New iPad Pro, MacBook Air and Mac Mini: everything you need to know
Apple has made sweeping updates to its main tablets and computing devices, with a focus on better performance and bigger displays.
The company’s iPad Pro tablet, MacBook Air notebook and Mac Mini desktop computer have all been upgraded with Apple’s latest technology, as it fends off competition from the likes of Microsoft Surface and Android tablet makers.
iPad Pro
Apple’s largest tablet has just got even larger, trimming off more of the bezel border in favour of more display room, which now come in at 11-inches or 12.9-inches.
The shrinking goes even further in terms of thickness and weight, coming in at 15% thinner and 25% less volume than its predecessor.
As with much of Apple’s products now, the physical home button has been scrapped and Face ID has been implemented, meaning users can use their face as a password to gain access onto their iPad and also make purchases.
Apple is also moving to a different port, USB-C, meaning users will be able to connect to more accessories and external displays, as well as the ability to charge out battery power to an iPhone.
The latest chips and processors help make the new iPad Pro 35% faster than before, improving graphic performance and making way for augmented reality, while the maximum storage option is now at 1TB.
The new iPad Pros are available from November 7, starting at £769.
MacBook Air
The biggest improvement to the MacBook Air is the inclusion of a Retina display, which packs in more pixels and colour for a high quality visual experience.
Like the new iPad Pro, Apple has made the notebook’s border thinner, bringing the glass display closer to the edge. It’s also thinner and a quarter of a pound lighter than its predecessor.
Touch ID is now included in the MacBook Air near the top of the keyboard area, allowing people to use it to unlock their device and make purchases.
Other improvements include a larger track pad, a FaceTime HD camera, and louder speakers.
The new MacBook Air will be available from November 7, starting at £1,199.
Mac Mini
Apple’s compact computing device Mac Mini receives an upgrade this year, utilising the company’s most recent chips and next-generation processors for faster performance.
Users can get up to 2TB of storage and 64GB of memory for the highest spec of the machine, ideal for power-hungry creatives.
The new Mac Mini will be available from November 7, starting at £799.
Anything else?
Apple also unveiled an improved Pencil device for the iPad Pro, which magnetically attaches to the screen and charges it.
The enclosure of all of the main products are now made from 100% recycled aluminium, helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
