Apple Scary Fast Mac launch event: the 4 biggest announcements

Apple’s highly anticipated ‘Scary Fast’ launch event occurred on Monday. It was a virtual affair; hence, there was no in-person attendance. This event, timed intriguingly in the evening just before Halloween, generated significant curiosity. The 30-minute Halloween-themed presentation was just like any typical pre-recorded Apple event, with one interesting exception: it was shot using the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

During this event, Apple revealed its latest M3 chip family, introduced new MacBook Pro models (14 and 16-inch) powered by M3 chips, and unveiled 24-inch iMacs also featuring the M3 chip. For those eager to learn about the new products, here’s a summary of the key announcements from the event.

Apple’s “Scary Fast” Mac launch event unveiled several key announcements:

More Powerful M3 Chips: Apple introduced a new lineup of M3 chips, which are the “first personal computer chips” made using an efficient 3-nanometer process. These chips offer a faster and more efficient CPU, an updated GPU with features like ray tracing, and up to 128GB of unified memory.

Refreshed 24-inch iMac with M3 Chip: The 24-inch iMac received an upgrade with an M3 chip, delivering twice the performance of its M1-equipped predecessor. It includes a 4.5K Retina display, support for Wi-Fi 6E, and a 1080p webcam. The iMac is available in seven vibrant colors and costs $1,299 or $1,499, with preorders starting immediately and availability starting on November 7th.

14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M3 Chips: Apple introduced new MacBook Pro models with either M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. These laptops feature Mini LED displays, improved cameras, a six-speaker sound system, extended battery life (up to 22 hours), and a maximum of 128GB of RAM. They come in space black and silver finishes and start at $1,999 and $2,499, respectively, with preorders open and availability beginning on November 7th.

Entry-Level MacBook Pro without Touch Bar: Alongside the high-end MacBook Pro models, Apple released a more affordable 14-inch MacBook Pro with a base M3 chip, priced at $1,599. It replaces the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip and offers up to 60 percent faster performance. The Touch Bar has been discontinued, and this entry-level model has 8GB of RAM and comes in silver and space gray options. Preorders are available now, with an official launch date of November 7th.

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