Baseus Nomos Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank review: fastest possible iPhone battery charging
Macworld At a glance Pros Built-in USB-C cable 15W wireless or 45W wired charging Cons Less useful for older iPhone users Our Verdict The Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank boasts a high battery capacity, 15W Qi2 wireless charging, and the fastest wired charging we’ve tested so far on any iPhone power bank. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$81.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 45W 10000mAh Retailer Price $81.99 View Deal Baseus $81.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 36Wh (10000mAh) Input charger: USB-C (30W) Output charger: Wireless (15W Qi2) & USB-C (45W) On test charged iPhone to: 170% Weight: 8.2oz (232g) Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.7 x0.8 inches (10.8 x 6.8 x 2cm) Colors: Gray, Black Compatibility: All iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 models Unless you are a work-from-home obsessive or recluse, a power bank for your iPhone is an essential accessory to your mobile life. Since Apple introduced magnetic wireless charging to the iPhone, these power banks have become increasingly convenient while decreasing in size. Apple’s MagSafe has been available on all iPhones since the iPhone 12, allowing us to magnetically clamp a compatible accessory to the back of the iPhone. Wirelessly charging the iPhone is as simple and efficient as it can get. But it’s not the fastest way to get power into your phone. If the charger is certified by Apple as MagSafe it should wirelessly charge at 15W. If it is merely “MagSafe compatible”, charging speed is at a lower 7.5W. The newer Apple-approved Qi2 wireless charging standard is rated at the same 15W as MagSafe. For more information read our MagSafe vs Qi2 comparison. While wireless charging is convenient, charging with a cable is nearly always faster as it is a more efficient method of transferring power. The problem with wired charging is it requires a cable, and these are both messy to carry with you and easy to forget. Check out our roundup of the For a full comparison read our roundup of the best MagSafe and magnetic power banks for iPhone. for more choices. Like a few of the most recent magnetic power banks, the Baseus Nomus Magnetic Power Bank boasts its own built-in USB-C cable so is especially useful for iPhone 15/16 owners whose phones feature a USB-C charging port—but wirelessly it works as well for Lightning-port iPhone 12/13/14 users too. The cable can be used to output power to an iPhone 15 or 16 and connect to any USB-C charger to charge the power bank itself. Simon Jary / Foundry Battery test results The Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank has a high battery capacity of 36Wh or 10000mAh. Slimmer iPhone power banks offer less than half of that capacity but 10K is a sweet spot for lots of top-up power and portability. Our testing process involved running an iPhone down to 5% and then using the power bank to take the phone back to 100 percent. Then we run the phone down again until the power bank runs out of juice to keep the phone charged. The Baseus Nomos power bank took the 5 percent-charged iPhone to 100 percent, and then reached a further 71%—meaning the total recharge adds up to a 166% score (95 + 71). That’s not as high as some of the 10K wireless power banks we have tested. The highest any other similar wireless battery pack, the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank, has reached in our tests is 191 percent. Charging speed While the Baseus Magnetic Power Bank came up a little short in our charging tests, its fast-charging performance blows the opposition away. As it uses Qi2 technology, its wireless charging is rated at 15W, which puts it at the top of the pile in this respect. The Anker Zolo is still pegged back at 7.5W. Anker does have a Qi2 power bank—the svelte Anker MagGo 10K Slim Power Bank—but this doesn’t feature a built-in cable. For ultimate charging speed you should charge using the power bank’s built-in USB-C cable that can reach an impressive 45W. That 45W is more useful for some Samsung phones that can suck up that amount of power. It’s likely that even the most recent iPhones won’t accept much more than 30W during charging. Whatever, it’s still much faster than even 15W wireless charging. The integrated 5.5-inch cable is a real benefit when it comes to refilling the power bank as it means you don’t need to find a spare cable when you need to. That’s useful to all iPhone users, but only the 15/16 iPhones can draw power from the power bank using the built-in cable. To charge older iPhones at the fastest speed, the Nomos features a spare USB-C port that you can use with a USB-C to Lightning charging cable instead of using the built-in cable. That port can or the integrated USB-C cable can input recharge the power bank at 30W. Simon Jary / Foundry Size and design Measuring 4.25 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (10.8 x 6.8 x 2cm) the Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank is around the same size as the Anker Qi2 MagGo Power Bank that matches it on battery capacity and fast wireless charging. That Anker power bank lacks an integrated USB-C cable, however. Anker’s Zolo Magnetic Power Bank is the closest rival in terms of capacity and built-in cable but is pegged back at MagSafe-compatible 7.5W wireless speeds. Like the Zolo the Nomos features a built-in kickstand. It also has a small but useful charging display that shows battery level and input and output power. It weighs a reasonable 8.2oz (232g), which is acceptable. It is available in two smart but hardly exciting colors: black and gray. The integrated USB-C cable neatly folds away into the power bank body. Simon Jary / Foundry Price The Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank (Qi2 45W 10000mAh) is priced at $81.99 and is currently available only in the U.S., either direct or via Amazon. In comparison, the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank is cheaper at just $49.99 but charges wirelessly at 7.5W rather than 15W, and its built-in cable maxes output at 30W. As the iPhone can’t be charged at much more than 30W, this isn’t a significant difference, and that price point might appeal to you. Verdict With its built-in USB-C cable, fast 15W wireless and faster 45W wired charging speeds, the 10K Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank has just about everything a magnetic power bank can offer at the highest levels.

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HP 975 Keyboard and 715 Mouse review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Competitively priced HPAC app lets you reprogram Fn keys and mouse buttons Good battery life for both devices Can pair using Bluetooth or USB transmitter Cons Mouse isn’t ambidextrous as claimed Mouse may be too small for some people HPAC app could be easier to use No Cmd/Option keys labelled on keyboard Our Verdict HP’s latest keyboard and mice double act are competitively priced, but they don’t cut corners on build quality or providing a range of useful features. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$120.00 Best Prices Today: HP 975 Keyboard Retailer Price $49.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket HP 715 Mouse Price When Reviewed: $79.01 Best Prices Today: $79.01 at HP | $113.78 at Amazon It’s not often that we recommend HP’s range of PC accessories to Mac users, but the company recently launched a number of keyboards, mice and webcams that are now Mac-compatible when used with the HP Accessory Centre app – also known as HPAC – which is available on the Mac App Store (for macOS 11.0 and later). And, as well as being Mac-compatible, its HP 975 Dual-Mode Keyboard and HP 715 Multi-Device Mouse are well designed, versatile and provide good value for money. The 975 Dual-Mode keyboard is a full-size keyboard that looks very similar to rival models from Apple and Logitech, with a slim, low-profile design that includes a row of programmable Function keys, as well as a set of navigation keys and a numeric keypad for number crunching. The dark grey keyboard is sturdily built, and the keys feel firm and responsive when typing, but the keyboard costs just $120/£89.99, so it’s less expensive than rivals such as the Logitech MX Keys ($109.99/£109.99) or Apple’s Magic Keyboard ($129/£129). HP It’s called a dual-mode keyboard as you can pair it with two devices via Bluetooth, and also connect a third device using a small USB wireless transmitter that’s included with the keyboard (although this transmitter has a USB-A interface, so you’ll need to provide an adaptor for Macs that only have USB-C). The keyboard is primarily designed for Windows PCs, so it has a Windows key and Alt key next to the Space bar, but you can reassign those keys to function as the standard Command and Option keys on a Mac using the Keyboard Settings panel on your Mac. You also have the ability to reprogram most of the Function keys as well, using the HPAC app. By default, the top row of Function keys are programmed to provide standard controls such as Volume and Brightness adjustment, and Play/Pause for music and video. However, the HPAC app allows you to reprogram those standard commands very easily, using a simple series of pull-down menus that provide several different commands for each key. And, in addition to those primary commands, you can also assign secondary commands to these keys as well, which are activated by using the Fn key in the bottom left corner of the keyboard. This is a little complicated, though, as the HPAC app doesn’t really explain how to differentiate the primary and secondary commands, which left us randomly stabbing buttons and keys for a while before we figured out how this feature works. Foundry The HPAC app provides a number of other features as well, including the ability to change the brightness and duration of the keyboard backlight, and to give you a warning notification when the battery drops below a specific level. Battery life is good too, lasting for around six months if you don’t use the backlight very often. You can also use the HPAC app with HP’s mice, such as the HP 715 Multi-Device Mouse shown here. Priced at $79.01/£81.60, the HP 715 is quite compact, so you can easily carry it around with a laptop if you want to. I found it a little small compared to the chunky Logitech mouse that I normally use, but that’s a matter of personal taste. And, despite the compact design, the HP 715 manages to find room for lots of useful features, including left/right mouse buttons, and two thumb buttons on the left-hand side of the mouse (which seem mostly suitable for right-handed people, despite HP referring to the mouse’s ambidextrous design). There’s a clickable scroll wheel that can scroll both horizontally and vertically (although the vertical scrolling seems a bit slow, even after adjusting it in the HPAC app). The mouse should last for around three months when fully charged, and HP says that a quick one-minute charge will give you up to three hours of battery life if it runs down when you’re away from the office. HP Like the HP 975 keyboard, the mouse can be paired with two devices using Bluetooth, and a third device using the USB dongle included with the mouse (although the dongle uses a USB-A interface again). You also have great freedom to reprogram the various buttons and scrolling wheel functions – although, once more, this process isn’t clearly explained, so you’ll need to do a bit of experimenting to make the most of the mouse’s many features. Should you buy the HP 975 Keyboard and 715 Mouse? It’s good to see HP extending its support for the Mac, including full Mac-compatibility for its HPAC app. The keyboard and mouse are both well made, with lots of customisable controls to help boost your productivity at work, and their competitive pricing means that the HP 975 and 715 can give rivals such as Logitech and Apple a real run for their money.

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Apple might soon retire its Lightning to Headphone jack adapter
Apple might be quietly discontinuing its Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, as it is marked as "sold out" in its US online store. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple may soon be discontinuing the Lightning to Headphone Jack adapter
Originally introduced in 2016, it now seems like Apple’s Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter may soon be discontinued (via MacRumors). more…

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M4 Mac reviews go multiball! [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: So ... many ... M4 Mac reviews! Griffin says the new Mac mini and the updated iMac make him go gaga. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple drops the Lightning adapter that still let iPhones use wired headphones
Users who haven't got around to buying Apple's short Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter after eight years are now out of luck, as the iPhone 7 accessory appears to be discontinued.Apple's Lightning EarPods and (top) the adapter for users of older EarPods.Apple's Phil Schiller may have described the iPhone 7's dropping of the headphone jack as being "courageous," but the company wasn't brave enough to completely kill off wired headphones. Instead, it simultaneously launched a short, stubby Lightning to 3.5mm adaptor, and included it in the box for the iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X and XS models.Launched in September 2016, this adapter has now been available to buy for $9 until now, eight years later. Now it's showing as sold out in the US and most other online Apple Stores. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Blender benchmark highlights how powerful the M4 Max’s graphics truly are
Apple released its new MacBook Pros with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chipsets last week – and early CPU benchmarks (via Geekbench) painted a very promising picture for Apple’s highest end M4 Max chipset. Now we’re taking a look at some GPU benchmarks, and the M4 Max continues to hold quite strong. more…

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Could an Upcoming Apple Smart-Home Tablet Lead to Mobile Robots – and Maybe Even a TV Set?
"Here's how Apple's next major product will work," writes Bloomberg's Mark Gurman: The company has been developing a smart home command center that will rival products like the Amazon Echo Hub and Google Nest Hub... The product will run many of Apple's core apps, like Safari, Notes and Calendar, but the interface will be centered on a customizable home screen with iOS-like widgets and smart home controls... The device looks like a low-end iPad and will include a built-in battery, speakers and a FaceTime camera oriented for a horizontal landscape view. The square device, which includes a roughly 6-inch screen, has sensors that let it change the interface depending on how far a user is from the screen. It will also have attachments for walls, plus a base with additional speakers so it can be placed on a table, nightstand or desk. Apple envisions customers using the device as an intercom, with people FaceTiming each other from different rooms. They'll also be able to pull up home security footage, control their lights, and videoconference with family while cooking in the kitchen. And it will control music throughout the home on HomePod speakers. The device will work with hundreds of HomeKit-compatible items, a lineup that includes third-party switches, lights, fans and other accessories. But the company doesn't plan to roll out a dedicated app store for the product. Given the lack of success with app marketplaces for the Vision Pro, Apple Watch and Apple TV, that's not too surprising. Looking ahead, the article concludes "The success of this device is still far from assured. Apple's recent track record pushing into new categories has been spotty, and its previous home products haven't been major hits." But Gurman shares the most interesting part on X.com: If the product does catch on, it will help set the stage for more home devices. Apple is working on a high-end AI companion with a [$1,000] robotic arm and large display that could serve as a follow-up. The company could also put more resources into developing mobile robots, privacy-focused home cameras and speakers. It may even revisit the idea of making an Apple-branded TV set, something it's evaluating. But if the first device fails, Apple may have to rethink its smart home ambitions once again. Gurman also writes that Apple is also working on a new AirTag with more range and improved privacy features (including "making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker.") Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Today in Apple history: Copland, Apple’s ‘unreleased’ Mac OS, ships to devs
On November 17, 1995, Apple seeded a beta of its Mac OS Copland operating system to about 50 developers. The full version was never released. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple M4 MacBook Pro on Sale
The 2024 M4 Apple MacBook Pro is discounted on Amazon, now selling for $1474. Equipped with the new M-series M4 Chip, the new MacBook Pro is designed to give you a powerful performance when you are tackling a heavy workload, academics, remote classes, and provide an immersive gaming experience with a battery that can last […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple launches Final Cut Pro 11 for Macs and iPads
Apple has announced the release of the major improvements for their video editing software Final Cut Pro which is made for iPads and Macs, with the app being version 10 for 13 years. It is about time that Apple brought out a new version with the Final Cut Pro 11. Apple showed a preview of […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple Arcade launches 15 additional games for the holidays
Apple is adding 15 games to Apple Arcade which is a subscription type of service where you gain access to games that are Apple exclusive or play hundreds of games that you like with no ads. The 15 new titles that will be added are PAC-MAN 256, Boggle: Arcade Edition, Gears & Goo, 3 Final […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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9th Gen Apple iPad Now Only $199
The 9th generation Apple iPad is on sale for $199, which is a big price drop from its regular retail price of $329. The A13 Bionic chip delivers fast and reliable performance, which combined with iPadOS, allows for smooth multitasking. You can launch and run multiple apps at once for work or gaming without worrying […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Silo, award-winning Sci-Fi AppleTV+ series returns with Season 2
AppleTV+ “Silo”, an award-winning sci-fi series, makes a return. Season 2 is finally here after waiting for a year and a half, with the first episode of the TV show now accessible on the streaming service. The plot of the show “Silo” is a dystopian story of humanity hanging on to survival, with 10,000 people […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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M4 MacBook Pro equipped with quantum dot film
Display analyst Ross Young reports that the MacBook M4 Pro devices are equipped with quantum dot technology for its display, replacing the red KSF phosphor film it previously had and resulting in more accurate and vibrant colors. The reason Apple was using the KSF film for MacBook Pro units was it doesn’t use cadmium which […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple has no plans to make a smart ring
Tom Hale, Oura’s CEO, does not think that Apple intends to dive into the market for smart rings because if Apple does make a smart ring, then sales on the Apple Watch might be thwarted, since it would possess similar features and end up being a cheaper alternative. It seems Apple is not keen about […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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17 new emojis made by Unicode
The Unicode Consortium adds new character emojis for devices like smartphones and other gadgets every year. This week, Unicode 17 is adding 8 emojis that were recommended: trombone, orca, apple core, treasure chest, landslide, distorted face, bigfoot, and fight cloud. Current emojis like people wrestling, people that have bunny ears, and ballet dancers have different […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Rumors of an Apple-made TV set are back again
Apple is said to be considering making a television set, over a decade after it abandoned that idea in favor of creating the Apple TV set top box.An "Apple television" has been rumored for more than 15 years.It's one of the famous Steve Jobs stories, a claim relayed by biographer Walter Isaacson, which Jobs said he had figured out television. "I finally cracked it," he said in 2010, adding that his Apple TV set would be "completely easy to use."Now according to Bloomberg, Apple may yet be having another go at fulfilling that ambition. As yet it's no more than a vague rumor, but Apple is said to be once again evaluating the idea. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Here’s when you can expect Google Gemini integration with Apple Intelligence
It’s long been rumored that Apple will be partnering with other AI chatbot companies in the future, to support Apple Intelligence features. Apple already partnered with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to iOS, and that integration is now here in the iOS 18.2 beta, which is expected to release in December. more…

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Best time to buy a Mac: Should you buy a Mac or MacBook now?
Macworld Whether you are updating your old MacBook laptop or planning to buy your first Mac part of the decision of which model to buy should be based on timing. Before you part with your money you should check that the model you are buying isn’t about to be upgraded by Apple. There is nothing worse than buying a new MacBook Air only to see Apple update the models a month later. Luckily you are here reading this article so the chance of you making a mistake like that is slim (although you should check the date this article was last updated!) In this article, we’ll tell you the best time to buy a MacBook, when to buy a Mac, at what time of year Apple usually updates its Macs, and whether an update is expected soon. We’ll also mention if there are any particular configurations to avoid. We will run through each Mac and MacBook Apple currently sells and assess whether now is a good time to buy one based on educated guesses as to when the next one will launch. Sometimes if you wait a month or two you can get more for your money – provided Apple keeps its prices the same. Before you make the decision of which Mac to buy you should also check out our Mac buying guide and our MacBook buying guide. We also offer advice about how much storage, RAM and cores in How much MacBook RAM, SSD, GPU and CPU do you really need? If you are reading this around Black Friday, read our advice in our guide to the best Black Friday MacBook deals and the best Mac mini and iMac deals. And if you want to know what other Apple products are discounted read Best Black Friday Apple deals. When will Apple launch new Macs? There are a couple of things that can help when predicting when a new model might land. One is to be aware of when Apple last updated the range. The other is to note when Apple has previously announced updates to that range. Apple updated the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac at an event in October 2024. We don’t anticipate any more Mac updates until spring 2025. take a look at our article about Apple Events and the new products expected from Apple to check that the outlook hasn’t changed. Most recent/current launches: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max – October 2024 24-inch iMac, M4 – October 2024 Mac mini, M4 and M4 Pro – October 2024 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 – March 2024 (RAM update in October 2024) Mac Studio, M2 Max and M2 Ultra – June 2023 Mac Pro, M2 Ultra – June 2023 13-inch MacBook Air, M2 – July 2022 (RAM update in October 2024) As for the times when a Mac launch is most likely. In the past, the most likely times to see Mac updates were: WWDC in June for professional Mac models (e.g. Mac Studio and Mac Pro) and October for consumer-focused Macs (e.g. MacBook Air and Mac mini). However, as you will see when you read on, this is not a rule that Apple abides by particularly, nor does Apple always launch new Macs at special events: it often just takes the Apple Store offline for a few hours and then when it returns new Mac models are available as it did in October 2024. It used to be easier to predict when Apple would launch new Macs because updates were often tied to the launch of the next generation of Intel processors. Now that Apple has transitioned from Intel to its own series of processors, it is no longer tied to Intel’s upgrade cycle. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the updates happen more frequently though. We do, however, think that updates for the following Macs are likely to arrive in the next few months. 13- & 15-inch MacBook Air, M4: Now that the MacBook Pro has an M4 chip we expect that the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will get an update soon. See: MacBook Air rumors. Expected launch: Spring 2025. Mac Studio, M4: The Mac Studio go the M2 Max and M2 Ultra in June 2023. We expect that the whole of 2024 will pass without an update so expect an M4-Max/Ultra in 2025, perhaps at WWDC. See: M4 Mac Studio. Mac Pro, M4: Like the Mac Studio, we expect a update in June 2024. iMac Pro: Apple discontinued the larger-screened 27-inch iMac when the Mac Studio was introduced, but there are rumors that it could make a comeback. Read about the new iMac Pro. Expected launch: 2025. Should I wait for Black Friday deals? If you are thinking of buying a new Mac and the last few months of the year are approaching, you should hold on to take advantage of deals season. From October onwards is when we tend to see the most deals, with everyone saving their best discounts for the weeks around Black Friday at the end of November. If you are wondering whether to wait until Black Friday itself or take advantage of an early deal that’s marked as being ‘early Black Friday’ or similar, our advice is to just go for it! In the past lots of retailers have started their Black Fridays sales a long time before the day itself and promised that prices won’t go any lower on Black Friday itself. It’s unlikely that Apple will offer any discounts for Black Friday though. The company tends to offer vouchers with qualifying sales around Black Friday, and we don’t expect that to change: here’s what Apple is likely to be doing for Black Friday. So don’t expect Apple to offer discounts on Black Friday, but you might be able to get money off Apple products from another reseller. We see many resellers offering Black Friday deals on Apple products, so come back around Black Friday and check out our best But we don’t only see prices cut for Black Friday, we see deals on Apple products all year round – so don’t assume you can’t get money off a new Apple product when you need to buy one. Check out our round-ups of the best Apple deals: Best MacBook Air deals Best Mac Studio deals Best MacBook Pro deals Best Mac mini deals Best iMac deals There are other ways to save money too: How to get an Apple student discount at Apple’s Education Store Apple Back to School deal Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Best place to buy a refurbished Mac How much can you save at Apple’s refurbished store? Is it a good time to buy a Mac or MacBook? Let’s take a look at each Mac and MacBook on the market and assess if you should consider buying it now. Check the date at the top of the article to see when we last updated this information. Should I buy a 13-inch MacBook Air now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $1,099 Best Prices Today: $899 at Amazon$899 at Best Buy$1024 at Walmart Electronics Last update: March 2024 Next update: Spring 2025 There are three versions of the MacBook Air available to buy right now. There are two 13-inch models: one with an M2 chip that launched in July 2022 and one with an M3 chip that went on sale in March 2024. There is also a 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 that was updated in March 2024, which we discuss below. The M2 MacBook Air, with its brand-new design, arrived in the summer of 2022. It gained a MagSafe charging port, meaning that two USB-C ports are available. In our 13-inch M2 MacBook Air review we described it as “just right for nearly every user” thanks to its improved display with thinner bezels, full-size function row, killer battery life and outstanding performance in its class. There are still some areas that let it down though, for example, the fact that you can’t plug in more than one other monitor, unless you close the MacBook lid or follow this workaround: How to connect two or more external displays to Apple Silicon Macs. When the M3 version of the MacBook Air arrived in spring 2024 we were impressed, finding that the M3 chip gave a nice performance boost. In October 2024, with the arrival of the M4 in the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air does look a little less impressive, but Apple increased the unified memory (RAM) in the M3 and M2 MacBook Air, from 8GB to 16GB, paving the way for Apple Intelligence. Is now a good time to buy a 13-inch MacBook Air? No The M2 MacBook Air is an excellent machine and it is the cheapest Mac laptop right now. However, the 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip only costs $100/£100 more, so our advice would be to pay a little extra for better specs. In October 2024 the M3 MacBook Air had a RAM boost, which is certainly a point in favor of buying one right now, but, with the MacBook Pro gaining an M4 chip at the same time, it’s likely that the MacBook Air will get a similar update soon. Our recommendation is that if you find a good discount on the price of the M3 MacBook Air check that the model being sold includes the now standard 16GB RAM, rather than 8GB RAM. If you find a 16GB equipped M3 MacBook Air at a good price then it will be a good buy, as long as you are prepared for disappointment in early 2025 when the MacBook Air is upgraded. If you want to buy a MacBook Air now check out our round-up of the Best MacBook Air deals. Should I buy a 15-inch MacBook Air now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: $1,099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1199 at B&H Last update: June 2023 Next update: Spring 2025 There is another MacBook Air to consider. In our review of the 15-inch MacBook Air we said that the 15-inch MacBook Air is “exactly like the 13-inch MacBook Air only with a bigger display (and thus chassis) and better speakers”. But if you prefer larger laptops then the 15-inch MacBook Air will save you thousands compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It offers better battery life than the smaller model and offers a larger screen, and while it costs a bit more than the 13-inch model, it is much less than the other Mac laptops with larger screens. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599/£1,599, while the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299/£1,399. Is now a good time to buy a 15-inch MacBook Air? No Apple launched the 15-inch MacBook Air in March 2024, but while it’s still less than a year old, we do expect that Apple will update it in early 2025 with the M4 chip that arrived in the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini in October 2024. One point in favor of the 15-inch MacBook Air is that Apple doubled the unified memory (RAM) in October 2024, so there is at least 16GB RAM as standard in the 15-inch MacBook Air, which should mean that if you find a good deal on a 16GB RAM-equipped model you won’t regret spending your money. Should I buy a 14-inch MacBook Pro now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $1,599 | $1,799 | $1,999 Best Prices Today: $1,474 at Amazon$1484 at Walmart Electronics$1549 at B&H Last update: October 2024 Next update: October 2025 Apple upgraded the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max in October 2024. We don’t expect to see another update until at least the fall of 2025. When we reviewed the MacBook Pro M4 model we found it offered a good performance boost over the MacBook Pro M3. The boost from 8GB to 16GB unified memory is one benefit, another gain comes in the form of an extra Thunderbolt/USB 4 port. In our review we described the M4 MacBook Pro as: “a package bursting with value. It no longer feels like a compromised laptop, and you get a lot of performance and features for the price”. If you are a pro user who needs a little more oomph then the M4 Pro or M4 Max models offer more ports (including Thunderbolt 5) and superior power. In our review of the M4 Pro models we said they “have what it takes to conquer your processing demands”. Read our review here: 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 review. Is now a good time to buy a 14-inch MacBook Pro? Yes At $1,599/£1,599 the price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is a high compared to the 15-inch MacBook Air, which you can get for $1,299/£1,299, but the latter still only offers the M3 chip and the M4 in the MacBook Pro is leaps ahead. So or recommendation right now is to buy the MacBook Pro if you see a good deal. If you find a deal on the older M3 MacBook Pro we would advise against it because that model has less RAM. If it’s the M4 Pro or M4 Max edition you are after, our recommendation is buy one, you won’t be disappointed. If you want to get the best price for a new MacBook Pro check out our round-up of the Best MacBook Pro deals. Read our full Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4) review Should I buy a 16-inch MacBook Pro now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $2,499 | $2,899 Best Prices Today: $2,299 at Amazon$2314 at Walmart Electronics$2499 at Apple Last update: October 2024 Next update: October 2025 Alongside the 14-inch MacBook Pro, in October 2024, Apple introduced a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max. When we reviewed the M4 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro model we described it as “a powerful workstation and Apple makes the package even better with Thunderbolt 5, the 12MP Center Stage camera, and the Nano-texture glass display option”. If you need the ultimate in processing muscle, you really want an M4 Max chip, but if a $3,499/£3,499 laptop is out of your budget, the M4 Pro models have what it takes to conquer your processing demands. The larger 16-inch model costs more than it’s smaller sibling, but if you need more battery life and a bigger screen then this is the model for you. If you’re still using an Intel-based MacBook Pro, it’s time to upgrade. For more advice read our comparison of all the MacBook Pro models. Is now a good time to buy a 16-inch MacBook Pro? Yes The 16-inch MacBook Pro was updated in October 2024, so we don’t expect another update for some time. If you can find a good deal then definitely buy one. If it’s power you need and portability isn’t a factor, you may also want to consider the M4 Pro in the Mac mini and a display as a much cheaper option than the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Read our full Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) review Should I buy a 24-inch iMac now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $1,299 | $1,499 | $1,699 | $1,899 Best Prices Today: $1,199 at Amazon$1214 at Walmart Electronics$1299 at Apple Last update: October 2024 Next update: Late 2025/2026 The 24-inch iMac is eye-catching, both in terms of the quality of the 4.5K display and the colorful case. The M4 model arrived in October 2024 with each model available in blue, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and silver, with all but silver offering a bold tone on the back that is complemented by a paler version on the front. On the inside the differences are impressive. As we said in our review, “the new 16GB RAM standard, the implementation of Thunderbolt across the board, the improved FaceTime camera, and the Nano-texture glass option are all winning moves by Apple.” The M4 chip inside is the same as you can find in the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini. The iMac is less expensive than the MacBook Pro, starting at $1,299/£1,299 compared to $1,599/£1,599 for the MacBook Pro, but the MacBook Pro is better equipped, with a 10-core GPU, rather than the 8-core GPU found in that entry-level iMac. There’s also double the storage in the MacBook (512GB compared to 256GB). If you are looking for the best value though, the Mac mini is much cheaper than the iMac, starting at $599/£599 for the same spec. Is now a good time to buy a 24-inch iMac? Yes While we feel that it is overpriced, we accept that there are places for which the iMac is ideal–reception desks, living rooms, and so on. If If you’re looking for a new, complete Mac setup– a computer, display, and input devices–the M4 iMac is a great choice. If you do want to buy one then do not pay full price, check our round-up of the best iMac deals. If you need an iMac that is designed with creative pros in mind you should look at the Mac mini with M4 Pro. Read our full Apple iMac (M4) review Should I buy a Mac mini now or wait? Price When Reviewed: $599 | $799 | $999 Best Prices Today: $564 at Walmart Electronics$574 at Amazon$599 at Apple Last update: October 2024 Next update: Late 2025/2026 Apple introduced the M4 Mac mini and M4 Pro Mac mini in October 2024. The Mac mini with M4 or M4 Pro is the long awaited successor to the M2 Mac mini and M2 Pro version. The Mac mini is now even smaller, but it’s just as powerful as any other M4 equipped Mac. The performance and value on offer for just $599/£599 is excellent, if you are trying to spec up a machine to meet higher demands we found that can be expensive, but that is the case with all of Apple’s build-to-order options. The pro version of the Mac mini does much to fill the gap left by the removal of the 27-inch iMac, as long as you have a decent monitor you can use. Is now a good time to buy a Mac mini? Yes We recommend the M4 Mac mini. It offers the same specs as the other M4 Macs for much less money, the only difference being the absence of a screen. But since you can buy a decent 4K display for less than £300/$300 we don’t think that is a big problem. See our round-up of the best monitors for Mac. The M4 Pro Mac mini is a great option for anyone who needs affordable power. The only reason to hold off buying is if you want to wait for Apple to update the Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra. However, the Mac Studio starts at $1,999/£2,099, while the M2 Pro Mac mini offers much better value at $1,299/£1,299. If you want to buy a Mac mini now check out our round-up of the Best Mac mini deals. Should I buy a Mac Studio now or wait? Price When Reviewed: £1,999 Best Prices Today: $1799 at B&H$1889 at Adorama$1949 at Walmart Electronics Last update: June 2023Next update: 2025 The Mac Studio arrived in March 2022 and we were impressed by its processing power, port flexibility and price. In our review we said “The Mac Studio offers exciting processing prowess,” and added: “It may even be a suitable replacement for an Intel Mac Pro in certain situations.” That model was replaced by a Mac Studio with M2 Max or M2 Ultra back in June 2023, but there hasn’t been an update in 2024. In our review of the model that arrived in June 2023, we said that: “The Mac Studio is the ideal Mac–it’s powerful, priced appropriately, has lots of ports for connecting devices, and it won’t take up a lot of desk space,” and described it as a “complete package of processing power, features, and design”. An HDMI upgrade fixes one of our biggest problems with the original Mac Studio, bringing 8K display support and support for more displays overall. Is now a good time to buy a Mac Studio? No Nearly a year and a half after the Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra arrived in June 2023, the M4 Max has arrived in the MacBook Pro. That chip which will eventually be destined for the Mac Studio, along with the M4 Ultra (unless Apple jumps straight to the M5). With an update log overdue it certainly looks likely that the Mac Studio will see an update in 2025. We expect Apple to update the model either at, or before, WWDC in June. If you need a powerful machine in the meantime then you are better off considering the M4 Pro Mac mini or M4 Pro or M4 Max MacBook Pro. Alternatively, take advantage of the Best Mac Studio deals, because we do see some big discounts on these models. Read our full Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023) review Should I buy a Mac Pro now or wait? Price When Reviewed: From $6,999 Best Prices Today: $6999 at Apple Last update: June 2023 Next update: 2025 Apple launched the current Mac Pro in June 2023, three and a half years after the range was last updated in December 2019. That was the first update since December 2013 (which was a wait of six years!) The main benefit of the 2019 Mac Pro design is shared by the design of the 2023 Mac Pro: it offers PCIe expansion slots (seven in total) and its modular design should mean that there is the potential for SSD upgrades down the line (although RAM won’t be upgradable and nor will the GPU or CPU). The Mac Pro has a lot of competition in the form of the Mac Studio, which offers the exact same spec as the Mac Studio and is cheaper. The Mac Pro brings an extra fan, more ports and there is a rack-mounted option. Is now a good time to buy a Mac Pro? No The disadvantage is that Apple hasn’t updated the Mac Pro (or Mac Studio) since mid 2023. While Apple often waits a long time between Mac Pro updates, the M4 Pro has more than caught up with the M2 Max and the M4 Max has edged ahead of the M2 Ultra, so if you need the power then the Mac Pro isn’t looking as attractive next to its siblings When the Mac Pro is finally updated we expect it to leap ahead, so our recommendation it to wait. We expect an update at, or before, WWDC.

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