Code leak confirms Apple is building the M5 Max iMac Pro
Apple is reportedly working on a premium iMac equipped with the M5 Max chip, based on details uncovered in leaked internal software… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Master Mac screenshots: Every shortcut and trick you need to know
The Mac offers many options for taking screenshots or screen recordings without third-party apps. Here's how to take a Mac screenshot. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple releases new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware update
Powerbeats Pro 2 just got new firmware from Apple, here are the details and instructions on how to update. more…

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Apple Music is coming to ChatGPT, OpenAI announces
Soon, you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT to quickly create Apple Music playlists, among other things. Here’s why. more…

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Apple announces 2026 ‘Ring in the New Year’ challenge for Apple Watch users
Apple has announced its annual “Ring in the New Year” challenge for Apple Watch users. A new Apple Watch Activity Challenge is set for January, encouraging you to begin 2026 on the right foot by closing all three rings for seven days in a row. more…

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How to make your own external hard disk storage for your Mac
If you need to expand your Mac storage in a big way without breaking the bank, your best bet is with external hard drives. Here's everything you need to know about hard drives and enclosures to put them in.OWC ThunderBay 4 RAIDStorage can be a pain point for computer users. Apple's famously expensive storage upgrade fees can put off users from adding more capacity from the outset, leaving them constrained until their next upgrade.This is a solvable problem. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV’s New Fanfare
Netflix’s “tadum” is so iconic that it’s the name of their company blog. HBO’s static + chanted om is the OG standard-setter. I suspect the new Apple TV fanfare will be seen in that class. The old one was not.

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Apple TV’s New Fanfare
Netflix’s “tadum” is so iconic that it’s the name of their company blog. HBO’s static + chanted om is the OG standard-setter. I suspect the new Apple TV fanfare will be seen in that class. The old one was not.

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Software leaks point to the first Apple Silicon “iMac Pro,” among other devices
Resurrected high-end all-in-one could be a worthy successor to 2017's iMac Pro.

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9to5Mac Daily: December 16, 2025 – AirDrop features, new iOS rumors
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas.  more…

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iPhone 17e, coming soon, said to feature Apple’s C1X modem
Anew entry-level iPhone model, referred to as the "iPhone 17e" and expected to launch in spring 2026, will feature the C1X modem… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Everyone should know this essential iPhone safety feature
Find out how to use Check In, the iPhone feature that tracks your ETA during travels (and alerts loved ones if you go missing). (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Fold will be ‘more wide than tall’ when unfolded, per report
Apple is working to finalize designs for next year’s flagship iPhone lineup, and a new report says the highly anticipated iPhone Fold could have a unique shape, with an inner display that’s more wide than tall. Here are the details. more…

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iMac Pro could make an epic M5 Max-powered comeback
The iMac Pro all-in-one could be poised for a return, this time with a huge processor upgrade for professional users — the M5 Max. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple plans fabric displays for future devices like the HomePod
Future HomePods, iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands and more could display information right on their fabric covering, if one of the latest patents granted to Apple is anything to go by.A familiar HomePod, but with a mocked-up display within the fabricIf a HomePod with a screen is the most commonly expected new home device that Apple may make, it's also surely the easiest. Apple makes screens, Apple makes HomePods, so no matter how good it is, a HomePod TV is not going to be earthshaking.But it's also, quite definitely, not the only avenue Apple is exploring. There's a newly-granted patent called "Fabric-Covered Electronic Device With Light-Emitting Components," for instance. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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An M5 Max iMac Pro reportedly exists–but we may never be able to buy it
Macworld 2026 is expected to be a significant year for the Mac. However, those reports don’t include iMac, leaving fans to wonder about the status of Apple’s iconic all-in-one. But a glimmer of hope was offered this week. According to MacRumors, Apple has built an iMac with an M5 Max chip. The files seen by MacRumors refer to an iMac with the identifier J833c, using a chip labelled as H17C, which is associated with the M5 Max codename Sotra C. MacRumors qualifies that this Mac is being used for testing purposes only and isn’t necessarily slated for release to the general public. Reports of a new iMac Pro or a large iMac have been sporadic in the past few years. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in 2022 that an iMac Pro would be released the following year. In 2023, Kuo predicted that a 32-inch iMac would be released in 2025. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned the iMac Pro in 2022 and 2023. The iMac Pro seems to exists within Apple Park, but the company is hesitant to release it. The leaked files also provide a peek at the Macs that are slated for 2026. The files mention the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro, the M5 MacBook Air, the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini, the M5 Max and the M5 Ultra Mac Studio, and the A18 Pro MacBook, which are all expected in the first half of the year. The files also mention the M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max MacBook Pro that are expected in the second half of 2026.

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MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max release date: Where are the Pro MacBooks?
Macworld In October 2025, Apple introduced an M5 MacBook Pro, but didn’t update the year-old M4 Pro or M4 Max machines. Instead, it looks like we will be waiting until spring 2026 for the M5 Pro and M5 Max models to arrive. While the M5 processor in the MacBook Pro boasts a new GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core that Apple says provides “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to M4,” and a 45 percent improvement in graphics performance compared to the M4, the new chip is still no match for the M4 Pro and M4 Max in the more powerful MacBook Pro models still on sale. But what changes could be coming to the MacBook Pro models, and is it going to be worth the wait, or would power users be wise to wait a little longer for the much bigger changes rumored to be just around the corner? The M6 generation of the MacBook Pro could offer a touch screen and more. This article will keep track of the rumors about the M5 Pro and M5 Max, and offer a perspective based on Apple’s Mac lineup. Here’s everything we know so far. At a glance: Current MacBook Pro compared to M5 Pro and M5 Max rumors FeatureM4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M6 rumours…ReleaseOctober 2024 (current models)Early 2026 (rumoured)Late 2026/2027DesignSame as 2021 modelExpected to retain existing designRedesign DisplayMini-LED, up to 1,600 nits peakSame Mini-LEDOLED display, touchscreen CPU CoresM4 Pro: 12–14 cores M4 Max: 14–16 coresRumoured similar/core counts but with architectural improvements including modular CPU/GPU blocks GPU CoresM4 Pro: 16–20 M4 Max: 32–40Improved performance boost over M4 series Chip ArchitectureTSMC enhanced 3 nm (M4 Pro/Max) Enhanced M5 generation; chips.  May separate CPU/GPU tiles for efficiency.PerformanceStrong pro performanceRumoured 25–30 % performance uplift compared to M4 generation for Pro/Max chipsAI / NeuralM4 features a 16-core Neural Engine Enhanced AI throughput rumouredMemory & BandwidthM4 Max supports up to 128 GB unified memory with up to 546 GB/s bandwidthWill maintain high bandwidth and configurations for professional usePorts & ConnectivityThunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E (current models) Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5 possibleCamera12 MP FaceTime camera No significant camera upgrades expectedHole-punch webcam, rather than notch New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Design Foundry No change to the design expected. Big changes are said to be coming to the M6 MacBook Pro. Apple updated the design of the MacBook Pro in 2021. There was no change to the design of the MacBook Pro when Apple introduced the M5 model. Apple will likely stick with the current design for the M5 Pro and Max models. It’s always possible that a new color makes an appearance—like Space Black in 2023—but for the most part, the MacBook Pro design is set for at least another year. Bigger changes are expected for the M6 generation. In July 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Pro series is to be the last of this current design. Apple appears to be saving the next major design upgrade for the M6 MacBook Pro for 2026. The M6 upgrade is said to include OLED screens, a camera “hole” to replace the notch, and a thinner design. There have been suggestions that the overhaul of the MacBook design could mark the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro. However, the first MacBook Pro was introduced at Macworld Conference in January 2006 and the rumors aren’t pointing to an early 2026 redesign. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Display No change to display expected. There is no change to the display on the M5 MacBook Pro, so it’s unlikely that the M5 Max and M5 Pro models will get any screen updates. Although we could see a higher nits brightness rating, up from the current 1,600 nits peak. Back in February 11, 2025, The Elec reported that OLED displays for the MacBook Pro were going into production, but these weren’t expected to featured in the laptop until 2026. Unfortunately, the big display changes seem set to arrive with a subsequent generation of MacBook Pro, with rumors pointing to Apple introducing OLED screens with the M6 generation of MacBook Pro. There could be something even more exciting coming with the M6 generation: a touchscreen! Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple is going to launch a MacBook with a touch screen, and it could arrive on a MacBook Pro as soon as 2026. However, this update is not expected to arrive until the M6 generation and could be delayed until 2027. Apple could be saving any drastic changes to the MacBook Pro for 2026.Foundry New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Camera No change expected. The M4 MacBook Pro added a 12MP FaceTime camera, a decent upgrade from the 1080p FaceTime camera. The M5 Macook Pro maintains this camera, so it is unlikely the Pro and Max models will gain anything. However, we could see a similar FaceTime camera update to 18MP as seen on the iPhone 17. The square sensor is less relevant here as the MacBook Pro will only ever be in one orientation, although it could allow for more of the area around a person to be visible. More changes are rumored for the camera in the M6 generation: reports suggest that in the future we may see a hole-punch webcam instead of notch. Petter Ahrnstedt New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Processor The M5 MacBook Pro that launched in October 2025 is little more than a chip refresh, and the M5 Pro and Max will likely be a similar story, featuring chips based on the same generation as the M5, but scaled up for professional workloads. Reports had indicated that we can expect a typical performance boost from one chip generation to another–between 15 and 25 percent over the M4 chips. On July 3, AppleInsider reported that Apple plans the release four standard configurations with the following code names: J714c: M5 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro J714s: M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro J716c: M5 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro J716s: M5 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro However, there could be more coming to entice power users. In October 2025, MaxTech’s Vadim Yuryev reported that Apple is working on a new chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max that would feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks. This modular chip design that could allow more flexible CPU/GPU configurations and would allow customers greater options to configure these components. For example, one could set up a base CPU configuration with a maxed-out GPU. Yuryev stated that this new design is why the M5 Pro and M5 Max are delayed until 2026. On May 8, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is working on M6 and M7 chips, but they won’t be in the MacBook Pro until later. Apple is also working on a “more advanced Mac chip” called Sotra, but no details were provided. And in December 2025 a MacRumors report indicated that a kernel debug kit used by Apple engineers referenced MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, indicating that the update is coming soon. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Specs N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Thunderbolt 5. With the launch of the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple made a series of upgrades that replaced outdated components, including upping the base RAM to 16GB, bringing Thunderbolt 5 to the M4 Pro and Max models, and offering a Nano-texture glass option. The M5 MacBook Pro saw no changes to the specs other than the processor. The Bluetooth and WiFi remained the same. A new 4TB SSD option was added, but in the U.K. and Europe, Apple has removed the Power Adapter from the box. However, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to arrive on the MacBook Pro M5 Pro and Max. Apple may also integrate the N1 chip, as used in the iPhone 17, which will bring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as improve features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Apple The entry-level model still only offers Thunderbolt 4, but the Max and Pro will continue to offer Thunderbolt 5. There are reports that Apple is working on a 5G modem for the Mac, but it’s unlikely to arrive before 2026. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Release date Possible launch spring 2026. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in March 2025 that Apple was on schedule to ship the M5 MacBook Pro “around the same time of year” as when the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro shipped. That suggests an October/November timeframe. Gurman then reported in May 2025 that the M5 MacBook Pro could arrive “as early as the end of this year.” Gurman was initially confident that Apple would release the M5 MacBook Pro by the end of 2025, and indeed it did, but his confidence was certainly faltering as the launch neared, with a tweet prior to the launch pointing out that the M4 MacBook Pro was constrained, but not the M4 Max or M4 Pro models. On the base level 14-inch MacBook Pros, custom configurations on the line store are constrained till the end of October. Not the case for the Pro/Max and 16-inch models.— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 6, 2025 Then, Vadim Yuryev, host of the Max Tech YouTube channel, predicted on October 6: “3 days of M5 chip product launches next week starting on Monday or Tuesday. M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch model ONLY, M5 iPad Pro, M5 Vision Pro.” So, for now a spring launch for the rest of the MacBook Pro lineup looks most likely. New M5 MacBook Pro: Price Prices are unlikely to change. Reports suggest pricing for M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros will align with the current Pro and Max models. Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro, for reference. Prices are unlikely to change. 14-inch MacBook Pro $1,999/£1,999: M4 Pro with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,399/£2,399: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,199/£3,199: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 16-inch MacBook Pro $2,499/£2,499: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,899/£2,899: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,499/£3,499: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,999/£3,999: M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 The M5 MacBook Pro prices haven’t changed, but in the U.K. and Europe the Power Adapter will cost extra: $1,599/£1,599: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,799/£1,799: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,999/£1,999: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 Read our comparison of every Mac Apple sells: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared.

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Apple’s next iPhone 17 model could fix predecessor’s biggest flaw
Today The Information published an extensive report on future iPhone models, and it included an exciting new detail about the forthcoming iPhone 17e. MagSafe support is reportedly coming. more…

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Best portable monitors for Mac 2026
Macworld Most monitors sit on a desk and don’t move any more than their stand or arm allows. We have a separate round up of the best monitors for Mac. But sometimes a more portable solution makes sense when the MacBook’s own screen simply isn’t large enough. There are two main types of portable display: travel monitors that can be slipped into a backpack; or moveable monitors that can be carried from one room to another or quickly hidden from sight when not in use. Here are our picks for the best portable displays to match with your Mac. 1. Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display: Lightweight portable USB-C 15.6-inch HD screen Pros Full HD (1920×1080 at 60Hz) IPS display Lightweight   Integrated folding travel cover and stand 85W pass-through charging 2x downstream 10Gbps USB-C ports Cons Not much larger than a laptop screen Price When Reviewed: $239.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $234.90 View Deal $239.95 View Deal $239.95 View Deal Plugable $239.95 View Deal $252.94 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 45% Connections: 3x USB-C Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape This 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display doubles most laptops’ screen space and is simple to setup and connect, and then disconnect and lightweight enough to carry away when you’re done. Weighing just 1.85lb (840g) with its cover/stand or 1.35lb (615g) without, it is barely noticeable alongside your laptop in your backpack or briefcase On the back of the display is a detachable PU vinyl cover that can protect the screen in transit or storage and doubles up as a foldable stand that is easy to setup.–Simon Jary Read our full Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display review 2. Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro: Portable USB-C 16-inch QHD screen that stacks Pros QHD (2560×1600 pixels at 120Hz) display Lightweight   Can attach to MacBook Integrated folding travel cover and stand 65W pass-through charging Cons Not much larger than a laptop screen Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $244.99 View Deal $249.99 View Deal $249.99 View Deal Mobile Pixels $299.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Float 2 Pro Size: 16-inch (Pro) Resolution: 2.5K (2560×1600 pixels) aka QHD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Connections: USB-C & Mini HDMI Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape As its name suggests, this lightweight 16-inch QHD display ‘floats’ above your MacBook’s screen via a clever built-in stand that is simple to setup. This Stacked mode doubles your screen space—yet doesn’t feel like a second screen, just an extension. You can keep it physically attached to your laptop with the included magnets but this is an option rather than a necessity. As well as Stacked (‘floating’) there are two other viewing modes: Free Standing (not floating and separate from your MacBook), and Presentation (the screen is flipped to share content with the person in front of you). The QHD (2.5K) screen sets it apart from many of the HD portable screens reviewed here. There is a non-Pro version, the Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2, with a slightly smaller 15-6-inch HD screen. Float 2 Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 62% Connections: USB-C & Mini HDMI Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape Read our full Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro review 3. Asus ZenScreen MB249C: Large but portable 24-inch HD screen Pros Large HD screen area Sturdy built-in and foldable kickstand Offers USB-C for easy single-cable connections Good image quality Cons Too large for a backpack Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $339.99 View Deal $339.99 View Deal Asus $349 View Deal $349 View Deal $452.82 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 24-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape Portable monitors are usually associated with travel but, in reality, most never leave the home or office they’re shipped to. Many purchase portable monitors not for their portability but instead their versatility and ease of use—so it can be moved across a home or corporate office. At home, it could let you have two home office setups without having to purchase two monitors, or simply store the monitor out of sight in a cupboard when not in use. In an office, it could be carried to meetings if you need to lead a presentation or study a large spreadsheet. I’ve been on many a call, trying to keep on track on my MacBook as the presenter talks through a complex Excel doc. As large a portable monitor as possible is what you need in those situations—or a wide TV screen. The Asus ZenScreen MB249C pairs a sizable 24-inch screen with several stand options including a kickstand/handle that makes it easy to tote around a house or corporate office. It provides excellent image quality for its intended purpose. It’s bright enough and scores well in contrast, color gamut, and color accuracy, all while avoiding notable problems or pitfalls. The MB249C is a great choice for a second decent-sized monitor, too, as it offers multiple ways to mount and orient it alongside your primary monitor.–Matthew S. Smith Read a full Asus ZenScreen MB249C review on PCWorld. 4. UPerfect Delta Max & Delta Mega: Stacked dual-screen monitors Pros Quality dual HD screens Foldable Flexible adjustments Landscape or Portrait modes Cons Scant instructions Delta Max’s touch functions are basic and sporadic Price When Reviewed: $649.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $589.99 View Deal UPerfect $649.99 View Deal $739.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Delta Mega Size: 2x 23.8-inch Resolution: 2x 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 97% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape or Portrait The standard way of adding more than one external display is to have two external monitors side by side, creating a wide extended screen display. A vertically stacked monitor, such as two Delta models from UPerfect—the dual 23.8-inch Delta Mega and dual 18.5-inch Delta Max Touch—can be more ergonomic as the body doesn’t need to frequently turn left and right. The line of sight remains directly in front of the user, reducing frequent rotation of the neck. Both Delta models with IPS screens look sleek in black aluminum, with a built-in stand folded flush to the outside of the lower screen. You can modify the angle of the stand to adjust the height and angle of the screens to suit your best working posture. The central hinge also allows for flexible adjustment of the two screens to a comfortable and ergonomic angle when used in either a stacked arrangement or folded back on itself to share meeting content with people facing you—say, so you looking at one screen and the clients on the other side of the meeting seeing the other. These portable monitors are a great solution if you want a good-looking, well-built and super-adjustable portable extended dual screen that connects to your laptop for a more spacious screen experience. The flexibility to bend right back to offer front and back mirrored screens could be the solutions you are looking for in a adaptable dual-screen display. Simon Jary Delta Max Touch Size: 2x 18.5-inch Resolution: 2x 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Connections: USB-C or Mini-HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape or Portrait The screens of the Delta Max Touch, pictured above, are supposed to feature touch controls and while it’s definitely there the touch functionality is basic at best and awkward in use. Ignore the touch features and this model is a super-portable dual screen. It can also support connections from two computers: one for each screen. Read our full UPerfect Delta Max Touch review. For our home-working setup we prefer the larger Delta Mega that is a little less portable by size but certainly easily carried short distances. When in use it creates a lot of HD screen space and, like the Delta Max, can easily be folded and stored out of sight when working from home, or commuted to an office or farther afield in a car. If you don’t need all that extra space the regular Delta Max without the average touch controls is a cheaper alternative.–Simon Jary Read our full Uperfect Delta Mega Dual Screen Monitor review 5. MSI Pro MP165 E6 Portable Monitor: Budget portable monitor Pros Includes kickstand, tripod, VESA mounts Has two USB-C ports, both with Power Delivery Super affordable Cons Modest color performance and accuracy Limited menu and image quality options Price When Reviewed: $89.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Costco $89.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 47% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Kickstand Orientation: Landscape Budget portable monitors are a dime a dozen, and to be frank, many are interchangeable. That’s because most use the same IPS-LCD display panel technology, offer the same or similar ports, and are similar in size. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 also follows these trends but stands out with kickstand, 1/4-inch tripod and 75x75mm VESA mount options. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a versatile option for shoppers who need a budget portable monitor that can be used with a VESA wall mount, a conventional monitor arm, or even a tripod. Color gamut is where the MSI Pro MP165 E6 falls towards the bottom of the budget competition. It has a very limited color gamut that covers just 63 percent of sRGB and 47 percent of both DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB—compare that with the UPerfect Delta Max’s 100% or Delta Mega’s 97%. This is not a monitor for professional photo or video editing but, rather, a budget portable monitor for office productivity, digital signage, collaboration, and other tasks where color performance is less of a concern.–Matthew S. Smith Read a full MSI Pro MP165 E6 review on PCWorld. 6. Limink LK14 Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor: Best screen extender for portability Pros Adds two 14-inch screens Portable Easy setup Cons HD, not 4K Price When Reviewed: $699.99 (reduced to $499) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Limink $499 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 14-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD Color Gamut NTSC: 72% Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Connected Orientation: Landscape If you need a bigger screen you can plug a display into your Mac laptop, but if you want multiple screens without the giant extra monitors, a better option is to buy a portable external display. These displays tend to not be much larger than the display on your laptop, but they don’t add a much more weight and can more than double your screen space. The Limink LK14 portable Tri-screen Monitor is a screen extender that your MacBook fits into and adds a 14-inch screen either side of the laptop’s own. It is compatible with 13-16-inch MacBooks, and connects via either USB-C or HDMI cables (included). Setup is easy and you can attach and detach this extender to your MacBook in about a minute. It’s HD rather than 4K and so is not as sharp and clear as the MacBook’s own. But it’s fine for spreadsheets, browsers and other mainstream applications. It’s great for adding supplementary screen estate when you’re on a video call, or for presentations. At $699, it is expensive, but you are paying for portability and two decent screens. The whole package, which comes with a leather protective cover, can be folded up and placed in a drawer when not in use, and is light enough (3.3lbs; 1.5kg) to take with you on your travels.–Simon Jary Read our full Limink LK14 Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor review 7. Arovia Splay: Ultra-portable, foldable monitor and projector Pros Foldable display Converts into projector   Power bank function Cons High cost Price When Reviewed: $1,299.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Arovia $1299.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 24.5-inchResolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HDConnections: HDMI to hostWebcam: NoStand: FoldableOrientation: Landscape This clever display is actually an LED Pico projector that can transform into a fold-out 24.5-inch monitor via a collapsible shroud that surrounds the projector as it projects the image from your computer via the HDMI connection. The price is high but this portable all-environment, 2-in-1 screen might solve your display needs away from a standard desk setup. Setup is easy and there’s a useful video available for teaching you all its tricks. When collapsed the whole thing fits into a small box a bit larger than an iPad mini or over-ear headphones case (see our photo above), albeit quite a fat one, at 9.5 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches. It weighs 2.5lbs (1.1kg), so combined with the foldability it’s more portable than traditional fixed and firmer monitors. The 24.5-inch screen displays a native 1920 x 1080 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio, with a max brightness of 760 nits in display mode. While the nanomaterial screen is flexible, it is taut and wrinkle-free. You adjust focus and brightness via controls on the top of the projector body. Comapred to a standard hard monitor it’s not as great for reading a lot of small text on the screen but its target function for viewing from distance. The Splay is marketed at on-the-road presentations and trade shows, videos, but it would work as well for showing videos at home or on a camping trip when a laptop just isn’t large enough. The 44Wh battery should keep the screen bright for up to four hours and handily can triple-up as a power bank to top up your phone or laptop via USB-C. It has stereo speakers built-in, with volume controls on the projector. A 35-inch version of the Splay is planned for launch in August.

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Best portable monitors for Mac 2026
Macworld Most monitors sit on a desk and don’t move any more than their stand or arm allows. We have a separate round up of the best monitors for Mac. But sometimes a more portable solution makes sense when the MacBook’s own screen simply isn’t large enough. There are two main types of portable display: travel monitors that can be slipped into a backpack; or moveable monitors that can be carried from one room to another or quickly hidden from sight when not in use. Here are our picks for the best portable displays to match with your Mac. 1. Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display: Lightweight portable USB-C 15.6-inch HD screen Pros Full HD (1920×1080 at 60Hz) IPS display Lightweight   Integrated folding travel cover and stand 85W pass-through charging 2x downstream 10Gbps USB-C ports Cons Not much larger than a laptop screen Price When Reviewed: $239.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $234.90 View Deal $239.95 View Deal $239.95 View Deal Plugable $239.95 View Deal $252.94 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 45% Connections: 3x USB-C Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape This 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display doubles most laptops’ screen space and is simple to setup and connect, and then disconnect and lightweight enough to carry away when you’re done. Weighing just 1.85lb (840g) with its cover/stand or 1.35lb (615g) without, it is barely noticeable alongside your laptop in your backpack or briefcase On the back of the display is a detachable PU vinyl cover that can protect the screen in transit or storage and doubles up as a foldable stand that is easy to setup.–Simon Jary Read our full Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display review 2. Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro: Portable USB-C 16-inch QHD screen that stacks Pros QHD (2560×1600 pixels at 120Hz) display Lightweight   Can attach to MacBook Integrated folding travel cover and stand 65W pass-through charging Cons Not much larger than a laptop screen Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $244.99 View Deal $249.99 View Deal $249.99 View Deal Mobile Pixels $299.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Float 2 Pro Size: 16-inch (Pro) Resolution: 2.5K (2560×1600 pixels) aka QHD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Connections: USB-C & Mini HDMI Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape As its name suggests, this lightweight 16-inch QHD display ‘floats’ above your MacBook’s screen via a clever built-in stand that is simple to setup. This Stacked mode doubles your screen space—yet doesn’t feel like a second screen, just an extension. You can keep it physically attached to your laptop with the included magnets but this is an option rather than a necessity. As well as Stacked (‘floating’) there are two other viewing modes: Free Standing (not floating and separate from your MacBook), and Presentation (the screen is flipped to share content with the person in front of you). The QHD (2.5K) screen sets it apart from many of the HD portable screens reviewed here. There is a non-Pro version, the Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2, with a slightly smaller 15-6-inch HD screen. Float 2 Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 62% Connections: USB-C & Mini HDMI Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape Read our full Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro review 3. Asus ZenScreen MB249C: Large but portable 24-inch HD screen Pros Large HD screen area Sturdy built-in and foldable kickstand Offers USB-C for easy single-cable connections Good image quality Cons Too large for a backpack Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $339.99 View Deal $339.99 View Deal Asus $349 View Deal $349 View Deal $452.82 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 24-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape Portable monitors are usually associated with travel but, in reality, most never leave the home or office they’re shipped to. Many purchase portable monitors not for their portability but instead their versatility and ease of use—so it can be moved across a home or corporate office. At home, it could let you have two home office setups without having to purchase two monitors, or simply store the monitor out of sight in a cupboard when not in use. In an office, it could be carried to meetings if you need to lead a presentation or study a large spreadsheet. I’ve been on many a call, trying to keep on track on my MacBook as the presenter talks through a complex Excel doc. As large a portable monitor as possible is what you need in those situations—or a wide TV screen. The Asus ZenScreen MB249C pairs a sizable 24-inch screen with several stand options including a kickstand/handle that makes it easy to tote around a house or corporate office. It provides excellent image quality for its intended purpose. It’s bright enough and scores well in contrast, color gamut, and color accuracy, all while avoiding notable problems or pitfalls. The MB249C is a great choice for a second decent-sized monitor, too, as it offers multiple ways to mount and orient it alongside your primary monitor.–Matthew S. Smith Read a full Asus ZenScreen MB249C review on PCWorld. 4. UPerfect Delta Max & Delta Mega: Stacked dual-screen monitors Pros Quality dual HD screens Foldable Flexible adjustments Landscape or Portrait modes Cons Scant instructions Delta Max’s touch functions are basic and sporadic Price When Reviewed: $649.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $589.99 View Deal UPerfect $649.99 View Deal $739.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Delta Mega Size: 2x 23.8-inch Resolution: 2x 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 97% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape or Portrait The standard way of adding more than one external display is to have two external monitors side by side, creating a wide extended screen display. A vertically stacked monitor, such as two Delta models from UPerfect—the dual 23.8-inch Delta Mega and dual 18.5-inch Delta Max Touch—can be more ergonomic as the body doesn’t need to frequently turn left and right. The line of sight remains directly in front of the user, reducing frequent rotation of the neck. Both Delta models with IPS screens look sleek in black aluminum, with a built-in stand folded flush to the outside of the lower screen. You can modify the angle of the stand to adjust the height and angle of the screens to suit your best working posture. The central hinge also allows for flexible adjustment of the two screens to a comfortable and ergonomic angle when used in either a stacked arrangement or folded back on itself to share meeting content with people facing you—say, so you looking at one screen and the clients on the other side of the meeting seeing the other. These portable monitors are a great solution if you want a good-looking, well-built and super-adjustable portable extended dual screen that connects to your laptop for a more spacious screen experience. The flexibility to bend right back to offer front and back mirrored screens could be the solutions you are looking for in a adaptable dual-screen display. Simon Jary Delta Max Touch Size: 2x 18.5-inch Resolution: 2x 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 100% Connections: USB-C or Mini-HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Foldable Orientation: Landscape or Portrait The screens of the Delta Max Touch, pictured above, are supposed to feature touch controls and while it’s definitely there the touch functionality is basic at best and awkward in use. Ignore the touch features and this model is a super-portable dual screen. It can also support connections from two computers: one for each screen. Read our full UPerfect Delta Max Touch review. For our home-working setup we prefer the larger Delta Mega that is a little less portable by size but certainly easily carried short distances. When in use it creates a lot of HD screen space and, like the Delta Max, can easily be folded and stored out of sight when working from home, or commuted to an office or farther afield in a car. If you don’t need all that extra space the regular Delta Max without the average touch controls is a cheaper alternative.–Simon Jary Read our full Uperfect Delta Mega Dual Screen Monitor review 5. MSI Pro MP165 E6 Portable Monitor: Budget portable monitor Pros Includes kickstand, tripod, VESA mounts Has two USB-C ports, both with Power Delivery Super affordable Cons Modest color performance and accuracy Limited menu and image quality options Price When Reviewed: $89.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Costco $89.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal $94.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD sRGB Color Gamut: 47% Panel type: IPS LCD Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Kickstand Orientation: Landscape Budget portable monitors are a dime a dozen, and to be frank, many are interchangeable. That’s because most use the same IPS-LCD display panel technology, offer the same or similar ports, and are similar in size. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 also follows these trends but stands out with kickstand, 1/4-inch tripod and 75x75mm VESA mount options. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a versatile option for shoppers who need a budget portable monitor that can be used with a VESA wall mount, a conventional monitor arm, or even a tripod. Color gamut is where the MSI Pro MP165 E6 falls towards the bottom of the budget competition. It has a very limited color gamut that covers just 63 percent of sRGB and 47 percent of both DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB—compare that with the UPerfect Delta Max’s 100% or Delta Mega’s 97%. This is not a monitor for professional photo or video editing but, rather, a budget portable monitor for office productivity, digital signage, collaboration, and other tasks where color performance is less of a concern.–Matthew S. Smith Read a full MSI Pro MP165 E6 review on PCWorld. 6. Limink LK14 Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor: Best screen extender for portability Pros Adds two 14-inch screens Portable Easy setup Cons HD, not 4K Price When Reviewed: $699.99 (reduced to $499) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Limink $499 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 14-inch Resolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HD Color Gamut NTSC: 72% Connections: USB-C or HDMI to host Webcam: No Stand: Connected Orientation: Landscape If you need a bigger screen you can plug a display into your Mac laptop, but if you want multiple screens without the giant extra monitors, a better option is to buy a portable external display. These displays tend to not be much larger than the display on your laptop, but they don’t add a much more weight and can more than double your screen space. The Limink LK14 portable Tri-screen Monitor is a screen extender that your MacBook fits into and adds a 14-inch screen either side of the laptop’s own. It is compatible with 13-16-inch MacBooks, and connects via either USB-C or HDMI cables (included). Setup is easy and you can attach and detach this extender to your MacBook in about a minute. It’s HD rather than 4K and so is not as sharp and clear as the MacBook’s own. But it’s fine for spreadsheets, browsers and other mainstream applications. It’s great for adding supplementary screen estate when you’re on a video call, or for presentations. At $699, it is expensive, but you are paying for portability and two decent screens. The whole package, which comes with a leather protective cover, can be folded up and placed in a drawer when not in use, and is light enough (3.3lbs; 1.5kg) to take with you on your travels.–Simon Jary Read our full Limink LK14 Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor review 7. Arovia Splay: Ultra-portable, foldable monitor and projector Pros Foldable display Converts into projector   Power bank function Cons High cost Price When Reviewed: $1,299.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Arovia $1299.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Size: 24.5-inchResolution: 2K (1920×1080 pixels) aka HDConnections: HDMI to hostWebcam: NoStand: FoldableOrientation: Landscape This clever display is actually an LED Pico projector that can transform into a fold-out 24.5-inch monitor via a collapsible shroud that surrounds the projector as it projects the image from your computer via the HDMI connection. The price is high but this portable all-environment, 2-in-1 screen might solve your display needs away from a standard desk setup. Setup is easy and there’s a useful video available for teaching you all its tricks. When collapsed the whole thing fits into a small box a bit larger than an iPad mini or over-ear headphones case (see our photo above), albeit quite a fat one, at 9.5 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches. It weighs 2.5lbs (1.1kg), so combined with the foldability it’s more portable than traditional fixed and firmer monitors. The 24.5-inch screen displays a native 1920 x 1080 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio, with a max brightness of 760 nits in display mode. While the nanomaterial screen is flexible, it is taut and wrinkle-free. You adjust focus and brightness via controls on the top of the projector body. Comapred to a standard hard monitor it’s not as great for reading a lot of small text on the screen but its target function for viewing from distance. The Splay is marketed at on-the-road presentations and trade shows, videos, but it would work as well for showing videos at home or on a camping trip when a laptop just isn’t large enough. The 44Wh battery should keep the screen bright for up to four hours and handily can triple-up as a power bank to top up your phone or laptop via USB-C. It has stereo speakers built-in, with volume controls on the projector. A 35-inch version of the Splay is planned for launch in August.

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