In a Los Angeles showcase, Apple unveiled the new Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro machines powered by the M4 chips with Apple Intelligence AI. These updated devices offer various improvements, such as Thunderbolt 5 ports on the MacBook Pro and a smaller size on the Mac Mini. However, the biggest advancement is the introduction of the Apple-designed M4 chips, which enhance AI features, capabilities, and gaming performance. Demos showcased audio creation, video editing, and gaming, impressing attendees, although comprehensive reviews are still pending.
The M4 iMac lineup boasts a range of delightful colors, including blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, and silver, each with a two-tone design. The new iMacs feature Thunderbolt 4 ports, a sharper 12-megapixel camera supporting Center Stage, and an optional nano-texture display to reduce glare. The Desktop Viewer feature, while seemingly gimmicky, could have practical applications for content creators. The thin design and enhanced features make the M4 iMac a visually appealing and powerful choice for users.
The Mac Mini also received a significant upgrade with the M4 chips, making it both visually delightful and powerful. The compact size of the new Mac Mini allows for portability, with additional USB-C type 3 ports on the front and three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back. Despite the unusual placement of the power button on the bottom, the new Mini offers convenience and usability. Demos showcased AI capabilities in audio editing, demonstrating the device’s potential for creative applications.
The MacBook Pro lineup, powered by M4 chips, offers improved performance and AI capabilities. While the design remained largely unchanged from the previous models, the laptops now feature three Thunderbolt 5 ports. Demonstrations showcased Siri AI performing tasks, collaboration with ChatGPT for advanced search queries, and AI-generated cartoon conversion of photos. The M4 chips impressed with their ability to support gaming, showcasing the new MacBook Pro’s capabilities in playing graphics-intensive games like Control.
Overall, the Los Angeles demo session provided a glimpse into Apple’s new lineup of computers, highlighting their visual appeal, modest upgrades, and performance enhancements. While the new M4 chips promise AI capabilities and improved gaming performance, the practicality and necessity of these features will become clearer as software companies integrate the next-generation tech. Future reviews will provide a more comprehensive evaluation of how Apple’s M4 Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro models compare to previous versions and competitors like Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot Plus PCs.
