That’s a wrap on Apple’s week of exciting announcements! Despite all the hype and build up, the updates we’ve all been eagerly waiting for were shared in a few low-key press releases. They do, however, come with some dense explainer videos shot at Apple Park.
Don’t have time for those? Get all the upgrade info you need in this roundup. Spoiler alert – the M4 chip isn’t the only game-changing announcement worth reading on for.
What is the M4 chip?
Apple fanatics have been singing the M4 chip’s praises since its release in May 2024, with it being central to the latest series of updates.
In case you need a recap, the M4 chip is equipped with:
- Up to 10 core-CPU
- Neural engine that is 3x faster than M1
- Ability to support Apple Intelligence
Meanwhile, the M4 Pro chip benefits from:
- Up to 14-core CPU
- Up to 20-core GPU
- Ability to support Apple Intelligence
The M4 Max chip also has:
- Up to 16-core CPU
- Up to 40-core GPU
- Ability to support Apple Intelligence
All-in-all, devices equipped with the latest chip and Apple Intelligence (available in December) will experience better performance, advanced graphics architecture, and more responsive AI features. The Pro and Max chips are also better equipped for high-demand workloads like app-building and software development.
NEW: iMac
The brand new iMac was the first of three new Mac upgrades announced with the M4 chip. Now its CPU is up to 1.3x faster than the M3 version, while its GPU is up to 1.1x faster than M3. That means ultra fast multi-tasking across apps and enhanced visual performance. The M4 iMac is also 6x faster than the most popular Intel-based iMac and comes with a few extra new features worth noting:
- Fresh set of ‘new and playful’ colours
- A new nano-texture display option, for reduced reflectivity and glare
- 12MP centre stage camera with Desk View, a top down of your workspace
- 100% fibre-based, environmentally friendly packaging
- 16GB memory as standard – double the previous iteration
NEW: Mac mini
The new Mac mini leapfrogs straight from the M2 to M4 chip, boasting up to 1.6x faster CPU and up to 1.4x faster GPU than M2. This makes it around 13x speedier than the fastest Intel-based Mac mini.
However, increased power doesn’t mean increased size. In fact, Apple has shrunk the design down to just 5×5 inches, making it even more versatile. Here’s what else is new:
- Audio jack and 2x USB-C on the front
- 16GB memory as standard
- It’s the first ever carbon neutral Mac, featuring:
- 85% less aluminium used
- 50% recycled content
- 100% renewable electricity
- Non-air shipping prioritised
NEW: MacBook Pro
Finally, completing a hat-trick of Mac announcements, Apple announced the all-new MacBook Pro. Both the M4 and M4 Pro chip versions enhance the CPU with up to 1.3x more speed than the M3 version.
Want even more power? Get the new MacBook Pro equipped with the M4 Max chip for up to 1.2x more speed than the M3 Max – making intense software development, data science workloads and 3D visualisation seamless. Check out what else was announced:
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one more than before for better connectivity
- M4 Pro and Max features Thunderbolt 5 for over 2x transfer speeds at 120 Gb/s
- Up to 24-hr battery life – 14 more hours than Intel-based MacBook Pro
- A new nano-texture display option, for reduced reflectivity and glare
- 12MP centre stage camera with Desk View, a top down of your workspace
- 100% fibre-based, environmentally friendly packaging
- 14-inch comes with 16GB memory as standard, double the previous
- 16-inch comes with 24GB as standard
While we unfortunately didn’t see the MacBook Air receive the M4 chip upgrade, both the M2 and M3 version have been boosted with 16GB of memory as standard – making it the same model we know and love, just with double the memory.
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