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Latest by Alex Blake

Apple patents strange iPhone-MacBook hybrid charging dock

An intriguing new Apple patent shows the company is considering a strange charging dock, one that could combine an iPhone or iPad with a MacBook. The phone or tablet would be slotted into place inside the charging dock’s housing, with the dock then controlling your device and providing it with power.
macbook air

The MacBook Air launched 12 years ago. Here’s why it was way ahead of its time

When Apple launched the MacBook Air in 2008, it was many years ahead of its rivals. This revolutionary laptop changed the industry and influenced competitors for years to come -- here’s why it took so long for them to change their thinking and catch up with the device that redefined thinness.
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A new MacBook Pro 13 with the scissor-switch Magic Keyboard is coming soon

While the MacBook Pro 16 has a ton of new features, the MacBook Pro 13 is still stuck with the error-prone butterfly keyboard. That’s all set to change soon, as a new report from DigiTimes backs up rumors that the Magic Keyboard will come to the MacBook Pro 13 in the coming months.
Microsoft Edge logo.

Using the new Microsoft Edge browser on a Mac feels wrong, and I love it

Apple and Microsoft are not the best of friends, so you’d be forgiven for giving the new Edge web browser a miss on the Mac. But when we put it through its paces, we found it to be an excellent web browser, one that balances privacy and performance. It’s one of the best web browsers available on a Mac.
Mac Pro 2019 WWDC 2019 Hands On

At $54K, rack-mounted Mac Pro is the most expensive computer Apple has ever made

The Mac Pro is aimed squarely at high-end professional users, so it’s no surprise that it’s expensive. But the recently released rack-mounted edition adds $500 to the price, bringing the price for a maxed-out Mac Pro up to an unprecedented $53,899. That’s a massive price tag to go with its massive power.
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New MacBooks will get ‘Pro Mode’ to boost performance, leak suggests

The latest MacBook Pro 16 is plenty powerful, but a new leak suggests it could get even better. The next version of MacOS could feature a “Pro Mode” that boosts the performance of your device, giving professional users extra power to perform demanding tasks without being limited or throttled.
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Rare deal can snag you a Touch Bar MacBook Pro for a huge $900 off

Want a MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar? You’re in luck, as Amazon has just knocked over $900 off Apple’s OLED strip-enabled laptop, bringing its price down to $896. That’s one of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen the Touch Bar model drop to, making now a great time to take advantage and buy one.
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Here’s why a MacBook Pro with AMD’s new Ryzen 4 chips would be amazing

Ever since it switched from PowerPC chips, Apple has stuck with Intel processors in its Macs. But at CES 2020, AMD showed why it’s time for Apple to finally make the switch and drop Intel’s delay-prone CPUs for good. With the Ryzen 4000-series chips, the MacBook Pro 13 could reach new heights.
2017 MacBook 12-inch

Here’s why 2019 turned out to be a glorious year for the Mac

Mac fans have had a rough few years, but 2019 was the year in which Apple turned things around. Whether that meant listening to its users or giving them pleasant surprises, the company made 2019 a year to remember. Here’s everything it got right, from the Mac Pro to the MacBook Pro 16.
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Here’s why the Mac Pro’s expansion modules are such a big deal

Apple’s new Mac Pro is highly configurable, and comes with a range of MPX Module options. But what exactly are these high-tech custom components? We’ve delved into the details to explain exactly what the MPX Modules do, whether they’re your only option, and if you need them in the Mac Pro.
Tim Cook presenting the Mac Pro on stage at WWDC in 2019.

The Mac Pro is the most repairable Apple device ever, according to iFixit

Most Apple devices are a nightmare if you want to repair them, but not so for the Mac Pro. The repair experts at iFixit recently tore down Apple’s latest high-end computer and gave it a superb 9/10 score. That makes it easily the most repairable Apple device ever, bar none.
mac pro afterburner card explained

What is Mac Pro’s Afterburner card, and what does it do?

The Mac Pro is Apple’s most modular and customizable computer. One of its key modular components is the Afterburner card, but what exactly does it do, what does it work with, and is it worth your money? We delved into the details to give you the key answers on Apple’s video workflow accelerator.
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Only a few people have tested the new Mac Pro. Here’s what they have to say

The first Mac Pro reviews are in, with the likes of Marques Brownlee, Jonathan Morrison and iJustine running the rule over Apple’s super-high-end pro machine. They took the time to critique its performance, design, and the Pro Display XDR, and we’ve rounded up all their thoughts right here.
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Opinion: The Mac Pro isn’t overpriced, it offers something nothing else does

Ever since the Mac Pro was announced at WWDC 2019, there’s been a non-stop barrage of criticism of its price. But there’s a big difference between expensive and overpriced, and the Mac Pro’s unique offering shows it’s anything but overpriced, because it can do what other computers simply can’t.
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The most expensive Apple Pro Display XDR needs a special cleaning cloth

Thinking of buying Apple’s Pro Display XDR with the nano-texture glass? Turns out you have to be extra careful, as you can’t just clean it with any old cloth -- you have to use the special Apple-provided cloth to avoid damaging it. After all, the last thing you want to do is damage the $7,000 display.
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The most you can spend on the Mac Pro is $52,599. Here’s what that gets you

Apple’s Mac Pro was never going to be cheap, and now we know exactly how much a fully maxed-out unit will set you back: an eye-watering $52,599. If you operate in the world of high-end productions where this kind of performance is needed, that’s par for the course. Better start saving the pennies.
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You can now buy the $5,999 Mac Pro and $4,999 Pro Display XDR

Apple has finally launched the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR. The ultra-high-end computer and monitor were both unveiled six months ago at WWDC in June 2019, but have only just gone on sale. If you need extreme power for your pro-level workloads, Apple says these are the tools for the job.
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Here’s why most people shouldn’t buy the 16-inch MacBook Pro

Apple’s new MacBook Pro 16 is its best laptop in years, but you probably shouldn’t buy it. That might sound like a contradiction, but when you consider what’s coming in the next few months, it makes a lot of sense. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded with the same great features at a more affordable price.
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Mac Pro 2019: Everything you need to know

Our Mac Pro 2019 news roundup covers all the latest news and speculation about the new Mac Pro. We know it's coming in 2019, but what will this Pro model look like, and how will it be used? What does "modular" mean for the Pro? What processor will Apple use? Here's everything we know so far.
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Apple Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR on sale December 10

Apple revealed the ultra-powerful Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR to the world back in June 2019 at WWDC, but held back on giving a release date. Now we finally know when both will launch. Now you just need to drop a combined $11,000 for both devices and you’re golden!
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6 settings to change on your new MacBook Pro

Before you get started with your new MacBook Pro, there are a number of key settings that you should change. From switching off auto brightness and enabling gestures to adjusting the Dock and much more, these are the settings that will let you customize your MacBook Pro to exactly your taste.
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MacBook Pro 16 suffers audio ‘popping’ and display ghosting issues

Apple’s MacBook Pro 16 is brand new, but some users are already reporting problems. Specifically, some users have suffered audio “popping” in certain situations, while others have noticed screen ghosting and blurring. It’s not known how widespread these issues are, but Apple is reportedly investigating.
A person using Outlook on a Macbook.

How to fix the “Update Apple ID Settings” bug in MacOS Catalina

There’s a bug in MacOS Catalina that persistently pesters you to update your Apple ID settings. Any attempt to do this seems to fail, with the alert bugging you over and over again. Luckily, there’s a fix -- we’ve got all the details on how to fix this bug right here, so read on to end the frustration.
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The MacBook Pro is getting a killer feature iPhone users can only dream about

It can feel like the Mac doesn’t get a lot of love from Apple compared to the iPhone. According to one analyst, that’s all going to change soon, when the MacBook Pro gets an incredible new feature that will leave the iPhone in the dust. The rumor comes from a reliable source, so it could become a reality.
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A revolutionary MacBook is coming, and the clues have been hiding in plain sight

Apple will soon launch its first ARM-based MacBook, ditching Intel processors along the way, and it could launch early in 2020. That’s a bold claim to make, but it’s based on sound reasoning and a plethora of rumors. Look closely enough and you can see the clues, from Mac Catalyst to Apple Arcade.
MacOS Catalina Hands-on | Macbook Pro

Mac Catalyst: The good, the bad, and the ugly

MacOS Catalina has brought with it Project Catalyst, which is Apple’s attempt to make it easier for developers to move iOS apps across to the Mac. But how good are the new apps? We decided to take a look for ourselves: does the future look bright for Project Catalyst, or is it struggling already?
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Save almost $800 on a MacBook Pro with this incredible pre-Black Friday deal

Can’t wait for Black Friday? Right now you can score $782 off a 2018 MacBook Pro at Amazon, giving you a powerful machine for way less than you’d normally pay. It’s only a year old but can save you a huge amount of cash compared to the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, which starts at a princely $2,399.
16-inch MacBook

Here’s why the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the true heir to the 2015 MacBook Pro

Apple has just launched the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and its keyboard is stealing the limelight. For the first time in four years, we could have a MacBook Pro that continues the excellence of the 2015 MacBook Pro, instead of the disappointment of the butterfly keyboard models. Here’s why I’m excited.
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro

You can already save $100 on the 16-inch MacBook Pro at Best Buy

Drooling over the new 16-inch MacBook Pro? You’re in luck, as Best Buy has just knocked $100 off the new Apple laptop, just a day after it was launched. You just need to sign up for a Best Buy membership for free to take advantage, then you can start enjoying the sweet Apple savings.
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Apple announces the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a brand-new keyboard

It’s been a long, long time coming, but Apple has finally launched the 16-inch MacBook Pro. While it’s not quite the ultra-high-end beast some were expecting, it comes with new features that should please Mac fans while assuaging some of the complaints levelled at previous versions of the MacBook Pro.
MacOS Catalina Hands-on | Macbook Pro

How to import music without iTunes in MacOS Catalina

Apple has killed iTunes in MacOS Catalina, so how do you sync your music with your Mac now? The answer is with Finder, which lets you import music quickly and easily in just a few steps. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how it’s done so you can get your music onto your iOS device or your Mac.
macbook pro 15 (2019)

Here’s why a redesigned MacBook Pro likely won’t be launched in 2019

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has been rumored for months, but it seems almost certain it’s been pushed back to next year. A new report from super-analyst Ming-Chi Kuo appears to verify that idea, with him reporting that a new MacBook device with scissor switch keys won’t be due out until the middle of 2020.
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FCC approves Apple’s new Mac Pro, suggesting an imminent launch

Apple’s Mac Pro has just received FCC approval, meaning it could be released any time now. This corroborates a leak from just days ago, which added further evidence that the high-end Mac is just days from launch. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on the new Mac Pro, your chance could soon arrive.
Apple Tim Cook

Apple October 2019 event: Has it been canceled?

It seemed likely that Apple would host a huge event in October 2019, with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and AirPods Pro were all expected to have made an appearance. Here is all the speculation on if the event will happen and what we would expect to see Apple announce there.