How to Stream an Apple One More Thing Event Today
How long has it been since Apple used this magic phrase from the Jobs era in one of its press events? Not since 2017, with the not so unexpected announcement of the iPhone X. Apple’s press today is no different: this is the “secret” announcement for new laptops that has been awaited since Apple announced in June that it would port its ARM-based MacBooks based on a custom silicon.
This is what we’ll see today starting at 10am PST, because what else could Apple announce today besides that? Spoiler alert: Apple isn’t going to flaunt the AirPower mat that pundits still love to remember from time to time.
We don’t know the full line of laptops that Apple will unveil today, but we can make a pretty confident guess. Expect to see an ARM MacBook Air and an ARM MacBook Pro as the base “MacBook” no longer really exists. And Apple is likely to fit the ARM chip into all of its various MacBook form factors, which means you’ll see an ARM alternative for both Apple’s 13- and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
It remains to be seen if all three laptops will be announced today or even have an official release date announced (instead of “coming soon”). It all depends on how well Apple has been able to create something that beats its current offering – or whatever other Intel-based MacBooks it plans to announce today, which seems unlikely.
I don’t see a world in which Apple showcases an ARM-based laptop that’s slower than the very best Intel-based MacBooks it sells now (or will announce soon). It’s not in Apple’s nature to brag about a silver medal, especially when it’s the first company to push ARM laptops towards performance and portability.
One thing we don’t know is how much the price / performance ratio of the Apple ARM-based MacBook will stack up against the Intel MacBook; also what happens to them when Apple ARM debuts. If Apple’s processors are dramatically slowing the performance of their current-generation MacBooks, and Apple could lower their price, I think Apple would be interested in keeping its Intel-based MacBooks just to provide customers with a smoother transition over the next two. years. (And, of course, to honor all of Apple’s contracts with Intel.)
As for how that will affect the situation, when it comes time for Apple to upgrade its Intel MacBooks with chips that rival (but probably don’t beat) its ARM-based MacBooks, we’ll see. After all, a MacBook is a MacBook. All roads (and dollars) lead to Cupertino, but I do not foresee a press conference in the future where Apple will highlight the superiority of any Intel chip over its own silicon, even if an Intel chip turns out to be the right one .
So don’t expect Apple to close its Intel-based MacBooks in the Apple store starting tomorrow. For a while, you’ll see ARM and Intel-based MacBooks compete directly with each other, which presents a curious buying dilemma: Is it worth the investment for a potentially faster ARM-based MacBook with (probably) better battery life or more? low cost, but potential application compatibility issues up front? Or should you opt for the slower Intel-based MacBook that Apple probably won’t like before the laptop itself falls into disuse?
We’ll be back tomorrow with some buying tips. However, according to the rumors, I would definitely not take my eyes off the Apple MacBook with ARM if I wanted to update it anytime soon. I don’t foresee app compatibility becoming such a big issue unless you really want a full Windows 10 experience on your ARM MacBook. Otherwise, I can’t imagine Apple’s new MacBooks being anything but the very best MacBooks you can buy – and pretty soon, the only MacBooks you can buy.