Apple Launches New MacBook Air, iPad Pro and Mac Mini
Apple Launches New MacBook Air, iPad Pro and Mac Mini
Apple has unveiled a new MacBook Air, iPad Pro and updated Mac Mini. The tech giant unveiled a series of updates to these core product lines today, boosting its range of consumer laptops and tablets.
Written By
Updated on
October 31, 2018
Apple has unveiled a new MacBook Air, iPad Pro and updated Mac Mini. The tech giant unveiled a series of updates to these core product lines today, boosting its range of consumer laptops and tablets.
The new MacBook Air has a bezel-less retina display and runs Touch ID, a couple major updates people have been waiting for. Other highlights to note: It has 17% less volume than its predecessor and weighs in at just 2.75 lbs, with improved audio and video. The new MacBook Air starts at $1,199 and ships on November 7, 2018.
Apple’s launch event also showcased the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, starting at $799 and $999, respectively, and the new Mac Mini, starting at $799.
The Mac has 100 million active users worldwide, and 51% of those Mac buyers are new users to boot. Why’s it so popular? Here’s a look at everything you need to know about the latest hardware model.
New Apple MacBook Air revealed
Here are all the stats on the new MacBook Air:
4 million pixel resolution Retina screen
48% more color
Facetime camera remains at top of display
Supports Touch ID — the T2 chip also ensures safest booting process of any notebook
3rd-gen keyboard: The keys offer three times the stability over gen 2
Force Touch trackpad has 20% more surface area over previous trackpad
Three-mic array
Includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Up to 168Gb memory
13 hours battery life (iTunes playback)
Weight: 2.75 lbs
17% less volume than previous Air
Made from 100% recycled aluminium — another first, thanks to a custom alloy
It’ll ship bright and early on November 7, 2018. However, you can start ordering now.
How much will the New MacBook Air cost?
The base model (with 8GB RAM, a 1.6GHz Core 15, and a 128GB SSD) starts at $1,199, making it the most inexpensive MacBook Air available. That said, it’s certainly still a bundle, as any long-time Apple fan would expect.
What’s changed with the New MacBook Air?
The bezel-less retina display and support for Touch ID were the big features boasted at the launch event today. However, the announcements that received the biggest applause: The fact that the new MacBook Air comes with 17% less volume than the last Air and weighs less than it at 2.75 lbs. Make of that what you will.
Audio and video specs were strong, too, though nothing huge stood out.
Is the New MacBook Air waterproof?
Not really. Like previous MacBook Airs, it’s barely even water resistant. Of all your devices, I’d keep this one out of the rain.
How’s the New MacBook Air’s battery life?
Great! The all-day battery life comes with up to 13 hours of iTunes movie playback.
How big is the New MacBook Air screen?
The new Air has a 13.3-inch screen.
Does the New MacBook Air have a headphone jack?
Yes, it comes with 3.5mm headphone jack.
Should You Get the New MacBook Air?
If you enjoy MacBook Air but always wanted it to be more like the MacBook Pro, you should love the latest upgrade. Upgraded audio, video, Touch ID, and the retina display are all appealing new features. It essentially looks and functions like the MacBook Pro, but as an Air.
New Apple Mac Mini revealed
There’s a new space-grey Mac product available: The Mac Mini. It’s faster and more sustainable than ever. Here’s what to know.
Comes with 4 cores or 6 cores — up to five times faster than before
Memory: 32 or 64Gb, up from just 16Gb
Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
T2 security chip
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Starts at $799
Available: November 7, 2018
Made from 100% recycled aluminium
New Apple iPad Pro revealed
iPad Pros are smaller than ever, with larger screens than before. Let’s jump straight into the specs.
Liquid Retina display
Supports Apple Pencil
11 inch display, up from 10.5 inches
A quarter million more pixels than the last iPad Pro
12.9 inch iPad Pro is smaller than ever: 15% thinner, and 25% less volume than its predecessor
Face ID — more security than any tablet or computer, according to Apple
No Home button — users can swipe up, down, or along the bottom edge instead
A12X Bionic — Apple’s 7 nanometer tech powers the chip, which has over 10 billion transistors for an 8 core CPU: 35% faster than last year’s iPad Pros.
Graphics performance is twice as fast
USB-C ports: You can now charge your Phone from your Pro
Pencil snaps onto the top of the Pro, charging wirelessly
Just tapping on the Pencil lets you change modes
Four speaker audio
Photoshop is now available on iPad Pro, and works with Apple Pencil
Starts at $799
Available on November 7, 2018
To be a little more clear: The 11 inch and 12.9 inch models are both available with 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The 11 inch starts at $799, and the 12.9 inch starts at $999.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ5q8Wrkbdw
New Apple iPad Pro FAQs
Here are the questions (and answers) to know.
When is the New Apple iPad Pro available?
November 7, 2018, same as every other product launched today.
How much will the New Apple iPad Pro cost?
The 11 inch model starts at $799, while the 12.9 inch one starts at $999.
What’s changed with the New Apple iPad Pro?
USB-C ports, Face ID, A12X Bionic chip, and the lack of a Home button are all new. AR works far better on it, as well.
How’s the New Apple iPad Pro’s battery life?
It has all-day battery life, baby. Well, it lasts 10 hours, which is Apple’s definition of all day. Eh, it’s mostly there.
Does the New Apple iPad Pro have a headphone jack?
No, the new iPad Pro does not include a headphone jack of any sort.
How big is the New Apple iPad Pro screen?
An edge-to-5.9mm-edge screen is bigger than ever, in two sizes: 11 inches and 12.9 inches.
Did Lana Del Rey really sing something at the end of this launch event?
She sure did.
Should You Get the New Apple iPad Pro?
If you’re an iPad fan, it’s hard to complain about the new iPad Pro. It’s definitely not just an incremental upgrade. The update to gestures rather than a Home button is already a big shift, and the addition of USB-C ports and Face ID are also big. The A12X Bionic chip is worth upgrading for as well.
If you’re already an iPad user, you should be able to spring for the iPad Pro 11 inch at least, given that the price is a relatively low $150 more than the iPad Pro 10.5 inch, which is still available starting at $649. If you want to upgrade, this model represents a good opportunity.
Written By
Adam RoweFleet and Logistics Editor
Adam has written at Tech.co for ten years, currently as Fleet & Logistics Editor. He also worked at logistics newletter Inside Lane and was a Forbes Contributor on the publishing industry, for which he was named a Digital Book World 2018 award finalist. His work has appeared in publications including Popular Mechanics and IDG Connect, and his art history book on 1970s sci-fi, ‘Worlds Beyond Time,’ was a 2024 Locus Awards finalist. When not working on his next art collection (out September 2027), he’s tracking the latest news on dash cams, fuel cards, and the future of fleet.
