Spring Applepalooza

Apple rolled out refreshed iPhone SE and iPad Air models today, as expected, and also bowed a couple of new products which had been rumored…that will fit nicely into their Mac line. As for the third gen iPhone SE, the form factor is the same, and still one cam and just touch ID…but the diminutive iPhone gets the A15 Bionic Chip, 5G connectivity, and 12MP cams and the better cam software. It will run $429…cheap (for an Apple product!) You can preorder starting on March 11th, and they will be available March 18th.

As for the freshened iPad Air (Ok, sorry about that, ha, ha), it gets the M1 Apple silicon, 5G connectivity in the models with cellular, and new colors. As with the iPhone SE, it also has a 12MP ultra wide front camera and supports Apple Center Stage. You can use the 2nd gen Apple Pencil with it, too. The base model is $599, and as with the SE, preorders start this Friday, with availability in store and delivery March 18th. 

A pro level Mac with a less eye-watering price has been rumored, and it was unveiled today. It’s the Mac Studio. The Studio will have the M1 chip for a base, with a brand new M1 Ultra in the top line version. The Studio looks like a larger Mac Mini, and can sit on a desktop. It is about the same footprint as the Mini, but twice as tall. This is designed for music, movie, graphics, and software creators. It is a la carte…you pick what keyboard, trackpad, and monitor(s) you need. It will support up to four Pro Display XDR monitors. The base model with the M1 Max chip starts at $1999. WIth the blazing fast and powerful new M1 Ultra chip, you’ll drop $3999. You can order for first availability March 18th. 

Up to now, the only Apple branded display has run about $5 grand, and has mainly been positioned with the Mac Pro. Today, they showed off the Apple Studio Display, a new monitor intended for use with the Mac Studio above, but also with other Macs. It’s a 27 inch screen with 5K, 6 speakers that will support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and a 12MP camera that supports Center Stage. It has a built in A13 Bionic processor, too. The new display will run $1599. You can order it right now, and it will be out March 18th.