Apple’s latest event, dubbed “Peek Performance”, has wrapped up, and there was plenty for the tech giant to showcase during the hour-long affair.
Between touting its upcoming slate of TV content, to a new iPhone, iPad and Mac, and the surprise reveal of a new Apple monitor that’s not as prohibitively expensive as the Pro Display XDR, there’s much for Apple fans to get excited about.
Mac Studio
Starting with arguably the biggest highlight of the event, Apple unveiled a new product in the Mac line – the Mac Studio.
Looking like a chunkier Mac Mini, the Mac Studio is designed for creative workflows and those that need a desktop that’s more powerful than the M1 iMac. Whether it’s replacing the 27-inch Intel iMac remains to be seen, but it’s certainly more powerful – Apple says that this new desktop computer with the M1 Max chip is 50% faster than the existing Mac Pro, a product once considered to be the zenith of desktop power.
It offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2 USB-A, an HDMI port, and a high-impedance headphone jack on the back, with two USB-C ports on the front and an SD card slot.
That’s not all, though, as it can be fitted with Apple’s new M1 Ultra chip as well. Essentially taking two M1 Max chips (already leagues ahead of the competition when it comes to power per watt) and fusing them with custom tech, the M1 Ultra offers a stunning 2.5TB per second bandwidth with over 114 billion transistors. Apple’s M1 machines are no slouch, but this chip is almost eight times faster, with up to 128GB of Unified memory available. The M1 Ultra version also swaps the front two USB-C ports for Thunderbolt 4 versions.
The Mac Studio starts at $1999 with the M1 Max, while the M1 Ultra version is $3999.The Mac Studio will launch on March 18th.
Studio Display
Apple also unveiled a new “Studio Display” which looks set to offer a cheaper option than the incredibly pricey Pro Display XDR while still offering plenty of smart features.
This 27-inch display offers an integrated stand (although a VESA mount and more tiltable version are offered), with a 5K Retina panel at 218 pixels-per-inch and an anti-reflective coating.
You’ll also find an A13 Bionic chip inside which is used for camera and audio. The 12 MP ultra-wide camera at the top supports Apple’s clever “Center Stage” feature that keeps users in the frame as they move, while there’s a three mic array and a six-speaker sound system, too that supports Spatial Audio.
On the back, there is a trio of USB-C ports, and a Thunderbolt 4 port that offers 96W of power output – ideal for anyone looking to fast-charge their 2021 MacBook Pro while working.
The Studio Monitor will retail for $1599. It’ll launch on March 18th.
iPad Air 2022
The iPad Air had been in need of a refresh for a little while now, and it has certainly got one in 2022. The iPad Air now uses the M1 chip (just like MacBook Air or iPad Pro), which Apple says offers a 60% increase in performance from the last model, with twice as fast graphical performance.
It also gains Center Stage through the 12MP front camera, while the USB-C port is now twice as fast. There’s still no FaceID, though, so you’ll need to use TouchID embedded in the side button to unlock it.
It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and Apple’s Magic Keyboard, and is available in both 64GB and 256GB versions in five colors; Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue. A cellular version also adds 5G.
The tablet, which sports a 10.9-inch display, starts at $599. It’ll launch on March 18th.
iPhone SE 2022
For those looking for a lower-cost iPhone, the iPhone SE saw a sizable overhaul – at least in terms of its internals.
While the device still offers the classic iPhone shape with a home button at the bottom (with TouchID built-in), it’s now packing the A15 Bionic chip which is the same as you’ll find in the iPhone 13 range. Apple says it’s twenty-six times faster than the iPhone 8 chip, too.
You’ll find a 12MP camera on the back, and you can buy it in three colors: Midnight (dark blue), Starlight (silver) or Product RED.
It also comes with toughened glass on the front and back, IP67 water and dust resistance, and the option to use 5G.
The iPhone SE will launch on March 18th for $429 for the 64GB version, with 128GB and 256GB versions available, too.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are also getting new colorways. The iPhone 13 in Green, and the iPhone 13 Pro in Alpine Green will launch on March 18th.
- Read our iPhone SE 2020 review
Apple TV+
Finally, Apple proudly ran a sizzle reel for TV+, while also touting the number of awards its original content has won.
The bigger news, however, is likely to be that Apple has secured the rights to show two MLB matches on Friday nights exclusively through Apple TV.
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