Macworld

Macworld The monitor might be the most important part of your Mac’s setup–after all, you can’t use any desktop computer without one and even the 16-inch MacBook screen can be extended to an external display twice that size. Because you’ll spend a lot of time looking at it, you’ll want to invest wisely. Not only will you want a monitor that provides a pleasing experience, but the quality of the images on the screen can also affect your work. However, picking a new monitor can be daunting. Not only are there many manufacturers to choose from, but there are also lots of sizes, resolutions, and features to consider–and when we say lots, we mean lots. We’re here to help guide you while you shop, and we have some tips on what to look for in a monitor. Below our recommendations for best desktop Mac monitor we test and review the best portable displays for Mac. Apple sells displays for its Macs, and you could go with its offerings, but its displays are a quite bit more expensive than what third parties have. Buying from a different company may mean you may not get a feature that Apple offers, but it may also be a feature that you don’t need, depending on how you use the monitor. Note there are compatibility issues for plain M1, M2 and M3 Macs, which, unlike M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro/Max/Ultra MacBooks, can’t natively connect to more than one external display. Fortunately, we can show you how to connect multiple monitors to M1, M2 and M3 Macs. There are plenty of companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take out a second mortgage. Our sister publications Tech Advisor and PCWorld have tested several displays, and we list their top-rated ones that we have been able to confirm work with Macs, alongside the monitors we have reviewed below. Here are our recommendations in order, starting with Apple’s most expensive. Best Mac monitors: Desktop recommendations Apple Pro Display XDR: Apple's top-end professional 6K display Pros Phenomenally well-specced Peak brightness of 1,600 nits, stunning picture quality Cons Seriously expensive (but this isn’t a consumer display) Stand not included Best Prices Today: $4999 at Adorama$4,999 at Amazon$5999.99 at Best Buy Size: 32-inchResolution: 6K (6016×3384 pixels)Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-CWebcam: NoStand: Height, Tilt, Rotation stand extra $999/£949Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with stand Apple’s highly specced Pro Display XDR is a stunning piece of engineering, and we found it hard to find fault with the picture quality and colour output, but at that price and with these features this is a display for a very specific audience.  The XDR is phenomenally well-specced: it’s 32in and 6K, offering 40 percent more screen space than Apple’s 5K displays, and offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (or 1,000 sustained). But it comes with a seriously eye-watering price tag, especially if you want to include the Pro Stand for adjustability and pivoting. While this is an expensive monitor by consumer standards, but it really isn’t a consumer monitor. It’s intended for a professional audience. Picture quality is maintained at ultrawide viewing angles, thanks to industry-leading polariser technology. This is so that a creative team can gather round a single monitor and evaluate a photo, video or design project without suffering a loss of consistency. Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Neil Bennett Read our full Apple Pro Display XDR review Apple Studio Display: Apple's 'affordable' 5K production monitor Pros Handsome design Good image quality Impressive spatial audio 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage Cons High starting price and costly upgrades No HDR or ProMotion Changing stand after purchase requires a service call Best Prices Today: $1,299.99 at Amazon$1299.99 at Best Buy$1599 at Adorama Size: 27-inchResolution: 5K (5120×2880 pixels)Connections: Thunderbolt 3 (96W PD), 3x USB-CWebcam: 12-megapixelStand: Tilt. Height-adjustable stand extra $400/£400Orientation: Landscape; Portrait with $1,599/£1,499 VESA mount adapter As a production display, the Studio Display is still expensive but is an affordable alternative to the Pro Display XDR. Buyers will enjoy its handsome design, good image quality, and impressive spatial audio, but you can save a lot of money by going with a non-Apple display. Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks. The Studio Display has a tilt-adjustable stand, but it does not pivot between landscape and portrait modes, like the Pro Display XDR, although a very expensive WESA mount does add a portrait option. You can get a stand that provides about four inches of height adjustment but it doesn’t come cheap. The price tag for the tilt- and height-adjustable stand is a whopping $400/£400 more. The Studio Display has six speakers (four force-canceling woofers, and two high-performance tweeters) that sound better than any display we’ve used. Connected via Thunderbolt, it can charge a MacBook at up to 96W.–Roman Loyola Read our full Apple Studio Display* review Samsung M8 Smart Monitor (2024): Great value for money display Pros Competitive price 32-inch display with 4K resolution Built-in Wi-Fi with support for AirPlayAdjustable stand (height, tilt, pivot) Cons No Ethernet Some features require a Samsung account No support for DCI-P3 Best Prices Today: $399.99 at Best Buy Size: 32-inchResolution: 4K (3840×2160 pixels)Connections: Micro-HDMI (with HDMI adaptor), 1x USB-C (video), 1x USB-C peripherals, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 5, AirPlay, ThreadWebcam: HDStand: Tilt and height adjustable (included)Orientation: Landscape Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor has been a popular choice for home users since its launch in 2022, offering a 32-inch monitor with 4K resolution at a lower price than Apple’s expensive 27-inch Studio Display. The M80D model, also known as the fourth-generation update, offers several features that make it an excellent value for money at just $699.99/£549. The glass panel on the M8 still provides 4K resolution with 400 nits brightness, but the M80D model updates several other features to ensure excellent value for money. The monitor comes in three parts that need to be assembled by hand, and the plastic casing used for the display and the detachable 1080p webcam feels flimsy. However, the M8 is not a mobile device, making it suitable for general day-to-day use when sitting on your desk at home. The M8 supports HDR content and 99% of the sRGB color standard, which is accurate enough for basic graphics work, photo-editing, and presentations. Professional photographers or video-editors who require the more precise DCI-P3 standard will need to look at more expensive alternatives. The M80D model has a different set of connectors, with one USB-C port, one HDMI, and two USB-A ports, whereas previous models had two USB-C and one HDMI ports. However, it still supports Bluetooth for connecting additional peripherals, wi-fi, and AirPlay for Apple devices. This allows users to stream audio to the M8’s speakers or mirror the display from their Mac or iPad to the M8 without using a cable. The M8 can be used as more than just a basic computer monitor. It has a built-in ‘entertainment hub’, which includes apps for Netflix, YouTube, Xbox gaming service, and a web browser. Some functions are not available to Mac users, such as the ability to pair the display with a Samsung Galaxy watch for fitness data monitoring, and there’s an Easy Settings app only available for Windows users. Samsung could improve the on-screen menus and controls for the M8 to make them more straightforward. Despite the build quality not up to Apple standards and the untidy on-screen menu system, the M8 remains an affordable and attractive 4K display for home users, outperforming Apple’s more expensive Studio display–Cliff Joseph. Read our full Samsung M8 (M80D, 2024) review

Macworld Since the introduction of the Reminders app in iOS/iPadOS and macOS long ago, deleting a reminder or item within the app meant it was gone for good. Sure, you could use undo (shake your iPhone or iPad or press Command-Z on a Mac). But you could easily break the sequence of undos through other actions, rendering the reminder permanently deleted. That included quitting the app, restarting your device, or making additional changes you don’t want to undo. While undo still works, with iOS 18/iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has finally brought Reminds in line with its several other apps that handle items, like Notes and Photos. The company added a Recently Deleted special list to Reminders that holds deleted tasks and other items for 30 days. Apple hasn’t quite worked out the kinks, so let’s walk through it. Delete an item When you delete a task or item in Reminders in iOS/iPadOS or macOS, you’re prompted the first time that items will be retained temporarily in the Recently Deleted list instead of previously when Reminders warned you about permanent removal. After that, deleted items are simply moved to appear in that special list. Recover an item Apple provides two paths to recovering deleted reminders despite claiming there’s just one. Both start in the Recently Deleted list at the bottom of the Reminders lists (the main view in iOS and the sidebar in iPadOS and macOS). In macOS, you can restore an item back to its original location, but only for a single item or the first item in a selection of multiple items: Hover over the item. Tap the More (…) icon. Choose Recover or click the completed circle on the item. Click Recover in the dialog that appears. In macOS, you can choose Recover and restore the item to its original location.Foundry The item is returned to its original location despite the dialog stating that it will be returned to the default list (set in Reminders > Settings). If you choose multiple items in Recently Deleted to recover, Control-click/right-click anywhere on the selection and choose Move To or choose Edit > Move To, and choose a destination list. In iOS/iPadOS, single items can’t be restored to their original location. Here’s the two methods to recover items: Touch and hold an item, choose Move, and choose a destination list. Tap the More (…) icon in the main Recently Deleted list, choose Select Reminders, and select items by tapping them–which confusingly checks a circle, as the task isn’t being completed. Tap Move and then choose a destination list. You can also click or tap the completed circle in any deleted item, and you will see a prompt to recover it. This dialog appears whether you’ve chosen Recover in macOS or tapped or clicked the completed circle.Foundry Permanently delete Deleting items in the Recently Deleted list removes them immediately and forever. From any of the above locations, when working with deleted items, you can choose delete. You can also: Control-click/right-click Recently Deleted in the macOS list sidebar and choose Delete All. Tap the More (…) icon for the Recently Deleted list, and choose Delete All in iOS/iPadOS. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

Macworld If you’re choosing between two different types of Macs or two generations of the same Mac, you may wonder just how much of a difference the processor will make. Since November 2020, all new Macs have featured one of Apple’s own system-on-chips based on the ARM architecture, sometimes referred to as Apple Silicon. Several Apple chips have joined the line-up, including the M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra; M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max and M2 Ultra; M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max; and M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. The final Mac to move from Intel to Apple Silicon was the Mac Pro in June 2023. Now that the transition from Intel to Apple’s silicon is long complete, and it has been a while since Apple sold any new Macs powered by an Intel chip, you might think that there is no point in comparing Intel and Apple. However, some stores are still selling Intel-powered Macs and may users still have them. Those wishing to upgrade from an Intel-powered Mac to an M-series Mac may also be curious about how much of a difference to expect. With such variety on offer, there is also a question of which Apple processor is best, or at least sufficient for your needs. The current M4 series represents the fourth generation of Apple Silicon, but the M4 is still less powerful than the M1 Ultra, for example. It’s also worth noting that the difference between a Pro and Max version of Apple’s ships is all in the GPUs and memory support: the CPU is essentially the same. Here we will compare all the Mac and MacBook CPUs, GPUs, and other specs, such as RAM (a.k.a. unified memory), to demonstrate how the M1-, M2-, M3-, and M4-series chips compare to each other and their Intel predecessors. For more help choosing which Mac to buy read our buying guides where we assess the Best Mac and Best MacBook. You might also like to take a look at the article where we compare all of Apple’s chips, including those in the iPhone and iPad. M1 to M4 timeline November 2020: Apple introduced its first Mac system-on-chip, the M1 with three models, the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. You can still buy the M1 MacBook Air at Walmart for $649. April 2021: Apple launched an iMac with a M1 chip. October 2021: The M1 formed the basis for powerful variants, the M1 Pro and M1 Max that arrived in the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro in October 2021. March 2022: The final M1-series chip, the M1 Ultra, arrived with the Mac Studio in March 2022. June 2022: The next generation of Apple Silicon arrived in June 2022 with the introduction of the M2 chip. January 2023: The M2 Pro and M2 Max arrived in the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The Mac mini also gained an M2 and M2 Pro chip. June 2023: The M2 Ultra arrived in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro. The Mac Studio also ships with the M2 Max. October 2023: The M3 series arrives with the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max landing at the same time. So far only the MacBook Pro ships with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips, while the iMac offers the M3. October 2024: The M4 series arrives on the Mac with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. The iMac has an M4. The Mac mini has an M4 or M4 Pro. The MacBook Pro has an M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max. Which processor should you choose for your Mac and does it really matter? Read on to find out. Mac and MacBook processors compared The M1 arrived with the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini at the end of 2020. The processor inside a Mac makes a big difference to how powerful the Mac is. However, it can actually be quite confusing if you aren’t familiar with the terminology. The processor is sometimes referred to as the CPU (central processing unit), which is different from the GPU (graphics processing unit). Sometimes people will refer to the processor when they actually mean the SoC (system on a chip) that contains both the CPU and GPU. You may even hear it referred to as a SiP (system in package). We often refer to Apple Silicon as chips because they are system-on-chips that combine the CPU and GPU (and for that matter RAM, which Apple refers to as Unified Memory). The various M-series chips offer a variety of CPU and GPU cores. Similarly, there are many different Intel chips that combine several CPU cores with integrated or discrete graphics options, all of which we will discuss below. We also offer advice about how much storage, RAM and cores in How much MacBook GPU, CPU, RAM and SSD do you really need? Mac processors from Apple M1 In June 2020 Apple announced that it would transition Mac from Intel to its “world-class custom silicon.” This process began with Apple’s M1 processor, which was introduced in November 2020. It is no longer available to buy, but you may find a refurbished model. The M1 was in these Macs: 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020) MacBook Air (2020) Mac mini (2020) iMac (2021) The M1 specs were as follows: 8-core CPU (4 performance cores/4 efficiency cores) 7- or 8-core graphics processor (GPU) 16-core Neural Engine 8GB or 16GB of RAM 68.25GBps memory bandwidth 16 billion transistors The M1 was Apple’s first chip designed by Apple specifically for the Mac and it made shockwaves in the industry with giant leaps in performance. However, some people criticized the RAM limitations, with the M1 Macs only able to support up to 16GB of Unified Memory. M1 Pro Apple introduced the M1 Pro in October 2021.  It is no longer available in any new Macs, but you may get one in Apple’s refurbished store or elsewhere. The M1 Pro was in these Macs: 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) The M1 Pro specs were as follows: 8- or 10-core CPU (6 or 8 performance cores/2 efficiency cores) 14- or 16-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 16GB or 32GB of RAM 200GBps memory bandwidth 33.7 billion transistors The M1 Pro offers a 14-core GPU or a 16-core GPU. At launch, Apple claimed the GPU in the M1 Pro to be 2x faster than the M1. Apple also claimed that the GPU was up to 7x faster than the integrated graphics on the latest 8-core PC laptop chip. The M1 Pro also added a ProRes accelerator in the media engine to speed up video processing. Apple claimed that the M1 Pro could deliver up to 200GBps of memory bandwidth, which is nearly 3x of the bandwidth of the M1. The M1 Pro supports up to 32GB RAM (compared to a maximum of 16GB for the M1). M1 Max The M1 Max was also introduced in October 2021 as a standard option for the 16-inch MacBook Pro and a build-to-order option for the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Then in March 2022, the M1 Max became one of the options for the Mac Studio. The M1 Max is no longer available in any new Macs, but you may get one in Apple’s refurbished store or elsewhere. The M1 Max was in these Macs: 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) Mac Studio (2022) The M1 Max specs are as follows: 10-core CPU (8 performance cores/2 efficiency cores) 24- or 32-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 32GB or 64GB of RAM 400GBps memory bandwidth 57 billion The M1 Max has the same 10-core CPU as the M1 Pro, but everything else is significantly enhanced. The GPU is probably the most important difference between the M1 Pro and M1 Max. The M1 Max GPU goes all the way up to 32 cores (there is also a build-to-order 24-core option.) At launch, Apple claimed the graphics performance of the 32GB GPU to be up to 4x faster than the M1. M1 Max also has two ProRes accelerators that help it deliver up to 2x faster video encoding than M1 Pro. Apple claimed the M1 Max-powered MacBook Pros can edit up to 30 streams of 4K ProRes video or up to seven streams of 8K ProRes video in Final Cut Pro. That’s more streams than on a 28-core Mac Pro with Afterburner. At launch, Apple stated that the performance of the M1 Max is “similar to that of the highest-end GPU in the largest PC laptops while using up to 100 watts less power.” M1 Max also offers up to 400GBps of memory bandwidth. That is 2x that of M1 Pro and nearly 6x that of M1. As a result, a maximum of 64GB RAM is possible with the Max. M1 Ultra The M1 Ultra was also introduced in March 2022 as an option for the Mac Studio. You may still find a 2022 Mac Studio available, potentially at a good discount. The M1 Ultra was in the: Mac Studio (2022) The M1 Ultra specs were as follows: 20-core CPU (16 performance cores/4 efficiency cores) 48- or 64-core GPU 32-core Neural Engine 64GB or 128GB of RAM 800GBps memory bandwidth 114 billion transistors The M1 Ultra is essentially two M1 Mac chips, so it can offer a 20-core CPU and up to 64-core GPU. Apple achieves this using UltraFusion architecture to connect the two M1 Max chips to avoid trade-offs such as increased latency, reduced bandwidth, and increased power consumption. Apple also explained that the M1 Ultra behaves like, and is recognized by software, as one chip. At launch Apple claimed to offer “4x the bandwidth of the leading multi-chip interconnect technology” and that the M1 Ultra “delivers 90 percent higher multi-threaded performance than the fastest available 16-core PC desktop chip in the same power envelope.” Apple also claimed that the 64-core GPU delivers faster performance than the highest-end PC GPU available – all while using 200 fewer watts of power. The M1 Ultra can be configured with up to 128GB unified memory; according to Apple the most powerful PC graphics cards maxed out at 48GB. The ‌M1‌ Ultra also offers twice the media engine capabilities of the ‌M1 Max‌, for accelerated video encoding and decoding. M2 Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 256GB/16GB RAM, 2024) Best Prices Today:

Macworld Creating content doesn’t have to take longer than brewing your morning coffee — with 1minAI, you can turn ideas into polished pieces in no time. With the 1minAI Pro Plan, you’ll have access to an AI-powered tool that assists with everything from blog post generation to keyword optimization. Whether you’re battling writer’s block or need a quick way to enhance content quality, this AI tool is built to help creators like you. And with a lifetime subscription for $29.97 through December 15, you can skip the recurring fees that many AI services charge. Using advanced AI models, 1minAI analyzes your prompts to generate tailored content. It can write, rewrite, and optimize posts, taking the heavy lifting out of content creation while still leaving you in control. Human oversight is always recommended, but it’s a game-changer for cutting down time spent on tedious tasks. Each Pro Plan includes free monthly credits, giving you extensive opportunities to explore its features without extra costs. You can even try the tool for free at 1min.ai to see what it can do before committing. If you’re a content creator looking for support in your workflow, this tool could be the productivity boost you’ve been waiting for. From your first cup of joe to your last draft, this lifetime subscription to a 1minAI Pro Plan for $29.97 helps you create faster, so you can spend less time grinding and more time enjoying the process.   1minAI: Lifetime Subscription – $39.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld What’s worse than iCloud fees? Hitting your storage limit and having to consider upgrading. Here’s a better option: lifetime cloud storage. Yeah, that’s a thing now. Imagine paying $69.97 once instead of $10 every month. That’s FileJump. You get the same amount of storage as iCloud’s 2TB plan, but only during this early Black Friday sale—and only while codes last. Save 85% on cloud storage that pays for itself in only seven months. The biggest difference between iCloud and FileJump is that the latter won’t seamlessly integrate with your iOS devices. But with $10 extra in your pocket every month…who cares? Upload images, videos, and files under 15GB in size with a simple drag-and-drop, and they’re stored for life with AES encryption. Unlike other lifetime cloud storage plans, FileJump even has mobile and desktop apps to complete the experience. Conveniently see file previews for images, videos, and spreadsheets. Get cloud storage without fees during this early Black Friday sale: $69.97 (reg. $467) for FileJump’s 2TB lifetime subscription while codes last.   FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription – $89 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Macworld There’s no question that AirPods Pro 2 are the best earbuds Apple makes, and they keep getting better with awesome new capabilities such as the Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features added in iOS 18.1. They’re frequently on sale, and we always say they’re worth paying a little extra for if you can afford it. But the latest sale on Amazon’s U.S. store is so good you don’t really have a decision to make. It’s not uncommon to find these earbuds on sale for less than $200, but the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are currently $170, the lowest price we’ve ever seen. They’re actually the same price as the AirPods 4 with ANC right now and bring a ton of additional features, including the aforementioned hearing aid capabilities. Yes, the unquestionably superior product costs the same. While you’re grabbing this deal, you might want to pick up a set of Comply foam ear tips as well. They greatly improve the fit and comfort of AirPods Pro 2 and I never use mine without them. In our review of AirPods Pro 2, we praised the audio quality and features, with 2X noise cancellation and Precision Find My. And they’ve only gotten better since then with a steady stream of updates—and we suspect even more are on the way as Apple Intelligence continues to grow. So go grab a pair for this insanely low price and get yourself a pair of earbuds that keep on giving. Buy AirPods Pro 2 for $90 off at Amazon

Macworld Portable power banks that charge your phone are popular, but wireless battery packs using Apple’s magnetic MagSafe technology offer a simpler and smarter cable-free solution for iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 users. Phone batteries are prone to run dry just when you’re heading away from a power source, so having a portable charging source is one of today’s necessities. Annoyingly, most power banks require you to carry around a cable, too. Wireless power banks do away with cables but come with their own major limitation–the inefficiency of wireless charging means you need a high-capacity power bank to fully charge a drained iPhone. MagSafe is a technology that’s compatible with all iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 models, from the mini to the Pro Max. It allows accessories to connect magnetically to the back of the iPhone. For more information read our Complete guide to Apple MagSafe: What is MagSafe? The MagSafe connection is precise enough to make wireless charging more efficient as around 20% of Qi power loss is from poor placement of a phone and the wireless charging pad. Standard Qi wireless charging can lose as much as 50% of the portable battery’s power, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging loses ‘just’ 30%. While it’s not as efficient as using a cable to charge a phone, MagSafe is a tech that brings true wireless charging a step closer to doing away with cables altogether. Read on or go straight to the best magnetic power banks we have tested, listed by power, portability and functionality: Best high-capacity 10k MagSafe power banks Best small portable magnetic power banks Best multi-device charging MagSafe power banks Best iPhone battery case Best size magnetic power bank for you You should consider size when it comes to a power bank: physical size and battery capacity. The higher the battery capacity, the more recharging power you’ll get from the power bank—but you’ll also be carrying around a larger, heavier item. Lighter, slimmer power banks are easier to pocket even when clamped to your phone. Larger power banks might not fit in your trouser pocket and can slide off easier when pocketed even if clamped magnetically. 10K power banks (with a 10000mAh battery capacity) can charge a phone close to two times over, while 5K (5000mAh) battery packs usually stretch between 60-75%, which is often enough to get you to the next wall-socket powering opportunity. If you are relying on the power bank for long-haul travel or a camping trip, a 10K battery or higher will suit you better. Wireless power bank charging speed If a power bank is rated as MagSafe Certified it will wirelessly charge at up to 15W. Uncertified but still “Compatible” magnetic chargers are limited to 7.5W, so will power-up at a slower pace. New Qi2 chargers and power banks match MagSafe at 15W. See Is Qi2 as fast as MagSafe?. Apple’s new MagSafe Charger can charge the iPhone 16 at 25W but none of the power banks reviewed here can match that. We have listed the speeds at which each portable power bank can be charged itself (Input charger) and charge the iPhone (Output charger). Some power banks can charge a phone faster if you connect a cable, and we have highlighted those below. The higher the wattage, the faster the charging should be. After the list of our favorites, you’ll find more details on how MagSafe works and why you should be looking at a power bank’s capacity in Watt Hours rather than the mostly quoted Milliamp Hours. Best high-capacity 10K MagSafe power banks A 10000mAh (10K) battery is the sweet spot for both power and portability. 5000mAh (5K) power banks are slimmer, lighter and easier to pocket, but generally offer a maximum of 70-80% recharge potential versus a 10K power bank that should be able to recharge an iPhone at least one and a half times over. Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank – Best MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 15 or 16 Pros Huge battery capacity Built-in USB-C cable 7.5W wireless or 30W wired charging Kickstand Color choices Cons Not 15W wireless Best Prices Today: $29.99 at Amazon Prime$49.99 at Amazon Capacity: 37Wh (10000mAh) Input charger: USB-C (20W) Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (30W) On test charged iPhone to: 191% Weight: 8.5oz (241g) Dimensions: 4.15-x-2.7-x-0.8 inches (10.5-x-6.9-x-2cm) Colors: White, Black, Pink, Blue This iPhone magnetic power bank has a huge capacity, refilling a faded iPhone 15 Pro twice over in our tests—the best we’ve seen. We run the iPhone down to 10%, recharge using the power bank, and keep doing this until the power bank is empty. What makes this power bank special—although not unique—is its short built-in USB-C cable that can be used for fast-charging an iPhone 15 or 16 or refilling the power bank itself. The 5.5-inch cable can be neatly hooked into a loop for easy carrying. Using this cable you can charge one of the recent USB-C iPhones at a speedy 30W. Wirelessly it will work with any MagSafe iPhone (12/13/14/15/16) at 7.5W. iPhone 15 and 16 users can connect via the integrated USB-C cable or a separate longer cable via the side USB-C port if required, for faster 30W charging. Owners of earlier iPhones can use a USB-C to Lightning cable instead for fast 20W wired charging from the power bank. While its wired charging is fast, the Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank, reviewed below, is twice as fast when clamped on for wireless charging as it uses superior 15W Qi2 technology. The Nomos also boasts faster wired charging via its similar built-in USB-C cable, but we’ve given the Anker Zolo the overall crown as it has a significantly higher recharging score in our tests. It’s reasonably chunky compared to smaller-capacity 5K power banks, but around the same as other 10000mAh MagSafe power banks we’ve tested—except for its sibling ther Anker MagGo 10K Slim, reviewed below. It just fits in a trouser pocket while connected but if you want a slimmer battery pack, look for a smaller 5000mAh option—we’ve tested the best slim power banks further on. It has a handy pull-out kickstand at the back. This power bank is clearly built for the iPhone 15 and 16 families—with its neat integrated USB-C cable—but it works as well as any other wireless power bank tested here with the other MagSafe iPhones, and that built-in cable can be used to charge the power bank itself. At present it’s available in the U.S. only. Read our full Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank review Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 – Best wireless battery pack for charging speed Pros Built-in USB-C cable 15W wireless charging 45W wired charging 30W input Kickstand Cons High but not highest battery capacity Best Prices Today: $69.59 at Amazon Prime$86.99 at Amazon Capacity: 36Wh (10000mAh) Input charger: USB-C (30W) Output charger: Wireless (15W) & USB-C (45W) On test charged iPhone to: 166% Weight: 8.2oz (232g) Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (10.8 x 6.8 x 2cm) Colors: Gray, Black The Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank could easily be our number-one choice as the best magnetic power bank, with its built-in USB-C cable, 15W Qi2 wireless charging and best-in-class 45W wired output and 30W input. In those charge-speed aspects it beats the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank, reviewed above, but it is let down slightly by its performance in our battery capacity tests. While its 166% recharge score is high, it is not as full of power as the Zolo (191%), which is also a little cheaper. Choosing between the two power banks with built-in USB-C cables is therefore one of charging speed (Baseus) vs charging power (Anker). You can’t go wrong with either as they are both great choices and super convenient for iPhone 15/16 users with their integrated cables. Foundry Just to make that decision a little more thought provoking, Baseus has another option with a built-in USB-C cable. The more affordable $45.99 Baseus Magnetic Power Bank scored a near-top 187% in our charging tests and also matches the Anker Zolo on 7.5W wireless output and 30W wired output and close on 18W input, while lacking the kickstand. Read our full Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 45W 10000mAh review Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) – Best slim 10K MagSafe battery pack Pros High battery capacity Super slim and lightweight 15W wireless or 30W wired Colors

Macworld The first thing you should do after buying a new iPhone 16, be it an iPhone 16 Plus, Pro or Max, is to admire it and then swiftly cover it up. Buy yourself an iPhone 16 case to protect your precious mobile after splashing a ton of cash on it, and add some style to make your new handset more personal. Cases come in more shapes and size and with more functionality than you’d believe. We have hand tested the best to find the perfect case for your iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Best clear iPhone 16 cases Best-looking iPhone 16 cases Best protective cases for iPhone 16 Best leather and leather-alternative iPhone 16 cases Best iPhone 16 cases with wallet Best iPhone 16 case with built-in keyboard Best iPhone 16 cases with lanyards Best phone slings iPhone 16 case: Protection The most common causes for accidental smartphone damage are: dropping your phone on the ground, it falling from a pocket or bag, or it being knocked off a table. The main results of such phone accidents are cracked and scratched screens, followed by chipped corners and sides. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh! PROMOTIONESR iPhone 16 Pro Max Case Powerful built-in magnets with 1,500 g of holding force enable faster, easier place-and-go wireless charging and a secure lock on any MagSafe accessory. Plus robust and durable zinc-alloy construction ensures stand stays looking like new while hinge is lab tested to retain its strength after more than 3,000 uses. buy now Even a basic phone case will offer some protection against such everyday drops and knocks, and some are built to withstand more catastrophic accidents. A few years ago, such ultra-protective cases meant you’d be carrying around something the size and weight of a brick, but modern materials mean that protective cases can be relatively slim and light. Clever design and tough-but-thin materials such as Kevlar and Graphene are key to the levels of robustness—but it remains the case that the bulkier the case, the more protection it will offer as long as it is also clever and made of the right stuff. Let’s face it the iPhone is basically made front and back of glass—even if it is a new version of Ceramic Shield that Apple claims is “two times tougher than any smartphone glass”—and glass dropped on the floor usually ends in despair. Look for raised edges (known as a bezel) around the screen that will protect it from drop cracks and scratches. Another point of obvious weakness is the camera lens area, and you should go for a case with a raised edge around that part, too. Where we have the exact dimensions, we have included this information in our case reviews below. Look for button covers—in metal or plastic. Some cases prefer cutouts but may offer less protection as a result. The iPhone 16’s new Camera Control on the right side of all the iPhone 16 models may take third-party case makers time to catch up as most won’t have seen the latest iPhone before Apple announced it to the world. This “button” is capacitive so it can’t be covered using standard materials in the same way as the other iPhone buttons can. In its own cases, Apple (and Apple-owned Beats) utilizes a piece of sapphire crystal coupled with a conductive layer to communicate finger movements—including taps, slides and swipes—to the button below. That means it retains all its functionality, including the half-press and swipes. At launch, only the OtterBox Lumen iPhone 16 cases, reviewed below, feature the same Camera Control covering. This case is the only third-party case on sale in the Apple Store so it’s likely that OtterBox was briefed earlier than other case makers. However, we’d expect some of the cases reviewed below to replace Camera Control cutouts with similar coverings in the weeks and months ahead as they play catch up. A similar thing happened with the new Action button on the iPhone 15, and third-party cases changed their cutouts for buttons quite quickly. iPhone 16 case: Style Apple makes the iPhone a thing of sleek beauty and offers a small range of colors (exciting for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, but rather dull for the Pro and Pro Max). If you want to keep this Apple elegance while still protecting the phone, choose a clear case that won’t detract from the Apple designers’ art. If you want to add more personality—if only to distinguish your iPhone from those of your family, friends or colleagues—there are hundreds of designs to choose from. Some are quite beautiful, some fine art, and some I wouldn’t want to be seen with in a dark room. And iPhone 16 cases come in many forms: wallet cases, cases that support bike and car mounts, phone pouches, sleeves, slings and cases with belt-clips. Here we keep adding the best we can find as they come in for testing. iPhone 16 case: Fit Ensure you choose the right case for your exact model so that it fits correctly over the buttons and camera lenses for uninterrupted use. Where possible we have linked to the buying pages for each model: iPhone 16 (6.1 inch), iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inch), iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inch) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inch). Don’t think you can squeeze your new 16 model iPhone into a case for an older model. Sometimes a new iPhone is the same size as the previous model, but not the 16 unfortunately. Upgraders need a new case. iPhone 16 case: magnetic wireless charging Also make sure that the case is MagSafe compatible so that you can charge wirelessly with a MagSafe charger while your iPhone 16 stays in its case. So-called “clear” cases sadly require a huge white ring on their back to be compatible with MagSafe charging. Colored, patterned or leather cases hide their magnets better. You can, of course, still charge via a USB-C cable—which will always be the fastest way to charge an iPhone—and an iPhone charger. Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max If covering up Apple’s iPhone offends your inner Jony Ive, look for a clear, transparent case that keeps the iPhone’s looks as wonderful as they were straight out of the box. 1. Apple iPhone 16 Clear Case with MagSafe – Best clear iPhone 16 case Pros Made by Apple Shows off iPhone’s color Cons Basic protection Expensive Best Prices Today: $34 at Best Buy$37 at Amazon$49 at Apple MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 29g Camera edge: 2mm Button covers: Plastic Action button: Covered Camera Control: Covered Colors: Clear Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max This simple, rigid iPhone 16 protective case from Apple is thin and light, and by design, it doesn’t disguise the color of your iPhone 16 that you chose when you purchased it. Why pick out a Pink or Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max, only to cover it up in a black plastic case or something with badly drawn flowers on it? With Apple’s Clear case, you get decent protection without ruining the look of the phone.(If you want a black case or flowery pattern instead of Apple’s small palette of colors, we have plenty for you to choose from lower down this feature. The Apple Clear Case is made from a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and other flexible materials, with a scratch-resistant coating on both the inside and outside. While it’s more protective than silicone cases and features a robust-looking 2mm camera lip, you can find tougher cases, which we have reviewed below. There is one part of the case that isn’t clear—the white MagSafe ring on the back. As with all the Apple cases, the Camera Control is covered with a capacitive button that allows for finger taps and gestures without compromising on protection. The bottom of the case is a large cutout, however, leaving the USB-C port, speakers and microphone exposed. At 29g it’s super light, and while the rigid case adds a little bulk, it’s worth a little compromise for that layer of protection. All materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time. There are also cheaper clear cases, which we have also tested for you. But the Apple badge is a sure sign of quality, as you’d expect. The colors on the new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models aren’t as exciting as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, though, so we wouldn’t blame you for deciding on something more joyful. 2. ESR Zero Clear Case for iPhone 16 – Best budget clear iPhone 16 case Pros Shows off iPhone’s color Flexible Affordable Cons Basic protection Best Prices Today: $7.58 at Amazon MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 27g Raised edge: 1mm Camera edge: 0.7mm Button covers: Plastic Action button: Covered Camera Control: Cutout Colors: Clear Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iP

Macworld Apple is really driving hard in its race to be a top player in AI. The Apple Intelligence features are coming in so hot that they’re being released in stages, taking months after the release of iOS 18. And now a new report says the company is full steam ahead on a new version of Siri that goes well beyond the enhanced, more personal Siri coming this spring. According to a report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is building a new version of Siri that makes use of more advanced large language models (LLMs), and employees on the project are calling it “LLM Siri.” The new Siri will be able to hold natural back-and-forth conversations, not unlike the new Advanced Voice Mode of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. It will also handle more sophisticated requests more quickly. According to the report, Apple is already testing the new Siri as a separate app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but it will be released as a replacement for the built-in OS feature we know today. The new Siri is expected to be unveiled in 2025 as part of iOS 19 and macOS 16, but won’t be available at launch—instead, they’ll come in an update early in 2026 (i.e. iOS 19.3 or the like). Siri is expected to get a big upgrade early in 2025 as part of iOS 18.3 or 18.4. Though the fundamental AI model isn’t changing, that version of Siri will be able to build a personal profile of you based on your on-device data (contacts, Messages, location history, and so on) in order to “know” you better. It will also be able to make use of hundreds of new App Intents, which are hooks that third-party app developers can use to allow Siri to perform functions or access data from within apps on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Next month, Siri will get ChatGPT integration and some new visual intelligence features, but still remains largely the Siri we’ve known for years. The report doesn’t clarify exactly how the new Siri will work; Apple emphasizes on-device processing for better privacy, speed, and reliability. But advanced LLM models are huge, requiring large amounts of processing and significant RAM. The AI models of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 already require around 2GB of RAM, which is why they need an iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 to run (those are Apple’s only phones with 8GB of total RAM). If Apple is already testing the system on current devices, there’s a good chance your current phone will run it, but it may need a live internet connection to do so.

Macworld When you first register for an Apple Account (formerly Apple ID), you can use either a new email address provided by Apple (with an @icloud.com address) or one you already have. You can have multiple email addresses associated with your Apple ID, but only one primary address—the core address you’ll use to log in and to which important Apple Account-related emails would be delivered. It used to be a pain to change this, involving a multi-step process that you can only do on the web. With iOS 18.1, Apple has made it a lot easier to change your primary Apple ID address, and you can do it right from your iPhone or iPad. (The web still works, too.) Here’s how you do it. Change your Apple Account primary email on your iPhone or iPad First, ensure your devices are running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or a later version. Open Settings, then tap your name at the top to access your Apple account settings Tap Sign-In & Security Tap the email address marked “Primary email” Turn off the Primary Email switch to remove this as your main email. You’ll be prompted to select a new primary email address, either from another email associated with your Apple Account or by adding a new one Follow the onscreen steps to enter and verify your new primary email address If you have a third-party email address (not an @icloud.com or @me.com address) associated with your Apple Account and you want to remove it, just select it and tap Remove from Account. If it’s your Primary address you’ll be prompted to choose or create a new primary. For Apple-supplied email address (@icloud.com or @me.com) you’ll instead see an option to Change Email Address, which lets you pick a different email address but not remove it from your account. Change your Apple Account primary email on the web If you don’t have an iPhone or iPad (you only use a Mac, or maybe an Apple TV or something) you can change your primary email on the web. Go to account.apple.com and sign in Select Sign-In and Security on the left menu, and then Email & Phone Numbers Click the Remove button (-) next to your primary email Follow the onscreen steps to enter and verify your new primary email address

Macworld Apple introduced the 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro just a few weeks ago, so you may not expect to find any good Black Friday deals on it so soon after its release. But that’s not the case! In fact, you can get an excellent deal right now–Amazon is selling the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro processor, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $2,199. That’s a savings of $300 off the regular price and the best price we’ve ever seen. But wait, it gets better. That $300 price cut applies if you decide to upgrade the RAM or the chip as well. For example, you can get the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro, 48GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for $2,599 (regular price $2,899). Or you can get the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Max, 36GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $3,199 (regular price ($3,499). Or, if you want to go to the extreme, you can get the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Max, 48GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $3,699 (regular price $3,999). All of these models are available in Space Black or Silver. Buy it now on Amazon The M4 Pro and Max chips in the 16-inch MacBook Pro are Apple’s fastest MacBook chips available, ideal for professionals or anyone who needs to do some serious data processing. The M4 Pro and Max laptops also have Thunderbolt 5, which offers a big speed boost with data transfers and enhanced external display support. The laptops also feature a new 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, a major upgrade from the 1080p camera in the M3-based MacBook Pro. One important note: The Amazon deal is for MacBook Pros with the standard display with glossy glass. Apple introduced a Nano-texture matter glass with the M4-series MacBook Pro, but Amazon doesn’t offer that option. The standard glass is the same glossy display Apple has offered for years, and it’s a great one. So if you need a new MacBook, go grab this fantastic deal for a fantastic laptop before the price goes back up.

Macworld It’s nearly that time of year again—Black Friday, the yearly shopping event where everyone hunts for the biggest deals. Apple’s AirPods are famously popular gifts and travel companions, and various models are often on sale throughout the year. So keep your eyes peeled for great deals on AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max as the Black Friday sales take off. This page will be updated frequently with the latest deals, so return here throughout the Black Friday period as we highlight the best deals leading up to and through Black Friday (November 29, 2024) and Cyber Monday (December 2, 2024). You should also check out our round-up of the best Black Friday Apple deals for this year and our always up-to-date advice on the best AirPods deals. Does Apple discount AirPods for Black Friday? No Apple doesn’t drop AirPods prices, but it does give gift vouchers away with purchases. In 2024 you can get a gift card worth $75/£60 with the purchase of AirPods Max; a $50/£40 Apple Gift Card with the AirPods Pro 2, and a $25/£20 Apple Gift Card with the AirPods 4. The voucher may not be money off the AirPods, but it is money off your next purchase, or a saving on all your monthly subscription payments if you credit it to your account. More here: Apple Black Friday 2024: What you need to know about Apple’s sale. Get Apple's Black Friday offer (U.S.) Get Apple's Black Friday offer (U.K.) You don’t have to shop at Apple to get the best discounts though. Below you can see some of the best deals we’ve seen so far. The best AirPods deals for Black Friday 2024 U.S. Amazon, AirPods Pro (2nd-gen, USB-C case): $160 ($90 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, AirPods 4: $119 at Amazon ($10 off, MSRP $129) Amazon, AirPods 4 with ANC: $169 ($10 off, MSRP $179) Amazon, AirPods Max (Lightning): $459 ($100 off, MSRP $549) U.K. Amazon, AirPods (4th gen, 2024, with ANC): £169 (£10 off, RRP £179) Amazon, AirPods (4th gen, 2024, without ANC): £119 (£10 off, RRP £129) Many retailers in the U.K. are also offering discounts on older models, just keep in mind that a non ANC pair of AirPods 4 at $129/£129 would be a better choice: Argos, AirPods (3rd gen, Magsafe): £139 (£40 off, RRP was £179 – Clearance) Amazon, AirPods (3rd gen, Lightning): £129 (£40 off, RRP was £169 – Clearance) Argos, AirPods 2nd gen: £109 (£10 off, RRP was £129 – Clearance) Argos, AirPod Max, Lightning, 2020: £429 (£70 off, RRP was £499 – Clearance) If it doesn’t have to be AirPods, you might also find some deals among our Best earbuds for iPhone and Best overear headphones. AirPods deals for Black Friday 2024: Our advice Apple’s newest earbuds are the AirPods 4, which come in two models, a basic AirPods 4 that retails for $129/£129 and an upgraded version with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) for $179/£179. The two models are identical with the same great sound quality, battery life, and features, other than ANC. So, even if you find a good price on AirPods 2 or AirPods 3, it’s probably worth spending more and getting the AirPods 4 instead—they sound and fit much better. Also, considering that the AirPods 4 without ANC at $129/£129 offer better features than the AirPods 3 that used to sell for $179/£179 and it would have to be a really good deal to choose them over the newer buds. Similarly, Apple recently updated the AirPods Max with USB-C for charging, replacing the Lightning port. But they have no other new features, so if you find a better deal on the Lightning version, consider that model instead. Finally, the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro hasn’t been updated in a couple of years, but Apple keeps adding features to keep them fresh. The latest is Hearing Protection, which has a clinical-grade hearing test to turn them into an over-the-counter hearing aid. Is Apple’s AirPods Black Friday deal good this year? Every year Apple holds a shopping event from Black Friday (November 29, 2024) to Cyber Monday (December 2, 2024). Apple rarely discounts its products, so the event typically consists of gift card offers rather than actual savings. In 2024 you can get gift cards for the following voucher amounts with AirPods purchased on Apple’s U.S. site or Apple’s U.K. site. It might not be $75 off AirPods, but it is $75 off a second purchase, which we think it actually quite a good deal this year. 202420232022AirPods 4$25n/an/aAirPods Pro (2nd generation)$50$50$50AirPods Max$75$75$75 Take a look at the charts below which show up to minute best prices on all Apple’s AirPods. Latest AirPods Pro 2 deals ($249/£249) Retailer Price $297.50 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Latest AirPods 4 deals ($129/£129) Retailer Price $119 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Latest AirPods 4 with ANC deals ($179/£179) Retailer Price $168.99 View Deal $179 View Deal $179 View Deal $179.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Latest AirPods Max USB-C deals ($549/£499) Retailer Price $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Latest AirPods Max Lightning deals ($549/£499) New Refurbished Retailer Price $399 View Deal $399.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Silver $389 View Deal MGYN3AM/A Noise cancelling Headphone Bluetooth with microphone – Green $389 View Deal Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Space Gray $412.11 View Deal Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Green $415 View Deal Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Pink $442.76 View Deal Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Sky blue $454.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Black Friday 2024: Best deals for Apple products Check out these roundups for the best Apple deals: Apple Black Friday 2024 sale Best Black Friday 2024 Apple deals Best Black Friday 2024 Mac Deals Best Black Friday 2024 MacBook deals Best Black Friday 2024 AirPods deals Best Black Friday 2024 Apple Watch deals Best Black Friday 2024 iPad deals Best Black Friday 2024 iPhone deals Best Black Friday 2024 Mac monitor deals Best Black Friday 2024 SSD and external hard drive deals Best Black Friday 2024 Apple accessory deals

Macworld If you’re wondering which Mac to buy, you’ve come to the right place. In our Mac buying guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio, with expert buying advice to help you choose the machine (and configuration) that’s right for you. Apple makes six different types of Mac: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, but within each of those categories there are variations in the size, specs, and features, so things can get pretty complicated. That’s where this guide comes in, helping you make the right decision. If you’re simply looking for a great offer, visit our MacBook Pro deals, MacBook Air deals, iMac deals, Mac Studio deals, and Mac mini deals pages which are regularly updated. For help choosing the best Mac laptop, we also have a MacBook buying guide. Shopping for a Mac during Black Friday, read: Best Black Friday Mac deals and Best Black Friday MacBook deals. We have included the newest Macs for 2024: the M4 iMac M4 Mac mini and M4 MacBook Pro. Read our M4 iMac review and M4 Pro Mac mini review. Those Macs were updated in October 2024. At the same time, Apple doubled the RAM in the MacBook Air M3 and M2, so we have updated our advice accordingly. Should I upgrade from my Intel Mac? We are now more than four years into Apple’s transition from Intel processors to its own silicon that includes CPU, GPU, and unified memory. The transition began with the introduction of the M1 in November 2020. Since June 2023 every Mac Apple sells uses Apple’s own chips rather than Intel processors. If you’ve yet to upgrade your Intel Mac to one powered by Apple’s silicon what are you waiting for? If you are concerned that a must-have app doesn’t run on an M-series Mac, consider finding a new app because the performance gains are tremendous. Another good reason to update your Intel Mac is that it is unlikely to be supported by Apple for much longer in terms of security updates. With the arrival of macOS Sequoia, the number of supported Intel Macs is fewer than ever, and although Apple will be supporting Sonoma for a couple more years, and Ventura for another year, only a few of the most recent Intel Macs still be supported in a year or so. Read: The Intel Macs that can run macOS Sequoia. For more information see our Mac processor comparison where we compare Apple silicon and Intel. We also offer advice about how much storage, RAM, and cores in How much MacBook RAM, SSD, GPU, and CPU do you really need. Every Mac Apple sells Below we’ll take you through each Mac currently available from Apple, to give you an overview of what’s on offer and what you’ve got to choose from. 13-inch MacBook Air, M2 (2022) Best Prices Today: $749 at Amazon What is it? The MacBook Air is Apple’s most affordable laptop, designed with portability in mind. There are currently three versions of the MacBook Air available from Apple: a 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip, a 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip, and a 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip. The M2 MacBook Air had a price cut when the M3 model was introduced in March 2024: it now starts at $999/£999. The M2 MacBook Air was introduced in July 2022 with a brand-new look and a 13.6-inch screen (up from 13.3 inches). It’s a great machine, but the newer MacBook Air is only $100/$100 more than the M2 model and is well worth the upgrade. Another update came in October 2024 when Apple doubled the RAM (unified memory) from 8GB to 16GB without changing the price. This is an excellent update meaning that the MacBook Air is better value than ever. Who’s it for? The MacBook Air is ideal for the budget-conscious. It’s also for anyone who is always on the go, doesn’t want to be bogged down by a regular-size laptop, and needs a computer that’s more versatile than an iPad. How much does the 13-inch MacBook Air (M2) cost? Prices start at $999/£999 M2 MacBook Air with 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM and $1,199/£1,199 for the MacBook Air M2 with 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM. Make sure to check how much RAM is in the model you are buying and that it is priced accordingly. To update the RAM to 16GB would previously have cost $200/£200. What are the specifications? The entry-level M2 MacBook Air has 8 GPU cores, just like the entry-level M3 model, but the M3 is a step up from the M2 thanks to the newer 3nm manufacturing process. The M3 also offers faster Wi-Fi than the M2. Apple M2, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports: $999/£999. Apple M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports: $1,199/£1,199. Additional options: 24GB memory. Up to 2TB storage. What are display specifications? The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina on the M2 MacBook Air display has a native resolution of 2,560×1,664 and 500 nits brightness. How do I connect stuff? The MacBook Air with M2 chip has a MagSafe port for charging as well as a pair of Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectors. If you want to connect USB-A devices, you need either a USB-C to USB adapter, like Apple’s $19 / £19 one, or a USB-C hub that has USB-A ports. See our round-up of the best USB-C hubs and adapters. If you want to plug in more than one external display officially you can’t – but we know a workaround, read: How to connect two or more external displays to an M-series MacBook. The M2 MacBook Air has built-in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for connecting to a network (the M3 offers faster Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). It also provides built-in Bluetooth 5.3 for wirelessly connecting a mouse or other peripherals. If you want to connect to an ethernet network, you need an adapter. How fast is it? The M2 provides performance that is leaps and bounds faster than the Intel processors that were previously found in the MacBook Air, and Apple claims an 18 percent total CPU improvement over the M1 and a 35 percent improvement in graphics speed. It’s plenty fast enough for general-purpose use. But because it doesn’t have a fan to keep the computer cool, it may throttle down its speed during long processing sessions, such as video editing or compiling code, for which the MacBook Pro with its fan is a better choice. Macworld’s buying advice: The MacBook Air with M2 is a great affordable laptop for someone who does general-purpose work and moves around a lot, such as a student or a self-employed person. But it only costs another $100/£100 to upgrade to the M3 model, so unless you want to use that $100/£100 to upgrade the storage, we recommend the M3 over the M2. You may also want to avoid the entry-level models due to slower SSDs, but that may not be an issue if the kind of work you do doesn’t require a lot of writing to the hard drive. 13-inch MacBook Air, M3 (2024) Best Prices Today: $844 at Amazon Apple introduced the M3 version of the MacBook Air in March 2024, it then updated the Unified Memory (RAM) from 8GB to 16GB in October 2024 and didn’t change the price. What is it? The M3 MacBook Air looks identical to the M2 version (above), but there are some changes to the specs that make this a much better machine–and it only costs $100/£100 more. There is also a 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip, which we discuss below. Who’s it for? The MacBook Air with M3 is great value and ideal for the budget-conscious. If you are always on the go, don’t want to be bogged down by a regular-size laptop, and need a versatile computer, it’s a great choice. How much does the 13-inch MacBook Air (M3) cost? Prices start at $1,099/£1,099 – and Apple has doubled the RAM to 16GB from 8GB without increasing the price. There are three configurations and you can create build-to-order models with even more memory or storage. What are the specifications? The specs for the M3 MacBook Air look similar to the M2 model, but while it looks like identical cores and memory support, there is a leap from the M2 to the M3 which should improve performance. We used to recommend 16GB RAM as a build-to-order option because we didn’t think 8GB was enough, but now Apple has listened and offers that as standard. Apple M3, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports: $1,099/£1,099. Apple M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports: $1,299/£1,299. Apple M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports: $1,499/£1,499. Additional options: Up to 2TB storage. What are display specifications? The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina on the M3 MacBook Air display has a native resolution of 2,560×1,664 and 500 nits brightness. How do I connect stuff? All MacBook Air models (since the M2) have a MagSafe port for charging as well as a pair of Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectors. If you want to connect USB-A devices, you need either a USB-C to USB adapter, like Apple’s $19 / £19 one, or a USB-C hub that has USB-A ports. See our round-up of the best USB-C hubs and adapters. Unlike the M2 MacBook Air, the M3 MacBook Air is able to

Macworld Back in May, cut the price of the 10th-gen iPad from $449 to $349, turning an OK tablet into a budget bargain. But today’s deal makes it a dowright impulse buy: Amazon is selling he 10th-gen iPad for $279 ahead of Black Friday, a savings of $70 and the lowest price we’ve ever seen. Running on the A14 bionic chip, the tablet is ready for gaming, streaming, creative tasks, and having tons of fun. The 10.9″ Liquid Retina Display is also gorgeous enough for any task you want to perform and any lighting condition. The colors are vivid, and the images are sharp. The all-day battery life will enable you to actually take the tablet with you anywhere you go without worrying about where you’re going to charge it while you’re far from outlets and charging cables. You’ll also get a 12MP camera as well as a selfie cam that’s centered on the landscape edge and will keep you in the frame even while walking around thanks to Center Stage. And with support for the USB-C Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio, you can turn this tablet into the ultimate productivity device for work or school. So don’t miss out on the chance to get the latest iPad for its very best price ahead of Black Friday because the 10th-gen iPad for $279 is a fantastic price that’s unlikely to go any lower. Snatch the iPad at its best priceBuy it now at Amazon

Macworld macOS Sequoia has been available for compatible Macs since September 2024, but further updates to Seqoia are expected over the next few months, with the first major update being macOS 15.1, which arrived on October 28. If you want to know what the new features are, whether you will be able to enjoy all of them, and if your Mac is ebven compatible with Sequoia, read on. We are also tracking any problems, the latest updates, and what’s new in the beta. The new version of macOS is called Sequoia, named after the Californian National Park and, more specifically, the world’s largest trees. Among the new features coming to Macs in Sequoia are iPhone mirroring, which puts your iPhone screen on your Mac’s display and lets you interact with it via your mouse and keyboard, a new Video conferencing presenter preview, and changes to Safari. In addition, developers will be easily able to port games between iPhone, Mac, and iPad. The free software update brings a raft of interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new features. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about macOS 15 Sequoia including how to download it. We also link to various tutorials about how to use the new features. Some features will only work on Macs with an M-series chip, including several Apple Intelligence features that will offer help with writing, creating images, editing photos, and more. Some people have been running Sequoia for some time thanks to Apple’s beta testing program. In this article, we also discuss the latest versions of both the developer and public beta. Update November 20: On November 20 Apple issued an important update to Sequoia. The macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 emergency update patches a pair of scary vulnerabilities that have already been used in remote attacks. Apple also updated the Sequoia 15.2 beta to version 4. macOS Sequoia: Latest version macOS 15.1.1 – November 20 The latest version of macOS Sequoia is macOS 15.1.1. It’s an ’emergency update’ necessary to patch flaws in JavaScript and WebKit that Apple says “may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.” There is no release for Macs running macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 or Ventura 13.7.1, yet, but that update is likely to come soon. macOS 15.1 arrived on October 28. This major update brings the first raft of Apple Intelligence features to Macs with the M-series chip. macOS 15.0.1 was released on October 3, 2024. It did not contain new features, but it did include two important bug fixes. One bug fix corrected the error that led Messages to quit when replying to a message that shared an Apple Watch face. The other fix was for compatibility with third-party security software. Apple released macOS Sequoia to the public earlier than usual, alongside iOS 18 on Monday, September 16. iOS 18, watchOS and iPadOS 18 were released at the same time. The next major update to Sequoia will be macOS 15.1 which is expected by the end of the month. For information about what is coming in the next version look at the latest version of the Sequoia beta section below. macOS Sequoia: Features in macOS Sequoia 15.1 Screenshot Foundry macOS Sequoia 15.1 includes a number of new AI features that work on M-series Macs: Writing Tools – offering spelling and grammar support and helping you edit or summarize text. These features can be used around the operating system. Siri – new design and Type To Siri. (Type to Siri isn’t a new feature, but Apple’s making it more obvious for those of us who hate talking to Siri). Siri will be better at maintaining context while you ask related questions. Reduce Interruptions – a new AI Focus Mode that will filter out unimportant notifications. Smart Reply – you’ll be able to use these in Messages and Mail. Photos – Memory Movie will create slideshows based on a text description. You can also use a Clean Up tool to remove unwanted elements of a photo. Improvements to photo search. Summaries – Safari will be able to summarize articles. iPhone Mirroring – Drag files from iPhone to Mac and back. Audio transcriptions – You can get audio transcriptions of your audio recordings in Notes. macOS Sequoia: What’s coming in in macOS Sequoia 15.2 Release date: December 2024 (expected) On October 23, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 1 to developers. Beta 2 arrived on November 4. This update will bring even more Apple Intelligence features including improvements to Writing Tools, generative AI Image Playground, ChatGPT integration for Siri and Writing Tools, including: Writing Tools updates – more options. Genmojji – new emoji you can create. Image Playground – ability to generate images based on text prompts. Image Wand – uses Apple’s image generation tools to create an image and add as context to a note. ChatGPT integration – use ChatGPT with Siri. Mail – AI-powered auto-categories to help manage your Inbox. macOS Sequoia: Problems & bugs Several third-party security tools have reported issues with the new version of the Mac operating system. Read more here: Hold off on updating to macOS Sequoia if you’re using cybersecurity tools. CrowdStrike referenced “changes in the network stack” in an alert sent to its customers and has held off on support for the new OS. ESET indicated that there is a problem is with ESET Cyber Security version 6, an older version that “will be End of Life soon.” Firefox apparently has firewall-related issues with Sequoia. Messages could quit if a message including an Apple Watch face was replied to (fixed in macOS 15.0.1) Compatibility with third-party security software was addressed in macOS 15.0.1. Having problems with Sequoia? Read: How to downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma macOS Sequoia compatibility: Which Macs will be able to run macOS 15? Screenshot Foundry The following Macs get support for macOS 15. iMac from 2019 and later Mac Pro from 2019 and later iMac Pro from 2017 Mac Studio from 2022 and later MacBook Air from 2020 and later Mac mini from 2018 and later MacBook Pro from 2018 and later There are two 13-inch MacBook Air models from 2018 and 2019 running Sonoma that won’t be able to install Sequoia. The compatibility list is becoming a pressing concern for users of Intel Macs. After Apple introduced its M-series Macs, the company said it would continue to support Intel Macs for several years, but it did not offer specifics. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, but the last generation of Intel Macs remains on the macOS 15 compatibility list with a few Intel Macs that can run macOS Sequoia. However, only Macs with an M1, M2, or M3-series chip will support the new AI features referred to as “Apple Intelligence.” That includes the following: iMac from 2021 and later Mac Pro from 2023 Mac Studio from 2022 and later MacBook Air from late 2020 and later Mac mini from late 2020 and later MacBook Pro from late 2020 and later If your Mac can’t be updated to Sequoia that doesn’t mean you are completely abandoned by Apple. Apple will provide security updates for some Macs that don’t run macOS 15. Generally, Apple provides software updates for the past two versions of macOS. See: How long does Apple support Macs? On average, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates. To find out which version of macOS and older Mac can run take a look at our macOS compatibility list. macOS Sequoia: Should I install Sequoia? As long as your Mac can run it, we recommend updating to Sequoia. The new features–all of which we discuss below–look enticing enough. We address how macOS Sequoia compares to Sonoma? in a separate article. We also run through 6 reasons why you need to upgrade to macOS Sequoia. However, it’s wise to wait a week or so for the inevitable issues with the early release to be addressed: despite the beta program, there are often issues once the software update gets out into the wide Mac world. It’s also wise to wait because the download will likely take a lot longer if you try soon after it becomes available. Refer to the problems and bugs section above to see if any of the identified issues might affect you. macOS Sequoia: How to install Installing macOS Sequoia is a breeze. Open System Settings and go to General > Software Update; macOS will check for any available updates and guide you through the process of installing them. You simply have to follow the instructions, which we explain in our macOS updating guide. And it’s easier still if you’ve turned on Automatic Updates, which you can do from the same screen. However, if you do encounter problems the following may be useful: How to install macOS Sequoia on your Mac How to get your Mac ready for macOS Sequoia How to fix macOS installation problems macOS Sequoia Beta: Latest version Apple’s beta testing program for developers and public testers has been running since June/July and will continue even after the launch of macOS Sequoia to the general public. There is a separate macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta that includes Apple Intelligence features. Below you can find information about the latest beta versions and how to install them. If you want to run the developer beta, you need to be a registered Apple software developer, which has both free and paid ($99/£79) versions. Since June 2023 Apple has opened the beta to all registered developers–so now everyone can get the earliest possible access to the macOS beta without paying a penny. Anyone can sign up for the Public Beta, which should be more stable than the developer beta, but it may still be unstable. By nature, beta software is not as stable as the final version–features may be implemented and then withdrawn, or they may not work properly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isn’t guaranteed. Once registered, when you go to S