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Search results for: "MacBook Air"

The best keyboard Apple ever made, but smaller? [Review] ★★★★☆

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The Matias keyboard on my desk. The Mac sits on the mStand next to an Apple Cinema Display and Magic Trackpad.★★★★☆
The Matias keyboard is the spiritual successor to the greatest keyboard of all time, the Apple Extended Keyboard II.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In its entire 46-year history, Apple has made only one truly great keyboard: the Apple Extended Keyboard II. Dating from 1987, the Apple Extended Keyboard II has been dubbed “the greatest computer keyboard of all time.

For me, the Extended Keyboard is the ultimate Goldilocks keyboard: it offers the perfect amount of travel, feel and sound. Alas, it was discontinued in 1994 and Apple hasn’t made a mechanical keyboard — with switches and springs beneath each key — since.

But fear not. The Matias Mini Tactile Pro keyboard is the Extended Keyboard’s spiritual successor: a modern mechanical keyboard in a mini package that plays nice with modern Macs.

But is it any good?

Supply chain problems hurt Mac and entire PC industry

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Some MacBook Pro wait times already stretch nearly to Christmas
Apple's inability to keep up with demand for MacBook Pro and other Mac models hurt the company in Q2 2022.
Photo: Apple

Mac shipments dropped a whopping 20% in the June quarter, according to a market-research firm. But it wasn’t just Apple struggling – shipments of all the top PC-makers declined.

COVID lockdowns in China this spring hurt production for all these companies, lowering the number of computers they could ship to consumers.

8 tantalizing tidbits from Apple’s otherwise stultifying earnings call

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Apple Q3 2022 earnings roundup: The earnings call wasn't that exciting, but Apple still dropped some tantalizing tidbits on us.
The earnings call wasn't that exciting, but Apple still dropped some tantalizing tidbits on us.
Image: Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac

Apple earnings calls with analysts can offer fascinating glimpses behind the scenes at the iPhone-maker. Most of the time, though, they are dull as toast. That’s true even for the June quarter, when Apple managed to snatch financial success from the jaws of supply constraints.

But we endured the tedium of the call so you don’t have to. Just read on to get the interesting details almost lost in all the talk of basis points and CAPEX.

Why Apple never shipped M1 Mac Pro when it was ready

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Mac shipments skyrocket as pandemic drags on
'M2 Extreme' Mac Pro could launch later this year.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly had an M1-powered Mac Pro ready to ship months ago but decided against launching it. Instead, the company decided to unveil an M2 Extreme-powered version later this year.

The Cupertino giant is seemingly also not working on redesigning the Mac mini anytime soon.

What to expect from Apple’s quarterly earnings report

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Some analysts think Apple will beat earnings expectations, but others are doubtful.
Some analysts think Apple will beat earnings expectations, but others are doubtful.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next quarterly earnings report and call with analysts take place on Thursday. (It’s Q3 for Apple’s fiscal year despite being Q2 on your calendar.) And the company has already warned it may take an up to $8 billion revenue hit for several reasons.

As usual, after the fiscal results come out and the stock market closes for the day, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will talk with financial analysts on a public call about the results and future expectations.

Add 5 ports to your MacBook or iPad with this cheap USB-C hub

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Use your mouse on your iPhone with this port hub.
Give your laptop or tablet a few extra ports with this USB-C hub.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Sometimes, a USB-C port just doesn’t cut it. But your options don’t need to be limited by your hardware.

This inexpensive hub can add five ports to any device with a USB-C port. Grab one for just $19.99 and you can start living the dongle life.

New vertical MacBook docking station from Brydge includes 11 ports, Thunderbolt 4

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New vertical Macbook docking station from Brydge adds 11 ports and Thunderbolt 4
The Brydge ProDock combines the easy connection of a vertical dock with the expansion capabilities of a multiport hub.
Photo: Brydge

The Brydge ProDock is a newly announced vertical stand for recent MacBooks. It holds the notebook vertically, off the desk, and adds 11 ports. That includes three Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports.

As a bonus, the stand’s base includes an MagSafe wireless charging mat to power up an iPhone.

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

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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.

Apple tightens its belt a bit as recession fears grow

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Apple tightens its belt a bit as recession fears grow
Apple could be soon counting its pennies.
Photo: Jeff Weese/Pexels

Apple is preparing for a recession by slowing its growth in hiring and spending in 2023, according to information leaking from the company.

But the changes supposedly won’t affect every division of the iPhone-maker. And the company still plans to release many new products in 2023.

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

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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.