Apple’s latest reveal has the tech world abuzz. On Monday, Apple unveiled its brand new MacBook Pro, iMac computers, and a trio of chips to power them. Designed to challenge the current market dominator Nvidia, Apple’s newly redesigned graphics processing units (GPU) are all set to create waves. “This online event was heavily geared towards professional users, highlighting the brand’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art performance,” said a tech analyst.
For tech enthusiasts in the UAE, there’s good news. The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, as well as the new iMac desktop equipped with the M3 family of chips, are up for pre-order. Tech aficionados can get their hands on them starting November 7. As for the price tag, the 14-inch laptops start from Dh6,899, shooting up to Dh13,539, with the final cost determined by storage, chip, and other specifications. The more expansive 16-inch versions have a price range of Dh10,499 to Dh16,799. Those interested in the new iMac will find its starting price at Dh5,499, capping at Dh7,179. For those wanting a financial plan, the Apple website indicates that monthly installment options are available.
Interestingly, Apple’s reshuffling appears to have removed the 13-inch model of its MacBook Pro from its lineup.
Apple’s Mac Renaissance
Apple’s Mac segment has seen significant growth in recent years. “Since 2020, after bidding farewell to Intel and adopting their custom-designed chips, Apple has nearly doubled its market share to almost 11%”, reports preliminary data from IDC.
Monday’s event was not just about product introductions but also underlined Apple’s deep focus on business users. One of the standout features presented was a new secure screen sharing feature, which will allow users to access their machines remotely.
These custom chips, developed using design technology from Arm Holdings, have not only enhanced battery life for the Macs but in certain tasks, have shown superior performance compared to machines powered by Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Apple’s integrated approach, combining both CPU and GPU in its Apple silicon chips, reportedly offers better performance compared to competitors.
This new direction from Apple has led rivals to step up their game. Qualcomm has announced intentions to launch an Arm-based chip for Windows, aiming to be both faster and more energy-efficient than some of Apple’s products. Nvidia too is reportedly gearing up to enter the PC market by 2025.