macOS 26 Tahoe is a milestone update with a dramatic new look, new power tools for pro users — and over 45 new features. It’s still recognizably Mac, but with a fresh coat of paint (or, should I say, glass). And there’s plenty to dive into once you get settled.

Spotlight has picked up lots of new features, replacing Launchpad and adding a native clipboard manager. There are loads of great enhancements to group chats in Messages. Other great enhancements are in Safari, Passwords, Maps, Photos, Journal and more. And a few new apps come over from iOS: Phone, Journal, Magnifier and the all-new Games app.

The update is out now; here’s what to expect.

Following months of beta testing since WWDC25, Apple is finally ready to release iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe to the public. These operating systems finally have a release date.

The updates will start rolling out as early as September 15, just a week after Apple’s Awe Dropping event.

Apple must have heard the complaints about the cost and weight of the Vision Pro AR headset, because it’s reportedly working on a Vision Air that will be half as expensive and almost half the weight. That’s the word coming Tuesday from a source who’s built a reputation by often being accurate in predictions about future Apple products.
It’ll take Apple a while to develop the new product, though.

Love doesn’t have to be complicated. I can fall for a product just because it’s simply perfect, even though what it does isn’t very complex. That’s what happened with the new Casemade Leather Laptop Case.

It’s made of top-quality cowhide leather, with a wool interior… including a pocket. It zippers closed and cushions the computer without unnecessary bulk.

I’ve been happily carrying my notebook in this case because it’s simply beautiful and designed exactly right for what it does.

Apple wants to bring Touch ID to the Apple Watch. Leaked internal code indicates the company is exploring bringing biometric authentication to its smartwatch.

The idea is likely still in internal evaluation, with no clarity on if or when Apple will move forward with it.

A big trend in recent years in Cult of Mac‘s setups coverage has been ever-increasing displays — either bigger ones, more of them or both. Sometimes it seems like an arms race to create the most NASA-Mission-Control wall of screens ever. But sometimes it’s not about size, but variety and convenience, including portable monitors and device screens. Take a look at our best-multi-monitor-setup workstations below, along with top displays and other gear that makes them tick.

There’s skepticism about the low-cost MacBook that’s reportedly launching soon because it reportedly will run on an Apple A18 processor — the same one in current iPhones. But this chip is more powerful than you might realize.

I compared the performance of the A18 to Apple’s M-series Mac chips, and I think you’ll be surprised by how well the iPhone processor performed.

Plugable created the TBT-UDM Thunderbolt 4 dock with Apple users in mind. It offers more than a dozen ports — including dual 4K HDMI — in an aluminum chassis intended to blend into Mac setups.

Just as importantly, it launched Tuesday at a price lower than usual for a Thunderbolt dock.

Adding high-speed plug-in storage capacity to your computer is so easy it’s something every Mac user should consider. Here are some of the best consumer-oriented external SSDs that are designed for portability. Even better: many of these are on sale.

We did hands-in testing for nearly all of these — look for links to our reviews.

Apple’s upcoming affordable MacBook could launch as early as later this year. And it may only cost $599.

The new entrant to the MacBook lineup will supposedly use an A18 Pro chip, the same one that will power the upcoming iPhone 17.