Table of contents for January 2021 in Macworld

Macs are undergoing a big change. Apple is switching its internal architecture from one that uses Intel CPUs, third-party graphics processors, and other parts, to the company’s own “system on a chip.” The first Apple silicon SoC for Macs is called the M1. It’s a big step for Apple and the Mac. But what does it mean for you? In this article, we cover what Apple’s system on a chip means to the user, how it affects what software you can use, and answer other frequently asked questions. WHAT IS THE ‘APPLE SILICON’ M1 SYSTEM ON A CHIP? “Apple silicon” refers to the chips Apple makes. In the Mac, they replace the Intel processors they have used for the past 14 years, and will eventually also replace the AMD graphics…

When you buy a new iPhone, getting it all set up takes minutes. All you need to do is back up your old phone and sign in to your iCloud account on your new phone, and you can pick up right where you left off, home screen layout, open Safari tabs, and all. It’s not quite as simple on the Mac. While Apple offers several ways to transfer files from one machine to another, none of it is as simple as iCloud backups on iOS. But if you know which toggles to flip, apps to sync, and folders to share, it doesn’t have to be so hard. Just follow our guide to getting everything set up on your new Mac. APPLE SERVICES, PASSWORDS, AND APPS First the easy stuff. If you…

The Envoy Pro EX USB-C is one of those products that actually lives up to the “Pro” in its moniker. Available in up to 4TB, it has twice the capacity of the current competition, and also just happens to be a hair faster. The pièce de résistance is IP67 (Ingress Protection) certification, meaning the drive can survive 30 minutes under 3.3 feet of water. That’s sweet, though we don’t recommend you put that to the test. USB-C USB Type-C, or USB-C (same thing, new name), is a physical connector employed by both Thunderbolt 3 and USB. It’s not indicative of the protocol being used, which in this case is SuperSpeed USB 10gbps (nee USB 3.x Gen 2). The Thunderbolt 3 Envoy Pro EX uses a USB-C connector, if you get…

If you’ve seen an ad for Apple’s new iPhone 12, you’ve probably heard that it supports 5G. The next-generation wireless networks promise incredibly fast downloads and uploads wherever you are, and if you subscribe to the right plan and live in the right place you’ll be able to enjoy it on any of the four major carriers. But even if you opt for a pricey unlimited plan that includes 5G, the speeds you get might not be all you hoped for. That’s because there are two different kinds of 5G: sub-6GHz or “nationwide” 5G, and millimeter-wave or Ultra-Wideband 5G. In short: nationwide 5G is a little faster than LTE and Ultra-WideBand is ridiculously fast. I tested two networks: T-Mobile/Sprint and Verizon. Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint subscribers all get access to…

The people have spoken. Apps like Widgetsmith and Color Widgets sit at the top of the App Store charts. iOS 14 has provided users with the ability to customize the look of their devices like never before. Apple’s not dumb. It has to be considering how it can take advantage of this trend. It’s got a bunch of options, and I have a few ideas. WHY SHOULD APPLE CARE? Now, you may be saying to yourself, why does it matter to Apple that people are using iOS 14 widgets and custom shortcuts to make over their iPhones? These are trivialities and Apple should be focused on matters of substance. I’ve got news for you: What you consider a triviality, Apple considers an opportunity. Consider Apple’s annual release of new emojis, which generally…

When Apple said it would start producing Macs with its own system-on-chip processors, custom CPU and GPU silicon (and a bunch of other stuff) to replace parts from Intel and AMD, we figured it would be good. I never expected it would be this good. Looking at the incredible performance of Apple’s A-series SoCs for iPhones and iPads, one could extrapolate to a laptop chip that offers really good efficiency and performance. To say that Apple delivered would be the understatement of the year. The MacBook Air with the new M1 processor so absolutely and thoroughly trounces the Intel version released earlier this year (with Intel’s “Ice Lake” Y-series CPU/GPU) that it defies belief. Unfortunately, Apple changed practically nothing else about the MacBook Air. This new model is exclusively a…

While Mac 911 receives a lot of email about connecting Apple’s old series of displays to new Thunderbolt 3 Macs via USB-C connections, it’s also possible to go the other direction: connect a new “USB-C” monitor to older Macs—so long as the monitor has multiple video ports. (We published a large FAQ on what you need to connect old displays to newer Macs.) Many display makers advertise their newer monitors as “USB-C” models. And there’s no backwards compatibility from USB-C, whether that port offers Thunderbolt 3 or just USB, video, networking, and power. No manufacturers have created docks for Thunderbolt 2 that allow a USB-C connection. I’m not sure it’s even possible, but there’s simply not enough of a market for it if it were. You can purchase USB-C to Mini…

Poking at portrait orientation of monitors attached to your Mac definitely scratched an itch for some readers, based on the mailbag. You can read the original column (see page 111) on how to use the Displays preference pane in macOS or a third-party utility that works where macOS doesn’t, and a follow-up (see page 113) on using the standard VESA mount to attach some monitors and Macs (in some cases requiring an adapter) to a more versatile display stand that includes a rotating joint for switching easily from landscape to portrait. But one reader went shopping for a monitor that included a stand that could rotate and came up empty with online retailers. It’s easy to tell with a display you already own whether it can rotate or not: look…

The first Macs powered by Apple-designed processors are finally here. And from the outside, they’re almost dead ringers for the Intel-based Macs they’re replacing. But on the inside, they’re not like other computers. Apple has brought its approach to system design, learned through years of iteration on the iPhone and iPad, to the Mac for the first time. Those of us who are used to thinking of personal computers in certain terms are going to need to adjust to this new reality. It’s a world in which Apple sells three different Mac models without even disclosing the clock speed of the processor inside. (It doesn’t do it for the iPhone or iPad, after all.) But perhaps the item on the spec sheet that will require the biggest diversion from the…

The reviews for the new M1 MacBooks are here (see pages 72 and 86) and they’re spectacular. They’re not just faster than the previous Intel machines, they’re among the fastest Apple laptops ever made, with some tests besting even the flagship 16-inch MacBook Pro. And I really, really want one. I’ve made no secret of my intention to hold off on buying a new Mac until Apple started using its own silicon inside, and the day finally arrived. The Apple Store was down, the event clock was ticking down, and I was ready to buy my first new MacBook in nearly a decade. Except I’m not. At least not yet, anyway. While there’s a lot to like about the speed and battery life claims in the new M1 chip in the MacBook Air…

SAMSUNG THE FRAME 4K UHD TV Looking for the ultimate TV that doesn’t appear to be a TV? Look no farther than “The Frame.” It’s a quantum-dot LCD styled to appear as a wall-hung picture frame that displays art when you’re not watching video. It fits flush against the wall—the back is completely flat, with a recess where the included, shallow-profile wall mount is attached. The Frame delivers a very good picture, the Samsung Smart Hub user interface is one of the best in the industry, and it comes with a minimalist but effective and comfortable One Remote. —JON L. JACOBI SAMSUNG JETBOT MOP This 15-inch-wide robot uses two disc-shaped water reservoirs affixed with mopping pads to propel it across the floor as they scrub. And while most robot…

Apple might not make a MacBook that has an LTE chip inside it yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver Wi-Fi to your laptop when you need it. As long as you have an iPhone handy, you can easily and securely share your connection with your MacBook or iPad in a pinch. If your Apple devices are signed into the same iCloud account, connecting is as easy as choosing your iPhone’s name in the Wi-Fi list. Click on the Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar or head to the Wi-Fi settings on your iPad, and you’ll see a Personal Hotspot section. Tap the name of your iPhone and voila, you’ll be connected without needing to enter a password. If you’re using a POC or a Chromebook or sharing to…

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is big. Just slightly taller and wider than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (which was already more than a handful), it is most certainly not for those who insist on one-handed operation. If you’re a big phone kind of person, you’ll probably find the Max version of the iPhone 12 Pro to be worth its $1,099 starting price. While its new camera is only a tiny bit better, the expansive display and incredible battery life make it worth every penny of its price premium. iPHONE 12 PRO, ONLY BIGGER The iPhone 12 Pro Max is essentially just a larger iPhone 12 Pro. It’s exactly the same phone in the same colors with the same thickness and style, same display, same A14 chip, same LiDAR, same MagSafe…

For years, it’s been iPhone this, iPhone that. And for good reason. But now, the Mac—the platform that pushed Apple to the forefront of computing—is back in the spotlight. And for good reason. While the Intel years were good for the Mac, Apple needed something to take its computer to the next level. That something now comes in the form of Apple’s own system on a chip (SoC), called the M1. Along with macOS Big Sur (the OS built for the M1), the Mac makes breakthroughs in performance and battery efficiency that were never possible with Intel silicon. This review takes a look at the $1,299 13-inch MacBook Pro, which has an Apple 8-core M1. This SoC includes 8GB of RAM and an 8-core graphics processor. The laptop also comes…

Display technology, just like nearly all technology, has advanced in leaps and bounds over the decades. A monitor just a few years old may look crummy compared to modern ones. But that’s especially true when you cross the “retina” boundary. Some readers have thought they had broken monitors or ones that were missing a feature, when it’s really that their eyes have been retrained by modern displays. For a long time, monitors and laptops had a dot pitch—the numbers of pixels per inch—in the 72 to 96 range, a limitation on affordable cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays. We used that pitch and we liked it, even though screens looked a little jaggy. These older displays had limits on both maximum brightness and the related contrast ratio, which measures the display’s range…

A network audio streamer is designed to serve as a central hub for all your digital audio sources. Cambridge Audio’s $1,099 CXN (v2) network audio streamer is arguably among the best you’ll find. The CXN (v2) marries a super-rich feature set, copious connectivity options, broad support for multiple ecosystems, and solid audio performance into a near-perfect package that will fit into just about any scenario. Even better, regular firmware updates promise to add features and functionality, making for an investment that you’ll enjoy for years to come. BUILT FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE AUDIO The CXN (v2) is designed to sit at the heart of a high-performance audio system. It’s sculpted design and brushed metal accents make this a piece you won’t mind putting on display front and center. The unit’s front panel…

The M1 Macs have arrived. The benchmarks are in. And what we’ve seen is nothing less than mind-blowing performance from Apple’s own silicon, compared to the Intel chips that came before. But this, as we know, is just the beginning. The M1 is only the first in a whole family of chips that will be powering Macs from now on. As impressive as these new processors—and the improvements they bring in speed and battery life—are, some have felt underwhelmed by the new Macs, given that they look pretty much identical to the models they’re replacing. This was by design, of course, to impart a feeling of continuity from Apple’s existing models, assuring customers that fundamentally nothing has changed. But as we look forward to the next generation of Macs that…

MagSafe might be an old name to Apple veterans, but it has a whole new purpose. Apple slipped a brand new charging and modular accessory system into the iPhone 12, resurrecting the charging connector Apple retired when it switched to USB-C charging on the MacBook. But since Apple isn’t including a MagSafe connector or even a compatible power adapter in the iPhone 12 box, you probably have some questions about MagSafe. And depending on where you find the answers, they might not be all that accurate. So forget about what you’ve read: Here’s the truth about MagSafe. MYTH: SPEEDS ARE TOO SLOW WITH A THIRD-PARTY CHARGER REALITY: As long as it’s 20W or higher, it doesn’t really matter which charger you use Charging is tricky. Depending on the phone you…

Just because you’re working from home now doesn’t mean you’re off the hook when it comes to meetings. And just because you don’t have a spare webcam around doesn’t mean you need to peel back the tape that’s covering your laptop’s camera—as long as you have an iPhone or an iPad, you can easily turn it into a makeshift webcam. There are a few different apps you can use, but we recommend Kinoni’s EpocCam Webcam. Not only is it easy to set up, but the free version with ads and occasional watermarking works with both Mac and PC (iVCam is a good option if you’re using Windows, and NDI just made its $20 HX Camera app free for 60 days). Any iOS device that’s running iOS 10.3 or later will…

Introduced with macOS Catalina, Sidecar is an awesome feature which enables Mac users to extend their desktop onto a single iPad over a wired or wireless connection. There’s just one catch: You’ll need a Mac released sometime in the last five years to make it work. Although Apple offers little recourse to owners of older Mac models, as usual the company’s cold shoulder has been turned into a new opportunity by third-party developers. Not surprisingly, simply installing the right software will allow similar display trickery on even more screens, without all those stringent system requirements. MORE DISPLAYS Air Display 3 turns any iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 or later into an external Mac display. You install the free Air Display Host software on your Mac, and then launch Air Display 3…

Apple’s bestselling Macs are its laptops, the MacBook Air (see page 72) and the MacBook Pro (see page 86). So it seems logical for Apple to debut its new M1 system on a chip in these machines. But Apple also decided to use the M1 in the Mac mini. Two years after its last update, the Mac mini became the first desktop Mac to sport Apple’s SoC. After having tested the M1 Mac mini, one thing is perfectly clear: at $699, the M1 Mac mini is a tremendous value. You get so much bang for your buck that it’s a little hard to fathom, especially for anyone who has invested in Mac minis in the past. You expect to make compromises in performance for the price being paid. Not here. Not…

I’m a big fan of 1More in-ear headphones (IEHs). The company’s Stylish True Wireless is my go-to IEH for the gym and walks around the neighborhood, and I gave the Triple Driver IEH a rating of 5—the only such rating I’ve given to date—in my review of three wired models from 1More. So, it should come as no surprise that I was excited to review 1More’s latest offering, the Dual Driver ANC Pro wireless IEH. Its form factor is similar to several of the company’s models but different than the other wireless IEHs I’ve tried. I really like the form factor, but sound quality is most important, and the Dual Driver ANC Pro is something of a split personality in that regard. FEATURES The Dual Driver ANC Pro consists of a flexible,…

HOW TO MAKE SURE THE PLAY/PAUSE BUTTON WORKS ON YOUR MAC At one point in macOS history, if you had a Play/Pause button on your keyboard, it kept “focus” on whatever the last music app you used was. Then Apple broadened that to include anything with a music player. You could be in iTunes and use the keyboard to pause playback, then switch to YouTube in a browser, press play, and the keyboard would help you play and pause there, too. Or at least most of the time. In my experience and that of many people who post about it, the last music player isn’t always tracked well. That’s especially the case if you close a window in a browser that had a video or audio player in it, and…