By all accounts, the main protagonist of Apple's October virtual event will be the Mac, and everything connected with it. A beefed-up version of the M1 with performance unmatched anywhere in the world. Displays stunning in brightness and contrast. And before the main part of the event, to whet your appetite, something smaller in size, but not in importance to the Apple ecosystem, will be unveiled. Just don't wait for these wonders while holding your breath. Apple hasn't said anything definitive about the theme of the event. Neither that the October event will be about computers, nor about the new chip. Apple can present anything - even something no one expects from it.
One of the senior vice presidents of Apple, in a face-to-face conversation, revealed to a well-known journalist, in confidence, one of the company's deepest secrets. It turns out that the fall update computers decided to hold annually, on the anniversary of the release of the 16-inch MacBook Pro. And announced this remarkable professional laptop on November 13, 2019. With a press release.
In November 2020, when the 16-inch MacBook Pro turned one year old, Apple unveiled the M1 and three computers with the M1 inside. It happened on November 10. And now it's October. Apple's virtual event is about to take place. We are waiting for new Macs, a new chip, and at least some certainty about the transition of Macs to Apple designed processors. I hope that's what the event will be about. But what if it is?
Apple M1X processor:
The M1X is not what it looks like. First of all, it's not a processor, it's a chip with almost an entire computer on a chip. Secondly, it is not a fact that this chip will actually be called M1X. The processor is located on the chip chip chip M1X, there are even a few of them. The likelihood that the new chip will be introduced if the October event is about computers is one hundred percent. Apple is expected to introduce professional computers with a powerful Apple chip inside. It's not certain that this chip will be what has been reported in leaks and rumors, but that's all we know about it for now.
The central processor has ten cores (in M1 - eight), of which eight productive (twice more than in M1) and two energy efficient (half as many as in M1). There are two versions of graphics processors, with 16 and 32 cores. Like the Apple A15, where there are 4 cores (for the iPhone 13/13 mini) and 5 (for everyone else). The neural processor has 16 cores, like in the M1, but in the M1X this processor is rumored to be much more powerful. Needless to say, the new chip supports more Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectors, more external displays, up to 64GB of shared memory and up to 8TB of SSD capacity. Another version is 32GB of combined memory.
The new MacBook Pro 14″:
According to rumors, there will be two MacBook Pro with M1X inside. With 14-inch and 16-inch screens. Both models will have the same chip. Hopefully both versions of the M1X, with a 16 and 32 core GPU, will be available when you buy both models. The likelihood that a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the new chip inside will be introduced is close to 100 percent. Attackers who hacked into servers at Quanta Computer, the company that makes laptops for Apple, have published blueprints of them to convince Apple that their threats are real. A mini-LED screen, function keys in place of the Touch Bar, lots of different connectors on the case.
For example, a separate connector for the power supply, with a magnetic lock. HDMI and a slot for SD cards . The 14-inch MacBook Pro has a slightly lower, but still a very high 80-90% chance of being introduced. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro will have nearly the same features as its bigger brother and will have the same mini-LED display, the same connectors (highly likely) and function keys instead of the Touch Bar. The new MacBook Pro is rumored to cost the same as the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro (from ₽234,990) and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt/USB-C ports (from ₽179,990). I have a hard time believing in the same prices, but we'll see.
Mac mini M1X:
The probability of announcing a Mac mini with a new chip and in a new design is low, but still not zero. Last year's M1 Mac mini was a pleasant surprise at Apple's November event. Unofficially, the release of the new Mac mini has been pushed back to 2022. The M1X Mac mini will use the same chip as the MacBook Pro, hopefully you can choose a chip option with 16 or 32 cores in the GPU at checkout.
AirPods 3 headphones:
The likelihood of introducing a new model of AirPods at the fall event is not zero, but it's not too high either. In theory, they could have been announced with a press release as well. Of course, Apple may have a different opinion on this. A real presentation would help boost sales of the new headphone model. Especially, there is something to show.
Better sound, pressure equalization system inside the ear - to reduce discomfort. A charging case like the flagship AirPods Pro headphones, low and wide. And the design is also like the AirPods Pro, but without the ear cushions. The AirPods 3 will likely cost ₽17,000. After the AirPods 3 is released, the sale of AirPods 2 will not stop. They will be sold cheaper as a budget version of the AirPods.
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