Anticipated Highlights for Apple’s October Event: New iPad Mini and Mac Updates

Apple is largely expected to hold one more event this year in October to announce new Macs and iPads. If this event does take place, it will be the fourth Apple event to transpire in October over the past five years. Apple held a virtual event on October 30 last year to launch new MacBook Pro and iMac models using M3 chips.

The Upcoming Apple October Event

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also just suggested in his Power On newsletter that new iPads such as the long-rumored revamped iPad mini and the first Macs running on an M1 successor, often rumored to be dubbed M2 or even recently M4, could show up at an event slated for October. He mentioned, “There are also new iPads in the works, including an upgraded mini version. They’re on deck for Apple’s October event alongside the M4 Macs.” However, no official announcement has been made by Apple regarding the October event, keeping this speculation for now.

Among the new products expected are updated MacBook Pro models. Gurman forecasts that Apple will reveal refreshed 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips in the coming weeks. While no design changes have been rumored for this year’s laptops, significant enhancements, such as an OLED display and a thinner design, are not expected until 2026. The last redesign of the MacBook Pro models occurred in 2021, and the latest versions featuring M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips were introduced last October.

Furthermore, an iMac refresh is believed to also be on the way that integrates the M4 chip. Gurman says the iMac will also not see any design changes. The one thing still up in the air is whether this will be the year when we finally see the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad make the move from Lightning to USB-C.

Gurman writes that the MacBook Pro line will see M2 and M2 Pro chips, with the Mac mini receiving M4 and M4 Pro chips. He expects a redesign that will reduce the size of the Mac mini almost to that of an Apple TV, with five USB-C ports and the removal of USB-A ports, marking the Mac mini’s first significant redesign since 2010.

Lastly, an updated seventh-generation iPad mini is expected to be unveiled, with rumored features including a faster chip, improved front and rear cameras, and new color options. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously noted that the new iPad mini would enter mass production in the latter half of 2024, corroborating expectations from multiple credible sources. Gurman also mentioned the potential announcement of “new, lower-end iPads,” suggesting an iPad 11 could debut at the event, although its display shipments are expected to start in October, hinting at a later release.

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