Macworld

Macworld Apple recently introduced a new iPad Pro with the M5 chip, and we also got the M3 iPad Air along with the A16 iPad earlier this year. With 2026 just around the corner, there are already rumors about what to expect for the iPad lineup next year—and Macworld now has strong evidence of what’s coming. An internal Apple code document seen by Macworld has revealed the company’s plans for the 2026 iPad lineup, which includes an updated entry-level iPad with an A19 chip and an iPad Air with a faster chip. A19 iPad The entry-level iPad model is expected to receive a significant spec bump. According to legitimate Apple code for an internal pre-release build of iOS 26 seen by Macworld, there’s a new version of this iPad under the codenames J581 and J588 that will be powered by the A19 chip, the same processor inside the current iPhone 17. The 11th-generation iPad has an A16 chip, which is plenty powerful for everyday tasks, but notably lacks support for Apple Intelligence. The A19 chip is about 50 percent faster than the A16, and also has more RAM (8GB vs. 6GB), which makes it better for multitasking and AI-based features. This will bring the iPad closer to the premium models and future-proof it for upcoming Apple Intelligence features. The new entry-level iPad model is also expected to feature Apple’s N1 wireless chip, introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup. In terms of design, display, and cameras, everything will likely remain the same. Apple M4 iPad Air Another spec bump confirmed by Apple’s internal code is a new generation of iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. The jump from M3 to M4 isn’t a big one, but those who own older iPads will certainly appreciate the performance bump. Under the codenames J707, J708, J737, and J738, the new iPad Air likely won’t have any major design changes and is expected to keep the same display and camera specs as the current generation. Just like the new entry-level iPad, the M4 iPad Air will also feature Apple’s custom N1 wireless chip for better performance and lower latency. What about the other iPads? While Apple is likely also working on new versions of the iPad Pro and iPad mini, there’s no mention of them in this piece of internal code seen by Macworld. Those models are on a more sporadic release schedule than the iPad and iPad Air, so it’s possible Apple’s skips a 2026 release. However, the code comes from an early build of iOS 26, so Apple’s plans may have changed. According to our source, both the A19 iPad and the M4 iPad Air are set to launch sometime next year.

Macworld We’ve been hearing rumors about a potential new generation of Studio Display for a while, but 2025 came and went without an announcement. But that’s about to change, as Macworld has seen evidence of a new Studio Display with new features that will bring several notable upgrades. New display with 120Hz and HDR Legitimate Apple code for an internal pre-release build of iOS 26 seen by Macworld points to a new external display identified as “J527.” This codename had previously been associated with a second-generation Studio Display by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the existence of an imminent Studio Display upgrade is no surprise, we now finally have more details on what to expect when it comes to new features. References in the code clearly show that this new Studio Display has a variable refresh rate that can go up to 120Hz, just like the ProMotion display on the latest MacBook Pros. The current Studio Display is limited to 60Hz.  The current Studio Display is limited to 60Hz, but the second-generation model may support 120Hz ProMotion according to internal Apple code.,Foundry Furthermore, the code references a “J527” monitor that also supports both SDR and HDR modes, sn upgrade from the current SDR-only model. This is a strong indication that Apple will replace the LCD panel with better technology, such as Mini-LED that can achieve higher brightness levels. The LCD panel in the first-generation Studio Display can reach up to 600 nits of brightness, but without HDR. In contrast, the Mini-LED display in the latest MacBook Pro reaches up to 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and up to 1,600 nits for HDR content. If Apple really goes with these leaked specs, the next Studio Display will be a huge step up in image quality compared to the current model. A19 chip inside Another small but interesting detail is that the new Studio Display will reportedly be powered by the A19 chip, while the current one has the A13 chip inside. Although Studio Display lacks smart features such as built-in apps, it uses its chip to handle webcam image processing and Spatial Audio. Apple is targeting the launch of the new Studio Display sometime in 2026, possibly alongside a new M5 Mac Studio. Stay tuned to Macworld for more details.

Macworld It’s no longer true that the best games aren’t available to play on the Mac. Recently we’ve seen many many A-list games arrive on the Mac, including Assassins Creed: Shadows, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Civilisation V11, Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil.  You can see reviews of our favorite A-list games that can be played on the Mac below. These are what we believe are the greatest Mac games out there, and you’ll find out reviews together with links to the Mac App Store, Steam and other reputable vendors, so you can buy them right away. Best Mac Games 2025 There are so many great games available to play on the Mac. Everyone has different tastes though, so we’ve tried to include something for everyone below. So whether you love RPGs, fighting games, action-adventure, first-person shooters, strategy games or puzzle, read on to find something to play. Below you can find the best games released in 2025, plus the ones we loved and still play. 1. Cyberpunk 2077 (Mac) – Best Mac game of 2025 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why we loved Cyberpunk 2077: Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultimate Edition) nailed the comeback. The vast, neon-soaked world of Night City offers deep freedom, compelling characters and quests, and slick futuristic visuals. After many patches (and expansion Phantom Liberty), it plays smoothly even on Macs – making the once-troubled RPG feel “alive” and worth exploring. Cyberpunk 2077, despite its troubled 2020 launch, sold more than 30 million copies. Now CD Projekt Red has made Cyberpunk: 2077 available for the Mac—on the App Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The game is set in the Blade Runner-inspired Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification.  Initially, the first-person viewpoint suggests a straightforward FPS, but it’s actually a deep and challenging role-playing game that boldly steps into the future, avoiding tired fantasy clichés.  Your character – who can be male or female – is a hacker known as V, and you start the game by choosing one of three ‘lifepaths’ that fill in V’s background. You can assign experience points to attributes such as intelligence, reflexes, technical ability and ‘cool’, with each attribute giving you access to different skills that you can develop throughout the game. And, of course, there are plenty of body modifications and upgrades that you can collect along the way too.  V is sent on a mission to steal a prototype chip called the Relic, but then ends up with the Relic implanted inside their own head. It turns out that the chip stores the digital personality of a dead anti-corporate rockstar called Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves). Johnny soon starts to take over, forcing you to find a way to save your own personality before it is overwritten. Night City provides a huge open world that you can explore. There’s a varied cast of characters that you can meet and plenty of jobs that you can pick up. There are few games on the Mac that create the same sense of freedom – you can spend hours exploring before tackling the main quest.  The action can get pretty violent, and there’s lots of bad language too, so it isn’t for younger gamers. The team at CD Projekt Red say that it will run on Macs with a basic M1 processor – but you’ll need macOS 15.5 and at least 16GB of memory (there’s no support for Intel Macs). There are presets that adjust graphics settings for different Mac models to get the best performance from the game. Read our full Cyberpunk 2077 (Mac) review 2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Action-packed with stunning visuals Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why we loved Assassin’s Creed, Shadows: Assassin’s Creed Shadows impressed us because it delivers a richly realized feudal-Japan setting, blending ninja-style stealth and samurai combat with satisfying variety and depth. Players can switch between two contrasting protagonists – a stealthy shinobi and a powerful samurai – giving the game flexibility and replay value. The open world and generous quests add to the sense of immersion and adventure. Shadows is the first game in the long-running Assassin’s Creed series that has been released on the Mac. It’s set in Japan during a civil war in 1579 as the warlord Oda Nobunaga attempts to conquer and forcibly unite the country’s warring factions. You to play as two separate characters, each with their own different skills and fighting styles. Naoe is a shinobi (ninja) who specialises in stealth and agility. Yasuke, a samurai who can block and parry his foes’ attacks. It’s pretty violent but you can tone down the settings for blood and dismemberment if you want. This one isn’t for kids. The game does take a little while to get going, as it effectively has two introductions to allow you to get some practice with the different fighting styles of Naoe and Yasuke. Things soon pick up, though. Shadows provides plenty of quests and combat to keep you busy. For the most part, it’s all about the wall-to-wall combat, with lots of sneaking and parkour-style running and jumping to add variety. There are four difficulty settings available – which will be helpful for Mac users who haven’t played any of the Assassin’s Creed games before. What most impressed me were the game’s 3D graphics. The early cut-scenes were very impressive, with some of the most detailed and photo-realistic effects that I’ve ever seen on a Mac. With many games, though, and when the cut-scenes finish you find that the actual in-game action tends to offer a lower level of visual detail, but, with Shadows, the game just continues smoothly at the end of these cut-scenes and maintains the excellent visual quality throughout the game. Read our full Assassin’s Creed: Shadows review 3. Hollow Knight, Silksong – Atmospheric combat Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why we loved Hollow Knight, Silksong: Hollow Knight: Silksong won us over with its gorgeous hand-drawn art, fluid combat, and atmospheric world that runs smoothly even on modest Macs. It brings back the tight platform-action and exploration that made its predecessor a cult classic – but sharper and more ambitious. The game feels like a polished, meaningful evolution: faster and more agile hero, deeper environments, memorable bosses — a worthy sequel that still respects the original vibe. Silksong works on both Intel Macs and Apple Silicon. The game’s 2D graphics run smoothly on older Macs, including my five-year-old Intel iMac at 4K resolution.  Hollow Knight, developed by a modest three-man team in Adelaide, was a huge hit and sold millions of copies. The sequel has built up significant anticipation, but Team Cherry took their time to ensure Silksong lived up to its award-winning predecessor. Silksong follows Hornet, a princess from the last game, as she escapes from a new kingdom called Pharloom. Despite sharing the same distinctive hand-drawn graphics, animation, and Larkin’s soundtrack, the game introduces new mechanics. Hornet navigates a sideways-scrolling 2D platform game, using her needle and thread weapons to defeat over 200 enemies. As she explores Pharloom, she gains new weapons and abilities to tackle the game’s bosses. While I’m not skilled at platform games, I found the jumping mechanics in Silksong more forgiving than in Hollow Knight. Sometimes, Hornet could grab a ledge and escape danger if

Macworld One of the best things you can get for your desk this holiday season is a triple MagSafe charger so your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods can get back to 100% without cluttering your space with cables. We love this one from Anker that has a little display and a gorgeous design, and it’s down to $161 at Amazon today after a massive 30 percent discount. View at Amazon We absolutely adored this Anker charger and gave it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, praising not just the elegant stand and smart display, but also the fact that it all comes with a 65W wall charger. The main MagSafe puck delivers 25W ultra-fast wireless charging, capable of charging your iPhone 17 Pro to 50 percent in just 22 minutes, while the magnetic Watch charger ensures you can see and charge it while you work. Then you can rest your AirPods case on the base. Tidy and neat! There’s a built-in 1.65-inch HD display that provides real-time data on power output and device temperature. There are several modes to cycle through, from “Ice Mode” that maximizes cooling for active use, to “Boost Mode” that prioritizes charging speed, and “Sleep Mode” which dims the display and quiets the cooling system for overnight charging. Take advantage of this 30 percent discount for the Anker Prime MagSafe charger before time runs out, and the deal expires at Amazon. Buy now at Amazon

Macworld Before you even start the setup on your new iPhone 17—be it an iPhone 17 or Air, 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max— you should consider what type of case you need to protect it in. However good Apple’s new Ceramic Shield 2 shell is, it won’t be up to protecting your phone if dropped or scraped. A case just makes sense—and can look fantastic, too. Some are even ultra glamorous. Cases come in more shapes and sizes and with more functionality than you’d believe. Hit these links to jump straight to our recommendations, reviews and tests to find the perfect case for your iPhone 17, Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Or read on for more case advice before reaching the product charts. Best clear iPhone 17 cases Best-looking iPhone 17 cases Best protective cases for iPhone 17 Best leather and leather-alternative iPhone 17 cases Best iPhone 17 cases with wallet Best iPhone bags Best iPhone 17 camera grip cases Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone 17? You may have heard that Apple’s new-generation Ceramic Shield 2 front cover promises 3x better scratch resistance, and for the Pro and Pro Max models Ceramic Shield also protects the back of iPhone, delivering 4x better resistance to cracks than the back glass on previous models. Does that mean that you no longer need a case? A case will keep your iPhone looking at it’s best, which will be a benefit when and if you come to sell it. Also, note that neither the plain iPhone 17 nor Air feature the same level of back protection. Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone Air? The iPhone Air is so thin it seems a shame to bulk it up in a protective case. It’s also tough at resisting bending but it is still just as vulnerable to drops and everyday dings. Most cases reviewed here have a variant for the iPhone Air but there are especially thin cases such as the super-slim Thinborne iPhone 17 Case and Pitaka Ultra-Slim Case, or consider the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back that misses the sides altogether and protects just the back. Why you need an iPhone case The primary function of a phone case is to protect your high-cost but fragile device from physical damage—caused by accidental impacts such as shocks from drops and scrapes that can leave your phone with a cracked screen, scratches, dents, a shattered back or internal harm. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh! Just being pulled from your pocket many times a day causes gradual wear that adds to the unseen damage from UV exposure and other environmental factors. Environmental protection safeguards against water and dust damage that can degrade or destroy your precious phone. Putting your iPhone into a case doesn’t make it indestructible, but it will reduce the risk of everyday or unexpected damage that might otherwise save a costly repair or full replacement. Which type of iPhone case to choose As nice as Apple makes its phones look there are only a handful of colors, so a case also offers aesthetic personalization through design (there are thousands to choose from) and customized style. Love the Cosmic Orange iPhone Pro but want to save money with the basic iPhone 17 model? Why not just buy a bold orange case for the 17, such as the Beats iPhone 17 Rugged Case in Sierra Orange? Choosing the right case material (be that silicone, leather, Graphene or Kevlar) is also key—depending on whether you are after better grip, more robust protection or luxurious leather. Cases can also add functionality, with handy features such as stands for hands-free viewing or wallet holders for carrying cards and cash. If you ever wirelessly charge your phone, make sure the case is MagSafe compatible—most are these days. Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 17, Air, 17 Pro and 17 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. Why pick out a Sky Blue iPhone Air or Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, only to cover it up in a black plastic case or something with badly drawn flowers on it? With a Clear case, you get decent protection without ruining the look of the phone—although Apple has rather mucked this up with its own version; see review below. If you want a plain black case or flowery pattern instead of Apple’s small palette of colors, we have plenty for you to choose from further down this feature. Apple iPhone 17 Clear Case with MagSafe – Simple but flawed clear iPhone 17 case Pros Made by Apple Shows off iPhone 17’s color Cons Basic protection Ugly on Pro / Pro Max Open bottom section Expensive Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 29g Camera edge: 2mm Button covers: Plastic Colors: Clear Available for: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max Amazon: All iPhone 17 models Amazon UK: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max This simple, rigid iPhone 17 protective case from Apple is thin and light. By design, clear cases shouldn’t disguise the color of your iPhone that you chose when you purchased it. 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. While the Clear Case for the basic iPhone 17 is as you’d expect, Apple has somewhat ruined the idea of a “clear” case for its Pro and Pro Mac versions of the iPhone 17, which feature a slab of white plastic at the back under the camera area. It’s white whatever color of iPhone 17 Pro or Max that you own. This is because Apple added its second-generation Ceramic Shield glass as a separate panel on the back of the Pro models—it’s on only the front of all the 17 family. To keep the back design visually balanced, the Apple logo was repositioned slightly lower. The white slab on Apple’s clear case is related to this adjustment and the alignment of the MagSafe magnets. Customers are already complaining that Apple should have created cases with a block in the color of the phone. If your iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max is orange or deep blue that slab of white is, well I’ll say it, ugly. The bottom of the Clear Case is nearly fully open, which reduces the level protection. For the iPhone Air Apple has another not really clear solution: the iPhone Air Bumper. This protects the edges of the phone and matches the Air’s color but leaves the back exposed. With a raised bezel it will also stop the screen touching the surface when laid flat. You can choose the bumper color to match your iPhone Air or select another color if you are feeling adventurous. Apple also sells the iPhone Air Case with MagSafe in Frost or Shadow, with a 0.9mm back panel that’s reinforced with a polycarbonate frame. The inside is lightly frosted, while the exterior is finished to a high gloss. 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. ESR Classic Hybrid Magnetic Case – Best budget clear iPhone 17 case Pros Shows off iPhone’s color Affordable Stash Stand option Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $9.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 42g (with Stash Stand) Raised edge: 1.2mm Camera edge: 0.8mm to 2mm Button covers: Plastic Colors: Clear, plus frosted pink, blue, black and green Available for: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max Amazon: All iPhone 17 models If you want see-through protection for your new iPhone 17 ESR’s Classic Hybrid Case—with 1.5mm back—features shock-absorbing Air Guard corners that can protect from drops

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Cool retro style Comfortable grip Ergonomic like phones used to be USB-C connection to iPhone Cons Not compatible with Lightning (iPhone 14 or earlier) Our Verdict With this vintage gadget you can transport yourself back to the 1960s, 70s and 80s when phones only looked smart. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Native Union POP Phone Retailer Price Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Tired of modern life and yearning for the old days when a phone was a phone and not a computer full of tempting apps and beeping notifications? Frustrated by a cricked neck or strained wrist from doing all your talking on a thin rectangular slab of metal and glass, or dreaming of the ergonomic delight of a phone with proper ear and mouth pieces that nestles to the side of your head? One of Macworld’s favorite Apple accessory makers Native Union has relaunched the vintage phone handset—it works with today’s devices to make comfortable calls feel like proper conversations again. Simon Jary Forget you’re on an iPhone The POP Phone is big and chunky and available in a range of bold colors that bring personality back to making phone calls. With it in hand you won’t be tempted by modern day distractions such as doom scrolling, checking the sports results, Facebook Reels, TikTok videos or the latest Instagram posts. Think about the person you’re talking to, not the device they have contacted you on. Simon Jary Made with recycled materials, the POP Phone also keeps your phone away from your face and so reduces exposure to 99% of mobile radiation, claims Native Union. We don’t know the science behind such claims but holding a device up to your face for long periods of time isn’t ever going to be a health benefit. Native Union Not just an iPhone gadget The USB-C connection plugs straight into your iPhone (15 or later), MacBook or iPad. You don’t need to pair or even charge the thing. As it’s USB-C it will work only with iPhones 15 or later; older iPhones use Apple’s Lightning connector. The same goes for older iPads, but you have to go back ten years to find a Mac without a USB-C or compatible Thunderbolt port. Because you’re talking right into the mic and listening with the speaker to your ear, the sound quality is clear in both directions. The person on the other end of the call won’t even know you’re using it unless you are on a Zoom, Teams or FaceTime video call when they can marvel at your retro gadget. It’s a guaranteed meeting ice-breaker. Simon Jary In the handset arm there’s a built-in pick up and hang up button, so you never need to touch your phone’s screen. We’d love it even more if there was a dock that you could put the handset in to physically hang up, which is a more exciting way to end a call than just tapping on the touchscreen. The POP Phone is way more tactile than touchscreens, and the smooth plastic body feels great against your ear—you can even twiddle with the curly cord while you’re talking. In fact, you can’t help doing it. You’re unlikely to carry the POP Phone around in your pocket or handbag for every call you make, but it’s fun to use and makes people stop and stare in nostalgic envy or just plain Gen Z confusion. Native Union Price The Native Union POP Phone costs $39.99 / £34.99 and makes a great gift to a friend or yourself. It’s also available at Amazon. It’s available in a range of eight colors: Black, Alarm Red, Pine, Sandstone, Lemon, Candy, Azur and Slate Green. For other great gift ideas, check our Gift Guide for iPhone Users and Gift Guide for Mac users. Native Union Should you buy the Native Union POP Phone? When you see this piece of vintage tech, you’ll either be young enough to be curious about what the hell it is and question why something has to be this big, or want one immediately to transport yourself back to the 1960s, 70s and 80s when phones only looked smart.

Macworld Best MacBook Pro deals available now These recommendations are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products. Today’s best MacBook Pro deals: U.S. Amazon, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (512GB/16GB RAM): $1,349 ($250 off, MSRP $1,599) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): $1,749 ($250 off, MSRP $1,999) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): $2,099 ($300 off, MSRP $2,399) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro (1TB/36GB RAM): $2,799 ($400 off, MSRP $3,199) Amazon, 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): $2,199 ($300 off, MSRP $2,499) Amazon, 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro (1TB/48GB RAM): $3,599 ($400 off, MSRP $3,999) See more U.S. MacBook Pro deals below… Today’s best MacBook Pro deals: U.K. KRCS, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,439.10 (£160 off, RRP £1,599) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): £2,117.97 (£282 off, RRP £2,399) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro (1TB/36GB RAM): £2,800 (£399 off, RRP £3,199) Amazon, 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): £2,149.97 (£349 off, RRP £2,499) See more U.K. MacBook Pro deals below… Last updated December 10, 2025 Want to buy a MacBook Pro for less than Apple’s price? We can help you find the best deals on a MacBook Pro using our Best Prices Comparison. Our deal finder looks at all the stores that sell Apple Macs and finds the best prices right now. Whether it’s the brand new M5 MacBook Pro, or an older M4 Pro or M4 Mac MacBook Pro model that you want to find on sale, we share the best prices you can get the MacBook Pro for.  How we find the best MacBook Pro deals When choosing the best MacBook Pro deals, our editors draw on years of experience with both new and older Apple hardware, alongside continual tracking of market pricing. Because we monitor MacBook Pro prices year-round, we know exactly what resellers have charged in the past, so we can quickly spot a genuinely great discount versus an average one. We’ve reviewed every MacBook Apple sells and use these machines daily, so we understand which models offer the strongest value for money and can guide you toward the smartest purchase. You can trust our deals recommendations because: We check leading U.S. and U.K. retailers throughout the year to stay on top of the best available prices. We use price-tracking tools to monitor discounts in real time and identify which store truly has the lowest price. Our editors hand-select deals based on long-term pricing trends and insights from our own in-depth product reviews. We take Apple’s release cycles into account, helping you avoid buying right before a major update. We highlight upcoming shopping events or special promotions that might see prices lowered further. We update the prices in this article regularly, but it’s still worth checking multiple retailers in the comparison tables below because MacBook Pro prices shift frequently. If you’re targeting a specific model, look in the price comparison boxes below to secure the best possible deal. If you would also consider a MacBook Air then take a look at our round up of the best MacBook Air deals. We also have a guide to the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including iMac, Mac mini, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.  Is now a good time to buy a new MacBook Pro? The M5 MacBook Pro launched in October 2025 and now is a great time to buy one.Foundry Now is a good time to buy a new MacBook Pro, especially if you are looking for the entry-level model or want to find a significant discount on a more powerful, slightly older version. Apple released the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip in October 2025, and it offers a great combination of price, performance, and features and we are seeing some great discounts, though not quite as large as they were during Black Friday. For the more powerful M4 Pro and M4 Max models, the decision is more nuanced. These laptops are over a year old, and Apple is expected to release the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the spring of 2026. However, these older models are seeing significant discounts, making them very attractive if you need high-end power on a budget. In the case of the M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro, our recommendations are: Buy now if: You need maximum power immediately and want to take advantage of significant discounts. Retailers are offering substantial price cuts on the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, and we’ve seen savings ranging from $300 to $500, making them excellent value for workstation-level performance. Wait if: You want the absolute latest and greatest performance and are not in a hurry. The upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to be significant upgrades over the M4 series. If you can wait even longer, rumors suggest the M6 generation in 2026 may bring even bigger changes, like an OLED touchscreen and a new design, but that won’t happen for a while. Which MacBook Pro to buy The choice of which MacBook depends a lot on how much you have to spend.Foundry When deciding on a MacBook Pro, it’s important to understand the performance hierarchy. The M4 Pro and M4 Max models are for a completely different user than the standard M5 MacBook Pro. While the M5 chip is from a newer generation, the M4 Pro offers more CPU and GPU cores, supports more memory, and includes more advanced ports like Thunderbolt 5. 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip: This is the newest entry-level model, launched in October 2025. It’s considered a chip refresh but delivers significant performance gains, particularly in graphics and SSD speeds, over the previous M4 generation. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is designed for users who need more sustained performance than a MacBook Air can offer but don’t require the top-tier power of the M4 Pro or M4 Max models. It strikes a balance of price, performance, and premium features, making it the best MacBook for most people as of late 2025. However, this stance may change once the MacBook Air gains an M5 chip. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips: For the most demanding professional work, the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, released in October 2024, still provide superior power, despite the arrival of the M5 at the entry-level. The Pro and Max iterations offer more power, more ports (including Thunderbolt 5), and are aimed at professionals with demanding workflows. These MacBooks are ideal for creative professionals (such as high-end video creators, digital artists, illustrators, photographers, 3D animators); technical professionals (programmers, designers, and software developers) and power users who needs more “oomph” for movie editing or gaming. There is another element to the decision. Both the M4 Pro and M4 Max are available in both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which offer similar specifications but differ in screen size and battery life. To determine which would suite you best consider the following: The 14-inch M4 Pro/Max is best for those who value portability, work frequently on the road, or primarily use an external monitor at their desk. It offers up to 22 hours of battery life. The 16-inch M4 Pro/Max is the choice for users who need a large, powerful screen on the go and the best possible battery life, which is rated at up to 24 hours. One final factor in the decision is whether you are prepared to wait for an update. The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros are anticipated for spring 2026. For more help with your decision read our comparison of every Apple Mac and MacBook, and our direct comparison of the MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro. Best MacBook Pro deals right now While you could buy a MacBook Pro from Apple, below you will find price comparison tables that show the best prices right now for each model of MacBook Pro from various stockists. You will also find deals on MacBook Pro models that Apple has now discontinued, as long as stockists still have them available. Not sure which MacBook to buy? For help choosing we have a comparison of the MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro and you may also like to read our Mac buying guide that covers every Mac Apple makes. M5 MacBook Pro deals 14-inch, M5, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/16GB RAM, $1,599/£1,599 Retailer Price $1,349 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch, M5, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 1TB/16GB RAM, $1,799/£1,799 Retailer Price $1,549 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch, M5, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 1TB/24GB RAM, $1,999/£1,999 Retailer Price $1,899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Pro & M4 Max Ma

Macworld 2026 iPhone 18 series: Summary iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026 iPhone 18 and 18e might not arrive until spring 2027 Folding iPhone also said to launch in September 2026 Smaller dynamic island, camera aperture enhancements, C2 5G modem Another year, another iPhone, right? Not so fast. As Apple demonstrated with the iPhone Air in 2025 and the surprisingly full-featured regular iPhone 17, sometimes the company can surprise us with something new. In addition to the ultra-premium folding iPhone, Apple is said to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in the fall of 2026, and then in a new scheduling shakeup, the base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027. Here’s a quick summary of what all the rumors and leaks say to expect from the iPhone 18 models. iPhone 18/18 Pro: Latest rumors October 27: Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station reports that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a variable aperture lens for the first time. October 31: Digital Chat Station has a new rumor about the colors – the Pro models will be available in Coffee, Purple, and Burgundy. There may not be a black color, just as there isn’t in the iPhone 17 Pro. iPhone 18/18 Pro design: Three models, similar designs Currently, the rumors suggest we’ll see a base iPhone 18, an iPhone 18 Pro, and an iPhone 18 Pro Max. That is in addition to any not-iPhone 18-models like the rumored folding iPhone and second-generation Air. The designs are said to resemble the current iPhone 17 line. The base iPhone 18 will have just the smaller camera bump found on the iPhone 17, while the Pro and Pro Max will have the wider raised “plateau” with three cameras. Screen sizes should be consistent with the 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays on the current models. One possible design change, according to a Weibo leaker, is with the charging area on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models. Reportedly, the ceramic shield section will be “slightly transparent,” but it’s not fully clear what that means. One rumor suggest there will be three new colors for the Pro models: Coffee, Purple, and Burgundy. The same rumor claims there may be no black color, just like the iPhone 17 Pro. iPhone 18/18 Pro camera: Aperture upgrades Apple just upgraded the iPhone 17 camera system with 48MP sensors, so it’s unlikely there will be any significant changes to the hardware. One significant rumor we’ve heard about the iPhone 18 camera system comes from leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, who reports that the iPhone 18 Pro Max (and only that model) will get a camera with a mechanically-adjustable aperture like DSLR cameras. This would give users great control over background blurring, but primarily with the ability to keep the foreground and background sharp. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max’s telephoto lenses are also expected to have a larger overall aperture for sharper pictures in low-light situations. Expect changes to the aperture of the iPhone 18 Pro.Britta O’Boyle iPhone 18/18 Pro: Dynamic Island Apple hasn’t changed the size or shape of the Dynamic Island since its introduction on the iPhone 14 Pro, but some reports suggest there may be changes coming to the iPhone 18’s camera cutout. Some have claimed there will just be a pinhole cutout for the camera, with the whole Face ID assembly under the display, but most reports suggest the most major changes will be limited to the folding iPhone or arrive on the 20th anniversary model. A report in December 2025 from Weibo account “Smart Pikachu” claimed that Apple is testing an under-display “micro-transparent glass panel” for some Face ID sensors. That seems to indicate that the iPhone 18 will have a smaller Dynamic Island. The ever-reliable Mark Gurman at Bloomberg also reported that Apple will “shrink” the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 models, so there’s strong evidence that some of the several sensors and emitters required for Face ID will be under the display or combined. iPhone 18/18 Pro specs: A20 chip The iPhone 18 line will feature a new A20 processor, likely made using TSMC’s new 2nm fabrication process (which can allow for more complex chips in the same area, and could potentially allow for better power efficiency). The A20 is rumored to use a new process called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging to incorporate the RAM into the SoC’s package. It’s not clear what the benefit will be, but more tightly integrated RAM can mean more memory bandwidth and lower RAM latency, or better power efficiency. iPhone 18/18 Pro: Wireless connectivity While the iPhone Air features a more advanced version of Apple’s C1 modem, dubbed the C1X, the other iPhone 17 models still use Qualcomm wireless modems. That’s likely to change in the iPhone 18 line. We’re told to expect a new C2 modem in the iPhone 18 phones, including the Pro and Pro Max. It’s not yet clear what features it will offer, but of course should deliver better performance and energy efficiency than the C1X and likely support high-speed mmWave networks in addition to the standard sub-6 networks. Apple debuted its local networking chip in the iPhone 17 line as well; the N1 supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread networking. We haven’t heard anything about an N2 on the way, and honestly, one probably isn’t needed so soon. Could Apple have an “N1X” surprise in store the way it did with the C1X? It’s possible, but so far the rumor mill expects Apple to build the iPhone 18 line with the same N1 chip as found in the iPhone 17. However, a report from The Information says that Apple is gearing up to support 5G networks that are served from satellites, namely Starlink satellites. While the iPhone has offered satellite connectivity for emergency situations for years, this would allow the iPhone 18 models to have full internet access via satellite, not just emergency services. iPhone 18/18 Pro release date: Split launch There have been consistent reports for some time that Apple will change up its release schedule. In September 2026, Apple will reportedly only release the high-end models: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the new folding iPhone, and perhaps an updated iPhone Air. That means the base model iPhone 18 will wait until spring 2027, when it will reportedly arrive alongside the iPhone 18e. This is a big departure for Apple, and it means that the new iPhones next year will all have price tags of $999 or more. iPhone 18/18 Pro pricing: A wide range We haven’t seen any reports about changes in pricing to the existing iPhone lineup in 2026. As it stands, the iPhone 17 starts at $799, the iPhone Air is $999, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models start at $1,099 and $1,199, respectively. However, the arrival of the folding iPhone could dramatically change the pricing structure, as it will reportedly have a starting price of $1,999 or more.

Macworld When Apple introduced the iPhone 15 Pro, it retired the classic mute switch which had been part of the iPhone design since the very first model. These days, all iPhones feature a customizable Action button, which users can freely remap to various different actions. Some of the default actions include muting the iPhone, toggling a Focus mode, launching the Camera app, recognizing a song, recording audio, and translating speech. While these actions are sufficient for many users, the pros may find them lackluster. Fortunately, iOS supports deeper customizations through Apple’s Shortcuts app, allowing the Action button to perform a practically infinite number of tasks. Once you understand the logic behind the feature, you should be able to build and assign any desired shortcut. Generic Control Center toggles If you find the built-in Shortcuts app too complex, you can settle for Control Center toggles instead. While not as flexible, they include some useful first- and third-party functions you can assign to the Action button, beyond Apple’s default suggestions. This is a good place to start.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Simply head to the Action Button section in the Settings app and scroll horizontally to reach the Controls option. Tap on Choose a Control to view a full list of available toggles you can use with the Action button. Some of the popular actions include toggling Dark mode, playing ambient music, starting a Quick Note, and launching the Calculator. Depending on the apps you’ve installed, you’ll also find other actions provided by third-party developers. Once you’ve chosen a toggle, iOS will complete the desired task whenever you push and hold the Action button. Summon AI assistants Siri is far from being a reliable virtual assistant, especially when it comes to maintaining longer conversations. Thankfully, you can assign a third-party AI assistant to the Action button to mimic Siri’s Side button shortcut. First, you’ll need to download the official Gemini app. (Or, if you’re not keen on Google’s AI, you can alternatively use the feature with other popular chatbot apps—like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.) Once installed and signed in, you’ll find new toggles in the Controls list mentioned in the previous section. Some of Gemini’s bundled shortcuts include typing a prompt, talking live, scanning with the camera, uploading a file, and more. Assign the functionality you typically rely on, and it’ll always be one Action button click away from initiation. Gemini is now only one click away.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Unlock your car The Action button doesn’t necessarily have to control your iPhone. If you’ve got a newer car, chances are it offers a companion iOS app you can use to unlock, start, or adjust it. Many vehicle manufacturers have baked these capabilities into the built-in Shortcuts app, making them compatible with the Action button. Launch the Shortcuts app and tap on the plus (+) button to create a new shortcut. Scroll through the list of apps in the shortcut builder and locate your car’s companion app. Tap on it to view the available actions compatible with your model. Pick the one you need the most, then save the shortcut. This is where you create new shortcuts.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Head to the Action Button section in the Settings app and scroll horizontally to find the Shortcut option. Tap on Choose a Shortcut, and pick the one you just created. Triggering the Action button will now control your car the way you’ve specified. Smart home switch Similarly, the Action button can control certain smart home products, such as lights, via the Shortcuts app. In the shortcut creation flow described above, locate the Home app. If you simply want to turn a light on or off, opt for the Toggle Accessory or Scene action and pick the relevant HomeKit bulb. For deeper controls, you can opt for the Control Home action instead, which, for example, lets you specify the color and intensity of the light, not just toggle it on or off. It’s like having a light switch on the side of your phone.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Once you’ve completed setting up and saving the shortcut, you can assign it to the Action button as outlined in the previous section. Call your partner Remember the speed dial feature from the prehistoric Nokia phone era? You can replicate it using your iPhone’s Action button. To do so, create a new shortcut, pick Phone from the list of apps, and insert the Call action. Choose your partner’s contact card, save the shortcut, and assign it to the Action button. Et voilà! This is for illustrative purposes only. We don’t recommend creating a shortcut to your own number.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Multiple actions Now, you may be thinking that some of these use cases are quite niche, and that it doesn’t make sense for them to occupy the Action button’s sole function slot. Luckily, there’s a workaround for this: the toolbox approach. Create a new shortcut, navigate to the Shortcuts app in the creation flow, and add the Run Shortcut action. In the action’s options, set the blank space to Ask Each Time. You can now head to the Action button’s settings again and assign the newly created shortcut. Whenever you trigger it, it’ll display a list of your other shortcuts, and you can tap on any of them to execute the needed task on the spot. As such, you can assign all of the above-mentioned shortcuts simultaneously to the Action button. With this option activated, you’ll be given the choice of multiple shortcuts.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Conditional shortcuts While it works, the toolbox approach can be overwhelming if you’ve created a lot of shortcuts. What if there was a smarter way to incorporate multiple tasks into the Action button, without having to manually pick a shortcut from the all-encompassing list? When you’re outdoors, for example, you likely won’t need to access your smart home shortcuts. With conditional shortcuts, you can program the Action button to react to your location and proceed with a specific task accordingly. Create a new shortcut, then search for and add the Get current location action. Add the If action, change the default Latitude selection to Street, and type your home street name in the blank space at the end. Add a Run Shortcut action under the If action, and select the smart home shortcut you created earlier. If you usually call your partner when you’re away from home, add another Run Shortcut action under Otherwise, and select the speed dial shortcut. When done, assign the conditional shortcut to the Action button. This is a simple example of a conditional shortcut. They can get way more complicated.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Now, when you trigger the Action button, it’ll first check your current location using your iPhone’s GPS. If the street you’re currently at matches your home address, it’ll automatically toggle your smart home appliance. If not, it’ll proceed with calling your partner. This is just one basic example of how powerful conditional shortcuts can be. You can create if statements that detect your current activity for running-related shortcuts. Similarly, you can set the Action button to perform specific tasks depending on the app you have in the foreground, the phone’s orientation, the battery level, or other factors. You even nest multiple if statements to create a comprehensive shortcut that adapts to everything you do. It may take you some time to get there, but it’s technically possible.

Macworld iOS 26.2 will soon be available to download on your iPhone, and while the update isn’t a major overhaul, it brings numerous changes and refinements, including more Liquid Glass tweaks. More importantly, iOS 26.2 brings a series of minor new features throughout the system that will surprise and delight iPhone users. Here are all the new iOS 26.2 features you’ll want to check out right away: Liquid Glass Lock Screen slider After listening to user feedback, Apple added a new option to iOS 26.1 that lets users choose between the traditional Liquid Glass look and a “Tinted” mode that makes everything more frosted. Now with iOS 26.2, there’s also a similar adjustment for the clock on the Lock Screen. Thanks to a new slider in the Lock Screen options, users can adjust the transparency of the clock to make it more or less “Liquid.” The option to make the clock completely solid remains, and users can still choose between different colors. iOS 26.2 lets you adjust the Liquid Glass intensity on the Lock Screen.Foundry Liquid Glass Measure app Apple continues expanding its new design language across the system, and the Measure app is the latest to get the Liquid Glass treatment. With iOS 26.2, the app’s controls, buttons, and panels adopt the same translucent, fluid look introduced earlier this year. The interface feels more consistent with the rest of iOS. Functionality remains the same, but the updated visuals help modernize an app that hadn’t seen a significant UI refresh in a while. The Measure app got a Liquid Glass update in iOS 26.2.Foundry Auto chapters in Podcasts Although Apple Podcasts already had a chapter selector, it required the podcast creator to set them manually. iOS 26.2 automatically creates chapters based on the content transcript, so you can easily jump to a specific part of an episode. In addition, the app now detects mentions of another podcast available on the platform and then provides the user with a link to listen to that episode. Improved Sleep Score Another new feature introduced with iOS 26 is Sleep Score, which ranks the user’s sleep quality based on data obtained from the Apple Watch. This includes things like how long you sleep, bedtime, and interruptions. With iOS 26.2, Apple is making fine adjustments to Sleep Score, which now provides a more accurate score for each category. These are the new scores for each level: Very High: 96-100 High: 81-95 OK: 61-80 Low: 41-60 Very Low: 0-40 The Sleep Score is improved in iOS 26.2.Foundry Set reminders as alarms With iOS 26.2, users can choose to display reminder notifications as alarms. Instead of a banner, the reminder will take up the entire screen with an audible alert, just like traditional alarms set in the Clock app. You can snooze the reminder or slide to stop it. It’s worth noting that the feature is optional, which means you can continue using the Reminders app with classic notifications if you prefer. AirDrop PIN AirDrop is also gaining a new feature with iOS 26.2. When you’re using AirDrop with someone who isn’t in your contacts list, AirDrop will show a PIN code to be entered on the other device, similar to Apple TV pairing. Doing this adds the other device to a list of known devices for 30 days. So the next time, you can quickly use AirDrop with that person without changing any settings or entering the PIN again. You can now secure AirDrop interactions with a pin code in iOS 26.2.Foundry Apple News shortcuts With the update, Apple News users will find new shortcuts with quick access to specific sections of the News app. These include Sports, Puzzles, Politics, and Food.  The shortcuts are shown on the Apple News app home screen, as well as in the Search tab. Freeform app tables Apple’s Freeform whiteboarding app, which lets users sketch, brainstorm, organize notes, and more on an infinite canvas, is getting a powerful tool in iOS 26.2: tables. After updating to iOS 26.2, you’ll see the new option to add tables alongside the existing options for creating notes and adding shapes. Tables can be customized with multiple rows and columns. AirPods Live Translation in the EU One of the biggest new features in iOS 26 is Live Translation for AirPods. As the name suggests, this feature allows users to talk to people who speak a different language, with the earbuds translating the conversation in real time. The feature was previously only available in a few regions, but iOS 26.2 expands it to more countries. The feature is now enabled for all users in the European Union. It’s worth noting that AirPods Live Translation only works with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4. The feature is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Update to iOS 26.2 Functionality remains the same, but the updated visuals help modernize an app that hadn’t seen a significant UI refresh in a while. If you’re already running iOS 26, this update makes the experience feel more cohesive, more responsive, and simply nicer to use day-to-day. To get the update when it arrives, head over to the Settings app, then General and Software Update.

Macworld Wondering which versions of macOS your Mac can run? We’ve put together a macOS compatibility checker that will show you what Macs the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X support, so you can tell what version you should be running on your Mac. Latest macOS version: Tahoe (macOS 26.1), released November 3, 2025 Supports: All M-series Macs and most Intel Macs from 2019 onward Security-supported versions: MacOS Sequoia (15), Sonoma (14), and Ventura (13) still get critical security updates. Which version of macOS can my Mac run? Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system every year—but the newest version of the Mac operating system does not support every Mac. Each year more and more Macs fall off the compatibility list and are unable to be updated to take advantage of the latest features. The latest version, macOS 26 Tahoe, was first introduced on September 15, 2025, and there have been subsequent feature updates, with more to come over the next few months. Tahoe can run on all M-series Macs and the last generation of Intel-powered Macs from 2019, but the older Macs don’t get all the new features. Read on to find out exactly which Macs are supported by each version of the Mac operating system. For advice about installing macOS read: How to install macOS on your Mac and read our guide to every version of macOS released to find out about the latest version. macOS 26 Tahoe compatibility There were fears that macOS Tahoe would not support any Intel-powered Macs – luckily this isn’t the case, but Apple has confirmed this will be the last version of macOS to support Macs that don’t run on Apple’s own silicon. Every Mac that supports macOS TahoeFoundry Apple lists the following Macs as compatible with macOS 26 Tahoe and the Apple Intelligence-powered features: M-series Macs that run Tahoe MacBook Pro (M1 and later) MacBook Air (M1 and later) iMac (M1 and later) Mac mini (M1 and later) Mac Studio (M1 and later) Mac Pro (M1 and later) Intel Macs that run Tahoe These are the Intel Macs that run macOS Tahoe (but don’t support Apple Intelligence): MacBook Pro (Intel, 13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBook Pro (Intel, 16‑inch, 2019) Mac Pro (Intel, 2019) iMac (Intel, mid 2020) Macs that don’t run Tahoe The following Macs that were supported by 2024’s macOS Sequoia, and any that are older than these, are not able to run Tahoe: iMac (Intel, 2019) iMac Pro (Intel, 2017) Mac mini (Intel, 2018) MacBook Pro (Intel, 2018) macOS 15 Sequoia compatibility Which Macs run Sequoia? All the M-series Macs!Apple Sequoia (macOS 15) became available on Tuesday, September 16, 2024. The software was regularly updated prior to the introduction of Tahoe, but now that Tahoe is here Sequoia will only get security updates when required. e.g. Sequoia 15.7 on September 15, 2025. Latest version: macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, November 3, 2025. M-series Macs that run Sequoia All M-series Macs can support Sequoia (and Apple Intelligence features), including: MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (M1 and later) iMac (M1 and later) Mac Pro (M1 and later) Mac Studio (M1 and later) Mac mini (M1 and later) Intel Macs that run Sequoia The following Intel Macs can run Sequoia. None of these models can support the Apple Intelligence features though. iMac (Intel, 2019 and August 2020) Mac Pro (Intel, 2019) iMac Pro (Intel, 2017) MacBook Air (Intel, March 2020) Mac mini (Intel, 2018) MacBook Pro (Intel, 2018, 2019 and May 2020) Macs that don’t run Sequoia The following Macs that were supported by 2023’s macOS Sonoma, and any that are older than these, are not able to run Sequoia: MacBook Air (Intel, 2019) MacBook Air (Intel, 2018) For more information read: Can my Mac run Sequoia? macOS 14 Sonoma compatibility macOS Sonoma arrived in 2023IDG macOS 14 Sonoma became available on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Apple is still issuing security updates for Sonoma. Latest version: macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, November 3, 2025. Macs that run Sonoma iMac from 2019 Mac Pro from 2019 iMac Pro from 2017 Mac Studio from 2022 MacBook Air from 2018 Mac mini from 2018 MacBook Pro from 2018 For more information read: Can my Mac run Sonoma? Can I install an older OS on my Mac? Officially, the operating system that was available on your Mac at the time that you bought it is the oldest version of macOS that can run on that Mac. It’s likely that an older OS won’t include the necessary drivers for the hardware on newer Macs. For this reason, it is unlikely that you will be able to install an older version of macOS on a new Mac—but you can take a look at how to install old versions of macOS or OS X for other Macs. Owners of Macs with M-series chips (sometimes referred to as Apple Silicon) won’t be able to run older versions of macOS that weren’t designed for Apple Silicon Macs which use a different architecture, known as ARM, instead of X-86. But it may not just be a case of wanting to know if your Mac can run the newest operating system. You might also want to know if it is possible to downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS and need to know the oldest version of macOS you can use. You’ll also find that information below. You can also see a complete list of all the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X. Not sure which Mac you own? Check our article about how to identify your Mac. Note: In each case, the year referenced below is the year that Mac was first introduced–you could for example have bought a 2016 MacBook in early 2017, but it’s still the 2016 MacBook. macOS 13 Ventura compatibility Apple Apple released macOS 13 Ventura to the public on October 24, 2022. Apple is still issuing security updates for Ventura, the most recent was 13.7.8 in August 2025, this may be the last Ventura update now Tahoe is here, as Apple tends to only support the past two versions with security updates. Latest version: macOS Ventura 13.7.8, August 2025. Macs that run Ventura MacBook models from 2017 or later MacBook Air models from 2018 or later MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later Mac mini models from 2018 or later iMac models from 2017 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2019 or later Mac Studio (all models) For more information read: Can my Mac run Ventura? macOS 12 Monterey compatibility Apple macOS 12 Monterey was made available to download on October 15, 2021 (latest version 12.7.6 in July 2024). Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Monterey. Latest version: macOS Monterey 12.7.6, July 2025. Macs that run macOS Monterey MacBook models from early 2016 or later MacBook Air models from early 2015 or later MacBook Pro models from early 2015 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2015 or later iMac Pro (2017 and later) Mac Pro models from late 2013 and later Mac Studio macOS 11 Big Sur compatibility Apple macOS 11 Big Sur was the version of macOS that arrived on November 12, 2020 (latest version 11.7.10 in September 2023). Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Big Sur. Macs that can run macOS Big Sur MacBook models from early 2015 or later MacBook Air models from 2013 or later MacBook Pro models from 2013 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2014 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 and 2019 macOS 10.15 Catalina compatibility Catalina arrived in October 2019 (latest version 10.15.7 in July 2022). Apple is no longer issuing security updates for Catalina: Macs that can run Catalina MacBook (2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid-2012 to 2019) MacBook Pro (Mid-2012 to 2019) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018) iMac (Late 2012 to 2019) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 Note that the M-series Macs will not be able to run Catalina or earlier. An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac cannot be downgraded beyond Big Sur. macOS 10.14 Mojave compatibility Mojave arrived in September 2018 (latest version 10.14.6 in July 2021) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2017, because it’s the same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2018) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018) iMac (Late 2012 to mid-2017) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU) macOS 10.13 High Sierra compatibility High Sierra arrived in September 2017 (latest version 10.13.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2017) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to mid-2017) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) macOS 10.12 Sierra compatibility Sierra, the first update to drop the “X” from the name, arrived in September 2016 (latest version 10.12.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2015) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to 2015) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan compatibility El Capitan arrived in September 2015 (latest version 10.11.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to early 2015) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to early 2015) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2014) iMac (Mid 2007 to mid-2015) Mac Pr

Macworld TL;DR: This classic, easy-to-use Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV is just $29.95 with free shipping—compatible with all Apple TV and Apple TV 4K models. Apple TV is great—until you’re fumbling with the remote in the dark or accidentally activating voice commands when you meant to pause. The Function101 Button Remote brings back the simplicity of a traditional remote—clear buttons, intuitive layout, and no guesswork required. And for $29.95 with free shipping, it’s a simple upgrade that makes everyday streaming feel refreshingly smooth. This remote uses infrared (IR) technology, which means you can sync it with your Apple TV in seconds and control power, volume, and mute on your TV, receiver, or soundbar. No complicated setup, no pairing drama—just point, click, and watch. It works with all Apple TV and Apple TV 4K models, and with a range of up to 39 feet, you can kick back on the couch and still control everything comfortably. With its soft silicone buttons, generous spacing, and familiar layout, the Function101 remote is especially great for families, guests, or anyone who prefers tactile buttons over touch surfaces and voice commands. Order by Dec. 12 to have it arrive in time for holiday gifting or to upgrade your own setup before the next holiday movie marathon. Get the Function101 Button Remote for $29.95 with free shipping. Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4KSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld TL;DR: A Speedy Mag Wireless Charger now only costs $35 (reg. $119.95). A dead battery at the wrong time can ruin your whole day. Keep your batteries up with a Speedy Mag 5,000mAh Wireless Charger for iPhones on sale for $34.97 (reg. $119.95). There’s nothing worse than watching your phone hit 8 percent when you’re nowhere near a charger. Speedy Mag snaps onto the back of your iPhone and just stays there while you go about your day. No wires swinging around, no guessing whether it’s lined up right. Because it attaches magnetically, you can slip your phone into a pocket, hold it normally, or set it down without knocking the charger loose. The 5,000mAh capacity is enough to get most iPhones through the rest of a busy day without babysitting your battery level, which is all you really want in a portable charger. It charges quickly, and the built-in protections keep your phone from getting too hot or overcharged. The matte finish feels nice in your hand and keeps things from looking bulky. If you ever need a wired backup, the USB-C port is right there, but you’ll rarely touch it. Speedy Mag works with iPhone 12 and newer, plus any Qi-compatible devices if you want to share the power. It’s small, travel-friendly, and solves a problem everyone deals with at some point. Until December 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s only $34.97 to get a Speedy Mag Wireless Charger. Speedy Mag 5,000mAh Wireless Charger for iPhone (Black)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Rumors from Chinese social media site Weibo are hit-and-miss, especially when they don’t contain any photographic evidence or name sources. So with the appropriate grain of salt, consider the latest leak from Weibo account “Smart Pikachu” who asserts that Apple is testing a “a micro-transparent glass panel” for under-display Face ID. Face ID relies on a number of sensors beyond just the front-facing camera. There’s an infrared flood illuminator, a dot projector from a VCSEL array, and a structured light receiver. So some of these parts might move under the display, but the main front-facing camera probably won’t, for example. This could make the Dynamic Island area smaller, or even reduce it to a “punch-hole” style circle. Otherwise, it’s unclear why Apple would need to move the parts under the display. Of course, even this rumor says Apple is only “testing” the technology, and does not mention which iPhone 18 phones would get the feature. So, it could be limited to the Pro models or even just the Pro Max if it arrives at all. We’ve certainly heard rumors of Apple reducing and eventually eliminating the cutout for its front camera several times in the past. While the timeline seems to shift, the latest leaks seem to suggest that we’ll see some changes in the iPhone 18 timeframe and further changes in the 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027.

Macworld It’s been a big week in Apple executive movements. Let’s see if the Macalope can recap for you if you were unconscious for seven days (that sounds nice, can the Macalope get some of that?). After the unsurprising news that defacto former Apple executive John Giannandrea would infacto be leaving the company, we learned that Apple’s head of user interface design Alan Dye would also be leaving for greener pastures at Meta (the green is all cash). Breaking the news on Mastodon, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said: Apple’s top design executive Alan Dye is leaving the iPhone maker to become the Chief Design Officer at Meta in a blockbuster coup for the social networking giant and big loss for Apple. Mark Gurman This is such Dye-friendly framing that one might be excused for thinking it was written by Alan Dye’s mom. It wasn’t. Or probably wasn’t, anyway. Wouldn’t that be wild if Mark Gurman’s source this whole time has been Alan Dye’s mom? That would be an unexpected turn of events. In reality, few people in the Apple community–other than Dye’s mom–think much of his work, which includes Liquid Glass and a number of horrible icons for macOS Tahoe. People not really seeing this as a “big loss” for Apple include, but are not limited to, Louie Mantia, John Gruber, Jason Snell, Nick Heer, Macworld contributor Alex Blake, and this furry observer. Apple usually has good people waiting in the wings, and, in this instance at least, we have good reason to think the replacement will not only be good but a real upgrade. …everyone I’ve spoken to is happy — if not downright giddy — at the news that Lemay is replacing Dye. Lemay is well-liked personally and deeply respected talent-wise. Said one source, in a position to know the choices, “I don’t think there was a better choice than Lemay.” John Gruber Later in the week, Apple also announced several other executives changes, including the retirements of general counsel Kate Adams and VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson. Adams will be replaced by ex-Meta chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead, and Jackson by a line on the org chart that is more often used on football locker room whiteboards to represent an end-run. If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.Foundry While many people were leaving Apple, at least one was trying to get back in. This news, that a man would like power and command the likes of which he has never wielded before, is huge, if true. Who, exactly, is saying this, you may wonder. …Tony Fadell, a former Apple hardware executive who co-invented the iPod, has told associates recently… Aaron Tilley and Wayne Ma, The Information Someone told The Information that Tony Fadell said he would graciously accept the position of Apple CEO. Okay. Just, for a second here, entertain the following: would it not be absolutely wild if The Information’s source here is Tony Fadell’s mom? Wilder still, Fadell and Dye were at Apple at the same time, so it’s theoretically possible the source is again Dye’s mom, but let’s not get crazy here and go with the single mother theory. The two-moms hypothesis seems more reasonable. Sadly for Fadell, no matter who the sources are and how many times he writes “Mr. Apple CEO Tony Fadell” on the cover of his Trapper Keeper, he is not going to get the gig. Even The Information says he was “a polarizing figure” when he worked at Apple, and his time at Nest doesn’t seem to have burnished his reputation much as he rubbed his co-founder and employees equally the wrong way. Well, at least we can settle down now that all the Apple executive news is- “Apple Rocked by Executive Departures, With Chip Chief at Risk of Leaving Next” Oh, come on. How is breaking news able to interrupt the Macalope mid-sentence in his own column? It makes no sense! Yes, over the weekend, Mark Gurman brought a tin of cookies over to some Apple executive’s mom’s house, where she was heard to remark, “Ooh, yah, I hear that nice Johny Srouji fella is thinkin’ of leavin’, him what made the chips and all.” The Macalope’s not sure whose mom this is, but he’s thinking upper midwestern accent. She’s serving Gurman a casserole out of a baking dish and pouring him some RC Cola out of a 2-liter bottle. Unlike Dye’s departure, Srouji’s would truly be bad for Apple. Fortunately, this breaking news was re-broken on Monday morning when Gurman reported that Srouji sent out a memo to his staff saying he didn’t know what they may have heard from any of the various chatty parents of Apple executives, but he doesn’t “plan on leaving anytime soon”. Here’s hoping all the remaining Apple executives take time off in the coming weeks to be with their families and don’t have bandwidth to think about leaving.

Macworld If you want to unblock regional content on streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, and Prime, or access websites that aren’t available in your region, or without ID, a VPN is an essential tool. A good VPN will work with all your Apple devices, including a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even an Apple TV in some cases. VPN services can also give you online privacy as well as letting you securely connect to open Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels, airports and other places. It’s something well worth packing when you go on vacation. VPNs tend to have complex pricing structures, with long-term contract pricing and offers that seem to offer huge discounts, making identifying a good deal more complex than it is with other types of software. We have tested the Best Mac VPNs and Best VPN for iPhone and iPad and we use them daily, so we know which ones offer the best features and we know which ones offer the best value for money. PROMOTIONCyber Week VPN Deal: Lifetime Plan for Just $30 (93% off!) For a limited time, users can unlock complete online protection with the FastestVPN Lifetime Plan and get a Family Password Manager absolutely free. The bonus? It costs just $30 (save 93%). Use Code: Holiday25 Get FastestVPN Here In this article, we will help you find the cheapest VPN to suit your needs. Every month we assess the best VPN for Mac deals so we can keep an eye out for the best discounts on offer right now and let you know the latest prices and best deals so you can find the VPN that suites you at the best price. Before we share the best VPN deals you may be hoping that you can get a VPN for free… Best free VPN There are a few free VPNs on offer but our advice is usually to be very cautious about them. Companies that give stuff away will be making money somehow, and you can’t be sure they aren’t selling your data. One decent VPN that does offer a free tier is Proton VPN (read our review). You can use Proton VPN for nothing, as long as you’re happy with U.S., Japan, and Netherlands as your server locations. It’s also limiting in that you can only connect a single device, and speeds are slower than the paid plans, but the free version is available on all platforms and if you like it you can always subscribe to get the whole package which will unblock a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and improved speed of up to 10 Gbit, as well as an expanded 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Get Proton VPN free Best VPN deals and cheap VPNs VPN providers tend to offer year-round discounts, however with most deals you will be locked into a monthly fee for a couple of years, so we recommend setting a reminder in your calendar to cancel and look for a new deal to replace the one you had at the end of the contract period. Deals change all the time. The deals below save a significant amount compared to paying for each of these services on a rolling monthly subscription. We some great VPN deals for shoppers in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia below. One deal to take a look at is FastestVPN’s Lifetime plan – which with 93% off is an absolute bargain as you pay once and have access to the VPN for life. It’s a one-off $40 (approx £33). The company says that the full price would be $600. Read How to use a VPN on a Mac for more information, and if you still aren’t sure why you need a VPN read: Should I use a VPN on my Mac/iPhone? 1. NordVPN Pros Incredibly easy to use Plenty of server options 2-Year Plan $2.99 a month1-Year Plan$4.59 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month NordVPN is a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark Pros Simple to use No device limits Starter 2-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$1.99 a monthStarter 1-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$3.19 a monthStarter Monthly Plan$15.45 a month Surfshark is a great VPN option that’s as easy to use as the best of them, while maintaining security across an unlimited number of devices – something we don’t see often. Read our full Surfshark review 3. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of power features Privacy-minded Great value 2-Year Plan (+2 free months)$2.19 a month6-Month Plan$7.50 a monthMonthly plan$11.99 a month Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a robust feature set that makes it one of the more impressive VPNs out there. Read our full Private Internet Access review 4. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers 2-Year Plan (+ 4 free months)$2.19 a month6-Month Plan$6.99 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month CyberGhost takes a lot of the complexity out of VPN usage, for better and for worse. On the one hand, some users may want more power-user features. It’s fully refundable for 45 days, according to the company. Read our full CyberGhost review 5. hide.me VPN Pros Dedicated streaming servers Impressive free tier Cons Slightly clunky UI 2-Year Plan (+ 2 free months)$3.84 a month1-Year Plan$6.67 a monthMonthly plan$9.95 a month Hide.me is a solid VPN with a great free tier, but the UI isn’t particularly intuitive. Read our full hide.me VPN review 6. ProtonVPN Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed 2-Year Plan$2.99 a month1-Year Plan$2.99 a monthProton VPN FreeFree account, 1 device Proton VPN’s free tier, ease of use, and impressive speeds put it right near the top of our VPN recommendations. There is a free tier of Proton VPN, but if you want a bit more flexibility and a few more features prices start at $4.49/€4.49 a month for two years. The Swiss-based company doesn’t seem to like pounds, so it’s dollars or euros, unfortunately. Read our full ProtonVPN review How to find the best VPN deal VPN subscriptions typically work out cheaper if you commit for a year or longer, which saves a lot of money. Prices rarely exceed $6/£6 per month with multi-year subscriptions and are often closer to $2/£2… or even less. Many major VPN providers offer discounts through the year, and sometimes even offer permanent discounts. These discounts can look impressive at first. It’s not uncommon to see a countdown timer telling you when the deal ends – but these are almost always to induce FOMO – the fear of missing out – in order to persuade you to sign up immediately. Large discounts are par for the course with VPN services, especially when you’re subscribing for several years. This makes it all the more important to look into the various providers and what each has to offer, before jumping into a long-term commitment.

Macworld Best MacBook Air deals available now These are the recommendations we would confidently give to our own friends and family. They are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products. Today’s best MacBook Air deals: U.S. Amazon, 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB): $799 ($200 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/24GB): $1,149 ($250 off, MSRP $1,399) Amazon, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB/16GB): $999 ($200 off, MSRP $1,199) Amazon, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/16GB): $1,199 ($250 off, MSRP $1,399) See more U.S. MacBook Air deals below… Today’s best MacBook Air deals: U.K. Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (256GB/16GB RAM): £849 (£150 off, RRP £999) Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,029 (£170 off, RRP £1,199) Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/24GB RAM): £1,270 (£184 off, RRP £1,399) Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (256GB/16GB RAM): £1,025 (£129 off, RRP £1,199) Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,215 (£184 off, RRP £1,399) Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/24GB RAM): £1,450 (£149 off, RRP £1,599) See more U.K. MacBook Air deals below… Last updated December 9, 2025 If you want to buy a MacBook Air for less you’ve come to the right place. We can help you find the best deals on a MacBook Air. We know what to look for when making the choice and our Best Prices Comparison looks at all the stores that sell Apple Macs so we can find the best prices right now. Whether it’s the latest MacBook Air M4, or an older MacBook Air model that you want to find on sale, we share the best prices you can get the MacBook Air for. Just watch out for the pitfalls that come with buying an older generation model, such as less RAM, as we explain below. How we find the best MacBook Air deals Eugen Wegmann When selecting the best MacBook Air deals, our editors combine their knowledge of Apple products new and old with year-round market monitoring of the best prices, so we know the best prices resellers have sold MacBook Air for – and we know if they have a really good deal and not just an ok deal. In addition, because we have reviewed the full range of Apple MacBooks, and use them on a daily basis we also know which models represent the best value for money and can advise accordingly. Here’s why you can trust the deals Macworld identifies: We check top resellers in the U.S. and the U.K. for the best prices throughout the year, ensuring we always have a finger on the pulse of the best savings. We use price comparison tools to watch resellers and compare their current discounts so we know who has the best deal right now. We hand-pick deals based on the product’s long-term price history and our own in-depth reviews. We consider the product’s release cycle and whether a significant update is due soon. We also advise on whether a shopping event is likely to happen soon in which you might get an even better deal, or if you might be able to qualify for specific deals. We regularly check prices, but it’s worth checking various retailers in the price comparison tables below, as prices do fluctuate. If you want to buy a particular model you will find the best prices right now in the tables below. If you would consider buying a MacBook Pro then take a look at our round up of the Best MacBook Pro deals. We also list all the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including iMac, Mac mini, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.  Is now a good time to buy a new MacBook Air? Foundry The current MacBook Air lineup features the M4 chip and was last updated in March 2025. As we said in our review of the 2025 MacBook Air, Apple made its best laptop better than ever. It wasn’t just an update to the M4, the base models ship with 16GB of RAM, a significant improvement over previous generations that often started with 8GB and, for the first time, the MacBook Air can support two external displays with the lid open, a major upgrade for multi-monitor setups. While an update to the M5 chip is expected in the spring of 2026 it is still an excellent time to buy a new MacBook Air, especially with the significant discounts available on the latest M4 models, though not quite as huge as the savings were over Black Friday. There are certain times of year that can be better times to purchase than others, with Black Friday being one of them. You can also find good savings during Amazon’s Spring sale and Prime Days in July and October. Students should check the Apple Education Store, where they will be able to pick up a discount (as long as they qualify for one). Read more: How to get a student discount from Apple. There is also Apple holds a “Back To Uni” event which runs in the US from June to September, in the UK from July to October, and in Australia in their summer. Most recently that deal has included free AirPods with select purchases. The deals rarely come from Apple itself. While Apple will sometimes offer vouchers as an incentive to buy a new Mac (that’s Apple’s usual Black Friday giveaway), the company never discounts prices. Apple does sell refurbished Macs at a lower price though, so that might be something to consider. There is more information on refurbished options below. Which MacBook Air to buy Foundry The MacBook Air offers a great combination of performance, portability, and features at a starting price of $999, making it an excellent choice for general consumers and students. The choice is mainly between the 13-inch and 15-inch models, with the selection depending on whether you would value the larger screen over the better portability of the smaller model. Other factors to consider are: Power & performance: Current MacBook Air models are powered by the M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and either an 8-core or 10-core GPU. This is more than enough power for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light creative work. Older models only offered 8GB RAM, we recommend that you only consider models with 16GB RAM as a minimum. The MacBook Pro is better for professionals who need more power. Storage: Base models typically start with 256GB of storage . If you plan to store many large files, consider upgrading to 512GB or more, as the internal storage cannot be upgraded later. Design and Portability: The MacBook Air is light and thin, with the 11-inch model weighing less than three pounds (1.24kg/2.7lb), making it easy to carry around. Display: There is a choice of 13-inch or 15-inch display: the 15-inch M4 model is a great value option if you want a larger screen without the higher cost of a MacBook Pro. It starts at $1,199, which is a relatively small price increase over the 13-inch model. The M4 MacBook Air support two external displays, thanks to its Thunderbolt 4 ports. The older models were more limited when it came to supporting external displays. Budget: The best choice depends on your budget and performance needs, as there can be compelling deals on older MacBook Air models and there are rumors of a new budget-friendly MacBook on the horizon. Best MacBook Air deals right now In the tables below you will see the best price right now for the various MacBook Air models. Note Apple’s recommended retail price and you will be able to see just how good the deals on the MacBook Air are. M4 13-inch MacBook Air, 10-core CPU/8-core GPU, 256GB, 16GB RAM, MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 13-inch MacBook Air, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB, 16GB RAM, MSRP $1,199/£1,199 Retailer Price $949 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 13-inch MacBook Air, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB, 24GB RAM, MSRP $1,399/£1,399 Retailer Price $1,149.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 15-inch MacBook Air, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 256GB, 16GB RAM, MSRP $1,199/£1,199 Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 15-inch MacBook Air, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB, 16GB RAM, MSRP $1,399/£1,399 Retailer Price $1,199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide

Macworld If you’re looking for a blazing-fast tablet with a stunning OLED display, then the iPad Pro is the way to go. If you don’t mind skipping on the M5 model, you can grab this 13-inch M4 iPad Pro with 5G and 512GB of storage for $1,250, an impressive $449 discount and the best price we’ve seen. This 13-inch iPad Pro has everything you could need, starting with the powerful M4 chip that can handle absolutely everything, from demanding apps to photo and video editing, streaming video, and anything else you can think of. The ultra-thin design is absolutely gorgeous, and the OLED display is one of the best we’ve ever seen on any device. Plus this model has 512GB of storage and 5G connectivity, so it’s a full desktop replacement wherever you go. In fact, we gave the M4 iPad Pro a perfect 5-star rating in our review, calling it “the best tablet you can currently get,” and our opinion hasn’t changed even with the launch of the M5. With such fantastic power, a stunning display, and a sleek design, the M4 13-inch iPad Pro is a fantastic deal at $1,250, so don’t miss your chance to grab it before this offer disappears forever! Buy now at Amazon

Macworld It’s December, and that means we can expect a slew of end-of-year awards features–which is usually good news for big companies like Apple. But not all awards, it turns out, are positive. The hugely popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, this week posted his Smartphone Awards 2025, and Apple topped four out of 10 categories. It’s just that one of those categories is not a category you want to be in. On the plus side, there was plenty of praise for 2025’s iPhone lineup. The iPhone Air picked up the award for Best Design, with Brownlee describing it as “one of the most beautiful and controversial products of the whole year.” The iPhone 17 was a spectacular success, winning Most Improved and the overall Phone of the Year award (“All the iPhone anyone really ever needs”), and even receiving honourable mentions in the Best Value and Best Small Phone categories. And while the iPhone 17 Pro didn’t win any awards, it was also singled out for praise in the Best Small Phone and Best Camera categories, in the latter of which it was referred to as the “undisputed king of video.” Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e received only negative attention, winning the “award” for Bust of the Year and a scathing diatribe about its litany of compromises and insultingly mid-market price tag. “So they made a smaller, less premium iPhone, basically by taking things out of the base phone,” Brownlee explained. “So we have a binned A18 chip in here. Fine. It’s also a smaller, 60Hz display with a notch. Fine. But then they kept going…” Ultimately, he concluded that the iPhone 16e was “just a crazy swing and a miss.” (We’re inclined to agree.) The awards, like all of Brownlee’s videos, are extremely well produced and presented, and well worth a watch. I’ll post a list of winners below, but the real value of the video is the explanations of why each phone was selected, and their significance within wider industry changes. I recommend you give it a watch. Best Big Phone Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Honorable mention: Oppo Find X9 Pro Best Small Phone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Honorable mention: OnePlus 13S, iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, Xiaomi 17 Pro Best Camera Oppo Find X9 Pro Honorable mention: iPhone 17 Pro, Vivo X300 Pro Best Value CMF Phone 2 Pro Honorable mention: Moto G Play, Pixel 9a, iPhone 17 Best Battery OnePlus 15 Honorable mention: OnePlus 13, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Doogee S200 Ultra Best Design iPhone Air Honorable mention: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Edge, Fairphone 6 Best Foldable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Honorable mention: Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Most Improved iPhone 17 Honorable mention: OnePlus 15, Samsung Galazy Z Fold 7 Bust of the Year iPhone 16e Dishonorable mention: Nothing Phone 3 Phone of the Year iPhone 17 Honorable mention: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

Macworld Editor’s note: Walmart had discounted the M1 MacBook Air to $499, but it’s back to $599. If you’re shopping for a new MacBook or looking to buy one for a student or parent, you’ll find a few MacBook deals to save a few bucks, sometimes hundreds off MSRP. But there’s one laptop for sale by a prominent retailer that looks like a deal that’s too good to be true: a MacBook Air for sale at Walmart for $599. (It was $549, then Walmart reduced the price by another $50 over Cyber Monday and kept it there for a few days after. It is now back to $599.) The Walmart MacBook Air isn’t a refurbished or used product–it’s a brand new laptop, the lowest-priced new Apple laptop you can find, in fact. It’s unclear what partnership it has with Apple, but Walmart has exclusively sold the M1 MacBook Air since 2024, when it first announced its $699 price tag. The price has been cut several times since then. The $599 MacBook Air at Walmart can be a great deal for some, and a lousy deal for others.Foundry The lowest-priced MacBook at the Apple Store is the $999 MacBook Air, which you can find at third-party retailers such as Amazon for $749. But at $150 less than even that sale price, that $599 price tag for a brand-new MacBook Air is unprecedented and hard to resist, especially at a time when it feels like prices are going up for everything. There’s got to be a catch, right? After all, it seems like a deal that’s too good to be true. Well, to say there’s a “catch” implies that there’s deception going on here, and that’s really not the case. (Though we take issue with the use of the label “Latest model” here.) But several compromises are made for a product at this price, compromises that you might be okay with, depending on your use case. Let’s take a look at what you’re getting in the $599 Walmart MacBook Air. See the $599 M1 MacBook Air at Walmart A five-year-old chip The Walmart MacBook Air is the 2020 MacBook Air. It has the same components, down to the heart of the laptop, the M1 chip. The M1 chip made a thunderous debut five years ago, blowing away its Intel predecessors with its huge performance gains. The most current M-series chip is the M5, but it has yet to debut in the MacBook Air–the current MacBook Air has an M4 chip. Compared to the M1, the M4 is 74 percent faster in multi-core tasks and 56 percent faster in single-core performance. MacBook Air chips: Geekbench 6 Results are expressed as Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster. Maybe you just read that previous paragraph and looked at the chart and thought, “Multi-core, single-core, blah blah blah. Can’t this guy speak plain English?” Let’s put it this way: The M1 chip offers a vast speed improvement over any Intel-based MacBook Air and many Intel-based MacBook Pro models. The M1 chip is noticeably slower than the M4 in the current MacBook Air. So, is the Walmart MacBook Air a bad deal from a processing speed standpoint? It depends. If you do a lot of tasks where you have to wait for the processor to do its thing–edit a lot of audio or videos, work on extremely detailed graphics, programming, etc.–the M1 MacBook Air takes longer to do those tasks than the M4 MacBook Air. However, if your primary tasks involve internet access, communications, writing, basic media work, and other productivity tasks, then the Walmart MacBook Air will be fine. With these tasks, the difference between an M1 and an M4 is harder to notice. It has only 8GB of unified memory The Walmart MacBook Air comes with 8GB of unified memory (RAM), and it cannot be customized with more, nor can you add more memory down the road. If all you plan to do is use the laptop for Safari, FaceTime, Mail, YouTube, and basic productivity tasks, 8GB is fine. But if you constantly do demanding work on your Mac, then 8GB isn’t enough. It’ll drive you crazy. Apple now includes 16GB of memory as its base configuration in current Macs, which was previously a $200 upgrade. There isn’t anything you can’t do with 8GB of RAM, but some Apple Intelligence tasks may take longer to run. Currently, 8GB is the minimum required for Apple Intelligence, so it’s possible that some future features will require 16GB of RAM. It also comes with 256GB of storage, which is the same as the latest M4 models. However, there’s no way to upgrade the internal storage on this model, so you’ll need to get a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 drive if you need extra storage. The Walmart MacBook Air (right) features the old Air design. The current design (left) was introduced with the M2 MacBook Air.Apple A five-year-old display The Walmart MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display, while the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display–the M4 laptop’s display has a much smaller black border around the display, giving it more usable screen space. The resolutions are basically the same, though the M4 Air’s screen has a higher maximum brightness (500 nits versus 400 nits). The M4 Air’s display is better than the M1 Air’s, but the Walmart Air’s screen is still very good and perfectly acceptable for everyday use. But if your work has a visual element to it, you’ll appreciate the M4 Air’s display. An old design The Walmart MacBook Air features the wedge-shaped design that was introduced in 2008. Apple got rid of the design when it released the M2 MacBook Air, going with a more modern look and feel. If you long for the wedge design, the Walmart Air is the only way to go. The current 13-inch MacBook Air design is about the same size as the previous one. The Walmart Air, at its thickest point, is bigger than the current air, but it also has a shorter depth and the same length. It’s also a tiny bit heavier. Should you buy the Walmart MacBook Air? If you need to buy a laptop now, here’s what I would tell someone who asked me whether they should buy the M1 MacBook Air: If you’re looking for a Chromebook-like Mac laptop, the Walmart Air is a great machine that will serve you well, especially for such a low price. However, if you’re going to be using your Mac for more creative applications, you should get something more powerful. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an M4 MacBook Air; it can be an M2 or M3 Air, but make sure you get at least 16GB of unified memory. See the $599 M1 MacBook Air at Walmart Another thing to consider is that Apple is reportedly going to release a low-cost MacBook early next year. According to rumors, it will likely use a version of the iPhone’s A19 Pro chip, which is technically faster than the M1, but not by much. It may also sport a design similar to the current MacBook lineup, and a display that’s slightly larger than the M1 Air’s. If you’re in no rush to buy, consider waiting to see what this new laptop is all about. Be sure to check out our guide to the best Black Friday Mac deals and save some money. And to make sure you get what you paid for, be sure to read our tips to help you get the best Mac for your Black Friday budget. @macworld.com Amazon MacBook Air deal#blackfriday #macbookair ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld