Current MacBook Pro release date: Apple's ambitious plans

October 27 update with details on the full range of Mac updates.

While Apple's iPhone is expected to be updated annually, with the update occurring on the second Tuesday of September, there is less certainty when it comes to updates for Apple's MacBook Pro laptops. It's widely accepted that mid-to-late October is the traditional launch window for new MacBooks. Still, Apple has been happy to release macOS hardware all year long – the global developer conference in May and the mid-cycle iPhone update in March are other popular dates on the calendar.

Nevertheless, the Apple community has considered October 2024 as the time to launch the next generation of MacBook laptops. Apple's Apple SVP Geg Joswiak announced a number of new products in the week starting October 28th, including both the macOS hardware and an update to macOS itself.

This lines up with industry reports that the new MacBook Pro laptops will be announced this Monday alongside an update to macOS for both the new and existing Mac hardware.

MacBook Pro

Apple is expected to offer at least five different MacBook options. Aside from the different levels of memory and storage available, there are likely to be 14-inch and 16-inch models running both the M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets. These are the professional MacBook Pro laptops that are available for sale.

The fifth model is the consumer-oriented version. This should also ship in a 14-inch design, but comes with the vanilla M4 chipset. Although it will be the entry-level MacBook Pro, many consider this a false economy. In previous years, the vanilla MacBook Pro was a performance-enhanced MacBook Air with active cooling to lower the operating temperature of the M4 chipset and make it run faster.

Honestly, if you need the extra power, go for the full-featured (and more expensive) M4 Pro and M4 Max models. And if you need good value, wait for either the M4 MacBook Air (expected to be released in… March 2025) or consider the current M3 MacBook Air.

macOS Sequoia 15.1

Apple released macOS 15 to the public in September, offering the Sequoia suffix for the public to use in place of the version number. But the upcoming Point update brings it to macOS 15.1, not macOS Sequoia.One. I leave this decision to the branding department.

Two important quality of life features are being added to macOS. Drag-and-drop support is added to the iPhone mirroring app, allowing easy file sharing between a Mac and an iPhone (assuming both are running the latest version of each operating system).

The second is the ability to quickly activate power saving mode. Although the option has been around for several years, it is not easily accessible or hidden as it lies in the system settings. That's about to change and it's just two clicks away.

It's also worth noting that Apple is backporting macOS Sequoia to run on Intel-based Macs, but the number of features available only to those using Macs with Apple Silicon is increasing. Given that many of these machines are almost five years old, the transition from active functional support to maintenance support is justified.

Apple is also expected to update iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, HomePod Software and visionOS.

Apple Intelligence

The most significant addition to macOS Sequoia is Apple Intelligence. The use of generative artificial intelligence in consumer hardware has exploded in the last eighteen months, with smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops all equipped with software to help compose, edit and improve many areas of creative life. It's an area where Apple hasn't made a public offering yet.

The launch of the iPhone 16 family leaned heavily on the awkward Apple Intelligence backronym, even if the iOS software wasn't yet ready for the public. The same goes for macOS, although the gap will be far smaller – as macOS Sequoia 15.1 will be available to the public on existing hardware sometime next week, and undoubtedly the new MacBook Pro laptops will start shipping to those who get their hands on them first units to go on sale.

As with Apple Intelligence for iOS, this week's release is a subset of the software suite. The ChatGPT integration is expected to be released in macOS Sequoia in December, while the first-generation suite will be fully featured in March 2025.

Beyond the MacBook Pro

Apple unveils additional Mac hardware at event; The iMac and Mac Mini are expected to receive M4-based updates. The corresponding desktop accessories also receive design changes: Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard are switched to USB-C.

Update: Sunday October 27th:

In addition to the highly anticipated MacBook Pro laptops, Apple will bring updates to the desktop with new versions of the iMac and MacMini.

Mark Gurman writes for Bloomberg's Power On newsletter and reports on Apple's silicon choices for new hardware. The iMac retains its place as a consumer-focused desktop Mac. It comes with the entry-level M4 chipset and should offer similar, if not slightly higher, performance to the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro given the additional cooling a desktop can provide.

The Mac Mini will have two processors to choose from. In the first case, it will compete with the iMac with the same M4 chipset, while those who need more performance – more workstation than homestation – can look forward to a version with the M4 Pro chipset.

While the M4 chipset has been included in the iPad Pro since May, the hardware unveiled at this week's event will be the first moment for the macOS community to see the M4 family in the hardware many believe should have debuted should.

A renewed MacBook Pro Focus

Following the launch of Apple Silicon and the subsequent transition from x86 to ARM, the Mac platform received a lot of attention from Apple's PR team, resulting in big moments over the past four years. With the release of the 15-inch MacBook Air in June 2023, the portfolio was completely renewed and attention could be directed to other areas.

Still, this round of MacBook updates will receive more attention as Apple looks to establish itself as a player in the generative AI space. I expect the presentation will focus heavily on AI capabilities, even though the full power of Apple Intelligence won't be available to the public for another six months.

Read the latest MacBook Pro, iPhone and iPad headlines now in Forbes' weekly Apple Loop News Digest…