Innehållsförteckning för January 2024 från Macworld

It should probably not be a controversial opinion that in late 2023 (and surely through most of 2024), one should not sell a pricey “Pro” computer with only 8GB of RAM. And yet here we are. The least-expensive new MacBook Pro you can get costs $1,599 and includes only 8GB of RAM, an insultingly miserly amount for this day and age. Want more? That will be at least $200, take it or leave it. Apple has a long history of providing less RAM than it should for the price of its laptops and overcharging customers to get more, but it’s reached ridiculous proportions. The cheapest standard configuration with more than 8GB of RAM is two grand! The cheapest MacBook Pro you can configure with more than 8GB is $1,800! PODCAST: THE…

Apple released several Macs at its “Scary Fast” event, including a new 24-inch Mac with a faster M3 chip. But if you buy one, you’ll get the same old accessories as before, color-matched to your chosen machine—and you’ll still need a Lightning cable to charge them. Apple is kind enough to supply one in the box—and you’ll get one if you buy the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Keyboard separately as well—but it’s strange that Apple didn’t use the opportunity to upgrade its Mac accessories to USB-C. They’re one of the few remaining devices that haven’t switched to USB-C and the ones that make the least sense. Quite frankly, Apple’s Mac accessories should never have had a Lightning port. The trio of accessories switched from replaceable AA batteries to…

There’s no shortage of good antivirus tools for the macOS these days, and Bitdefender Virus Scanner (version 3.17 at the time of this review) stands as one of a growing catalog of tools that can help prevent and clear out malware on your Mac. INSTALLATION AND FEATURES The software, which can be easily snagged and installed via this Mac App Store link, is just as easy to download and install as you’d expect, and after you grant it access to your security settings in System Preferences as well as full disk access, it is ready to go. Once installed, Bitdefender Virus Scanner offers Quick Scan, Deep Scan, and custom location scan options, which allow for a quick overview scan of critical components, a deep scan of every file and archive…

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max both have fantastic battery life. It’s roughly the same as those of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max from last year (just slightly longer in our testing), but that makes them some of the longest-lasting high-end smartphones you can buy. But the non-Pro iPhones generally have longer battery life. We know that the higher refresh rate of 120Hz ProMotion displays can have a significant impact on battery life, which is one reason why Apple promotes the iPhone 15 Plus as having the longest battery life in the lineup. So naturally I wondered: If you stopped your iPhone 15 Pro from going up to 120Hz, would it make the battery last longer? After a few days of testing, I can confirm that it…

In an extensive new report, the widely respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made a number of bombshell predictions about next year’s iPad launches. With the end of 2023 rapidly approaching, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Apple is about to go an entire calendar year without updating any of its iPad lines for the first time since the product debuted in 2010. But with the tablet department doing badly yet again in the company’s recent financial report, it’s crucial for the iPad to make waves with some major announcements in 2024. Going by Kuo’s claims, which largely align with other reports, that now seems likely. The analyst believes, first of all, that all four iPad lines—standard, mini, Air, and Pro—are headed for a refresh in 2024, which would be another first for…

Based on Apple’s recent quarterly results, Mac sales are not where Apple would like them to be. You’d think that with the success of the M-series chip rollout, MacBooks would be flying off the shelves, but they’re not. There are a lot of reasons why people aren’t buying, but the product and the technology behind the latest Macs are not the problem. The M-series MacBook Pro rollout has been successful from an execution standpoint, but there still are lots of people using Intel-based MacBooks. Apple makes high-quality products that simply last a long time, and it’s easy to hold on to an older MacBook just a little while longer. Apple has now released the M3 series of chips, which are featured in the MacBook Pro. It’s the third generation of…

Safari has become the ultimate resource for almost anything you do, whether it’s for work or for a personal project. You can end up with an immense number of websites and resources, so many that organizing them all is a job in itself. That’s why Apple created Safari Profiles in version 17, which I can run on macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma. You can create separate profiles such as Work and Personal, or profiles based on hobbies, projects, or tasks, such as Bills, School, or Backpacking, for example. Each profile keeps track of its own cookies, extensions, favorites, history, and Tab Groups. Using different profiles, you can log into the same site but with different accounts. You can even add profiles to a Focus filter, as well as sync profiles…

Given Edifier W820NB Plus headphones’ $80 street price, I assumed I’d experience just middling audio performance. The hollow-sounding female voice informing me they were powered on did nothing to alter that perception, but my skepticism was misplaced. The W820NB Plus’ voice cues were the only aural aspect that wasn’t spot on. Indeed, these headphones sound like they might cost much, much more than they actually do. We’re not talking best-in-category performance, but certainly they are the best I’ve heard for the price. They’re also very comfortable, they look good, they deliver long battery life, and their active noise cancellation doesn’t color the sound to any oticeable degree. FEATURE SET The closed-back, over-ear Edifier W820NB Plus are available in black, two-tone dark gray, and two-tone cream and tan (the variation reviewed…

JBL is one of the biggest manufacturers when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers. Recently, however, the company seems to be focusing more on stationary tabletop units, partly because of the upgraded Charge 5 and Boombox models, both of which are now available with Wi-Fi connectivity, but most importantly because of the recently launched speakers in the new Authentics series. The Authentics series was introduced at the end of the summer and consists of a total of three models: the smallest Authentics 200, the portable Authentics 300 with its built-in battery, and finally the top-of-the-line Authentics 500, which is reviewed in this article. DESIGN AND INPUTS The JBL Authentics 500 is a hefty speaker, measuring 17.6×9.4×10 inches (W×H×D) and thus requiring a lot of space. The design is certainly cool, with the…

Last week, Apple reported its financial results, and they were the kind that answered the question, “Under what circumstances would financial analysts look askance at nearly $90 billion in revenue and $23 billion in profit?” (Answer: When that company is Apple, and it’s posted lower year-over-year revenue numbers in five of the last six quarters.) After a couple of years of growth so sudden and massive that cosmologists are analyzing it for clues to the inflationary period during the first few moments of the universe, Apple has spent the year-plus…flat. It’s a very huge and profitable flatness, but it’s flat nonetheless. Wall Street, which is so focused on growth, is a little perplexed. As is tradition, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri hopped on a conference…

Apple announced its new MacBook Pro lineup during the “Scary Fast” Mac event with M3 versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and a luscious Space Black color, but there’s one model it left out: the 13-inch MacBook Pro. And if you try to go to buy one at Apple.com, you won’t find it. That’s right, the last laptop with a Touch Bar is gone. Apple hasn’t officially announced that the 13-inch Pro is retired, but it certainly seems like it is. Not only is it gone from the store, but the specs have been moved from “Current laptops” to “More laptops” on the Compare Mac models page. (The little MacBook Pro icon up in the navigation bar still shows a model without a notch, but we assume that’s an…

LINKPLAY TECHNOLOGY WIIM AMP This Linkplay network music streamer can work with other WiiM products to form a multi-room audio system on your home network (wired or wirelessly), or it can connect your TV via HDMI ARC. It has a 2-channel, 60-watt Class D amplifier to drive your favorite passive loudspeakers. The amp’s power output increases to 120 watts per channel when driving 4-ohm speakers. It supports Apple AirPlay 2, and also works with the Siri voice assistant.—MICHAEL BROWN SAMSUNG PORTABLE SSD T5 EVO This ruggedized, good-looking portable Samsung SSD measures 3.75 by 1.57 by 0.5 inches and has a metal loop at one end that you can use for attaching a lanyard or the like. The T5 EVO is slow for a modern external SSD, though it beats a…

The iPhone 15 generation received a number of major upgrades. The Dynamic Island can now be found on all models. The camera has been significantly improved, not only in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but also in the iPhone 15 (and 15 Plus), thanks to the 48-megapixel sensor and 5× optical zoom. And last but not least: We get USB-C. Even if the last upgrade was not exactly voluntary, there’s an argument to be made that the difference between this year’s iPhone and its predecessor is greater than we’ve seen in a while. And yet, objectively speaking, Android smartphones are still better in many respects. Three particular examples spring to mind. 1. WHY ANDROID’S ACTION BUTTON IS BETTER For 16 years, the iPhone had a mute slider on the left…

If you are a fully paid up Apple fan with iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch you’ll know that you need a separate lead or charger for each, which can lead to an untidy desk or bedside table, and a nightmare when you’re on the move. A charging station that can power more than one Apple device should solve these messy situations. We’ve reviewed the best iPhone chargers and best Apple Watch chargers, but some can tackle the charging demands of both, and handle an AirPods charging case and even a second phone at the same time. OtterBox is famed for its high-quality, durable Apple accessories, and its latest 3-in-1 Charging Station is a big upgrade on its previous iterations. It is fully Apple certified, so it can fast-charge any MagSafe iPhone…

Over two years ago, during the Spring Loaded event in April 2021, Apple’s iconic iMac was completely redesigned and outfitted with a then-cutting-edge M1 chip. But as Apple began to phase in the M2 a year later, each time a new update launched, the same question came up: What about the iMac? And there was nothing. At the end of October 2023, we finally got an answer: Apple updated the iMac with the M3, skipping the M2 series altogether. It has the same design, colors, and features as the M1 iMac—so an icon in Apple’s product lineup got a simple chip upgrade. That’s a good way to make a great Mac even better. SPECIFICATIONS Apple offers three standard configurations of the iMac. The model we reviewed is the high-end model…

There are a lot of different reasons why you might want to use your MacBook with the lid closed. You might want to plug into an external display and move your MacBook out of the way to free up space on your desk (although you could always use both screens). Alternatively, you might want to download a software update or play music from your Mac and have found that as soon as you close the lid, the download or music will stop. If you want to prevent your Mac from sleeping when you close the lid, you’ll find out how to do that below. One related problem you might come across if you are using your Mac with the lid closed is that when it comes to turning your Mac…

Over the last few years, Apple has gone from selling one AirPods model to four different types. You can currently buy the 2nd-gen AirPods, 3rd-gen AirPods, and 2nd-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C, and the AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones. Let’s set that last option aside for now. If you’re willing to spend $500 or more on a pair of cans, you’re making a whole different buying decision than if you want true wireless earbuds. You might like to look at our round-up of the best over-ear headphones, where we compare the AirPods Max to the competition. But that still leaves three similar-seeming earbuds to choose from. So which is right for you? FEATURES COMPARED Above is how the three in-ear AirPods stack up side by side. Note there are two versions of the…

HOW TO BLOCK UNWANTED WEBSITE NOTIFICATIONS ON YOUR MAC Push notifications were the best thing since sliced bread when they appeared first in Android and later in iOS and iPadOS. Instead of requiring a lot of attention, a notification can appear briefly, is easily dismissed, and can be controlled—you can suppress apps in various ways, from showing them all together all the way to allowing Critical Alerts in some apps for events you absolutely don’t want to miss a message about. Apple added push notifications to Safari in macOS to let websites access the systemwide notification system because the increasing reliance on web apps (a website that provides an app-like set of features) means you could have a tab open performing tasks that require your attention. It’s a double-edged sword,…

Apple just updated its 24-inch iMac with an M3 chip, but that’s not the update most customers want. It appears that the questions about a bigger iMac are so persistent that Apple responded, confirming with Macworld that a 27-inch iMac with Apple silicon is not in the company’s plans. Apple believes that its 24-inch iMac with its 4.5K display is an ideal replacement for owners of the 4K and 5K Intel-based iMac. If a larger screen is needed, Apple recommends the 27-inch Studio Display with a Mac mini or Mac Studio. Apple’s confirmation comes at a time when the company’s Mac sales are struggling. Its fourth-quarter 2024 financial results showed that Mac sales are down a whopping 35 percent year over year. The release of the M3 MacBook Pro and iMac could breathe…

Laptop owners who spend long periods at the same desk rather than at their local cafés can easily connect to one or more external displays either via one of their USB-C or Thunderbolt ports or via a docking station. Big external displays are great if you don’t have to move them—but road warriors can’t easily pack up multiple monitors when going on a trek. The DUEX range of portable 1080p HD monitors is a more flexible solution. The DUEX Lite (weighing 1.3 lbs) is a 12.5-inch portable monitor for 12- to 13-inch laptops; the DUEX Plus (1.3 lbs) is a 13.3-inch screen for 13- to 14-inch laptops; and the DUEX Max (tested here; 1.8 lbs) is a 14.1-inch display for laptops 14 inches and larger. Plain non-Pro, Max M1, M2,…

In a shocking turn of events, Apple has confirmed in a statement that it will bring RCS to iPhone, greatly improving the experience of sending messages between iPhones and most Android phones. The announcement comes at a time when Apple is under unprecedented regulatory and legal pressure to interoperate better with non-Apple products and services and increased public outcry from users to do the same. The statement, sent to several media outlets, reads: Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple…

Among the many changes and new features in watchOS 10, you’ll find new and updated watch faces. One of those is not like the others. The new Snoopy watch face injects a level of personality and reactivity I didn’t know I was missing until I had it. Despite obvious problems—would it kill Apple to put the date on the face?—it’s quickly become my go-to watch face. And I’m not even particularly a fan of “Peanuts” or Snoopy. At first glance, you might assume the new Snoopy watch face is not much different from other character faces, like Mickey and Minnie or “Toy Story.” But enable it for a few days and you’ll realize that it’s so much more. The Snoopy watch face does something new. When your watch is asleep,…

If you own not just an Apple iPhone but AirPods and Apple Watch too, a 3-in-1 multi-device charger will keep your desk free of snaking cables and three different chargers requiring power. One charging station means one power supply, ridding your workspace or bedside table of too many cables and chargers looking for power sockets. We’ve reviewed the best iPhone chargers and best Apple Watch chargers, but some can tackle the charging demands of both, as well as taking on an AirPods charging case. Journey makes some of our favorite Apple accessories, and its SWIV 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is a great solution for not just multi-device charging but also what you take on your travels. PERFORMANCE The SWIV 3-in-1 is certified for Apple Watch, so can fast-charge any Apple Watch…

Apple has used the FileVault name to cover full-disk encryption (often abbreviated FDE) since Mac OS X 10.7 Lion back in 2011. For years, FileVault used a read/write-intensive encryption method that took a long time to first encrypt your drive and then was a slight drag on performance thereafter, though it was not very noticeable. In exchange, FileVault offered three significant protections against physical access to your computer, up to and including someone running off with your Mac and having all the time in the world to gain access. First, at rest (when powered down), your Mac’s drive was completely encrypted. Without having the encryption keys, which are protected by your account password, an attacker could try to break in directly or extract a hard drive (or later, Fusion Drives…

Apple made it easier to resize partitions—logical divisions of a storage device into separate mountable volumes with different properties—several releases of macOS ago. A Macworld reader resized their main volume to 369GB to set up a Boot Camp partition, but then realized it was too small. They wondered how to fix this. In the right circumstance, you can simply follow these steps without having to back up the entire drive, erase and reformat it, and add new partitions. Always back up your drive before attempting to resize partitions in case something goes wrong, or you accidentally click to proceed on a destructive operation. 1. Launch Disk Utility. 2. Select the disk (not the volume) in the left list of disks. 3. Click the Partition button (1). 4. You can now…

At one point, you could pay a bundle for a set of AirPods, drop one or both, and never find either again. Apple may make money off your misfortune if you buy a replacement, but the company’s motive is always building loyalty by making things better for you, so you stick with them. That’s what’s happened with Find My. Originally, Find My covered just the iPhone and iPad, and only when they were powered on and had an internet connection. Over the last few years, Apple enhanced the feature: extending it to Macs and Apple Watches, then to Apple AirPods and Beats earbuds. The company also added the Find My network, with the AirTag as the flagship tracking product, but also allowing all of Apple’s hardware—eventually including audio hardware—to leverage…