Apple Upgrades MacBook Pro with New Chips and Enhanced Memory for AI

On Wednesday, Apple unveiled new MacBook Pro laptops featuring updated processors, marking what could be the company's last significant hardware announcement this year.

The latest devices come equipped with Apple's newest chip, the M4. Certain models provide access to more advanced versions known as the M4 Pro and M4 Max. Apple claims that these new chips are 1.8 times faster than the M1, which powered the 2021 MacBook Pro.

In addition to the chip upgrades, Apple has implemented a major change across its entire Mac lineup to better support future artificial intelligence capabilities.

The new models, similar to all devices released this year, are specifically designed for Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI system that can create text, images, and emojis.

All new MacBook Pro models now feature a minimum of 16GB of RAM. Previously, entry-level Macs often included just 8GB of RAM as their default. Increased memory allows computers to manage larger and more complex AI models effectively.

Furthermore, Apple's MacBook Air laptops and iMac desktops will also receive an update to start with at least 16GB of RAM while maintaining the same starting price of $999 for the entry-level models. The M4 chip introduces enhanced AI capabilities, and doubling the RAM in the laptops marks a significant shift in Apple’s strategy to bolster support for Apple Intelligence.

The redesign of the MacBook Pro in 2021 gained positive feedback for its thicker profile that allowed for several standard ports, including an HDMI port to connect the computer to TVs and projectors. This redesign was part of a series of Mac launches in 2021 that revived the product lineup after transitioning from Intel chips to Apple’s own M-series.

Although the Mac lineup contributes less revenue compared to the iPhone and wearables such as the Apple Watch and AirPods, it remains crucial for Apple. Notably, all iPhone apps are developed on a Mac, highlighting the importance of the Mac product line.

In the last financial quarter reported, Apple announced Mac sales of $7 billion, reflecting a 2% increase from the same period the previous year. The company is set to disclose results for its most recent quarter on Thursday.

The pricing for the new MacBook models has been set, with the 14-inch model starting at $1,599 and the 16-inch model starting at $2,499. For the 14-inch version equipped with the more powerful M4 Pro chip, the starting price is $1,999. According to Apple, certain models of the M4 MacBook Pro can deliver battery life of up to 24 hours. Additionally, these new models feature an enhanced 12-megapixel camera for video conferencing.

The new MacBook Pro laptops will be available in stores starting November 8.

Apple, MacBook, AI