What to expect from Apple’s October 30 iPad Pro and Mac event

This October 30 event, Apple sent out its usual slightly cryptic invitation but this time did so in 370 different designs. Each one is of the Apple logo reworked, in rather beautiful ways, but it’s the number 370 that occupies us. If it just turns out that Apple commissioned 400 and 30 artists didn’t deliver on time, we’ll never know.

Whereas we will know soon just how accurate all the rumors and predictions of what’s being released were. Mind you, we already know that if Apple doesn’t bring out everything it’s predicted to, there will be a rollover and analysts reading the tea leaves spread by the supply chain will say these things have been held back for the next event.

AppleInsider would rather wait to find out what’s released, but we’re also conscious that this is a bad time to be buying Apple hardware blind. So using only what is reliably sourced and backed up with evidence, here is the very latest on what Apple will announce on October 30.

New Macs

For months, the presumption has been that we will see new iPad Pro models at this October event and it was only hoped that we might also get new Macs. Yet persistent rumors of a new MacBook that’s cheaper than the current models kept surfacing and now have some evidence to back them up.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been claiming Apple will make this entry-level device and his previous predictions have proved remarkably accurate. Still, this time we have more as regulatory filings from the Eurasian Economic Commission are clear that Apple has entered four new Macs into the system.

Now, while that is indeed proof enough of new Macs, there is nothing to say that Apple is required to unveil them on October 30. It would be peculiar for them not to, though, as devices filed with the EEC are finished. It seems unlikely that Apple would sit on stock of machines it could sell right away instead.

So assuming that Apple doesn’t want to hold Macs back in order to give the event to the iPads, the regulatory information says we’ll see three new desktop Macs and one new MacBook.

Assuming that at least one of the desktop Macs whose existence is confirmed by the filings, is an iMac, then previous rumors have pegged it to feature a display update of some sort —but what that consists of isn’t exactly clear.

It’s probable that the three desktops includes a 21 inch and a 27 inch iMac, leaving one machine. Kuo expects that to be a new Mac mini. The current model has now been on sale for over four years so there may yet be a degree of hopeful thinking but if so, we’re hoping for it too.

New iPads

This has been rumored and then as confirmed as can be for so long that you could forget the iPads aren’t out yet. Alongside Kuo’s claims, various purported leaks of designs, and code samples suggesting iPads with Face ID, however, now there’s a little more more.

Apple has been believed to be moving its devices away from Lightning to USB-C power cables. This month, the company released a USB-C version of its Apple Watch charger.

You can use USB-C with Macs using the company’s own USB-C to Lightning cable of course, but this seems more like Apple moving the technology across the line.

Similarly, with Face ID, we’re also expecting smaller bezels plus a notch —and those suppositions are based on evidence from the supply chain. Recently, we had a on extra clue —if you run iOS 12 on a current iPad, you’ll see that it’s on-screen status information like battery charge is now shown to the sides.

It’s as if the iPad knows it’s getting Face ID and the concomitant sensors in the notch.

There is some evidence to say we’ll see a new Apple Pencil at the event but now we’re heading into less certain areas.

iPad mini

Kuo has also said that there will be a iPad mini update. That’s surprising when the iPad mini feels like the forgotten, orphan product. And also when the iPhone XS Max appears to have functionally taken the place of a small iPad. He is, though, hedging his bets and saying we may not see the refreshed machine at this event.

Shake magic 8-ball later

We probably won’t see the new Mac Pro, as Apple has already said that it is a 2019 product. And when Apple says something a product for any given year in the future, it means that it will ship some, just before the end of the year, like it did for the last Mac Pro update.

AirPods 2 are possible yet we’re so happy with the first ones that we’re fine if they don’t. And, Apple has said that they’re still selling as fast as they can make them, so any benefits for the company of a refresh aren’t clear.

Of course, we might hear about the AirPower and the wireless charging case that should ship alongside it.

AppleInsider will be at the fall “There’s more in the making” event, where we expect new iPad Pros, and maybe even new Macs! Keep up with our coverage by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.