Apple Unveils OLED MacBook Pro and New iPad Mini
Apple Launches New Products at ‘Pro and Tell’ Event
John Ternus has been actively steering Apple since he assumed the role of CEO on September 1. Following the recent launch of the “Welcome Home” smart home initiative, Apple showcased its latest innovations during the “Pro and Tell” event held in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The highlight of this event was the highly anticipated OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro, a product that enthusiasts have eagerly awaited for years.
Introducing the MacBook Pro with PROLED Display
The standout product is the MacBook Pro featuring the PROLED XDR Display, marking the company’s first foray into touchscreen laptops. This shift is particularly notable given Steve Jobs’ past criticism of touchscreen laptops, labeling them as “ergonomically terrible” during the 2010 “Back to the Mac” event.
The PROLED display utilizes tandem OLED technology similar to that found in the iPad Pro. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch variants, the display boasts a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and a remarkable contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1, with a refresh rate ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz. Apple claims the display covers both the P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces, targeting photographers and colorists.
Specifications and Pricing
- Price: Starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model; $3,399 for the 16-inch version.
- Release Date: Pre-orders begin on October 28, with shipping starting on November 6.
The touch sensor is integrated into the display itself, minimizing latency. Existing applications will function seamlessly as macOS translates taps into clicks. Popular apps such as Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, and Microsoft Office are set to introduce touch-specific features. Additionally, the Dynamic Island feature will now be available on the Mac, serving as a hub for Spotlight, Live Activities, and Siri AI.
The new design is also lighter, with the 14-inch model weighing 3 pounds—half a pound lighter than its predecessor—and the 16-inch version weighing 4 pounds, reduced by 0.7 pounds. Both models are powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, not M6, and support up to 128GB of unified memory and 16TB of storage, with a battery life of up to 24 hours. Connectivity options include three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, an SDXC slot, and MagSafe.
New MacBook Pro with M6 Chip
Before the PROLED MacBook Pro announcement, Apple had already introduced the 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the new M6 chip, featuring a 12-core CPU. Apple claims the M6 boasts the fastest CPU core globally, with graphics performance up to 30% faster than M5 and AI workloads up to 25% quicker. For M1 users, the upgrade promises up to 11 times faster graphics and 13 times better AI performance.
Battery life for the M6 MacBook Pro is rated at up to 24 hours, the longest ever for a Mac, with fast charging capabilities that reach 50% in just 30 minutes using a 96W adapter. Memory options start at 16GB and can be expanded to 32GB. The device also supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, accommodating up to two external displays.
iMac and iPad Mini Updates
The iMac has skipped the M5 generation, moving directly to the M6 chip, which offers enhanced performance with up to 2x faster graphics compared to the M4. The iMac also features improvements in AI processing, claiming up to 5 times faster local AI capabilities. The base model starts at $1,499, with pre-orders beginning on October 28 and availability on November 6.
The iPad Mini received what Apple describes as its most significant update yet, featuring a larger 8.5-inch OLED display with thinner bezels. Powered by the new A20 Pro chip, it promises up to 4.5 times faster AI performance compared to its predecessor. Pricing starts at $699 for the WiFi model and $849 for WiFi + Cellular, with pre-orders also starting on October 28 and shipping on November 6.
New AI Features in Apple Creator Studio
Apple has enhanced its Macs with new AI software through the Apple Creator Studio, which introduces intelligent assistants to applications such as Logic Pro, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. These assistants utilize a combination of Apple’s models and OpenAI’s technology. The subscription for Apple Creator Studio is priced at $12.99 per month or $129 annually, with education pricing available.
Apple’s week of announcements has set a new benchmark for its product line, showcasing innovative technology and features that cater to creative professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Source Reference (mashable.com): Apple 'Pro and Tell' event: Everything announced, from MacBook Pro OLED to iPad Mini and musical AI assistant