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What is coming from Apple in 2022?

The M1 Pro and M1 Max came out of left field for some, the names did for sure, and I was wrong about the ports, and actually a little disappointed initially, as there are now purpose-use ports on a machine that used to be 100% flexible.

That being said, there are plenty of rumors about Apple in 2022, and I will breakdown my take on what to expect.

MacMini

2022 will see an updated MacMini, possibly with a “Pro” moniker attached. This machine will have at the very least, the M1 Pro and M1 Max as options. However, rumors are flying of a dual CPU version, likely of the M1 Max, dubbed M1 Max Duo. This would likely be the SoC for the high-end machines. They are likely to adopt the power supply from the iMac, and perhaps the 10Gb Ethernet in the power brick if possible. I suspect Apple may, with the power of the Pro and Max chips, start to include 2.5 Gb Ethernet as standard starting at this point. I do see the possibility of HDMI 2.1 with the Duo models, as they will actually have the available bandwidth to drive such a device. The Machine will likely only be about 1″ thick, and use a similar cooling system as the MacBook Pros.

iMac

The more professionally directed iMac will also be coming, likely with the same options as the Mini. I do not see Apple adding ports, save for perhaps a USB-A port to this model. HDMI has never been an option on the iMac, as a second screen would likely want to be more capable. 27″ is likely, but so is a larger model, perhaps shedding the M1 Pro chip from the larger size, and adopting the iMac Pro moniker. Given the heat generated by the M1 Pro and M1 Max, I do suspect at slightly thicker design than the M1 iMac, and possibly the color options, with an additional “Space Grey” version.

MacBook (M2)

Rumors are floating around about a new MacBook Air, without the wedge shape, and a design style similar to the MacBook Pros. Additionally, there are rumors about a new base-model MacBook Pro., to replace the 13″ M1. I believe that these rumors actually point to a new machine, the MacBook. Reclaiming its place in the middle of the Apple notebook lineup, like the old polycarbonate models, and the 2008 aluminum model, but not the horrible 2015 model. This will likely have the new screen tech from the MacBook Pros, but limited additional ports, perhaps just HDMI and SD, along with MagSafe 3. It will have a notch too, for the 1080p Camera.

MacBook Air (M2)

I don’t see Apple making many changes to the MacBook Air, except for an additional USB4/TB4 port on the right side, MagSafe 3, and an SD Card Slot. The screen will likely retain the same specs it has now, and may or may not include a notch for a better camera, or they may keep it as is, as the entry level MacBook.

iPad Pro (M2)

There are a ton of rumors about the news iPad Pro having MagSafe. However, they are all thinking, glass backs and the iPhone style MagSafe, when in fact, it will be MagSafe 3 on the bottom with the upgraded USB4/TB4 connector, with support for multiple screens. It will support ProRes recording and decoding, just like the iPhone 13.

MacPro

Expect a MacPro in 2022. It will likely have a smaller case, something similar in size to the Corsair One. It will likely have the option of the M1 Max, M1 Max Duo, and the M1 Max Quad. It will have several USB4/TB4 connectors on the front and back. 2 HDMI 2.1 Ports, SD Card, CF Express, and possibly 1 16x PCIe slot for future upgrades/expansion. RAM will still be included on package, but there is a possibility that given the use of DDR5 in the Unified Memory, that DDR5 expansion, may be possible, but being used as a secondary memory system, much like L1, L2, and L3 Cache are used in CPUs. However, if an M1 Max, supports 64GB, the Max Duo 128, the Mac Quad could support 256, at a theoretical, 1600GB/s, so there may not be a need for more RAM. I would expect internally expandable storage though, hopefully with M.2 NVMe, and maybe 1 or 2 SATA ports, as Pro users would want to keep as much of their active storage inside the machine to prevent data loss while working.

Conclusion

This is a summary of all of the rumors currently circulating. We will see in the spring if any of this is correct. But Apple does have only 11 months to complete their transition, and are actually behind from the last transition, which was claimed to be 24 months, but was in fact 18.

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Apple Unleashed: Preview

Apple has invited everyone to another Apple Event, for October 18. This looks to be an event to announce the release of the next-generation Mac Products, with the next-generation Apple Silicon processors.

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.

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Apple Event… March 23rd

Current rumors are pointing at March 23rd as a new Apple Event. This is shaping up to be the release of at the very least the 16″ MacBook Pro and a small iMac (maybe 24″). There have been plenty of mockups of the new iMacs, and rumors of more ports on the MacBooks. Additional rumors are pointing to a 13″ MacBook Pro being redesigned into a 14″, a 27″ or 30″ iMac, and possibly, AirTiles (finally). With the discontinuation of the iMac Pro, an updated 27/30″ iMac seems likely, with the power to match or beat the current iMac Pro. All of this is contingent on either M1x or M2 coming to market at the same time, in order to best the current products, which are just kicking most systems to the curb.

MacBook Pro(s)

Rumors have been circulating that the next refresh will include both a 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro, with additional ports and MagSafe. I don’t see Apple removing USB-C Charging, but may augment it, like many PC Manufactures, with an update MagSafe connector (MagSafe 3?) for portable operations. There are even some patent drawings to that effect. There are also rumors of USB-A, HDMI, and other ports coming back to the machines. I can see an SD card slot returning, and maybe a single USB-A, but that would be about it. USB is moving to USB-C as the standard interface for USB4, so more devices should start becoming available with USB-C connections, and I foresee 2021 being the year that more USB-C thumb drives will be on the market (likely with both C and A connectors), and we will see printer manufacturers either replacing the USB-B connectors with USB-C or at least making an USB-C to USB-B (2.0) cable.

iMacs

The iMacs are long overdue for an upgrade. Smaller bezels would be nice, but honestly, I don’t find the current design dated, and I would hate for the machine to lose its chin entirely. I would like to see some front or easier to find port access, 10Gb Ethernet as an option (or 2.5Gb at least), WiFi 6E, upgraded camera, etc. I can only see the screen size increasing by removing the bezels, and keeping the 16×9 aspect ratio. I see them also upgrading the smaller screen to 5K, and the larger screen to 6K (to match the ProDisplay XDR). I am expecting, with Apple using their own chips, that Target Display Mode will return as well. Rumors are also pointing at colorful chassis, which if done at a material level, also points at colorful keyboards coming (as the Apple keyboards are made from the waste material from making iMacs and MacBooks), possibly with updated keycaps, like on the new M1 MacBooks.

Jon Prosser‘s render of the potential new iMacs

Apple Silicon

Apple is awfully tight lipped about its processor roadmaps and plans, as they aren’t needing to market it to other companies (yet). But some enterprising persons have leaked M1x benchmarks which show a 12 core processor, rivaling some of the most expensive prosumer chips from Intel and AMD, both in single-core and muliti-core performance. Remember, this is with a chip without hyper threading, and without additional power management systems, other than just being optimized for battery. 12 cores for graphics (or more) would also go a long way towards supporting these new machines. It would be quite outstanding if Apple could rival AMD and Nvidia’s graphics performance from 12 cores.

Conclusion

While we don’t know for sure what is coming for sure, we do know they will be better and faster than the current M1s, will rival Windows PCs on the market, and will move Apple forward into the undiscovered country that they are plunging towards.

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Tech Guesses

Apple Silicon iMacs and new MacBook Pros

Rumors are flying full force about new Apple Silicon iMacs and MacBooks coming in March. Everything from an iMac, without a chin, in larger sizes, and in multiple colors. All of which sound great, although I am quite fond of the chin, and I feel it helps distinguish the iMac from a monitor. As for MacBook Pros, new 16″ and 14″ machines sound good, but people are expecting the touch bar to be dead and ports to return. I do not see Apple doing that across the line. I believe that there will be options with and without the Touch Bar on the 14″ and 16″, and I can see Apple adding the SD card slot back into the machines, and maybe a single USB A connection, but that would be about it. I expect 4 USB/TB 4, USB-C connectors. WiFi 6 is a given, but I actually expect these new machines to support WiFi 6E.

iMac Colors and more

Rumors are swirling about the iMacs coming in multiple colors, similar to the 2nd generation iMac G3s. I would expect color choices similar to the iPhone 12, and they would feature an anodized aluminum chassis, and a more angular design, somewhat similar to the Pro Display XDR. It is also possible that they would appear in larger sizes (although I use a 21.5″ at work, and find it nearly perfect), 24″ and 32″ are the currently rumored sizes. At those sizes, I would almost expect the displays to be 4K and 6K respectively, possibly miniLED. But needing to drive that number of pixels, and support external display(s), I would expect the machines to either come with 16+ GPU cores on die, or to have their own dedicated GPU to handle the graphics. I also hope, that with it being Apple Designed, we and perhaps see the return of Target Display Mode. I am also hoping that we will see not only integrated RAM on these new designs, but the ability to upgrade RAM in the future, as Apple used to do with their machines in the 90s. An M.2 port inside would also be nice, for expansion, not to replace the boot drive.

MacBook Pro

Bring back the ports? Not likely. USB-C has been the standard for Apple for 5 years now, and I don’t see them going too far back. I would like to see an SD card slot, perhaps with microSD support. A USB-A port would be nice, but anything beyond that would take us backwards. I do see 4 USB-C USB4/TB4 ports in the future of both sizes.

The Touch Bar has been a sore subject for some people, since its introduction. I don’t see it going away, but I do see it being something that can be deleted from a BTO option on both the 14″ and 16″ machines.

Much like with the iMacs, I suspect that Apple may be upgrading the screens, to 4K (to compete with PCs in that space), microLED is a possibility, and at the very least more GPU cores, if not a discrete GPU, to drive them.