SigLens acquisition targets one of Apple’s biggest headaches: Buggy apps
Apple's SigLens acquisition brings Cupertino an app-monitoring tool that could make Xcode’s debugging tools a whole lot smarter. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Deals: AirPods Pro 3 $50 off, Apple Watch Series 11 up to $130 off, chargers, new Bose Lifestyle speakers, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Amazon dropping the price on AirPods Pro 3 down to the lowest we have seen since Prime Day at $50 off, which joins the ongoing deals on AirPods 4. Amazon is also now offering $100 off most affordable 42mm and 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 models and $130 off this GPS + Cell model, all of which sit alongside the ongoing Anker charging gear summer sale with 25W MagSafe options, as well as the now live UGREEN 14th Anniversary sale with deals from just $7 – buy one get one 50% off another, new all-time lows, and more. Head below for a closer look.

Read more »

Today in Apple history: Nike+iPod Sport Kit puts fitness tracking in your pocket
On July 13, 2006, Apple released the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, combining a portable music player and activity tracker for the first time. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Report: Apple hits record 20% global smartphone shipment share as market plunges
According to a new Counterpoint Research report, Apple grew iPhone shipments by 3% year over year and captured a record 20% share of global smartphone shipments despite an industry-wide downturn. Here are the details.

Read more »

Citi hikes Apple price target to $365; bullish on market share gains and pricing power
On Monday, Citi raised its price target on Apple to $365 from $315 while maintaining its Buy rating. The move reflects stronger margin… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Channel Master Floodlight Pro review & listener question roundup on the Smart Home Insider podcast
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, we review an innovative light that runs via coaxial cable and answer a pile of listener questions.Smart Home Insider PodcastSince the last episode, developers received the third developer beta of Apple's 27-branded updates. Within the release notes of macOS 27, it was revealed Apple had seemingly decided on pricing for some of its AI-powered features.To use Apple Intelligence with Apple Home, users will need to have at least the 2TB iCloud+ plan. This is also the plan that unlocks unlimited cameras for HomeKit Secure Video recording. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Facebook demands AirPods-like pairing for its glasses and headsets
Meta has spent nine months pressing Apple to open up to rivals the way it pairs devices like AirPods, and won't take Apple's excuses for an answer.Meta Ray-Bans in use - Image Credit: MetaFacebook owner Meta has previously been trying to use European Union regulations to get it access to iPhone user data that it cannot possibly have a legitimate use for. But now it's been revealed that the company has also pressed for potentially more reasonable help on pairing its devices."We would like to be able to pair a Meta device with an iPhone or iPad," writes the company in its formal EU interoperability request, "and have it automatically available and paired on other iPhones and iPads associated with that user by coordination via Meta's own cloud services." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

OpenAI hardware timeline reportedly unchanged after Apple trade secret theft lawsuit
Despite facing its second trade secret theft lawsuit in a little more than a year over its hardware ambitions, OpenAI still plans to unveil its first product this year and release it in 2027, Bloomberg reports. Here are the details.

Read more »

Apple's corporate espionage suit against OpenAI isn't the first
Since its founding, Sam Altman's OpenAI has been at the center of multiple controversies, with Apple's intellectual property theft suit being just the latest chapter. Here's the story so far about what's been alleged over the last decade.Sam Altman of OpenAIThe artificial intelligence development wave has greatly affected the tech industry. As usual, this also includes accusations, threats, and lawsuits.OpenAI is no different, as it has attracted many different lawsuits in its short existence. As you might expect, Apple is central to some, and peripheral to others. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple acquires observability startup SigScalr
Apple has acquired certain assets and hired employees from SigScalr, the company behind the observability app SigLens. Here are the details.

Read more »

iPhone growth defies the smartphone market's worst second quarter in 13 years
Apple's iPhone shipments rose 3% in the second quarter of 2026 even as the global smartphone market fell 11% to its lowest second-quarter level since 2013.iPhone 17 Pro MaxGlobal smartphone shipments fell 11% from the second quarter of 2025. Apple's share of global shipments climbed separately to a second-quarter record of 20%.Samsung remained the market leader with a 24% share after posting the strongest year-over-year growth among the five largest smartphone makers. Xiaomi followed Apple with 12%, while Oppo and Vivo held 11% and 8%, respectively.Rising DRAM and NAND memory prices drove much of the decline as suppliers prioritized demand from AI data centers. The resulting pressure has fallen hardest on entry-level and midrange phones, where manufacturers have less room to absorb higher component costs. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Report: Updated iPad accessories are on the way
Macworld Apple has lots of big-ticket devices in the pipeline, from the iPhone Ultra to the Apple Watch Series 12, and this can leave the company’s cheaper accessory-type products in the shade. But iPad owners will be excited to hear that two new Apple Pencils are slated to launch in the first half of next year, according to a new report. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman predicts that early 2027 will see the launch of updated Apple Pencils, alongside new iPad Pros (and MacBook Pros) in a feast of launches aimed at creative professionals. He has previously claimed that the new iPad Pro models will appear in the spring, and observes that Apple generally likes such launches to coincide with the release of new Apple Pencils where possible. The launch is still eight or nine months away, so details are scarce. But Gurman’s sources have obtained the codenames of the new Pencils: B582, he claims, will be an updated version of the standard (wired-charging) Apple Pencil, which currently retails for $79, while B632 is the new version of the $129 Apple Pencil Pro. Such codenames aren’t especially helpful, to be blunt, but they do provide some reassurance that the sources have access to insider information. Other than the codenames, Gurman is able to offer only some brief speculation on possible changes to the battery setups in the new Apple Pencils. The EU, he notes, will next year bring in regulations stipulating that the batteries in consumer tech products are easier to remove and replace. “One possibility is that these Pencils will offer new battery systems,” Gurman suggests. “The current (and prior) Apple Pencils are a nightmare to repair and are filled with glued-together parts, so this would be a big change if it happens.” Of note, both Pencils on the market are 1st-gen models. Apple released the USB-C model in 2023 and the Pro version in 2024. The last Apple Pencil update was the 2nd-gen model in 2018, which added a flat edge for magnetic charging and a tap-sensitive body and was initially only compatible with the 3rd-gen iPad Pros. That seems like a long shot. Other possibilities are a redesign of some kind or new colors finish-–although Apple has essentially kept the same general design since the 2nd-gen model arrived in 2018. The baseline Apple Pencil USB-C is missing lots of Pro features that could be added in an updated model, such as pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, Find My, and so on. But the missing features are there to encourage you to pay more for a Pro model, so it’s unlikely Apple will be in much of a hurry to revamp its feature set.

Read more »

TSMC’s record Q2 revenue surge highlights AI boom and Apple’s strategic chip partnership
According to the company's latest report, Apple Silicon-supplier TSMC posted second-quarter revenue of approximately T$1.27 trillion… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

The real story behind the Apple/Intel chips deal? It reportedly started at the White House.
Before Apple agreed to work with Intel on chip manufacturing, the partnership reportedly took shape during White House talks over tariff exemptions. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Epic Games fights Apple’s request to pause App Store commission proceedings
Epic has submitted its opposition to Apple’s latest request to pause lower-court App Store commission proceedings while the Supreme Court reviews part of the case. Here are the details.

Read more »

How to connect two or more external displays to an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 MacBook or Neo
Macworld While the higher-end MacBooks with M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Pro and Max chips support multiple external displays, Apple’s lower-end range of MacBooks that use a standard M1 and M2 processor cannot natively connect more than one external monitor, and to do so the M3 has to have its lid closed. The MacBook Neo is also limited to just one external monitor. This is a massive limitation for these entry-level Macs: M1 MacBook, M2 MacBook and MacBook Neo. Apple’s M3 MacBook Air models do support two external monitors but only if the MacBook has its lid closed in what is known as Clamshell Mode. The M3 MacBook Pro supports a similar feature if at least the macOS Sonoma 14.6 update is installed. We explain how to run dual external displays on an M3 MacBook in a separate article. Who will these Mac external monitor tips help? • If your Mac has a plain (non-Pro or non-Max) M1 or M2 chip, or is the MacBook Neo, it is limited to using just one external monitor unless you follow our tips and workaround here. • If your Mac has a plain (non-Pro or non-Max) M3 chip, it can only use two external monitors if its own lid is closed (so not showing its own screen) unless you follow our tips and workaround here. • If your Mac has an M4, M5, M4 Pro, M4 Max chip, it is limited to using two external monitors – add up to five using the workarounds. • If your Mac has an M5 Pro chip, it is limited to using three external monitors – add up to five using the workarounds. • If your Mac has an M5 Max chip, it is limited to using four external monitors – add up to five using the workarounds. The solutions below, however, allow for more than two external displays on plain M1, M2 Macs and MacBook Neo plus M3 Macs with their lids open if you want it. The base M4/M5 MacBook Air and M4/M5 MacBook Pro models do natively support two displays with the lid open but if you want three or more displays for these MacBooks, then keep reading. In each case, there’s a software download and a docking station, hub or adapter required.  Later, we list our tested and recommended software and hardware solutions for adding more than one display to the plain M1, M2 and M3 Macs, plus MacBook Neo. You can jump straight to our list of the best DisplayLink docks if you know all about it. If not, read on a while. The simplest solution is to get a USB graphics-enabled docking station or hub, sometimes called a DisplayLink Dock—and we’ve reviewed the best ones later in this article. USB graphics is a software-based technology (DisplayLink or InstantView) that compresses the video signals from the computer to the monitor, enabling you to connect multiple external displays to your M1/M2/M3 or Neo MacBook. We cover the basics of how to connect your Mac to an external monitor. Desktop Macs can be helped, too. While the M1, M2 and Neo MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the desktop M1 Mac Mini and M2 Mac Mini do natively support up to two external monitors—one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. The M4 Mac mini supports up to three displays—two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI. Workaround: Install DisplayLink software drivers You can use a combination of display technologies to get around the M1/M2/M3/Neo MacBooks’ single-monitor limitation. DisplayLink is the most common software solution that you pair with a compatible dock, and SiliconMotion’s InstantView is another. Note that the docks need to state DisplayLink or InstantView compatibility—you can’t just install DisplayLink drivers and hope they work with regular docks and hubs. Here, we’ll refer to them all as DisplayLink docks for brevity. DisplayLink enable adapters or docks to output video over USB ports that would otherwise support only data connections, bypassing limitations on the number of screens a Mac can support natively (for example, the single-display limitation on base M1, M2, M3, and Neo Macs). Many multi-display docks use a combination of native USB-C Alternate Mode (native “Alt Mode” video output) and DisplayLink technology. This combination serves as a workaround to the M1/M2/M3/Neo platform supporting only a single external display via USB-C. Note that DisplayLink requires a third-party driver to be installed on the Mac. In general, setup is straightforward. Some of the docks we review below offer the DisplayLink software when you first connect the dock to your Mac. The DisplayLink macOS app or DisplayLink Manager app are ways of enabling DisplayLink technology on macOS. The app is available as a standalone installer rather than through the mac App Store. There are download versions for macOS 26 Tahoe and earlier. The initial InstantView setup is easier than DisplayLink with the hubs from Hyper and Satechi—but it suffers the same challenge that Apple’s software updates could disable it, which will entail installing a newer version and allowing the necessary security & privacy settings for screen recording, just as with DisplayLink. You can download the latest version of InstantView software here. The latest version supports macOS 26 Tahoe, 15 Sequoia, 14 Sonoma, 13 Ventura and 12 Monterey. Neither software solution is complicated and both worked well in our tests as you can read below. There are some disadvantages to using DisplayLink and InstantView, which we explain in detail in the FAQ section below the dock chart, but none that should bother most users. This docking station supports three external displays via DisplayLink, while still allowing the MacBook to show its independent screen. 1. First, download the latest Mac DisplayLink driver. As stated above, some docks, do this for you but it’s always best to use the latest version. DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App v. 16.1 is compatible with macOS Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15 and Tahoe 26. For macOS Ventura 13, you need version 14.2; and for Monterey 12, it’s version 1.11; for Big Sur 11, look for version 1.9, and v1.5 for Catalina 10.15. It can be managed via the DisplayLink icon in the Apple Menu bar. Here’s the one fiddly part: you need to enable “Screen Recording” to allow the DisplayLink Manager app to capture pixels and send them to your USB peripheral. This can be found in System Preferences under Privacy in Security & Privacy; navigate to Screen Recording in the list on the left, then tick the Screen Recording permission for DisplayLink Manager after unlocking the padlock using your admin password. You may need to quit and restart DisplayLink Manager afterward. Don’t worry, DisplayLink isn’t recording your screen—this just lets it do its magic enabling multiple screens. Installation is straightforward; take a look at the instructions here. Older versions did not support laptops’ closed-display/Clamshell Mode, but 1.8.1 and later do support Clamshell Mode if the MacBook is running macOS 11 or later. There’s an option in DisplayLink manager to “launch at startup”, or you can drag the DisplayLink Manager to your Login Items in Users & Groups. 2. Then connect the MacBook to a DIsplayLink docking station—the dock must support DisplayLink, as all the reviewed products listed below do. 3. For the first screen you can connect via the dock’s DisplayPort, HDMI or USB-C/Thunderbolt port, and this will be handled natively by the M1/M2 MacBook. If you need to, you can use a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter. If connecting to a MacBook Neo, use the rear 10Gbps USB 3 port. The HDMI or DisplayPort output uses Alternate Mode (Alt Mode), and as it is basically a pipeline directly to the system’s native GPU, it will behave just like if you hooked up a USB-C to HDMI dongle to your laptop. This requires no user driver installation. The second and third displays will rely on the DisplayLink software. DisplayLink uses an installed driver and the system CPU and GPU to convert graphics data on the system into data packets. That data is then sent over the cable as data packets and converted back to video information and output to the monitors via the DisplayLink chip in the docking station. Which dock is best? A docking station connects to your MacBook via Thunderbolt or USB-C. It then offers multiple ports that your laptop now has access to. These can include new display ports, such as HDMI, as well as Ethernet for wired Internet access, USB-C/Thunderbolt/USB-A ports at varying speeds, audio plugs, and card readers. A simpler hub or adapter has fewer ports but may have all the video or USB ports required. The main thing to remember here is that the dock, hub or adapter needs to support either DisplayLink or InstantView for the extra multi-screen magic to work. Non-DisplayLink docking stations are great if your MacBook can handle the number of screens you desire but you need more ports and functionality. Docking station and hub manufacturers are now actively marketing their products as solutions to the M1/M2/M3/Neo external display limitation—docks have to support DisplayLink to work with the software. All the docks and hubs reviewed below require either the DisplayLink download or another similar software solution, such as InstantView, but no further hardware adapter except for the dock or hub itself. And of course, these hubs offer the usual multi-port benefits as well as the external monitor solution. The best multiscreen hubs and adapters for Neo, M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 MacBooks Below we have gathered the best dedicated hubs and docks for multiscreen M1/M2/M3/M4/M5/Neo. Note that most of these listed (and tested) below use USB-C rather than Thunderbolt, so don’t benefit from the MacBook’s potential pro-level 40-80Gbps data bandwidth but are usually cheaper. If you require bandwidth higher than 10Gbps, go for a DisplayLink-supporting Thunderbolt dock. The MacBook Neo has USB-C rather than Thunderbolt so is limited to 10Gbps anyway but can use the Thunderbolt docks, too if you like as USB-C and Thunderbolt are compatible.. We have tested DisplayLink docks that can support up to five external displays and some that max out at two, which we expect will be plenty enough screen space for most people. You can use a five-screen DisplayLink dock even if you need only two monitors, and use the spare ports for other purposes. Plugable 5 Display USB-C Dock (UD-7400PD) – five 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports up to five external displays at 4K 60Hz 3x 8K at 60Hz displays 11 ports 2x HDMI video ports 140W PD laptop charging 2.5Gb Ethernet Cons No SD card reader North America only Price When Reviewed: $279.95 Best Prices Today: $296.99 at Amazon$296.99 at B&H$296.99 at Lenovo USA Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 5 Let’s begin with the DisplayLink dock that supports the most external displays: the Plugable UD-7400PD allows even M1 MacBook and Neo users to run up to five 4K displays at a 60Hz refresh rate. This is made possible by use of the latest Synaptics’ DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset. No other dock can match it. Although five displays is probably overkill for most users, financial and data analysts can’t have enough screens and will love it. You don’t have to add five displays, of course, but this dock is the one that will let you do so. It even offers something to the mighty M5 Max MacBook that can natively support four external displays; with the Plugable UD-7400PD it can move to five. There are two HDMI ports (one HDMI 2.1 for 8K and one 2.0) plus three downstream USB-C ports to connect either those displays or other devices. There are two fast 10Gbps USB-A ports, speedy 2.5Gb Ethernet and an audio jack, but no SD card reader. At the front of the dock, one of the USB-C ports can output power to a connected device at 30W, which is perfect if you want to fast-charge an iPhone or even an iPad. If you need faster bandwidth, the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink (reviewed below) boasts 40Gbps data transfer and supports four displays for the M3 MacBook Air (while shut in Clamshell Mode), but with it the M1 and M2 MacBooks are limited to three (one at 6K and two at 4K).  IT managers will appreciate Plugable’s DockTag technology that works with the UD-7400PD, a web-based solution designed for hot-desking and real-time IT asset management in mixed-platform offices. Read our full Plugable 5 Display USB-C Dock (UD-7400PD) review

Read more »

Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI could derail the AI giant’s hardware ambitions to challenge the iPhone
Apple’s aggressive lawsuit accusing OpenAI of systematically stealing its intellectual property poses a significant threat to the AI… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Tap to Pay on iPhone finally replaces clunky card reader at Apple Stores
Apple is arming more retail staff with iPhone 16 to expand Tap to Pay on iPhone, phasing out the bulky Bluetooth card sleds it used for years. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

AAPL stock rallies 15% as investors favor AI caution and welcome price increases
Apple stock slid significantly downwards in the wake of the WWDC keynote, with some attributing that to disappointment in the company’s AI announcements. While we disagreed with that analysis, investors do now seem to be welcoming the company’s caution when it comes to AI spending, with the stock rallying 15% since that June low …

Read more »

Best Mac 2026: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared
Macworld Which Mac is best for you? Whether you want everyday portability, professional creative power, desktop performance, or budget-friendly computing, Apple’s lineup has a Mac that fits. For $699 you can own a MacBook Neo, which is Apple’s most affordable laptop, for a little more, the MacBook Air (M5) excels at everyday work and battery life, while the MacBook Pro lineup delivers serious power for pros. On the other hand, desktops like the Mac Studio and iMac stand out for creators and home setups, while the Mac mini offers great value if you don’t need portability. Choosing the best Mac in 2026 isn’t just about buying the newest model, it’s about matching Apple’s vast lineup to what you actually need from a computer. From ultraportable MacBooks to powerful desktop Macs, each option excels at different tasks. So whether you are a creative, a professional, a student, or an everyday user, we will help you identify the Mac that suits your needs. In our Mac buying guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio, with expert buying advice to help you choose the machine (and configuration) that’s right for you. With seven different types of Mac on offer: MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, and variations in the size, specs, and features within each of those categories, things can get pretty complicated. That’s where this guide comes in, helping you make the right decision so you can find the Mac that matches your needs, whether its the best value for money, the most powerful, the most portable, or a combination of all those things. Best Mac 2026: Mac & MacBook Buyers Guide Our top choice of Mac in 2026 is the MacBook Air because it offers a great combination of value for money in a compact package that will appeal to the typical Mac user. However, that may not be the best Mac for you if you need the most powerful Mac, in which case we would recommend the MacBook Pro which brings you all the power you could need in a portable form. If it’s something cheaper you are after then Apple’s new MacBook Neo is sure to appeal, starting at $699/£699. If you don’t need a laptop Mac there are some excellent options in Apple’s desktop range, with the Mac Studio providing the best value for money and saving thousands compared to a similarly specced Mac laptop. If a low budget option is what you are looking for then look no further than the Mac mini, which is the cheapest Mac desktop at $799/£799. Below we’ll take you through each Mac currently available from Apple, to give you an overview of what’s on offer and what you’ve got to choose from, you’ll also find live prices so you can get the best price today for each of the Macs included below. We also have additional advice for choosing the best Mac laptop in our comparison of the MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro. Not every Mac is right for every user, so we’ve grouped Apple’s current Macs by who they’re best for – from everyday users to professionals. Price increases June 2026 In June 2026, Apple increased prices significantly across several product lines including Macs, iPads, the Apple TV 4K, and HomePod models, citing an unprecedented rise in component costs. The company stated it had “never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly” and that it had shielded customers from these increases for as long as possible before finally raising prices. For Macs, prices have increased from $100/£100 to $500/£500 depending on the model. MacBook Neo is $100 more MacBook Air is $200 more MacBook Pro is $300 to $500 more Mac mini is $200 more Mac Studio is $500 more Prices have been updated throughout this article. 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) – Best Mac for most people Price When Reviewed: From $1,299 (was $1,099) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1243 View Deal $1249 View Deal $1269 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket What is it? The 13-inch MacBook Air is Apple’s most affordable laptop, designed with portability in mind. What’s new? Apple introduced the M5 MacBook Air in March 2026, featuring the new M5 chip for faster CPU and GPU performance. The base configuration now starts with 512GB of storage (double the previous model), along with faster SSD speeds, more memory bandwidth, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Who’s it for? It’s perfect for students and everyday users who want a lightweight laptop that’s easy to carry, and powerful enough for working, studying, browsing, and doing light creative work. If you want a larger screen there is a 15-inch MacBook Air, which we discuss below. How much does the 13-inch MacBook Air cost? The entry-level 13-inch M5 MacBook Air costs from $1,299/£1,299, that’s up $200/£200 from the launch price of $1,099/£1,099. You can create build-to-order models with more memory (up to 32GB) or storage (up to 4TB). What are the specifications? The standard specs for the M5 MacBook Air offer an improvement on the previous generation. The MacBook Air now ships with 512GB SSD as standard. The actual screen measurements, measured diagonally are 13.6in Apple M5, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 4 ports: $1,299/£1,299. Apple M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 4 ports: $1,399/£1,399. Additional options: Up to 32GB memory, 4TB storage. What are display specifications? The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina on the M5 MacBook Air display has a native resolution of 2,560×1,664 and 500 nits brightness. The MacBook Air M5 can support two external displays. How do I connect stuff? The M5 MacBook Air models supports Thunderbolt 4, which means that they can support a dual monitor set up. If you want to connect USB-A devices, you need either a USB-C to USB adapter, like Apple’s $19 / £19 one, or a USB-C hub that has USB-A ports. In the U.K. and Europe Apple has stopped including a Power Adapter in the box, so you will need to buy one separately. See our round-up of the best USB-C hubs and adapters. The 2026 MacBook Air offers Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for connecting to a network. It also provides built-in Bluetooth (6) for wirelessly connecting a mouse or other peripherals. If you want to connect to an ethernet network, you need an adapter. How fast is it? In our tests the M5 saw consistent gains over the M4 in the previous generation, as you can see in our Mac processor benchmarks. In some benchmarks the M3 even beats the M1 Ultra. If you are upgrading from an old Mac – especially if it is one with an Intel chip – you will see a huge difference. Any other considerations? The MacBook Air should be more than fast enough for general-purpose use. The only issue is that, because it doesn’t have an internal fan, it may slow down during long processing sessions to keep cool. So if you are likely to be video editing or compiling code the MacBook Pro with its fan is a better choice. Also note that (as with almost all Macs) it’s impossible to upgrade the storage or memory after purchase, so you should buy the model with the largest amount of storage and memory you can afford. Why we recommend the 13-inch MacBook Air: The MacBook Air is a great choice for someone who does general-purpose work and moves around a lot, such as a student or a self-employed person. We compare the MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro separately. Read our full Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) review

Read more »