O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: upgrade

  • Rumor: Apple could release an updated 24-inch iMac in 2024, and a 32-inch iMac in 2025

    Rumor: Apple could release an updated 24-inch iMac in 2024, and a 32-inch iMac in 2025

    When noted TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweets about possibly forthcoming Apple products, people listen.

    On Tuesday, Kuo posted that Apple’s 24-inch iMac is in line to move on to an M2 chip, but there could be a somewhat longer wait for an upgrade.

    Posting to X on Tuesday, Kuo references a predictive tweet from March 2022 that claimed 2023 would be the year of the iMac Pro. In the latest posting referencing that tweet, Kuo instead offers a “New iMac prediction update.”

    Via his prediction, Kuo cited that a 24-inch iMac refresh will occur in 2024. The tweet refutes an assortment of rumors that a shipment of an updated iMac in late 2023 was in the works. After Apple’s October event rumors resulted in the launch of just a new Apple Pencil, a 2024 release now seems more likely.

    Kuo’s recent posting discusses the idea of a “higher-end 32-inch mini LED display iMac in 2025.”

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and @mingchikuo

  • Rumor: Apple to release Beats Studio Pro headphones on July 19, will include USB-C charging, other improvements

    Rumor: Apple to release Beats Studio Pro headphones on July 19, will include USB-C charging, other improvements

    Apple is currently rumored to be releasing its new Beats Studio Pro wireless over-ear headphones on Wednesday, July 19, according to details shared by Myke Hurley on the Apple-related podcast “Connected” last week.

    Per Reddit, Hurley said he obtained the details from an anonymous source who previously shared accurate details about the Beats Studio Buds+ earbuds.

    The source also claimed that the Studio Pro headphones will be available in four colors, including Black, Navy, Sandstone, and Deep Brown, and will feature a very similar design to the Beats Studio3. The headphones are said to feature a USB-C port for charging instead of micro-USB, upgraded microphones, optimized sound profiles, a new carrying case, and support for Android features such as Fast Pair and Find My Device. The headphones will retain a 3.5mm headphone jack, the source added.

    Similar to the Studio Buds+, it’s thought that the Studio Pro headphones will boast improved active noise cancellation and longer battery life.

    An early reseller listing has the Studio Pro headphones as available for €399 in Europe, which would be the same price as the Studio3. This suggests the headphones will likely cost around $349.95 in the U.S. at launch. The Studio3 are equipped with Apple’s W1 chip, but it’s unclear which chip the Studio Pro will use.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors, Reddit, “Connected,” and @aaronp613

  • iFixit publishes 15-inch MacBook Air teardown, highlights upgraded speaker system, larger battery

    iFixit publishes 15-inch MacBook Air teardown, highlights upgraded speaker system, larger battery

    Apple put some interesting stuff in its new 15-inch MacBook Air notebook.

    According to the cool cats at iFixit, who completed their usual reardown of the new hardware and posted video of the process, the 15-inch MacBook Air has a similar internal design as the 13-inch model, with the only notable difference being two extra speakers.

    “The new 15-inch MacBook Air also features a phenomenal new six-speaker sound system with two tweeters and two sets of force-cancelling woofers,” said Apple. “The new speakers deliver twice the bass depth for fuller sound, and Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos provides immersive experiences whether listening to music or watching movies.”

    The teardown also revealed a larger battery, although Apple has stated that the 15-inch model’s battery life is equal to the 13-inch model. As with the 13-inch model, the battery cells have adhesive pull tabs for easier removal, but the battery can only be accessed after several other components are disassembled.

    Other components inside the notebook include MacBook Air’s logic board with the M2 chip and a single NAND chip for the 256GB model, which can result in slower SSD read and write speeds compared to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB models.

    iFixit rated the new MacBook Air as very difficult to repair, and cited that neither the unit’s RAM or storage can be upgraded after purchase.

    If you’ve snagged the new 15-inch MacBook Air, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and iFixit

  • Rumor: Apple may have shelved its anticipated 27-inch mini LED display

    Rumor: Apple may have shelved its anticipated 27-inch mini LED display

    If you were hoping for Apple’s rumored 27-inch display with mini LED backlighting to arrive in early 2023, Apple may have shelved the project.

    Rumors circulated about a pro-level 27-inch display since the introduction of the Studio Display. As a screen that lacks HDR, ProMotion, and the improved mini LED backlighting as found in other Apple products, an upgrade was thought to be on the way.

    Per a tweet released on Monday, by Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young, Apple has “killed off the 27″ display completely.”

    According to Young, Apple had made some progress with the panel, with some shipping to the supply chain in 2022, but they did not make it into a consumer-facing product at all. The display may still be used in a future product though, as Young offers that the pause is “at least for now.”

    Young had previously advised of a 27-inch mini LED display launch for early 2023 as of October 2022. The previous tweet was shared to super followers on Twitter, making it visible only to paying members.

    Apple already incorporates mini LED display technology into the displays of the 14-inch MacBook, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A replacement for traditional LED backlighting, mini LED enables for higher contrast levels close to those of OLED, localized dimming, and a generally more vibrant display.

    If it ever ships, the 27-inch mini LED display stands to become the mini Pro Display XDR that rumor followers wanted.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and @DSCCRoss

  • Best Buy expands Upgrade+ program to cover select iMac and Mac Studio desktops

    Best Buy expands Upgrade+ program to cover select iMac and Mac Studio desktops

    Best Buy has announced that the retail chain is expanding its Upgrade+ program to include more Apple products, including select iMac and Mac Studio models.

    The chain launched its Mac equivalent of Apple’s iPhone upgrade program in October, in collaboration with Apple and with Citizens Pay handling financing. In a December update, Best Buy is now adding more models to the roster.

    The expansion, which began on Tuesday, allows customers to use Upgrade+ to apply for financing to acquire select models of the iMac and Mac Studio. Under the program, customers have affordable payments spread across 36 months, with a final payment due in the 37th month.

    Instead of the final payment after three years, customers could choose to return the Mac and upgrade to a newer model. Customers could also return the Mac to avoid the final payment entirely. In these cases, Best Buy handles the final payment on the customer’s behalf.

    The amount per month varies based on the original un-discounted cost of the product and the creditworthiness of the customer.

    Along with the product, customers can also purchase AppleCare+ for the devices and Best Buy Totaltech members will also get AppleCare+ for 24 months at no additional charge while their membership is active.

    When Best Buy launched the program, it was billed as a limited-time promotion without an end date. With the expansion, it seems the program will be around for a lot longer.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Best Buy