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Why it matters: Apple could announce a slew of M4-powered devices at the end of this month before releasing some of them on November 1. They include updates to the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. Cupertino is also predicted to unveil the iPad mini 7.
According to Bloomberg's all-things-Apple-expert Mark Gurman, Apple will announce several products at the end of October. These include low- and high-end 14-inch MacBook Pro models and a 16-inch variant, all powered by the latest M4 SoC that is currently only found in the new iPad Pros and featuring mini-LED panels.
Gurman believes Apple will also unveil a revamped Mac mini in M4 and M4 Pro chip configurations. The Mac mini is reportedly set for its first major design overhaul since 2010. It's expected to be about the size of an Apple TV set-top box, though slightly taller.
Insiders working on the Mac mini's development say it will look like an iPad Pro encased in an aluminum shell and that Apple has tested models with at least three USB-C ports (no more USB-A), an HDMI port, and a power cable area.
Gurman previously said that the M4 Pro version of the updated Mac mini will have five USB-C ports, with three on the back and two on the front like the Mac Studio. That model will also keep its existing Ethernet port, HDMI connector and headphone jack.
There might also be a new iMac this year. While the all-in-one isn't being given a design overhaul like the Mac mini, it will feature the M4 SoC. It also means Apple will likely refresh its Magic accessories with USB-C instead of Lightning ports.
Hopefully, Apple will have addressed the display issue in the latest iMac that has been affecting a number of M1 iMac (and some M3 iMac) users.
The final device Gurman mentions is the iPad mini 7. He doesn't reveal what chip will be powering the slate – the iPad mini 6 features the A15 Bionic – but Apple could repeat what it did with the latest 11- and 13-inch iPad Air models and pack the new iPad mini with an M2 chip.
The iPad mini 6
Gurman says that another big change for Apple will be the inclusion of 16GB of RAM as standard on the new Macs, rather than the 8GB that has been the standard for almost a decade. It's likely that the requirements of Apple Intelligence played a part in this decision.
One device Gurman expects Apple to release early next year is the new iPhone SE. It's said to drop the home button in favor of Face ID and feature an OLED display and Apple Intelligence.