Apple unveiled three brand new Mac devices at its “One more thing” event, including a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13″ and Mac mini.
Apple has, as expected, introduced three new Mac devices. They all have one thing in common - at the heart of it is the brand new Apple M1 chip. The M1 is by far the most powerful chip Apple has ever made - it transforms the Mac experience. With its industry-leading performance per watt, the M1 together with macOS Big Sur offers up to 3.5x faster CPU, up to 6x faster GPU, up to 15x faster ML (machine learning) features and up to 2x longer battery life than before. With M1 and Big Sur, users also get access to the largest collection of applications ever for Mac.
Apple M1: “overwhelming performance, exceptional battery life”
With amazing performance and remarkable new features, the new line of M1 Macs offers incredible value for money. explained Apple boss Tim Cook:
The launch of three new Macs featuring Apple's groundbreaking M1 chip represents a bold shift that's been years in the making and marks a truly historic day for the Mac and for Apple. M1 is by far the most powerful chip we've ever designed, and combined with Big Sur, it delivers mind-blowing performance, exceptional battery life, and access to more software and applications than ever before. We can't wait for our customers to experience this new generation of Macs, and we have no doubt it will help them continue to change the world.
“One more thing”: The new MacBook Air
According to Apple, the MacBook Air is the most popular Mac. This is why the small notebook was introduced first. With the M1 chip, the MacBook Air accelerates everything the user does. Whether it's image editing or uploading videos. The powerful 8-core CPU is up to 3.5x faster than the previous generation. With up to an 8-core graphics processor, the graphics are up to 5x faster, the biggest leap the MacBook Air has ever made. The device can be purchased in three colors, including silver, gold or space gray. The price of the MacBook Air starts at 1,100.50 euros - depending on the equipment, it can cost up to 2,260.50 euros. The M1 is available with seven or optionally eight cores. The RAM can be 8 or 16 GB and the SSD storage space is available in 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB. Apple has provided a comparison for a better understanding:
Compared to the previous generation, the MacBook Air with the M1 can:
- Export a project for the web up to 3x faster with iMovie.
- Integrate 3D effects into videos in Final Cut Pro up to 5x faster.
- For the first time, Final Cut Pro lets you play and edit multiple streams of full-quality 4K ProRes video without dropping a frame.
- Export photos from Lightroom twice as fast.
- Use ML-based features like Smart Conform in Final Cut Pro to intelligently frame a clip up to 4.3x faster.
- Watch more movies and TV shows with up to 18 hours of battery life, the longest ever on a MacBook Air.
- Extend FaceTime and other video calls up to twice as long on a single battery charge.
“One more thing”: The new MacBook Pro 13″
In addition to the Air model, the 13" MacBook Pro has also been updated. With the M1 chip and Big Sur, the 13" MacBook Pro is even more powerful and even more professional. The 8-core CPU, combined with the MacBook Pro's active cooling system, is up to 2.8x faster than the previous generation and delivers game-changing performance when compiling code, transcoding video, editing high-resolution photos, and more. The 8-core graphics processor is up to 5x faster, so users can enjoy super-smooth graphics performance whether they're designing a graphics-intensive game or a new product. The device starts at 1,412.45 euros. Depending on the features, it can cost up to 2,533.45 euros. Apple has also provided a comparison for this model.
Compared to the previous generation, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 can:
- Create code in Xcode up to 2.8x faster.
- Render a complex 3D title in Final Cut Pro up to 5.9x faster.
- Smoothly design complex game scenes in Unity Editor up to 3.5x faster.
- Run ML tasks up to 11x faster in Create ML.
- Separating beats, instrumental and vocal tracks from a recording in real time in djay Pro AI, thanks to the amazing power of the Neural Engine.
- Play back full-quality 8K ProRes video in DaVinci Resolve without dropping a single frame.
- Compile four times as much code on a single charge thanks to the game-changing performance per watt of the M1 chip.
“One more thing”: The new Mac mini
In addition to the MacBook Air and Pro models, a new Mac mini with M1 processor was also introduced. Apple advertises the device as follows:
Mac mini is Apple's most versatile computer - now with M1, it delivers amazing performance and incredible new features in such a compact design.
The device is available for purchase starting at 778.85 euros. Depending on the features, the new Mac mini can cost up to 1,899.85 euros. Apple has also provided a comparison for this model.
Compared to the previous generation, the M1-powered Mac mini can:
- Compile code in Xcode up to 3x faster.
- Play a graphics-intensive game like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at up to 4x higher frame rates.
- Render a complex timeline in Final Cut Pro up to 6x faster.
- Take music production to the next level by using up to 3x as many real-time plug-ins in Logic Pro.
- Magically increase the resolution of a photo up to 15x faster in Pixelmator Pro.
- Use ML frameworks like TensorFlow or Create ML, which are now accelerated by the M1 chip.
All three Mac devices can now be pre-ordered from Apple's online shop. Delivery of the new products will begin next week, on November 17th. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – available now. (Image: Apple)
