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Alex Blake

Alex Blake

Computing Writer

Alex Blake has been working with Digital Trends since 2019, where he spends most of his time writing about Mac computers. You’ll mostly find him diving deep into macOS, hunting for weird and wonderful new apps, or getting unreasonably excited that Macs are actually pretty decent gaming machines these days. Away from Apple’s computers, he also covers iOS, Windows, cybersecurity and a host of other topics.

Alex has been writing professionally for a decade now (no one seems to have noticed and put a stop to it yet). In that time, he’s interviewed Apple execs on the Vision Pro, reviewed the latest macOS updates, and written countless opinion columns full of his questionable beliefs on the latest tech.

He studied magazine journalism at Cardiff University in the U.K. and dreamed of starting his own incredibly niche, high-quality journal before reality and the need to pay rent brought him crashing down into the world of technology writing. On the plus side, his current position basically pays him to be a nerd, so it’s not all bad.

Starting out at TechRadar before landing a role as MacFormat magazine’s commissioning editor, Alex has been freelancing since 2019. In this time, he’s had bylines at TechRadar, iMore, Creative Bloq, and many more, besides his ongoing work at Digital Trends.

Alex is based in the south-west corner of the U.K. In his spare time, you’ll find him hiking, gaming, indulging in the odd spot of cidermaking, and playing soccer like an absolute madman.

Apple iMac Pro News

There will be one more year of the iMac Pro being missing in action

The iMac Pro was totally absent from Apple’s October Mac announcements. Is the company still working on releasing a larger iMac, or is it gone for good?
Computing Features
The Apple M4 series chips, including the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max against a black background.

M4 chip: here’s everything we know about Apple’s latest silicon

Apple's latest chips came first to the iPad Pro, but have now rolled out on Macs. How big of an upgrade is it really?
Computing Guides
A person using the M4 MacBook Pro.

M4 MacBook Pro: Here’s everything we know so far

The M4 MacBook Pro is official, including 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with upgrade options for an M4 Pro or M4 Max.
Computing Guides
The M4 Mac mini being used in a workplace.

What everyone is getting wrong about the Mac mini’s hidden power button

Apple’s M4 Mac mini has a power button on its underside. That may seem like a weird design decision, but Apple thinks it makes perfect sense. Here’s why.
Computing Features
People using the Apple iMac with M4 chip.

Apple’s M4 iMac brings next-gen power to your desktop

Apple has updated the iMac to come with a powerful M4 chip, giving its all-in-one desktop computer an upgrade ahead of more announcements this week.
Computing News
Apple's Craig Federighi introduces window tiling in macOS Sequoia at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024.

Apple October Mac launch: everything we expect to be announced next week

Apple’s expected October launch will be packed full of new products, with reports swirling over what could be announced.
Computing Guides
Russian YouTuber Romancev768 with what is claimed to be a real M4 MacBook Pro unit.

Is Apple’s upcoming M4 Mac event still happening? I’m skeptical

The recent deluge of M4 MacBook Pro leaks has divided opinion, but what if one detail is hinting at Apple's next move?
Computing Features
Russian YouTuber Romancev768 with what is claimed to be a real M4 MacBook Pro unit.

Massive M4 MacBook Pro leaks have been ‘confirmed’ to be true

For weeks, debate has raged over whether a set of leaked M4 MacBook Pro laptops are the real deal. Now, it looks like we might finally have our answer.
Computing Features
Russian YouTuber Romancev768 with what is claimed to be a real M4 MacBook Pro unit.

These M4 MacBook Pro leaks are a goldmine of secret info

A spate of high-profile leaks has recently shown off Apple’s unreleased M4 MacBook Pro, revealing its secrets in massive detail. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Computing Features
Apple CEO Tim Cook looks at a display of brand new redesigned MacBook Air laptop during the WWDC22

I’m worried Apple will skip its October event – here’s what that means for the M4 MacBook Pro

Could Apple skip its October event and announce the M4 MacBook Pro using a press release? It’s possible, but it might mean bad things for the M4 chip.
Computing Features
Apple's Craig Federighi demonstrates the iPhone Mirroring feature in macOS Sequoia at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024.

How to use iPhone Mirroring on your Mac

Apple’s iPhone Mirroring app is a great way to use your iPhone right from your Mac. It’s full of great features -- here’s your guide to using them all.
Computing Guides
A person wearing the Apple Vision Pro demo unit in an Apple Store.

Apple finally has a chance to fix the Vision Pro. Here’s what it needs to do

The Vision Pro headset is off course, but there are plenty of ways that Apple can steady the ship. Here’s what will give it the best chance of success.
Computing Features
macOS Sequoia being introduced by Apple's Craig Federighi at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.

I found an app that fixes macOS Sequoia’s annoying pop-ups

Tired of dealing with macOS Sequoia’s all-too-frequent permissions popups? The Amnesia app handles them for you to restore peace and quiet to your Mac.
Computing Features
Apple Intelligence in macOS Sequoia being used to summarize a selection of text.

Two of the best Apple Intelligence features on Mac still need work

Apple Intelligence’s best two features are Mail summaries and Writing Tools, but both of them need changes before they can catch up to ChatGPT and Copilot.
Computing Features
The iPhone Mirroring feature from macOS Sequoia being demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.

macOS Sequoia fixes a problem that’s bugged me for years

Apple’s macOS Sequoia comes with an iPhone Mirroring feature, and its new drag-and-drop ability has improved my workflow in ways I never thought I’d see.
Computing Features
A NeXTcube computer running the NeXTSTEP operating system.

35 years ago, Steve Jobs launched an obscure operating system that changed everything

It’s been 35 years since the launch of the most important operating system you’ve never heard of -- and it was made by Steve Jobs himself.
Computing Features
Apple CEO Tim Cook looks at a display of brand new redesigned MacBook Air laptop during the WWDC22

An entirely new line of Macs may launch in just a few weeks

Apple will host a special event to launch a new range of M4 Macs in the coming weeks, according to a well-connected reporter. Here’s what we expect to see.
Computing News
The Ultramarine iPhone 16.

Apple just proved it learned from the Touch Bar’s failure

Apple’s Touch Bar was a failure, but the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control shows that Apple has learned from its past mistakes in order to make something better.
Computing Features
Greg Joswiak presents the iPhone 16 Pro at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' iPhone 16 event in September 2024.

Here’s why Macs were a no-show at today’s Apple event

Amid the iPhones and Apple Watches, the Mac was absent from Apple’s Glowtime event. What happened and when will we see new Macs? Here’s what you need to know.
Computing Features
The Windows Security app in Windows 11.

Don’t use your Windows PC without using these security settings

Keep your Windows 11 PC safe and sound by tweaking these security settings. In just a few clicks, you’ll have increased your security and peace of mind.
Computing Features
The Mac mini on a wooden desk.

Even a redesigned Mac mini won’t win me over

Rumors suggest that the Mac mini is due for its biggest redesign in almost 15 years, but it still might not be enough to convince me to buy one. Here’s why.
Computing Features
Security and Privacy settings open on a MacBook.

I’d never use a Mac without first changing these 8 security settings

Keeping your Mac safe and secure is incredibly important, but how do you actually do it? Simple: just change these macOS settings for increased peace of mind.
Computing Features
The redeisgned Siri user interface in macOS Sequoia.

I finally tried Apple Intelligence in macOS Sequoia to see if it lived up to the hype

Apple Intelligence has finally rolled out in the latest macOS Sequoia developer beta. But is it worth your time? I took it for a spin in order to find out.
Computing Features
Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

The best MacBook to buy in 2024

With plenty of MacBook models to choose from, which should you buy? Our guide examines performance, battery life, design, and more to help you find the answer.
Computing Best Ofs
The back of a blue iMac on a white desk.

The iMac Pro may not be completely dead, and that thrills me

A new report says that Apple aims to bring back the iMac Pro. We shouldn’t get too enthusiastic, though, as it might still be years away from launching.
Computing Features
A close up of a MacBook Pro against a white background.

These 8 apps will transform your Mac into something much more powerful

Bored of doing repetitive tasks on your Mac? Give these apps a try. They’re all expertly made to automate work in macOS, saving you a bunch of time and hassle.
Computing Features
Disney Plus on a MacBook Pro.

A ‘dramatic’ Mac redesign may launch later this year

A new leak suggests that a dramatic redesign is coming to some of Apple’s Macs. Which models are in line for an overhaul and what can we expect to see?
Computing Features
A person using a MacBook Air connected to two monitors.

I’m a Mac power user, and these are the apps I can’t live without

Want to get more from your Mac? Our selection of the best Mac apps for power users will help you run advanced tasks in macOS without ever breaking a sweat.
Computing Guides
A man sitting at a desk in front of an M1 iMac. Behind him is a large glass window and a set of shelves holding books, plants and ornaments.

People are arguing about this classic macOS feature, and it’s hilarious

A simple post on X ignited a firestorm of debate over whether macOS or Windows does one simple thing better. The results were amusing and often very strange.
Computing Features
An Apple MacBook laptop with the macOS Ventura background wallpaper and the notch seen at the top of the display.

The MacBook notch has been redeemed

The NotchNook app turns your Mac’s notch into something you’ll actually want to use, with tools and features that make it like a Dynamic Island for macOS.
Computing Features
The blue screen of death in Windows.

What the CrowdStrike outage says about the security of Macs

When a global CrowdStrike outage knocked Windows PCs offline, people asked why Macs weren’t affected. We dug into the details to find out the answers.
Computing Features
The iPhone Mirroring feature from macOS Sequoia being demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.

Even in its unfinished state, iPhone Mirroring on Mac is way ahead

The iPhone Mirroring app in macOS Sequoia is so much better than Microsoft’s Phone Link, and it’s not even close. For Windows users, that’s a real shame.
Computing Features
The iPhone Mirroring feature from macOS Sequoia being demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024.

I’ve been using the first macOS Sequoia public beta. Here’s my take on it so far

Apple has just released the macOS Sequoia public beta into the wild. Should you download it? We tested its new apps and features to see if it’s worth your time.
Computing Reviews
The Option+Space shortcut of the macOS ChatGPT app.

The ChatGPT app has changed how I use my Mac in three key ways

OpenAI has launched an official ChatGPT app on macOS. If you’ve got a Mac, it’s definitely worth trying -- here are three things I love the most about it.
Computing Features
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