iFixit teardown of MacBook Neo: ‘The most repairable MacBook in 14 years’
The new MacBook Neo breaks from that tradition, featuring solid day-one repair manuals, easier keyboard servicing, and a battery secured… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Surprise Alicia Keys concert turns Grand Central Apple Store into a piano stage
Apple shuttered its Grand Central Terminal store on March 13 for a surprise Alicia Keys concert, marking the start of 50th anniversary celebrations.Alicia Keys in her Apple Vision Pro performanceApple CEO Tim Cook showed up with several senior executives. They transformed one of Apple's most iconic retail spots into a temporary live music venue.The company invited select media members, creators, and guests while keeping the performer secret until Keys appeared on stage. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple TV is about to kick off five weeks straight of big premieres
Apple TV has had a strong start to the year thanks to popular series Shrinking, Hijack, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters—but the next five weeks have a lot more noteworthy new premieres coming. more…

Read more »

The average iPad sold for $583 last quarter: report
A new report by Counterpoint Research says the average selling price of the iPad rose roughly 10% even as the...

Read more »

Adobe begrudgingly admits defeat, agrees to pay $150m over confusing cancellation fees
Adobe has issued a statement agreeing to pay a hefty fine after years of customers complaining about a lack of transparency in its billing agreements — but it still doesn't think it did anything wrong.Adobe Creative Cloud logoAdobe has announced that it has finalized a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. It officially marks the end of the more than two-year long saga surrounding its much maligned cancellation practices.Of the $150 million Adobe has agreed to pay, $75 million will go directly to affected customers in the form of complimentary services. The remaining $75 will go directly to the Department of Justice to settle the lawsuit. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air M4 with 512GB SSD plunges to $1,079
Save $320 on Apple's last-gen MacBook Air M4, as Amazon clears out inventory this weekend.Save $320 on with Amazon's blowout M4 MacBook Air deal.Originally retailing for $1,399, the 15-inch M4/16GB/512GB spec is marked down to $1,079 in the Midnight finish while supplies last. This price is the lowest on record as Amazon makes room for new M5 inventory by blowing out M4 inventory at steep discounts.Buy M4 15" 16GB/512GB for $1,079 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Good luck trying to find an M4 Mac mini
Macworld It’s hard enough finding a MacBook Neo in the color you want, but head over to the Apple Store this weekend, and you’re also going to have a hard time finding a Mac mini. And the same goes for Amazon, B&H Photo, and some Best Buy stores, too. A check of stock for the M4 Mac mini for 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage shows low to no stock basically everywhere. That might be common for a new iPhone, but the Mac mini is nearly 18 months old.  SWhile it’s unlikely there will be a run on Mac minis in the immediate future, the lack of stock does pose an interesting question: Why? Usually, low stock is a sign that Apple is preparing an update–we are expecting an M5 model soon–but Apple just finished a round of releases and the Mac mini wasn’t part of it. It could also be the result of the recent interest in the Mac mini as an AI server. First Claudebot and now Perplexity have AI enthusiasts taking an interest in the Mac mini as a vessel for AI agents due to its small stature and powerful chip. It’s entirely possible that the sudden spike in interest has led to a temporary sell-out. Or, perhaps MacBook Neo has people interested in Apple’s affordable devices more than usual. We’ll let you know if the Apple Watch SE suddenly sells out.

Read more »

Amazon's ad-free Prime Video tier gets a new name, and a new price
Amazon's streaming service is getting a significant upgrade as the company transitions its ad-free tier to the new "Prime Video Ultra" branding. And with that branding, comes a price hike.Prime Video UltraLaunching April 10, the Ultra tier expands existing features, making it ideal for larger households. Beyond removing ads, the updated plan increases the concurrent stream limit to five devices, doubles the offline download capacity to 100 items, and gives users the option to watch in 4K/UHD.Amazon is also increasing the benefits for those who have the ad-supported video plan that comes gratis with a Prime membership. Those customers will be allowed to watch 4 concurrent streams, up from three, and download 50 items for offline viewing, up from 25. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iFixit MacBook Neo teardown confirms that it is Apple's most repairable laptop since 2012
Whether you're a right-to-repair activist or a school system hoping for the magic combination of power, macOS, and a repairable laptop, the MacBook Neo is a surprisingly satisfying breath of fresh air.MacBook Neo proves to be quite repairable by Apple's standardsApple's MacBook Neo has already been proven to be quite inexpensive to repair and easy to disassemble. That said, the tech industry was still holding its breath for iFixit's verdict on the laptop.As was expected, iFixit found the MacBook Neo to be one of Apple's most reparable laptops since 2012, if ever. It's easily accessed, sectioned, and lacks any overly aggressive glue. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Adobe to pay $75 million settlement for making it too hard to cancel subscriptions
Adobe has agreed to a settlement with the US Department of Justice worth $150 million, including a $75 million fee paid to the DOJ and another $75 million in free services for users. more…

Read more »

Formula 1 to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran
Formula 1 has decided to cancel the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

HomeKit Weekly: Shelly Gen4 Plug brings Wi-Fi 6, Matter, and Thread to a single smart outlet
Choosing a smart plug usually feels like a gamble on which protocol will win the war. Belkin recently ended support for its Wemo line as well. Shelly has apparently decided to stop gambling and just include everything. I’ve been testing the Shelly Plug US Gen4, and it’s great! It supports Matter, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and, in a rare move for a smart home device, Wi-Fi 6. It also includes precise power metering, a feature I think is awesome for a modern smart plug. more…

Read more »

Apple Grand Central retail store closed due to special activity [U]
Update 3/13: The event appears to be for a special performance. Alicia Keys is the rumor. There’s a pink piano and Apple’s 50th anniversary signage. Apple Grand Central in New York City is closed today and tomorrow due to some sort of mysterious special activity. Customers visiting Apple’s retail location in Grand Central Terminal will be turned away until normal hours resume on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am. more…

Read more »

iFixIt tears down the new MacBook Neo, likes (most of) what it sees
Expectations had been running high regarding what iFixIt would find when it opened up the MacBook Neo. Here’s what it revealed. more…

Read more »

Spotify’s newest feature puts you in control of the music
Spotify was early to the algorithmically recommended music game. Now the company is testing a feature that lets listeners have more direct input over what Spotify recommends. The feature is called Taste Profile, and it’s currently in beta. more…

Read more »

Perplexity wants Mac mini to be your AI project manager — here’s what to know
Perplexity Personal Computer software can turn a Mac mini into a personal AI project manager. But should you give it access to your files? (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

iPhone Fold, Mac Studio, OLED MacBook Pro: What to expect from Apple for the rest of 2026
Apple's 2026 may have gotten off to a new-product-filled start, but it's far from done. There are plenty more iPhone and other announcements to come before the year's end.There's still a lot to come from Apple in 2026Between the launch of the M5 MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, Apple has made a solid start to the year. But with the annual WWDC event still to come, not to mention likely hardware announcements this fall, there is still plenty to look forward to.Apple is still expected to unveil a raft of software and hardware in the coming months, including some all-new products. Rumors of the company's first-ever foldable iPhone continue to gather pace, and that's just the beginning. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

There's a way to make a 1TB MacBook Neo, but it's not easy or cheap
Getting 1TB of storage on the MacBook Neo is possible, assuming you have skill in micro soldering, the ability to remove the chip, and disdain for Apple's warranty.MacBook Neo teardown. Image credit: DirectorFengApple introduced MacBook Neo on March 4 as its most affordable notebook, starting at $599 with 256GB of storage. It uses the same A18 Pro chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro models and includes 8GB of unified memory.The company offers the 13-inch system with either 256GB or 512GB of storage. And that's it. There aren't any larger options, and the chip is not socketed like it is in the Mac mini or Mac Studio. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Amazon announces ‘Prime Video Ultra’ with higher price, new features
Amazon has announced a new ‘Prime Video Ultra’ streaming plan launching next month that replaces the current ad-free tier and includes more features, but at a higher price. more…

Read more »

Apple TV just premiered a rare true crime original series
Twisted Yoga is a brand new Apple TV series that just premiered today, and it’s a rare true crime offering for the streamer. more…

Read more »

Mac trade-ins skyrocket over 100% as Apple customers rush to upgrade to MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air
Apple retail stores are seeing an unprecedented boom in Mac trade-ins this week, with volumes surging more than 100% compared to… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple’s entry-level iPad just dipped back under $300
Macworld Apple iPad A16 View Deal It might not have gotten an update during MacBook Neo week, but the A16 iPad is still our favorite affordable tablet. And right now it’s even more affordable as Amazon has cut the price to $299, the lowest we’ve seen all year. The Apple iPad A16 is one of our favorite tablets and for good reason — it’s affordable, has a gorgeous, bright screen, and delivers a strong performance. We gave this particular model a 4-star rating when we reviewed it, praising its design and performance. Even though the A16 chip doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, you can still use just about any AI tool you want now and upgrade down the line once Apple fully bakes its AI suite. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display provides clear and vibrant images, no matter the lighting situation in your room. The tablet also comes with Wi-Fi 6 for speedy and stable connectivity, so taking FaceTime calls won’t be a problem, especially with the crystal-clear 12MP front and rear cameras. The iPad A16 is a fantastic pick if you want a tablet you can use to complete work tasks, run photo editing projects, or have fun gaming. The $299 price tag makes the iPad A16 a top pick for us, so grab this deal before it expires.

Read more »

Best Mac mini deals right now – but dwindling stock hints new models are near
Macworld Best Mac mini deals: Updated March 13, 2026 These are the recommendations we would confidently give to our own friends and family. They are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products. Today’s best Mac mini deals: U.S. Out of stock in the U.S. right now… See more U.S. Mac mini deals below… Today’s best Mac mini deals: U.K. Apple Refurbished, M4 Mac mini, 256GB/16GB RAM, £509 (£90 off, RRP £599) Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini (256GB): £1,279 (£120 off, MSRP £1,279) See more U.K. Mac mini deals below… The Mac mini is the cheapest Mac you can buy, but you can get one for less than Apple sells it for if you shop at the various Apple certified resellers that sell Macs and other Apple products at a discount. Whether it’s the latest Mac mini M4, the excellent Mac mini M4 Pro, or an older Mac mini model that you want to find on sale, in this article you will find the best prices right now and advice on whether now is a good time to buy and which model offers the best value for money. Before you buy, note that Apple is expected to update the Mac mini with M5 and M5 Pro chips in the near future. The lack of stock on Amazon and delayed delivery times if you buy from Apple may be early signs that new models are launching soon. How we find the best Mac mini deals To select the best Mac mini deals, our editors employ a comprehensive, year-round strategy that combines continuous market monitoring with expert evaluation. Here’s why you can trust the deals Macworld identifies: We check top resellers in the U.S. and the U.K. for the best prices throughout the year, ensuring we always have a finger on the pulse of the best savings. We also check Apple’s refurbished store for even bigger price drops. We use price comparison tools to watch resellers and compare their current discounts so we know who has the best deal right now. We hand-pick deals based on the product’s long-term price history and our own in-depth reviews. We consider the product’s release cycle and whether a significant update is due soon. We also advise on whether a shopping event is likely to happen soon in which you might get an even better deal, or if you might be able to qualify for specific deals. We regularly check prices, but it’s worth checking various retailers in the price comparison tables below, as prices can fluctuate daily. If you want to buy a particular model you will find the best prices right now in the tables below. We also have a guide to the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Is now a good time to buy a new Mac mini? Simon Jary / Foundry The current models, featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips, were released in October 2024. This was a significant update that included a new, more compact design that measures just 5 by 5 inches. The base unified memory (RAM) was upgraded to 16GB, a welcome upgrade from the previous generation’s 8GB. More than a year on, this is still an excellent Mac. However, an update to the M5 chips is expected. This may not happen until the summer of 2026, but, based on low stock, it could happen sooner than that. Read more here: What we know about the upcoming Mac mini M5 update. We had been seeing some Mac mini discounts, but they haven’t been as large as they were over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Over the past few months our advice has been to look to the Apple Refurbished Store for bigger savings. The next big sale event isn’t expected until Amazon’s Prime Days in July and October, when you can expect to see Mac mini discounts. Does Apple have sales? The deals rarely come from Apple itself. While Apple will sometimes offer vouchers as an incentive to buy a new Mac (that’s Apple’s usual Black Friday giveaway), the company never discounts prices. Apple does sell refurbished Macs at a lower price though, so that might be something to consider. If you are a student you can take advantage of Apple’s education discounts and save a little money on the full price of Macs (and iPads). And in the summer months Apple gives away Apple Pencils or AirPods with the sale of certain Macs (and iPads) to students in it’s Higher Education offer. Which Mac mini to buy Simon Jary / Foundry The Mac mini lineup offers strong performance across its configurations, making it a great value proposition. M4 Mac mini is a great option for someone looking for a low-cost Mac. Starting at $599/£599, this model is ideal for general use, home offices, and even as a secondary computer integrated into a home entertainment system. It offers the same M4 chip found in more expensive Macs, providing an excellent performance-to-price ratio. The performance and value on offer for just $599/£599 is excellent, but for another $200/£200 you can get twice the storage, which we would recommend if your budget stretches that far. M4 Pro Mac mini is one of our favourite Macs because it It features the same 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU as the M4 Pro MacBook Pro at a significantly lower price point. It is perfect for professionals on a budget and a great choice for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D software. The M4 Pro model provides a powerful and affordable desktop solution. Factors to consider before buying a Mac mini Apple When purchasing a Mac mini, it’s crucial to choose the right specifications, as the unified memory (RAM) and internal storage cannot be upgraded later. Memory (RAM): The base 16GB is sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and email. However, if your workflow involves demanding applications like editing large videos or training AI models, you should configure your Mac mini with at least 24GB of memory. Storage (SSD): While you can supplement internal storage with external drives, it’s wise to consider your future needs. Apple charges a premium for storage upgrades, so carefully evaluate how much space you’ll require for applications and files. We recommend spending a bit more to get 512GB if you can afford to because having adequate internal storage will speed things up compared to if you were working from an external drive. Also consider whether iCloud storage might be sufficient for your needs. You could get 2TB iCloud Storage for $9.99/£8.99 a month, for example. Another consideration for all Mac mini models is that you will need to provide your own display, keyboard, and mouse – indeed you will need a wireless or USB-C mouse before you can set the new Mac up – but these can be purchased on a budget too. Take a look at our top recommendations in each category to find one that matches your budget. Best Mac Monitors Best Mac mice Best Mac keyboards Best deals at Apple Refurbished Store One of the best places to look for Mac mini deals all year round is the Apple Refurbished Store. There, you’ll find discounts on Mac mini that have been returned to Apple for various reasons, and then completely revamped for resale. If you buy a refurbished Mac mini from Apple it will come with a one-year warranty so Apple may fix or replace it for free should anything happen to it in that first year. In the U.S.: Recently now there was a Mac mini M4 Pro available for $1,189, which is $210 off the usual price of $1,399. However, that’s now out of stock. Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K.: You could get a Mac mini M4 Pro for £1,189, £210 off the usual price of £1,399. This is currently out of stock. There’s also £90 off the Mac mini M4, you can get it for £509, rather than £599 – we recommend this deal. Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.K.) Best Mac mini prices: Price Comparison tables You can use the best Mac mini price comparison tables below to see the best Mac mini prices available right now at all the stores that sell Apple Macs. Best M4 Mac mini deals The best prices for the Mac mini will appear below. M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 256GB/16GB RAM, MSRP $599/£599 Retailer Price $599 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/16GB RAM, MSRP $799/£799 Retailer Price $899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/24GB RAM, MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best M4 Pro Mac mini deals M4 Pro Mac mini, 12-core CPU/16-core GPU, 512GB/24GB RAM, MSRP $1,399/£1,399 Retailer Price $1399 View Deal $1399 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best deals on old Mac mini models If you are on a small budget, you can often find a good deal on the previous generation. Just keep in mind that the older Mac mini had lass RAM as standard – 8GB rather than 16GB. We think that 8GB RAM should be avoided if possible. Where to buy the Mac mini Mac mini buyers in the U.S. can check out the following stores: Apple Amazon Best Buy BH Photo Video Costco If you’re based in the U.K. you can pick up a Mac mini from the following retailers: Apple Amazon Argos Currys John Lewis Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers in the UK who stock Macs and offer other services: KRCS Insight iStore Select Western Computer Jigsaw You might also be able to trade in your old Mac to get some money off your new purchase. Here’s how to get money off with Apple’s trade-in program. Where to buy refurbished Mac mini models You can get refurbished Macs from the Apple Refurbished store and other suppliers, including the following refurbished resellers listed below: In the U.S.: Apple Amazon Back Market Best Buy Gainsaver OWC Mac Of All Trades Refurb.me In the U.K.: Affordable Mac Apple Amazon BackMarket Hoxton Macs Laptops Direct MacFinder Mac 4 Sale Music Magpie Amazon also has a certified refurbished store for Apple products but we would advise against buying any products that are older than five years – most of the products we see on the Amazon refurbished store are unfortunately very old. Another place to look is BackMarket US and BackMarket UK, which sells refurbished Macs and other Apple products. We also recommend Hoxton Macs in the U.K. Find the latest Apple refurbished deals here. We also have this advice about buying a refurbished Mac.

Read more »

MacBook Neo is kickin’ PC ass and taking names… all the names
Macworld Apple’s new $599 MacBook Neo is all the rage in the tech world, and before you roll your eyes and say, “You’re Macworld, of course you’d say that,” really, it’s not just us. Take, for example, the latest report by Notebook Check, whose headline says it all: “MacBook Neo offers more single-core performance than any mobile processor from AMD, Intel or Qualcomm.” Notebook Check backs up that headline with a collection of Cinebench 2024 single-core benchmark results, and sitting at the top of the chart is your friendly neighborhood MacBook Neo and its A18 Pro chip–it’s actually in third place, but behind Apple’s own M4 and M5 MacBook Air. Below the Neo are budget laptops from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and others with chips from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. Notebook Check compares single-core performance, which is more relevant than multi-core performance on budget laptops. Everyday apps like Safari and Mail are usually single-threaded; thus, single-core performance applies. It’s also the thing that keeps the OS running smoothly, so everything feels faster. Professional apps (high-end video, audio, and image editors, graphics creation, software development, etc.) that need to run things in the background are multi-threaded, so multi-core performance matters, and these users will opt for higher-priced laptops such as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro (and maybe some Windows laptops, we don’t know). Notebook Check’s results are just a sample of what’s available in the budget Windows PC market, which is gigantic, but they conclude, “budget Windows laptops (which usually use less powerful chips than shown in our comparison chart) will be left in the dust in terms of performance.” Overall, Notebook Check finds that “the MacBook Neo could really shake up the budget laptop segment.” So much for its “limited appeal.” But don’t worry, Window users, you can still enjoy all that power by using Neo as a virtual machine in Parallels Desktop. A recent knowledge base article from Parallels states that Parallels Desktop can indeed run on the MacBook Neo, but “for CPU- or GPU-intensive Windows applications, this computer is not the right choice.” That’s because the Neo has 8GB of RAM, and that’s not ideal for running Windows within Parallels Desktop in macOS. Parallels says a 16GB MacBook Air or MacBook Pro “will give you a significantly better experience with Parallels Desktop.” But if you’re just going to buy a budget PC anyway, you might be better off.

Read more »

Apple's App Store In China Gets Lower 25% Commission To Appease Regulators
Apple will cut its App Store commission in China from 30% to 25% starting March 15, with small-business and mini-app rates dropping from 15% to 12%. AppleInsider reports: Chinese regulators have been back and forth with Apple in recent years over the 30% App Store commission. The latest publicly known pressure occurred after President Trump slammed the country with seemingly random and outrageous tariffs in 2025. While nothing much else has happened in the public eye in the year since, Apple has announced a new commission rate via its developer blog. The new rates go into effect on March 15. The current standard 30% rate is dropping to 25% for in-app purchases and paid app transactions. The Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program will see rates drop from 15% to 12%. That lower rate applies to auto-renewals of in-app purchase subscriptions after the first year. Mini Apps are for transactions found in super apps like those popularized in China. [...] Developers will need to sign the updated terms, but the new rates are applied automatically. It is unclear if these new changes will prevent regulatory action from China. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more »

Bookends 15.3.1
Brings a few Apple Intelligence improvements to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 128.5 MB, macOS 11+)

Read more »

Default Folder X 6.2.7
Brings a few improvements to the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 28.7 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Read more »

Typinator 10.0
Expands the text expansion utility's reach to the iPhone and iPad via a new iOS app. ($29.99 annual subscription, free update, 47 MB, macOS 13+)

Read more »

iOS 26.4 adds three new ways to customize your iPhone
iOS 26.4 is launching soon and bringing a lot of new features, including three new ways to customize your iPhone. Here’s what’s new. more…

Read more »

What Is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) is a third-party company that provides ongoing cybersecurity monitoring and support for an organization. Instead of building a full internal security operations team, a business can use an MSSP to monitor security alerts, investigate suspicious activity, and help respond when something goes wrong. Cybersecurity isn’t just a big-company problem […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Iran-Backed Hackers Claim Wiper Attack on Medtech Firm Stryker
A hacktivist group with links to Iran's intelligence agencies is claiming responsibility for a data-wiping attack against Stryker, a global medical technology company based in Michigan. News reports out of Ireland, Stryker's largest hub outside of the United States, said the company sent home more than 5,000 workers there today. Meanwhile, a voicemail message at Stryker's main U.S. headquarters says the company is currently experiencing a building emergency.

Read more »

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, March 2026 Edition
Microsoft Corp. today pushed security updates to fix at least 77 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and other software. There are no pressing "zero-day" flaws this month (compared to February's five zero-day treat), but as usual some patches may deserve more rapid attention from organizations using Windows. Here are a few highlights from this month's Patch Tuesday.

Read more »

How AI Assistants are Moving the Security Goalposts
AI-based assistants or "agents" -- autonomous programs that have access to the user's computer, files, online services and can automate virtually any task -- are growing in popularity with developers and IT workers. But as so many eyebrow-raising headlines over the past few weeks have shown, these powerful and assertive new tools are rapidly shifting the security priorities for organizations, while blurring the lines between data and code, trusted co-worker and insider threat, ninja hacker and novice code jockey.

Read more »

Mac Gaming Guide: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Get the Best Experience
Mac gaming is in a better place than it used to be — but it’s not “anything a PC can do, a Mac can do.” Some games run beautifully on modern Macs, especially Apple Silicon models. Others still don’t show up on macOS at all, or they run with limitations. This guide is here to […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Who is the Kimwolf Botmaster “Dort”?
In early January 2026, KrebsOnSecurity revealed how a security researcher disclosed a vulnerability that was used to assemble Kimwolf, the world's largest and most disruptive botnet. Since then, the person in control of Kimwolf -- who goes by the handle "Dort" -- has coordinated a barrage of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), doxing and email flooding attacks against the researcher and this author, and more recently caused a SWAT team to be sent to the researcher's home. This post examines what is knowable about Dort based on public information.

Read more »

‘Starkiller’ Phishing Service Proxies Real Login Pages, MFA
Most phishing websites are little more than static copies of login pages for popular online destinations, and they are often quickly taken down by anti-abuse activists and security firms. But a stealthy new phishing-as-a-service offering lets customers sidestep both of these pitfalls: It uses cleverly disguised links to load the target brand's real website, and then acts as a relay between the target and the legitimate site -- forwarding the victim's username, password and multi-factor authentication (MFA) code to the legitimate site and returning its responses.

Read more »

Unpacking the New “Matryoshka” ClickFix Variant: Typosquatting Campaign Delivers macOS Stealer
Executive Summary Intego Antivirus Labs is tracking an evolution of the “ClickFix” social engineering campaign targeting macOS users. Dubbed Matryoshka due to its nested obfuscation layers, this variant uses a fake installation/fix flow to trick victims into executing a malicious Terminal command. While the ClickFix tactic is not new, this campaign introduces stronger evasion techniques […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Kimwolf Botnet Swamps Anonymity Network I2P
For the past week, the massive "Internet of Things" (IoT) botnet known as Kimwolf has been disrupting the The Invisible Internet Project (I2P), a decentralized, encrypted communications network designed to anonymize and secure online communications. I2P users started reporting disruptions in the network around the same time the Kimwolf botmasters began relying on it to evade takedown attempts against the botnet's control servers.

Read more »

Patch Tuesday, February 2026 Edition
Microsoft today released updates to fix more than 50 security holes in its Windows operating systems and other software, including patches for a whopping six "zero-day" vulnerabilities that attackers are already exploiting in the wild.

Read more »

Please Don’t Feed the Scattered Lapsus ShinyHunters
A prolific data ransom gang that calls itself Scattered Lapsus ShinyHunters (SLSH) has a distinctive playbook when it seeks to extort payment from victim firms: Harassing, threatening and even swatting executives and their families, all while notifying journalists and regulators… Read More »

Read more »

iPads are on sale starting at $299, $50 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon has Apple's 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale again for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: - 11" 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 256GB WiFi iPads: $399 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 512GB WiFi iPads: $599 $50 off MSRP Amazon's prices are the lowest iPads prices currently available for 11th-generation models. For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our iPad Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Amazon offering early $50 discount on select 15-inch M5 MacBook Airs
Amazon is offering an early $50 discount on select 15" M5 MacBook Airs, each with free shipping. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party. Note that the discount may only apply to specific colors and specifications, see their site for more details. For the latest sales & prices see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Deal Alert! 14-inch M5 MacBook Pros on sale for $200-$300 off Apple’s MSRP, prices start at only $1399
Amazon is offering 14" M5 MacBook Pro discounts ranging up to $300 off Apple's standard MSRP, each including free shipping: - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Black): $1399.99, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Silver): $1399.99, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Black): $1499.99, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Silver): $1649, MSRP $1799 These are the lowest prices available for new M5 MacBook Pros right now. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Clearance 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro on sale for $500 off original MSRP
B&H Photo is offering a $500 discount on the Clearance, Silver, 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (48GB/1TB) right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB/Silver): $3499, $500 off MSRP Their price is the lowest available for this configuration. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Verizon is selling Apple AirPods 3 for $199, $50 off MSRP
Verizon has Apple AirPods Pro 3 on sale for 20% off MSRP on their online store right now. Their price is among the lowest prices available for these AirPods from any Apple retailer. Verizon service is not required for purchase. Buy online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. - AirPods Pro 3rd-generation: $199 $50 (20%) off For the latest prices and sales, see our Apple AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Amazon is offering new 11-inch M4 iPad Air preorder discounts ranging up to $80 off MSRP
Take $40-$80 off new 11-inch M4 iPad Airs at Amazon as part of their early preorder discounts. Shipping is free: - 11" 128GB WiFi M4 iPad Air: $559, $40 off MSRP - 11" 256GB WiFi M4 iPad Air: $649, $50 off MSRP - 11" 512GB WiFi M4 iPad Air: $839, $60 off MSRP - 11" 1TB WiFi M4 iPad Air: $1019, $80 off MSRP Be sure to order from Amazon itself rather than a third-party seller. These are the lowest prices currently available for new 11" M4-powered iPad Airs. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Apple AirPods Max on sale for $120 off MSRP, only $429.99
Walmart has AirPods Max headphones on sale for $429.99, $120 off Apple's MSRP. Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). It's the lowest price available for these AirPods among the retailers we track. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

Read more »

Guess what? Walmart and Target are selling the MacBook Neo on their online stores
Walmart and Target are selling new macOS products on their online stores for the first time. Walmart had previously sold clearance 13" M1 MacBook Airs, but this is the first time either store is selling a brand new macOS product. You can preorder any new 256GB or 512GB MacBook Neo today, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). Apple's official release date for the Neo is on March 11th: - MacBook Neo at Walmart - MacBook Neo at Target For the latest sales and deals, see our new MacBook Neo Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Price Drop! Take $100-$300 off clearance 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 15" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$300 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1099, $100 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1299, $300 off These are the lowest clearance 15" M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Price Drop! Take $100-$200 off clearance 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 13" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$200 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $899, $100 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $999, $200 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off These are the lowest clearance M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

MacBook Neo Arrives at $599 — Here’s How It Compares to the New M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
Apple has expanded its laptop lineup in a big way this week, introducing the all-new MacBook Neo just one day after refreshing the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro families with next-generation M5 chips. The Neo becomes Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, starting at $599 ($499 for education), and it marks a push to bring macOS to an even broader audience. MacBook Neo features a durable aluminum enclosure weighing just 2.7 pounds and comes in four colors: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. It has soft rounded corners and a cohesive design that extends to the Magic Keyboard and matching wallpapers. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display offers a 2408-by-1506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colors, and an anti-reflective coating. For a laptop at this price point, the display specs are especially impressive and should make everyday tasks like browsing, writing, and streaming feel premium. Under the hood, MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip — the same class of silicon found in Apple’s high-end iPhones — scaled for the Mac. The system includes a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling strong everyday performance and fast on-device AI tasks. Apple claims it is up to 50 percent faster for common tasks like web browsing compared to a Core Ultra 5 PC and up to three times faster for AI workloads. The design is fanless, meaning it runs completely silent. Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours, making it a strong all-day machine for students and casual users. The Neo includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual beamforming microphones, and dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. Connectivity is simple but sufficient: two USB-C ports (both capable of charging), a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6. It runs macOS Tahoe with built-in Apple Intelligence features and tight iPhone integration through Continuity tools like Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and iPhone Mirroring. On the downside, the Neo only provides 8GB of RAM and 500 nits of display brightness. By contrast, the newly updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are built around Apple’s next-generation M-series chips: Apple M5, Apple M5 Pro, and Apple M5 Max. These processors are significantly more powerful than A18 Pro, offering more CPU and GPU cores, greater memory bandwidth, and much stronger sustained performance. While the MacBook Air remains fanless like the Neo, it is designed for heavier multitasking and more demanding creative tasks. It also typically offers longer battery life and expanded external display support. The MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max go much further. With active cooling systems, they are built to handle prolonged high-performance workloads such as video editing, software development, 3D rendering, and advanced AI processing. The Pro lineup also features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR displays with dramatically higher brightness, HDR support, and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates. In addition, they offer a wider array of ports, including multiple Thunderbolt connections, HDMI, SD card slots, and MagSafe charging — features that professionals rely on daily. Ultimately, MacBook Neo is not meant to compete with the Air or Pro on raw power. Instead, it establishes a new entry point into the Mac ecosystem. For students, families, and first-time Mac buyers who primarily browse the web, stream media, write papers, and occasionally edit photos, Neo may be more than sufficient. Users who need more performance headroom or plan to grow into heavier creative workloads will still find the MacBook Air a better long-term investment. Professionals whose livelihoods depend on speed, graphics power, and advanced display technology will continue to gravitate toward the MacBook Pro lineup. With the introduction of MacBook Neo, Apple has created a clear three-tier structure: Neo for accessibility, Air for mainstream performance, and Pro for professional power. It’s a strategic move that broadens the Mac market while preserving meaningful differentiation across the lineup.

Read more »

Apple AirPods 4 on sale for $89, $40 off MSRP
Walmart has Apple AirPods 4 on sale on their online store right now for $40 off MSRP, only $89. Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - AirPods 4: $89, $40 off This is the lowest sale price available right now for Apple AirPods. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

Read more »