Apple’s October product announcements may extend beyond its latest smart home devices which debuted earlier this week. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is inviting members of the media to an all-day product experience in Los Angeles on October 28th, following a reported announcement round on October 27th.
The expected products include Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro, an OLED iPad Mini and new Macs powered by the M6 chip. Apple has yet to confirm the lineup or announce a launch event, and the products could be unveiled through press releases before media members get hands-on time.
Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro
The touchscreen MacBook Pro is the most significant product among the reported launches. Apple has traditionally kept touch input on the iPad, arguing that macOS is designed around a keyboard, trackpad and mouse. The new MacBook Pro is also expected to move from the current Mini-LED display to OLED. This could bring deeper blacks, stronger contrast and improved HDR performance. The laptop is tipped to feature a slimmer, lighter design, although details about its final specifications remain unconfirmed.
Premium Windows laptops from Dell, HP and ASUS already combine OLED panels with touchscreen support. Apple would therefore be catching up with an existing feature in the Windows market, while bringing its own macOS experience to it. The change could also make the MacBook Pro more expensive. Apple’s previous transitions to OLED on the iPhone and iPad Pro came with higher prices, although it remains unclear how much the new MacBook Pro might cost. Apple’s current 16-inch MacBook Pro models start at Rs 3,59,900 in India after a massive hike a few weeks ago, making pricing an important consideration.
M6 Macs and OLED iPad mini also expected
Apple is reportedly preparing an M6-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro and a new iMac. The company could also introduce an OLED iPad mini, which would bring the display technology to a smaller tablet in its lineup. The new Macs are expected to be announced in October but reach customers in November. Pre-orders could begin shortly after the announcement, with November 6th reportedly a possible launch date. These dates remain unconfirmed.
Anyone considering a MacBook Pro upgrade should weigh the expected display and design changes against the performance and battery life already available in current models. The touchscreen version could be worth waiting for if touch input and OLED are priorities, but buyers who need a laptop now shouldn’t assume the new features will justify the much higher price.
