Chapter 1: Reflections on Past Events

At the last Apple event in October, I was filled with enthusiasm, eager to upgrade my aging five-year-old MacBook Pro. I was hopeful that new announcements might spark an impulse buy. However, fifty minutes later, after learning about the HomePod Mini, new AirPods, and the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros (14" and 16"), I found none of the products aligned with my needs. Now, as we approach another rumored Apple event, I find myself skeptical about the upcoming product updates.

Section 1.1: Anticipated Upgrades

#### Subsection 1.1.1: iPad Air 5

Reports from MacRumors suggest that the upcoming iPad Air will transition from the A14 chip to the A15 chip, already utilized in the iPhone 13 and iPad mini 6. This new version is expected to support 5G connectivity and feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera compatible with FaceTime's Center Stage. The overall design may remain unchanged, although fresh color options could be introduced.

#### Subsection 1.1.2: iPhone SE 3

An updated iPhone SE is on the horizon, anticipated to feature 5G support, the A15 chip, and an enhanced camera. Just like the iPad Air, no significant design changes are expected for this model.

#### Subsection 1.1.3: New Apple Silicon Mac

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman hints that a new Mac could be unveiled at the upcoming event. The most likely candidates include a high-end Mac mini, an iMac Pro, or a revamped MacBook Air.

Section 1.2: Product Details

#### Subsection 1.2.1: High-End Mac Mini

The new Mac mini is expected to utilize the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips found in the larger MacBook Pros. It's rumored to include two additional Thunderbolt ports and a power input design similar to that of the 24" iMac. Jon Prosser has provided sketches of the rumored shorter design featuring a plexiglass lid.

#### Subsection 1.2.2: iMac Pro

According to Macworld’s compilation of iMac rumors, a new iMac Pro might be released with either the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips or a new 12-core Apple processor. The design is anticipated to reflect the current 24-inch iMac. While Gurman speculates that the most likely launch date for new Macs is WWDC22, his predictions about product features tend to be more reliable than those about launch dates.

#### Subsection 1.2.3: MacBook Air

Speculation surrounding a redesigned MacBook Air has been circulating since December 2020. The latest insights from Tom’s Guide indicate that the new model could feature an Apple M2 chip, focusing on energy efficiency rather than performance enhancements. According to Twitter leaker @Dylandkt, the design will resemble the latest MacBook Pros but will be thinner and lighter, featuring MagSafe, an upgraded camera, and an off-white keyboard.

Chapter 2: Evaluating Upgrade Potential

With the lineup of potential product announcements, one must consider whether any of them warrant an upgrade.

#### Subsection 2.1: iPhone SE 3

My wife currently uses an iPhone SE 2. If I were to replace it with an iPhone SE 3 without her knowledge, I doubt she would notice any significant differences. Given that her phone is nearly two years old, she might appreciate improved battery life.

#### Subsection 2.2: iPad Air 5

Each iteration of the iPad has generally provided a compelling upgrade since the original model. However, I can’t recall the last time I upgraded my iPad, despite using it daily. It remains sufficiently fast for my needs, and none of the recent features have enticed me to upgrade. A Microsoft Surface Studio-like product from Apple could pique my interest.

#### Subsection 2.3: New Apple Silicon Mac

I was ready to replace my 2016 MacBook Pro with its problematic butterfly keyboard ever since WWDC 2020, when Apple announced its transition to its own silicon. After 16 months of delays, the first Apple silicon MacBook Pro was unveiled in October 2021, but it proved to be more than I needed—too heavy and too focused on GPU performance. I opted for the M1 MacBook Air, which has since become my lightest and most powerful laptop. With the M1 MacBook Air, I finally achieved the balance between portability and performance I've sought for over a decade.

I would be interested in the upcoming MacBook Air, but I doubt it will compel me to upgrade. Given the current power of my device, I foresee no need for a desktop Mac in my future.

Section 2.4: What I Truly Desire

Despite the lackluster excitement around the rumored updates, there is one product I am eagerly awaiting: a new standalone monitor. Since retiring my Thunderbolt Display, I've hoped for a replacement from Apple. Unfortunately, since the discontinuation of the Thunderbolt Display in 2016, the only standalone monitor released by Apple has been the Pro Display XDR, which exceeds my needs and budget.

I remain hopeful that Tim Cook will surprise us with a 'One more thing' moment next month, unveiling a consumer-friendly standalone monitor that has been speculated for over a year. If the new high-end Mac mini is announced, I will be on the edge of my seat, anxiously anticipating a product that I would genuinely want to purchase.