Latest news with #Mseries
CNET
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Put Apple's 13-Inch M1 MacBook Air on Your Desk for Just $599
You may be eyeing Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air, but you don't have to buy the newest model to get a great laptop. Instead, consider picking up the M1 MacBook Air, a model that ushered in the new era of Apple M-series chips in 2020. It has a gorgeous 13-inch display, a fast chip and a great keyboard. The best part? You can now get the device for just $599 at Walmart. That's $50 off the normal asking price. For more deals, explore our roundup of the best Prime Day deals and the best Prime Day deals on Apple products. And this deal isn't exclusive to Walmart Plus subscribers, it's open to everyone. Just add it to your cart and check out. The discount is available across all three colors, but we can't predict how long Walmart's MacBook Air stock will last. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The M1 MacBook Air has an Apple M1 chip, which includes an eight-core CPU and a seven-core GPU. That chip is backed up by 8GB of RAM and a fast 256GB solid-state drive. And the thing you spend your time looking at, the 13.3-inch display, promises sharp text and vibrant colors, with a resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels. This MacBook Air is silent because it lacks a fan and sports a long-lasting battery that can run for up to 18 hours between charges. Factor in support for Apple's latest MacOS software updates and tight integration with other Apple hardware, like the iPhone and iPad, and this extremely capable laptop is hard to beat at this price. It also makes a great option for teens or college students who want to be in the Apple ecosystem but don't want to spend the big bucks on the M4 models. Don't worry if this deal isn't for you, though. Feel free to peruse our other top laptop deals and check back often since we'll be updating these pages throughout this event. Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now Why this deal matters The M1 MacBook Air is the best MacBook you can get on a budget. It marked the beginning of a new era for Apple, delivering significant performance and efficiency gains over its Intel-powered MacBooks. Although we've seen newer chips from Apple, the M1 is still powerful. It also has a thin, light and fan-less design and offers solid battery life. At under $600, it's difficult to find a laptop that will tick as many of the right boxes as this one.
Phone Arena
03-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Apple's plan for an iPhone and MacBook crossover is pure genius
MacBook Pro is excellent, Apple Intelligence not so much. | Video credit — Apple Receive the latest editorials Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Do you think the MacBook is good value? Yes, it's great Nope Yes, it's great 0% Nope 0% A more affordable option Silver Blue Pink Yellow Can an A18 run a laptop? Everything changed for the MacBook when Apple silicon introduced the M-series chips. These chips, compared to the Intel processors being used before, were so much better that it wasn't even funny. Battery life skyrocketed on the MacBook, it stopped overheating, and everything just worked so much current MacBook Air is, in my opinion, the perfect work and study laptop in the world. Not only is its chassis stunning, its display fantastic, and its battery life extremely long, it also has no fans. Never in my life did I imagine such a powerful laptop running completely silently, and yet here we the MacBook still has a problem: it's too expensive for a lot of people. Even the Air models cost a lot more than a mid-range Windows laptop. The aluminum chassis, the fantastic display and speakers, and the M-series chip inside drive the sticker price imagine my surprise when I learned that Apple is considering making a MacBook with an iPhone chip inside. Has the company finally realized that budget products sell well too? That it doesn't have to market itself as a premium brand after the iPhone 16e outsold its predecessor If the company has put two and two together, then we might be about to see a MacBook that outsells even the MacBook Air and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that this new MacBook model will likely have a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and the following color options:Opting for the smaller display size of the MacBook Air reduces manufacturing costs. The A18 Pro chip will be less expensive to use as well, because by that time the A19 or even the A20 series will be out. Lastly, the brighter color options indicate that this might be marketed towards students, and may even have a cheaper plastic it can still provide the quintessential Apple experience, then a plastic chassis or a lower resolution display shouldn't matter. I genuinely think that this thing has a chance to be a massive hit with people who can't fork over the cash for an Air or Pro laptops will finally have real competition from macOS in the lower price segments. I know that I'd have a hard time going for a Windows laptop if I could get a fan-less MacBook instead. Unless, of course, I also planned to play games on the laptop. But it's not like a Windows laptop at that budget would run much some of you may be thinking that there's no way that a phone chip could power a laptop. I think there is, quite easily, in fact. The current A-series chips are crazy powerful: like 'run modern console video games on a phone' levels of we're talking about the A18 Pro specifically, then it's approximately just as powerful as the M1 chip that kickstarted the MacBook's renaissance. It even performs better than the M1 in some areas, like graphics. There is no doubt in my mind that this chip can run a MacBook, and run it Apple goes through with this plan — and it seems like it already has — then this MacBook will become the go-to laptop recommendation for a lot of people. The excellent battery life and efficiency of macOS alongside the power of an M1 chip for a much more affordable price? Yes. now, I see Apple users on online forums recommending a used M1 MacBook to people on a tight budget. This will just be that, but newer. Apple has a potential cash cow on its hands, and it needs to not fumble it.
Geeky Gadgets
22-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
iPadOS 26: Every Feature That Won't Work on Your Older iPad
iPadOS 26 introduces a variety of new features, design refinements, and performance upgrades, representing a significant evolution in Apple's tablet operating system. However, not all iPads will benefit equally from these advancements. Many of the most notable features are exclusive to newer models, particularly those powered by the advanced M-series chips. This distinction highlights the growing gap between older devices and Apple's latest hardware. Below is an in-depth look at how iPadOS 26 features vary across devices and what this means for users. The video below from Zollotech gives us more details. Watch this video on YouTube. Device Compatibility: Which iPads Are Supported? iPadOS 26 is compatible with a broad range of devices, making sure that many users can access its core updates. Supported models include: iPad (8th generation and later) iPad Mini (5th generation and later) iPad Air (3rd generation and later) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later) However, the iPad 7th generation has been removed from the compatibility list, reflecting Apple's focus on optimizing the operating system for newer hardware. While older devices will still receive basic updates, they won't support the most advanced features. This limitation is largely due to the increased processing power and memory requirements of the latest functionalities, which older devices cannot meet. Enhanced External Display Support One of the most prominent updates in iPadOS 26 is its improved external display support. For iPads equipped with M-series chips, this feature unlocks full functionality when connected to external monitors, including: Extended desktop capabilities, allowing you to use the external display as an independent workspace The ability to run multiple apps simultaneously on the external screen In contrast, older iPads are limited to basic screen mirroring. This restriction significantly reduces their utility for professional workflows or multitasking on larger displays. If you frequently use your iPad for productivity tasks, this feature could be a compelling reason to upgrade to an M-series model. Multitasking and Windowing Enhancements Multitasking sees a major upgrade in iPadOS 26, particularly for devices with M1 chips or newer. These iPads can now support up to five app windows open at the same time, making it easier to manage complex workflows. This improvement is especially beneficial for users who rely on their iPads for multitasking-intensive tasks, such as video editing, graphic design, or research. On older devices, multitasking is capped at four app windows due to hardware limitations, including reduced RAM and processing power. While this still represents a functional improvement, it underscores the growing divide between legacy devices and Apple's latest offerings. 3D Spatial Scene Features The 3D spatial scene feature is one of the most visually striking additions to iPadOS 26. This functionality enhances photos and lock screens with depth and interactivity, creating a more immersive experience. However, this feature is only available on iPads with M-series chips, as it requires advanced graphics processing capabilities. Older models, including the iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generation), iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad Mini (5th generation), do not support this feature. This limitation highlights the increasing reliance on innovative hardware to deliver Apple's most innovative features. Real-Time Translation Real-time translation is another standout feature in iPadOS 26, allowing live language translation in apps such as Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. This functionality is particularly useful for international communication, allowing users to bridge language barriers seamlessly. However, it is restricted to iPads with M1 chips or newer and is only available in select regions. For users who frequently communicate across languages, this feature could be a significant advantage. Its absence on older devices may be a drawback for those who rely on their iPads for global collaboration or travel. Apple Intelligence Features iPadOS 26 introduces several new capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence, including: Advanced Shortcuts for automating tasks Image Playground for creative photo editing Background suggestions in Messages to enhance conversations Updates to Genoji and improved visual intelligence in screenshots These features are exclusive to M1 iPads and newer, as they require the computational power of advanced processors. While all supported devices benefit from general improvements, the absence of these tools on older models creates a noticeable disparity in user experience. General Improvements for All Devices Even if you own an older iPad, iPadOS 26 still delivers several meaningful updates that enhance usability and performance. These include: A sleek new liquid glass design for a more modern and refined aesthetic Performance optimizations for smoother operation across apps Refinements to multitasking, even within the constraints of older hardware These updates ensure that all compatible devices receive some level of improvement, even if they don't support the most advanced features. This approach allows Apple to maintain a balance between innovation and inclusivity. A Divided Experience: The Impact of Hardware Limitations iPadOS 26 represents a significant leap forward for Apple's tablet operating system, but its most advanced features are reserved for newer iPads equipped with M-series chips. While older models still benefit from general enhancements, the absence of features like enhanced multitasking, 3D spatial scenes, and real-time translation highlights the growing divide between legacy devices and Apple's latest hardware. For users who rely on their iPads for demanding tasks, upgrading to a newer model may be necessary to fully use the platform's potential. This update underscores the importance of staying current with Apple's hardware ecosystem to access the most innovative features and capabilities. Uncover more insights about iPadOS 26 features in previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: zollotech Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPad, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Verge
13-06-2025
- The Verge
Steam is finally adding native support for Macs with Apple Silicon
Steam will soon fully support Macs equipped with Apple's in-house chips. In the latest Steam client beta spotted by 9to5Mac, Valve says the 'Steam Client and Steam Helper apps now run natively on Apple Silicon.' That means Steam will no longer need to use Rosetta 2 to run on Macs with M-series chips. Rosetta 2 is the emulator that allows Intel-based apps to run on Apple Silicon's ARM architecture. Native support for Apple Silicon should make Steam run more smoothly. The update follows Apple's announcement that it will stop launching major updates for Intel-based Macs after macOS Tahoe. The company has also confirmed that Rosetta 2 will only be available through macOS 27. 'Beyond this timeframe, we will keep a subset of Rosetta functionality aimed at supporting older unmaintained gaming titles, that rely on Intel-based frameworks,' Apple says.
Phone Arena
11-06-2025
- Phone Arena
The Biggest Update to iPadOS 26 is NOT the new floating apps
Look, we get it — floating windows! iPadOS 26 has been officially unveiled and Apple really wants you to know that now, finally, your iPad can pretend it's a MacBook with commitment issues. Apps can hover, glide, resize, and generally float around your screen like a PowerPoint presentation that took too many espresso shots. It's the future! It's dynamic! It's... fine. But let's be honest: most of us aren't clamoring to open seven apps at once and juggle them like a caffeinated octopus, especially on an 11-inch screen. There's a certain zen to the old iPad experience: one app, one task, one focus. It's like digital meditation — unless you count the occasional rage when you tap on a notification while exporting a video at 87% and the export just STOPS. Floating windows are cool, but you know what's cooler? Actually being able to switch apps while rendering a video without everything dying a fiery death. Yes, friends. The real hero of iPadOS 26 isn't hovering interface elements — it's the long-overdue ability to perform heavy background tasks without turning your iPad into a glorified clipboard. Remember the old days? You'd be editing a podcast in Ferrite, exporting a 4K video in LumaFusion, or batch-processing RAW files in Pixelmator, and dare to check your email — poof! Everything stopped. Your iPad, a $2,000 slab of M-series silicon, would politely inform you that multitasking was a suggestion, not a promise. Want to browse Reddit while rendering a timeline? Enjoy restarting the export when you get back. In iPadOS 26, your background tasks will keep running even when you switch apps. Rendering, exporting, uploading — they keep going, like your hopes and dreams when you first bought the iPad Pro. What a wild concept for a product that has 'Pro' in its name, right? You can finally edit a video, export it, answer Slack messages, doomscroll Twitter, and still return to a finished render. Apple didn't shout about this from the rooftops, but they should have. Because this is the update that transforms the iPad from 'good enough if you squint and accept compromises' to a legitimate creative tool that doesn't punish you for having the attention span of a modern human. I'll still keep using it in single-app mode for most of the time. I enjoy the digital zen. But being able to swipe away from that video project to just check what the Facebook algorithm wants to stuff down my lizard brain? I'll take it! And as I already said in the WWDC 2025 recap video — my colleagues will finally stop making fun of me for actually working off an iPad!
