Apple's October Mac event or release plans still aren't clear

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited October 21

The iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini are all expected to receive the M4 chip later this month in the form of an online-focused event.

A silver square device with an Apple logo stands on a table next to a coiled black cable.
Apple could introduce a redesigned Mac mini with M4



While Apple recently announced the seventh-generation iPad mini through a simple press release, new Mac computers will reportedly be revealed via an online event later in October.

In a social media post on Threads, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says that the inventory of Mac and Mac-related products in Apple Stores is currently "very low." This includes iMacs, MacBook Pros, Mac mini units, the Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad.

According to the post, the iMac and MacBook Pro are expected to receive the Apple M4 chip, currently only found in the iPad Pro. The Mac Mini, meanwhile, is set to receive a "full-scale overhaul," which aligns with previous rumors saying that the device would come in a smaller form factor and that it would feature a different selection of ports.

"I've seen no evidence to suggest Apple will hold a full-scale, iPhone-like event at its headquarters with press," Gurman said. "Instead, I'd anticipate the announcement to be online-focused with press hands-on opportunities, not too dissimilar from Scary Fast last year."

This would align with Apple's previous events, such as the online iPad event in May of 2024, where redesigned iPad Pro and iPad Air models were introduced.

This event, much like the Scary Fast event from October 2023, had no in-person component and was streamed online through Apple's website. Select members of the press got hands-on opportunities in London and New York.

Gurman has previously said that he expects new Mac computers with an M4 chip to launch on November 1, 2024, following the rumored October event.

Rumor Score: Likely

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    ToortogToortog Posts: 69member
    The only thing about the new Mac Mini is when is Apple going to annouce the date for the release event.   Time is running out for  October event.  
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 11
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,253member
    Since their recent M.O. has been to give event invitees two weeks lead notification, it's pretty much too late for an October event. They won't have a product launch on Thursday the 31st since that's the date of their quarterly earnings announcement. The following week is likely to be avoided with the US Election Day (Tuesday the 5th) and the likely media frenzy the following days.

    My guess is they will launch any new Macs via press release this time around especially if they ship macOS Sequoia 15.1 with Apple Intelligence next week.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 11
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,486moderator
    Toortog said:
    The only thing about the new Mac Mini is when is Apple going to annouce the date for the release event.   Time is running out for  October event.  
    It's pre-recorded so there's not much planning needed for the broadcast, just an announcement, likely tomorrow and then setup a video stream next week.

    If they want to do a Halloween themed event again, they have to stream it next week so the announcement will be any day now.
    williamlondond_2watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 11
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,486moderator
    mpantone said:
    Since their recent M.O. has been to give event invitees two weeks lead notification, it's pretty much too late for an October event.
    Last year they announced on the 24th the event on the 30th:

    https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/24/tech/apple-october-event-2023/index.html
    williamlondonronnd_2watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 11
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,139member
    I would expect a press release lance, but with the Mac mini being tipped for a radical redesign, apple will surely do an event. Probably the end of this month like last year - or perhaps they’ll do a thankful themed one next month. But that’s cutting it close for Christmas shopping. 
    ronnwatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 11
    eriamjheriamjh Posts: 1,763member
    Unless M4 MacBooks do something so incredible or new or amazing, there’s no need for an event.  

    I guess we’ll find out shortly if there’s an event or just a press release.  Eventually, there will be no need to speculate about M4 and we’ll be thinking about M5.  
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 11
    d_2d_2 Posts: 129member
    Apple’s best new chips such as M4 Pro and Max need to have at least a video event, not a press release… plenty of time left to announce a video event for October.
    9secondkox2watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 11
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,139member
    d_2 said:
    Apple’s best new chips such as M4 Pro and Max need to have at least a video event, not a press release… plenty of time left to announce a video event for October.
    Agreed. Intel has really made strides in catching up and Qualcomm surprised as well. 

    So apple would do well to publicly slap them back into last week. As it is, it seems the m4 coming out in the iPad bought apple time to make improvements in light of recent competition. 
    edited October 22 watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 11
    silverpraxissilverpraxis Posts: 305member
    eriamjh said:
    Unless M4 MacBooks do something so incredible or new or amazing, there’s no need for an event.  

    I guess we’ll find out shortly if there’s an event or just a press release.  Eventually, there will be no need to speculate about M4 and we’ll be thinking about M5.  
    If you have any M chip Mac currently, you probably don’t need to upgrade. I’m still on the 2018 Intel Mac Mini, last on the compatibility list for current macOS. This event is for me, not someone that updated to M3 last year.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 11
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,253member
    eriamjh said:
    Unless M4 MacBooks do something so incredible or new or amazing, there’s no need for an event.  

    I guess we’ll find out shortly if there’s an event or just a press release.  Eventually, there will be no need to speculate about M4 and we’ll be thinking about M5.  
    This is a good assessment.

    Apple already covered much of Apple Intelligence on the Mac during WWDC in June. And the Apple Intelligence features of macOS Sequoia are supported on all Apple Silicon Macs so four-year-old Mac hardware still can do what any M4 Macs can do, maybe just a little slower.

    It's worth pointing out that both iPhones and Macs have been handling some ML-powered tasks for years.

    It might be worth it for Apple to release some sort of video (or a series of them) to (re-)introduce the general public to all of Apple Intelligence's currently supported features since not everyone watches WWDC.

    But an event seems unnecessary at this point, especially since intrepid Mac users have been running Sequoia 18.1 betas for a while and trialing Apple Intelligence features.

    The new M4 chip doesn't really enable anything new at this point, it is more of an iterative improvement over the M3.
    edited October 22 watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 11
    mattinozmattinoz Posts: 2,484member
    If they have stock ready to roll out why not just have watch parties as a vip store events. 
    watto_cobra
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