Apple updates MacBook Pro laptops with new chips and more memory for AI

Apple On Wednesday, the company introduced new MacBook Pro laptops with updated processors. This is likely to be the company's last major hardware announcement this year.

The new devices are equipped with Apple's latest chip, the M4. Some models have access to more powerful versions called M4 Pro and M4 Max. Apple says the new chips are 1.8 times faster than the M1 that powers Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro.

Apple has also made a significant change to its entire Mac lineup to prepare the computers for future artificial intelligence features.

Apple said the new models, like all devices released this year, are designed for Apple Intelligence, the company's AI system that can generate text, images and emojis.

Additionally, all new MacBook Pro models have at least 16GB of RAM. Until now, low-end Macs often came with 8GB of RAM as standard. The more memory a computer has, the better able it is to process larger and more sophisticated AI models.

Apple's MacBook Air laptops and iMac desktops are also getting an update to launch with at least 16GB of RAM at the same starting price of $999 as before. The M4 also has improved AI capabilities. Doubling the RAM on its laptops represents the most significant change Apple has made to its computer lineup to better support Apple Intelligence.

The 2021 MacBook Pro redesign was praised for a thicker design that allowed the computer to have multiple traditional ports, such as an HDMI port for connecting the computer to television screens and projectors. The re-release was part of a wave of Mac new launches in 2021 that revitalized the product line, paralleling Apple's decision to move on from Intel Chips for its self-developed M series.

Apple's Mac lineup is critical to the company, even if it contributes less to overall sales than the iPhone or its wearables business, which includes the Apple Watch and AirPods. For example, all apps created for iPhones are written on a Mac.

In the quarter that ended in June, Apple reported Mac sales of $7 billion, up about 2% from the same period last year. Apple reports results for its latest quarter on Thursday.

The 14-inch Mac starts at $1,599 and the 16-inch model starts at $2,499. The 14-inch model with the more powerful M4 Pro chip starts at $1,999. According to Apple, some models of the M4 MacBook Pro can achieve up to 24 hours of battery life. The new MacBook Pro models also feature an improved 12-megapixel video conferencing camera.

The new laptops will hit shelves on November 8th.