Announced earlier in the month, the new iMac 24-inch is Apple’s most colourful since the iMac G3, though if you want the biggest choice of finishes you’ll need to shop with iStore online.

The range kicks off at R25 999 for a version with the Apple M1 (with 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU), 256GB of storage, and 8GB of memory. On the front there’s a 4.5K Retina display, while on the back are two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. A Magic Keyboard is included too, but there’s no USB 3 and no ethernet.

For that, you’ll need the R29 999 iMac 24-inch at least. That has an 8-core GPU version of the Apple M1, plus adds two USB 3 ports and gigabit ethernet; the latter is mounted on the power supply brick. Apple also includes the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

Finally, there’s the R33 999 configuration. That has the same M1 and 8GB of memory as the mid-range spec – more memory is an option – but 512GB of storage. It, too, comes with the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

All three configurations are available to pre-order now. Currently, the entry-level iMac 24-inch is said to ship between May 21-27, as is the top-spec configuration. The mid-range model is currently said to ship between June 8-15.

iPad Pro 2021

As for the new iPad Pro, the differences between the two sizes are getting even more notable in 2021. Both sizes now use Apple’s M1 chipset, for more performance from iPadOS. However, while the 11-inch iPad Pro sticks with its usual Liquid Retina display, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro goes for a new Liquid Retina XDR display.

That relies on Mini-LED technology, for much greater control over brightness and colour. The 11-inch model starts at R13 999, or from R18 999 if you want built-in 5G. As for the 12.9-inch version, that starts at R19 699, or from R24 199 if you want built-in 5G. Both are available to pre-order now, though delivery times for the larger tablet are already slipping into mid-June.

Apple TV 4K with new Siri Remote

Last, but by no means least, there’s an updated version of Apple’s set-top box. The new Apple TV 4K now uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset, and supports up to 4K High Frame Rate HDR. It also has a Thread radio inside, initially not activated, but waiting for more smart home applications.

More interesting, though, is the redesigned remote. The new Siri Remote has a better navigation controller and adds buttons for controlling TV power and volume mute. It comes bundled with the new Apple TV 4K, from R3 199, or can be bought separately from R1099.

Certainly, it’s borrowing that model’s crisp edged styling – something Apple is also expected to do for the iPhone 12 later this year – but with five different, more eye-catching colours. They’re silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue – all of which are headed our way.

This new iPad has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina screen, larger than the old Air but in the same overall tablet footprint. That runs about 2360 x 1640 resolution. Since there’s now no room for a home button and its integrated fingerprint sensor, Apple has moved Touch ID to the power button on the top edge. That, apparently, according to the company, is its smallest authentication sensor ever, and taps into a new, faster Secure Enclave for speedier recognitions.

Also inside is the new Apple A14 Bionic processor, built on 5nm processes.

Unexpectedly, although a welcome change, there’s now a USB-C port on the bottom, rather than Lightning, again following the iPad Pro. That’s good for 10x the bandwidth, Apple promises, and can also drive up to a 4K external display.

There are stereo speakers, and WiFi 6 is standard. Versions of the iPad Air with LTE will also be offered, with up to 10x faster data rates thanks to a new modem. For the front, there’s a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera. That has an f/2.2 aperture lens, Smart HDR support, and promises better low-light performance than on the old Air. It also captures video at up to 1080p 60fps.

The rear camera, meanwhile, is borrowed from the iPhone 11. It clocks in at 12-megapixels, with f/1.8 aperture and improved video stabilization. It can shoot 4K 60fps footage, or alternatively 240 fps slo-mo video.

There’s support for the same Apple Pencil as on the iPad Pro, and you’ll be able to charge it in the same way, with the stylus magnetically-clinging to the side of the new iPad Air. Apple has also made it compatible with the same Smart Keyboard cover as its more expensive tablet.

For the good stuff, Apple says the new iPad Air pre-orders will begin from today, priced from R12 499 for the WiFi-only versions, and from R14 999 for the WiFi + LTE versions. It’ll come in 64GB and 256GB storage options. The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation is R2999, while the Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Air is available for R3499.

Without question, last year’s iPad Pro was the most powerful tablet Apple had ever made, but let’s be real: Its size made it a complete nonstarter for most people. That’s why Apple took all the things that made the iPad Pro a pro and shoved them into a smaller body for everyone else to use. 

All of the iPad Pro’s broad strokes can be found on the 9.7-incher; from the powerful A9X chipset to the four-speaker setup to the Smart Connector for accessories like Apple’s magnetically connecting keyboard. The Apple Pencil also works here. Arguably, it works even better, because the 9.7-inch Pro feels like a clipboard when you cradle it in hand. Speaking of feel, I’m astonished Apple squeezed nearly all of the big Pro’s components into a body that’s basically no bigger and no heavier than last year’s Air 2. No matter how much I try, I can’t give up the traditional iPad form factor for something bigger, and now I don’t have to.

Because the 9.7-inch Pro is almost physically identical to the Air 2, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Air line was just supplanted completely. Then again, with the Air 2 now priced at $399, the cost difference might mean Apple keeps the Air 2 around as its introductory full-size iPad. The trick lies in how Apple decides to divvy up its hardware innovations, and only time will tell. Core, Apple’s official South African distributor released its recommended pricing for the 9.7-inch which starts at R11 899 for the WiFi 32GB to R20 499 for the 256GB WiFi and cellular offering.