As the dust settles on Apple's iPhone 14 launch, get ready for the next big moment on the company's calendar: the Mac and iPad joint unveilings that we now expect to take place in October. What do business leaders need to know?
What material comes?
Apple could introduce a new generation of MacBook Pro equipped with M2 Pro chips, although some sources warn that these may not appear until 2023. It is very likely that the company will introduce a new line of iPad Pro, probably with an M2 chip. putting this machine on a par with the Mac.
The decision to bridge the gap between Mac and iPad reflects how Apple's tablet has become a viable PC replacement for many tasks. Business users, for example, are much more comfortable leaving their laptops at home to work with an iPad when they're on the go. The fact that the best iPads share the same processors as Macs underscores the complementary nature of the two systems and builds on the iPhone's growing popularity in business.
What is commercial appeal?
For business users, the integration between Apple computers, tablets, and mobile devices is a real plus. Apple's decision to make its own chips also allowed the company to develop a unique proposition based on processor speed.
The strategy also gives Apple something it didn't have before. When the company relied on others, Intel or earlier IBM and Motorola, for processors, it was limited by the limitations of those manufacturers. Now that it has full control of processor production, the company can optimize its systems to a degree that competitors cannot easily match.
That's great for Apple enthusiasts, but for business buyers, it represents a clear and consistent strategy. The products work well together, and business users considering a change can see the depth of the company's commitment to its platforms and a future roadmap for development. We already expect Apple to start moving its platforms to 3nm chips starting in 2023, when the first M3 Mac iPads appear (and, presumably, if tablets keep up).
Year over year, Apple makes performance gains of around 20% across its entire lineup, even as it makes equally significant improvements in power efficiency. That Apple maintains a strong enterprise support ecosystem, including a thriving MDM market and regular annual software updates that provide a strong sense of security for businesses considering an upgrade. This is a consistent strategy for the future that more and more professional users are willing to subscribe to.
Where it counts: the employee experience
Apple continues to provide technology that most workers would choose, given the choice. We've seen a rapid expansion of Apple deployments during the pandemic as employers look to support remote workforces.
The adoption of remote work has also exposed security issues, which Apple and its partners have focused heavily on in recent years. It points to a passwordless future, introduced powerful protection like Managed Device Attestation, and enhanced the Mac's ability to guard against malware with powerful self-diagnosis and verification tools. These protections are mounted.
make the jump
There are always bumps in the road. Economic uncertainty certainly exists. This risks undermining the feat that Apple has accomplished in recent years.
At the same time, the great advantages of putting your Macs and iPads in a few lines on corporate purchase orders reflect all of the above.
That's why those in the C-suite seats will be watching with interest whatever Apple announces this fall, even as minds continue to wonder about the company's next big thing.
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