Comparing Mac Studio vs Mac Pro shows the benefits from Apple’s ever-improving processors. Mac Studio just got a major chip upgrade, and can now be configured with an M3 Ultra. The last new Mac Pro version came in 2023, and it’s therefore stuck with an M2 Ultra.
Read on to see how much of a difference that makes. (Spoiler alert: It a big difference.)
The head of the team developing the promised AI-enhanced Siri had to admit the recent decision to significantly delay the release gave Apple’s reputation a major black eye, according to a report published Friday.
Robby Walker, Apple’s senior director of Siri and information intelligence, reportedly called the delay “ugly” during a recent all-hands meeting with his team. He gave an update on how close Apple is to having the technology ready, but couldn’t promise when it will ship. At present, the “smarter” Siri reportedly still fails to work correctly a significant percentage of the time.
★★★★☆
Don’t underestimate the basic iPad. As I learned while testing the iPad 11 for this review, the newly updated tablet with an Apple A16 processor is an almost shockingly good computer when one considers it costs only $349.
I put Apple’s latest low-cost tablet to the test and came away reminded that one doesn’t need an iPad Pro to be productive. Or have fun.
Add ViewSonic to the list of companies making a 27-inch, 5K monitor to compete head-to-head with the Apple Studio Display.
As with so many of the rivals, the ColorPro VP2788-5K is considerably more affordable than Apple’s offering. And it doesn’t look half bad.
The new Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter lets you add a wired internet connection to your MacBook. Simply plug it into a USB-C port on your computer for data transfers at up to 5Gbps, or 5000Mbps.
The affordable adapter, which launched Tuesday, also works with iPad and even recent iPhone models.
Apple intends to massively transform the user interfaces for the iPhone, Mac and iPad later this year, according to a reliable source who says iOS 19, macOS 16 and iPadOS 19 could bring the most significant changes in years.
How will those changes affect the familiar look and feel of Apple’s devices? A software developer speculates that a pair of recently released Apple apps offer a sneak peek at the design overhaul reportedly coming in iOS 19 and macOS 16.
Apple introduced on Tuesday four patches for a range of devices to deal with bugs. iOS 18.3.2, macOS 15.3.2, iPadOS 18.3.2 and visionOS 2.3.2 are all ready to download.
In addition to a bug fix related to streaming content, the patches also include a fix for a potentially serious security issue.
You can use the Apple logo as an emoji … if you know how. Expressing your love for all things Apple looks a lot better if know how to type the .
It’s easy to do on a Mac, and I can show you how to add to texts on iPhone and iPad, too.
Early reviews of the 2025 Mac Studio tout the speed boost that comes with the Apple M3 Ultra processor, and the M4 Max version is certainly no slouch. And, as reviewers point out, the new chips build on previous versions that offered an impressive set of features packed into a relatively small casing. For those interested in the latest developments in AI-powered performance, check out the latest Apple AI news.
If you’re interested in Apple’s latest laptops, the MacBook Air M3 is now available for purchase.
Considering the new desktop? This is just what you need to know:
Early reviews of the upcoming M3 iPad Air note the ho-hum nature of Apple’s update: The midrange tablet gets a speed boost thanks to a new chip and nothing else. Still, the device gets lots of compliments from reviewers.
The consensus remains that the iPad Air continues to be a worthy option for those who want more than the budget iPad but aren’t willing to pay for all the additional features of an iPad Pro.
The launch of a device that will be the centerpiece of Apple’s next foray into smart home technology reportedly got put on hold. The delay in the launch of the wall-mounted iPad-like computer is a result of Apple’s problems finishing work on an AI-enhanced version of the Siri voice assistant, according to a reliable source.
Early benchmarks for the Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra processor reveal that Apple’s new top-of-the-line chip brings a 30% performance increase over its predecessor.
The speed boost is even more dramatic over the original version of the Mac Studio from 2022.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max expected this autumn will be 5% thicker than the current version, according to a noted tipster.
But that’s not bad news. The extra bulk supposedly is to allow Apple to build a larger battery into its top-of-the-line iOS handset.
The Apple M4 chip going into the new MacBook Air version brings a considerable performance boost. Early benchmark scores show the 2025 version of the macOS notebook runs over 50% faster than the 2024 version.
Steady annual improvements in Apple’s M series chips continue to demonstrate the advantages of the switch away from Intel. If you’re considering an upgrade, checking out the MacBook Air price can help you decide if the latest model is worth the investment. If you’re looking for a breakdown of the latest Mac M4 and whether it’s worth upgrading, this guide has everything you need to know. If you’re comparing the latest models, check out this detailed M4 MacBook Pro comparison to see how it stacks up.
Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra chip as an option in the new MacStudio desktop Wednesday. As the company’s most powerful silicon chip to date, it brings unprecedented performance to pro users with demanding workflows. The other option in the new desktop machine is the M4 Max chip, which is actually less powerful than the M3 Ultra.
“M3 Ultra is the pinnacle of our scalable system-on-a-chip architecture, aimed specifically at users who run the most heavily threaded and bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies.
Apple didn’t launch the 2025 Mac Studio with an M4 Ultra processor — the top-of-the-line version of Apple’s current chip family. And it now seems that chip will never exist at all.
Apparently, Cupertino never intended to produce it.
The long wait for an upgraded Mac Studio finally ended. A version with an M4 Max processor and (surprise!) an M3 Ultra chip launched Wednesday.
“The new Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac we’ve ever made,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “A complete game-changer for pros around the world — powering both home and pro studios — Mac Studio sits in a class of its own, offering a staggering amount of performance in a compact, quiet design that fits beautifully on your desk. With this new Mac Studio, we’re delivering even more extreme performance with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, support for half a terabyte of unified memory, up to 16TB of superfast storage, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Mac Studio truly is the ultimate pro desktop.”
The budget iPad, one of Apple’s most popular tablets, now comes with a faster A16 processor, and the base model packs twice the storage capacity. However, for the most part, the iPad 11 — which Apple quietly released Tuesday — stays the same as its predecessor. While Apple made incremental changes to the iPad lineup, there is growing anticipation around MacBook Air rumors, suggesting a significant update is on the horizon.
And, in a surprise move, the tablet did not join the club of devices that support Apple Intelligence.
Apple CEO Tim Cook just dropped a very broad hint that the M4 MacBook Air is imminent, and maybe an upgraded iPad Air, too. Cook posted on X (formerly Twitter), “There’s something in the Air.”
While there’s plenty of anticipation for the launch, there won’t be much surprise. Rumors started talking about the M4 MacBook Air months ago. The same goes for the M3 iPad Air. If you’re wondering about the MacBook monitor improvements that could come with this release, here’s what we know so far.
Here’s what’s expected.
★★★★★
The classic Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light just made its way to iPhone, iPad and Android. It’s an action-puzzler that’s been around for 15 years on other platforms because it’s so much fun to play.
Is the new port to mobile devices worth your time and a bit of cash? Read on.
The Gorge is the most popular film on streaming for a second week, according to a ratings tracker. The romantic action thriller from Apple TV+ stars Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver… plus a lot of monsters.
And Severance held onto a large audience of innies and outies, just as it has since early January.
Apple made it easier for parents to specify the ages of children when creating Child Accounts intended to protect kids when they’re using an iPhone or iPad. And all Child Accounts have age-appropriate settings. Plus, a future iOS update will let parents update the ages of their children listed in their accounts.
The goal is to further ensure that children only have access to age-appropriate applications and content.
Early reviews of the iPhone 16e give the first real-world experience of the $599 phone that launches Friday. The takeaway: While it skimps on some features, the iPhone 16e offers excellent performance and is one of Apple’s best options for lengthy battery life.
Nevertheless, some reviews question whether the limited features justify the “budget” iPhone’s $599 price.
★★★★☆
Plug the AVerMedia Elite Go GC313Pro into a wall socket to charge your Mac or iPad, and then (surprise!) plug an HDMI monitor and USB accessories into it, too. It’s both a charger and a hub in one package, handy for any traveler. Plus, it can charge three devices at once — also great for travelers.
As a bonus feature, the gizmo is also a video capture card. But (spoiler alert) how useful this is for Apple users is questionable.
I tested the various functions of the 4-in-1 charging hub and came away impressed… mostly.
★★★★☆
The Apple TV+ original film The Gorge neatly mixes romance and action, with a pair of highly trained agents falling in love while protecting the world from horrible monsters that lie hidden in the depths of the eponymous gorge.
It’s a fun popcorn movie, with stars Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy and Sigourney Weaver giving it their all. There’s plenty to enjoy for those who like action and for those who like romance. Put it on the calendar for your next date night.
That said, it benefits from the lower expectations for a straight-to-streaming film like this one. It’s fun, exciting, sweet … but not perfect.