Apple just wrapped up its hardware event where it unveiled new processors, laptops and AirPods. It’s Apple’s second event of the fall, and means it now has new iPhones, Apple Watches, Macs, AirPods and more ready to ship during the holiday season. Here’s everything Apple announced:
New AirPods
New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros
New colors for the HomePod mini
The M1 Pro processor and the M1 Max processor.
Apple announced new MacBook Pro laptops using its M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, which it says is much faster than laptops that use Intel chips.
The new models have an HDMI port to connect to displays and TVs, a SD card slot for photographers. It also uses a MagSafe magnetic connector, bringing back a beloved feature from older MacBooks. Users can still charge using the USB-C ports, of which there are three, which support Thunderbolt connections.
It comes in 16-inch and 14-inch sizes with denser screens and ProMotion screens with a higher refresh rate, a feature that landed on the iPhone 13 this year. The displays are using MiniLED technology, Apple said.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999. The 16-inch model starts at $2,499, representing a slight price increase from previous models, although the price can increase when users configure their laptops with upgrades. They are available for pre-order on Monday and hit store shelves next week.
The display includes a notch cutout at the top of the screen for its cameras, according to an Apple video on Monday. Apple made the bezels thinner, and said its software would “wrap” the top option bar around the camera, which juts out into the screen.
However, unlike iPhones, the notch does not appear to house Apple’s Face ID facial recognition camera. Apple says the front-facing camera can take 1080p video and has been improved for better image quality.
More growth for Apple’s accessories business
This is what Apple excels at: Creating great hardware accessories tied to its most popular product — the iPhone.
AirPods and the Apple Watch are the two most successful and popular examples. Hardware has always been Apple’s specialty, and the accessories are some of the best stuff Apple makes besides the iPhone. (Apple isn’t as good at developing digital services.)
The new AirPods Apple unveiled Monday add a lot of the features that used to be exclusive to the more expensive Pro model. They’re going to be a tempting buy. Plus the current version of the regular AirPods will be available at a discount. Expect to see some impressive growth in Apple’s wearables and accessories business when the company reports earnings for this quarter.
