Apple spring occasion: VR headset, Mac Professional, new HomePod, extra


Apple solely held one occasion within the second half of 2022: its iPhone 14 launch present. That meant a bunch of anticipated units, from Macs to a mixed-reality headset, by no means noticed the sunshine of day. However that might quickly change.

That’s as a result of rumors have been swirling that Apple is planning a product extravaganza this spring the place it is going to unveil a bunch of recent units to the world. If that’s true, what ought to we count on to see? Properly, you’re in the precise place to search out out, as we’ve collected all the most recent rumors right here. Questioning what’s subsequent on Apple’s 2023 calendar? Learn on to search out out.

Combined-reality headset

A render of Apple's VR headset.
Apple AR/VR headset render Ian Zelbo

After years of delays, the rumors surrounding Apple’s mixed-reality headset are gaining momentum. With the launch of the Meta Quest Professional and the announcement of the HTC Vive XR Elite, now looks like the precise time for Apple to step into the fray. And simply in time, it appears that evidently Apple is planning to disclose the secretive. long-awaited machine within the spring or probably simply earlier than its Worldwide Builders Convention in June.

The machine is predicted to return with a plethora of spectacular specs, together with high-resolution shows, hand- and eye-tracking capabilities, a big array of cameras, and a way more light-weight design than its rivals.

Given all that tech, a worth of round $2,000 to $3,000 has been steered. That will be costly, however not too shocking given the area of interest, demanding viewers the machine apparently targets.

14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional

An Apple MacBook Pro 14 sits open on a table.
Apple MacBook Professional 14 Mark Coppock/Digital Developments

Apple has a behavior of releasing new MacBooks Professional fashions within the fall, but it surely broke the cycle in 2022 and didn’t launch any Macs within the last quarter of the yr for the primary time since 2000. Meaning new variations of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional are overdue.

It will really feel unusual to see these units up to date within the spring, however it will not be with out precedent. Apple revamped the 13-inch MacBook Professional in Could 2020, for instance, however that was executed by way of a press launch. Launching new MacBook Execs at a spring occasion, although? That’s nearly extraordinary. Nonetheless, with these units due an improve and with rumors afoot, we will’t rule it out.

Both approach, we’re not anticipating large modifications to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional. They’ll get new chips — the M2 Professional and M2 Max — however don’t count on rather more. Issues like chassis design modifications and improved shows really feel are unlikely to materialize so quickly after the final redesign.

Apple silicon Mac Professional

Nearly each Mac has a minimum of one mannequin powered by an Apple silicon chip — besides the Mac Professional. We all know a brand new model is coming as a result of Apple admitted as a lot at its Peek Efficiency occasion in March 2021. With that present going down nearly a yr in the past, although, the Mac Professional’s improve have to be imminent.

Meaning it’s nearly a certainty for the rumored spring occasion. But after ready so lengthy, it may very well be a disappointing machine. In accordance with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has deserted its M2 Excessive chip that was made particularly for the Mac Professional, and can as a substitute use an M2 Extremely chip, that means the Mac Professional received’t be rather more highly effective than the Mac Studio. With no upgradable reminiscence and no new chassis design both, the Mac Professional might be a tough promote given its sky-high worth.

15-inch MacBook Air

The screen of the MacBook Air on a table.

Apple hasn’t strayed from the acquainted MacBook Air method of both 11-inch or 13-inch sizes. That might quickly change, although, as there are robust rumors that Apple has a bigger 15-inch mannequin within the works.

Extra particularly, the 15-inch MacBook Air will supposedly get a 15.5-inch show, in accordance with trade analyst Ross Younger. A lot of the different particulars are shrouded in thriller for now, however we’d count on the machine to be similar to the prevailing 13-inch MacBook Air in nearly each approach.

Meaning we must always count on the identical chassis design, the identical show (solely bigger), and the identical M2 chip. There’s an opportunity the 15-inch mannequin will get an M2 Professional chip, however that’s nonetheless up within the air (sorry). The rumors are pointing towards this coming later within the yr, however you by no means know — relying on what chip it makes use of, that might change.

M2 Mac mini

Apple Mac Mini M1 sitting on a desk.
Alex Blake/Digital Developments

Whereas the Mac Professional hasn’t switched to Apple silicon chips in any respect but, the Mac mini is in a form of midway state. It has Apple silicon fashions decked out with the M1 chip, for positive, however there’s nonetheless a model bearing a very outdated Intel processor. That simply feels bizarre.

Fortunately, there are robust rumors that Apple goes to place that proper on the spring occasion by updating the Mac mini to M2 and M2 Professional chips. Meaning the anachronistic Intel mannequin will lastly be ditched.

The rumors are a little bit unsure on what else we will count on. Whereas Gurman and Apple leaker Jon Prosser have claimed a brand new design is within the works, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated the chassis will stay the identical.

Apart from the M2 information, rumors about some other facet of the Mac mini have been few and much between. Which may counsel it’s going to be a small, iterative replace — so don’t be shocked if it will get new chips and never a lot else.

New 27-inch show

The Mac Studio and Studio Display at Apple's Peek Performance event.

When Apple launched the Mac Studio, it additionally revealed a companion monitor referred to as the Studio Show. Whereas it’s definitely spectacular, it’s lacking just a few options that will actually take it to the following degree. That might change on the spring occasion.

Younger believes Apple has a brand new monitor up its sleeve that can boast each mini-LED and ProMotion applied sciences. These options are absent in each the Studio Show and the rather more costly Professional Show XDR, and will make the brand new monitor an irresistible prospect for its audience.

HomePod 2

Apple Homepod
Greg Mombert/Digital Developments

The unique HomePod was a good piece of equipment, but it surely had one obtrusive drawback: it was too costly. Or somewhat, there was no cheaper possibility till the HomePod mini got here out two years later. Apple appeared to have given up on the bigger HomePod when it was discontinued in 2021, however rumors contend that it’s going to make a comeback on the rumored spring occasion.

In accordance with Kuo, the HomePod 2 will tackle an analogous kind issue to the primary mannequin. Gurman has chimed in too, saying we shouldn’t count on “something revolutionary.” Nonetheless, he believes the machine will get refreshed this yr, with a brand new contact panel, the S8 chip from the Apple Watch Sequence 8, and a cheaper price. That final level alone is likely to be sufficient to offer it a greater run than it had the primary time round.

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