Apple Gears Up for New Macs and iPads: What to Expect This Month

Exciting news, Apple fans! After the launch of the iPhone 16, new Apple Watches, and AirPods 4 last month, Apple is now turning its attention to Macs and iPads with updates expected later this month. Whether we’ll see a flashy event or a series of quiet press releases, one thing is certain—new Apple devices are on the way, and there’s plenty to look forward to!

Apple Intelligence May Finally Arrive

One of the most anticipated announcements is the launch of Apple Intelligence. If you’ve been following along since WWDC 2024, you know that Apple has been teasing a suite of powerful AI tools designed to make our lives easier. The first round of features is expected to drop in October, with tools like:

• Writing Tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing.
• A redesigned Siri.
• New Photos app features like Clean Up, which works similarly to Google’s Magic Eraser.
• Live transcriptions of phone calls and voice memos.

We’ll also see some additional features later this year, including ChatGPT integrations, Genmoji custom emojis, and Visual Intelligence for image searching.

These features will be available on devices running M1 chips or newer, so get ready to see them roll out on iPhones, iPads, and Macs soon!

MacBook Pros with New M4 Chips

It’s time for a chip upgrade! Last year, Apple focused heavily on the MacBook Pro line in its October event, and we’re expecting a repeat this year. The 14-inch and 16-inch models, as well as the entry-level 14-inch Pro, will likely get a jump to the M4 chip. While we haven’t heard much about major design changes, new chips are always welcome—especially if you’re keeping an eye on closeout sales for the soon-to-be last-gen models!

A Redesigned Mac Mini (Yes, Even Smaller!)

The Mac Mini is due for a refresh, and the rumors are pointing toward a significant redesign. The new model might be even smaller, possibly resembling the size of an Apple TV box. Not only that, but it’s expected to include M4 and M4 Pro chips. However, there’s a downside for those who love lots of ports—the new Mac Mini could ditch its USB-A ports, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

Still, if you’re looking for a powerhouse in a compact package, the Mac Mini has always been a great value. We’re excited to see what an M4 Pro Mac Mini can do, even if it means we’ll need to embrace fewer ports.

iMac Gets a New Chip and Potential USB-C Accessories

The iMac has been cruising along ever since its colorful redesign in 2021. While we don’t expect a huge overhaul this time around, it’s likely that Apple will bump it up to an M4 chip. However, the real excitement might come from some of Apple’s beloved accessories—rumors are swirling about USB-C versions of the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard. It’s about time Apple’s accessories said goodbye to Lightning ports!

I’m personally still holding out for a 32-inch iMac or the return of the iMac Pro, but until then, any update is a good one.

iPad Mini Finally Gets Some Love

The iPad Mini has been sitting quietly on the sidelines since 2021, and it’s about time it gets an upgrade. The current model still runs on the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 era, so we’re hoping for a jump to an M-series chip—whether it’s the M4 or even the M2 remains to be seen. Either way, a refreshed iPad Mini would be a welcome upgrade for those who love its compact size (and it’s a favorite among pilots!).

There’s also some talk of an OLED upgrade coming to the iPad Mini in 2026, but for now, we’re just excited to see a new model soon.

Could We See a New 11th-Gen iPad?

Apple might also be cooking up an updated 10.9-inch iPad, although it’s unclear if that will arrive this month or early next year. The 10th-gen iPad launched at $449 but has since seen a price drop to $349. An 11th-gen model might not look too different, but it could give Apple a chance to clean up its accessories lineup and maybe even offer a more streamlined experience.

What Else Might Pop Up?

With the M4 chip already debuting in the latest iPad Pros, we’re hoping to see more Macs make the jump soon. But what about Mac Studio and Mac Pro updates? Both models are still running on M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, and while they’re due for an upgrade, there hasn’t been much buzz about it just yet. Apple has a history of spacing out its major announcements, so we might not see these updates until later.

Final Thoughts

October is shaping up to be an exciting month for Apple fans, with new Macs and iPads on the horizon, along with the much-anticipated launch of Apple Intelligence. Whether you’re eyeing a new MacBook Pro, dreaming of a redesigned Mac Mini, or waiting for the tiniest iPad Mini to get its upgrade, there’s plenty to look forward to.