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.
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.)
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.
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.
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 plus earlier Macs. But there are some big gaps.
In early benchmark testing, Apple's new M3 chip lives up to expectations for speed. Photo: Apple
New benchmark tests support claims Apple made about the impressive speed of the new M3 chip unveiled Monday in the Scary Fast event.
Geekbench found the new entry-level M3 chip, which appears initially in a new 24-inch iMac and one of three MacBook Pro models, performs as expected compared to M1 and M2 versions.
Update: And after the initial results for M3 came in, further tests showed M3 Max is 42% faster than M2 Max, or about as fast as M2 Ultra. That means a new top-shelf MacBook Pro is as fast as the Mac Pro released earlier this year in June, which Apple said at the time was the “most powerful chip ever created for a personal computer.” That claim lasted about five months.
Here’s some buying advice for the new Macs. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple introduced the next generation of MacBook Pro and iMac, each powered by the next generation of its in-house silicon: M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max. The Macs run faster than ever before thanks to smaller transistors and additional cores packed into each processor.
The products are already available to order — so is it time for you to upgrade? That all depends on which devices you have, so I’ve put together a buying guide with sharable images and a video to help you decide.
Apple makes a lot of Macs, but they still leave some stones unturned. Photo: Apple
The transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon changed every Mac for the better … almost. But there are a few niches in the lineup that have yet to be filled.
While Apple’s computers are best-in-class, there are a few categories the company does not currently compete in. These are the top seven Macs that Apple doesn’t make.
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.
Find out what Apple has in store for us in the coming months. Image: Apple
Update: Now that Apple’s Spring Loaded event is history, you can watch (or rewatch) it at the YouTube link below.
Apple’s next big event is just hours away, and it promises to be a big one for fans of iPad, AirPods and more. It will be an online-only affair, like other recent Apple events, and you’ll be able to watch it live almost anywhere.
Find out how before the “Spring Loaded” event begins in just a few hours.
This setup is geared for productivity. Photo: @markspurrell
Mark Spurrell is a Canadian tech YouTuber who knows a thing or two about building productive setups. His rig is geared toward getting things done. The mainstay is a 2020 27-inch iMac, a total workhorse of a machine.
He uses a sit-stand SmartDesk 2 by Autonomous. This desk is awesome for long grinds, because when he is bored of sitting, he can get new scenery with the click of a button. When he does sit down, he sits in a Kinn Chair, also made by Autonomous. This chair is basically an adapted Herman Miller Embody, the gold-standard of ergonomic office chairs. But at $419, it costs less than a third of the price.
Apple has lined up new iMac and AirPods refreshes for 2020 that are “ready to ship,” according to a reliable leaker. Both products could appear “at any time,” but it doesn’t seem like Apple has nailed down release dates just yet.
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’sMark 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.
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.
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.
The impact of the continuing coronavirus pandemic is starting to show its true colors with an almost 13% market share drop for Apple’s Mac computer line in the first quarter compared to a year ago.
Nack’s Base for iMac could save your computer from being a pain in the neck. Photo: Nack
Nack’s just-released Base for iMac is a simple solution for the computer’s lack of height adjustability. This hardwood stand raises the Mac’s display up to where it’s more level with the user’s eyes.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Apple Certified Refurbished units are one of the best deals you can get. Photo: Apple
Following new product announcements from Apple this morning — including new MacBook Air and iPad Pro models — Apple freshened its refurbished lineup online with various price drops ranging from new low prices on the MacBook Air to steep discounts on the 11-inch iPad Pro.
Imagine an iMac that can extend its display onto the walls around it. That could be possible in the future according to a new Apple patent, published on Thursday, that details an all-in-one with built-in projectors.