Apple announced new Macs that can be purchased with either M2 Pro or M2 Max chips, the most powerful Apple processors for MacBooks and the Mac mini to date. This is a significant upgrade for the Mac Mini and MacBook Pro laptops, which will now be able to handle more powerful applications and run more efficiently. The new Macs come as Apple’s chief financial officer, Luca Maestri, warned in October that the company’s Mac sales would decline in the December quarter on an annual basis. However, with the launch of these new Macs, Apple hopes to boost its sales and appeal to a wider range of customers.
The company unveiled refreshes to its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, both of which can now be configured with the latest processors. Apple also announced an update to its Mac mini computer with support for the M2 or M2 Pro chips. This means that Apple no longer sells an Intel version of the Mac mini, making the Mac Pro the last computer that can be configured with an Intel processor.
The updated Macs are launching into an uncertain economic environment for the consumer, as customers may feel the pinch from inflation or spend more cautiously against fears of a potential recession. However, despite the uncertainty, Apple is optimistic that these new Macs will be well-received by customers and will help boost the company’s sales.
The Mac mini starts at $599 with an M2 chip, which is $100 less than the prior version, or $1,299 with the M2 Pro. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro model will cost at least $2,499. All of the new Macs will be available beginning January 24th, although customers can order the computers beginning Tuesday.
Apple is set to report earnings later this month. In January 2022, it reported December quarter Mac revenue of $10.85 billion, up 25% year over year. With the launch of these new Macs, Apple hopes to continue its growth in Mac revenue and solidify its position as a leader in the computer industry.
