After focusing on new iPhone and Apple Watch models in September, Apple often holds another event in October focusing on new iPad and Mac models, and this year is likely to be no exception. For the October event, rumors suggest that Apple plans to announce a new iPad Pro model with the M2 chip, a redesigned 10th generation entry-level iPad, and at least a few more Macs with the M2 family of chips, with potential candidates including the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini and/or Mac Pro.
iPad Pro with M2 chip
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release new iPad Pro models with the M2 chip and support for MagSafe wireless charging in October. 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are both expected to be updated, but the 11-inch model is still not expected to come with a MINI LED display.
iPad Pro
According to the Japanese blog Mac Otakara, the next-generation iPad Pro model will have a similar body design to the current model, but with “four-pin connectors” on the top and bottom edges. The purpose of these connectors and whether they will replace the existing three-pin smart connector on the iPad Pro is unclear.
Apple last updated the iPad Pro in April 2021 with new features including the M1 chip, Thunderbolt ports, 5G support, a miniLED display on the 12.9-inch model, and an upgraded 12-megapixel front-facing camera that supports Apple’s Center Stage feature, which helps you stay in the frame in video apps like FaceTime. within the frame.
Tenth-generation iPad
Apple is expected to launch a redesigned entry-level iPad in October with a larger 10.5-inch display, USB-C port and a flat-edge body with a rear camera bump. Other rumored features include an A14 Bionic chip and a 5G model.
While the 10th generation iPad is expected to retain the Touch ID home button, there are rumors that the device will no longer have a headphone jack.
A questionable report from Mac Otakara claims that the 10th generation iPad will actually have a Touch ID power button on the top edge of the body, just like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models. The report also says that the FaceTime camera could be placed on the right side bezel of the device for landscape use.
Mac with M2 chip
At the end of August, Gurman said Apple had been working on Mac mini, MacBook Pro and Mac Pro models based on the M2 chip, adding that we “could potentially see such machines in two months,” which is consistent with October. However, it is possible that some of these Macs could be announced later this year or next year.
Apple released the Mac mini with the M1 chip in November 2020 as one of its first three Macs with Apple chips. A new version of the Mac mini with the M2 chip is coming nearly two years later, Gurman said.
MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips
According to Gurman, Apple’s next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are “in the development and testing stages” and are scheduled for release “as early as this fall. As has been the practice in recent years, Gurman said the timeframe could be pushed back due to supply chain disruptions or other factors.
While some reports have suggested that the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could be Apple’s first 3-nanometer chips, it’s looking increasingly likely that these chips will remain 5 nanometers. These chips will still have modest performance improvements compared to the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and increases in GPU core count and unified memory (RAM) are possible
Mac Pro with M2 Ultra and “M2 Extreme” chips
After announcing the Mac Studio at an event in March 2022, Apple teased that an Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro tower would come later.
Back in 2020, Apple said the transition of its entire Mac line from Intel processors to Apple Silicon chips would take about two years to complete, so a new Mac Pro is expected to be announced by the end of 2022.
Gurman said the new Mac Pro will be equipped with the “M2 Ultra” and “M2 Extreme” chips. It is possible that the new Mac Pro will be smaller due to the switch to Apple chips, but it is not clear yet.
So what do you expect from the Apple conference in October?
