On June 10, 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook attended the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
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apple New MacBook Pro laptops with updated processors were unveiled on Wednesday in what could be the company’s last major hardware launch of the year.
The new device is equipped with Apple’s latest chip, the M4. Some models are available in more powerful versions called M4 Pro and M4 Max. Apple says the new chip is 1.8 times faster than the M1, which powers Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro.
Apple has also made major changes to its entire Mac product line to prepare for future artificial intelligence capabilities in computers.
Apple said that like all devices released this year, the new models are designed for Apple Intelligence, the company’s artificial intelligence system that can generate text, images and emojis.
Additionally, all new MacBook Pro models come with at least 16GB of RAM. Until now, low-end Macs usually came with 8GB of RAM by default. The more memory a computer has, the greater its ability to handle larger and more complex artificial intelligence models.
Apple’s MacBook Air laptops and iMac desktops have also been updated with at least 16GB of RAM and start at the same $999 as before. The M4 also features improved AI capabilities. Doubling the laptop’s RAM is the most significant change Apple has made to its computer lineup to better support Apple Intelligence.
The 2021 MacBook Pro redesign has been praised for its thicker design, which allows the computer to have multiple traditional ports, such as HDMI ports for connecting the computer to TV screens and projectors. The relaunch is part of a wave of 2021 Mac releases that reinvigorates the product line and coincides with Apple’s decision to move away from Intel Its independently developed M series chips.
Apple’s Mac line is critical to the company, although it contributes less to overall revenue than the iPhone or its wearables business, which includes the Apple Watch and AirPods. For example, all apps made for the iPhone are written on the Mac.
In the quarter ended in June, Apple reported Mac sales of $7 billion, up about 2% from the same period last year. Apple reported its latest quarterly results on Thursday.
Pricing starts at $1,599 for the 14-inch Mac and $2,499 for the 16-inch model. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch model with the more powerful M4 Pro chip. Apple says some models of the M4 MacBook Pro have up to 24 hours of battery life. The new MacBook Pro models also feature an upgraded 12-megapixel video conferencing camera.
The new laptop hits store shelves on November 8th.