Apple has discussed continuing to use Intel processors for that model rather than moving to its own chips.

    The second version, however, will use Apple’s own processors and be less than half the size of the current Mac Pro. The design will feature a mostly aluminum exterior and could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube, a short-lived smaller version of the Power Mac, an earlier iteration of the Mac Pro.

    Apple is also said to be in “early development” of a lower-priced external display. This display model would act as the successor to the Thunderbolt Display that Apple sold for $999, but discontinued in 2016.

    Where the Pro Display XDR retails for $4,999 (without the Pro Stand accessory) and offers a slew of high-end display technologies for professional users, the lower-priced display would be more similar to the panel Apple uses in the iMac rather than the one in the Pro Display XDR. 

    There are currently no details on a release timeframe for the display, although the “early development” stage suggests that a release could occur after 2021.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and Bloomberg

  • Rumor: Apple to release redesigned iMac in 2021

    Everything changes eventually, and Apple is rumored to be planning a significant redesign to its iMac desktop computer. The move would mark the first major change to the system since its 2012 conversion to the “slim” design that has become ubiquitous today.

    It’s that the the new design would be similar to the Apple’s Pro Display XDR with thinner bezels and the removal of the “chin” on the bottom. Two versions codenamed J456 and J457 would replace the existing 21.5-inch and 27-inch displays later in 2021.

    The rumor comes on the heels of whispers of a redesign of the 2021 MacBook Pro notebooks, which would offer flat sides, MagSafe and the removal of the Touch Bar in 14-inch and 16-inch models.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Bloomberg

  • 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