Reviews - page 11

The new Apple Magic Trackpad with USB-C still holds the crown for the best Mac peripheral. It’s the best trackpad in the world and the best input device for macOS.

I was hoping for a little more out of this update, like built-in Touch ID or multi-device pairing. I also wish there were a neutral silver color, not just black and white.

But even without either, it has features that are still unparalleled anywhere else. Force Touch and Apple’s perfected multitouch gestures make the Magic Trackpad the king.

Keep reading or watch our video review.

The new Mac mini with M4 Pro chip offers incredible power at an unbelievable price. The diminutive desktop computer reaps the rewards of Apple silicon’s trickle-down performance: It delivers capabilities similar to a Mac Studio (or Mac Pro) with an M2 Ultra, at just a third (or a fifth) of the price of those high-end computers.

We haven’t yet seen what the new M4-series chips will do for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, but the remarkable Mac mini makes me question how much of a pro user you’d have to be to truly need them. And on top of all that, it’s super-tiny. What’s not to love?

Keep reading or watch our video review.

The Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger cools your iPhone or Android while it juices up, preventing the heat that often results from charging from damaging the battery.

I put the accessory through its paces to see how quickly it charges an iPhone 16, and how well it cools the handset.

The 2024 iMac with the M4 chip is a stunning and powerful all-in-one. The desktop computer is an endangered breed, but if you have room for one in your life, the new iMac offers a beautiful design and some impressive performance. 

Power users might find the base model M4 iMac’s small number of ports and skimpy storage capacity limiting. But the amount of powerful creative work you can get done on this thing speaks to the golden age of the Mac we find ourselves in. There’s not a single bad computer in Apple’s lineup. Everything can edit video or produce a professional podcast or develop apps. So, why not do it from a colorful iMac that sparks joy?

Keep reading or watch our video review.

I took the leap from the 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro to the new M4 Pro MacBook Pro. As you’ll see from my review, having used the M1 Pro model for the past couple of years, I was eager to see how Apple could improve on the already-impressive machine. And, despite the lack of redesign, I’m impressed, to say the least.

While the M1 Pro and M4 Pro laptops could be the same exact machine judging from the outside — same as all M-series MacBook Pro models — the new one takes some big steps forward in performance. That should future-proof me on this daily driver for at least a few years.

Some early reviews of the M4 iMac touch on how much more colorful the new version of the desktop is. But other reviewers had more to say about the performance boost from the Apple M4 processor.

Read on for a range of thoughts from reviewers on the 2024 iMac with M4.

Apple’s latest M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro refresh brings significant improvements to its professional laptop line, with reviewers praising the upgraded base model and impressive performance gains across the board. Here’s what the top tech publications are saying about the 2024 MacBook Pro with M4 chips.

“All the things that have made Apple silicon-based MacBook Pros great are still here, now powered by the impressively upgraded M4 chip,” noted Jason Snell on the Six Colors blog. “Apple has also sufficiently improved the base model to finally elevate it out of ‘Why does this exist?’ territory, boosted the device’s world-class display and seriously upgraded the built-in webcam. Not bad for a small update.”

If there were concerns that Apple overstepped by shrinking the 2024 Mac mini while also dropping in a super-fast processor, lay them to rest. Early M4 Mac mini reviews praise the redesign and rave about the performance boost that comes from Apple’s latest processors.

Here’s a roundup of comments on the tiny new macOS desktop.

The CRKD Atom looks small enough to be a game controller for a doll, but it’s designed to clip on your keychain for gameplay wherever you go. It’s a way to have some fun with your iPhone when you find yourself with some unexpected time to kill.

I played with it, and while the complete lack of sticks greatly limits the controller, it’s possible to have fun with retro games.

In a world of look-alike 3-in-1 chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, the new Journey Nova 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station stands out. Like its distinctive looks or not, seeing it without any devices charging might make you wonder what the hell it is — an abstract sculpture, or maybe a prop from the original Star Trek? But for many it could be the sleek charger that subtly fits in with modern decor — if they’re willing to pay the hefty asking price ($139.99).

Rolling Square’s inCharge XS is a finger-size iPhone or Mac charging cable that squeezes in enough connectors and built-in adapters to ensure you can juice up virtually any Apple device.

Despite its diminutive size, the cable handles up to 240W of power. And it provides fairly quick data transfers, too.

I attached the inCharge XS to my keychain so I could put it to the test.

Any case can protect your iPad, and the right one can also make it look handsome. The Woolnut Leather Sleeve has a minimalist vibe, but the pebbled leather gives a very sophisticated appearance to the iPad Pro.

I wrapped several of my Apple tablets in the case over years, I can share what’s it’s really like to use.

In the ever-evolving world of smartphone accessories, Mujjo MaizCase for iPhone stands out as a compelling alternative to traditional leather for anyone looking for a blend of sustainability, style and protection. In this Mujjo MaizCase review, I’ll go into the various reasons why.

As Apple moves away from its traditional leather cases — with a stumble into the unpopular FineWoven material — Mujjo steps in with an eco-friendly alternative that delivers premium feel and functionality.

The Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display connects to MacBook or iPad to add more screen space, but that’s only the start: it’s also a hub with a pair of high-speed USB-C ports available for external drives, a keyboard, etc.

As a person who regularly works outside of the office with an iPad Pro, I’m more than qualified to test this accessory for road warriors who are perpetually short of USB-C ports. Here’s why I love it.

Early reviews of the iPad mini 7 praise the faster processor, additional storage and support for the upcoming Apple Intelligence AI features on the way to the tiny tablet when it launches on Wednesday. Reviewers are also happy that a screen problem in the previous version got fixed.

As the Engadget review says, the new iPad mini “looks the same on the outside but has some notable upgrades on the inside.”

Read on for more comments about Apple’s latest tablet.

Apple gave reviewers early access to a soon-to-be-released software update that allows AirPods Pro 2 to go beyond providing entertainment to become hearing aids. They report that the wireless earbuds really do help people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

There’s also a huge cost advantage, but there are limitations that keep AirPods from being the right solution for everyone.

After a full day of toiling inside Vision Pro, I often keep my headset on for evening entertainment — shows, games or looking at photos. Vision Pro has almost completely replaced my television. It enables a new way of watching videos as well; I watch video all around the house as I wander about doing chores.

The Vision Pro also excels for perusing my photo library. It’s the best way to view photos ever — and by a huge margin. Spatial photos are unbelievable. Videos look fantastic. Panoramas, a largely forgotten feature, are mind-blowing.

In other areas, Vision Pro disappoints. I’ve played some super fun games, but gaming isn’t a serious thing on Vision Pro yet. And while Apple’s own immersive 3D movies on Apple TV+ are super cool, it feels like we’ve only been given an appetizer.

Watch our video or keep reading for more detail.

Apple gave the iPad mini a surprise refresh with faster internals and other minor upgrades. The highlight is Apple Intelligence support, bringing Apple’s AI suite of tools to its smallest iPad.

So, should you ditch your iPad mini 6 for these upgrades? Or hold on to it for another year or two? Find out in our iPad mini 7 vs. iPad mini 6 comparison.

The new Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro wireless noise-canceling earbuds are the flagship of Anker’s Soundcore earbuds lineup, promising and delivering great sound and high-end features at a more accessible price point than some competitors, like AirPods Pro 2. After putting the Liberty Pro buds through their paces in various scenarios, I’m happy to recommend them for most users in this Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds review.

And that nifty new charging case with display screen and touch bar is pretty cool. But it’s a bit of a gimmick because it doesn’t do anything you can’t do with the app or touch controls. That said, most earbuds charging cases don’t have those features at all (yet).

After eight months of using my Apple Vision Pro, I’ve found it immensely useful for my writing work. I try to spend as much time writing with my Vision Pro as possible.

There’s still a lot I have to do on my Mac — but the work I can do from the Vision Pro is so good that I can’t wait for the platform to develop and grow even further.

Watch our video or keep reading to learn how.

Opal Tadpole acts as a replacement for the webcam in your laptop or tablet. Clip the well-built gadget to an older MacBook and you’ll look better on video calls.

I tested one with multiple computers to see how Tadpole stands up in real world use — and whether it might make a good gift this holiday season.

As a longtime iPhone user — now with a new iPhone 16 Pro — I like to flirt with the idea of going naked, with no case at all. But then I usually wimp out and go minimal instead. Totallee has built its reputation on barely-there minimalism, so I thought I’d give the Totallee Super Thin Case, Clear Grip Case and tempered glass screen protector a try. And true to form, Totallee iPhone cases offer protection without bulk. To my surprise, I liked the thin case and screen protector combo the most. It just seems like my black titanium iPhone, but with more grip and added peace of mind.

The new Soundcore Space One Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones generated some buzz in the audio community, promising top-notch sound quality and advanced features for a typically reasonable price from Anker’s audio brand. Keen to see if they’d live up to expectations, I tried them out. And I found that they’re great at the list price of $200. But when the price dips — and it usually does — they’ll become an absolutely fantastic value. Read my Soundcore Space One Pro headphones review below for more information.

Twelve South PlugBug is the first power supply to support Apple’s Find My technology. That means the USB-C wall charger can be located with an iPhone app, and it warns its owner if it’s being left behind in a coffee shop or hotel room.

One version includes a pair of ports and puts out 50W. A second has four USB-C ports and 120W.

I put PlugBug through real-world testing, and came out loving it.

If you got a new iPhone 16 series smartphone, you probably want to protect it with a new case. And if you’re into classic materials, you can’t go wrong with a Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone, one of  best-looking and best-made leather cases out there. For this Mujjo leather iPhone case review, I tried it out on my new iPhone 16 Pro in three different colors.