Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Apple has some ideas on how to spend your time in lockdown

In an apparent nod to the growing number of people around the world currently stuck at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, Apple has started offering free 90-day trials of its Final Cut Pro X video editing software, and also its Logic Pro X audio production suite.

So if you’re a Mac user twiddling your thumbs and wondering how you’re going to fill the umpteenth day, or even week, in home isolation, how about learning a new skill by shooting some video or creating some audio and running it through these powerful pieces of software?

Apple previously offered a 30-day free trial for its $299 Final Cut Pro X software, but that’s now been extended to 90 days for a limited period. And let’s be frank, the software is so full of features that you’ll probably need those extras days to get your head around all that it has to offer.

As for Logic Pro X, this is the first time for Apple to offer a free trial of the $199 software, so it’s a good opportunity for audio producers and other creatives to take it for a spin.

For sure, Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X require a decent chunk of time to properly learn, but immersing yourself during the lockdown is a good chance for some self-learning and should help you to momentarily forget that there’s a global pandemic going on out there.

To start your Final Cut Pro X free trial, head over to Apple’s product page for the software and you’ll find the “free trial” button at the top right of the page. At the time of writing, the button isn’t showing on the product page for Logic Pro X, but Apple is promising to launch the offer in the coming days — so it may already be showing.

Oh, and if you’re using a previous version of the Final Cut Pro trial, you’ll be able to use this version free for a further 90 days.

If you’re on the lookout for some alternatives to Final Cut Pro X that also work on other platforms, Digital Trends has some great suggestions for you. And here are some free alternatives to Logic Pro X, too.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Trying to buy a GPU in 2023 almost makes me miss the shortage
Two AMD Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards on a pink surface.

The days of the GPU shortage are long over, but somehow, buying a GPU is harder than ever -- and that sentiment has very little to do with stock levels. It's just that there are no obvious candidates when shopping anymore.

In a generation where no single GPU stands out as the single best graphics card, it's hard to jump on board with the latest from AMD and Nvidia. I don't want to see another GPU shortage, but the state of the graphics card market is far from where it should be.
This generation is all over the place

Read more
HP printers are heavily discounted in Best Buy’s flash sale
The HP - OfficeJet Pro 8034e Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer on a desk with a smartphone.

There’s good news in store if you’re looking to land a new printer at a discount this weekend. Best Buy is having a 48-hour flash sale on HP printers, with several that can compete with the best printers seeing some good prices. HP is almost always one of the best laptop brands, and it’s one of the same when it comes to printers. So if you’re looking for a new home or office printer, read onward on how to save on an HP printer at Best Buy.
HP DeskJet 2755e — $60, was $85

The HP DeskJet 2755e is a good entry-level printer. It’s got you covered if your printing needs are pretty basic, or if you don’t need to print in mass. This is a color InkJet printer, which makes it good for almost all uses. It can also make copies and scan in color, and it has mobile and wireless printing functionality. You can get set up quickly and easily with the HP Smart app that guides you through the setup process, and you can also use this app to print, scan and copy documents from your phone.

Read more
This tiny ThinkPad can’t quite keep up with the MacBook Air M2
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 3 rear view showing lid and logo.

While the laptop industry continues to move toward 14-inch laptops and larger, the 13-inch laptop remains an important category. One of the best is the Apple MacBook Air M2, with an extremely thin and well-built chassis, great performance, and incredibly long battery life.

Lenovo has recently introduced the third generation of its ThinkPad X1 Nano, one of the lightest laptops we've tested and a good performer as well. It's stiff competition, but which of these two diminutive laptops stands apart?
Specs and configurations

Read more