It seems that Apple Intelligence is driving the latest wave of Apple hardware upgrades, and this week saw a new iMac and Mac mini<!–> revealed. These join the new iPad Mini–>, the iPhone 16<!–> and iPhone 16 Pro–> lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10<!–>, and new AirPods 4–> — so much to drool over — not to mention buy!
Also: How Apple Watch helped me hit a hole-in-one on the golf course
Apple Intelligence — technology that leverages the processing power of Apple silicon to understand and generate language, providing personalized assistance and insights — is the perfect tool for Apple to use to showcase the power of its hardware.
However, in an interesting turn of events, rather than updating the Apple Watch Ultra 2<!–> and the AirPods Pro–>, Apple has given this hardware a new lease on life by adding new features such as sleep apnea detection for the Ultra 2 and a clinical hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro.
Also: Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones won’t)
That leaves some spare money to buy one of those titanium Milanese bands<!–> for your Apple Watch Ultra 2.
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The ‘Naughty’ list
Give these devices a hard pass:
14-/16-inch MacBook Pro: Coming up on a year old now, so there’s likely an upgrade on the way soon.
iPhone SE: Apple released this handset in March 2022, and rumor has it that there won’t be another one. Other rumors say it should have been this year, while others say it should be sometime in 2025. We’ll see.
Mac Studio: The M2-powered Mac Studio is no longer the beast it was, and given that it’s over a year old and running on previous-generation silicon, I suggest giving it a miss.
Apple TV: Last updated in October 2022, this device is due for a refresh, possibly alongside the iPhone, so unless you desperately need a new one, wait a few months.
The ‘Nice’ list
Apple iMac
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Apple
The iMac<!–> gets a refresh to bring it up to speed with Apple Intelligence. With specs ranging from 8 CPU and GPU cores, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage priced at $1,299, all the way up to 10 CPU and GPU cores, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s a iMac to suit most workloads and budgets.
Apple Mac Mini
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Apple Mac Mini
Apple
Apple smallest Mac gets an upgrade to the M4 and M4 Pro processors. And it’s also the cheapest Mac you can buy, as a Mac Mini–> with the 10-Core CPU and GPU model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costing only $599.
replaces the three-year-old model with one powered by an A17 Pro chip that’s Apple Intelligence ready, and comes in a range of colors (blue, purple, starlight, and space grey) and storage capacities (128GB, 256GB, and 512GB) to suit everyone. Prices range from $499 to $799.
Apple’s MacBook Air has an M3 chip — more oomph to tackle heavier-duty AI tasks.
Review: M3 MacBook Air: Apple’s AI computer for the masses has arrived
Along with the updated processor, this MacBook Air can also power two external monitors with the lid closed, making it a great desktop replacement — just add two screens!
With prices for the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air starting at $1,099<!–>, and the 15-inch version starting at $200 more–>, these systems represent some serious processing power for an extremely competitive price (especially when you consider these are Apple laptops).
Active Noise Cancellation reduces unwanted background noise.
Adaptive Transparency lets outside sounds in while reducing loud environmental noise.
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places the sound all around you.
Multiple ear tips are included (XS, S, M, L).
Touch control lets you swipe to adjust volume, press to direct media playback, answer or end calls, and press and hold to switch between listening modes.
Sweat- and water-resistant for AirPods Pro and charging case.
MagSafe Charging Case has a speaker and a lanyard loop.
USB-C charging.
Also: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) review: Two major upgrades, tamed by one familiar flaw
And now with the release of iOS 18.1, your AirPods Pro earbuds can function as clinical-grade hearing aids, bringing better hearing to tens of millions of people, and disrupting the lucrative hearing aids market.
