Tech / Technology

Apple will refresh entire iPad lineup next year, report claims

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After skipping a whole year, Apple plans to fully refresh its iPad lineup in 2024.
Apple iPad

After skipping a whole year, Apple plans to fully refresh its iPad lineup in 2024.

This is according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared his thoughts on Apple’s next “big thing” on Sunday. Gurman notes that Apple hasn’t released a new iPad in all of 2023, something that has never happened in iPad’s history. And while there’s still two months left in the year, Gurman thinks new iPads aren’t coming until 2024.

“Apple could have tried to rush out more new products, but revamped iPads and AirPods aren’t yet ready. The company plans to update its entire iPad lineup during 2024,” he wrote. He doesn’t specify the models, but “entire lineup” would mean iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. All of these products were last updated in 2022, except the iPad mini, which was updated in 2021.

Notably, just a few weeks ago Gurman thought we were, in fact, getting new iPads late this year.

In his new report, Gurman also says that new AirPods are also coming in 2024, while new AirPods Pro won’t launch until 2025.

The report also mentions the anticipated M3 Ultra chip. Apple recently launched a trio of new chips: the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, but the company is expected to top all of that with an ultra-powerful (doh) M3 Ultra. However, according to Gurman, that chip “hasn’t yet gone into broad testing.”

SEE ALSO:

M3 Max MacBook Pro is as fast as the most powerful Mac desktop — here’s proof

As far as new Macs coming in the near future, the report says that the new Mac Studio is in development, and that new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, as well as Mac mini, are coming in 2024.

Tech / Technology

Best Apple deal: Get a refurb MacBook Pro for $350

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Save 70% on a refurbished 2015 MacBook Pro at the Mashable Shop.
2015 Apple MacBook Pro with pink gradient background

TL;DR: Through Nov. 9, you can save an extra 70% on a refurbished MacBook Pro (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) for yourself or someone on your holiday list. Get it for just $349.97 (reg. $1,199) for a limited time.

This holiday season, you can treat yourself or a loved one to an Apple laptop that seamlessly combines power, performance, and portability at a price that won’t break the bank. This refurbished Apple Macbook Pro 13.3″ is hundreds off at $349.97 ahead of the holiday shopping rush.

It has a 2560 x 1600 Retina display for a clear, welcoming view of work apps or your favorite streaming content. The 128GB solid-state drive provides decent local storage for your most important files or photos. It operates on a 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor to give you reliability without the lag.

And if you or your giftee relies on graphics professionally or for entertainment purposes, the Intel Iris Graphics 6100 allows for quality images for video editing, gaming, and more. 

It includes WiFi capabilities and Bluetooth 4.0 to connect your peripherals like headphones or a wireless mouse easily. And it has two USB 3.0 ports.

This MacBook Pro is from the model year 2015, so it doesn’t have the latest in Apple tech. But it has been cleaned and inspected to work like new, even if it may have some light cosmetic blemishes on the body. However, a refurbished laptop does come with the added benefit of reducing e-waste.

Whether you’re looking to boost productivity or start creative projects, this refurbished MacBook Pro is a gift of possibilities that can keep giving long after the holiday season.

Pick up the refurbished MacBook Pro for just $349.97 (reg. $1,199) when you order by November 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Prices subject to change.


A light gray MacBook Pro.

Credit: Apple


Refurbished MacBook Pro (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD)

$349.97 at the Mashable Shop

Tech / Technology

Best Apple deal: Refurb MacBook Pro on sale for $236

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A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro is on sale for $235.97. That’s 32% off the device’s regular price of $349.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro overlaid on a bright, orange-pink background

TL;DR: As of November 4, you can get a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro for only $235.97 instead of $349 — that’s a savings of 32%.

Apple enthusiasts are hard to shop for, and it’s not due to a lack of gifting options. If you know someone who’s been eyeing up a MacBook and has a taste for classic Apple tech, this timeless, refurbished MacBook Pro could make a thoughtful and practical gift option. And, maybe most importantly, one that’s actually affordable. 

Get ahead of the holiday shopping rush with this limited-time offer: $235.97 (reg. $349) for the refurbished MacBook Pro through November 9.

Refurbished MacBook Pro: An oldie but a goodie

Purchasing refurbished is a way to give older devices a second chance at life. This MacBook Pro was given a grade “B” refurbished rating to signify its quality — it has some cosmetic imperfections like light scuffs and scratches, but none on the device’s screen.

While you’re saving hundreds compared to shopping for brand-new models, you may also get some features discontinued on later models. This MacBook Pro has a CD and DVD reader, an SD card slot, USB 3 and 3.5mm aux inputs, and more that you can’t find on newer models.

Key specs: 13.3-inch display, Intel Core i5, and 500GB of storage

This MacBook Pro also has specs that, arguably, still hold up to today’s standards:

  • 13.3-Inch display with 1366×768 resolution

  • Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM

  • 500GB of hard drive space

  • Up to seven hours of battery life on a single charge

  • HD FaceTime camera

It’s not going to perform like brand-new models just hitting Apple store shelves, but it’s an affordable option for those who don’t need the latest features.

Surprise an Apple enthusiast in your life with this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro that’s on sale for $235.97 (reg. $349) until November 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with no coupon needed.

Prices subject to change.


13-inch Apple MacBook Pro overlaid on a white background

Credit: Apple


Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch)

$235.97 at the Mashable Shop

Tech / Technology

35+ Early Black Friday Apple deals: iPads, iPhones, more

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Score early Black Friday deals on the AirPods Pro at their record-low price for an iPad mini or Air for $100 off.
person using apple pencil on ipad mini

Black Friday sales have already begun, bringing with them a bunch of Apple discounts. Here are our favorites as of Nov. 2:

Best early Black Friday Apple deals:
Best Mac deal

2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H
(Save $200)

2022 macbook air in midnight

Best iPad deal

2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart
(Save $80)

silver 2021 ipad

Best iPhone deal

iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans
(Save $799)

midnight iphone 14 plus

Best Apple Watch deal

Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS)

$234.89 at Amazon
(Save $44.11)

midnight apple watch SE



Best AirPods deal

AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart
(Save $60)

airpods pro with case

Deals on Apple products actually aren’t too hard to find — if you know where and when to look. While you don’t have to wait for a shopping holiday to get savings on iPads, MacBooks, and more, Black Friday Apple deals tend to be some of the best of the year.

This year, Black Friday savings are in line with years past and starting nice and early, with Best Buy, Walmart, and more all running sales throughout the month before we officially hit Black Friday on Nov. 24.

SEE ALSO:

Black Friday sales are already live. Here are the best early deals we’ve found so far.

If you’re looking to save big on some new Apple gear this holiday season, you can start shopping now. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best Black Friday Apple deals that are already live.

Mac and MacBook deals


2022 macbook air in midnight

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H (save $200)

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

If you’re looking for a zippy work-from-home machine or the perfect school companion, look no further. Though Apple did just release the new M3 chip to its iMac and MacBook lineup, the M2 is still plenty powerful. You’ll also get 13.6 inches of display (as opposed to the 13.3 inches of the previous gen Air), a near-perfect keyboard, and best of all, this laptop at its lowest price ever.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

Mac

iPad deals


silver 2021 ipad

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart

Why we like it

We’re not going to lie, this $249 price tag is far from a Black Friday exclusive. This tablet has hit this all-time low price a few times this year, including during last month’s Prime Day sale, but it’s also sat at higher price points of $279 and up. We wouldn’t recommend this tablet if you need anything more heavy-duty, but for a basic tablet that gets the job done, you’ll be saving at least $150 more than if you went for any other iPad. Grab it on sale at Amazon and Walmart.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

iPad mini

iPad Pro

SEE ALSO:

M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: What are the differences?

iPhone deals


midnight iphone 14 plus

Credit: Apple


Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799)

Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the shiniest new Apple toy, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren’t bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

Apple Watch deals


midnight apple watch SE

Credit: Apple


Our pick: Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS)

$234.89 at Amazon (save $44.11)

Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is an affordable option if you’re in the market for a smartwatch, but don’t need many fitness features. Usually, its price will dip down by $30 every now and then, which makes for a pretty decent deal, but Black Friday season has brought us something even better, with this 44mm SE that’s down almost $45. That’s roughly $5 away from its lowest price ever (that we’ve only seen it hit once). If you want to avoid the Black Friday madness and don’t mind opting for the midnight colorway, this is a solid deal to jump on ahead of the official holiday.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

Series 8

SE

Ultra

More Apple Watch deals

AirPods deals


airpods pro with case

Credit: Apple


Our pick: AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart (save $60)

Why we like it

Read our full review of the second-generation AirPods Pro.

If you’re looking for a quality pair of noise-canceling earbuds, look no further than the AirPods Pro. They’re our favorite buds for traveling, with Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder deeming them, “the first pair of earbuds I’d actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones).” They also come with 30 total hours of battery life with the charging case (six hours per charge), great sound quality, and easy pairing to all of your Apple devices. Plus, their $189 price tag puts them back down to their lowest price ever (alongside the USB-C AirPods Pro).

More deals on AirPods

Even more Apple deals

Tech / Technology

Apple’s M3 Max MacBook Pro is as fast as expensive M2 Ultra Mac desktops

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The M3 Max is faster than its most powerful predecessor, and it’s inside the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max

We suspected the M3 Max inside the new MacBook Pro models was fast — but maybe not quite this fast.

Apple unveiled its new silicon chipset, M3, earlier this week with its new line of MacBook Pros. Every year, the company zeroes in on its new chips’ zippier performance compared to previous generations. However, early third-party tests discovered that the company really seems to have delivered this time.

Woman using the new MacBook Pro

The new MacBook Pro announced at the “Scary Fast” event.
Credit: Apple

A database entry for Geekbench, a test that inspects CPU performance, clocked that the 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro delivers a multi-core score of 21,084.

This test result was first noticed by MacRumors, which pointed out that this figure puts the new M3 Max within the same performance tier as the M2 Ultra, which can be found inside powerful Apple desktops such as the Mac Pro and Mac Studio. The average multi-core score for those models are 21,182 and 21,316 respectively.

The M3 Max MacBook Pro with a 16-core CPU has a starting price of $3,999, so it’s certainly not cheap. However, the Mac Pro M2 Ultra starts at $6,999, so the fact that it’s delivering similar CPU performance scores is impressive.

While the Mac Studio M2 Ultra starts at the same price as the MacBook Pro M3 Max (16-core CPU), the Mac Studio comes with a 24-core CPU in comparison, with very little difference in performance.

When compared to the M2 Max, the M3 Max is around 45 percent faster than its predecessor, according to tests. That’s right around the 50 percent number that Apple claimed during the “Scary Fast” Mac event.

The M3 Max chip is certainly impressive from what we can see so far. But will the performance hold up to the everyday usage of pro-level consumers that make up its targeted audience? We’ll soon find out.

Apple’s new M3 line of MacBook Pros launch on Nov. 7.

Tech / Technology

M3 iMac vs. M1: What are the differences?

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M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: What are the differences?
screenshot of the newly released Apple M3 iMac

This M3 iMac vs. the M1 iMac face-off is absolutely necessary because, let’s be honest, the differences between the two are sparse.

Apple finally upgraded its iMac for the first time since 2021, and no, it’s not the major update we were expecting, but we can’t ignore that it’s packed with a new powerful processor: the M3 chip.

SEE ALSO:

Apple ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event: The entire thing was filmed ‘on a tiny little iPhone’

Beyond the new chip, we’ll need a magnifying glass – or even a microscope – to determine the disparities between the two iMacs. Let’s dissect the two so you can make the best decision on which is best for you.

M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: Price

Despite the rumblings of Apple looking to increase the price of its flagship iPhone in the future due to production costs, it seems that Apple is maintaining its pricing strategy for now. Just like the starting price of its 2021 counterpart, Apple announced that the new M3 iMac starts at $1,299.

This configuration comes with with an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

However, 8GB of RAM is puny and not ideal if you need a lot of multitasking muscle. We recommend upgrading to 16GB of RAM, which will increase your total cost to $1,699.

A maxed-out M3 iMac, packed with 24GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, is available for a whopping $2,699.

The new M3 iMac can be pre-ordered right now and will start shipping on November 7.


Silver 2021 iMac

Credit: Silver 2021 iMac


Apple 2021 iMac (24-inch, M1 chip)

$1,699

M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: Design

Design-wise, much hasn’t changed between 2021 and now.

The M3 is still keeping its 24-inch display along with a 4.5K Retina screen, a 1080p webcam, and a six-speaker system. The entry-level M3 iMac comes with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The higher-end variants add two USB 3 ports. In the box, you’ll get the Magic Mouse, a Magic Keyboard, a USB-C to Lightning Cable, and a power cord and power adapter.

Apple, for the past few events now, has increasingly emphasized its environmental efforts and is doing the same for the M3 iMac. The company noted that the desktop stand uses 100 percent recycled aluminum. Plus, the gold plating of multiple printed circuit boards is also 100 percent recycled.

screenshot of the different colors the iMac will release in, from L to R: Silver, Purple, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red


Credit: Apple

Beyond that, the M3 iMac comes in the same colors as the M1 iMac.

  • M1 and M3 colorways: Blue, Green, Pink, Orange, Purple, Yellow, and Silver

M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: Specs

Now the biggest change, and the whole point of this article, is the iMac’s upgrade to the M3 chip. (You can find the new chip inside the refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro, too.)

The cheapest M3 iMac comes with an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. Comparatively, the most affordable M1 iMac features an 8-core CPU and a 7-core GPU.

M1 iMac (entry-level): 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD

M3 iMac (entry-level): 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD

The upper-tier M3 iMacs, the variants with four ports, offer an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. The pricier M1 iMacs, on the other hand, deliver an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU.

M3 iMac users should see an uptick in graphics performance –– and not just because of the extra GPU cores. Apple added a new “Dynamic Caching” process to the M3, which intelligently manages the GPU’s memory for gaming and more.

The M3’s GPU also features hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray-tracing perks, which means gaming should be a lot smoother and more visually impressive. Apple claims that frame rates will get a 50 percent boost, too.

The processor upgrade is definitely worth the hype as the M3 chip is faster and consumes less power. Take a look at the apps and programs that are reportedly speedier with the M3 iMac:

  • Excel: Up to 30 percent faster

  • Safari: Up to 30 percent faster

  • Video and photo editing apps (e.g., Photoshop): twice as fast

Overall, Apple claims that the M3 iMac is two times faster than the M1 iMac. The Cupertino-based tech giant also boasts that the neural engine inside the M3 Mac is 60 percent faster than its M1 counterpart.

The real upgrade here truly is the M3 processor, but for the same price as its predecessor, it may be worth it to upgrade for faster speeds and less power consumption.

Tech / Technology

Apple 10/30 event: The entire ‘Scary Fast’ live stream was filmed on iPhone

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Apple used the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film the ‘Scary Fast’ live stream.
Apple event filmed on iPhone

My jaw dropped when I read the final words of Apple’s “Scary Fast” Mac event: “This event was shot on iPhone.”

You mean to tell me that while Apple showcased its refreshed M3-series MacBook Pros and iMac, and even dropped a stunning new Space Black colorway for the M3 Pro and the M3 Max Macs, all of that spooky pomp and circumstance was filmed on a smartphone? No way!

Tim Cook walking into the 'Scary Fast' Mac event

Tim Cook walking into the ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event
Credit: Apple

Which iPhone did Apple use for the ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event?

Apple used the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film the Apple ‘Scary Fast’ event and we are shook. I mean, we knew that the iPhone 15 Pro Max had industry-leading camera specs. Check out some of the top-notch features below:

  • 4K video recording up to 60 fps

  • Cinematic Mode (a rack-focus feature introduced with iPhone 13 Pro models) up to 4K HDR at 30 fps

  • Action Mode (a feature that introduces stabilization for high-activity recording) at 60 fps

  • HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps

  • ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60ps (ProRes is an Apple-developed compressed video format that produces high-quality files for video production)

  • Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time-lapse

  • Slo-mo video support for 1080p at up to 240 fps

Plus, as we tested in our review with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Pro camera system blew us away with its sharp 48MP wide camera and 12MP ultra-wide shooter. It’s also packed with two telephoto cameras — one of ’em consists of Apple’s star-of-the-show “tetraprism design” that enables up to 5x optical zoom.

However, by putting these envelope-pushing specs into practice, Apple really put iPhone 15 Pro Max’s capabilities into perspective.

A professional filmmaker directed the event

Apple tapped into Brian Oakes, the man behind Jim: The James Foley Story and Living with Lincoln, to film the “Scary Fast” Mac event.

“We were able to get the same complex shots with iPhone 15 Pro Max,” Oakes said. “It’s amazing to see that the quality from a device that is so small and so portable can rival a large $20,000 camera.”

Jon Carr, Apple’s Pro Workflow Video Specialist, was also flabbergasted that the event was filmed with a “tiny little iPhone” that powered 50 monitors with USB-C out. “This whole piece was low-light, and low-light is a little bit more challenging. And we nailed that.”

Scary Fast livestream filmed with iPhone 15 Pro Max

Scary Fast livestream filmed with iPhone 15 Pro Max
Credit: Apple

But of course, Apple still deployed some of the traditional top-level equipment you see on any major film set, including cranes, dollies, drones, and more.

Apple transparently revealed that it used the Blackmagic Camera app, an iOS exclusive, to film “Scary Fast,” which adds Hollywood feature film-esque digital camera controls.

The new iDevices Apple revealed at the event include the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, the 14-inch and 16-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models, and an M3 iMac. For a more in-depth look of everything announced at the event, click here.


Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Credit: Apple


Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (256GB, Sierra Blue) [Locked]

1,199

Tech / Technology

How to preorder the new MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max

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Apple announced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros on Oct. 30: The new MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip and MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip are available to preorder starting at $1,999 and $3,199, respectively.
Person working in lab using new Apple MacBook Pro

As of Oct. 31, the new MacBook Pro M3 Pro and MacBook Pro M3 Max are available to preorder at the Apple Store, Amazon, and Best Buy. The 14-inch models start at $1,999 for the M3 Pro and $3,199 for the M3 Max, while the 16-inch models start at $2,499 for the M3 Pro and $3,499 for the M3 Max. Shipping begins on November 7.

Preorder the new MacBook Pros with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips:
Apple Store

Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips

starting at $1,999

Apple MacBook Pro with silver shell and black design screensaver

Best Buy

Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max chip

starting at $1,999

Apple MacBook Pro with space black shell and black design screensaver

Amazon

14-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (11-core CPU, 14-core GPU)

starting at $1,999

Apple MacBook Pro with silver shell and black design screensaver

Amazon

14-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU)

starting at $2,399

Apple MacBook Pro with space black shell and black design screensaver

Amazon

16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU)

starting at $2,499

Apple MacBook Pro with space black shell and black design screensaver

Amazon

14-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Max (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU)

starting at $3,199

Apple MacBook Pro with silver shell and black design screensaver

Amazon

16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Max (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU)

starting at $3,499

Apple MacBook Pro with space black shell and black design screensaver

Apple’s second Apple Event of the past *checks notes* two months welcomed new MacBook Pros with several iterations of the new M3 chip — scary fast processing appropriately unleashed at the official “Scary Fast” Halloween Eve event.

The two real stars of the show were the Pros featuring the advanced M3 Pro and the super advanced M3 Max chips. Both can live in a 14-inch or 16-inch Pro, and both come in the one shade that could be sleeker than Space Grey: Space Black, baby.

SEE ALSO:

How to preorder the new M3 Apple iMac

One word to sum the M3 generation up? Power. Apple wasn’t shy about the fact that these are the most powerful MacBooks ever built by a long shot, operating up to 2.5 times faster than the already-fast M1 Max chip and up to 11 times faster than the older Intel-based MacBook Pros. The liquid retina XDR display is also more vivid, offering 1600 nits of peak brightness in HDR and 600 nits in SDR.

As for the differences between the two, the M3 Max is available with a 14- or 16-core CPU (compared to the M3 Pro’s 12-core CPU), 30- or 40-core GPU (compared to the M3 Pro’s 18-core GPU), up to 48GB of Unified Memory (compared to the M3 Pro’s 18GB or 36GB), and 1TB of SSD storage (compared to the M3 Pro’s 512GB SSD). The Max is the beast to trust for the most intense workflows — we’re talking to you, machine learning programmers, 3D artists, video editors, and MATLAB masters.