Apple's M4 Mac event will be a week of daily press releases and I'm here for it

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in Future Apple Hardware

Apple has confirmed that it will announce new Macs during a week-long event starting October 28. It isn't the first time it's taken this route, and I'm absolutely here for it.

A silver Apple Mac Mini computer on a white desk, situated below an LG monitor.
Apple could have a lot to unveil through Halloween week.



It was the worst-kept secret in tech that Apple was ramping up to announce new M4-powered Macs sooner rather than later. The company has now essentially confirmed as much after Apple SVP Greg Joswiak took to the X social network to tease "an exciting week of announcements" featuring a stylized Finder icon.

As for what we can expect from the M4 Mac event, there's a lot. M4 chips are clearly going to be the order of the day after the M4 iPad Pro's debut earlier this year.

A new Mac mini, refreshed iMac, and updated MacBook Pro are all thought to be in the cards, while those hoping for a new MacBook Air are set to have to wait until early next year. Though, there's a wildcard here as well.

Joswiak might have made a point of hinting at new Macs, there is always the chance of a new iPad breaking cover if only to add support for Apple Intelligence. Though other rumors suggest the 11th-generation iPad could be a spring product.

A new (old) approach to events



The launch of the M4 chip in an iPad Pro rather than any kind of Mac had already set this generation out from the norm, but that isn't the only way Apple seems to be shaking things up here.

A green Apple computer on a desk with a keyboard, mouse, and headphones on a stand.
Apple could refresh the 24-inch iMac



Whereas Apple tends to announce big new products like flagship Mac notebooks via a streamed event on its website and elsewhere, this year's unveilings are going to be unveiled via a week of individual debuts instead. I have to imagine that the reason for that is twofold, starting with the fact that these are likely to be relatively minor spec bumps the likes of which just don't have enough to flesh out a video event.

Apple falls back to press releases when announcing products like this regularly, but it seems these Macs will be unveiled across multiple days. Which brings me to my second reason.

It might be inside baseball, but it's no secret that Apple likes to control the news cycle wherever possible. With these new Macs set to be spec bumps rather than grand design refreshes, keeping everyone interested isn't likely to be easy. One way around that is to stretch the event out, creating headlines throughout a week rather than a day.

It's a relatively minor thing, but it will work. There's precedent for it, too.

Apple last launched products on consecutive days this way back in March of 2019, starting with a new iPad Air and iPad mini products on the 18th. That was followed by a new iMac on the 19th and then the AirPods 2 on the 20th.

Sure, there have been press releases announcing products and services since then, but it's unusual for Apple to take the approach of spreading an event (albeit a lackluster one) across multiple days like this. I'm a fan, I must admit, not least because it gives us here at AppleInsider a bit of a break between the new products dropping.

It also adds an element of excitement, something that's been sorely missing with Apple's events in recent years. Sure, we might have a good idea of what Apple is going to drop next week, but at least it'll last longer than usual.

Who knows, maybe there will be a rare surprise in amongst those Macs, too. Fingers crossed.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    It would be nice if the week included the return of a 27-inch (or larger) iMac.
    9secondkox2danoxdavJanNLwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 2 of 15
    eriamjheriamjh Posts: 1,817member
    Not likely.

    I'm interested in a M4 mini to replace my iMac.  I don't really need the power of a Studio.
    gregoriusm9secondkox2watto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 3 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,542member
    WTF.

    Why after composing a post, do I get a Verify Your Human post that, when verifying, wipes out my post?
    thtwilliamlondonForumPost9secondkox2danoxFidonet127watto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 2Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,542member
    AI said:
    Who knows, maybe there will be a rare surprise in amongst those Macs, too. Fingers crossed.

    It definitely would be rare. I'd like to see the occasional One more thing. . . Those were always fun even when it was a product I had no interest in.


    It would be nice if the week included the return of a 27-inch (or larger) iMac.

    I'd like that too but don't see it happening. Especially the (or larger) iMac part. That would be expensive and when the computer or display dies, that's a pricey doorstop. At least with TDM if the display died you could still salvage the computer without costing the arm and leg needed to pay for repairs. A 32" Apple monitor for which I could justify the price tag would be nice but that's not going to happen either.

    9secondkox2watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 5 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,542member
    Did it again.

    "Verified the security of my connection" and wiped out my post. Thank you AI.
    williamlondon9secondkox2watto_cobra
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 15
    d_2d_2 Posts: 129member
    Hoping for an Apple high quality and relatively affordable 27” monitor to match the new Mini (or Cube).
    edited October 2024
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 15
    thttht Posts: 5,877member
    Would be cool if it was 4 days or announcements, but 3 days is probably the most, and it could just be 2 days. Could it just be one day?

    One day will be for all the .1 OS updates. 
    One day for Mac mini and iMac
    One day for MacBook Pro and Mac mini with the M4 Pro option. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 15
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,349member
    tht said:
    Would be cool if it was 4 days or announcements, but 3 days is probably the most, and it could just be 2 days. Could it just be one day?
    More than one day per Greg Joswiak's X/Twitter post:

    https://x.com/gregjoz/status/1849484363165213148

    Verbatim quote: "Mac ( ;) ) your calendars! We have an exciting week of announcements ahead, starting on Monday morning. Stay tuned…"

    Monday product announcements are rare but you heard it from the horse's mouth.
    So probably Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Their quarterly earnings announcement is Thursday so there will be no product reveals that day. Friday announcements are very rare since it's often a holiday elsewhere (even if not so in the USA). 

    Just for fun, my guess is that they will lead hardware announcements with the M4 MacBook Pro. After all something like >85% of Mac unit sales are notebooks.
    edited October 2024
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 15
    It would be nice if the week included the return of a 27-inch (or larger) iMac.
    THIS. It’s all I want. If they announce this next week, then Christmas comes early. It’s been far too long for the real iMac to return. Still thinking thst it happens during M5 generation when the chips shrink a bit further and the possibility of including an ultra tier chips increases. 

    MacBook Pro is a second place. Can’t wait to see how the Max chip runs. 

    But 32” iMac is going to be a really big deal. 
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 10 of 15
    Contemplating a M4 Max 16" MacBook Pro with an 8TB SSD in same case design as my M1 MBPro Max. I have a stand up base that would allow said laptop to host a 27" Studio Display in my office or be a desktop device in my Airstream.
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 11 of 15
    y2any2an Posts: 250member
    It’s not about the products, it’s about the capability. With this week of announcements Apple aims to position itself as the only computer technology company with AI across their entire product line. After all, it would be a very disjoint experience for a consumer to have some of their devices using AI and others not. This is a big upgrade opportunity for Apple as many customers will want that AI-everywhere experience. And it is a way of leaping ahead when so far Apple has been reported to be anything up to 2 years behind.
    danoxwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 12 of 15
    macgui said:
    AI said:
    Who knows, maybe there will be a rare surprise in amongst those Macs, too. Fingers crossed.

    It definitely would be rare. I'd like to see the occasional One more thing. . . Those were always fun even when it was a product I had no interest in.


    It would be nice if the week included the return of a 27-inch (or larger) iMac.

    I'd like that too but don't see it happening. Especially the (or larger) iMac part. That would be expensive and when the computer or display dies, that's a pricey doorstop. At least with TDM if the display died you could still salvage the computer without costing the arm and leg needed to pay for repairs. A 32" Apple monitor for which I could justify the price tag would be nice but that's not going to happen either.


    Drafting this note from my Late 2014 27" iMac.  Still a great machine for basic emails, web browsing, Excel, Word, Outlook, Omnioutliner.  Don't do any video editing on this but may try it just to see how it performs.  Memory was user upgradeable.  Came with 1tb fusion drive that still has plenty of space.  Love the size and never seriously looked at the 24" machines to which Apple tried to force the consumer to switch.  I never feel that I am switching to a slow poke machine when I stop using the Studio, or Macbook or Mac Mini and switch to this.

    Hopefully, Apple will recognize the customer demand for 27" on higher iMac; but I doubt it.  Their business model is to continue to refine their products to extract the maximum cash from their customer's wallets (see ssd upgrade prices, memory upgrade prices, apple monitor prices and the continued push to make desktops and laptops less functional without add-on hubs and the like.)  My desk is 60" wide so I don't need a thinner/shorter desktop or laptop.  Also while my Studio has 4 Tb ports, i could not attach 3 separate SSDs (each in their own external enclosure) to the machine: not enough power on the bus.  Sure a small Mac Mini is nice to hold in your hand, but when it comes time for work, a larger machine allows Apple to add more functionality without obsessing over overheating and power supply constraints. 

    9secondkox2
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  • Reply 13 of 15
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,650member
    y2an said:
    It’s not about the products, it’s about the capability. With this week of announcements Apple aims to position itself as the only computer technology company with AI across their entire product line. After all, it would be a very disjoint experience for a consumer to have some of their devices using AI and others not. This is a big upgrade opportunity for Apple as many customers will want that AI-everywhere experience. And it is a way of leaping ahead when so far Apple has been reported to be anything up to 2 years behind.

    It is a great way for Apple to show who’s the real boss in AI across multiple hardware devices and OS software ecosystems in comparison to their lagging competition. Google, Meta, and Microsoft just don’t match up not across the board.

    Icing on the cake, M4 MacBook Pro Max (192 gigs?)…..

    edited October 2024
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 15
    Marvinmarvin Posts: 15,547moderator
    macgui said:
    WTF.

    Why after composing a post, do I get a Verify Your Human post that, when verifying, wipes out my post?
    The site devs are aware of the issue, a CloudFlare plugin was added as bots were doing things on the site. CloudFlare controls when it triggers.

    https://www.cloudflare.com/products/turnstile/

    The redirect after verifying isn't working correctly as it should post the comment after successful verification. It would be good if it could be disabled entirely for logged in users but I don't know how much control there is over it.

    It usually triggers on certain keywords and links. Save the contents of the post (easiest to copy the code using the HTML View </> so it can be pasted back in) in TextEdit before hitting submit. Preview can help track down what's triggering it. Try removing links and currency text. If preview works, it will post ok.

    The feedback forum is where the site devs can be contacted about it:

    https://forums.appleinsider.com/categories/feedback
    macguimuthuk_vanalingamdanoxronnwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 15 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,542member
    Marvin, thank you for the response. 
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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