Tag Archives: MacBook

Apple to launch NEW iPad Mini after 3 years, plus M4 MacBook, iMac, and Mac Mini at upcoming October event

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Although Apple just announced latest iterations of the iPhone, Watch, and AirPods, it seems like the company still has new products left to announce. Given that the iPad Pro got the M4 chip earlier this year, it only makes sense that Apple would bring the same flagship chip to their other products. Renowned analyst Mark Gurman announced that Apple has yet another event that’s due for sometime in October. The upcoming October 2024 event is expected to unveil a range of exciting new products, particularly in the Mac and iPad lineup. Among the anticipated announcements are the M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, along with new iterations of the iPad mini (which hasn’t seen an update since 2021) and iPad 11. These product launches continue Apple’s trend of releasing updated models with each passing year, reflecting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, design, and user experience. This event is expected to mark the debut of the M4 chip series, following last year’s release of the M3-powered devices.

The MacBook Pro is expected to take center stage with updated 14-inch and 16-inch models featuring the new M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. Apple fans are likely to appreciate the continued refinement of performance, even though there are no expected changes to the external design of these laptops. The MacBook Pro last saw a significant redesign in 2021, and rumors suggest that an OLED display and thinner design may not appear until 2026. However, the anticipated internal improvements promise to elevate multitasking, graphics capabilities, and battery efficiency, catering to professionals and creative users alike. These updates should keep the MacBook Pro in contention as one of the most powerful and efficient laptops in the market.

In addition to the MacBook Pro, Apple is also planning to update the iMac with the M4 chip. While there has been speculation about potential design changes, the primary focus for the iMac appears to be performance enhancement. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad accessories are also rumored to switch from Lightning to USB-C, aligning with Apple’s gradual transition to USB-C across its product lines. This would provide a more uniform experience for users who own multiple Apple devices, offering a higher degree of flexibility and compatibility across accessories.

The Mac mini is another product expected to benefit from the M4 series, sort of leapfrogging from the M2 chip that it currently has from 2 years ago. The M4 and M4 Pro chips should deliver significant improvements in speed and efficiency. Notably, the Mac mini is rumored to undergo a physical redesign, potentially shrinking to a size closer to that of an Apple TV. This compact redesign is likely to appeal to users looking for a powerful yet space-efficient desktop solution. However, reports suggest that the new Mac mini may forgo USB-A ports, which could stir some debate among users who rely on legacy devices. Given this news, one could assume that the Mac Studio will get a similar M4 upgrade sometime early next year.

The iPad mini is also on the agenda for the October event, with the seventh-generation model expected to feature a faster chip (possibly the A18 that’s inside the flagship iPhones), upgraded cameras, and improved display performance to address the “jelly scrolling” issue that has affected portrait-mode usage. Additionally, the iPad mini is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, making it more future-proof in terms of wireless connectivity. For users seeking a more portable alternative to the full-sized iPad, the iPad mini continues to offer an excellent balance of power and portability. The introduction of new color options will also cater to those who prioritize personalization in their devices.

Lastly, Apple is expected to reveal new lower-end iPads, including the iPad 11 (which hasn’t been updated since 2022). These devices will likely focus on offering accessible entry points into Apple’s ecosystem while maintaining solid performance, making them ideal for education and general productivity purposes.

This October event is shaping up to be an important one for Apple’s computing division, with a strong focus on incremental improvements in performance, user experience, and design efficiency across its product lineup. The introduction of the M4 series will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, while updates to the iPad lineup will maintain Apple’s leadership in the tablet market. It’s just been a week since Apple’s last keynote and the company’s still waiting for consumers to get their hands on the iPhone 16 and Watch 10 devices, so it doesn’t seem like Apple will announce for at least a few weeks. However, if the event’s due for October, we can expect Apple to either announce it formally at the end of the month or silently update devices like they’ve done in the past although the latter seems less likely.

The post Apple to launch NEW iPad Mini after 3 years, plus M4 MacBook, iMac, and Mac Mini at upcoming October event first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Sleek and Portable MacBook Accessories To Elevate Your Efficiency On-the-Go

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One of my favorite and most beloved devices is my MacBook. I honestly cannot do without my MacBook, probably because it is one of my most prized possessions! It contains basically everything I hold important in my life – from work documents to memorable pictures from even ten years ago. And not to mention, I do end up spending most of my day, typing away and working on my MacBook. Since it is such an integral part of my daily and work routine, I’m always looking for ways to elevate my MacBook. I love innovative and nifty gadgets that function as the perfect sidekick to my MacBook, helping me boost my daily productivity and efficiency. Here, we’ve curated a few of our favorite MacBook accessories that’ll promise to level up your already awesome and beloved MacBook. Dive in!

1. Magic Bar

Named the Magic Bar, this portable Touch Bar is designed to pair up perfectly with any Apple peripheral. It is an innovative device, amped with a sleek, seamless, and easy-to-carry form. It functions as a portable and functional gadget which is quite similar to the Touch Bar in terms of functionality, utility, and form. The features of the Magic Bar are similar to the Touch Bar as well. The design is quite recognizable, and it aligns horizontally with your keyboard.

2. TAIM

Named TAIM – this cable management solution can be attached to a MacBook charger, providing a nifty way to let you wrap the cable around the block, securing it, so you don’t lose it and can access it with ease. This innovative solution saves time, making sure you don’t waste essential minutes on dealing with the table. With TAIM you can focus on getting your tasks and work done. TAIM helps in saving time obviously, but it also cuts down on the frustration you may experience while untangling cables.

3. HUB-OX

Called the HUB-OX, this portable and compact USB-C hub is divided into two halves, featuring loads of charging slots, HDMI connections, and ethernet ports. The lightweight and palm-sized HUB-OX works great with MacBook Pro models with four USB-C ports. The HUB-OX elevates your laptop to a range of 7.7°, which not only keeps your laptop charged but also offers a comfortable eye level for your entire workday. It helps you keep your neck straight, and spine against the chair.

4. HyperJuice

Meet the HyperJuice – the world’s most powerful USB-C battery pack. The HyperJuice is an airline-safe 27000mAh battery pack with dual USB-C (100W+60W) + 18W USB-A. It is designed to quickly charge your MacBook Pro or any other USB-C laptop/device. It is a new high-power connection that can charge almost any modern device. It provides the 2 most powerful USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 profiles (100W and 60W) in a single battery pack! It can also charge cameras, GoPros, headphones, speakers, VR headsets, Nintendo Switches, and even drones.

5. Bluebonnet

This classy leather housing for your MacBook is called the Bluebonnet! Designed to protect your laptop from accidental bumps and scuffs, the Bluebonnet also stores your planner, notebook, and papers neatly. You can even add a pen of your choice. This nifty case frees your hands while storing and carrying everything you could need for a meeting or conference. The stylish leather product gives your MacBook a sophisticated yet functional upgrade. It is available in different color options.

6. DGRule

This is the DGRule – the invisible hub for the MacBook. The DGRule is designed to be a nifty and convenient alternative to the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, as they aren’t compatible with most devices. The DGRule is lightweight, subtle, and discreet, snapping seamlessly onto both sides of your MacBook. It is a cushion pad intended to stick to your laptop, irrespective of which position you work in or place it in. It is made from CNC aluminum, and available in Space Gray or Silver, perfectly camouflaging with your laptop.

7. NuType

Say hello to the NuType – a wireless mechanical keyboard that fits perfectly with your MacBook, iPad, and other devices. The sleek and stylish device features Kailh Choc low-profile mechanical switches, an aluminum frame, and ultra-thin keycaps that measure less than 2mm. The keyboard is also equipped with “T” shaped slats at the base, and they’ve been created to perfectly pair up with the original keyboard of MacBook and Surface. The slats impart both the devices with excellent portability and an improved typing experience.

8. Maotoam

Say hello to the Maotoam – an ergonomic laptop stand amped with premium design aesthetics and ergonomic flexibility. The stand helps you work comfortably through the day and builds a stress-free working environment for you. It features multiple height adjustable angles and forward and backward position adjusting liberties for your MacBook. You can orient your MacBooks in multiple positions, letting you work in a style and position that is comfortable for you.

9. Nifty Minidrive

Dubbed the Nifty Minidrive, this card adapter sits cozily inside your MacBook. You can place any MicroSD card with storage up to 200GB, providing your laptop with an excellent data boost. You can remove or add the card based on your needs and requirements. The Minidrive is nothing like the visually unattractive pen drives that pop out of your USB ports. The Minidrive sits flush inside the card reader, and it is truly almost unnoticeable to the human eye.

10. FLIKK Laptop Stand & Sleeve

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

Dubbed the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve, this innovative design is set to handle the drawbacks of conventional laptop stands. Traditional laptop stands don’t provide options to elevate, and different viewing angles. But, this is where the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve come to the rescue! It creates the desired viewing angle for you, building a comfortable and efficient working regime for you. FLIKK can also be converted into a laptop sleeve, storing and carrying your laptop for you as you move around.

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10 Best Accessories Designed To Make Your MacBook More Efficient & Productive

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My MacBook is one of my most beloved belongings. I honestly cannot do without my MacBook, probably because it is one of my most prized possessions! It contains basically everything I hold important in my life – from work documents to memorable pictures from even ten years ago. And not to mention, I do end up spending most of my day, typing away and working on my MacBook. Since it is such an integral part of my daily and work routine, I’m always looking for ways to elevate my MacBook. I love innovative and nifty gadgets that function as the perfect sidekick to my MacBook, helping me boost my daily productivity and efficiency. Here, we’ve curated a few of our favorite MacBook accessories that’ll promise to level up your already awesome and beloved MacBook. From an ingenious wrap to handle your MacBook cables to a Satechi Triple 4K docking station – these are must-have accompaniments to your MacBook, and the best investments of 2024 for Apple lovers!

1. Magic Bar

Named the Magic Bar, this portable Touch Bar can be teamed up with, and used with essentially any Apple peripheral. It is a sleek, seamless, and portable toolbar that is quite similar to the Touch Bar in terms of features and functionality. It also has a pretty recognizable design that aligns horizontally with your keyboard. You can pair up the Magic Bar with your iPhone, to create and use multiple smart home shortcuts.

2. TAIM

Meet TAIM – a cable management solution that can be attached perfectly around a MacBook charger, offering a way to let you wrap the cable around the block, and secure the cable so that it doesn’t get loose, and you can access it whenever you need it. It saves time, ensuring you don’t waste unnecessary minutes managing the cable. You can focus on actually getting tasks at hand done. TAIM helps not only save time but also reduces the frustration experienced when untangling cables.

3. Woolnut’s Sleeves

Woolnut’s beautiful sleeves for the MacBook are made by combining fine vegetable-tanned full-grain Nappa leather with pure natural wool felt. The sleeves are beautiful and bespoke, and offer expansive protection to your expensive equipment, ensuring no irreversible physical damage is caused. The sleeves follow the highest Scandinavian design standards, and the intricately designed sleeves fit the MacBook like a glove.

4. Belkin’s Continuity Camera

Designed by Belkin, and called the Continuity Camera accessory, this all-white circular peripheral can be easily attached to the back of your iPhone using MagSafe. The accessory is made from soft silicone, and you can easily mount it onto your Mac, leaving behind no scratches. Once the accessory is attached to where the webcam is located, the Continuity Camera instantly activates, allowing the iPhone to be used as a webcam. How cool is that?

5. Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet is a leather housing for your MacBook! It provides protection against accidental bumps and scuffs, while also serving as a neat place to store your notebook, papers, and pen. The case frees your hands while holding everything you may need for a meeting or to work in a coffee shop. The svelte sleeve has a leather construction which provides your MacBook with an elegant and professional-looking upgrade. It is also available in multiple colors.

6. Triple 4K Docking Station

Dubbed the Triple 4K Docking Station, this innovative accessory smartly expands the limitations of your MacBook. The dock makes for an excellent fit for the M1 which has a single monitor, or even the M2 which can be extended to two screens. The docking station can extend to three extra displays, and it offers a 4K HDMI port at 60Hz, a pair of HDMI slots or even the DisplayPort outputs, creating a complete system.

7. FLIKK Laptop Stand & Sleeve

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

Meet the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve which is designed to overcome the drawbacks of traditional laptop stands. Typical laptop stands don’t offer the needed elevation and viewing angles, and this is where the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve swoops in. It provides you with the desired viewing angle to create a comfortable and supportive working regime anytime and anywhere. It also transforms into a laptop sleeve to store your laptop as you move around.

8. HybridDrive

Say hello to the HybridDrive – which is the perfect combination of an external hard drive and a USB hub. It is designed to be an all-powerful accessory for your MacBook. It features a two-piece design that can be plugged into each other, and it is compatible with most USB-C devices. It features a multiport on one end, an SSD on another, and a USB-C interface connecting both ends. It seamlessly connects your portable devices and your desktop.

9. iMac

Called the Slim Dock, this accessory by Satechi looks as if it would be released by Apple itself. The sleek design elevates your 24″ M1 iMac with extra ports and extended SSD storage. It features the same machine aluminum outer as the iMac and is also available to purchase in the default silver. You could also go for the anodized blue color to match your blue iMac, creating a complementary pair.

10. SuperTank

Dubbed the SuperTank, this 27,000 mAh portable charger can be powered in sixty minutes, and it is then ready for deployment. It features a dual USB-C PD (100W + 60W), and dual USB-A ports, which can quickly charge your MacBook pros and other devices as well. This is a boon to people who are always on the go since they don’t need to deal with excess wires, multiple power plugs, and compatible sockets – irrespective of where they are.

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New 2024 13″ and 15″ MacBook Airs Give Apple’s Thinnest Laptops Their Biggest Performance Boost

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Apple has launched the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. These laptops have a gorgeous design and strong performance. Although slim, their M3 chip provides impressive performance. They handle tasks such as number crunching, video editing, and binge-watching series effortlessly. Apple has again shown the capabilities of laptops by combining appealing design with high performance.

Designer: Apple

Despite their high-performance features, the new MacBook Air models are quiet, thanks to a fanless design that maintains a thin, light design and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. Users can enjoy a Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors, ensuring a visually captivating experience.

The new models can support two external displays and offer Wi-Fi speeds up to double that of previous models. They are available in four appealing colors: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver. Midnight features an anodization seal to minimize fingerprints. Other significant features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-microphone array, and an immersive sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Claiming up to 60% faster performance than their M1 predecessors and up to 13 times faster than the quickest Intel-based MacBook Air, the new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip are equipped with an 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory, promising a smoother and enhanced user experience.

Additionally, Apple has really stepped up the gaming experience by incorporating hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, not to mention a beefed-up 16-core Neural Engine that takes AI capabilities to the next level. The new models even have the muscle to run big, brainy things like large language and diffusion models right on the device. It’s clear Apple is all in on weaving cutting-edge tech into the new laptops.

Running on macOS Sonoma, the new MacBook Air models introduce exciting features such as desktop widgets, better video conferencing, and a Game Mode that amps up gaming. Furthermore, they ensure a seamless connection with iPhone and other Apple devices, thanks to features like AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, Continuity Camera, and Handoff, enriching the overall experience within the Apple ecosystem for users.

Apple maintains its commitment to the environment. The new MacBook Air comprises 50% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled copper in the main logic board. The packaging is 99% fiber-based, with a goal to eliminate plastic by 2025. Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its manufacturing supply chain and product life cycle by 2030.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 is priced at $1,099, with a special education discount of $999. The 15-inch model is priced at $1,299, or $1,199, with an education discount. Orders can be placed starting today, and the products will be available from March 8.

The newest MacBook Air models demonstrate Apple’s position in the laptop market. They provide quicker, more intelligent machines while adhering to environmental sustainability and integrating effortlessly with other Apple devices. Apple is evidently committed to advancing its tech experience.

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Astropad Slate turns your iPad into a no-screen Mac drawing tablet

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Apple has been pushing the iPads, particularly the iPad Pros, as the next wave of computing, practically replacing laptops for some of the common computing tasks, including content creation. Despite the rich variety of apps for these slates, however, there are still some software and work that can only be done on more powerful computers like Macs and MacBooks. And despite how Apple’s computers have long been loved by designers and artists, the company itself has made no tools to support these use cases, such as drawing tablets or even specialized controllers. That does leave the market wide open for manufacturers like Wacom and its drawing tables, but it also forces people to buy these products when they have a perfectly capable iPad with an Apple Pencil. That’s where Astropad’s latest product comes in, bridging the divide between Macs and iPads once again, but with a curious twist.

Designer: Astropad

In a nutshell, Astropad Slate is an app that lets you remotely control a Mac using an iPad, Pro or otherwise. You can connect using Wi-Fi, a USB cable, or even Peer-to-Peer networking. Although an Apple Pencil would be nice, it isn’t exactly a requirement. With just your fingers, you can already control the Mac as if you were using a gigantic touchpad. That includes supporting gestures like pinching or two-finger scroll.

The Slate app really shines, however, when you involve an Apple Pencil, which is supported by most iPads nowadays. With this precise tool, you can not only hover over the user interface on the Mac, you can also turn handwritten scribbles into text, practically replacing the keyboard. Of course, creators, designers, and artists are more likely to utilize the app’s ability to turn the iPad into a drawing tablet, but one without a screen.

This would be similar to the older and cheaper drawing slates that some artists prefer for their distraction-free experience. It does, however, take a bit of getting used to because you won’t be looking at where your hand is going, unlike the analog pen and paper experience. That does help you focus more on what’s happening on screen and, at least for some, offers a more ergonomic position since you won’t be craning your neck downward.

For those that prefer a more “conventional” display tablet experience, Astropad does have its Studio that turns the iPad into something like a Wacom Cintiq and even has compatibility with Windows PCs. For all that power, however, Astropad Studio requires a $79.99 annual subscription, while this simpler Astropad Slate is a one-time $19.99 purchase only.

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Tame your MacBook charging cables with this ingenious and beautiful wrap

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We’ve all been the victims of tangled cables, not just at our desks but especially in our bags. Not only does the mess of jumbled wires make us lose time when we need to quickly plug in our devices, we also lose items in our bags simply because this clutter gets in our way. Cable management solutions exist for many desks, but people on the go are often left at the mercy of hastily cobbled-up bands, ties, and whatnot, none of which are effective, let alone elegant products. You don’t need an elaborate and complicated mechanism to keep charging cables in check, as this innovative wrap for MacBook chargers proves, providing an easy and quick way to tame those unruly wires while looking good at the same time.

Designer: Blair Hesty (Founder and Industrial Designer, BAIR)

Click Here to Buy Now: $28. Hurry, offer ends soon!

Laptop charging cables are a necessary evil for us to be able to work these days. But even the minimalist designs of the MacBook power adapter still fall prey to the problem of getting tangled around not only itself, but everything else in your bag. This costs you time and peace of mind whenever you need to take it out, especially when in a hurry.

TAIM is a cable management solution that looks so simple that you might wonder why it didn’t already exist. It attaches snugly around a MacBook charger and provides a way to let you wrap the cable around the block, and then secure the cable so that it never gets loose until you actually need it. It’s efficient and fast, so you spend less time managing cables and more time actually getting stuff done. Whether you’re at the office about to head home, at home about to rush out the door, or enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee while hammering away at that report, TAIM is the perfect solution to save time and reduce frustration.

The ingenuity of TAIM comes from a robust hook and loop attachment that lets you quickly fasten or unfasten the wrap; no need to fiddle with buttons or complicated mechanisms. A machined metal “grab tab” with a beautiful satin bronze finish also makes it easy to see or even just feel the end of the wrap so that you can quickly release the elastic retention band in a flash. Simply pull the tab and let the cable drop free, ready to plug into your MacBook for a quick charge.

Best of all, TAIM is made with high-grade materials that not only look and feel good, it will last you a long time. Durable elastic is used to wrap around the charging block and the captured cables, while custom Merino wool felt adds a luxurious texture to the product, a fitting quality for a design made to match Apple’s high-quality products. Made specifically for single-port USB-C Apple MacBook power adapters, TAIM frees you from the stress of dealing with unruly cables and lost time, providing a design that not only works well but looks striking to boot. Stand out of the crowd, and start crafting your image today with TAIM by BAIR.

Click Here to Buy Now: $28. Hurry, offer ends soon!

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A MacBook without a Screen? This Apple Keyboard concept comes with a built-in Projector Display

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If the iMac is all-screen, the MacBook Go is the absolute opposite – it’s all keyboard. Built with its own DLP projector, this all-in-one keyboard is everything you need to work anywhere. Just find yourself an empty wall, pair a Magic Mouse for convenience, and you’re ready to go. The keyboard-shaped device is, in fact, a full-fledged computer, running on Apple’s own silicon. Who needs spatial computing when you can have a computer in your keyboard!?

Designer: Pablo Rubio Villarroel

Designed by Pablo Rubio, the MacBook Go aims at building a new format for computing. It integrates projector and keyboard into one deceptively compact form factor, creating a novel way to carry your workstation with you, sans screen. Instead, the keyboard projects a high-resolution massive 120Hz screen onto any surface you point it at, giving you something much better than multiple screens – one massive screen that can house all your windows and tabs.

Outwardly, the MacBook Go looks and feels exactly like a MacBook without the display. It has everything the MacBook’s 65% keyboard has to offer, from the function keys on the top with the TouchID key on the top right corner, to even the large speakers on either side. Underneath its hood, however, the keyboard is a Mac computer through and through, with its own projector that can automatically orient, keystone, and focus the screen so you don’t spend half an hour sitting and aligning the display. What the keyboard lacks, however, on first glance, is a kickstand for height adjustment… but I’m probably being pedantic.

The relatively thick design blesses the MacBook Go with an abundance of ports, as well as more powerful speakers that rely on bigger drivers. With a range of video outputs including HDMI and DisplayPort, along with two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a Micro-SD card slot, and a 10-Gig Ethernet port, this concept device ensures all-round connectivity. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a nod to both traditionalists and professionals who need reliable audio connections.

But what does this mean for the traditional workstation? In the design world, and indeed in many fields, the shift from bulky CPU towers to sleek, powerful laptops is well underway. Some might argue that the Vision Pro is the natural successor to the MacBook, but I’d probably disagree. The MacBook Go feels like a unique intermediary step, albeit portable projectors for work haven’t really caught on. Nevertheless, the MacBook Go sacrifices a stationary display for unparalleled portability and flexibility, giving you a massive projected screen instead of limiting you to a 13 or 15-inch laptop display. The implications are profound, especially for professionals who are always on the move.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time someone’s crammed an entire computer into a keyboard. Just a few short years ago, Pentaform managed to fit a full Windows 10 PC into their Abacus Basic keyboard, complete with 4 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and an entirely sustainable outer body made from bioplastic. I doubt Apple would ever make any of their machines from plastic, so the MacBook Go definitely lacks that distinction. It does, however, make up for it with a projector lens, which Pentaform’s Abacus Basic keyboard lacked.

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M3 MacBook Pro Boasts 11x Better Performance Than an Actual Intel Desktop

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The October 30 Apple Event was exactly as “scary fast” as it was deemed to be, clocking in at no more than 30 minutes in total. That was more than enough time for Apple to show up and hammer out the most important details about its M3-powered next-gen upgrades for the MacBook Pro and the iMac, and admittedly there’s a lot to love. It’s worth noting the 2020-era M1 chip was the sole point of reflection for the company; Apple specifically noted a 60% upgrade in performance between the 14-inch M3 Pro-powered MacBook Pro and the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pros featuring the M2 Pro and M2 Max launched in January, and so it’s probably too soon for an upgrade from those. But Apple’s point is clear: if you own anything earlier than an M1-powered MacBook Pro, or if you own even the most powerful Intel-based Mac on the market, you’re tailing behind the pack.

Designer: Apple

It’s hard to argue against the swath of powerful new features included in the late-2023 MacBook Pro lineup — equipped with the full array of hyper-powerful Apple M3 chips, which use a 3-nanometer process much like the A17 Pro chip included in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These new M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max-powered MacBook Pros are the current flagship of the macOS fleet, and all models benefit from the vastly increased base performance, which Apple claims is “11x faster than the most powerful Intel-based MacBook Pro”.

If you’re a designer or a creator who needs all the horsepower you can get, the MacBook Pro M3 Max model is probably your best bet thanks to its 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU with Dynamic Caching, a feature that can evidently boost performance by dynamically allocating memory in real time. For even just the base M3 model, however, macOS Sonoma’s new features (like Screen Sharing between M3-powered Macs and Game Mode, which prioritizes framerates in games like Baldur’s Gate 3) make great use of all that computing power.

The new MacBook Pro color scheme, Space Black, is a gorgeous, metallic black chassis that marks a MacBook first since 2006. Apple considers it a “Pro” color, so it’s less likely we’ll see a similarly-colored M3-powered MacBook Air any time soon, and that’s a real shame because it does look quite sleek.

Both the 14-inch and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro are now available to pre-order from Apple’s online store. The base M3-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro will begin at $1,599 while the M3-powered 16-inch is set to start at $2,499. Of course, you’ll need to shell out a bit more for the M3 Pro and M3 Max versions. Orders will begin shipping out on November 7.

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Apple’s Latest MacBooks With Dynamic Islands? This Video Shows The ‘Future of macOS’

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With an event scheduled for October 30th, Apple has some seriously ‘scary’ Halloween plans for your wallet! We’re expecting new MacBooks, refreshed iMacs, and maybe an upgrade to the iPad line-up given that Apple announced a budget USB-C version of their Pencil. That being said, clearly Apple has something in mind that goes beyond the simple chip update and performance boost. We may be looking at the Cupertino giant consolidating around a few design directions, like USB-C supremacy, a rally-cry around Spatial Computing, and perhaps a few neat tricks borrowed from Apple’s iOS platform.

Put together by Concept Central, this video highlights the future of MacBooks, but more importantly, the future of macOS in general. Concept Central’s rather enticing video brings a few dazzling tricks to Apple’s flagship laptop, from widgets in the dock bar, to a frosted transparent Safari browser that is a hat-tip to the Vision Pro, and perhaps my favorite little feature – a Dynamic Island-style animated interface around the MacBook notch!

Designer: Concept Central

Titled the ‘Future of macOS’, the video makes some extremely sensible suggestions that feel less like wild conceptual ideas and more like practical solutions to make macOS better. For starters, the Finder gets its first big refresh in AGES, with a  widget-style design that allows the toolbar to exist in two halves on the left and the right, rather than being a linear bar that travels all across your screen. This frees up more real estate, while also preventing the bar from interfering with that objectively ugly MacBook notch.

I’ve always wanted macOS and iPadOS to really streamline and Concept Central’s video does just that. The dock finally gets its own widgets based on active apps/software, allowing you to toggle media playback (among other things) without switching programs. Like Apple’s mobile operating systems, the dock now also supports the creation of folders, giving that tiny stretch of linear real estate much more space and value. You don’t need to ‘ration’ your dock or go wild by chucking all your useful apps in a never-ending ticker-tape of functionality. Similar apps get clubbed together into Folders that maximize and minimize to let you access apps only when you need them.

Apple’s pivot to Spatial Computing also heavily informs its macOS design directions. A lot of the UI elements get that frosted glass finish, from the folder background to the Finder, and even Safari itself, which looks deliciously minimal in this new, slick avatar!

The icing on the cake, however, remains the MacBook’s new Dynamic Island. In the interest of absolute accuracy, it isn’t really an island as much as it’s a delta, given that it’s surrounded by a screen on 3 of its 4 sides. To account for that, Concept Central renames it ‘Live Actions’ instead. Quite like the Dynamic Island seen on its smaller sibling, the iPhone, the MacBook’s Live Actions turns that notch into a functional detail. Notifications on the Mac now manifest around the notch, causing it to expand in different directions based on the nature of the notification.

At least for now, Concept Central’s displayed native app notifications within the Live Actions zone, from FaceTime calls to AirDrop notifications, volume controls, and even charging statuses of various Apple gadgets. It’s a fun detail that really allows the MacBook’s notch to go from an eyesore that’s perfectly in your line of sight, to a dynamic element that serves a purpose apart from being a bunch of wide-angle cameras, sensors, and microphones.

We’re just days away from Apple’s final event of the year. Multiple analysts say that the MacBook will almost certainly get its refresh to the highly anticipated M3 chip. The M3 reveal will also most probably be accompanied by new iMacs and maybe a refresh to the Mac Mini.

The post Apple’s Latest MacBooks With Dynamic Islands? This Video Shows The ‘Future of macOS’ first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Will Host a “Scary Fast” Product Reveal a Day Before Halloween

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Rumors have been floating around throughout October about the potential sudden release of new M3-based Macintosh computers. Just take it from Digital Trends’ Alex Blake, who spoke a little too soon (but not before providing an excellent explanation of why the M3 chip is so important to Mac users), saying, “An event doesn’t seem to be in the cards (no one has heard anything about invites), so a launch via press release seems likely at this stage.”

Fortunately for everyone both inside and outside of the press, there will indeed be an Apple event on October 30, 2023; and better yet, it will be entirely virtual. You’ll get to watch it straight from your couch (right here) on Apple’s official YouTube channel.

Designer: Apple

The only catch? Unlike regular Apple events which begin in the morning (at least over here on the west coast of the United States) this one is at 5 PM PT. That’s great for me, but probably not so great if you live outside of the United States, in which case you may end up staying up late into the spooky Halloween evening to catch Apple’s “scary fast” Mac reveals.

Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the most respected Apple analysts on the web, took to X on October 24 with a valuable insight about what we can expect from the upcoming Apple event: “I believe M3 series MacBook Pro will be Oct 30th media event’s focus. I previously predicted a launch this year is unlikely due to limited 4Q23 shipments (less than 400-500k units in total). If new MBPs launch in Nov-Dec, tight supply will last into 1Q24 unless demand weakens.”

Granted, all we really have right now is speculation, and despite having an excellent track record for predicting Apple’s next move amid the constant whirlwind of hype and uncertainty often attributed to Apple’s somewhat erratic movements – like the sudden (though not entirely unexpected) announcement of the Apple Pencil USB-C – even Ming-Chi Kuo has been wrong in the past. That means, until we witness an official reveal unfolding in front of our own eyes, everything you see on the internet about this upcoming event on October 30 is still speculation. Still, speculators across the web seem hopeful that we’ll see new M3-powered Apple computers arrive in stores globally before the holiday rush goes into full effect in late November.

The post Apple Will Host a “Scary Fast” Product Reveal a Day Before Halloween first appeared on Yanko Design.