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This beautiful portable monitor doesn’t break the bank [Review] ★★★★

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Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor: Review★★★★
This portable monitor from Espresso Displays can make you more productive.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor includes a gorgeous LCD for work or entertainment when you’re away from your usual desk. It’s a more affordable option from a company previously known for premium screens, but it keeps up the quality.

It comes in a range of vibrant case color options, which really helps it stand out from its rivals. Plus, there’s Stand+, a brilliant ergonomic stand that can hold the 15.6-inch, 1080P LCD above your laptop.

I tested the Espresso Lite 15 in my home office and on the road, and came away quite pleased. Here’s why.

4 reasons why you should wait for the M6 MacBook Pro

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Why your should wait for the M6 MacBook Pro
Hold off on a MacBook Pro until you see all the changes coming in the M6 version.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is currently putting the finishing touches on a major step forward for the MacBook Pro line, with advanced features no current MacBook can boast of. And the M6 processor is just the icing on the cake. Here’s why you should wait for it.

Yes, the MacBook Pro just got updated with M5 Pro or M5 Max processors making it the fastest Mac ever. But you should think seriously about skipping it. You’ll kick yourself if you have a relatively new model when something far better comes along in a few months.

New CAD drawings reveal Apple’s upcoming folding iPhone

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Apple’s folding iPhone takes shape in new CAD drawings
The folding iPhone might look much like this concept based on leaked CAD drawings.
AI image: ChatGPT/Sonny Dickson/Cult of Mac

CAD drawings supposedly revealing the design of the first folding iPhone indicate the device will sport a very different shape than rival foldable smartphones.

The early Monday leak comes from a reliable source, and the design shown matches earlier reports about the so-called iPhone Fold. So this may well be what the new premium iOS device looks like when it debuts in the fall.

Apple’s not done: 3 more products coming this spring

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3 fresh Apple products expected in spring 2026
There are still great products coming from Apple this spring.
AI image: Apple/Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple released no fewer than seven products last week, including the MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, the iPhone 17e and much more. But there are still three more products likely to be coming out of Cupertino this spring — and one of them is among Apple’s most popular offerings.

Here’s what new Apple products we can look forward to in the next few months across multiple categories.

First benchmarks confirm MacBook Neo delivers the speed we hoped for

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MacBook Neo performance: Good enough for students
You can expect to see the MacBook Neo in many, many college dorm rooms.
AI image: Apple/Gemini/Cult of Mac

You can stop worrying whether the new entry-level MacBook Neo is too slow to be useful. The first benchmark scores are out, and they confirm that Apple’s low-cost notebook offers all the performance needed by average computer users, even though it is powered by an A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM.

The computer is actually faster than a MacBook Pro model still widely in use. Here’s the proof.

MacBook Neo is selling out fast — these are the hottest models

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MacBook Neo comes in blush, indigo, silver or citrus
One of the colors of the new comes in MacBook Neo appears much more popular than the others.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The standout feature of the new MacBook Neo is its $599 price, but it seems a great many buyers are willing to pay more than that. Apple is already running out of pre-launch stock of the variant that comes with additional storage capacity, even though it adds 17% to the price.

Plus, there’s a standout color option. Only one of the four is popular enough that both the 256GB and 512GB version is already sold out.

How to save big bucks with Apple’s educational discount

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An Apple Educational Discount can get you started right at university.
An Apple Educational Discount can help you get started on the right path at university.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The new MacBook Neo costs only $499 with Apple’s education discount, which makes a lot of parents excited. They could get a MacBook for their child for under $500!

Problem is, Apple’s educational discount isn’t available for every student. Here’s who can save $100 on a new MacBook… and who can’t. And what you can do to qualify.

The best RPG on Apple Arcade gets a sequel [Play it now!]

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Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea
Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea looks brilliant.
Image: Cornfox & Brothers

Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea just hit Apple Arcade. It’s the sequel to Knights of the Lost Realm, the absolute best role-playing game on Apple’s subscription gaming service.

Seriously, it’s worth it for RPG fans to subscribe the Apple Arcade for a couple of months just to play these two.

Don’t underestimate it: MacBook Neo packs surprising performance

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MacBook Neo performance
The just-announced MacBook Neo should deliver more speed than many expected.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s decision to put an A-series chip in the new MacBook Neo raised more than a few eyebrows. And doubts about its performance.

But comparing the MacBook Neo’s A18 Pro — which debuted a year and a half ago in the iPhone 16 Pro — with previous Mac processors shows that the A-series chip is surprisingly powerful.

iPhone or Mac feeling buggy? Grab these updates ASAP.

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iOS 26.3.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.3.1: Bug hunting
Apple updates iOS with bug fixes and support for new displays
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

iOS 26.3.1 is ready to be installed on your iPhone starting Wednesday. Mac users got macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 at the same time. The new versions include bug fixes — which are always welcome. And iPad users can install iPadOS 26.3.1, too.

In addition, all three system software updates bring support for the Apple Studio Display monitors that just launched.

New Belkin 3-in-1 foldable charger gives your iPhone a full 25W [Review] ★★★★

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Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger review★★★★
This Belkin charger wirelessly juices up an iPhone at the full 25W, and powers two other Apple devices as well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger quickly juices up your iPhone, plus it can power up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. And with a folding design, it can stay on your desk or go on vacation.

I put the multidevice charger to the test in my home office. Here’s how it stood up in real-world use.

Studio Display XDR arrives with mini-LED backlighting and 5K clarity

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Person working on a MacBook Pro plugged into two daisy-chained Studio Display XDRs
The new Studio Display XDR is ready for graphics-intensive workflows.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Tuesday introduced the Studio Display XDR with mini-LED backlighting as its new premium monitor for professionals. It replaces the Pro Display XDR in the lineup, though the new model is smaller and lower resolution.

Apple also introduced a second-generation Studio Display, its high-end monitor for prosumers. This includes a better camera, more speakers and other tweaks.

“Apple has led the industry in delivering the world’s most advanced displays for pros to do their life’s best work, and today we do that once again with the introduction of the new Studio Display family,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, said in a press release. “Studio Display gets even better with a new 12MP Center Stage camera and powerful Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. And the Studio Display XDR is a huge leap forward for XDR technology, with a mini-LED backlight, 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, advanced color accuracy, and a 120Hz refresh rate, transforming workflows like filmmaking, design and print, and 3D animation. It’s by far the world’s best pro display.”

Give your iPhone a fresh look with new iPhone 17e wallpaper

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iPhone 17e wallpaper looks amazing
This iPhone 17e wallpaper can be on your iPhone with only a few taps.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

You don’t need to buy a new handset to bring a fresh look to your iPhone. Apple just unveiled the iPhone 17e, which comes with a beautiful wallpaper — and you can easily add it to your own device now.

Here’s how. (It really is easy.)

4 key upgrades make new M4 iPad Air a beast

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iPad Air now comes with a faster M4 chip.
iPad Air now comes with a faster M4 chip.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Monday introduced a new iPad Air powered by its M4 chip, upgrading the silicon in its midrange tablet to narrow the performance gap with the iPad Pro. In addition, the device comes with more RAM that’s also faster, plus new wireless networking chips that support Wi-Fi 7.

“iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of worldwide product marketing, in a press release. “With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.”

iPhone 17e doubles built-in storage, adds MagSafe

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iPhone 17e colors
iPhone 17e comes in several colors to catch the eye.
Photo: Apple

Apple launched the iPhone 17e on Monday, offering a new option for those who want a premium smartphone that won’t empty their bank account. The base version offers twice as much storage capacity as its predecessor, makes the jump to the latest Apple A19 processor and adds full support for MagSafe accessories.

“iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, in a press release. “We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that. With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come.”

M5 Max could make new MacBook Pro the fastest Mac ever

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MacBook Pro M5 Max performance
Apple next MacBook Pro could be faster than we expected.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

UPDATED: As expected, Apple launched the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max processors on Tuesday. Learn all about it:


The whole point of upgrading the MacBook Pro with the new M5 Pro or M5 Max processors is to boost performance. Although Apple has yet to announce the new high-speed chip variants, we can still make solid estimates of the increase to be expected. Spoiler alert: WOW.

Here’s the hefty CPU and GPU performance jumps to expect from the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max processors.

Godzilla and Kong battle Titan X in Monarch season 2

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Monarch Season 2: Now streaming!
Kaiju battle! Godzilla and Kong must face Titan X in Apple TV’s Monarch season 2, now streaming.
Image: Apple TV

The giant monster action of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters returned on Friday with season two stomping onto Apple TV. The series is set in the MonsterVerse that includes Godzilla and other kaiju, with Kong taking a giant-size role in the season that just premiered. Plus there’s a new Titan X to battle with.

Watch the new season two now on Apple TV, or get caught up with season one.

Budget MacBook: How cheap is cheap?

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Budget MacBook price rumors
The success or failure of the budget MacBook hangs heavily on its price.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

UPDATED: As expected, Apple launched the MacBook Neo on Wednesday. Learn all about it:


There’s huge anticipation for the budget MacBook that’s rumored to launch soon. But a critical question about the laptop has yet to be answered: Just how much will it cost? We already know it’ll be the most affordable macOS notebook ever, and there’s plenty of speculation about the exact cost.

There’s definitely a level that the price cannot go above if Apple wants the low-cost MacBook to succeed. Trouble is, the ongoing AI boom might force Apple to increase the cost of the device above its original plan. That raises questions about how successful the budget laptop will be.

iPhone is secure enough for classified NATO secrets right out of the box

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iPhone security is tight enough for NATO classified documents.
iPhone security is tight enough for NATO classified documents.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone and iPad are the first consumer devices to meet the information assurance standards set by NATO member nations. As a result, the devices can be used to handle classified information up to the NATO Restricted level without the need for specialized software or additional configuration, the company said Thursday.

“Apple has built the most secure devices in the world for all its users, and those same protections are now uniquely certified under assurance requirements for NATO nations — unlike any other device in the industry,” said Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of security engineering and architecture, in a press release.

3 best SSDs for iPhone: Fast, secure or cheap

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3 best SSDs for iPhone
Whether you want fast, secure or affordable, we found the best iPhone SSD options.
Image: Cult of Mac

Adding storage space to your iPhone is easy — you just need the right SSD. I’ve tested ones that work with Apple’s handset and found three standout options for holding gigabytes of images, video and more without massively bulking up the handset.

So here are the best SSDs for your iPhone. All you need to do now is decide whether you want the tiny drive to emphasize speed, security or affordability.

Tim Cook promises ‘big week’ of product launches — what to expect

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Colorful budget MacBook concepts: Apple might launch it in March
The colorful budget MacBook could be the star of Apple's March product announcements.
AI image: Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed Thursday what had previously been rumored: The company will launch new products starting Monday, March 2.

The graphic he posted on X hints at the new MacBooks that are expected to be among the announcements. Beyond notebooks, the iPhone 17e, revamped iPads and possibly more could all be unveiled in just a few days.

This tiny 45W charger is smarter than it has any right to be [Review] ★★★★★

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Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) in a wall socket★★★★★
Anker's new miniature wall charger sports a smart display and other innovation.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) — that’s its actual name — is the smartest wall charger I’ve ever used. It recognizes my iPhone and iPad when I plug them in and even displays the device’s current battery level.

I can set it to quickly or slowly juice up my device, helping to protect its battery. Or order it to slow charge my handset overnight.

Here’s why I love Anker’s tiny new charger after testing it for several weeks.

New macOS interface will be key to touchscreen Macs’ success

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macOS 27 needs a touchscreen-enabled redesign
Rumors suggest a touchscreen-enabled macOS 27 might look something like this concept.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Building a touchscreen into the MacBook Pro coming late this year will require significant changes to macOS 27. Some early details of what Apple has in store for macOS leaked out Tuesday from a generally reliable source.

The upcoming notebooks will supposedly be the first Macs with a Dynamic Island — but that’s just the start of what Apple has planned.

Next-gen Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD gets 2X faster but smaller

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Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD in use
Add terabytes of storage to your Mac, iPad or iPhone with SanDisk's latest SSD.
Photo: Sandisk

Sandisk just launched a third generation of the Extreme Portable SSD. It offers 2,000 MBps data transfers, drop protection and more. Capacities go up to 4TB.

The drive will be joined later in 2026 with two more additions to the line of SSDs — one with even faster data transfer speeds, and the other expected to be more affordable.

Apple Studio Display 2: Everything we know so far

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Apple Studio Display in use
Apple Studio Display 2 might build considerably on the current model.
AI image: Cult of Mac/ChatGPT

Apple will soon replace the Studio Display with an even more gorgeous second-generation version with a range of upgrades, according to reliable rumor sources.

Read on for all the enhancements that rumors indicate will come to the high-end Mac monitor.