Apple has revealed the new iMac, which features an M4 chip and Apple Intelligence in an ultra-thin case. Refreshed versions of all three MacBook Pros are also powered by M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. With the M4, the new iMac performs “up to 1.7x faster for daily productivity, and up to 2.1x faster for demanding workflows like photo editing and gaming, compared to iMac with M1.1,” Apple says, adding that the neural engine in the M4 makes “iMac the world’s best all-in-one for AI,” with bespoke Apple Intelligence. Apple released iOS 18.1, which also includes Apple Intelligence features, among them writing and summary tools and a “more natural and conversational Siri.”

“Yes, Apple’s long-awaited entry into generative AI is here,” declares The Wall Street Journal, adding that the functionality is available to those with “an iPhone 15 Pro or any of the new iPhone 16 models,” with downloads for those using iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1.

The AI isn’t turned on by default, WSJ notes: “instead, once you download iOS 18.1 on a supported iPhone, you’ll be prompted to turn on Apple Intelligence. Then you’ll be added to a wait list.” But Apple says approval takes only a few hours.

WSJ reports access could occur “much faster,” adding that “while the core of Apple Intelligence works on your device, this is the company’s way of making sure it has sufficient server capacity to keep up with demand.”

Even those without new phones may find some use for iOS 18.1, which “includes the hearing-aid capability for AirPods Pro 2 and some other iPhone features that didn’t make it into the original iOS 18 release in September,” per WSJ.

Apple provides details of iOS 18.1 in a newsroom post touting a “more intelligent photos app” and new ways to manage email.

Meanwhile, the new iMac with M4 features a nano-texture display option for a 12MP Center Stage camera, up to 32GB of unified memory and four Thunderbolt 4 ports. It is priced starting at $1,299 with 16GB of memory and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It is available for pre-orders now, with release set for November 8.

It “comes in seven colors: silver, blue, purple, pink, green, yellow, and orange,” writes Mashable, detailing notable specs, like a 24-inch 4.5K display, and the ability to “record, transcribe, and summarize audio” using Note. The Verge says the nano-texturing, aimed at reducing reflections and glare, is an extra $200.

This morning, Apple announced “the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are being updated to the M4 line of processors, which now includes the M4 Pro chip that debuted yesterday in the Mac Mini and a new, even higher-end M4 Max,” reports The Verge.

“The M4 Pro-equipped laptops will start at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch, but both are getting an upgrade from 18GB of base RAM to 24GB,” The Verge adds. “The basic 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro still starts at $1,599, but that model now starts with 16GB of RAM instead of just 8GB.”

Related:
Apple Introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max, Apple Newsroom, 10/30/24
Apple Introduces M4 Pro Chip, Which Finally Brings Thunderbolt 5 Support, Engadget, 10/29/24
Why Apple’s AI Success Hinges on the iPhone, The Wall Street Journal, 10/28/24
A Tiny Mac Mini Could Be the Ultimate Travel Companion and I Can’t Wait for It, TechRadar, 10/28/24
Apple Announces Redesigned Mac Mini with M4 Chip, The Verge, 10/29/24
Apple’s New Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad Have USB-C, The Verge, 10/28/24
The MacBook Air Gets a Surprise Upgrade to 16GB of RAM, The Verge, 10/28/24