Macworld April 2023

Back when Apple announced its transition from Intel processors in June 2020, it made a couple of promises that haven’t been fulfilled. Most notably, it said the transition would be completed “in about two years,” which is either four months or eight months behind schedule, depending on when you start counting. And in addition to vowing to “continue to support and release new versions of macOS for Intel-based Macs for years to come,” which it’s done, Apple also said it “has exciting new Intel-based Macs in development.” While we did get a new 27-inch iMac with 10th-generation Intel chips later that summer, suffice it to say, we haven’t seen any new Intel Macs, exciting or otherwise, since the first M1 Macs rolled out. And with just one Intel-based Mac remaining in…

Apple’s new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max processors aren’t nearly as exciting as their predecessors. They have the same display, design, and ports, and the processor is a relatively small speed bump compared to the massive leap with the 2021 redesign. But even if you spent thousands of dollars on an M1 Pro or M2 Max model, there are still a few reasons why power users might want to trade in their M1 model and upgrade. 1. YOU DO A LOT OF GRAPHICS WORK The new models Apple just released have M2 Pro and M2 Max processors that are obviously faster than their predecessors. But the real gains are on the graphics side, where the 19-core GPU in the M2 Pro boats about a 30 percent…

A wise green puppet once contended that “size matters not.” Obviously, he never had to contend with navigating Apple’s product lineups. Recent reports suggest that the Cupertino, Calif.–based company might soon be releasing a MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch screen. Strategically, that makes a lot of sense: The MacBook Air is Apple’s best-selling Mac, and for it to only be available in a single size is a missed opportunity. Yes, there are upsell opportunities for those who want a larger display above all else, but given that it currently entails a jump all the way from $1,200 to $2,000, many customers won’t take the leap—especially if they don’t need the power or performance of a MacBook Pro. Screen size has proven to be a key differentiator in many of Apple’s…

Apple’s efforts to protect a user’s data are a major selling point for customers. If your MacBook is stolen, it’s extremely difficult for the thief to bypass the laptop’s security measures and access the data as long as you’ve taken advantage of the tools at your disposal to lock down your machine. However, those same security measures can render a Mac useless in a legitimate sale on the second-hand market. A report by Vice highlights the frustrations of an independent computer repair specialist and refurbisher, John Bumstead, who tweeted about the “millions” of MacBooks that have been “condemned…to death” because of Apple’s Activation Lock. This feature associates a device with an Apple ID and is automatically turned on when you activate Find My Mac within the Apple ID settings on your…

The Computer History Museum held an event on January 31 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Lisa computer. The event featured interviews with members of the Lisa development team, a demo of the Lisa, and even a “one more thing” moment. The museum announced it has posted a video of the event, which can be watched on YouTube. Moderated by Katie Hafner, the 100-minute event includes interviews with Lisa software manager Bruce Daniels, engineering director Wayne Rosing, graphic artist Annette Wagner, and market development manager Dan’l Lewin. The members of the team recount their experience with the Lisa development, its release, and its short stint in the market. Also, journalist Steve Levy examines why the Lisa was a commercial failure. [Spoiler alert for this paragraph!] At the end of the video…

Keychron has made a name for itself by producing high-quality mechanical keyboards, but more recently it has branched out into other accessories, including the wired M1 mouse. Now Keychron has a new wireless mouse, the M3, a nice addition to the company’s lineup and a high-performing alternative to Apple’s Magic Mouse. The M3 was made with PC gaming in mind, but it can be used on a Mac without any major operational issues. Compared to the Magic Mouse, the M3 has a utilitarian design in white or black that looks a lot like many other third-party computer mice. I do find the M3’s higher profile more comfortable in my hand than the Magic Mouse, but if you favor the latter’s design aesthetic, you probably won’t like the M3. Since it’s a gaming…