NEW CHIPS AT THE DOUBLE IN APPLE’S LATEST LAUNCH
It’s only been a few weeks since we were invited to Apple’s Cupertino campus for the unveiling of the new iPhones… virtually of course.
But this week we were back with CEO Tim Cook and another bewildering array of sidekicks for another online product launch. This time they were served with chips – new Apple-designed silicon chips.
Two new processors were revealed, which come a year into Apple’s transition from using chips made by Intel, to ones it makes itself. The M1 Pro and M1 Max build on the incredible performance of the original M1 chip from last year.
The first computers Apple is releasing with these new processors are a pair of redesigned MacBook Pro laptops. The new MacBook Pro comes in two sizes – 14in and 16in – and features ‘the best Apple has ever shipped’ in almost every department.
Major changes include the return of a variety of ports – you now get HDMI and a SD card slot, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. The charging cable also returns to being magnetically attached.
The new machines look like absolute beasts performance-wise, and if last year’s M1 chips are anything to go by, we can expect all of Apple’s promises for these new machines to be fulfilled and more.
The new MacBooks start at £1,899. Available from October 26.
Apple had a few other surprises up its sleeve. Chief among them was the reveal of the third generation of AirPods – the new versions will feature ‘spatial audio’ capabilities, which mimic surround sound, adaptive EQ, which tunes the sound to the shape of your ears, and, finally, longer battery life.
The new AirPods will cost £169 – you can order them now for delivery on October 26.
There are new colours for the HomePod Mini, too, adding yellow, blue and orange next month to the charcoal and white already available. There’s a nice price drop from £99 to £89 each. Finally, there’s a new £4.99-amonth subscription level for Apple Music, which allows for voice control only.
Find out more at apple.com