New iPad Pro and Macbook Air models unveiled at Apple 'special event'

Just weeks after the tech company presented new iPhones in September, Apple hosted another "special event" in New York on Tuesday - this time dedicated to new iPads and new Macbook laptops.

As usual, Apple decided against revealing any information on what would actually be presented in advance, but media reports had already suggested Apple would be launching new iPads in the autumn.

So what did the tech giant actually announce in New York? Here is an overview of the latest in the Apple ecosystem.

A new Mac Mini with 64 GB of RAM

Apple presented a new update to its Mac mini, one that has 4- and 6-core processors, making it up to five times faster than previous models. The newest model also has a whopping 64 GB of RAM storage capacity, and can be connected to multiple other Mac minis as needed.

The new Mac Mini also comes in an all-new colour: space grey. The starting price for the Mac Mini is 799 dollars for 8GB, and will be available from November 7 in the US.

The MacBook Air gets a retina display

Apple finally unveiled a modernized version of its cheapest laptop, the Macbook Air. According to market researchers, the Macbook Air is Apple's most-sold laptop, but in terms of technology it has not been updated in a while and lags behind other models.

The new Macbook Air includes a retina display, the extremely sharp screen standard which Apple said had been the number one demand from customers.

The display is 13.3 inches and features much smaller bezels, continuing the latest Apple trend. Despite the smaller edges, the FaceTime camera is still placed at the top of the screen.

Fingerprint login with Touch ID

The new MacBook Air also features Touch ID, which allows customers to access their laptop with a simple stroke of their finger across the keyboard. The new feature also allows users to use Apple Pay with the fingerprint sensor.

The new trackpad is larger, the new keyboard has better back-lighting. Apple has also improved the speakers for 25-per-cent louder audio on the new Macbook.

The new model is also 17 per cent smaller than the previous model, making it more portable, weighing in at only 2.75 pounds. Apple also underlined its intention to ensure that its product is environmentally friendly - and the company announced that the Macbook Air models are 100 per cent from recycled aluminium.

The new laptop also comes in three different colours: the classic silver, space grey and orange. Despite being Apple's cheapest laptop, the new MacBook Air will still set you back just under of 1,200 dollars when it arrives in stores in the US from November 7.

Thinner, faster and sharper iPad Pro

Among the highlights of Apple's latest event was the crisp quality shown off on the so-called "liquid retina display" on new iPad Pros, which now have less bezel than ever.

Apple also announced that the iPad's facial recognition software Face ID will replace the fingerprint sensor entirely. The camera is hidden in the thin bezel at the top of the display.

In fact, the new iPad has no home button at all, and the entire device can be used simply with sliding and swiping mechanisms.

The new models are also 15-per-cent thinner than the previous versions, at just under 6 millimetres thick. The new models come in two sizes: one with an 11-inch screen, the other with a 12.9-inch screen.

The new iPad Pros will also use an USB-C connector, which means the iPads are also finally joining in with other tech products, allowing customers to use one cable for several devices.

Apple says its A12X Bionic chip in the new iPad models makes them more powerful and faster than any other tablet on the market. Meanwhile the tablet's storage capacity can be extended to an massive 1 terabyte, while the battery life gets you 10 hours.

The smallest 11-inch version of the iPad Pro has 64 GB of storage and costs 799 dollars in the US. For the 12.9-inch model you'll need to pay at least 999 dollars for the 64-GB version.

Your old Apple Pencil is now junk

The Apple Pencil has also been given an update for the iPad Pros. The new pencil connects magnetically to the device's edges and the automatically begins charging wirelessly. The new magnetic function can also be used for the new smart keyboard.

However, Apple has quietly pointed out that your old pencils are useless on these newer iPad Pros. Likewise, any new iPad Pro pens won't work with older iPads.

Despite pushing you to bin your old pen, Apple claims it has made environmental efforts with the materials in its latest products. The new Macbook Air and the Mac Mini, the iPad Pros are also made largely from recycled aluminium, making them less of a strain on the environment.