Mavericks release date: OS X slated for launch with new Macbook Pro 2013 in October - Apple staff training starts

Apple is slated to host another media event for its upcoming new iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 on October 15, 2013. Although Apple hasn't officially announced it yet, the latest Mac operating system – the OS X Mavericks – is expected to launch shortly after the event.

Apple has reportedly begun training its staff members on using the new operating system today, according to a report by 9to5 Mac. Apple staff will reportedly be trained with the operating system's new features, including the installation process and troubleshooting options. The training will be held in small batches for Apple Care staff, in an effort to avoid leaks before the official launch.

Apple's latest version of the Mac operating system was first introduced at Apple's WWDC event in June this year. Since then, eight Developer Previews of OS X Mavericks have been released to developers.

The eighth Developer Preview of OS X Mavericks was only seeded on September 16, just two weeks after the release of the seventh Developer Preview. It is currently available to download for registered developers via the Mac App Store.

New features for the latest OS X include a new Maps app, a tabbed finder, iBooks, new look to the calendar, improved Safari, iCloud Keychain, multiple displays and more. See Apple's preview of the new features here.

The final version of the Mavericks OS X is expected some time in fall, possibly by the end of October.

Last year, the Mountain Lion OS X released on July 25, 2012 for $19.99. The previous year, Apple charged $29.99 to upgrade to OS X Lion.

Although the iOS 7 upgrade was offered free for iDevice users this year, it is likely that Apple will charge or the OS X upgrade as in previous years.

However, with Windows offering existing Windows 8 users a free upgrade to Windows 8.1 this year, who knows, Apple may surprise customers by offering a free upgrade to the new Mavericks OS X – but let's not get our hopes up!

The new operating system may be released with the upgraded version of Macbook Pros, Macbook Pro with Retina Display, and iMacs – all of which are long overdue.

There is hope that the Cupertino-company will unveil the upgraded Macbook Pro with the new Intel Haswell processor during the October media event. The Macbook Pro, which is long overdue, is expected to come pre-installed with Mavericks OS X.