iPad Air unveiled by Apple with new iPad Mini, Macbooks and Macs

Apple didn't disappoint at its media event today in San Francisco. Not only did it unveil the expected thinner iPad and iPad Mini with Retina display, but it also showed off new Mac Pro desktops, Macbook Pro laptops, a computer operating system and updates to its iWork and iLife apps.

The new iPad shed 0.4 pounds in weight (to 1-pound flat) and 1.9 mm in thickness (to 7.5 mm) from previous models, earning it the name "iPad Air." It will ship Nov. 1 for $499 (with 16 gigabytes of memory) or $629 with cellular service. In addition to the improved dimensions, iPad AIr was outfitted with better cameras and microphones and the new A7 processor and M7 motion-processing chips that were introduced to the iPhone 5S last month. Its expected battery life is 10 hours. Meanwhile, the iPad 2 will now be available for $399.

Meanwhile, the new iPad Mini won't be available until "later in November." While its size remained the same, its display was upped to "Retina" status (2048 x 1536) and its processing power is now four-times faster than the original model released late last year. It will retail for $399, or $529 with cellular service, while the previous edition will drop to $329 from $299.

The company also showed off new Mac Pro desktops, but didn't specify a release date, only saying they'd ship by the end of the year. It will start at $2,999 with 3.7 GHz quad-core Xeon processor and 12GB DRAM. But most impressively, it will lack a traditional hard drive and instead run entirely on Flash. Many of the features were first introduced at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June and are now closer to reality.

"We haven't given up on the [computer] platform," Apple CEO Tim Cook said.

Finally, Apple unveiled OS X Mavericks, a new operating system for its computers that will be available as a free download today. Apple's Craig Federighi noted that it's a "new era for the Mac," as new operating systems typically cost upwards of $150. Along with the new operating system comes a revamped iWork (which includes Pages, Numbers and Keynote) that boasts collaborative editing and a new iLife (which includes iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand) that will be available for free starting Oct. 22 to anyone that purchases a new Mac or iOS device. 

Apple is holding an even in San Francisco at 1 p.m. Eastern Time today where the company is expected to refresh its iPad tablets. The new iPad is expected to be thinner and lighter than previous models, while a refreshed iPad Mini is rumored to be released with the company's famed, high-definition Retina Display. Follow along for live updates from the event.