Apple's new display rumored to launch at Apple event alongside new Mac mini

The "Peek Performance" Apple event may feature a new high-resolution Mac display, alongside the long-rumored Mac mini update packing an M2 chip.

The March 8 event is expected to showcase a number of product updates across multiple categories. If a Sunday report is to be believed, this could include a high-end Mac mini and a monitor.

While reports surfaced in March about Apple working on an "Apple Studio Display" with a 7K resolution, Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg says it may make an appearance.

Gurman says critics shouldn't "rule out Apple previewing its next-generation external display" at the event as he was "told Apple actually completed work on it months ago." In terms of when it should arrive, it was apparently "due to launch" after the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro launches in 2021.

Alongside the expected monitor, a developer source says Apple has tested "multiple Macs with a new chip," including an eight-core GPU and 10 GPU cores. It is reckoned that this is the same sort of specification as the M2 chip rumors.

Apple has apparently tested the chip on Macs running macOS 12.3, which Gurman believes should be released within a week or two.

While Gurman thinks a Mac mini update will launch on Tuesday, future Macs like an iMac Pro or Mac Pro update aren't likely to be released. However, Apple may want "to preview at least one of those machines ahead of a release a little later this year."

What to expect at Apple's spring event

Apple has a large raft of rumored products set to launch throughout 2022. While some are expected to arrive later in the year, such as the usual fall "iPhone 14" refresh, there's a collection of products that could appear at this earlier event.

The main focus will probably be on the iPhone SE, with a third-generation device expected to pack 5G connectivity for the first time. Some rumors point to it consisting of a specifications bump while having the same design as the second-generation model, complete with a 4.7-inch display and Touch ID.

The iPad Air 5 is also said to be a potential candidate for the event, with speculation putting it as having similar feature upgrades as the iPad mini 6, including an upgrade to the A15 Bionic. 5G connectivity and an upgrade to the FaceTime HD camera to a 12-megapixel ultra-wide version with Center Stage support has also been touted.

On the Mac side, a revised Mac mini is a strong choice for launch, with it expected to enjoy an upgrade from the M1 to the M1 Pro and M1 Max. It is also expected to undergo a major revamp in design, with a thinner chassis, more ports at the back, and a magnetic power connection.

There has also been the suggestion the rumored larger Apple Silicon iMac could surface, replacing the 27-inch intel model, and potentially resurrecting the iMac Pro name. The model will most likely take after the 24-inch iMac in terms of physical design, and gain ProMotion and mini LED for the display, among other changes .

The iMac Pro may also benefit from a major M1 chip update, with one leaker saying a fourth variant of the Apple Silicon chip generation could be used, complete with a 12-core CPU.