14 MACWORLD DECEMBER 2021
MACUSER 2022 COULD BE EPIC FOR APPLEdumps the notch in favor of a hole-punch
camera, at least on the Pro models. It’s
also expected to have a better camera,
as always, with a rumored periscope lens
to enhance its telephoto capabilities.
Finally, a new titanium finish and a
cheaper Max model are rumored to be
joining the lineup.
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple is also likely to release the Apple
Watch Series 8 in the fall, which could
bring the redesign we didn’t get with the
Series 7 when Apple was rumored to be
releasing a new Apple Watch with a
squarer flat-edge design and better
battery life. Also, we’ve heard rumors of a
new third model with an even bigger
display, possibly close to 50 mm.
AirPods Pro
After Apple launched the 3rd-gen
AirPods in October 2021, the AirPods Pro
earbuds (fave.co/3pUTJsV) are next, with
a rumored stemless design and
enhanced fitness features.
iPad Air
It’s already been a year since Apple
released the redesigned iPad Air (fave.
co/3xSSsUM), and we expect a see a
minor refresh in 2022 with an A
processor, 5G, and the ultra-wide front
camera the other iPads have.
OCTOBER–DECEMBER
MacBook Air
By the time fall 2022 rolls around, the M
Macs will have been on shelves for two
years, so we’re expecting a refresh with
the M2 processor. We’re not sure if a
redesign will accompany the spec bump
or if Apple will continue to keep the older
design around as a cheaper option.Mac mini
Like the MacBook Air, the M1 Mac mini will
likely get a bump to the M2 processor,
possibly with a thinner enclosure.Mac Pro
The most intriguing product of 2022 is the
Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro. We
don’t expect it to arrive until late in the
year—if not until 2023—and we’re not
sure what it will bring. Apple’s current Mac
Pro is its only modular desktop, with 12
DIMM slots for up to 1.5 terabytes of RAM,
eight PCIe slots expansion slots for extra
storage, fiber channel cards, fiber
networking cards, and pro video and
audio interface cards.
That’s unlike anything we’ve seen
from Apple silicon, which is a system on a
chip and offers unified memory and
integrated graphics. So if Apple plans to
sell a modular Mac Pro with Apple silicon,
it will need to be a completely different
breed of chip. ■