Why the iPhone 17 will succeed where the iPhone 16 failed
Macworld Analysts speculated earlier this year that the iPhone 16 and its AI capabilities would trigger a new upgrade super cycle. Fired up by the innovative functions of Apple Intelligence, customers were expected to buy new handsets in record numbers, even if their current iPhone was still in perfect working order. A few weeks after the launch, however, much of that enthusiasm appeared to have fizzled out. In Germany, for example, we found it easy to get hold of the new phones, either from an Apple Store or on Amazon, with the latter able to deliver the device as early as the following week. In the U.K. right now, the cheapest configuration of the iPhone 16 Pro is available for next-day delivery. This is all a far cry from the stock shortages we usually encounter when an iPhone is a spectacular success. One possible reason why the iPhone 16 has not triggered a super cycle is the slow introduction of Apple Intelligence. The first features weren’t available until several weeks after launch in the U.S. and Canada, while European users may have to wait as much as a year. If AI was the key to success, delaying AI could have been a critical error. A cycle of innovation Another issue could be the psychology of consumerism: to a lot of buyers it’s not what’s inside that counts, but the external design. An abstract upgrade such as a 40 percent increase in performance is less appealing than new colors, shapes, and materials. And this is confirmed by sales data: the biggest leaps were made by the iPhone generations that brought noticeable changes in shape or dimensions.

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How much MacBook do you really need?
Macworld With the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, Apple offers standard configurations to make it easy to pick a laptop. They seem straightforward, but if you start to think about all the things you do on a Mac–whether you’re a student or a professional–you can start to wonder if you might need more RAM or a bigger SSD, or if extra GPU cores might be useful. Choosing the right model isn’t as straightforward as choosing a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air–you also need to decide just how much MacBook you really need. It’s a decision you don’t want to take lightly. You’re investing a considerable amount of money, and you don’t want to end up with a Mac that isn’t up to the task or a Mac that has more than you need. This guide was created to help shoppers figure out what to look for when buying a MacBook. We’ll cover the main components you need to consider: the CPU, the GPU, the amount of unified memory (RAM), the SSD, the display, the battery, and the ports. We’ll go over what your use case may be, and which component configurations would work best to help you get the most bang for your buck. In this article we are considering the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, but the advice will also apply if you are buying a Mac desktop. For more help read our Which Mac buying guide. What is the Apple M chip? Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M3, 256GB/16GB RAM, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,099 Best Prices Today: $899 at Amazon | $899 at Best Buy | $1024 at Walmart Electronics Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 256GB/16GB RAM, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: $1,099 at Amazon | $1099 at Best Buy | $1209 at Walmart Electronics Let’s start with a brief overview of the heart of every Mac: the M System on a Chip. It’s called a System on a Chip (SoC, or just “chip”) because, unlike past chips, it includes more than just a CPU that does the main job of processing work. It also houses the graphics processors (GPUs), the unified memory (a combination of CPU and GPU RAM), and the SSD for file storage. In the past, these were all separate components. A benefit of having all these components under one unified part is that it helps with performance and power efficiency. A drawback is that the user cannot upgrade the components after purchase. So, it’s even more important than before to carefully consider the specifications you need for what you do. Also read: How to check the specs of your Mac: find out processor and RAM, our Mac Processor Comparison and our comparison of every Apple processor. CPU: How many processing cores do I need? The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main data processing component and is divided into processing cores. There are two types of cores, which Apple divides into performance and efficiency cores. Generally, the more cores in a CPU, the faster the processing speed. Apple currently offers five CPU models in its MacBooks: the M2, M3, M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. The M2 and M3 has the lowest CPU core count, while the M4 Max has the highest. Which one is right for you? Let’s break it down based on tasks. M2 (8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores): a good chip for everyday usage and can handle tasks in media editing apps. M3 (8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores): you do the usual everyday tasks and work, which includes web browsing, light productivity apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Microsoft Office), media streaming, light gaming, easy media production (iMovie, GarageBand). M4 (10-core CPU with 4 performance and 6 efficiency cores): a lot like the M3, but a bit faster. M4 Pro (12- or 14-core CPU with 8 or 10 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores): you are regularly performing work that’s a bit more in-depth, such as complex Excel spreadsheets, multi-layer image editing, and creation in Photoshop or other graphics apps, production of video and audio shorts, databases, serious gaming. M4 Max (14- or 16-core CPU with 10 or 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores): you make a living as a media producer (Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Autodesk Maya, etc.), software developer, or any other work that requires multitasking and long hours with heavy work. Keep in mind that the base M4 is robust enough to handle the tasks that the M4 Max is designed for–it just takes longer to finish. If you only occasionally need to do those high-end jobs or you’re learning how to do them, you can live with the M4. The M3 and M4 chips offer different CPU, GPU, memory, and SSD configurations.Macworld.se GPU: How many graphics cores do I need? The GPU (graphics processing unit) is primarily used for rendering graphics and video on the screen. However, because GPUs offer parallel processing, a GPU can be used for other jobs, including AI, though the NPU (which is the same across all MacBooks) handles much of that workload. As with the CPU, the GPU has processing cores, and the more cores, the better the performance. Apple partners the increase of CPU cores along with the increase of GPU cores, so you don’t have to worry about, say, getting a M3 Pro chip with not enough CPU cores. Which one is right for you? Let’s break it down based on tasks. M2 (8-core CPU): capable of everyday tasks and casual games. M3 (8- or 10-core GPU): general tasks and everyday work, media streaming, easy media production, light gaming. M4 (10-core GPU): like the M3, general tasks and everyday work, media streaming, easy media production, light gaming. M4 Pro (16- or 20-core GPU): moderate to serious media production and gaming. M4 Max (32- or 40-core GPU): professional-level media production and hard-core gaming. RAM: How much unified memory do I need in a Mac? Apple’s M chips use unified memory, which is where the chip reads and writes the data it is working on. It’s called “unified memory” because it’s used by both the CPU and GPU. It’s often referred to as RAM (random access memory). (Traditionally, “RAM” referred to the memory used by the CPU only, and the GPU used video RAM or VRAM). Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) Price When Reviewed: $1,999 | $2,399 Best Prices Today: $1849 at Walmart Electronics | $1,938.39 at Amazon | $1999 at Apple Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max) Price When Reviewed: $3,199 Best Prices Today: $3,102 at Amazon | $3199 at Apple | $3199 at B&H When Apple originally introduced the MacBook Air in March 2024, the standard configurations came with 8GB of RAM. When Apple introduced the M4 series of MacBook Pro in October 2024, it increased the base standard configuration fro 8GB to 16GB unified memory. At the same time, the MacBook Air M3 and M2 got the boost to 16GB RAM without a price increase. So, now all MacBooks sold by Apple have a minimum of 16GB of RAM, and some standard configurations have more. Each M-series chip comes with a standard configuration of unified memory. Here are the standard memory configurations Apple offers and where you may want to upgrade. 16GB: Good enough if you’re doing general productivity work, internet access media streaming, and easy media production. 24GB or 32GB: Nice amount for moderate media production, graphic work, podcasting, and gaming. Even for people who don’t do processor-intensive work, this is a better fit. Above 32GB: Professional-level graphics and media production, software development, hardcore gaming.  Remember, you can’t add RAM later, so make sure you consider spending a little more to customize your Mac at purchase. For example, the M4’s standard configuration is 16GB, but an option for 24GB is available for $200. It’s not cheap, but we recommend getting as much memory as you can afford. You can’t go wrong with opting for more memory than the standard configuration–it helps with performance. Also read: How much RAM is in my Mac and do I need more? and How to clear RAM on a Mac: tips to free up memory. SSD: How much space for file storage do I need? The Mac uses a solid-state drive (SSD) to store your files, apps, and other data. But in addition to data storage, the SSD can play a role in a Mac’s performance. The larger the capacity, the better the performance, mostly in instances that involve very large files. The higher the SSD capacity, the more NAND chips Apple uses. The more chips in use, the faster the performance, because the data can be accessed in parallel. For example, a 10GB file saved over four SSD chips is faster than the same file saved over two SSD chips. For smaller files used by most people, the difference is still there but isn’t noticeable. So there are two considerations for the SSD size: How much room you need, and how big are the files you create. With that in mind, here are some recommendations. 256GB: General productivity work, internet access media streaming, and easy media production. 512GB: Frequent work in iMovie, GarageBand, and other consumer-level media production apps. 1TB or more: Professional media production in apps such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Compressor, etc., software development, graphics. These considerations don’t involve photos that can accumulate quickly and take up a lot of space or the Photos app. If you like having local access to your photos, consider an external storage device. This also doesn’t consider cloud storage, such as iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and other services. You don’t want to work directly on files in cloud storage because it’s not an efficient way to work. But cloud storage is a viable way to manage the space on an SSD–you can move files you won’t need immediately to the cloud. The MacBook Air (left) has an LED display, while the MacBook Pro (right) has a Mini LED screen.Foundry Apple Displays: How the MacBook Air and Pro screens are different Apple uses different display technology for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The Air uses a tech that’s more affordable to implement, and it looks good, but it doesn’t look as good as the tech used for the MacBook Pro. Of course, you’ll pay more for the better Pro quality. Here are the two display technologies and who they are suited for. LED (MacBook Air): General-purpose use, but it can also handle consumer-level video and photo editing that you would do in apps such as Photos, Adobe Photoshop Elements, iMovie, etc. Also good for steaming videos from YouTube, Apple TV+, Netflix, etc., and moderate gaming. Mini LED (MacBook Pro): Serious video and photo editing and graphics work in pro-level apps (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop, etc.) where color and detail are important. Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $2,499 | $2,899 Best Prices Today: $2314 at Walmart Electronics | $2,441.09 at Amazon | $2499 at Apple Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max) Price When Reviewed: $3,499 | $3,999 Best Prices Today: $3,381.19 at Amazon | $3499 at Apple | $3499 at B&H Battery: How long does a MacBook battery last? The MacBooks offer excellent battery life that will last all day long. However, the different chips affect the duration because a chip that offers more processing prowess requires more battery power. There are also lots of considerations to think about regarding your specific use case. Here’s a look at how the different MacBooks compare and our recommendations. M3 MacBook Air: Apple cites the same battery life numbers for both the 13- and 15-inch models since both laptops have a 52.6-watt-hour battery (up to 18 hours), though you’ll probably get a little more battery with the 13-inch model due to the smaller screen. Either way, that’s the battery is long enough to last a whole day doing general-purpose work, access the internet, and work in Pages, Keynote, or Microsoft Office. You can even do light media work in iMovie or GarageBand, but heavier jobs will tax the battery. M4, M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: The 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 72.4-watt-hour battery; the M4 can last up to 24 hours, while the M4 Pro/Max lasts up to 22/18 hours. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is rated at 100-watt-hours, and the M4 Pro can last up to 24 hours, while the M4 Max lasts 21 hours. Since the Pro laptops are bigger than the Air, the battery is bigger. If you’re doing production-type work while on location and you can’t plug in, the Pro is the one to get, even if it’s bigger/heavier than the Air. Ports: What ports do MacBook’s have? All of Apple’s MacBooks have Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a MagSafe port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. But that’s where the commonality ends. Here’s what you need to know. MacBook Air: Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. That’s because the Air is meant to serve primarily as a travel buddy in situations when you aren’t connecting too many devices–maybe an external Thunderbolt/USB-C display for presentations, or a drive to save/transfer files. The Thunderbolt ports conform to the Thunderbolt 3 specification, and while its fast, it is the slowest of the MacBooks. MacBook Pro: As a mobile desktop device, the MacBook Pros have an HDMI port for connecting an external display and an SDXC Card slot for file transfers from a camera or other device. All MacBook Pro models have three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. However, laptops with the M4 chip have the Thunderbolt 4 implementation, while the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips support Thunderbolt 5, which is the fastest specification. The MacBook Pro has an SDXC Card slot (far left) and HDMI port (far right), which are not on the MacBook Air.Foundry For more information, check out the following guides: Best MacBook 2024: Which MacBook should you buy? MacBook Air vs Pro: Differences between MacBook Air and Pro MacBook Pro comparison: 14- vs 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 MacBook Air: Everything you need to know M3 MacBook Pro: Everything you need to know

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iFixit posts teardown of 2024 M4 Mac mini
True to form, the super cool cats at repair outfit iFixit have compiled and published a teardown of the 2024 M4 Mac mini, offering additional details as to Apple’s most compact Mac ever. From the start, iFixit praises how easy the Mac mini is to disassemble despite having a much more compact design. The bottom […] Source

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Rumor: LG Innotek to begin mass production of iPhone SE 4 camera modules next month
Apple’s next-gen iPhone SE is rumored to be around the corner and per economic newspaper Ajunews, LG Innotek is set to begin mass production of the front camera model for the handset. Final tests are now said to be underway, with mass production of the module following next month. It’s been reported that LG Innotek […] Source

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Apple Watch Gold Link Bracelet now available for sale
Apple's online store now quietly lists the Gold Link Bracelet for sell for $349, compatible with all Apple Watch models. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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M4 Mac mini offers user-upgradable storage — with a catch!
Apple's new M4 Mac mini features a removable and upgradeable SSD, though the non-standard SSD will make replacements difficult. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How advanced content caching settings on the Mac works
Advanced configuration parameters control how your Mac stores cached content. Here's how to change the settings.Content cache settings in macOS Sequoia.Content caching controls what internet content gets stored locally in macOS when you visit websites and other online servers.When you visit a site, some of the data (content) gets downloaded and stored locally on your Mac. This is so that if you access that content later, it can be loaded more quickly from the cache - instead of having to make more trips to the internet to fetch it again. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Bluetti's new Elite 200 portable power station provides 17 years of charging
Check out the latest from Bluetti with an exclusive discount on the Elite 200 V2 portable power station capable of generating reliable 2 kWh power for 17 years.Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is rated for 17-years of use - Image credit: BluettiBluetti is an innovator in the home battery backup space that's been pushing the limits of consumer backup power solutions. The company offers some of the best portable power station units that serve you everywhere from the campground to your home during a power outage.Tuesday, Bluetti has unveiled the latest in its lineup — the Elite 200 V2. It is a 2 kWh portable power station that is rated for 6,000 life cycles, which equates to over 17 years. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Apple Vision Pro proves best home theater as 2024 top grossing films arrive in 3D
For many, Apple’s new ultrawide Mac Virtual Display feature in visionOS 2.2 beta is the killer app on Apple Vision Pro. But you don’t need to be a Mac user to appreciate Apple Vision Pro and its role as an incredible mobile movie theater. I’ve been splitting my time for the last two months between my home and my family’s place four hours away. At home, I have an attached to my wall-mounted 65-inch Micro LED 4K TV. At my family’s place, the largest TV is about 19-inches. It’s a charming place along a river in the woods and away from the city, but it’s not my living room. Still, in both locations I’ve been using Apple Vision Pro and AirPods Pro 2 to watch movies and weekly TV shows that I’ve been following. more…

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Apple’s head of accessibility highlights the importance of AI in helping people with disabilities
As reported last week, Apple’s global head of accessibility Sarah Herrlinger spoke this Tuesday at the Web Summit Lisbon 2024. At the event, Herrlinger talked about everything Apple has been doing to make its devices easy to use for anyone and also highlighted the use of AI to help people with disabilities. more…

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BLUETTI is launching an all-new 2 kWh portable power station for outdoor life
BLUETTI has long been committed to clean and sustainable energy, and is a market leader in green energy storage, both for indoor and outdoors. Today, BLUETTI is launching a new 2 kWh portable power station, breaking through traditional portable energy storage limits, setting a new industry standard. 9to5Mac readers can also receive an exclusive discount for a limited time, available at the end of this story. more…

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Disambiguating iPhone Model Names That Have the ‘S’ Suffix
Apple’s S suffix for certain iPhone models — 3GS, 4S, 5S, 6S, XS — has always been problematic in this regard.

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The secret to explosive iPhone sales growth is the fourth leg of the stool
If Apple can show growth from all four new phones it releases each year without them cannibalizing one another, the company will have… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple begins selling new Gold Link Bracelet for Apple Watch
When was announced in September, the company also unveiled a new Gold Link Bracelet made of stainless steel. However, while the Natural and Slate versions were available from day one, the gold version was unavailable – but that has just changed. more…

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Price drop: Get an intuitive Apple TV button remote for less than $35
Function101 Button Remote is for anyone who misses the simplicity of a traditional TV remote. Get an alternative Apple TV remote for less. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple’s next big thing is a wall-mounted iPad?
Apple is reportedly developing a an inexpensive wall-mounted, tablet-like computer used to control smart home devices. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple's rumored smart display could arrive in March with a focus on AI and smart home
The pivot from Apple Car set the stage for bigger investments in the smart home, and the initial products from that shift could be launching as soon as March according to a new rumor.Apple could release an iPad-like home hub with AI and smart home featuresApple has offered smart home options since 2014 with the launch of HomeKit. Beyond Siri integrations, HomePod, and few product category additions over the years, the company's investment in the area hasn't been as strong as some of its competitors.That could change as soon as March with the launch of a new smart display that isn't an iPad, doesn't have an App Store, and is voice-first. This device would be a precursor to the rumored display with a robotic arm that's been rumored since Apple Car was abandoned. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s next big thing may be a smart iPad you can hang on your wall
Macworld Apple just wrapped up its slate of 2024 devices, but it’s never too early to look ahead. And according to a new report, big things are on the way. As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is looking to launch a new “wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing and use AI to navigate apps.” The device, which Gurman says could arrive as early as March, is “a priority” for Tim Cook, who is pushing to get it to market after more than three years of development. Gurman describes the device as a square iPad with a 6-inch screen, “about the size of two iPhones side by side, with a thick edge around the display.” He says it has a camera at the top front, a rechargeable built-in battery, and internal speakers. It will reportedly be available in silver and black. Gurman doesn’t venture to guess what the device will be called. Of note, the new device won’t run iPadOS or tvOS. Instead, it has “a touch interface that looks like a blend of the Apple Watch operating system and the iPhone’s recently launched StandBy mode.” It will also be powered by Siri, which is expected to be the preferred method of interaction, like the Echo Show or Nest Hub. The OS is reportedly built around Apple’s App Intents, the upcoming Apple Intelligence framework that “provides functionality to deeply integrate your app’s actions and content with system experiences across platforms, including Siri, Spotlight, widgets, controls and more.” Furthermore, the device will interact with Apple’s existing apps and services, including FaceTime, Safari, Apple Music, News+, Notes, Calendar, and Photos. Apple is also reportedly working on a higher-end version with a robotic arm that can spin 360 degrees and tilt up and down. Also this week, it was reported by Ming-Chi Kuo that Apple is working on a smart home camera that could be released in 2026. It’s likely that the iPad described by Gurman will function as a home hub for cameras and other smart home gadgets and will likely be the start of a push into that category. As it stands, HomePods and Apple TV can work as a home hub, but this new device would be part of a renewed effort to define the Apple smart home.

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Apple quietly added ‘Inactivity Reboot’ in iOS 18.1 to safeguard a lost or stolen iPhone
Macworld According to security researchers, Apple has quietly added a new feature in iOS 18.1 that makes your iPhone harder to crack. 404 Media reported that iPhones stored by police in evidence were rebooting themselves, and it turns out it’s all due to a new Inactivity Reboot feature shipping in iOS 18.1. First reported by security researcher Jiska Classen, this new feature reboots your iPhone if it has gone unused for at least four days. This puts your iPhone into its “Before First Unlock” state. This is the state your iPhone is in after being restarted, which requires you to enter your PIN or password before you can use Face ID or Touch ID. The devices used by law enforcement and bad actors alike to crack their way into locked iPhones have a much harder time penetrating the device when in this state. The “After First Unlock” state, in which Face ID or Touch ID is active, is easier to crack. This means that if your iPhone is either stolen or confiscated, it can’t simply be kept plugged in for weeks or months until it can be broken into. Or at least, that doing so will be much harder. While this may be frustrating for law enforcement storing iPhones in evidence, it also seriously raises the bar for thieves and criminals, which is the whole point. If you haven’t used your iPhone in four days, typing in your passcode is hardly a big inconvenience, but entering the state in which you have to do so is a big annoyance for anyone looking to break into your device.

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iFixit teardown reveals new Mac mini has a ‘repairable future’ despite compact design
Apple recently announced a new generation of the Mac mini, which introduced a new and much more compact design. We’ve already seen some tidbits about what’s inside this Mac mini, but iFixit has now shared its traditional teardown showing even more details about how Apple built its most compact Mac ever. more…

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