Latest 'Scary Fast' leaks double down on M3 iMac and MacBook Pro launches

Apple's current 24-inch iMac

Predictions of what Apple will launch at its "Scary Fast" event are still varying wildly, but one source claims to be certain of the complete list.

Most signs do point to Apple releasing Macs with its M3 processor at the October 30 event, even though some points don't add up. Nonetheless, Bloomberg writer Mark Gurman is now adamant that despite his own previous predictions, Apple is set to launch:

M3 24-inch iMac
Two MacBook Pro models, probably with M3 Pro and M3 Max processors
Trackpad, mouse and keyboard updates with USB-C connectors

At the same time, Gurman says that Apple is unlikely to launch a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro at the event.

He's also saying that other than the move to USB-C for peripherals, there won't be any visible design changes to the Macs that are launched. There isn't expected to be any AirPods, or iPads updates either.

Separately, there were previous rumors about Apple-made USB-C cables in different colors, and it was assumed they were for the iPhone. They may now turn out to be for the iMac instead.

There has been no mention of the 30-inch iMac that was previously rumored to be coming, if not necessarily in time for this event. There's also been no discussion lately of an M3 Mac mini, although that was one of the earliest Macs to get the M1 and M2 processors.

Apple's "Scary Fast" event is on October 30, 2023, and will be streamed from 5:00 PM PT, 8:00 PM ET.

13 Comments

jellybelly

said about 17 hours ago

1.) I don’t think anyone has predicted that 24” iMacs might be upgraded not only with M2 but also with M2 Pro and M2 Max SOC as “scary fast” options. I’d expect the M2 Max will be faster than the base M3.

For the iMac 24”, that could be a “scary” fast option of interest for many—including folks with a Studio Display they already have or would get so they’d have a two monitor system with power in the tank.

There could be an introduction of a 27” or 30” or 32” iMac with the M2 Pro or M2 Max. That would make sense. It would fill a long time stretch of no upgrades on that product. The M2 Pro & M2 Max are already in production and this would avoid the supply crunch on the M3 SOC.

2.) Another thought is—why would Apple schedule a reveal and compete for audience just when game 3 of the World Series starts?

Maybe the reveal will followed by (or be in) a series of ads during the World Series game, with a bigger ad just before the game start of 5:03pm PDT, and a repeat or second ad during 7th inning stretch. And short 20 second or less ads during the game hi-lighting gaming on iPhone and the new iMacs as reinforcement teasers. It would be a rather larger audience and during a sporting event, in which they might also reveal expanded MLB showings beyond the Friday night deal.

Spoon!

said about 17 hours ago

He's also saying that other than the move to USB-C for peripherals, there won't be any visible design changes to the Macs that are launched.
Gurman forgot that when the desktop Mac minis went from M1 to M2 they gained two additional Thunderbolt 4 connections, which I'd also expect on refreshed iMac M2/M3.

PauloSeraa

said about 16 hours ago

jellybelly said:

1.) I don’t think anyone has predicted that 24” iMacs might be upgraded not only with M2 but also with M2 Pro and M2 Max SOC as “scary fast” options. I’d expect the M2 Max will be faster than the base M3.
For the iMac 24”, that could be a “scary” fast option of interest for many—including folks with a Studio Display they already have or would get so they’d have a two monitor system with power in the tank.
There could be an introduction of a 27” or 30” or 32” iMac with the M2 Pro or M2 Max. That would make sense. It would fill a long time stretch of no upgrades on that product. The M2 Pro & M2 Max are already in production and this would avoid the supply crunch on the M3 SOC.
2.) Another thought is—why would Apple schedule a reveal and compete for audience just when game 3 of the World Series starts?
Maybe the reveal will followed by (or be in) a series of ads during the World Series game, with a bigger ad just before the game start of 5:03pm PDT, and a repeat or second ad during 7th inning stretch. And short 20 second or less ads during the game hi-lighting gaming on iPhone and the new iMacs as reinforcement teasers. It would be a rather larger audience and during a sporting event, in which they might also reveal expanded MLB showings beyond the Friday night deal.

If Apple planned M2 spec bumps for the 24" iMac, which are already way overdue, that would hardly be event worthy. If they're going to update this stale product at all, they might as well do it with an M3 so it can remain relevant while it languishes for a few more years. And at this stage, there is zero evidence of an imminent launch of any other iMac model. And if MacBook Pros are indeed on the table, then M3 Pro and M3 Max are the next chips in line. And if Apple is showing off M3 Pro and M3 Max, it stands to reason that they would show the base M3 first. Logically, what makes sense is a M3 iMac followed by an M3 Pro and M3 Max MBP.

The timing is thought to coincide with Japanese business hours, because there is some sort of gaming announcement that involves a Japanese game company.

danwells

said about 15 hours ago

At first, I thought "this makes no sense" - two high end laptops that almost end up in the mobile workstation market and a consumer desktop that sells a fraction of what the consumer laptops do. The iMac is the next machine up for an update, but it pretty much shares its innards with the 13" MBP or the Mini (ignoring the M2 Pro Mini) - it just didn't get those innards updated the last time around (why?).

Then I realized that it makes sense in one specific situation... What if all three chips are ready, but supply is constrained by yield? The pro laptops have very, very high profit per machine (their percentage margin is typical of an Apple product, or even slightly low - but their high selling prices mean a lot of dollars per machine). Building an M3 Max and sticking it in a $3000-$6000 workstation is a lot more profit per chip than selling a base M3 in an iPad or a MacBook Air. The M3 Max is also larger, and I don't know how profit per wafer compares...

The iMac is old, and it has been attracting attention in the Mac press for how old it is, so it's a good machine to update just for the PR. Why not update its innards-mates with it? If there are supply constraints, it shares its innards with the most popular Macs of them all...

If Apple updated the Airs, it's possible that the limited chip supply would simply shoot availability dates into March right away. Update the slower-selling iMac and people might actually get one in a reasonable time frame. Update the 14" and 16" Pro and you've made some very visible creative users happy, and sold a bunch of high profit machines