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Apple reportedly plans October launch of touchscreen MacBook and new iPad mini
Bloomberg reports M6 powered MacBook Pro and iMac models may join the launch as Apple expands its product portfolio
MUMBAI: Apple could be preparing to put a new spin on the laptop, with a touchscreen MacBook reportedly among the headline acts of a second October product launch. The anticipated line-up could also include a refreshed iPad mini and upgraded MacBook Pro and iMac models, giving the company a busy month across its computing and tablet businesses.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning a launch on or around 27 October, combining an online video presentation with an in-person event for the press. The report, citing people familiar with the plans, suggests that the company will introduce updated 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac models powered by its upcoming M6 chips alongside the other devices.
Apple has not confirmed the reported launch date or product line-up, so the announcements remain speculative.
The reported touchscreen MacBook would represent a significant change for Apple’s laptop range. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device could feature an OLED display and Dynamic Island, the interactive display area familiar from Apple’s iPhone line-up. Both 14-inch and 16-inch versions are reportedly under consideration.
If introduced, a touchscreen MacBook would give users another way to interact with macOS, potentially bringing touch-based controls to a product category that has traditionally relied on a keyboard, trackpad and mouse. The reported OLED display could also mark a shift in screen technology for the laptop line.
The new MacBook Pro and iMac models are expected to feature Apple’s M6 chips. The reported upgrades could appeal to creative professionals working in video production, photography and music, although Apple has yet to disclose specifications or performance figures for the anticipated devices.
The rumoured iPad mini refresh could bring changes beyond its processor. Reports cited by Mashable point to Apple’s A20 Pro chip, a landscape-oriented camera and an updated speaker system. A slightly larger OLED display is also being discussed.
These details remain unconfirmed, and it is not yet clear which of the reported features, if any, will make it into the final product. The smaller tablet’s anticipated refresh would nevertheless add another device to Apple’s reported autumn launch plans.
The reported late-October launch would follow a separate Apple event scheduled for 13 October, titled ‘Welcome home’. That presentation is expected to focus on the company’s smart home ambitions, including a hub with a built-in screen, an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV.
The rumoured smart home hub could feature an S11 chip, a FaceTime camera and dedicated software for controlling connected home devices. Its display is reportedly being designed to bring together information such as weather updates, calendar events and music controls, with additional Siri AI capabilities also under consideration.
The two reported events would give Apple an opportunity to showcase different parts of its product portfolio within the same month, from connected home devices to laptops and tablets.
The reported launches come under new chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook last month, according to the supplied report. The product introductions form part of a broader push to expand Apple’s presence in new markets and increase revenue from related services.
For now, the biggest question is whether Apple will bring touch to the MacBook, refresh its smaller tablet and introduce M6-powered computers in the reported October presentation. Until the company confirms its plans, the specifications, launch dates and availability of the anticipated devices remain unverified.
