At a major launch event in Brooklyn, New York today, Apple announced a raft of updates to three of its productivity-oriented hardware lines. The Mac mini has received a space grey finish and the MacBook Air has been given Touch ID, while Face ID features in two new iPad Pro models.
The headline features of the new MacBook Air include a new design built around a 13-inch Retina Display and 50% thinner bezels than the last generation. Also included are two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a single headphone jack, while a Touch ID sensor is integrated into the keyword.
The new Mac mini is five times faster than the preceding generation, thanks to quad- and 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core processors allowing Turbo Speeds touching 4.6GHz. The device can also be connected to 4K and 5K Thunderbolt displays and high speed storage.
New iPad Pros feature iPhone X-style redesigns, with an LCD “Liquid Retina” display framed by slimmer bezels. The two screen size options are 11-inch and 12.9-inch, and each model allows the new Apple Pencil, also unveiled today, to be magnetically attached and charged wirelessly.
However, perhaps the most exciting addition to the iPad Pro line is the Face ID facial recognition system, which can be used to log into the device, unlock apps and make Apple Pay payments – all regardless of the iPad’s orientation. A new A12X Bionic chip powers each of the tablets.
All of these products are available for ordering today from the Apple site and will be on offer in Apple retail stores and through Apple Authorized Resellers from Wednesday, November 7.