Sonos announces two new products, including $299 portable AirPlay 2 speaker
Remember that leaked Sonos speaker from just over a week ago? It’s now official, and there’s a second new Sonos product announced today too. more…

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MacBook Neo review roundup — great price and the right compromises
The first reviews of the MacBook Neo are now out and they are uniformly praising, and also all concentrate on the corners Apple cut to make this budget model.The new MacBook Neo is a hit with reviewersEvery review so far agrees that the MacBook Neo is the right Mac for at least many, if not most, users. Until it actually got into reviewers' hands, though, there were complaints about its limitations and iJustine, for one, launched straight in on addressing those."Normally when you see my reviews, I'm happy, I'm excited, I'm really bubbly," she begins. "But today, I am upset." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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MacBook Neo reviews share our view that this is an incredible buy
Our editor-in-chief Chance Miller has been testing the MacBook Neo for just under a week, and his review described it as “a truly great Mac at an unbelievable price.” Other reviewers clearly share his view. While there are of course compromises, everyone agrees that this machine leaves all of the Windows competition in the dust … more…

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Best MacBook Neo accessories: Chargers, hubs, stands and more
Macworld The MacBook Neo, Apple’s entry-level laptop officially announced in early March 2026, is a sensation, bringing the Mac to a whole new market with its low price but surprisingly powerful specs and features. For just $599 you get the full Mac experience in a premium aluminum 13-inch laptop with FaceTime HD camera, speakers, mic and two USB-C ports. Compared to similarly priced Windows laptops and iPads with keyboards, the MacBook Neo offers superior build quality, performance, and storage capacity—for hundreds of dollars less than any previous Mac laptop. We’ve outlined some of the small compromises that Apple has made to get to that ultra-keen price point, but most of these technicalities won’t bother the target audience at that great deal of a price tag. That’s not to say that the MacBook Neo is perfect—otherwise why would the MacBook Air and Pro exist? For not a whole lot of extra outlay you can make the MacBook Neo an even better product and part of your digital lifestyle with these accessories. Here we list some of our favorite Mac accessories that we think every MacBook Neo owner should purchase or at least put on their wish list. MacBook Neo limitations Here are some of the limitations of the MacBook Neo that you can solve with the accessories in this guide. Slow 20W charger Only two USB-C ports One slow 480Mbps port Single external display support Small screen for desk use Essential MacBook Neo accessory 1: A charger Apple ships the MacBook Neo with a 20-watt (20W) Power Adapter (unless you’re in the U.K. or E.U., where–tough luck–you’ll get just a charging cable and no actual charger). At just 20W, it’s a pretty low-powered adapter. In fact, it’s now hard to find a charger rated that low, with 30W or 45W increasingly the minimum output. If you’re in a hurry for power, you’ll want something more capable than Apple’s puny 20W adapter. While Apple doesn’t list fast charging in the Neo’s tech specs, we’d expect it to recharge faster when paired with a more powerful charger. Charging speed is largely determined by power output. The more watts available, the faster a device can charge—up to its maximum supported input. For example, you can plug a 140W charger into an iPhone, but it won’t charge any faster than it would with a 40W adapter. That said, it would be surprising if the MacBook Neo were limited to just 20W when even an iPhone–with a much smaller battery–can charge at roughly 25–30W. We’ve chosen two alternative chargers to consider: a compact 45W single-port model and a 65W multiport charger. For more options, see our roundup of the best USB-C chargers for MacBook for even more choice. Anker 45W Nano Charger (Foldable) – Best little charger Pros More powerful than Neo charger Super compact/cute Smart display 180° Foldable plug pins Color choices Cons North America only Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $29.99 View Deal $39.99 View Deal Anker $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket We think a 45W charger is the minimum you should be looking at with any MacBook (or even iPhone for that matter). Keep the Apple 20W Power Adapter as a spare, and buy the Anker 45W Nano Charger with smart display and 180-degree dual foldable plug pins that are designed to adapt to any outlet angle while keeping the screen clearly visible and/or USB-C port easy to locate. Not only is it more powerful than Apple’s weedy 20W Power Adapter, it’s smarter too. It has a front display that gives you real-time updates on power, temperature, and charging modes. The Apple 20W charger is just a plain white brick with non-foldable plug pins. It measures 1.63 x 1.67 x 1.06 inches (41 x 42 x 27mm). The Anker Nano is smaller at 1.34 x 1.38 x 1.57 inches (34 x 35 x 40mm). It’s not just the super-compact body that’s cute in its four colors—Black, White, Orange and Misty Blue—the display can show playful animations for every charge. Anker has another 45W Nano Charger without the display and only single foldable plugs that is available in the U.S., U.K. and E.U. that you might find even cheaper at Amazon / Amazon UK. Ugreen Nexode 65W – Multiport charger with retractable USB-C cable Pros More powerful than Neo charger Two ports plus built-in cable Price When Reviewed: From $49.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $34.99 View Deal Ugreen $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Two ports are nice but how about a couple of ports—one USB-C and one legacy USB-A—plus a built-in retractable USB-C cable so you never have to go looking for that lost cable again? The Ugreen Nexode is a multiport wall charger available in 65W (2 ports) or 100W (3 ports) models, each with the integrated 2.5-foot cable. Read our full Ugreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review Essential MacBook Neo accessory 2: More ports The MacBook Neo has just two USB-C ports on one side. You’ll need one for your charging cable (included in the box), leaving just one port spare to connect other devices such as storage thumb drives, external displays, card readers, and so on. Simon Jary One of the Neo’s two USB-C ports is limited to a 480Mbps data transfer rate—that’s up to 250 times slower than the Thunderbolt 5 port on a MacBook Pro—that will really bore the pants off you during a long backup to an external storage device. Use the slow one for your charging cable, and save the other much faster 10Gbps USB-C to connect a hub that boasts many more types of ports to make your Neo more like a proper desktop workstation. We like the Satechi OnTheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter reviewed below but there are many more to choose from, adding between 4 and 12 extra ports, including USB-C and USB-A ports, card readers, Ethernet, HDMI, and more. There’s sure to be the perfect one for you and your MacBook Neo. See our reviews of all the best USB-C hubs and adapters for MacBooks. You can add up to 23 extra ports to the Neo if you splash out on one of the best Mac docking stations. Satechi OnTheGo 7-in-1 – Multiport USB-C Adapter Pros Adds seven ports to the Neo Portable Magnetic Cons Only in black Price When Reviewed: $59.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal $59.99 View Deal Satechi $59.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Connect this cute hub to the spare USB-C port—make sure it’s the fast 10Gbps one near the end of the Neo’s side—and you instantly get access to a range of ports denied to non-hub users. Many of these you don’t get even with the top-end MacBook Pro. It’s magnetic so can clamp to metal objects and comes with a magnetic adhesive ring that you can stick to the front of your Neo. The OnTheGo 7-in-1 is a portable pocket-sized hockey puck shape (65mm diameter) with a coiled braided USB-C cable and seven varied ports; 2x legacy USB-A ports, SD and MicroSD card readers, HDMI 2.0 for connecting an external display (up to 4K/60Hz), and Gigabit Ethernet for when you need to access a stable, fast wired network. You can supply up to 80W of passthrough power via the hub’s USB-C PD port so leaving the Neo’s other port still free. What might interest Neo owners are the card readers that are ideal for adding cheap, portable storage. You can pick up a 512GB microSD card for $50, and 1TB for around $150, although storage prices can be very volatile. Read our full Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter review Essential MacBook Neo accessory 3: A desk stand A laptop is a far more flexible computer than one always tethered to your desk, but that portability and ability to work just about anywhere comes with a hidden price: sore shoulders and back. Ergonomics—the study of people in their working environment—proves that being hunched over a laptop screen and keyboard takes a toll on your body; particularly musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and tendonitis caused by repetitive strain and awkward postures. One solution is to raise the laptop to a better height and angle so that your neck and shoulders are relieved from those dangers, and that is best sorted by using a laptop stand with your MacBook Neo. For more adjustable options go to our reviews of the best MacBook stands. Twelve South Curve SE – Best MacBook Neo stand Pros Stylish Decent height Great price Cons Only one height setting Price When Reviewed: $19.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Twelve South $19.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Curve SE is super affordable and raises your MacBook 6.5 inches off your desk so you can sit up straight and look directly at your screen—and so feel less tension in your neck and shoulders. It also keeps your laptop cool with air flowing underneath it. The Curve SE is available in Silver only. An alternative fixed laptop stand, the $49 Rain Design mStand (direct or from Amazon) is another sturdy option, and is available in a wider range of colors: Black, Gold, Midnight, Silver, Space Gray and Starlight. There’s even a rotating version, the $59 Rain Design mStand 360. Essential MacBook Neo accessory 4: A mouse Using a separate mouse is often better than a laptop’s trackpad because it offers superior precision, faster navigation, and improved ergonomic comfort. A mouse can reduce strain on the neck, shoulder, and forearm, and is essential for tasks that require more precise accuracy, such as photo editing or gaming. We have more options in various shapes, sizes and colors in our roundup of the best mouse for Mac. Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse – Best compact mouse Pros Affordable Allows for very accurate scrolling Curved ergonomic design Color choices Cons No horizontal scrolling Price When Reviewed: $29.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $24.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal Satechi $29.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Satechi’s low-price USB-C aluminum M1 Bluetooth Wireless Mouse comes with a twiddly scroll wheel rather than the trackpad that you get with the Apple’s own Magic Mouse. Compared to sticking with Neo’s trackpad, using a mouse such as the M1 offers faster and more accurate scrolling and tracking. The cursor fairly flies around the screen as I move the ergonomically curved M1—much faster than my Apple mouse, and almost disconcertingly at first. It feels like it floats across my desk, and allows for more accurate scrolling than Apple’s. Its aluminum body is good for both left- and right-handed users, and is available in Silver, Space Grey, Blue, Gold, and Rose Gold colors. Satechi has two other affordable mice you might consider: the squarer, higher battery capacity Slim EX Wireless Mouse and even more accurate and three-color vegan leather OntheGo Bluetooth Mouse, both of which can be connected to up to three devices at the same time so work with your iPad, phone or another laptop. If you want both an even greater choice of colors for your mouse—or a bright mouse-&-keyboard combination—take a look at the Logitech Pop Icon Mouse, available in eight colors. Essential MacBook Neo accessory 5: A power bank The MacBook Neo has a decent built-in 36.5‑watt‑hour lithium‑ion battery. That compares to a 13-inch MacBook Air’s 53.8Wh or 14-inch MacBook Pro’s 72.4Wh battery. According to Apple that should give you up to 16 hours of battery life, or 11 hours if using Wi-Fi. Depending on your usage—and how regular you are at recharging your laptop—you might find the Neo runs out of juice at just the wrong time. Take it to a café or on a flight and that battery life can seem to disappear in front of your eyes. A power bank is a portable battery pack from which you can recharge your MacBook on the go. For laptops there are three basic power bank capacities—measured in milliamp hours (mAh)— 10K, 15K and 25K. If catching a flight you need to know the Watt Hour rating as that is used by airlines to determine whether your power bank is allowed on the plane. Most airlines accept power banks of up to 100Wh, and any power bank of 27000mAh (27K) or lower should be within that limit. We have tested numerous models, so read our reviews of the best power banks for MacBook for alternatives. INIU Cougar P62-E1 20000mAh (65W) – Best power bank for MacBook Neo Pros Compact size Decent battery capacity 3 ports Color choices Price When Reviewed: $50.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $44.99 View Deal INIU $50.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The INIU P62-E1 20000mAh (65Wh) Power Bank may have a dull name but it stands out a mile with its colorful looks—it’s available in six bold colors—and dare-to-be-different compact shape. Its removable USB-C cable creates a handy carrying loop. Not just fun to look at and easy to hold, it performed excellently in our tests, with the ability to recharge a MacBook Neo around one and a half times. While 65W is a little lacking for the Pro MacBooks it’s ample for the MacBook Neo or Air. Read our full INIU Cougar P62-E1 20000mAh (65W) Power Bank review Essential MacBook Neo accessory 6: Add a bigger screen The MacBook Neo’s 13-inch screen ensures it is a nimble and portable laptop, but when based at home or the office a second screen is often helpful. We are recommending both a desktop monitor and a portable display depending on your screen needs. To see more options go to our roundups of the best Mac monitors and best portable screens for MacBook. BenQ GW2790QT – Affordable HD monitor Pros Affordable HD monitor Thin frame Sharp and stress-free image quality Price When Reviewed: $339.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $249.99 View Deal BenQ $249.99 View Deal $272.58 View Deal $391.33 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This large (27-inch) IPS monitor has a maximum resolution of 2K, a brightness of 350 nits and a decent color gamut. If all that technical jargon means little to you, then rest assured we consider it a very able budget monitor. Connect it via the Neo’s spare USB-C port (choose the 10Gbps one) and also get 65W of power delivery for the MacBook. The integrated hub offers three legacy USB-A ports. The monitor features Low Blue Light Plus technology, which filters out blue-violet radiation harmful to the eyes, and automatic adjustment of screen brightness. A display coating is designed to reduce glare. The monitor can be rotated 20 degrees in any direction, tilted 5 degrees downwards and upwards, and the entire screen can be rotated 90 degrees into portrait format. The monitor has built-in speakers and a microphone optimized for video conferencing, equipped with noise filter and noise cancellation. Read our full BenQ GW2790QT review Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro – Best Portable monitor for MacBook Neo Pros QHD at 120Hz Lightweight   Integrated folding travel cover and stand 65W pass-through charging Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $229.99 View Deal $254.99 View Deal $269.94 View Deal Mobile Pixels $299.99 View Deal $306.65 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This lightweight 16-inch QHD display ‘floats’ above your MacBook’s screen via a clever built-in stand that is simple to setup. This Stacked mode more than doubles the Neo’s screen space—yet doesn’t feel like a second screen, just an extension. You can keep it physically attached to your laptop with the included magnets but this is an option rather than a necessity. As well as Stacked (‘floating’) there are two other viewing modes: Free Standing (not floating and separate from your MacBook), and Presentation (the screen is flipped to share content with the person in front of you). The QHD (2.5K) screen sets it apart from many of the HD portable screens reviewed here. There is a non-Pro version, the Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2, with a slightly smaller 15.6-inch HD screen. Read our full Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro review Essential MacBook Neo accessory 7: An adaptor to connect another screen Like some of Apple’s other entry-level Macs, the MacBook Neo is limited to just one external screen—the much more expensive MacBook Pro supports up to four. However, a clever and free piece of software called DisplayLink will let you connect two or more monitors to the cheaper Neo. First you will need a DisplayLink Hub or Docking Station to connect to your Neo; you then connect the second or third monitor to that hub or dock to get it to work with your Neo. The hub or dock must support DisplayLink or another software called InstantView. Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M) – Best DisplayLink adapter  Pros Dual 4K monitor support for M1/M2/M3 Macs Quad 4K model available Cons No passthrough laptop charging (dual model) Price When Reviewed: $89.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $76.76 View Deal $95.95 View Deal $95.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The simplest one-function multiple monitor Neo solution is the affordable Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M) that uses DisplayLink to enable dual 4K 60Hz displays with two HDMI ports. There’s a slightly pricier (but still cheaper than a dock) version, the Plugable Dual 4K DisplayPort & HDMI Adapter (USBC-7400H4) that supports four external 4K displays at 60Hz and features 90W passthrough charging to the laptop. Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) – Best DisplayLink dock Pros Dual 4K monitor support for M1/M2/M3 Macs 13 ports 100W PD to laptop Fast SD card reader Cons North America only Price When Reviewed: $179.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $179.95 View Deal $179.95 View Deal $199.95 View Deal $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket With Plugable’s UD-6950PDH docking station (plus free-to-download DisplayLink software) you can connect two extra 4K/60Hz displays to your MacBook Neo, plus add an impressive bank of handy 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 Neo’s full 10Gbps bandwidth you should instead consider the more powerful Anker Prime Triple Display 14-in-1 Docking Station, which offers the 10Gbps Neo connection as well as three 100W USB-C ports and super-fast 2.5Gb Ethernet. That dock is also available in the U.K. Read our full Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) review Essential MacBook Neo accessory 8: A separate keyboard When using the Neo with a second screen you might want to make the new monitor the main display. This makes the Neo into more of a desktop Mac when you are working—you can use it as a laptop again whenever you want. In addition to a laptop stand (see above), you can significantly reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) by decoupling the keyboard from the screen so that while elevating the MacBook to eye level to prevent neck strain, you keep your wrists, arms, and shoulders in a neutral position. As fine a keyboard as the Neo’s own is, independent keyboards also offer greater functionality and convenience. For more keyboard options, read our reviews of the best Mac keyboards. Logitech Pop Icon Keyboard – Best colorful keyboard Pros Great looks Nice key feel and quiet keystroke Smart functions for AI and multitasking Three Bluetooth channels Long battery life Price When Reviewed: $49.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $42.47 View Deal $44.99 View Deal $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The attractive design of this keyboard immediately catches the eye. It come in Graphite & Green, Graphite & White, Lilac & Off-White, Off-White & Orange and Rose & Off-White. But it’s not just looks: Logitech makes some of our favorite keyboards. We like the contoured, flat keys that feel comfortable when typing and are quiet, which is, of course, less of an attraction for fans of mechanical keyboards—if you prefer the clickety-clack, look to Logitech’s $99 Pop Keys mechanical models.  Thanks to its slim design, the Pop Icon keyboard is also easy to position and has all the keys you need. The Pop Icon keyboard also offers all the usual shortcut key combinations, such as for muting, an emoji menu or taking a screenshot. The four action keys can be customized using the Logi Options application, which is available to download free of charge. The keyboard has a battery life of up to 36 months, using standard AA batteries rather than being recharged via USB. You can buy a $69 Logitech Pop Icon Combo of keyboard and mouse, or Pop Keys Combo if you prefer a clacky mechanical keyboard. Essential MacBook Neo accessory 9: A case to protect your Neo A laptop can stay at home with you all the time if you like. You shouldn’t need a special bag when moving it around your home, but if you plan on taking your MacBook Neo with you to an office, café or on holiday, we certainly recommend you keep it protected. We’ve suggested a simple laptop sleeve for the Neo and also a more capacious backpack, but there are many different types of bag that include padded laptop compartments, including totes, duffels and briefcases—see the best bags for MacBook Neo in our feature. Case Logic Laptop Sleeve – Best padded sleeve Pros Tight fit Padded Color range Price When Reviewed: $44.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal $37.26 View Deal Case Logic $44.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Keep your MacBook Neo looking like new in this bright laptop sleeve, available in ten different colors. The padded laptop compartment will reassure you of the Neo’s safety when carrying it around or storing it at home. Other sleeve options include the STM Origin, STM Kin, Bellroy Laptop Sleeve, and lovely Mari Kondo-inspred Orbitkey Hybrid Laptop Sleeve (pictured below) that folds out to a comfortable desk mat for Neo. Orbitkey Buy a sleeve suited for a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop to properly fit the Neo. Troubadour Neo Backpack – Best backpack and it's called Neo too! Pros Stylish and smart inside and out Plenty of organizer pockets Recycled materials Cons Premium price Price When Reviewed: $179 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $179 View Deal $179 View Deal $179 View Deal Troubadour $179 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Ok, it costs about a third as much as the MacBook Neo itself but it’s called the Neo Backpack so we had to include it. It’s also a lovely laptop backpack, available like the MacBook Neo in four different shades: Rust, Bronzed Olive, Charcoal Black and Basalt. Troubadour’s lightest and latest laptop (and most affordable) backpack is the 22L Neo, built for the daily commute or whenever you need it. Inside the waterproof and durable FortiWeave fabric—woven from 100% recycled plastic bottles—are lighter-colored compartments that make it easier to spot your tech, hydration and quick-access essentials via a discreet front pocket with a gracious magnetic closure. A CrashPad Cocoon laptop sleeve suspends and cushions your namesake MacBook Neo. Essential MacBook Neo accessory 10: A better cable The MacBook Neo comes with two USB-C ports and one USB-C cable for charging. As mentioned earlier in this feature, the more able 10Gbps USB-C port can be used to connect other devices or a hub for multiple types of devices. There are plenty of great 60W-240W USB-C charging out there, such as the Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable, available in three colors and either 3-foot or 6-foot lengths, but the data speed is a puny 480Mbps so is not suitable for connecting the MacBook Neo to a monitor or storage drive. At a minimum we suggest a USB-C cable that can handle the same 10Gbps data-transfer speed and at least 60W of charging power. We’ve recommended an affordable solution below but there are cables with added functionality that you might consider; here are some of our favorites, but to discover more look to our best USB-C cable roundup. Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C – Best cable Pros 100W Power Delivery 4K monitor support 10Gbps data transfer Up to 8.2 feet (2.5m) in length Cons Available in black or white only Price When Reviewed: $14.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $13.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Apple has given the MacBook Neo a decent wired data transfer bandwidth of 10Gbps—20x faster than the 480Mbps (0.48Gbps) USB-C cable that it includes in the box. If you want to take advantage of this significantly increased wired bandwidth, you’ll need a cable like this one from Cable Matters that also supports 10Gbps and can be used to connect the Neo to a USB-C monitor. Connect it to the first USB-C port on the side. It can also charge at up to 100W—more than enough for MacBook Neo, and could be used to charge your iPhone (15 or later) or USB-C iPad, too. Sadly, not available in Citrus or Blush, this able cable available in black or white and 3ft / 6ft / 8.2ft lengths. Baseus 100W 6.6ft – Retractable USB-C cable Pros 100W Power Delivery Retractable Up to 6.6 feet (2m) in length Cons Slow data transfer Price When Reviewed: $21.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $18.99 View Deal Baseus $21.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This USB-C cable retracts into a neat pocketable shell for tangle-free portability. It’s a good choice for charging but not so great at data transfer so won’t connect your Neo to a monitor or do your storage drive many favors. It’s available in black, blue, purple or white. Zens USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable Pro 3 – Best cable to charge all your Apple devices Pros Charges iPhone or AirPods and Watch 15W for iPhone, 5W for Watch 140W USB-C cable for MacBook Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 99.95 View Deal Zens $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This is a smart MacBook USB-C charging cable that includes a 15W wireless pad for iPhone or AirPods case plus an adjustable 5W Apple Watch charger. Built of aluminum, it’s quite chunky but is probably all you need on your travels alongside at least a 65W USB-C charger, and it folds up on itself for easy transport. It’s rated at 140W so is easily up to powering a MacBook Neo—indeed it can fast-charge even the 16-inch MacBook Pro—and just as adapt at either wired or wirelessly charging Apple’s recent USB-C devices. If you don’t own an Apple Watch—and have no intention of doing so—Zens has a version (the $49.95 Zens USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable Pro 2) without that module, and just the iPhone/AirPods wireless pad in the middle of the 140W cable. It’s available in white or black from Amazon, and from the Apple Store in an exclusive Dark Cherry color.

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Turn a simple idea into a full presentation in minutes
PowerPresent turns ideas, notes or docs into presentations in seconds. Get a lifetime subscription to the AI presentation maker for $79.99. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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HomePad reportedly delayed (again), and it’s all Siri’s fault (again)
Macworld Apple’s first-ever smart home display, which the company hoped to launch this spring, has reportedly hit another development snag. It now won’t appear until the fall, according to the latest rumors, and you guessed it, it’s all Siri’s fault. Writing for Bloomberg, analyst Mark Gurman claims Apple had previously planned for its first wave of smart home devices to run a “variation” of tvOS 26, the current Apple TV operating system, but has now pushed this back to tvOS 27. Like the rest of the 27 OS updates, tvOS 27 will be announced in June at WWDC 2026 before rolling out to the public in September. Instead of launching in spring, as expected, the so-called HomePad, a smart home hub with an integrated display, is now slated to launch in the fall. This change of plan, Gurman says, is entirely due to issues with Siri; the hardware has been ready for some time. He bases this on the testimony of anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter. If that sounds tenuous, it’s worth noting that Gurman’s claims are corroborated by another leaker. In fact Kosutami, who has made accurate predictions in the past, actually posted “Autumn. Home. Integrated with Pad. Now coming.” some time before Gurman published his article, so really it’s the latter who is corroborating the former. Apple hasn’t announced anything publicly, but the company is believed to be working on a major push into the smart home space. This includes two tiers of smart home hubs: the stationary wall-mounted HomePad device with a 7-inch screen, focusing on HomeKit and FaceTime calls, and a high-end robotic hub featuring a display mounted on a robotic arm, which is expected to launch at a later date. Both devices, however, will depend for their convenience and user-friendliness on effective voice control, which is why Siri is so key to their release, and why Siri’s current woes are such a problem. Apple announced a new and more sophisticated version of Siri back in June 2024, but the project has been afflicted by a disastrous series of delays. On the positive side, the extra six months may give Apple a chance to tinker somewhat with the hardware side. In a separate post to Twitter/X, Kosutami adds that the device might have an intriguing “MagSafe snap-to-wall feature” and “it can [ring] your door,” which presumably means it lets you see who rings your doorbell. Both sound like useful additions, if Apple can ever actually launch the thing.

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Tim Cook’s golf cart gets F1 treatment in new video from Apple Park
Apple TV is now home to Formula 1 races in the US, and to promote the partnership, Tim Cook just shared a new video where his Apple Park golf cart gets an F1-style pit stop. more…

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Apple Accelerates Its Unified Silicon Strategy
Apple’s latest Mac announcements may look like routine upgrades. Look closer, and a deliberate strategy behind the new MacBook Neo and updated MacBook Pro lineup becomes clear. On one end, Apple pushed the MacBook Pro further upmarket with M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon, a new Fusion architecture, more memory bandwidth, faster storage, and AI […] The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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German publishers push back on Apple’s privacy-focused tracking changes, call for antitrust fine
German publishers and advertisers have urged the country's competition authority to reject Apple's latest proposals for adjusting its… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple MacBook Neo review: Can a Mac get by with an iPhone’s processor inside?
8GB of RAM is a bummer, but this $599 laptop cuts most of the right corners.

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MacBook Neo review: A truly great Mac at an unbelievable price
I bought my first Mac in 2007: a black polycarbonate MacBook. To this day, I think it’s the most consequential purchase I’ve made in my life. Last week, Apple introduced MacBook Neo. It’s a fascinating Mac, and not just because of the price. I think it’s set to drive a new wave of people to the Mac ecosystem. Here’s why. Limited time: Pre-order MacBook Neo at Best Buy and score a $25 gift card. more…

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MacBook Neo review: The perfect gateway Mac
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Distinguished and sturdy design Excellent single-core CPU performance Great-looking display Nothing feels cheap Cons Different USB implementations on the two ports Trackpad lacks pressure-sensitivity Multi-core performance lags No P3 color gamut support Our Verdict The MacBook Neo is, in every sense, a MacBook. It’s made with the same quality and care you’ve come to expect from Apple. it might cost a fraction of what Apple charges for the MacBook Pro, but it’s not a letdown; it’s a delight. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$599 Best Prices Today: Apple MacBook Neo Retailer Price $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The word “cheap” is a loaded one. It usually means the price is below expectations, which raises a product’s appeal. But it’s also used as a derogatory term for something of poor quality. Sometimes, often even, the two concepts go hand-in-hand. Apple’s MacBook Neo is far from “cheap” in the derogatory sense. On price alone, the MacBook Neo’s $599 starting price ($499 through education channels) is on that upper tier of cheap laptops in general. Maybe “affordable” or “budget” are better terms for the Neo. However, Apple doesn’t want you to think of the MacBook Neo in any of those terms. Though it describes the price as a “breakthrough” and says the Neo is the company’s “most affordable laptop ever,” it doesn’t use these terms to signify its place in the MacBook lineup. It’s a MacBook, and it happens to cost less than the others. That’s an important distinction. The MacBook Neo is, in every sense, a MacBook, just like the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. It’s made with the same quality you’ve come to expect from Apple. That’s not to say there aren’t sacrifices to be made. There are, but they’re expected at this price point. It’s not a letdown; if anything, the MacBook Neo is a delight. The MacBook Neo proudly carries on the MacBook name.Foundry Overall, the MacBook Neo is an excellent choice as a general productivity computer. You’ll be able to write documents, create spreadsheets, build presentations, visit websites, check email, manage your calendar, video conference with people, and a lot more with ease on the MacBook Neo. It can also handle basic media editing and a few other more intensive tasks, though you’ll need to wait a little while longer for its chip to do all the work. Our reviews usually evaluate MacBooks as a tool for Apple users. With the Neo, however, Apple hopes and believes a lot of people will switch from a Windows laptop, and it’s likely to be a success. This may be Macworld, which means a vast majority of our readers are Mac users, but if you’re considering switching from the PC world, please read on–I’ve written this as a Mac user, but switchers will be interested to know what Apple has done to make the Neo a proud part of the MacBook lineup. MacBook Neo (2026): Our model’s specifications This review covers the $599 MacBook Neo. Available in four colors, we looked at an Indigo model. Here are its specifications: CPU: A19 Pro with 6 cores (2 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 16-core Neural Engine GPU: 5 cores Memory: 8GB unified memory (60GBps memory bandwidth) Storage: 256GB SSD Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina; 2408-by-1506 native resolution at 219 pixels per inch; 500 nits brightness; 1 billion colors; sRGB color gamut Ports: 1USB-C (USB 3); 1 USC-C (USB 2); 3.5mm audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 6 Input devices: Magic Keyboard; Magic Trackpad Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg) Dimensions: 0.50 x 11.71 x 8.12 inches (1.27 x 29.74 x 20.64 cm) Price (as tested): $599/£559 MacBook Neo: Design What’s most remarkable is that Apple has been able to maintain its high standards of quality with the design and construction of the MacBook Neo. It has an all-aluminum case, created with what Apple claims is a new process that reduces waste. If there’s a difference between the aluminum used in the Neo and that of the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, I can’t feel it. The MacBook Neo is all aluminum. There’s no plastic on its case.Foundry The MacBook Neo certainly doesn’t seem cheaply constructed. It’s a confident laptop, just like the other MacBooks. Carrying it around, its weight feels evenly distributed, and it doesn’t feel hollow or fragile. The laptop is slightly smaller than the MacBook Air, but it weighs just as much. For the first time since the M1 Air, the camera is stashed in the upper bezel of the laptop. MacBook Neo doesn’t have a notch, like the MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. The bezels along the sides are noticeably thicker than on the other MacBooks, but they don’t give a sense of intrusion into your usable display area. Overall, the laptop looks and feels like it belongs with the rest of the MacBook lineup. If Apple made sacrifices in this area to meet the price, it’s not clearly obvious. The color choices are Blush (pink), Citrus (green), Indigo (blue), and Silver. We got the Indigo model for review, and the colorization looks like it’s applied in the same manner as other MacBooks–it’s anodized, not painted. The color is rich and varies based on how the light hits it. The Apple logo is matte, whereas the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have shiny logos. The non-Silver colors are unique to this laptop, so people who follow Apple closely will instantly know it’s a MacBook Neo. (This is important to Apple users, switchers.) @macworld.com Like Indigo? #macbookneo ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld MacBook Neo: Display and camera The 13-inch LED display (Liquid Retina, in Apple parlance) is what you might expect in an Apple budget laptop. It’s essentially a smaller version of the MacBook Air’s display–they’re both capable of 500 nits of brightness. It produces an evenly lit image; I didn’t notice hotspots or dim areas. The images and text are nice. The MacBook Neo is missing two features found in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The first is True Tone, where the Mac can sense the ambient lighting in the room and adjust the display’s colors so the image looks consistent. The second is the lack of support for the P3 color gamut, as the Neo supports sRGB. I bet most people considering the MacBook Neo won’t miss True Tone or even know that it’s not there. In fact, some Mac users turn it off. The missing P3 support is a bigger deal for people who do color work, because P3 is a wider color gamut than sRGB. The Neo may not be suitable for people who need color accuracy, but those people probably won’t be considering this laptop. The MacBook Neo doesn’t have the 12MP Center Stage camera found on other Macs, iPads, and iPhones. It’s a revival of the 1080p FaceTime camera Apple introduced back in 2021. It’s not that great a camera, but putting the 12MP camera in the 1st-gen Neo would’ve been a surprise, really. The camera is capable of 1080p HD video recording, just like the 12MP Center Stage camera, so there’s that, at least. MacBook Neo: Keyboard and trackpad The Magic Keyboard is a lot like the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air keyboards, but it does have minor design modifications to make it fit the MacBook Neo chassis. Whatever modifications Apple made to the keys and design resulted in a slightly different feel, but it doesn’t feel like a cheap PC keyboard that’s about to break. It’s sturdy and feels like it will last. The keys take on a hue that matches the color of the MacBook Neo.Foundry Apple tints the keys with a matching color so that they provide some contrast to the MacBook Neo’s body. For example, on the Indigo model I tested, the keys are a shade of light blue, adding some pizazz to the laptop’s design aesthetic. On the $599 model I tested, Touch ID was not included. I wrote a separate article detailing the importance of Touch ID, which is available if you get the $699 model (along with an SSD upgrade to 512GB). Macworld reader Brian H. pointed out to me that if you have an Apple Watch, you can use it in lieu of Touch ID for unlocking, Apple Pay, and other requests, which is a fine idea if you have an Apple Watch. If you don’t have a watch, you can buy an SE for $249 or spend an extra $100 on the $699 model, which also has twice the storage. The Multi-Touch trackpad isn’t as robust as the one on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. It’s a mechanical trackpad but the whole surface supports clicks, taps, and gestures unlike so-called diving board-style trackpads on similarly priced PC laptops. Plus it lacks the pressure-sensitive capabilities that Force Touch brings. It’s a sacrifice that a devoted Mac user may find hampering if they’ve incorporated those features into their workflow, but it’ll be an instand upgrade for someone switching from a cheap HP laptop. MacBook Neo: Ports and connectivity Apple includes two USB-C ports on the MacBook Neo, and it’s here where we get to the biggest point of contention with the laptop. The port closest to the rear of the laptop is a USB 3 port, capable of a 10Gbps data transfer rate. The port closest to the user is a USB 2 port, which supports a much slower 480Mbps rate. Charging can be done on either port, but the USB-C 2 port will take a really long time to move files. Both ports are USB-C, but the left port is faster than the right. Foundry The fact that the ports use two different flavors of USB (one being a very slow one) screams of a “cheap” move by Apple. However, John Gruber reports that this is more about the limitations of the A18 Pro chip than Apple being cheap, since the original chip and logic board were only designed for a single USB-C port with USB-3 speeds. That means that at some point during the Neo’s development, Apple decided the Neo needed two USB-C ports and had to perform some engineering magic to bring an extra port. That puts the decision into a better perspective. The rear USB-C port is the one to use for connecting an external display. A lot of hullabaloo has been made about knowing which port is the “better” port, and it’s all much ado about nothing. Once you learn the rear port is the faster port (you’ll get a pop-up box if you use the wrong one), are you really going to unlearn that? You’re not. It would’ve been nice if both ports were USB-3 ports, but ultimately it’s not a deal-breaker. There’s no Thunderbolt on the MacBook Neo, which isn’t a complaint but a matter of fact. Thunderbolt implementation is a pricier investment, so it doesn’t fit here. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 6. The laptop also has a 3.5mm audio jack, but it lacks support for high impedance headphones, which again, won’t matter to the target audience. When you plug in a display into the USB 2 port (the one on the right), a notification appears and tells you to use the other port, which supports USB 3.Foundry MacBook Neo: Battery life The MacBook Neo has a 36.5-watt-hour battery, which Apple says will provide up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless web browsing. To test for battery life, we looped a video until the battery ran out. The display’s brightness is set to 150 nits, which is a little less than halfway on the macOS Brightness scale. After 13 hours and 15 minutes, the battery finally ran out. That’s a lot of battery life for a little laptop. You’ll be able to use the MacBook Neo all day on its battery, if you’re only doing general productivity tasks. Doing more processor-intensive stuff has more of a toll on battery life, so if that’s what you do often, you may need to plug in towards the end of your day. Apple includes a 20W power adapter and a 1.5-meter UBC-C charging cable, which is enough for charging. You can use a higher-wattage charger, of course, but MacBook Neo doesn’t support fast charging. Both the charger and the cable can also be used with other iPhones, iPads, and AirPods, though you’ll be better served with a 40W or 60W charger with more than one port. MacBook Neo: Performance The MacBook Neo is the first Mac to use an A-series chip, usually reserved for iPhones and iPads. The A18 Pro in this laptop was last used in the iPhone 16 Pro, which was discontinued in 2025. Because the A18 Pro is a mobile chip, it’s easy to assume that it’s not able to provide the performance needed for a laptop. Missing from that narrative, however, is the fact that Apple’s A-series chips are consistently among the fastest mobile chips in the industry and can handle productivity tasks. In short, they’re extremely overpowered for a mobile phone. Most importantly, the A18 Pro offers single-core speeds that are just a tad slower than the latest M4 chip–the type of performance used in everyday tasks. In other words, the MacBook Neo does well in the tasks it’s meant to excel at. Geekbench 6

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Rode’s new Video Core offers a streamlined take on the all-in-one studio
Rode has announced a new product for video producers called the Rodecaster Video Core. Rode calls its new hardware the “ultimate all-in-one content creation tool, seamlessly integrating professional-grade video and audio production into a single, compact console.” more…

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M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs. M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro: Compared
Apple has updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip. Here's how it compares to the preceding model with the M4 Pro.M5 Pro MacBook Pro vs. M4 Pro MacBook Pro: Specs, performance, costFollowing the debut of the standard M5 chip in October 2025, the more powerful M5 Pro has made its way to the MacBook Pro. The early 2026 launch of the M5 Pro chip was to be expected, as product identifiers provided to AppleInsider back in July 2025 indicated the hardware was in the works.Though Apple's latest high-end laptops look identical to their M4-based counterparts, there's more to it than meets the eye. Per Apple's website, the M5 Pro delivers significant performance improvements, making it an even better option for users who need plenty of processing power. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Rising laptop prices likely to further boost MacBook Neo sales
It’s been predicted that Apple could sell four to five million MacBook Neo machines this year, with even hardcore Windows fans seeing the appeal of switching. A new market intelligence report today suggests that the new machine could become even more attractive later this year as competing laptops become more expensive … more…

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Baseus EnerGeek GX11 MiFi Review: 20K power bank with SIM-free global 4G hotspot
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Compact 20K power bank SIM-less 4G MiFi hotspot MiFi in over 150 countries Detachable USB-C cable Cons Not available in the U.K. Our Verdict Super compact, the Baseus EnerGeek GX11 MiFi Power Bank offers a decent battery top-up capacity for your iPhone, iPad or even MacBook. Its simple-to-use integrated 4G MiFi function and available international plans are a real bonus for sharing with colleagues on a business trip abroad or staying in touch with family and friends when traveling. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$129.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus EnerGeek GX11 MiFi Power Bank 20000mAh 67W Retailer Price $103.99 View Deal $129.99 View Deal Baseus $129.99 View Deal $129.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Power banks free us from the need to be constantly near a power socket to recharge our devices, be that phone or laptop. A new breed of power banks is starting to add extra features to the basic battery-charging function. The Baseus EnerGeek GX11 4G MiFi Power Bank is 20,000mAh battery pack with other super powers—in this case a built-in 4G hotspot for travelers that can automatically connect to premium local networks upon arrival without the need for a physical SIM or even eSIM in your iPhone. Now you can leave home with extra power and easy access to affordable, reliable local data. Simon Jary What is MiFi and why would you use it instead of your phone hotspot? MiFi is mobile WiFi (sometimes a more personal “My Wi-Fi”), usually found in a portable wireless router acting as a mobile hotspot that enables you to connect devices to the internet using cellular data. Such a travel router combines a cellular modem (to connect to nearby 4G towers) and a Wi-Fi router (to broadcast that signal to your device) a battery-powered unit. With the Baseus EnerGeek GX11 that power unit is also a high-capacity iPhone power bank or mid-capacity MacBook power bank. The GX11 can support up to 10 simultaneous 4G connections, so you can share its broadband power with friends, family or colleagues on the move. You can of course use your iPhone as a hotspot and/or install a physical local SIM card or connect with a virtual eSIM, but the benefit of a MiFi router is that it has its own power source, so reducing battery drain on your phone—especially for groups connecting multiple devices. See our sister publication Tech Advisor’s reviews of the best eSIMs for phone-based alternatives. Simon Jary How does the GX11’s SIM-less global MiFi work? The EnerGeek GX11 4G MiFi Power Bank is based on uCloudlink’s CloudSIM technology, with support for 13 global frequency bands—including FDD-LTE, TD-LTE, and WCDMA. First, you download the Baseus MiFi app. Once you have installed the app and registered an account, you can activate it by scanning the QR code on the back of the power bank. Then you can purchase a data plan or top up through the Baseus MiFi App. As a bonus, when you first register the device, you get a free 20GB local data plan included that is valid for 60 days. After that you can choose from multiple flexible roaming plans for a variety of standard durations: there were 150 listed when I registered. To take a few at random: a 15GB 7-Day Package for North America or Southeast Asia, Day Passes for Japan and Korea, 50GB or 100GB 30-Day Global Packages, or Monthly/Yearly Passes for Spain or Italy. The MiFi is compatible with more than 350 networks across 150 countries and regions. In the U.K., for example, you could connect to EE, O2, Vodafone or 3. In Germany with O2, Telekom or Vodafone; in France with Orange; in Brazil with Claro or Oi; or China Mobile or Unicorn in China. In the U.S. networks include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint; in Canada Rogers, Bell and Telus. You should be able to stay reliably connected most places in the world. Download speeds depend on the destination but Baseus lists 150Mbps as the max for global 4G WiFi, with 50Mbps max for uploads. How good is the GX11 as a power bank? The power bank’s 20000mAh (milliamp hours) capacity is rated at 73Wh (watt hours), which means it is airline friendly as carry on. In our tests, we recharged a flat 14-inch MacBook Pro to just under 90%, which is impressive for a power bank of this capacity. Only a 25K power bank has supplied over a full charge to our test MacBook. 20K should be enough to recharge an iPhone around three times. On one side, there’s the MiFi Switch and below that the Power button.Simon Jary Design and portability The Baseus EnerGeek GX11 measures 4.7 x 2 x 2 inches (12 x 5 x 5cm) which is about the size of a soda can and weighs 15.2oz (431g). A slide MiFi Switch button on one side is used to toggle MiFi on and off. You’ll save battery power with MiFi turned off. Below that, the Power button can be used to turn on and off power to devices and also manage the display at the front of the power bank. Simon Jary What ports and charging speeds does it support? At the top of the power bank are three ports: two USB-C and one legacy USB-A. Both USB-C ports can supply 67W of power and the USB-A 33W, although note that max output is 67W, so when using more than one at a time, that power will be shared between the ports. Using all three simultaneously seriously limits total power to 15W. The power bank itself can be recharged at 67W. It comes with a detachable braided USB-C cable of 10 inches (25cm) length, which can be used for input and output purposes. Price and availability The Baseus EnerGeek GX11 4G MiFi Power Bank is priced at $129.99 and €149.99. It is not available to buy in the U.K., but you can certainly use it there; the U.K. is included under the Europe region. Check out our reviews of the best MacBook power banks and best magnetic iPhone power banks for MiFi-less options. Should you buy the Baseus EnerGeek GX11 4G MiFi Power Bank Super compact, the Baseus EnerGeek GX11 MiFi Power Bank offers a decent battery top-up capacity for your iPhone, iPad or even MacBook. Its simple-to-use integrated 4G MiFi function and available international plans are a real bonus for sharing with colleagues on a business trip abroad or staying in touch with family and friends when traveling.

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AI Glasses Shift Into Momentum Mode, Shipments Grow 322% in 2025
AI glasses shipments soared 322% in 2025 to 8.7 million units as advances in multimodal AI and lighter wearable designs push the once-experimental category toward mainstream adoption. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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F1: The Stream – how the launch leveraged Apple's entire ecosystem
If you own an iPhone, and sometimes, even if you didn't, there was no escaping notifications about the 2026 F1 season starting up. Regardless of how annoyed you might have been, the launch was flawless and powered by every bit of Apple's ecosystem.Apple has the rights to stream F1I'm going to start off by saying I'm new to F1. I wanted to try out the sport since it is included with Apple TV.The F1 movie was also a strong motivator, as it helped reawaken my dormant love of racing. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple creates adorable little Finder guy to promote its adorable little Mac
Apple is pitching the MacBook Neo at people who’ve never owned a Mac before, and it’s reaching out to them in the place it thinks it will find this new generation of potential Mac users: TikTok. The company has been running a series of quirky ads on the video streaming platform, some of them featuring an adorable little Finder guy … more…

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Apple just created a billion more Mac users
Macworld For years, Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops have dominated the education sector for one primary reason: aggressive pricing. Some models sell for under $200, making them easy to deploy at scale. They’re also more sensible than entry-level iPads, thanks to the more mature operating systems, larger displays, built-in keyboards, and fuller feature sets. That dynamic is about to shift, however. With the newly announced MacBook Neo, Apple is set to disrupt this longstanding formula, positioning itself as a serious player in education. Until now, a truly affordable MacBook that parents and schools could justify for kids didn’t exist—Apple’s cheapest laptop started at $999 with the MacBook Air. Starting at a mere $499 for education, Neo is catering to this untapped market for the first time ever. Before long, many students will either be using a MacBook Neo or asking for one. Long-term gains The MacBook Neo’s starting price is a calculated decision. Apple could’ve easily charged more and still sold plenty of them, but short-term profit isn’t the primary goal here. With such a low starting price for students, Apple is ensuring Macs will begin showing up in classrooms all over the world, winning over younger generations and getting them accustomed to Apple hardware and software.  By introducing students to the Mac at a young age, Apple potentially secures them as lifelong customers who will later spend much more on higher-end devices. Plenty of Chromebooks and Windows laptops cost less than $499, but they don’t have the design or ecosystem Apple does. The MacBook is an established premium line, and, at just $499, it’s bound to become the new cool at school. Apple laptops are already popular with students, but now they’ll be popular with schools too.Apple iPhone’s BFF Back in the days when I was a college student, I sold my mid-range Lenovo laptop right after I switched from Android to iPhone. Instead of a Mac, I opted for an iPad to keep things in sync with my iPhone while I worked. Within a couple of years, my entire setup was converted to Apple-made products that worked seamlessly together. Many parents buy their kids iPhones for similar reasons. They can easily AirDrop notes, add them to shared photo albums, track them with Find My, set Screen Time limits, approve purchases, and much more. When they grown up, these kids will want a laptop that works just as well with their iPhones. The MacBook Neo offers native integrations with iOS, including iPhone Mirroring, notification forwarding, Universal Clipboard, plus the practical iCloud sync for photos, notes, contacts, files, and other data. No Chromebook or Windows laptop can beat that. Full desktop experience Another reason parents and schools may want to prioritize the MacBook Neo over a Chromebook is that it runs the full version of macOS. ChromeOS is essentially a glorified web browser that doesn’t offer the same set of advanced apps. While the MacBook Neo may run an iPhone chip, users will still get to install professional Mac software, such as coding tools, photo editors, and other comprehensive desktop apps. Apple doesn’t say how long it will support the MacBook Neo with software updates, but it’s safe to assume that it’ll be longer than any of its mid-range rivals. Cheap laptops often get quickly neglected by their manufacturers, as they focus their resources on supporting flagship machines. As such, Neo users will get the latest security patches, AI enhancements, and other new Mac features for years to come. Apple learned from the mistakes it made with the iPhone 5c.Foundry Far from an iPhone 5c When the plastic iPhone 5c flopped, Apple learned how not to build cheap products, switching to the SE model, which maintains the premium materials for budget iPhones and watches by incorporating dated components. The MacBook Neo is an evolution of this successful formula that sacrifices certain technologies for design and features that matter. According to Macworld’s Michael Simon—who got to try the notebook at Apple’s hands-on event—the MacBook Neo feels as premium as the MacBook Air. It features a sturdy aluminum chassis, reliable Magic Keyboard (albeit not backlit), stunning display, decent audio system, and more. Sure, you’re missing out on some higher-end specs available on Air and Pro MacBooks, but it doesn’t feel like similarly priced, low-grade laptops. Beyond its durability, the MacBook Neo also caters to students and youngsters by offering vibrant color options, including citrus and blush—plus the more subtle silver and indigo. The selection can add a fun aspect to a serious productivity device, making it appealing to a broader range of customers. If pretty much everything about the MacBook Neo is superior, why would anyone still want to buy another cheap laptop?

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