Mobile menu toggle

MacBook Pro - page 21

Apple will pay $50 million to settle ‘butterfly’ keyboard class-action lawsuit

By

MacBook butterfly keyboard
You might be in for some money if you had problems with a MacBook butterfly keyboard.
Photo: Apple

Apple agreed to a preliminary settlement Monday for a class-action lawsuit that claimed the company knew the MacBook’s “butterfly” keyboard was defective but kept selling it. Apple admits no wrongdoing but agreed to pay up to $50 million, most of which will go to customers who had to replace the faulty keyboards.

This is good news for people in seven U.S. states who experienced problems with their MacBook butterfly keyboard.

Why downgrade from a massive, curved ultra-wide monitor? [Setups]

By

Sometimes it makes sense to walk back your choice of a massive monitor.
Sometimes it makes sense to walk back your choice of a massive monitor.
Photo: [email protected]

You might think you’d give your right arm for one of those stunning, 49-inch curved ultra-wide monitors to use with your Mac. But then again, you might end up begging for your appendage back, as well as your old display. Or at least something a little less colossal.

Minus the stray arm — as far as we know — that’s more-or-less what happened with today’s featured MacBook Pro-based setup.

MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could launch this fall

By

Some MacBook Pro wait times already stretch nearly to Christmas
Apple's next MacBook Pro refresh could be here sooner than usual.
Photo: Apple

MacBook Pros powered by upgraded Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could debut as early as this fall. The new chips would focus on delivering improved GPU performance.

The upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro refresh is not expected to pack any other significant changes.

M1 Max MacBook Pro drops to its lowest-ever price

By

Some MacBook Pro wait times already stretch nearly to Christmas
Get your hands on the M1 Max MacBook Pro with a massive $250 discount.
Photo: Apple

Missed out on buying the 16-inch MacBook Pro for Prime Day? Worry not, as Amazon is still offering a whopping $250 off on the lineup.

The deal drops the price of the entry-level 16-inch MacBook Pro to just $2,249 — down from $2,499. A similar discount is also available on the more powerful M1 Max model, dropping its price to a new low.

If you’re anti-mouse and anti-trackpad, what device can you use? [Setups]

By

That thing in the foreground is a Wacom Intuos Pro M tablet.
That thing in the foreground is a Wacom Intuos Pro M tablet.
Photo: happy_haircut

Some people dislike using a mouse. Others can’t fathom a trackpad. And believe it or not, some folks hate both. So what do they do to get their brilliant thoughts onto the computer screen?

Knowing it’s hard to get by in life on just a keyboard, what input device can they use in addition to it? As today’s featured computer setup illustrates, they might try using a certain tablet like it’s a cross between a trackpad and a mouse.

Production woes result in severe drop in Mac shipments

By

Apple Final Cut Pro updated for latest M1 processors
Shipments fell far short of demand for the Mac Studio this spring.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s struggle to get computers assembled in China during COVID lockdowns this spring had the expected result: Mac shipments dropped 22.5% in the spring quarter of 2022, according to a market-research firm.

At least company execs can take solace from the fact that this is not a demand problem. Consumers want to buy Macs but Apple can’t supply them.

Tiny apartment benefits from beautifully backlit Studio Display [Setups]

By

This cozy corner benefits from Philips Hue Play light bars behind the Studio Display.
This cozy corner benefits from Philips Hue Play light bars behind the Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured M1 Pro MacBook workstation has a new Studio Display with bias lighting, illuminating the wall behind the display. It comes from three strategically placed Philips Hue Play bars that really make that corner of the small apartment “pop.”

Save up to $250 on powerful 2021 MacBook Pros

By

Some MacBook Pro wait times already stretch nearly to Christmas
Don't miss this amazing deal on the 2021 MacBook Pros.
Photo: Apple

You can grab Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro lineup from Amazon with discounts of up to $250. The deal drops the price of the 16-inch MacBook Pro to just $2,449 — down from $2,699.

All configurations of the machines are in stock, and you can get them as early as next week.

This is how you power a home-automation station [Setups]

By

An M1 Max MacBook Pro and Raspberry Pi help make this a home-automation station.
An M1 Max MacBook Pro and Raspberry Pi help make this a home-automation station.
Photo: [email protected]

Most of the time, when we talk about home automation, we’re talking about Apple’s HomeKit system. But today’s featured computer setup, which relies on a formidable M1 Max MacBook Pro and dual displays, goes another route.

The homeowner runs a Raspberry Pi with open-source software to achieve about 50 automations, including Siri integration.

M1 Max MacBook pairs nicely with 40-inch ultra-wide display [Setups]

By

No scaling issues seen here.
No scaling issues seen here.
Photo: [email protected]

Curved ultra-wide displays are all the rage lately, and it’s no wonder why. What a fantastic amount of real estate. But it can be worrisome buying one if you’re not sure how it will look with your Mac’s resolution and scaling options.

Today’s featured computer setup pairs a beast of a 16-inch M1 Max MacBook with a brilliant 40-inch LG 5K UltraWide curved display. Let’s look at how well it’s working and what some of the issues can be.

‘Severe’ thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance

By

'Severe' thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance
The M2 MacBook Pro can get hot, hot, hot. What does that mean for the M2 MacBook Air, which has no fan?
Graphic: Apple

The just-released MacBook Pro running Apple’s new M2 processor offers generally good performance, but its single fan can’t stop it from experiencing ‘severe’ thermal throttling under certain conditions, according to tests done on the device.

The upcoming MacBook Air also uses an M2 chip and doesn’t have a fan at all. How much thermal throttling it will experience is not yet knownn, but it could be signficant.

Apple is slowly catching up with demand for 2021 MacBook Pro

By

Apple pushes February MacBook Pro orders back to June
You won't need a calendar to track your 2021 MacBook Pro order. It might help, though.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Wait times for Apple’s hottest MacBooks are shorter than they were this spring. It’s now possible to get some versions of the 2021 MacBook Pro delivered in less than a month.

And the COVID outbreak in China that caused the delays is apparently over.

M1 MacBook Pro beats the newer M2 model in real-life stress tests

By

M2 MacBook Pro's slow SSD has an impact in daily use.
Entry-level M2 MacBook Pro's slow SSD impacts its daily use performance.
Photo: Rajesh

The slower SSD on the entry-level M2 MacBook Pro has a noticeable impact on its performance in daily use. Tests show the M1 MacBook Pro beating its successor in stress tests that rely heavily on swap memory usage.

Benchmarks first revealed that the base M2 MacBook Pro SSD is about 50% slower than the M1 model.

Designer’s MacBook Pro-driven office swims in Apple collectibles [Setups]

By

A MacBook Pro and a 4K LG display anchor Smelker's setup.
A MacBook Pro and a 4K LG display anchor Smelker's setup.
Photo: Terry Smelker

Graphic designer and illustrator Terry Smelker’s workstation includes many interesting elements, like a specialized drawing tablet and a multimedia controller he uses along with his tricked-out MacBook Pro. But even if you’re not curious about his setup proper, get a load of that Apple gear collection! Fortunately, he provided plenty of photographs.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Apple’s design aesthetic,” he told Cult of Mac. And that started him on his collection of vintage Apple products, which complements the rest of his gear.

M3 MacBook Air could arrive in 2023 in two screen sizes

By

WWCC22: The new M2 MacBook Air comes in four colors.
Apple could offer M3 MacBook Air with 13-inch and 15-inch displays.
Photo: Apple

Apple could launch a new MacBook Air powered by a faster M3 processor as soon as next year.

The company also has a bunch of other Macs due for launch later in 2022 or early 2023. They will run on Apple’s new M2 chip, which powers the new 13-inch MacBook Pro as well as the upcoming M2 MacBook Air set for July launch, or the M2’s more powerful Pro/Ultra/Extreme variations.

Why you’d be crazy to buy the new MacBook Pro [The CultCast]

By

The CultCast 550 Apple podcast: There are very few reasons why anybody should buy the new MacBook Pro.
There are very few reasons why anybody should buy the new MacBook Pro.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews for the new M2 MacBook Pro are … not good.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Benchmarks for Apple’s new M2 chip continue to impress, but you can expect even more amazing performance boosts later this year.
  • What the upcoming CarPlay update is really about.
  • Apple TV+ has another hit on its hands with For All Mankind.

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 livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X, from Ukrainian developer MacPaw, is a decluttering app for Mac that can keep your computer in tip-top shape. It includes 49 tools to find and delete invisible junk clogging your hard drive. Cult of Mac publisher Leander Kahney swears by CleanMyMac X (instead of swearing at it, as he does with most apps).

Get CleanMyMac X today with 5% off at macpaw.app/cultcast. Discount valid until June 30.

First MacBook Pro with speedy M2 chip now in Apple stores [Updated]

By

The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro keeps its compact form factor but gains capabilities with the M2 chip.
Photo: Apple

An updated MacBook Pro – the first laptop to run on the powerful new Apple M2 processor – hit store shelves Friday morning. The chip makes it the fastest 13-inch notebook in Apple’s lineup.

The company unveiled the M2 chip  three weeks ago at its Worldwide Developers Conference. It also took the wraps off the first two laptops to run on it: the just-launched MacBook Pro and a redesigned MacBook Air that is coming in July.

Mounts make the most of a home videoconferencing center [Setups]

By

Everything is mounted just so.
Everything is mounted just so.
Photo: [email protected]

Mounts can make the most of a computer setup. They can mobilize so much of your gear — computers, displays, microphones — so you can use them when you need them and push them out of the way when you don’t, opening up desk space. And you can minutely adjust their positioning, too.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and Mac Studio computer setup takes advantage of mounts for the computers, display, video camera and microphone.

M2 MacBook Pro review roundup: Powerful chip, archaic design

By

13-inch MacBook Pro with an Apple M2 processor
The M2 MacBook Pro gets called "a relic from another era" by Engadget.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Apple M2 processor are not kind. It gets called a “Pro in name only” and “literally a processor update and nothing more.”

Still, the M2 provides a pleasant increase in speed over the M1, making the new MBP the best-performing 13-inch Mac notebook.

Amazon slashes $200 off 2021 MacBook Pros

By

Many apps can make using your MacBook or iMac even easier, as well as more productive.
Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro is the perfect Father's Day gift.
Photo: Apple

Looking for a gift for your dad this Father’s Day? Amazon has slashed the prices of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro by $200, making them an ideal option.

On the 14-inch MacBook Pro, you score a 10% discount off its retail price bringing its price down to $1,799. As for the 16-inch model, you can grab it for as low as $2,299 after an 8% discount.

M1 MacBook Pro and Studio Display co-star with HyperX RGB mic [Setups]

By

The flashy RBG microphone sits to the left of the Studio Display.
The flashy RBG microphone sits to the left of the Studio Display.
Photo: [email protected]

If you’re tired of being just another drab presence on conference calls or online gaming tournaments, maybe it’s time to bring the party. No, we’re not saying you should send everyone jello shots beforehand. But you might try a sassy RGB microphone like the one in today’s featured MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup.

And it’s not just for fun. The product designer who uses it said it’s perfectly loud and clear on Zoom and Discord calls.

‘Old gamer’ goes with M1 Pro MacBook and Steam Deck [Setups]

By

Two computers live here: a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook and a Steam Deck for gaming.
Two computers live here: a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook and a Steam Deck for gaming.
Photo: [email protected]

Everybody knows Macs don’t set the gaming world on fire, though Apple silicon has made some inroads. So while plenty of Mac users enjoy Apple Arcade and use Apple hardware to play games, many turn to other means. We’ve seen plenty a hybrid Mac – PC computer setups out there.

But today’s featured setup takes another course to gaming satisfaction. It’s owner, who describes himself as an “old gamer,” divides his time between work via an M1 MacBook Pro and gaming on a Valve Steam Deck.

WWDC22 recap: Apple revelations make our heads spin [The CultCast]

By

WWDC22 recap: There was much info to get through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
There was so much info to plow through at WWDC22, no wonder Apple software chief Craig Federighi was running like the wind.
Image: Cult of Mac
WWDC22 - Brought to you by CleanMyMac X

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 16 … iPadOS 16 … macOS Ventura … watchOS 9…. We’re racing as fast as we can through all Apple’s WWDC22 keynote revelations, but we’re gonna need a longer show. It’s our WWDC22 recap!

Also on The CultCast:

  • How about that super-skinny new MacBook Air?
  • And the blazing-fast new M2 chip that powers it?
  • Next-gen CarPlay looks like a total cockpit takeover.
  • What happened to Apple’s AR/VR headset?!?

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 livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: Squarespace

Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.

New MacBook Air is thin enough to make original iPhone look chunky

By

New MacBook Air is thin enough to make original iPhone look chunky
It's a MacBook that makes an iPhone – even an old one – look hefty.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Surely you already know that the newly redesigned MacBook Air is super thin. But you might not have realized just how  very sleek it is. It’s actually slimmer than the original iPhone.

In fact, the macOS laptop is much, much thinner than a lot of other classic and recent Apple devices.