Apple announces ‘Pro and tell’ event for October 28. Here’s what to expect
Apple's second launch event this month is set for Los Angeles. Reports point to new MacBook Pros with touchscreens and OLED displays, and an OLED iPad mini.
Apple has announced a second launch event for October, just two weeks after it introduced the HomeView smart home hub. The new event is called “Pro and tell” and takes place on Wednesday, October 28, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time in Los Angeles.
Apple sent out invitations on October 19, and marketing chief Greg Joswiak shared the artwork on social media, saying he couldn’t wait to “pro and tell next week”. The name is a strong hint that the focus will be on Apple’s “Pro” products.
What Apple is expected to announce
Apple never confirms products before an event, so everything below comes from reports, mainly from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Treat it as likely, not certain.
MacBook Pro with a touchscreen
The biggest rumour is a redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. According to the reports, these models would bring:
- Touchscreens, which would be a first for a Mac
- OLED displays, for deeper blacks and better contrast
- A Dynamic Island at the top of the screen, like on recent iPhones
- A significantly lighter design
- M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
For years, Apple said touchscreens didn’t belong on Macs. If the reports are right, this would be one of the biggest changes to the Mac in a long time.
An OLED iPad mini
The iPad mini is also expected to get an OLED screen, improved speakers and a FaceTime camera moved to a better position for video calls in landscape mode.
Quieter updates
Reports also mention a new iMac and an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the newer M6 chip. These are expected to keep their current designs.
The name says it all: this event is about Apple’s most powerful devices, not its everyday ones.
Why it matters
Laptops from Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo and others have offered touchscreens for years, and many now use OLED panels. A touchscreen MacBook would show Apple adapting to how people now use laptops, especially for creative work and with apps designed for both phones and computers.
The bigger question is price. OLED screens cost more to make than the current mini-LED displays, so the new models could cost more than today’s MacBook Pros.
How to follow the event
- Apple usually streams its events on apple.com and its YouTube channel. Check Apple’s website closer to the date for the official link.
- 10 a.m. PT is 1 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. GMT and 10:30 p.m. in India and Sri Lanka.
- ByteTidings will cover every announcement, with prices and availability, right after the event.
Should you wait before buying a Mac?
If you were planning to buy a MacBook Pro or iPad mini, waiting one more week makes sense. Even if you don’t want the new models, older versions often get cheaper after a launch.
