Deals: M5 iPad Pro up to $100 off, iPad Pro Magic Keyboard $140 off, 24GB M3 MacBook Air $750 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is kicking off with the first notable Amazon discounts on the new M5 iPad Pro. The most affordable 13-inch is $50 off and we have a higher-end 2TB model at $100 off the list price. Those offers join a chance to land the compatible Magic Keyboard at up to $140 off as well as this 24GB M3 MacBook Air at up to $750 off the original price, the return of Prime Day pricing on Apple’s 4-pack of AirTags ($16 each), and even more down below.  more…

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PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive review: Up to 2TB of fast portable storage
Macworld At a glance Pros Faster than SD cards Portable Affordable Versatile connectors Cons One connector end always exposed Our Verdict The PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive is an excellent choice for users seeking a super-fast, reliable, ultra-compatible and portable storage solution. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When ReviewedFrom $34.99 Best Prices Today: PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive Retailer Price $34.99 View Deal $34.99 View Deal $34.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In today’s world of cloud storage and painless wireless transfers plus inexpensive SD and microSD card readers, it’s easy to forget how useful the old-school flash thumb drives can be—especially as most still persevere with the old legacy rectangular USB-A connectors that hasn’t been seen on a Mac since 2017’s MacBook Air. Flash drives were once the kings of portable storage, prized for their portability, ease of use, and offline data transfer capabilities. If you wanted to quickly and securely move files between devices without an internet connection they were the perfect tool. Cloud storage is now the norm, but is slower, less data-secure and usually requires a monthly subscription. SD cards vs flash drives Modern MacBook Pros (and the Mac Studio) boast an SDXC card reader slot that can transfer data at a reasonable 250MBps when using a UHS-II card. Other Mac users can easily connect one of the best Mac USB-C hubs to add a similar card reader—indeed one of to a faster 312MBps. If you need to store large capacities, the SD card is an affordable and super portable option. SD cards are generally easier to trust on data speed (100Mbps to 312MBps) as no-name flash drives rarely list their data-transfer rates. A USB thumb drive takes up one of your Mac’s valuable Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, while the SD card reader is dedicated for portable storage only. For bulkier always-attached external storage, look at our roundup of the best external SSD drives for Mac. However, we think you should reconsider the humble flash drive, especially one as capable as the PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive, which blends speed, portability, and broad compatibility into a sleek and still highly portable package. This compact, durable device is designed for those who require rapid data transfer and the ability to seamlessly manage files across a variety of devices. It’s also very fast—much faster than even the speediest SD card. PNY claims speeds up to 1000MB/s read and 800MB/s write, making the Duo Link V3 one of the fastest USB flash drives on the market today. Simon Jary Fast as a flash In our tests the PNY Duo Link V3 got very close to those claimed speeds, recording scores of around 800-820MBps for read and 680-800Mbps for write, putting that 250MBps Apple SDXC card reader in the shade. Personally, I wouldn’t go near a flash drive based on the old USB-A connector, and one of the attractive features of the PNY Duo Link V3 is its dual Type-A and Type-C connectors. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for users with a wide range of devices, from older laptops and desktops with legacy USB-A ports to the latest iPhones, iPads and Macs with USB-C ports. As fewer devices use the old standard, we should need that USB-A connector less, but it’s handy if you require maximum compatibility. The performance of the Duo Link V3 is particularly notable, with its 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility. In our testing, the transfer speeds were noticeably faster compared to many other flash drives in the same category, with data moving between devices in seconds. Without a cap, when not in position in a device’s USB port one connector is always exposed to the elements.PNY Durable design With its sleek matte black metal swivel design, this pocketable flash drive is both durable and lightweight. The swivel design that manually switches between the C and A connectors means there’s no cap to lose, which I’ve found is often the case with other flash drives. The swivel satisfyingly clicks into place, which is a nice touch. The lack of a cap might make you reconsider it if you are out and about all the time, in environments where it might be subjected to dust or physical impact, or you are keen to send the drive to others, as one end or the other will always be exposed. But around the home or office, the cap-less flash drive is more convenient if unprotected. Simon Jary Price The entry-level 256GB PNY Duo Link V3 is priced at an affordable $34.99 / £34.99. You’ll get twice that capacity with the 512GB model at $49.99 / £59.99, and then 1TB for $81.99 / £109.99, and the high-end 2TB flash drive priced at $154.99 / £179.99. In comparison you can buy a known-brand 256GB SDXC card for around $25, 512GB for around $40, 1TB for $90 and 2TB going from $170 for a trusted brand. The prices therefore are cheaper for lower capacities but similar as the gigabytes pile on. Remember, however, that the data-transfer speeds of these cards are at most a quarter of the PNY flash dive. Should you buy the PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive The PNY Duo Link V3 Flash Drive is an excellent choice for users seeking a super-fast, reliable, ultra-compatible and portable storage solution. With capacity options from 256GB all the way up to 2TB and prices not dissimilar to slower SD cards it should be a strong candidate for your portable storage needs.

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Get Apple’s sleek and stunning M4 iMac with a sweet discount
Apple's sleek, stylish desktop computer is available with a big discount. This M4 iMac deal drops the all-in-one by over $100. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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The iPhone 18 may be the first phone to get full satellite connectivity
Macworld Ever since it was introduced on the iPhone 14 in 2022, satellite connectivity has been available, but with limitations. That could change next year, according to The Information, which reports that Apple has plans to support “5G networks that aren’t tethered to Earth’s surface, which includes satellites.” Such support “would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite.” It has also been reported that Apple may change the release cycle for the standard iPhone models, so the iPhone 18 may be released in the spring of 2027, at the same time as the iPhone 18e. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will stay on a fall release schedule, to be joined by the new folding iPhone. With that new cycle in place, satellite connectivity could make its debut with the iPhone 18 Pro and the first folding iPhone in 2026. However, the current state of satellite connectivity is limited to emergency services, and there is no existing service that provides 5G over satellite for regular use. In the U.S., there are two ways users can use satellite with an iPhone 14 or later: Apple provides service for use with the Emergency SOS feature, Find My, and Messages; and T-Mobile offers a mobile service package that includes Starlink satellite, which has limited abilities. It is not clear if the 5G satellite service would be ready in time for the iPhone 18 Pro release. Apple currently works with Globalstar for its satellite connectivity, but Globalstar appears to be on shaky ground–it is looking to be acquired and has recently stated that any loss of a major partner would severely impact its financials. The Information states that Apple and SpaceX (which provides the Starlink service) could work out a deal, as SpaceX recently implemented support for the iPhone’s satellite radio spectrum.

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Apple holds special developer event touting immersive media experiences for Vision Pro
Coinciding with this week’s launch of Apple Vision Pro (M5), Apple held a special “Meet with Apple” event at its Developer Center in Cupertino focused on visionOS. Throughout the multi-day experience, Apple showed developers the best practices for creating immersive experiences for the spatial computing platform. Apple invited developers to attend the event in-person this week, but it was also streamed live on YouTube. more…

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What is Liquidmetal, and why has Apple been interested in it for a decade?
The iPhone Fold is likely to be Apple's first large-scale use of Liquidmetal. Here's what you need to know about the mysterious material and Apple's probable plans for it.A render of the iPhone Fold, and its hinge - Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe iPhone Fold is the subject of frequent speculation, with claims about its design evolving over time. However, some of the more recent rumors about the hardware include a reference to a material known as Liquidmetal.While everyone is familiar with mercury being a metal that literally exists as a metal at room temperature, the Liquidmetal material is something completely different. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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What is Liquidmetal, and why has Apple been interested in it for a decade?
The iPhone Fold is likely to be Apple's first large-scale use of Liquidmetal. Here's what you need to know about the mysterious material and Apple's probable plans for it.A render of the iPhone Fold, and its hinge - Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe iPhone Fold is the subject of frequent speculation, with claims about its design evolving over time. However, some of the more recent rumors about the hardware include a reference to a material known as Liquidmetal.While everyone is familiar with mercury being a metal that literally exists as a metal at room temperature, the Liquidmetal material is something completely different. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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What is Liquidmetal, and why has Apple been interested in it for a decade?
The iPhone Fold is likely to be Apple's first large-scale use of Liquidmetal. Here's what you need to know about the mysterious material and Apple's probable plans for it.A render of the iPhone Fold, and its hinge - Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe iPhone Fold is the subject of frequent speculation, with claims about its design evolving over time. However, some of the more recent rumors about the hardware include a reference to a material known as Liquidmetal.While everyone is familiar with mercury being a metal that literally exists as a metal at room temperature, the Liquidmetal material is something completely different. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Ben Stiller’s touching new documentary tells his famous parents’ tale
"Severance" director Ben Stiller's new "Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost" documentary focuses on his comedian parents and showbiz upbringing. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Verizon launches new, affordable ‘Lite’ home internet plan
Verizon has just announced an entirely new ‘Lite’ home internet plan available for customers. Here are the details. more…

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Trump administration moves to speed AI data-center hookups to power grids
The Trump administration is urging federal regulators to dramatically speed up approvals for the rapidly expanding AI data-center… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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CarPlay in iOS 26 enables ‘video in the car’, but there’s no support
Apple made a major U-turn with CarPlay after a decade of not allowing video playback. Starting with iOS 26, Apple technically allows apps to display video through the CarPlay screen while parked. more…

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Today in Apple history: The world prepares for the NeXT Computer
Three years after leaving Apple, Steve Jobs prepares to launch the NeXT Computer, the machine he hopes will exact his revenge on Cupertino. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Sora for iOS will add three new features soon, here’s what’s coming
Sora’s new iOS app has, by all appearances, been a big hit for OpenAI. And in a recent post, the company revealed several new features coming to the Sora app soon. Here are the details. more…

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∞ The Dalrymple Report: HomePod mini, AWS, Apple Shiny, and F1
My wife got me a pair of Meta Ray Ban sunglasses this week. I haven't had a lot of time to work with them , but I talk about my first impressions. Amazon Web Services went down this week and it took some of the biggest tech companies along with it. So much money and expertise all taken out because of one simple mistake. Apple's recently released products are availble for pickup now and there doesn't seem to be shortages of anything. Apple has been moving into live sports over the past couple of years with MLS and MLB, but now Apple has it's biggest one ever--F1. They will get the rights to F1 in the U.S. starting next year. Follow this podcast Show Notes: My HomePod mini has gone crazy The Louvre was robbed last Sunday AWS went down earlier this week, took lots of stuff down with it New Apple shiny shipping, available for pickup now Your cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro can turn rose gold Apple gets F1 rights Shows and movies we're watching The Diplomat, Netflix Dune, HBO

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How to connect two or more external displays to an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 MacBook
Macworld While the higher-end MacBooks with M1/M2/M3/M4 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. This is a massive limitation compared to the previous Intel-based generation of Mac laptops that could run two displays when connected to a USB-C or Thunderbolt docking station or hub. Apple’s M3 MacBook Air models 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. The solutions below, however, allow for more than two external displays on plain M1, M2 and M3 Macs with their lids open if you want it. The plain M4 MacBook Air and M4 or M5 MacBook Pro models do natively support two displays with the lid open but if you want three displays for these MacBooks, then keep reading. There have also been reports that the M3 MacBook Air with lid closed suffers significant performance decline due to heat build up, so following our advice below still has relevance even for M3 MacBook Air and Pro users who want to hook up to multiple displays and keep their Mac purring at full speed. 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. You can jump straight to our list of the best DisplayLink docks if you know all about DisplayLink. If not, read on a while. The solutions we explain here will also help plain M4 and M5 users and M2/M3/M4 Pro MacBook users extend to three external displays. Here are the external display specs for Apple’s current laptops, and what our workarounds can offer: M1 MacBook Air, M2 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro: Maximum one external display—read our workarounds below for up to five displays. M3 MacBook Air, M3 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays if MacBook lid is closed. Four or more using our workarounds. M2 Pro MacBook Pro and M3 Pro MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays. Four or more using our workarounds. M4 MacBook Air, M4 MacBook Pro, M4 Pro MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays. Three or more using our workarounds, or five using DisplayLink on certain docks. M2 Max MacBook Pro, M3 Max MacBook Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro: Maximum four external displays. Five using DisplayLink on certain docks. However, there are ways around these plain M1/M2/M3 limitations, allowing you to run two or more external displays off your MacBook, which we will outline here. In each case, there’s a software download and a docking station, hub or adapter required.  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 or M3 MacBook. Installing third-party software drivers leads to a slight risk that these might later be unsupported by future updates of the macOS, but the two drivers we recommend are recognized industry standards that we believe will continue to be supported and have been for a number of years already. We therefore can recommend these solutions that have worked for a numbe rof years without problems. External displays: Big problem for M1, M2 and some M3 Macs If your MacBook setup includes running more than one external display, you have a major problem: Apple’s basic (non-Pro or Max) M1 and M2 chips simply won’t allow it—at least natively. Apple states in the M1 or M2 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Pro tech specs that they support only “one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz”. Apple While the M1 and M2 MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the M1 and M2 Mac Mini does natively support up to two external monitors—one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. But the M1 and M2 models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (plus the M3 MacBook Pro) support only a single external display over Thunderbolt. 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. The M3 MacBook Air models (13- and 15-inch) were the first to support more than one external display—as long as you close the laptop’s lid (known as Clamshell Mode) to allow for the second external display. 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro has a similar limitation. The first display (allowing an open MacBook lid) has a maximum 6K resolution at 60Hz. The second display (requiring the closed lid) can be up to 5K at 60Hz. The M4 MacBook Air and 14-inch M4 or M5 MacBook Pro escape the single-display limit even with its lid open, but if you want more than two displays for that model, you need a DisplayLink dock. We cover the basics of how to connect your Mac to an external monitor. Workaround: Install DisplayLink software drivers You can use a combination of display technologies to get around the M1/M2/M3 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, or M3 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 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. 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. 14.1 is compatible with macOS Ventura 13, Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15 and Tahoe 26. For macOS Monterey 12, you need 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. 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 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 M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 MacBooks Below we have gathered the best dedicated hubs and docks for multiscreen M1/M2/M3/M4/M5. 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. 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: $279.95 at Amazon$279.95 at B&H$279.95 at Walmart 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 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. 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 Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink – three 4K displays at 60Hz for M1/M2, four for M3/M4/M5 Pros Supports up to four external displays at 4K 60Hz One display at 6K 60Hz 11 ports, inc. three 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 2x HDMI 2.0 video ports Speedy SD card reader 96W laptop charging and 180W power supply Cons Only three displays for M1/M2 U.K. users need local power cable Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon$299.99 at B&H$299.99 at Satechi Connection: Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 4 While plain M1 and M2 MacBooks are limited to three external displays using this dock when DisplayLink software is installed, M3/M4/M5 and M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro/Max MacBooks can connect to four 4K at 60Hz. Other docks reviewed here also allow M1 and M2 Macs to connect to three displays, but what we really like about the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink is right there in its name: it’s a full Thunderbolt 4 dock rather than USB-C. It therefore offers 40Gbps data-transfer rates compared to the 10Gbps that you’ll find on most of the other docks reviewed here. The Plugable TBT-6950PD, reviewed below, is very similar to this Satechi dock. That Thunderbolt port connection also allows one of the three screens to be at 6K resolution (60Hz) while the other two via HDMI will be 4K at 60Hz. There are two HDMI 2.0 ports plus a generous three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (as well as one upstream TB4 to the laptop). It doesn’t host any extra USB-C ports but the three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps data transfer, 15W power output) are backwards compatible with USB-C. There are two fast 10Gbps USB-A ports, too, plus a UHS-II SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet and an audio jack. Non-Pro/Max M3, M4 and M5 Macs can connect to four displays using this dock, as long as the laptop’s lid is closed (clamshell mode). It’s also a great option for M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro users usually restricted to two external displays. U.K. customers can buy direct from Satechi (with a small shipping fee) but will need to purchase a local power cable. Satechi also sells a 12-port USB-C-based Triple 4K Display Docking Station that supports three 4K displays at 60Hz using DisplayLink. It is priced the same as the Satechi Thunderbolt DisplayLink Dock. Normally we’d always pick a Thunderbolt dock over USB-C but this one hosts a mix of DisplayPort and HDMI ports that offers a more flexible monitor choice than the Thunderbolt dock’s two HDMI and three TB4 ports. If you prefer DisplayPort for your monitor connection you should consider this USB-C dock although a simple USB-C to DisplayPort adapter will work the same magic on the TB dock. Read our full Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink review Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station (TBT-6950PD) – three 4K displays at 60Hz for M1/M2, four for M3/M4/M5 Pros Supports up to four external displays at 4K 60Hz One display at 6K 60Hz 11 ports, inc. three 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 2x HDMI 2.0 video ports Speedy SD card reader 96W laptop charging and 180W power supply Cons Only three displays for M1/M2 North America only Price When Reviewed: $299.95 Best Prices Today: $289.95 at Amazon$289.95 at B&H$289.95 at Walmart Connection: Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 4 This dock is almost identical to the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 DisplayLink dock reviewed above. M1/M2 Mac owners can connect up to three external displays, and M3 and M1/M2/M3 Pro and Max users can attach up to four monitors. The Thunderbolt port means one of the three screens can be at 6K resolution (60Hz) while the other two via HDMI will be 4K at 60Hz. The USB ports are at least 10Gbps and the SD card reader is also fast at 312MBps. The Plugable version has a few advantages over the Satechi: a slightly longer (1m vs 0.8m) Thunderbolt cable, Kensington lock slot and two-year warranty (vs 1 year from Satechi). Read our full Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station for 4K Quad Monitors review WAVLINK USB-C DisplayLink (DL7400) Docking Station – four 4K displays at 60Hz for M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Pros Supports up to four external displays at 4K 60Hz 2x 8K at 60Hz display 2.5Gb Ethernet 30W USB-C 14 ports 2x HDMI 2.0 video ports Speedy SD card readers 100W laptop charging and 160W power supply Cons Pricey for USB-C Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: $249.99 at Amazon$299.99 at WAVLINK Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 4 While the Satechi and Plugable Thunderbolt DisplayLink docks support four displays for the M3 MacBook Air (while shut in Clamshell Mode), the M1 and M2 MacBooks are limited to three (one at 6K and two at 4K) using those docks. The Wavlink’s newer DL7400 chipset allows for even the M1 and M2 Macs to connect to four displays at impressive refresh rates: 1x 4K at 120Hz and 3x 4K at 60Hz. As such, if you desire four displays to be hooked up to your M1 or M2 MacBook, the Wavlink dock is the better choice. Plugable’s use of the same chipset on its UD-7400PD dock, reviewed above, supports up to five displays. It might lack the Satechi and Plugable docks’ faster Thunderbolt connection but it beats them on network speeds with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port—2.5 times faster if your network matches this (it’s backwards compatible with 1GbE). The USB ports are at least 10Gbps and the SD and microSD card readers are also speedily rated at 312MBps. Read our full WAVLINK USB-C DisplayLink (DL7400) Docking Station review Wavlink Dual 4K DisplayPort & HDMI Adapter – two 5K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 5K 60Hz 2x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports 2x HDMI 2.0 video ports Cons No USB ports, Ethernet etc No passthrough laptop charging Price When Reviewed: $79 Best Prices Today: $74.99 at Amazon Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 Also from Wavlink this simple, portable and affordable adapter doesn’t give you loads of extra USB ports, Ethernet or card readers like a hub or docking station would, but it offers four powerful video ports: two DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0. Once you’ve installed the DisplayLink drivers, this means an M1/M2/M3 MacBook can run two extended displays at up to 5K (5120-x-1440) at 60Hz using a combination of these video ports. You’d need to use both DisplayPort 1.4 ports for the maximum 5K resolution—the HDMI 2.0 ports max out at 4096-x-2160 at 60Hz. There’s no passthrough charging so you’ll need to use another of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports to keep the laptop powered up in use. Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter – two 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Dual 4K monitor support for M1/M2/M3 Macs Quad 4K model available Cons No USB ports, Ethernet etc No passthrough laptop charging (dual model) Price When Reviewed: $89.95 Best Prices Today: $89.95 at Amazon$89.95 at B&H$89.95 at Walmart Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 Another simple one-function affordable adapter, the Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M), pictured below left, uses DisplayLink to enable dual 4K 60Hz displays for M1 and M2 MacBooks with two HDMI ports. Like the Wavlink Dual 4K DisplayPort & HDMI Adapter it’s no dock but it does the multi-screen M1/M2 job you require without fuss. Plugable There’s a slightly pricier (but still cheaper than a dock) version, the Plugable Dual 4K DisplayPort & HDMI Adapter (USBC-7400H4) pictured above right, that supports four external 4K displays at 60Hz and features 90W passthrough charging to the laptop. Alogic DX3 Triple 4K Display Universal Docking Station – three 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports three external displays at 4K 60Hz 12 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C 3x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports Speedy SD and MicroSD card readers 100W laptop charging and 135W power supply Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Alogic Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 3 This Alogic DisplayLink docking station supports up to three external 4K displays at an impressive 60Hz refresh rate and has an array of useful non-display ports. It can power the connected laptop at 100W and has a decent 135W external power supply so doesn’t require an extra USB-C charger. The DisplayLink download link is clearly shown in the user manual, and instructions make sense—although you need a magnifying glass to read them! The DX3 has three DisplayPort 1.4 ports but no HDMI, so you’ll need to add an adapter between dock and display if you prefer HDMI. As you’ll need to buy video cables anyway, this doesn’t matter as prices for straight cable and adapter cable are close enough. This dock has two card readers: SD and MicroSD, both at top 312MBps UHS-II—allowing you to add inexpensive portable storage to your laptop setup. It also has Gigabit Ethernet, four USB-A (one with 7.5W charging) and two 10Gbps USB-C (one 100W PD upstream to the laptop, and one 7.5W smaller device charging). Reviewed below is Alogic’s DX2, which supports two 4K displays at 60Hz and lacks some of the other ports found on the DX3. if you just need two external monitors for your M1/M2/M3 MacBook this may be a cheaper option. Alogic DX2 Dual 4K Display Universal Docking Station – two 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 60Hz 10 ports 2x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports 65W laptop charging and 100W power supply Cons No card reader Price When Reviewed: $285.99 Best Prices Today: $219.84 at Walmart$285.99 at Alogic Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 While we prefer Alogic’s DX3, reviewed above, that supports up to three 4K displays and offers more ports and faster charging for not much more cost, the DX2 is fine if all you require is two top-end monitors connected to your mid-sized M1/M2 MacBook. It features two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, one 10Gbps USB-C with 7.5W charging, three 5Gbps USB-A ports (one with 7.5W), a 3.5mm audio jack and Gigabit Ethernet. Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) – two 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Dual 4K monitor support for M1/M2/M3 Macs 13 ports 100W PD to laptop Fast SD card reader Cons Not for fast data transfer North America only Price When Reviewed: $199.95 Best Prices Today: $179.95 at Amazon$179.95 at B&H$179.95 at Lenovo USA Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 If you don’t require full 40Gbps Thunderbolt, Plugable’s redesigned USB-C–based UD-6950PDH docking station plus free-to-download DisplayLink software can connect two extra 4K/60Hz displays to M1, M2 and M3 Macs. While plain M3 MacBooks can already connect to two external displays, this DisplayLink dock allows plain M3 MacBooks to remain open with the two additional displays attached (otherwise the M3 laptop’s lid has to be closed). M4, M5 and M4 Pro MacBooks can already run two screens natively but using a dock saves the laptop’s built-in ports. It features an impressive 13 ports including Gigabit Ethernet, SD and MicroSD card readers and five spare USB ports. You won’t get data transfer any faster than 5Gbps so if you crave the full 40Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth you should instead consider the more powerful Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink, reviewed above. You can use both of the dock’s HDMI ports or both DisplayPort or a mix of each, depending on your monitor requirements. Two video ports will always be left empty, but the flexibility is welcome. No availability outside of North America has yet been announced. Read our full Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) review Ugreen USB-C Revodok Pro 312 Triple Display Docking Station – three 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports three external displays at 4K 60Hz 12 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A Ships with 100W wall charger Price When Reviewed: $240.99 Best Prices Today: $240.99 at Ugreen Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 3 The Ugreen Revodok Pro 312 12-in-1 4K HDMI Docking Station is a quality compact vertical dock that supports up to three external displays on a plain (non-Pro or -Max) M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 MacBook if you install DisplayLink software. Priced at $240/£299 (recently reduced), it features two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort and can support three 4K displays at 60Hz on a Mac. There are 12 ports in total, including Gigabit Ethernet, card readers, and 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C ports. It connects to the MacBook via 10Gbps USB-C. You need to install DisplayLink on your Mac—instructions above. Ugreen could make this easier with a link on its site. Read our full Ugreen USB-C Triple Display Docking Station review. Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub – one 4K display at 60Hz, one 4K display at 30Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 10 ports, inc. 5Gbps USB-C and USB-A 100W passthrough laptop charging InstantView easier than DisplayLink Cons Second 4K display is 30Hz rather than 60Hz Requires USB-C charger Price When Reviewed: $199.99 Best Prices Today: $199.99 at Amazon$199.99 at Hyper Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: InstantView Max screens: 2 The Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub doesn’t use DisplayLink and instead uses SiliconMotion’s InstantView. Hyper says that it works “without having to download cumbersome drivers” but there is some software installation involved, and you need to allow InstantView access to your Privacy settings in System Preferences. You connect the hub or adapter to your M1/M2 MacBook and find the HyperDisplay app that appears in a Finder folder sidebar. Double-click the macOS InstantView icon and follow the System Preferences instructions. Once this has been completed your MacBook will automatically recognize the adapter from then on. It’s an easier solution than DisplayLink but with the same ability to allow M1, M2 and M3 Macs to connect to multiple external displays. This compact hub still includes 10 ports, including the all-important 2x HDMI. The first display at 60Hz is added via HDMI and DP Alt-mode and the second at 4K 30Hz through HDMI and InstantView. Also included are Gigabit Ethernet, MicroSD card reader (UHS-I), 3.5mm audio jack, 2x 5Gbps USB-A, and one 5Gbps USB-C. A further USB-C PD port allows you to charge the connected laptop at up to 100W—handy as the hub itself uses up one of your laptop’s Thunderbolt ports. Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI Adapter – one 4K display at 60Hz, one 4K display at 30Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 100W passthrough laptop charging InstantView easier than DisplayLink Cons Second 4K display is 30Hz rather than 60Hz Requires USB-C charger Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $97.49 at Amazon$97.49 at B&H$129.99 at Hyper Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: InstantView Max screens: 2 This double-function hub is designed to provide two HDMI display ports for a MacBook M1/M2/M3, plus passthrough charging for the laptop. It doesn’t offer a bunch of other ports like its big brother, the Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub reviewed above. As a result, it is cheaper and is one of the most cost-effective solutions for adding multiple monitors to the limited plain M1/M2/M3 Macs. Like the 10-in-1, it uses SiliconMotion’s InstantView rather than DisplayLink software to get past the limitation. The first display at 60Hz is added via HDMI and DP Alt-mode and the second at 4K 30Hz through HDMI and InstantView. If you require more ports, such as Gigabit Ethernet, card readers and USB ports, consider the Hyperdrive 10-in-1 or one of the other hubs or docks reviewed here.. Ugreen Revodok Pro 209 9-in-1 4K HDMI Docking Station – two 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 60Hz 9 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A 100W laptop charging DisplayLink file on dock connection Cons Requires USB-C charger No card reader Price When Reviewed: $169.99 Best Prices Today: $118.99 at Amazon Prime$169.99 at Amazon$169.99 at Ugreen Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 If you don’t need three external screens, we like this USB-C dock—the Revodok Pro 209 9-in-1 4K HDMI Universal Docking Station—for its two HDMI and two DisplayPorts, which you can choose between when adding two displays to your M1, M2 or M3 MacBook. This should suit most monitors, unless you prefer direct USB-C displays. Its spare USB ports (2x USB-A and 1x USB-C) are fast (10Gbps) for data transfer, and another USB-C port can be plugged into a USB-C charger (not included, which is common with the docks reviewed here) and supply up to 100W of charging power to the connected laptop. There’s also a Gigabit Ethernet port for fast, stable wired Internet access. You need to install DisplayLink on your Mac—instructions above—and Ugreen has made this easy by adding the download files to your Mac when you first connect the dock. Read a full Ugreen 9-in-1 USB-C dock review. Alogic DV4 Universal Quad Display Docking Station – one 4K display at 60Hz, two HD displays Pros Supports three external displays, one at 4K 60Hz 14 ports, inc. 5Gbps USB-C and USB-A 3x HDMI 2.0 and 1x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports 12W USB-C charging 85W PD laptop charging Cons 2 displays at HD, not 4K Requires USB-C charger Price When Reviewed: $199.99 Best Prices Today: $199.99 at Alogic Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 With third-party DisplayLink drivers, this dock will support up to three displays on a Mac. You can connect one 4K at 60Hz display (3840×2160 pixels) via either the DisplayPort or one of the HDMI ports. The other two displays via HDMI, however, are at a lesser HD (1920×1080) resolution, both at 60Hz. There is a link to the DisplayLink download printed in the user manual, although the type in the manual is the smallest we’ve ever seen! The specs aren’t quite as impressive as the Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station, with 5Gbps a maximum data-transfer rate, although charging wattage for USB-A (3.0) is up to 7.5W each and USB-C is up to 12W, which beats the Satechi. However, it does boast both SD and MicroSD card readers for affordable portable storage options, although UHS-I rather than super-fast UHS-II. And, crucially, it’s cheaper, although you will need to add your own USB-C 100W PD charger, unlike the Satechi Triple 4K Dock. Satechi USB-C Multimedia M1 Adapter – one 4K display at 60Hz, one 4K display at 30Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 6 ports, inc. 5Gbps USB-C and 2x 5Gbps USB-A Cons Second 4K display is 30Hz rather than 60Hz Requires USB-C charger No passthrough laptop charging No card reader Price When Reviewed: $104.99 Best Prices Today: $89.99 at B&H$104.99 at Satechi$104.99 at Walmart Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: InstantView Max screens: 2 The Satechi USB-C Multimedia M1 Adapter uses InstantView rather than DisplayLink but the installation process is practically the same when you follow the manual. It includes 2x HDMI ports: one of which can support a 4K display at 60Hz and the other at 30Hz. It’s more than a mere display adapter, though, as it also boasts USB-C PD passthrough charging at up to 85W, one 5Gbps USB-C port, and two 5Gbps USB-A ports. Although named after the M1 processor, it will also work with similarly limited M2 and M3 MacBooks. Alogic Dual 4K Universal Compact Docking Station – two 4K displays at 60Hz Pros Supports two external displays at 4K 60Hz 7 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A HDMI and DisplayPort versions 78W laptop charging Cons Requires USB-C charger Price When Reviewed: $219.99 Best Prices Today: $219.99 at Alogic Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 2 The Alogic Dual 4K Universal Compact Docking Station comes in two models—the CH2, which features two HDMI 2.0 ports; and the CD2, with two DisplayPort ports—so you can choose which best suits the external displays you already own. Two external screens are probably enough for most people. If you require three, see the other hubs and docks reviewed here. Both screens can be up to 4K at 60Hz. Basic instructions are given on installing the DisplayLink software for M1, M2 and M3 Macs. This neat, compact dock doesn’t feature as many ports as others mentioned here but what it has are top-rated: both the USB-A and USB-C ports support 10Gbps data transfer. There is also a Gigabit Ethernet port and a UHS-II SD card reader. A passthrough USB-C port—you need to add a suitably powerful charger—can handle 100W, although 22W is required by the dock so leaving 78W for laptop and device charging. The dock must be connected to the laptop to allow device charging. EZQuest Ultimate Plus USB-C Multimedia Hub – one 4K display at 60Hz, one 4K at 30Hz, one HD Pros Supports three external displays (2x 4K; 1x HD) VGA if you need it 12 ports, inc 4x 5Gbps USB-A 85W laptop charging Cons Requires USB-C charger Second 4K display is 30Hz rather than 60Hz Third display is HD not 4K Price When Reviewed: $159.99 Best Prices Today: $79.99 at Amazon$79.99 at B&H$159.99 at EZQuest Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 3 The EZQuest Ultimate Plus USB-C Multimedia Hub has two HDMI ports and a VGA port, and supports one 4K at 60Hz and one 4K at 30Hz via HDMI and 1080p HD via VGA. If you want three 4K displays, look instead at the Ugreen Triple Display Dock. It also features 5Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet and card readers. Like the Ugreen dock, it requires a USB-C charger for power and can pass through up to 85W to the connected MacBook, but connects via slower 5Gbps USB-C. Baseus 17-in-1 Docking Station – three 4K displays at 30Hz Pros Supports three external displays at 4K 30Hz 15 (actual) ports 85W PD laptop charging Cons Requires USB-C charger for laptop 30Hz 4K not 60Hz Only mirrors laptop display Price When Reviewed: $124.99 Best Prices Today: $89.99 at Amazon Prime$124.99 at Amazon$137.49 at Aliexpress Connection: USB-C (5Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 3 The Baseus 17-in-1 Docking Station has three HDMI ports, each of which can connect to an external 4K display at 30Hz. If you require three 4K external displays at 60Hz, the Ugreen Triple Display Dock will fulfil your needs better. If 30Hz is fine, the Baseus will save you money. 60Hz is better for gamers as it offers smoother video. One big limitation for Macs, though, is that the external displays can only mirror and not extend the Mac’s screen. Its claim to have 17 ports is exaggerated slightly as one is for the external power supply that powers just the dock at 12W. and another to add power the dock via a USB-C charger and then onto the laptop. But it has 15 other ports including the upstream 5Gbps USB-C connection to the MacBook, plus Gigabit Ethernet, card readers and 5Gbps USB-A and USB-C ports. StarTech.com USB-C Hybrid Triple Monitor Docking Station – DisplayLink dock with video options Pros Supports three external displays at 4K 60Hz 15 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A 85W passthrough laptop charging Cons No card reader DisplayPort didn’t work on our test Mac Price When Reviewed: $231.99 Best Prices Today: $199.99 at Amazon$231.99 at Lenovo USA Connection: USB-C (10Gbps) Software: DisplayLink Max screens: 3 This triple-monitor DisplayLink-based docking station is positively bristling with ports: 15 in total. Most interesting to us here are the six video ports: 3x DisplayPort 1.4 and 3x HDMI 2.0. This doesn’t mean you can connect six displays but it does should give you flexible options for the type of connection that fit your displays. However, in testing we had no success linking via DisplayPort, which makes the extra options rather worthless. As such, we prefer the other docks and hubs reviewed above. You need to download the DisplayLink drivers for your M1/M2/M3 Mac. StarTech.com has a link and a video, or just follow our guide above. As well as the half-dozen video ports are six USB ports: 2x USB-C (one at 10Gbps and one 5Gbps), plus 4x USB-A (one 10Gbps and three 5Gbps). The 5Gbps USB-C port can charge a connected device at 18W, enough to fast-charge an iPhone. One of the 5Gbps USB-A ports can charge at 7.5W. Rounding off the many ports are Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm Audio In-Out. There’s no card reader to add portable storage but you could connect an adapter to one of the USB ports. Workaround caveats Whenever there is a new OS update DisplayLink and InstantView drivers may need to be updated each time. Plugable doesn’t recommend the workaround for gaming, video editing, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and protected content (HDCP) playback. For these workloads, users will want the full throughput of a “bare-metal” native GPU connection—such as provided by the DisplayPort or HDMI port on the dock using Alt Mode. CalDigit actively recommends against using DisplayLink, as it finds it unreliable and there would be no synergy between the driver and the dock. Because it requires a third-party driver, users are at the mercy of Apple and the third-party developer to support later versions, the company told Macworld. However, this combination of display technologies does allow M1 and M2 MacBooks to run more than one external monitor, and the M1 and M2 Mac mini to run more than two. As more manufacturers are coming out with docks and hubs that support it we feel fine with recommending it as a highly useful solution to Apple’s display limitations. The only risk is that it could stop working at any time, although it wouldn’t harm your system if it did, and you could simply uninstall DisplayLink. DisplayLink and InstantView are workarounds with a potentially limited timespan but the likelihood is that compatibility would be restored at some stage if the worst happened and you would get back your multi-monitor setup. Read our M1 MacBook Air review, M2 MacBook Air review, and M3 MacBook Air review. If you are wanting to use a second display with your Mac and not have your Mac’s screen on, read our feature How to turn a Mac’s screen off. Want to use an 8K monitor? Read How to connect an 8K display to your Mac. What you need to know about DisplayLink and InstantView FAQ 1. Does DisplayLink and InstantView block Netflix or other streaming content? DisplayLink and InstantView are great at adding multiple monitors to M1, M2 and M3 Macs, but there is a catch. Some protected content in Netflix, AppleTV, Amazon Prime, Disney+ or YouTube TV and other streaming applications may not play. The video remains black while audio keeps playing. This is all down to how the macOS interfaces the DisplayLink driver used to access graphics content. As soon as one DisplayLink-enabled screen is connected, protected content becomes unavailable on all screens. This is down to the streaming platforms using High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), which is Intel-developed digital copy protection (Digital Rights Management or DRM) that prevents copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections. Because macOS requires DisplayLink and InstantView to enable Screen Recording, HDCP moves in because it thinks you are actually trying to record the content rather than just display it on screen. 2. How to enable streaming content when using DisplayLink or InstantView To get round HDCP stopping your DisplayLink or InstantView setup showing Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services, you may need to disconnect all the DisplayLink or InstantView screens, or switch to a browser other than Safari or Chrome (for example Opera or Firefox). You can disable hardware acceleration in your browser to access the protected content. On Google Chrome, go to Google Chrome settings, and click on “Advanced” and then select “System”. Here you can disable “Use hardware acceleration when available”. Select “Relaunch” to activate the new setting. If that doesn’t solve the black issue, disconnect the docking station, and try using the laptop’s build-in display or the direct video ports of the laptop. Uninstalling the software is the ultimate solution.

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Here are some of my favorite third-party apps for iPhone and Mac
I recently shared my top ten list of Apple and non-Apple tech. This time I’m following up with some of my favorite third-party apps for iPhone and Mac. In putting this piece together, I realized that I don’t often use apps for entertainment. On iPhone and Mac alike, the vast majority of my choices perform a useful function … more…

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Apple begins shipping American-made AI servers from Houston plant
Apple announced on Thursday that it has begun shipping AI servers manufactured at its Houston factory, as part of a broader plan to invest… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Don’t call it boring. M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot right. [Review] ★★★★☆
Our hands-on M5 MacBook Pro review finds it overly familiar -- and also the best iteration of a base model laptop Apple has produced. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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M5 Apple Vision Pro & iPad Pro, plus external SSDs on a budget, on the AppleInsider Podcast
There's still more to find out about the M5 updates to the Apple Vision Pro and iPad Pro, plus so many rumors about the future of the iPhone — and also just why we are able to update the storage on certain Macs.Will the iPhone Air head for the trash? Image credit: AppleThere are some rumors that you can set your watch by, or at least your calendar. Such as the ones that gasp about how Apple is slashing orders for a particular iPhone that is failing terribly.This time, right on schedule, this is being said about the iPhone Air. It might be true. But the odds are so against it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Weak Data Infrastructure Keeps Most GenAI Projects From Delivering ROI
Most generative AI projects fail to show measurable ROI despite billions in investment. Experts point to weak data infrastructure as the underlying cause preventing enterprise AI from reaching profitable scale. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Tested: Does Apple’s Dynamic Power Adapter really charge your iPhone faster?
Macworld When Apple introduced the new iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro/Max, it highlighted their even faster fast-charging abilities. With an appropriate USB-C charger that can deliver at least 40 watts, it can charge up to 50 percent in just 20 minutes, where prior iPhones took 30 minutes (50 percent longer). It also introduced an intriguing new power adapter. The 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is nothing if not confusing. It’s small—surprisingly so for an Apple charger with this capacity—and seemingly made for iPhones. But what does “60W max” even mean? If it can go up to 60 watts, shouldn’t it just be called a 60-watt power adapter? And what is it even for, if none of the new phones need it to charge as quickly as possible? Let’s break down this new power adapter and what it can do. Dynamic Power Explained Apple’s new USB-C power adapter can sustain continuous power of up to 40 watts using the USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) standard. That’s up to 20 volts at 2 amps or 15 volts at 2.67 amps, if you want to get technical. But the adapter supports a new USB-C charging standard called AVS (Adjustable Voltage supply) that allows it to boost the power up to 3 amps without renegotiating the voltage delivery, going up to a possible 3 amps at 20 volts, or 60 watts. So if it can do 60 watts, why isn’t it just a 60-watt power adapter? Well, the power adapter can only hold that rate until either it or the device it is charging can’t maintain it. Usually, that happens because it gets too hot. According to some independent tests, it seems to take about 15-20 minutes at 60 watts for Apple’s power adapter to get too hot and back off. That’s why it says “60W max” rather than being listed as just a 60W power adapter: it won’t sustain 60 watts all the time. There’s another USB-PD standard called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) that is very similar to AVS, but actually a totally different protocol and completely incompatible. A number of existing third-party USB-C chargers support this standard, but Apple doesn’t. Each has its own tradeoffs from a geeky engineering perspective, but as far as consumers are concerned, they’re not all that different. The AVS standard seems to allow more rapid and fine-grain adjustments, so it can stay closer to the ideal power level as charging conditions change. Will it charge your iPhone more quickly? Short answer: Nope! While Apple’s new iPhones might support the new USB-PD AVS standard, they never really seem to draw more than around 25-28 watts, no matter what adapter you pair them with. Apple recommends at least a 40W power adapter to maximize charging speed (as no power adapter is perfectly efficient), but the boost up to 60 just isn’t necessary or helpful here. I tried the new “40W with 60 Max” power adapter on the iPhone 17 and compared it with a couple of other, older power adapters. In every case, the iPhone 17 charged at about the same rate. Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter: 20 minutes charged from 0 to 42 percent, the max power draw was ~26W. Apple 40W/60W Dynamic Power Adapter: 20 minutes charged from 0 to 41 percent, the max power draw was ~26W. No matter what power adapter you use, your new iPhone 17 isn’t going to draw more than 25-28 watts.Foundry However, this new Dynamic Power Adapter will deliver more juice to your MacBook or other higher-power modern Apple Device. We had no problem charging a M2 MacBook Air at a rate of 57 watts. Even a 3-year old MacBook Air draws nearly 60W from this adapter.Foundry While Apple’s new dynamic power adapter’s core benefit (the ability to boost to 60 watts for a while and continuously fine-tune charging rate with compatible devices) doesn’t really do a whole lot for iPhone users. iPhones just don’t draw enough power for it to matter. The higher max power rate is of benefit to those with modern Apple products that can draw more power, though, and we suspect this adapter is a bit of future-proofing for iPhones and iPads that may have a higher peak charge rate when using a power adapter that supports the USB-PD AVS standard.

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Razer Joro keyboard review: A gamer’s alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Compact Pleasant typing feel Quiet keystroke Bluetooth and cable connection Many software functions of a gaming keyboard Cons No angle adjustment No Touch ID Expensive No U.K. layout Our Verdict The Razer Joro comes surprisingly close to the Apple Magic Keyboard—and could be the perfect alternative. It is compact, has a high-quality finish, a Mac layout and offers a very similar keystroke to the original—albeit quieter. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$139.99 Best Prices Today: Razer Joro Retailer Price $129.99 View Deal Razer $139.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The gaming brand Razer introduced the Razer Joro at the beginning of May 2025, a compact gaming keyboard designed for mobile use. For Mac users, there is an interesting novelty: the Joro is the first keyboard from Razer with Mac keys (or, strictly speaking, with double print). The Razer Joro is almost a perfect replacement for the Magic Keyboard. Design & workmanship Typical Razer: The Joro has a simple, completely black design. The body consists of a plastic base and an aluminum cover—where you touch the keyboard most often. This ensures a high-quality typing experience, but also reduces production costs and weight. Weighing only 13.2oz (374g) and with compact dimensions of 11.7 x 4.4 x 0.65 inches (29.8 × 11.2 × 1.65cm), the Joro can be easily stowed away in a MacBook backpack or bag. On the underside of the Razer Joro are four generously sized rubber feet.Michael Crider/Foundry The Joro has four rubber feet on the underside, which generally prevent it from slipping on smooth surfaces, but are not adjustable. Like Apple’s Magic Keyboard, the Joro has a fixed angle—the same angle, in fact—that you can’t adjust without jacking up the rear feet with other objects. However, I personally found the angle very comfortable and didn’t feel the need to change it. RGB lighting, on/off switch and USB-C port on the Razer Joro.Michael Crider/Foundry The USB-C port for charging and wired operation is located on the back of the Joro—next to it is a switch for switching between wired operation and Bluetooth, or in other words: an on/off switch. The keys on the Razer Joro are slightly smaller than those on a current MacBook, but still offer enough space for larger hands. They are made of plastic, are laser-engraved and therefore better protected against wear and tear. The key travel is a comfortable 1mm—ideal for fast typing without fatigue. On the inside, classic scissor switches are used, as found in laptops—including the MacBook. Accordingly, the keystroke is very similar to that of a MacBook and feels precise and familiar. The big difference lies in the sound: the Joro is noticeably quieter—much more restrained than Apple’s Magic Keyboard and also quieter than the MacBook keyboard itself. The special feature, as mentioned above, is the double imprint, because the Razer Joro not only comes with Windows keys, but also with Mac keys—very pleasing. There is also optional RGB lighting, “Razer Chroma”, which you can configure in the Razer Synapse software—now also available in the version for macOS. But be careful: the lighting draws so much power that the battery life suffers noticeably. I would therefore recommend only using it with a cable and not using it with a Bluetooth connection unless you are working or playing in complete darkness. Razer Joro next to the compact Razer Basilisk Mobile, which Razer introduced at the same time.Michael Crider/Foundry The Joro has a 75% layout, meaning no numeric keypad and a row of navigation keys—start, end, page up, page down—and the lock key vertically on the right edge. As is hardly surprising for a gaming keyboard, it also has arrow keys in full size instead of half size. The reduced size of the right shift key is noticeable, but this did not have a negative impact in everyday use. Also unusual: the space bar is slightly shorter than usual, as Razer has integrated an additional Fn key on the right-hand side. This proves to be a well thought-out detail in practical use, as it allows functions such as play/pause, volume, mute or track change to be conveniently controlled with just one hand using the navigation buttons. There is basically nothing to complain about the workmanship of the Joro, although the plastic base feels a little cheap in contrast to the aluminum plate on top. The Razer is incredibly stable and hardly gives way even under high pressure. The scope of delivery includes a very high-quality braided USB-C to USB-C cable, which is a little short at 1 meter in length, but supports charging currents of up to 60W—excessive for a keyboard, but very practical as a “cable for all occasions” when travelling. Software & functions As befits a gaming keyboard, the Joro comes with many functions that you don’t see in everyday keyboards, including N-key rollover and anti-ghosting. You can also activate the “Razer Snap Tap” function in the Razer Synapse software. If you make two inputs at the same time, “Snap Tap” prioritizes the second one. This is particularly useful in games, as a character would normally refuse to move in this case. With “Snap Tap”, however, it continues to move as usual. You can also activate the gaming mode in “Razer Synapse”, which deactivates certain Mac key combinations, such as Command Q (close programme), Command Tab (app switcher) and Command Spacebar (Spotlight), create macros and assign every single key completely differently than intended. You can save every change you make to the keyboard functions directly on the keyboard in up to five profiles and switch back and forth between them in future using a key combination, even if “Synapse” is not even installed. Apart from that, there are of course the usual suspects: Media control with Fn key combination, as mentioned above, all conceivable function keys in the F row, including Mission Control, display and keyboard brightness, etc. Touch ID is of course missing, as is the case with all other keyboards that do not come directly from Apple. Speaking of software: Overall, it looks like Razer wants to take the Mac as a platform a little more seriously than before, because for the first time the company has released a Mac version of “Synapse”. Previously, if you wanted to make adjustments to Razer devices in order to use them on a Mac, you had to do this on a Windows device or in a virtual machine beforehand. Razer Connection & battery life You can pair the Razer Joro with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth and seamlessly switch between them using the first three buttons. In the future, the Razer Joro will also be compatible with the Razer Hyperspeed USB receiver via a firmware update, which establishes a faster and more stable wireless connection, although it is not included in the scope of delivery. Alternatively, you can also connect the Joro to your Mac using a USB-C cable, although, as mentioned above, the supplied cable is a little short at one metre in length. However, unless your Mac is in some far corner of your desk, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Razer is refreshingly transparent with the battery life of the Joro, although the company also initially advertises the highest possible energy savings and achieves a battery life of no less than 1,849 hours (77 days) in energy-saving mode. However, there is also a small slider on the product page that allows you to set the (theoretical) brightness of the RGB lighting and see how this affects the battery life. To my positive surprise, the figures are very close to reality. In standard mode and without lighting, for example, the Joro still lasts around 1,195 hours (just under 50 days). If you move the slider towards 100 per cent, you can see how much power such RGB lighting consumes: At 20 per cent, the Joro lasts 26 hours, at 50 per cent 11 hours and at 100 per cent only 5 hours. So if you are travelling and don’t know exactly when you can charge the Joro, you should switch off the lighting. You can of course continue to use the Joro while charging. After all, it is not an Apple Magic Mouse. Price & availability At $139.99 / £129.99, the Razer Joro is no bargain, but we like it so much we think it’s worth your money, at least compared to keyboards from some other third-party providers. If you compare it with the Apple Magic Keyboard, it actually doesn’t look too bad: The Apple equivalent without Touch ID is $50 cheaper but has fewer keys and even fewer functions. Should you buy the Razer Joro keyboard? The Razer Joro is one of the best Mac keyboards I’ve ever tested. There’s no Touch ID and U.K. users will have to get used to the U.S. layout but as a classy alternative to the Apple Magic Keyboard, it has a lot going for it.

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Inside iMovie for Mac — far more powerful than it's given credit for
There is still a perception that iMovie for Mac is for amateurs, but if it is, that's only in the sense that it is deliberately easy to use and its power features do not get in the way.Apple's iMovie is free on Mac — and very underratedTo be fair, iMovie for the Mac earned its reputation as being basic because it really used to be. To be unfair, it's also sometimes considered inferior to other video editing apps because it is free.It is still the case that if you need professional video editing features — because you're making broadcast TV or movies — then Apple's Final Cut Pro is the better bet. But, unlike with the iPad version of iMovie and Final Cut Pro, it is startling how similar Apple's free and paid video editing apps are on the Mac. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The iPad Pro has finally fulfilled its destiny, with a little help from the M5
Macworld It’s not quite right to say that for the first five years of its life, the iPad was an iPhone (or an iPod Touch) with a really big screen meant to be a lean-back consumption device. After all, the very first iPad shipped with a productivity accessory in the form of the Keyboard Dock. But ten years ago, Apple got serious. It shipped the very first iPad Pro, and began a decade-long conversation about whether the iPad could be used for work and even whether or not it was a computer. Today, the M5 iPad Pro and iPadOS 26 have settled a lot of old scores. But it’s been a long, strange journey from “Hey Siri” day in San Francisco to now. A big screen and accessories What made the original iPad Pro was its size and its collection of accessories. Though Apple would later add a smaller model, the first iPad Pro had a 12.9-inch diagonal screen, providing more space than ever before on an iOS device. What can you do with all that space? Shortly before the iPad Pro shipped, Apple shipped iOS 9, which added iPad multitasking for the first time in the form of Slide Over and Split View. Yes, it would take a decade for Apple to toss that approach entirely away and start again with iPadOS 26, but the ability to run two iPad apps at once, on that big screen, was a big deal. The other thing you can do with an iPad that’s bigger than ever before is attach a keyboard to it, and so Apple introduced the Smart Keyboard alongside the iPad Pro. By today’s standards, it was rudimentary–a thick multi-fold case with membrane keys and no trackpad. In fact, at the time, I felt that you’d be better off just using a case and a Bluetooth keyboard when you wanted to write on the iPad! But the most important thing about the Smart Keyboard is that it existed. Its existence meant that Apple felt that toting around a keyboard and using an iPad as an almost-laptop was an endorsed use case. It mattered. The other iPad Pro accessory introduced a decade ago was the Apple Pencil. Yes, today it’s easy to look at that original model (with its Lightning plug hidden underneath a cap!) and think about how far we’ve come. But the Apple Pencil was a game-changer. For years, artists had gravitated toward the iPad as a way to be freed from PC graphics tablets and work anywhere, at any time. This led to a cottage industry of styluses that tried to emulate the iPad’s finger-sensing touchscreen. They worked, to a degree, but it couldn’t be clearer that it was a use case Apple just didn’t endorse. Thiago Trevisan/Foundry The Apple Pencil changed everything. It allowed precision input on the iPad for the first time, with low latency. Not only were all the artists who had struggled to work on the iPad rewarded with a product designed just for them, but it also showed that Apple wanted the iPad to be used as a professional tool for those who make their living by holding a pencil (or equivalent). I’m someone who hates writing by hand, but the Apple Pencil even changed how I work. That’s because the Pencil didn’t just support drawing, but (after a few software updates) supported driving the iPad’s entire interface. I discovered that I loved using the Apple Pencil to edit podcasts. Using thoughtful iPad apps like Ferrite Recording Studio made even an inveterate stylus-hater like me into a true believer. The Apple Pencil is a great way to drive all sorts of apps. There’s nothing like it on any of Apple’s other platforms–and it all started with the iPad Pro. New sizes and changes Over the years, the iPad Pro and its accessories have evolved in numerous ways. For the last five years, the Magic Keyboard has provided iPad users with not just a keyboard, but full-on mouse pointer support. (It’s hard to even remember the Mouse Wars, but there was a time when saying that a pointing device might be useful on an iPad was controversial!) The Apple Pencil has also gotten better, with magnetic on-device charging and improved precision. And the iPad Pro itself has never been more impressive. Since the dawn of the Apple silicon era five years ago, it’s been powered by the same chips found on Macs. (You could argue that two special iPad Pro chips, the A12X and A12Z, were the testbed for the M series.) At this point, there’s no performance difference between a MacBook Air and an iPad Pro, because they generally run the same chips. And the tandem OLED iPad Pro display introduced in 2024 with the M4 model is legitimately the best display on any iPad, Mac, or iPhone, ever. The biggest change in the iPad Pro over the last decade has probably been where it sits within the iPad product line. The original iPad Pro started at $799–pricey! Today’s large iPad Pro starts at $1299… but there’s another option. The iPad Air is now basically what the iPad Pro used to be. (The large model even starts at the same price, $799.) The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro and a Magic Keyboard and offers a pretty great value… just without that OLED display with ProMotion, Face ID, ProMotion, and a few other niceties. The iPad Air is for a different audience than the iPad Pro, but it supports Apple Pencil and can do a lot of the same things.Britta O’Boyle In a decade, the iPad product line has progressed to the point where the iPad Air can possess a load of features that debuted in the iPad Pro in a lower-priced, “mainstream” iPad. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro itself has shot into the stratosphere, with cutting-edge processors and an outrageously good display, not to mention the thinnest body in any Apple device ever. Where the iPad Pro goes next is anyone’s guess, but it’s hard to deny that it’s changed the perception of what iPads are capable of. And thanks to the numerous multitasking upgrades in iPadOS 26, it feels like the iPad’s software has also embraced all the possibilities an iPad Pro offers. It took a little too long, I think. But a decade on, it feels like today’s M5 iPad Pro is fulfilling the original model’s destiny. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 2025) Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: $999 at Amazon$999 at Apple$999 at Apple United States Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 2025) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: $1,249 at Amazon$1279 at B&H£1299 at Apple

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Log your weight in Apple Health quickly and cheaply with this iPhone-compatible smart scale
After my last WiFi-enabled smart scale broke and refused to connect to the Internet anymore, I sought something simpler and cheaper to replace it. The old scale had all sorts of fancy service integrations that I never used. I just wanted something that would track my weight and report the measurements to the Health app on my iPhone. The Eufy C20 smart scale is what I landed on and I’m very happy with it — and it’s pretty cheap too. Here’s how it works … more…

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Apple removes the Tea women’s dating app from the App Store, citing data breaches, privacy concerns
Following a significant amount of hype this summer and three serious data breaches, Apple has pulled the women’s dating safety app Tea from the App Store, citing that the app had failed to meet requirements that mandate content moderation and user privacy. The app, which is designed to protect women, has been effectively removed from […] Source

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West Virginia launches support for Digital IDs in Apple Wallet app
You can now use your digital ID in Apple’s Wallet app and on your Apple Watch to prove your identity in West Virginia. As of Thursday, the feature is available to residents of West Virginia. To set it up, open the Wallet app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, select […] Source

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Macworld Podcast: M5 MacBook Pro review
Macworld Apple has released a new laptop, the M5 MacBook Pro. In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we take a look at it, talk about our impressions, and whether it’s worth buying or not. Tune in and find out more!  This is episode 956 with Michael Simon, David Price, and Roman Loyola.  Watch episode 956 on YouTube Listen to episode 956 on Apple Podcasts

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Save $186 on Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
Macworld TL;DR: Lock in forever access to productivity apps with a $42.99 Microsoft Office 2019 lifetime license for Mac (MSRP $229). Why pay $120+ to Microsoft 365 every year just to use Word and Excel? Unless you’re one of the few people that actually enjoy the spontaneous updates and AI integrations, it’s smarter to grab an Office lifetime license while they’re 81% off. While it isn’t the latest version, Office 2019 includes every staple app: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote at one of the greatest prices available today. And, unlike Microsoft 365, you’ll never have to worry about renewals or additional fees after the inital purchase. Once you buy it, you’ll receive your digital license key and download link instantly, so you can install the suite and start working in minutes — no waiting for a box to arrive or dealing with complicated setup. At just $42.99, this Microsoft Office lifetime license pays for itself in under five months. Start saving today before codes sell out (MSRP $229). Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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