Apple unveils Vision Pro glasses and brings back Mac Pro
Apple caused a stir at this year’s WWDC 2023 developer conference with the Vision Pro mixed reality headset. In addition, the US group is bringing back the Mac Pro – with the M2 Ultra chip. An overview.
Apple’s developer conference keynote this year lasted more than two hours. Because the US group from Cupertino had a lot to report. The company around CEO Tim Cook presented three new Mac computers and Apple’s first mixed reality headset: the Vision Pro.
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WWDC 2023: Apple shows MacBook Air in 15 inch size
The MacBook Air is considered Apple’s most popular notebook. So far, however, it was only available in a 13-inch version. With a 15-inch model, Appel is now launching a significantly larger version that promises a lot of technology. Inside is the standard M2 processor, as well as 256 gigabytes of internal memory and eight gigabytes of RAM memory as standard.
At eleven millimeters, it is again the thinnest 15-inch notebook on the market. Apple still promises a full 18 hours of battery life. The laptop has a 1080p camera and Apple’s Mag Safe magnetic charging cable. With a starting price of 1,599 euros, it should be available from mid-June 2023 in the colors midnight, polar star, silver and space grey.
The MacBook Air with M2 chip is now also available in 15 inches (Image: Apple)
Mac Studio gets a hardware upgrade
Last year, Apple introduced the Mac Studio, a small desktop PC that is supposed to give professionals enough power for professional work. This year, the company has again installed the Pro processor of the current series, the M2 Pro chip and an Ultra version in the computer.
The M2 Ultra combines two M2 Pro processors and provides 20 percent more performance than the M1 Ultra. The processor can also be equipped with up to 192 gigabytes of RAM and eight terabytes of internal memory. The Mac Studio starts in mid-June with the M2 Pro at 2,399 euros. The version with the M2 Ultra is available from 4,799 euros.
Apple Mac Studio gets upgraded to M2 Pro and M2 Ultra (Picture: Apple)
WWDC 2023: The Mac Pro exits the Intel age
Apple’s largest computer, the Mac Pro, has now left the Intel age. The new device is available in the well-known metal housing both as a tower and in a rack version. The Mac Pro is only available with M2 Ultra, with a minimum of 64 gigabytes of RAM and one terabyte of storage.
The maximum configuration with 192 gigabytes of RAM and eight terabytes of storage can cost up to 15,000 euros. Unlike the Mac Studio, however, the Mac Pro can be configured with up to six PCIe components.
In this way, special cards for video or audio professionals can be installed. It is also possible to install a network card. The computer supports up to six additional displays, so that professionals who use a lot of graphics can also get their money’s worth. Cost point: from 8,299 euros.
The Mac Pro is the last Mac to switch to Apple Silicon. (Image: Apple)
Apple Vision Pro: mixed reality headset for $3,500
Apple hasn’t presented a “One More Thing” for a long time. Because since the iPhone X and the Apple Watch there have been no more “pioneering products”. That should now change with the Apple Vision Pro. Because the mixed reality headset is only controlled by hand or voice. The active reality is expanded by a virtual one.
The intensity of the virtual reality can be adjusted with a rotatable crown. The glasses, in turn, scan the surroundings using two cameras and nine other sensors. Two other sensors are located inside the Vision Pro to track the eyes and thus enable “Vision ID”.
This should unlock the glasses and enable Apple Pay. Hardware foundation: An M2 and an R1 chip driving the high-resolution displays at more than 4K per lens.
Apple’s first mixed reality glasses are called “Apple Vision Pro”
Apple introduced VisionOS as the operating system. This means that all iPad and iPhone apps should be compatible directly on the glasses. Apple has yet to find a “perfect use case” for the glasses, but it has brought many of its own apps to the glasses. Different windows can be distributed in Safari, photos can be displayed in huge sizes or films can be streamed in Apple TV.
But the order is clear: the developers should now use the resources to develop their own apps. One example comes from Disney, which wants to bring its Disney Plus streaming service to glasses. Meanwhile, the battery of the Vision Pro can be operated both by cable and by an external “power bank” – but with the latter it only lasts around two hours.
Apple’s Vision Pro still needs an external battery. (Image: Apple)
The Apple Vision Pro glasses will initially only be available in the US in early 2024, priced at $3,499. Other countries are to follow, according to Apple. It is still unclear whether Germany is also involved.
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