The Keychron K10 wireless mechanical keyboard in this product shot is full-size and ready for gaming. Photo: Keychron
Today’s M1 Mac mini user highly recommends a killer keyboard we rarely see in setups, from a brand we see everywhere in setups — Keychron. The maker’s popular K line of affordable keebs features a full-size mode that doesn’t show up all that often, perhaps because many folks favor smaller ones these days, eschewing the number pad.
iMacs from 2019 and 2020 are deeply discounted at Woot! Photo: Apple
The latest Woot! Apple Computers and Accessories sale nears its end — Friday at 10 p.m. Pacific. So act fast if you want to get great deals on Apple computers and accessories. The gear is mainly from yesteryear (Intel-based iMacs and Mac mini plus iPad cases and folios for older tablets).
“iMacs: the preferred multimedia work station of iCarly,” Woot! says of the main sale. And on the iPad cases page: “Buy what your dad will inevitably call a “doo-dad” or “thing-a-ma-jig” or “damnit-I-just-had-it-somewhere.”
You can get hundreds off that ultra-wide curved gaming monitor right now. Photo: [email protected]
In the never-ending arms race for more and bigger external displays in computer setups, one distinct subset is the ultra-wide, curved gaming monitor. Samsung is big in that game, and today’s M1 Mac mini user likes his 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 monitor, which he pairs with a couple of 32-inch 4K flat displays. And by the way, the big curved gaming monitor is deeply discounted right now on Amazon.
The user also asked for feedback on his new setup. You can see that below, too.
Who will win the rumor derby this time around? Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event is coming up fast! It’s time for our favorite challenge — matching wits in our Apple event predictions game. Who will win this time?
Also on The CultCast:
Will the iPhone 16 Pro’s new color wow us or make us cringe? We’re on the fence.
The latest rumors about next-gen AirPods have Erfon ready to fork over some cash.
Sounds like the upgraded Mac mini will go all in on USB-C.
And finally, Apple might create a Magic Keyboard for iPad that doesn’t magically empty your wallet.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
M4 Mac mini might not sport any USB-A ports. Photo: Apple
Apple could go all-in on USB-C with its upcoming M4 Mac mini. As a part of the machine’s major design revamp, the company might ditch USB-A ports for good.
The Cupertino company should unveil the M4 Mac mini later this year.
Apple doesn't sell many Mac minis. But the small desktop computer appeals to a big, important group of buyers. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Guess what percentage of Mac buyers choose the Mac mini. Whatever your estimate is, the real number is probably lower. Much lower.
Despite selling so very few of them, it seems likely Apple keeps making and updating the tiny macOS desktop because many of them go to young buyers just starting on a lifetime of buying Apple products.
Entry-level M4 Macs could pack twice the RAM of their M3 counterparts. Image: Apple
Apple is reportedly testing multiple M4-powered Macs for launch later this year. More importantly, a new report says all the Macs ship with 16GB or 32GB of system memory.
This signals that Apple might finally bid farewell to the paltry 8GB RAM for Mac base models.
Just imagine typing on that split keyboard. Photo: [email protected]
Classic keyboard designs continue to reign supreme in computer setups, but a split keyboard makes for a more ergonomically healthy choice. Some split keebs look just a little different than a regular keyboard. But some, like the one in today’s M2 Mac mini setup, look almost alien. This one has two completely separate halves that the user places on either side of a Magic Trackpad 2.
The Macs you've been waiting for are about to arrive. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It sounds like a whole bunch of Macs powered by Apple’s M4 chip — including a Mac mini that will be surprisingly small — will arrive in the not-so-distant future. We discuss the latest M4 Mac rumors (and can’t help getting more than a little excited).
Also on The CultCast:
The latest iOS 18 beta brings more interesting changes, including one that makes Griffin very happy.
We’ve got questions about the next Apple Watch SE. Will it be plastic? Vibrantly colorful? Cheaper?
Samsung’s copycat designers take heat from an unlikely source for mimicking Apple’s products.
In a new Under Review segment, Griffin tells us what he likes (and what he doesn’t) about an unusual three-in-one MagSafe charger.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
The Mac mini (on left) could be as small as an Apple TV (on right). Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple is going to shrink the next Mac mini when it adds an M4 processor, according to an often-reliable source of insider information. The desktop could be the size of an Apple TV.
This shot from MSI highight's the diplay's graphical capabilities. Photo: MSI
Perusing computer setups online, we love to point out great deals on great gear when they come along. In today’s M1 Mac mini setup, the 27-inch external 4K display looks like a gem, with great features at a low price.
This wired mechanical gaming keyboard from NZXT is hot-swappable. Photo: NZXT
For those unfamiliar with NZXT, it’s a company based in Los Angeles that makes high-performance gaming PCs and the gear that goes with them. Today’s M1 Mac mini setup relies on a raft of NZXT devices, including a NZXT Function keyboard. It’s a customizable mechanical keeb designed for gamers with some pretty high-level functionality.
Most of the gear here is from NZXT. So let's look into that. Photo: [email protected]
Not being huge PC gamers, we aren’t particularly familiar with NZXT, a company based in Los Angeles that makes high-performance gaming PCs and the gear that goes with them. So when we saw today’s M1 Mac mini setup looking like a giant ad for NZXT, we thought we’d give it a look. The user loves his NZXT Relay lineup of gear, including powerful speakers and a wired headset with a surprisingly functional stand.
This rendering shows the unusual tiered-pyramid roof design of the new store. Photo: Apple
Apple continues its retail expansion in Southeast Asia with its first store in Malaysia — Apple The Exchange TRX. It’s set to open June 22 in Kuala Lumpur at The Exchange TRX mall. And you should check out the roof on this thing. It looks like a tiered pyramid.
Apple The Exchange TRX will be Apple’s sixth store in Southeast Asia. And it already has wallpapers for your device screens.
Really, it’s… all of them. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Whether you run a video production studio or you’re starting a hobby YouTube channel, you’ll want to make sure you have the best Mac for video editing.
Video editing is a good stress test for any computer. Cutting together an epic two-hour video essay requires high-speed storage, a lot of memory, processing power and GPU power. Apple silicon delivers all this in spades. Apple’s chips also come with special built-in hardware for processing video — the Media Engine.
The white Fenge monitor stand, or desk shelf, is one of the coolest choices we've seen lately. Photo: [email protected]
Monitor stands, aka monitor risers or desk shelves, are often unsung heroes of computer setups. Even just a single shelf can add so much in terms of organization and ergonomics. In today’s colorful and artistic Mac mini workstation, the Fenge monitor riser is crucial. Without it, the desktop would devolve into chaos.
With no M3 version on the way, iMac mini M2 will stay around until the M4 chip arrives. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
There will never be a version of the Mac mini with the Apple M3 processor, according to a reliable tipster. Instead, the inexpensive desktop will wait for the next-generation chip.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that the wait supposedly won’t be terribly long.
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.
2024 will bring lots of M3-based Mac desktops, and maybe an M4 MacBook. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
After Apple’s thunderous launch of the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips a few months ago, these chips likely will roll out as spec bumps in the MacStudio, Mac Pro, and Mac mini later this year. Additionally, Apple enthusiasts are eager to see how them3 ultra chip will further enhance Mac performance in upcoming releases.
An M4 MacBook Pro remains a possibility for this fall. (I suspect M4 will be the first “must-have” Mac upgrade for anyone still on an M1-series chip.)
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.)
In the user's first Mac setup, a Mac mini drives an LG external display. A Magic Keyboard also sits on the desk shelf, with an iPad Pro on a stand to the right. Photo: [email protected]
Mac mini may be Apple’s smallest desktop computer, but that doesn’t make it meek. It’s anything but meek, in fact. Today’s M2 Mac mini setup is the user’s first Apple rig, and the computer, working alongside a recent 12.9-inch iPad Pro, drives an impressive 35-inch LG ultra-wide display.
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.
Get good deals on M2 Mac mini desktop machines at Amazon. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you need a compact PC to replace your existing machine, there’s no better buy than the Mac mini. And with Amazon taking $100 off the machine in its latest M2 Mac mini deal, Apple’s cheapest Mac provides even more value for money.
For most cases, laser printers outshine inkjet printers. Here's how to find the best laser printer for Mac. Photo: Cult of Mac
What is the best laser printer for Mac users? When choosing between laser or inkjet, we recommend laser. Laser printers used to be prohibitively expensive, but prices have come down, and you’ll have fewer headaches. Inkjet printers are better for photos but are a pain to own. Replacement ink costs a fortune, the heads clog, and they dry out if the printer isn’t in regular use.
Laser printers, on the other hand, can sit idle for weeks without problems. They cost more up front, but are often cheaper to own in the long-run.
In this guide, we’ll explore which brand of printer works best with Mac and top laser printers that are fully compatible with macOS, whether you need a printer for your personal use, a home office or a small business.