Apple Silicon
The prevailing belief is that Apple will only be announcing their new high-end chips at this event. However, given Apple is notorious for yearly updates in hardware and software, I cannot believe that they would not be updating their entire product line. Instead of just getting an M1X chip, as some people have named the higher-powered Apple Silicon processor, I suspect we will instead be getting the M2 and M2X, simultaneously, based on the A15, that we just got in the new iPhones. This would include 2 efficiency cores for all models (possibly 4 on the M2X if it utilizes a chiplet design), and 4 performance cores on the M2, with 8 on the M2X. Graphics would be improved as well, with 7 or 8 cores on the M2, with 16 cores on the M2X. The M2 would still max out at 8GB of RAM, but the M2X might go as high as 32GB. I would not expect 64GB at this time, as I feel Apple doesn’t think it is warranted on these devices, and will focus on providing more RAM to the Pro in the future. Expect M2 devices to support 3 total displays, and the M2X to support 5.
The Hardware
I would expect to see an updates for everything except the Mac Pro, with a teaser perhaps of the form factor they are working on for it.
MacBook Air
Expect an M2 MacBook Air to be released. The rumors are for a more squared, iPad Air/iPhone like design, but it takes away the thin-ness of the design. I would expect that the design would stay the way it is currently. It is possible that Apple would release the updated design, but as a MacBook, also with the M2, replacing the low-end MacBook Pro.
MacBook Pro
The new MacBook Pros will exclusively come with the M2X processor. The rumors of ports coming back, or the death of the touch bar are wishful thinking. However, the new 14″ and the 16″ will both have 4 USB C ports, all configured for USB/TB4. Apple will introduce an updated USB C charging cable with a magnetic release, to bring back Magsafe like charging to the laptops. There will also be an optional upgraded power brick, which will include Ethernet capabilities, just like the new iMac brick. Given what Apple did with the iMac, I cannot see them adding any new or additional I/O to any of their machines. The form factor of the screens will likely change, giving them a taller appearance, which can only be good in this day and age.
Mac Mini… Pro
The Mac Mini, which has been unofficially split into two models, will have that happen officially. Both will get the same new design, with the M2 model staying silver, and the M2X model becoming a darker “space grey” like color. They will be smaller, use external bricks (with Ethernet, 10Gbps optional), but will include USB A, USBC/TB, and HDMI. SDXC ports are up in the air, as one justification for removing it from other devices has been the major variety of work flows that have developed over the last 10 years, and how many systems, the slot goes unused. The new M2X models will officially be called the Mac Mini Pro.
iMac
This is less certain, but there are strong rumors that the 24″ iMac will be getting the M2. There will also be a larger iMac presented, perhaps 30″ or 32″, with a higher resolution screen, likely 6K, and will be available with either an M2 or an M2X. Design will be similar to the 24″ iMac, but with the Ethernet brick standard, and 6 total USBC/TB ports.
Other Hardware
AirPods 3 are highly rumored. It is likely that this will be a minor tweak in a perfect product, not the needless redesign that people think is coming. I see new FindMy compatible cases being available for the AirPods 1 and 2, with and without Qi charging capabilities.
Everything else looks good at this point from an Apple Hardware standpoint. It will be interesting to see how Apple tackles the Mac Pro in the coming year. Rumors are circulating that they are looking at using a RISC-V based system, and others are saying they will simply use multiple ARM based chips working in tandem. It is unknown if support for additional cards, memory, or storage is forthcoming, but given the abilities already shown off, it may not be necessary, or if it does come, things like extra RAM (DDR5), would be used much like Level 2 and Level 3 Caches have been for processors, as an “over and above”. We’ll see.