Mobile menu toggle

MacBook Air - page 19

These Mac models won‘t get macOS Catalina

By

No macOS Catalina
There are some older Macs that can’t upgrade to macOS Catalina.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is hard at work on the replacement for macOS Mojave. The next version will include new features focused on privacy, accessibility and performance. But that‘s a bit hollow for notebooks and desktops that can’t install the upgrade.

Fortunately, Apple extended support for macOS Catalina to as many devices as possible.

2019 iPhone lineup may finally come with 18W charger

By

18W charger
Apple currently charges $29 to buy the 18W charger separately.
Photo: Apple

Freshly leaked details about the 2019 iPhone lineup claim customers can expect faster-charging capabilities right out of the box.

While Apple added faster-charging powers to the iPhone since the iPhone 8, it’s been giving customers the same 5W charger that has been used for years. That is finally set to change this year though as Apple is reportedly planning to include an 18W charger in the box with new 2019 iPhones.

Industrial design team shakeup, redesigned AirPods and more! This week, on The CultCast

By

CultCast 385
Reports indicate two new AirPods models are on the way.

This week on The CultCast: Some major changes are in store for Apple’s legendary industrial design team … we discuss. Plus: Apple commits to fixing all MacBook keyboard issues in just one day. This is huge. And it looks like not one but two new versions of the AirPods are on the way, with one being released this year. We’ll fill you in. And the new Powerbeats Pro wireless earphones are almost here, and they look like the higher-quality AirPods we’ve always wanted.

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..

Apple sets 24-hour turnaround time for MacBook keyboard repairs

By

Taking it out on your problematic MacBook butterfly keyboard will only make things worse.
Don’t get mad if your MacBook keyboard develops problems, get it fixed. It’s free and now it’s quick.
Photo illustration: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple has ordered that sticky MacBook keys be repaired fast enough that, whenever possible, the owner can get their computer back the next day.

The company says only a small number of its laptops develop keyboard problems, but clearly it’s feeling the heat from irate customers.

MacBook Air display mysteriously brightens after macOS update

By

MacBook Air 2018
If your MacBook Air seems a little brighter recently, you’re not imagining it.
Photo: Apple

Installing the latest macOS version on a 2018 MacBook Air increases the maximum screen brightness.

Apple’s own description of this notebook indicates that the highest potential brightness level is now 400 nits. That’s much higher than with this laptop launched.

Sonnet’s new eGPU adds extra muscle to your Mac on the cheap

By

Breakaway Puck
The eGFX Breakaway Puck can be linked with other eGPUs.
Photo: Sonnet

Mac gamers can finally add more horsepower to their Mac without breaking the bank on an expensive external GPU.

Sonnet unveiled its new eGFX Breakaway Puck today that packs Radeon RX 560 graphics for just $400. This is the cheapest eGPUs we’ve seen yet, making it perfect for MacBook owners that are hampered by the machines’ weak internals.

Death of AirPower: What no one’s talking about! This week, on The CultCast

By

AIrPower CultCast 382
AirPower's dead! But the real problem is why...
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: The death of AirPower — the real problem that no one is talking about. Plus: 2019 iPhone rumors point to some wildly useful new features; more evidence the 2018 MacBook, Air and Pro keyboards are still having problems. And we wrap up with a review of Leander’s favorite wireless charging mat, Lewis’ take on the new AirPods 2, and Erfon’s got a favorite new podcasting gadget on an all-new Under Review.

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..

Apple cuts prices on some MacBook Airs and Mac minis

By

Upgrading a MacBook Air with a 1.5TB SSD is less expensive today.
Building a MacBook Air with a 1.5TB SSD is less expensive today.
Photo: iFixit

Apple lowered the prices of building high-capacity SSDs into the latest MacBook Air and Mac mini models today, potentially saving buyers as much as $200.

The company may have gotten a deal on storage drives, as it also dropped the cost of top-tier SSDs in the MacBook Pro today.

Please, Apple, sort out your product naming nightmare [Opinion]

By

Jumbled letters
Apple's new iPads underline its problem with product naming.
Photo: Lucille Pine/Flickr CC

As thrilling as new Apple devices are, this week’s surprise hardware updates really screwed the pooch on one important front: product naming.

The “new” iPad Air and iPad mini join a lineup of tablets with a variety of features and price points that will boggle the minds of even the most ardent Apple fanatics.

How did Apple’s naming strategy go so far off the rails? For the sake of the average customer, Cupertino’s once-brilliant branding needs to kick into gear. Because right now, the toxic hellstew of Apple product names is utterly confusing.

Sell your old Mac today and bag a bargain upgrade

By

Mac
Isn't it time you swapped that dusty old Mac for a new one?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

With B&H Photo offering up to $600 off the MacBook Pro at right now, and big discounts on other Apple computers popping up all over the place, it’s a great time to sell your old machine and bag a bargain upgrade.

And you could just be sitting on a small fortune. Cult of Mac typically pays more for your old Apple devices than other trade-in services — and we won’t leave you waiting ages for your cash. Get a quote today and find out how much your old Mac is really worth.

20 most important Macs of all time

By

128k Mac and 21-inch iMac
Things have come a long way in 35 years.
Photo: iFixit

Today marks 35 years since the launch of the original Macintosh computer, the product which most defined Apple until the iPod and iPhone came along years later. The Mac changed the course of personal computing history, and started a product line which Apple continues today. But which Macs along the way rank as the biggest game changers?

We went right back to the start to bring you our picks for the top 20 most important Macs of all time.

Mac shipments fell last year but PC shipments dropped too

By

The new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar up the ante for pro users.
Launch of the 2018 MacBook Pro wasn’t enough to improve Mac sales last year.
Photo: Apple

Shipments of Mac laptops and desktops declined last year. Not surprisingly, they were also down last quarter.

Still, it wasn’t just Apple; the entire PC industry contracted slightly in 2018. And it had a very bad Q4.

Ranking all the major hardware Apple released in 2018 [Year in Review]

By

Year in Review Every Apple Product 2018
What was your favorite device Apple released this year?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac Year in Review 2018 It’s been one heck of a busy year for Apple, and we’ve got the devices to prove it! Truth be told, despite Apple’s shrinking share price, this has been one of the company’s best years in a while for hardware.

What was the cream of the 2018 Apple crop? Here’s how we rank Apple’s major new product launches for 2018.

2018 was a wild ride for Apple [Year in Review]

By

Year in Review Everything Apple Did 2018
It was a busy year in Cupertino.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac Year in Review 2018 2018 was a rollercoaster year for Apple — with incredible highs, massive dips, and probably an executive or two throwing up along the way.

Apple became the first $1 trillion public company in U.S. history, unleashed some amazing new products, and pulled in record amounts of cash. But it also faced lows, from the iPhone-throttling controversy to a tanking stock price at the end of the year.

One thing that can’t be said, however, is that this was an uneventful 12 months for Cupertino. Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most memorable Apple moments.

2018 MacBook Air owners report poor FaceTime camera quality

By

MacBook Air 2018
Bag one before they're all gone.
Photo: Apple

Some adopters of the 2018 MacBook Air are reporting poor camera quality during FaceTime calls.

Apple’s newest ultraportable has a 720p camera above its display, which should provide HD video capture. However, for a small few, its performance seems a lot worse than that.

Unlock the dual audio outputs in new Macs

By

A totally legit audio-routing setup.
A totally legit audio-routing setup.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Up until last year, if you plugged a pair of headphones into your Mac, the speakers were effectively disconnected. There was no way to send simultaneous audio stream to both headphones and speakers. Now, with modern T2-equipped Macs, you can double up on audio. For instance, you could have alerts sound through the built-in speakers, with music routed through the headphone jack, so you don’t get notifications interrupting your banging tunes.

The best part is that its really easy to set up. And, if you prefer the old behavior, you don’t have to do anything.

MacBooks become modern art on gorgeous walnut stand [Review]

By

Yohann Macbook stand
The Yohann Wood MacBook Stand is artful and sturdy.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

In German, the boy’s name “Yohann” means “gift of god.” The same could be said about the Yohann MacBook stand, a sculptural walnut base divine in both look and function.

You may want to say a little prayer when you place your MacBook Pro on this elevating perch for the first time, though. You will wonder how this thing can support your rather expensive machine.

2018 MacBook Air teardown confirms repairs aren’t so painful

By

2018 MacBook Air teardown
See what's inside the new MacBook Air.
Photo: iFixit

Even if you take good care of your new MacBook Air, there’s always a small chance something could go wrong. But it is a lot easier for Apple and its Authorized Service Providers to fix the new ultraportable than other Apple notebooks.

A new teardown reveals all the changes Apple has made to make swapping components simpler.

Apple made 2018 MacBook Air battery replacements easier

By

MacBook Air 2018
Battery replacements will be faster, more affordable, and environmentally-friendly.
Photo: Apple

Buyers of the new MacBook Air will be pleased to know that it’s much easier to perform a battery replacement.

Apple has glued its battery in place again, but according to a leaked internal document, it will provide authorized repairers with the tools required to remove it so that it can be easily swapped out when necessary.

First iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini preorders are arriving

By

2018 iPad Pro unboxing
Have you got yours yet?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

It’s wet and miserable outside here in the United Kingdom, but for Apple fans who have preordered one of the company’s brand new devices, it’s going to be a wonderful day.

The first iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini preorders have started reaching customers around the world. Those in Australia and New Zealand were the first to get their hands on them, but as the sun rose in other countries, more and more packages arrived.

Do you have yours yet?

2018 MacBook Air review roundup: A beautifully big improvement

By

MacBook Air 2018
The original ultraportable is back with a bang.
Photo: Apple

The long-awaited MacBook Air update sports an all-new design and more powerful internals, but early reviews indicate there’s still room for improvement.

It’s also the most expensive MacBook Air to date. So, should you spend $1,199 on it when it lands in stores this week? Here’s what the first 2018 MacBook Air reviews have to say.

Not so fast: Maybe new AirPods are coming soon!

By

AirPods supplier confident of booming business through 2021
We're dying for updated AirPods.
Photo: Ste Smith/CultofMac

There’s still a slight chance Apple could release updated AirPods before the end of the 2018 holiday season.

A newly granted Bluetooth SIG certification indicates that new wireless earpods are in the pipeline. Tim Cook recently bragged that Apple has the best product lineup ever going into the holidays, but there may not be enough time to add AirPods 2.0 to the roster.

Apple’s 2018 hardware blitz! [Cult of Mac Magazine]

By

What a week! New Apple hardware and an earnings surprise.
What a week!
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

This week was one heckuva wild ride for Apple fans. First we got new MacBook Airs, iPad Pros, Mac minis and Apple Pencils. Then Apple threw Wall Street a curveball during yet another surprising (and surprisingly positive) earnings call.

Get the scoop on the latest Apple hardware, plus reviews and how-tos, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Then get ready to spend your weekend drooling over it on your iPad or iPhone. Grab your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes now.

Bonus: Don’t miss your chance to win an iPhone XR!