iMac

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Make music like a pro with the best audio interfaces for Mac

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Best audio interface for Mac - Universal Audio Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad
Our top pick for best audio interface for Mac is Universal Audio's Apollo Twin X Quad.
Photo: Universal Audio

An audio interface serves as a bridge between your Mac and external audio sources like microphones and musical instruments. The hardware is essential for great sound reproduction, whether you’re a professional producer or a beginner. So finding the best audio interface for your Mac can significantly enhance your recording and mixing experience.

In this guide, we’ll explore top audio interfaces available for Mac, including several affordable options. We’ll discuss their features, performance, compatibility and price points to help you make an informed decision.

Grab a great deal on M1 iMac while you can

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deals on m1 imacs
Yellow is just one of several fun color choices.
Photo: Apple

Amazon budget website Woot! is a terrific resource for great deals on used, refurbished and new Apple gear. This week you can get a choice of deals on M1 iMacs. They’re “new,” as in apparently nobody bought them in the past few years. And they’re going for low prices you won’t see many, if any, other places.

The sale, which also includes a few other items, goes through Wednesday at 10 p.m. PT.

Macs with AI-focused M4 chip launching this year

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Apple M4 (concept) for Mac and iPad
The AI-enhanced Apple M4 is coming to every type of Mac, and sooner than some might think.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Mac users won’t need to wait until 2025 for the Apple M4 processor, according to a reputable Apple tipster. The replacement for the current M3 will emphasize AI — and will start appearing in Macs this autumn.

A previous report said improvements in the upcoming Apple A18 iPhone processor, also launching this fall, will focus on artificial intelligence, too.

Shop big bargains on Mac, MacBook and iPad while they last

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Mac and iPad deals include M1 Ultra Mac Studio
An M1 Ultra Mac Studio is one of the great deals you can score with Woot.
Photo: Apple

You may not want to spend top dollar on a new Mac or iPad, but how about bargain-basement deals on older Apple gear? That’s what Amazon bargain site Woot! asks with its latest sale on 40 items.

As the site says: “Apple iMacs, MacBooks, and iPads: Whether you need a big-screen powerhouse, a portable productivity partner, or a tablet to rule them all, we’ve got the iDevices you crave.”

You’ve got a little over a week to shop a wide range of Apple computers, some rather old (and really cheap) and some not so long in the tooth. The sale ends at 10 p.m. Pacific on April 6. See some highlights below.

And if you’re in the market for new Apple accessories, Woot! also offers $3 off with promo code APPLEBITE (although that sale ends March 31.)

iMac vs. MacBook: Should you buy a desktop or laptop Mac?

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iMac or MacBook?
The age-old question.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Should your next Mac be a portable or a desktop? More than 90% of Macs sold are laptops, and it’s easy to see why — MacBooks are light while offering best-in-class performance and battery life. Still, the “iMac vs. MacBook” quandary remains.

In fact, there are some compelling reasons to stick to the iMac (or other desktop Macs like the Mac mini or Mac Studio). You save money and also wind up with a more reliable machine.

Check out our latest video or keep reading below to help you decide.

MacBooks make up whopping 90% of Mac sales

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Best-selling Macs - MacBook-Pro-M3-trio
MacBook Pro models account for a bit more than half of Mac sales.
Photo: Apple

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air combine to account for a staggering 90% of Apple’s Mac sales. That’s according to a new report Wednesday about best-selling Macs from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).

The laptops’ dominant popularity over desktop Macs has long been evident. But the new report showing 2023 data really puts an exclamation point on it.

6 cool things you can do with an old Mac

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6 Things To Do With An Old Mac
What can you use it for? Quite a lot, actually.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

There are lots of things you can do with an old Mac. No one will fault you for upgrading to Apple’s latest and greatest, but your old Mac can still find a job to do, too.

It used to be that when your old iMac kicked the can, you hollowed it out and made an aquarium or a desk lamp. These days, Macs have a much longer shelf life. The right model can give you years upon years of loyal service. (Not to mention, modern Macs are too thin to house a fish.)

Here are the six best things you can do with an old Mac. Watch our latest video or keep reading below.

Apple adds M3 MacBooks and iMac to Self Service Repair program

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Apple's Self Service Repair Program includes M3 MacBook models as iPhone.
Apple's Self Service Repair Program now includes M3 MacBook models as iPhone and other products.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Self Service Repair program just expanded to include MacBooks and iMacs with the M3 processor released in 2023.

The program provides customers access to parts and tools they need to fix their own devices, and already includes many models of iPhone and iPad plus earlier Macs. But there are some big gaps.

Today in Apple history: Hippie-themed iMacs fuel Cupertino flashback

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The Flower Power iMac G3 and Blue Dalmatian iMac G3 were two of the wackier Macs in history.
These were two of the wackier Macs ever.
Photo: Apple

February 22: Today in Apple history: Hippie-themed Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian iMacs fuel Cupertino flashback February 22, 2001: The iMac Special Edition, sporting wild designs that would make a hippie happy, puts a wacky face on the computer that saved Apple’s bacon at the turn of the century. The Flower Power iMac and Blue Dalmatian iMac evoke tie-dye shirts or other unconventional ’60s-era imagery.

A far cry from the super-serious, aluminum-heavy industrial design that will come to define Apple in coming years, these colorfully patterned iMacs stand out as some of the most irreverent computers Cupertino ever dreamed up. (C’mon, when was a real Dalmatian blue?)

Under the consciously tacky exteriors, a pretty darn great iMac G3 hums along.

Looks like M1 iMacs, new iPad Pro and updated Apple TV 4K will arrive May 21 [Updated]

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iMac preorders start: Early on, the purple iMac looks like the hardest to come by.
Apple says only that the new iMacs will become available in the "second half of May."
Photo: Apple

According to (generally) reliable Apple tipster Jon Prosser, Apple will release the new iPad Pros with M1 chips and the faster Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri Remote on May 21. And a leak straight outta Cupertino indicates the new M1-powered iMacs will arrive that day as well.

Apple showed off the new devices during last week’s Spring Loaded event. However, at the time, Apple kept the launch date vague, saying only that they would be available sometime in the second half of May. The devices will be available for preorder starting Friday, April 30.

Save $49 on 2020 MacBook Air, $200 on 16-inch MacBook Pro

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macBookpro
Claim yours before the discounts disappear.
Photo: Apple

What better way to upgrade your home office than with a brand-new Mac? Amazon is currently offering big discounts on the latest models, like $49 off the 2020 MacBook Air and $200 off the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

You can also pick up the 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and more at reduced rates. Order yours today before the prices return to normal.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Save $100 on 2020 MacBook Air, $170 on Mac mini [Deals & Steals]

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DS-Apr-22-20
And save $50 on the 10.2-inch iPad.
Photos: Apple, Twelve South

B&H Photo just dropped the biggest discount we’ve seen so far on Apple’s new 2020 MacBook Air. You can save $100 on yours for a limited time only.

That’s just one of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup. Other highlights include:

Find all these discounts and more in today’s Deals & Steals roundup.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

iMac redesign, cheaper HomePod, new Apple TV reportedly coming in 2020

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iMac Apple
It's been almost eight years since the last iMac redesign.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A redesigned iMac, a more affordable HomePod, and a powerful new Apple TV are just some of the products Apple has planned for 2020, according to one reliable reporter.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also revealed expectations for the 5G iPhone lineup, scheduled to launch this fall, and for a 14-inch MacBook Pro during a Twitter Q&A with followers on Tuesday.

Apple preps 11-inch iPad Air, 23-inch iMac for 2020

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The new iPad Air adds support for Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.
The 2020 iPad Air could sport a larger display than this 2019 model.
Photo: Apple

Apple is going to increase the sizes of the displays in the 2020 iPad Air and an iMac model also coming later this year, according to an unconfirmed report coming out of Asia.

But neither of these will be MiniLED screens, as Apple will reportedly not have any computer using this type of display until 2021.

iPhone SE 2 has all the right moves. Catch the discussion on The CultCast

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CultCast 436: This week we talk iPhone SE 2, HomePod and the AirPower charging mat, resurrected!
This week we talk iPhone SE 2, HomePod and the AirPower charger, resurrected!
Photo: @YSR50

This week on The CultCast: iPhone SE 2 is finally here, and the amount of tech packed into this $400 phone is truly remarkable. We’ll tell you everything you need to know. Plus, a new report outlines Apple’s plans for iPhone 12 with 5G, a new mini (and possibly portable) HomePod, and the AirPower mat, resurrected!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Save on 2020 Mac mini, MacBook Pro, Sims 4 and more [Deals & Steals]

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DS-Mar-31-20
And save $140 on Beats Solo3 wireless headphones.
Photos: Apple, EA

Need a new MacBook Pro? You won’t want to miss Woot’s brilliant deal on 13-inch models, refurbished by Apple, which are now available for as little as $679.99. Or pick up the brand-new 2020 Mac mini from $699 — $100 off its usual price tag.

That’s just some of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup that will help you tackle self-isolation and working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Other highlights include:

Find all these discounts and more in today’s Deals & Steals roundup.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Cristiano Ronaldo bought his teammates iMacs after getting red-carded

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Ronaldo
To be fair, he can probably afford it.
Photo: Антон Зайцев/Wikipedia CC

World renowned soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo bought the entire Juventus squad iMacs after getting a red card in a 2018 Champions League match against Valencia.

The Portuguese superstar player was reduced to tears after being sent off for pulling the hair of defender Jeison Murillo. Although Juventus won the match 2-0, club rules stipulated by boss Massimiliano Allegri meant Ronaldo had to buy gifts for the rest of his team. Eventually he settled on iMacs.

Gorgeous iMac concept packs slim bezels and Pro Display XDR chassis

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imac
We hope the 2020 iMac looks a lot like this.
Photo: Viktor Kádár and Patrik Borgatai

The iMac might finally get a big design change in 2020 after going untouched for seven years and one team of concept designers is hoping it borrows heavily from the new Mac Pro.

Viktor Kádár and Patrik Borgatai imagined what the 2020 iMac lineup will look like if Apple added a new Pro Display XDR and a base that looks like a Pro Stand that doesn’t cost $999. The end result is a more industrial looking iMac with slimmer bezels and louder sound.

This thing is absolutely gorgeous:

Apple hikes prices on build-to-order Macs outside US

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MacBook-Pro-build-order
Expect to pay around 10% more for each component.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple in recent days has ramped up its prices on build-to-order Mac configurations in many countries outside the United States.

Pricing for standard machine configurations remains the same. But if you want to upgrade your Mac’s processor or increase its RAM or storage, you can expect to pay around 10% more for each component.