Mobile menu toggle

MacBook Pro - page 2

Your MacBook can now tell if your charger is too slow

By

prime day macbook
Slow charging your Mac is now easier to spot.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Your MacBook will now warn you when you plug in a slow charger. Apple quietly introduced this feature in macOS Tahoe 26.4.

The “Slow Charger” warning can help you quickly identify underpowered adapters that could slow down charging or affect your MacBook’s performance during use.

Dev runs data-center AI model on MacBook — and it changes everything

By

data-center AI model on MacBook
A developer did with a MacBook Pro what usually requires a whole rack of specialized, powerful gear.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

Over the past few years, the artificial intelligence race looked like a story about infrastructure. Which company can build the biggest, most power-hungry data center, stock it with the most Nvidia GPUs and spend the most money? OpenAI, Amazon, Google, xAI — they’re all in a competition to build industrial-scale computing factories just to run the most powerful AI models. But it looks like developer Dan Woods just upended that story by running a data-center AI model on MacBook.

And that could mean Apple wins the AI race after all.

Hands-on with MacBook Neo and more [Cult of Mac podcast No. 11]

By

Hands-on video of MacBook Neo, with the words,
The MacBook Neo is even better than we imagined!
Photo: Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Griffin goes on a buying spree, snapping up a Studio Display XDR, an iPhone 17e and not one but two MacBook Neos. He shares his hands-on experience with the latest Apple gear, and Leander’s got plenty of questions!

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • PC makers are freaking out over what the MacBook Neo means for the industry.
  • Next-gen MacBook Pros might come with a MacBook Ultra variant. Will they all come with touchscreens, or just the high-end model?
  • The latest iOS 26.4 beta gives us a look at Apple’s upcoming emoji. Why are they all facing to the left? (The Hairy Creature emoji definitely needs to be flipped so it matches the iconic Bigfoot sighting!)

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast 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.

Top 15 setups where MacBook Pro runs the show

By

dream setup
This dream setup features an M4 Pro MacBook Pro and a Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

MacBook Pro has long been the centerpiece of ambitious, eye-catching workstations. Whether it’s a sleek M4 Pro model driving a pair of 5K touchscreen displays or a still-going-strong M1 Max powering an audiophile-grade sound system, Apple’s flagship laptop has the chops to anchor setups that would make any pro proud. Here are the Top 15 MacBook Pro setups from Cult of Mac’s archive.

4 reasons why you should wait for the M6 MacBook Pro

By

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.

MacBook Ultra rumored as Apple’s most expensive laptop yet

By

MacBook Ultra could come sooner than you think
Get ready to pay more for OLED MacBook Pro, which might be called MacBook Ultra (with a touchscreen!).
AI image: ChatGPT

A major revamp to the MacBook Pro lineup should land later this year, featuring an OLED touchscreen display and faster M6 chips. The upcoming model could sit above the current MacBook Pro as an “Ultra” variant, carrying a higher price point.

If accurate, the move would mark a significant change to Apple’s professional laptop lineup in over a decade.

MacBook Neo makes us swoon [Cult of Mac podcast No. 10]

By

Photo of woman working on MacBook Neo in a classroom, along with the words
The MacBook Neo looks like a sweetheart for switchers.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: The MacBook Neo is the obvious star that emerged from this week’s tsunami of Apple product announcements. Its potent combo of good looks, surprisingly good performance and an extremely appealing price tag makes it a powerful lure for bringing new people into the Apple world.

We discuss the new laptop’s strong points — as well as some definite drawbacks.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • The brawny M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the latest MacBook Pros sound absolutely mind-blowing.
  • The iPhone 17e looks like a great upgrade to Apple’s budget handset.
  • The new Airs (iPad and MacBook) also seem great, if not that surprising.
  • And we wrap up the show with the results from last week’s predictions game.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast 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.

3 reasons why you shouldn’t wait for the M6 MacBook Pro

By

prime day macbook
You may want to pick up the M5 models instead.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The recently introduced high-end M5 MacBook Pro may be a spec bump update before the M6 models bring radical new changes. But before you commit to sitting this generation out, you should know the M6 models will likely come with some caveats.

An all-new design with new features (like a slimmer chassis and touch screen) usually brings with it an all-new price that’s higher than before. If you’re holding out for the M6 Pro or Max models, you may be waiting for longer than you expect. And if you’re just getting the base model, well, the rumored changes may not come at all. 

This isn’t pure speculation; Apple has a proven track record of pulling all these tricks. Here are three reasons why the M5 MacBook Pro may actually be the better choice for you.

What new M5 MacBooks will cost you — from entry-level to fully loaded

By

The M5 Pro / Max MacBook Pro using Avid Pro Tools
The high-end M5 MacBook Pros is ideal for sound design and composition, in powerful apps like Avid Pro Tools.
Image: Apple

As of Tuesday, Apple has refreshed its entire MacBook lineup with M5 silicon. And while the new machines bring meaningful upgrades across the board, buyers should brace for higher prices than last year.

Whether you’re eyeing the new MacBook Air or the pro-grade MacBook Pro, here’s a breakdown of what to expect at every price point.

MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips deliver major performance leap

By

Running an LLM and 3D modeling software simultaneously on an M5 Pro / Max MacBook Pro
Run local LLMs and powerful 3D modeling software simultaneously on the MacBook Pro.
Image: Apple

Apple’s long-rumored M5 Pro- and M5 Max-powered MacBook Pros are finally official. The new laptops look visually the same, but pack updated internals that promise a massive leap in performance.

“MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max redefines what’s possible on a pro laptop, now up to 4x faster than the previous generation,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, in a press release Tuesday.

M5 Max could make new MacBook Pro the fastest Mac ever

By

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.

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

By

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.

New macOS interface will be key to touchscreen Macs’ success

By

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.

Apple’s March 4 event may not be what you expect

By

Apple March 4 event
Apple’s upcoming March 4 event may look very different from a traditional keynote.
AI image: ChatGPT

Apple will hold a “special Apple Experience” on Wednesday, March 4 — but the company might not announce new Macs or other products at the event.

Instead, Apple might announce the events earlier in the week in a series of press releases. The company apparently does not even intend to hold a keynote on March 4.

Apple just announced its March event — here’s what could be coming

By

Apple March event 2026 logo
An Apple March event is officially on!
Image: Apple

Apple on Monday announced a product-launch event scheduled for March 4, inviting select media to attend in person what it describes as a “special Apple Experience.” The invitation offers no details on what to expect, but the company is surely preparing to unveil new hardware as it pushes into the heart of its spring product cycle.

Numerous leaks and rumors point to a busy event. A new MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, an entirely new low-cost MacBook, the iPhone 17e, revamped iPads and possibly more could all be on the agenda.

This killer feature will make M5 MacBook Air a must-buy

By

M5 MacBook Air Concept
Hold out for the newer, faster MacBook Air coming soon.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

The most powerful MacBook Air ever is just weeks away. Apple is widely expected to be putting the finishing touches on a new model with the speedy M5 processor. The faster chip will be enough for shoppers to question whether they really need the MacBook Pro they have their eye on.

Consider the advantages of a MacBook Air, and why now is a terrible time to buy any Apple laptop.

Smarter Siri delayed … is that a good thing? [Cult of Mac podcast No. 7]

By

Photo of a hand holding an iPhone using Siri, with the words,
At least Apple seems determined to get the smarter Siri right.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: If you’ve been waiting with bated breath for Apple to finally deliver on its promise of a smarter Siri, it’s time to exhale. Then take a deep breath of disappointment.

Dashing our hopes, it sounds like Apple is delaying Siri’s AI-powered upgrade again! What does it mean? And will Apple ever get its Siri together? We discuss the latest rumors and ponder whether the delay might actually be a good thing.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

  • The smarter Siri isn’t the only AI-powered project sucking wind at Apple. Cupertino reportedly pulled the plug on the AI health coach it had been working on.
  • A new rumor gives us a launch date for the high-end M5 MacBook Pros we’ve been waiting for.
  • Next-gen AirPods Pro reportedly will pack built-in cameras. But what will they actually do?
  • And finally, we discuss a multi-Mac setup with the most bizarre keyboard we’ve ever seen.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast 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.

Maximum fun: Top 10 multi-Mac setups

By

M2 Ultra Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR
So ... crippled by envy much? This one has a high-end M2 Ultra Mac Pro, a Mac Studio, a Pro Display XDR and two Studio Displays.
Photo: [email protected]

For Apple enthusiasts, one Mac is great — but two or more? That’s when things get seriously interesting. Years of Cult of Mac Setups coverage has showcased hundreds of impressive workstations. But these top 10 multi-Mac setups stand out as particularly fascinating examples of how power users leverage Apple’s ecosystem to its fullest potential.

From new M4-powered machines paired with vintage “trash can” Mac Pros to dual MacBook configurations seamlessly integrated with desktop Macs, these workstations demonstrate that having multiple Macs isn’t just about redundancy. It’s about optimizing workflow, separating concerns and yes, indulging in a bit of Apple-fandom excess.

M5 Pro MacBook Pro release date just became clearer

By

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro are almost here.
Just a few more weeks to go...
AI Image: ChatGPT

Reports of Apple launching new M5 Pro-powered MacBook Pros have been circulating for a while now. With shipments of the M4 Pro/Max models delayed by a few weeks, all signs point to an imminent launch.

But exactly when will Apple make its move? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has now offered a more concrete timeline.

First OLED MacBook might launch sooner than we hoped

By

AI-generated image of a woman sitting at a desk with Apple’s first OLED MacBook, which might launch in 2026 (and might include a touchscreen)
We apparently won't be waiting until 2027 for an OLED MacBook Pro.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

There’s good news Tuesday for those excited about the first MacBook Pro with an OLED display: A new report pegs the laptop’s launch for this fall. Some previous leaks indicated the device might not reach customers until next year.

Beyond the OLED screen — which should make the display noticeably better-looking — the 2026 MacBook Pro is rumored to feature a significant redesign, including a touchscreen.

Why we’re still waiting for new high-end M5 MacBook Pros — blame macOS [Updated]

By

AI-generated image of a person typing on a MacBook with
A MacBook Pro upgraded with M5 Pro and M5 Max is not coming any day now. There'll be a wait.
AI image: Apple/ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

There’s tremendous anticipation for a MacBook Pro upgraded with faster M5 Pro or M5 Max processors, but the laptop did not launch this week, despite eager speculation that it would. And we need to be patient because we’re likely to continue waiting well into February and maybe beyond. A critical feature apparently isn’t ready yet: macOS Tahoe 26.3.

Apple’s mysterious LA ‘experience’ for creators: M5 MacBook Pros incoming?

By

Apple's mysterious LA 'experience' for creators: M5 MacBook Pros incoming?
The "Apple Experience" happening January 27 to 29 could include MacBook Pro upgrades.
Image: Apple/Petr Mara/Cult of Mac

After Apple invited a select group of content creators to an “Apple Experience” in Los Angeles, speculation arose Friday that the company will use the event to launch an upgraded MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors.
Appel scheduled its mysterious event for January 27 through January 29 — exactly the time many expect the refreshed Mac laptop to arrive.

MacBook Pros disappear from stores — here’s why

By

MacBook Pro disappearing from stores — Here’s why
You don't need to ask an Apple Genius why you can't find a M4 Pro or Max MacBook Pro in the store.
Photo: Apple

Order a MacBook Pro today, and you may never get it at all. But it’s not some horrible scam — Apple is very close to introducing new models, and the company knows you probably won’t want the ones available today once the new ones launch.

That’s why the wait times on many MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors stretches out well into February. It gives buyers time to change their orders.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs introduces original MacBook Pro

By

The original MacBook Pro brought innovative features (and stirred up a bit of controversy).
The original MacBook Pro brought innovative features (and stirred up a bit of controversy).
Photo: Apple

January 10: Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs introduces the MacBook Pro January 10, 2006: Steve Jobs unveils the original 15-inch MacBook Pro, Apple’s thinnest, fastest and lightest laptop yet.

Building on the previous PowerBook G4 laptop, the new laptop adds dual-core Intel processors for the first time. The MacBook Pro immediately makes waves in the tech community. And did we mention its awesome MagSafe connector?