MacBook Neo pre-order configurations slip to after release date
Apple unveiled the all-new MacBook Neo on Wednesday, and several configurations have already sold out for day one deliveries. more…

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Apple’s MacBook Neo is a true game-changer
Apple doesn’t need AI to disrupt the market, and the company’s competitors know this. The launch of the MacBook Neo will prove it… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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MacBook Neo, Studio Display XDR, iPhone 17e and more, on the AppleInsider Podcast
Apple released a slew of new devices this week, including the stellar MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, plus the very good Studio Display XDR, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.MacBook Neo was the most exciting of Apple's launchesIt wasn't a full week of launches, but Apple certainly packed a lot into its three days of announcements. Practically all of it was predicted, but still there are stand-out releases like the MacBook Neo.That seems to be polarizing people, as some regard Apple's compromises as going too far. It's certainly not for everyone, but then Apple has aimed at everybody by also updating its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple has announced 7 new products this week
Apple launched seven new products announced, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more. more…

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Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone’s awesome power
On March 6, 2008, Apple released the iPhone SDK, finally allowing third-party developers to start making iPhone apps. The App Store follows. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPad art from 10 emerging Australian creators will light up the Sydney Opera House sails
Both Apple Pencil and iPad are essential tools for illustrators, a reality that will be on full display later this month in Sydney, Australia. more…

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Sydney Opera House to be lit up by art created on iPad
Apple and the Sydney Opera House are collaborating on a series of creativity projects for young people, including the chance to have iPad-created art projected on the famous building.How the new artwork will look when projected onto the Sydney Opera House — image credit: AppleJust as it did for Christmas with its UK headquarters, Apple is inviting people to submit artwork on the iPad to the Sydney Opera house. It's part of a 12-month collaboration which will see Apple supporting arts programming, including a new international children's festival later in 2026."For 50 years, Apple has been at the forefront of empowering creativity, providing tools that allow people to imagine, design, and share their unique visions with the world," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic Australian cultural landmark to help inspire the next generation of creatives." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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This giant Lego brick is an actual working Mac
Macworld If the MacBook Neo is altogether too new-looking for your tastes, you may be interested in a Mac that offers a more retro design. A 3D-printing enthusiast and Redditor going by the handle NefariousnessWhole25 this week announced the completion of a project to house a Mac mini M4 inside a giant Lego brick. The device somehow combines nostalgia for classic Lego with nostalgia for 1980s Macintosh design, while remaining functional enough to serve as a fully-functional computer. The starting point was an idea to 3D print an oversized (10:1 scale) version of the Lego brick “Slope 45 2×2,” also known as part 3039. First used in Lego sets as long ago as 1959, this familiar wedge shape has frequently been used in spaceships and superhero bases to represent an old-fashioned computer terminal. So NefariousnessWhole25 decided to use the larger model for precisely that. NefariousnessWhole25 The project, known as the M2x2, houses an M4 Mac mini inside the giant brick. It features a 7-inch (sloping) display, USB-C ports, and SD card reader on the front, and a carrying handle. The two studs on the top are used for volume control (left) and to cover a wireless AirPods/Apple Watch charging puck (right). “Meet the M2x2 (because 2×2 = M4, and of course as reference to the iconic Lego brick),” writes NefariousnessWhole25. “The design was mainly inspired by the original Macintosh (the vents and the handle in the back), but inside it contains the small but mighty Mac mini M4 to turn it into a fully contained desktop terminal that I currently use as my main computer.” Readers who’d like to replicate the experience can grab the 3D model from Makerworld. You’ll also need a Mac mini, of course: Retailer Price $599 View Deal $743 View Deal $743.58 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket And if you enjoy retro Macintosh design, take a look at the Pico Mac Nano, Spigen’s Classic LS case, and this funky DIY project.

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MacBook Neo starts seeing shipping delays
Most of the 512GB configurations of the MacBook Neo are now back-ordered between one and two weeks, although both silver models remain available for March 11, 2026.The Citrus MacBook Neo is now on backorderThe only conclusion you can truly draw from shipping delays is that if you want a device whose date has slipped back, you're going to have to wait. That is what's now happening with the new MacBook Neo.Since Apple will never reveal how many devices it has made in which configurations, it can't really be said whether one version of the MacBook Neo is more popular than another. But you can say which colors are selling out. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Fake iPhone Privacy Display videos are fooling everyone on TikTok
Macworld One of the flagship features of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phone is a new feature called Privacy Display. It displays the pixels on-screen in such a way that people at an angle can’t see what’s on your phone, but you can see it clearly straight-on. It’s a handy feature for those times you don’t want people to know that you’re captivated by Horse Race Test videos, or you want to discreetly text your bestie about the stench from the person next to you on the bus. It’s such a cool feature that we think Apple needs to copy it. To reiterate what Macworld’s Mahmoud Itani said, Apple touts itself as a privacy advocate, so this feature is perfect for the iPhone. Actually, I wonder why Apple didn’t think of this feature in the first place–another point Itani makes in his article, but that’s for another day. Privacy Display is a feature iPhone users would love, and social media “influencers” are well aware of this fact. The more unscrupulous ones are taking advantage of this desire, and they’re making fake videos that supposedly show off the Privacy Display feature in iOS 26.4 beta. Most of these videos show an iPhone and a screen labeled “Privacy Display,” and then the camera or phone moves away from a straight-on shot to an angled shot, where the screen or a portion of it goes black. @nxtcoreee3 Samsung isn’t the only one with Privacy Displays 🤫 #fyp #viral #foryou #iphone #ios ♬ original sound – 𝓙𝓲𝓲𝓴𝓪𝓮 You’ve been had. You’ve been took. You’ve been hoodwinked. Bamboozled The video above has more than 10 million views and 450,000 likes. If you see it, don’t fall for it. It’s fake. Apple does not have such a feature in the current version of iOS 26, nor is it being tested in the iOS 26 beta. This “influencer” made this videos to capture your attention, get a valued view added to their tally, and hopefully, a “like” and a follow. It may be really well done, but it’s fake. F-A-K-E. How do we know it’s fake? For one, such a feature requires completely new screen tech and cannot be added through software. Second, if Apple did make such a feature, it would promote the heck out of it because it is that cool. And lastly, here’s the biggest tell: the “influencers” who make these videos gave the feature the same name Samsung did. Apple wouldn’t do that. They’d give it some name like “Personal Privacy” or something, something that reminds you that the data you’re protecting is your data. This feature doesn’t exist for the iPhone right now, but I won’t be surprised if Apple does eventually come up with its own version of it. And as I said, when it does, you’ll definitely know about it from Apple itself and not some TikTokker.

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Inside Control Center on macOS Tahoe
Apps you don't want can clog up your Mac menubar, while ones you do can't be added. Here's how and why to use Control Center to make that menubar work for you, the way you want.If only Apple would let you have two rows of menubar app icons you don't recognzeEspecially if you have a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air with a small display — and a notch — you will have hit problems with menubar apps and controls. Quite apart from some apparently hiding behind that notch, there are others you want but there isn't enough room for them.Or even on a large display, you might shrug and let any app go in the menubar if it likes. But the result there is a huge number of apps, making it hard to find the one you actually need — especially since macOS will keep moving them around. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Why Apple didn’t launch a new entry-level iPad this week
Macworld Apple unveiled a slew of new products this week, including not only the iPhone 17e and the new MacBook Neo, but also an updated iPad Air with the M4 chip. But as we previously reported, Apple has also been working on a new entry-level iPad, which was widely expected to arrive this week. It seems to make sense for Apple to update both the iPad and iPad Air at once, as it did in previous years. But perhaps this omission wasn’t due to a delay, but rather a strategy. What the rumors say about the new entry-level iPad It’s been exactly a year since Apple last updated its cheapest iPad. The 2025 update wasn’t a significant one, focusing on adding more performance with the A16 chip and doubling the base storage from 64GB to 128GB. Since this iPad is all about price, it never gets the latest chip or major advances compared to the other models. And while it occasionally gets annual updates, there was a three-year gap between the 10th-gen and the current 11th-gen model. But this time around, rumors suggest Apple has been working on a more significant upgrade for the more affordable iPad. Macworld reported last year that Apple has been working on a new version of the tablet (codenamed J581 and J582) that has an A19 chip inside, the same chip that powers the latest iPhones today. Compared to the A16 chip, the A19 is about 50 percent faster. In addition, it has 8GB of RAM, versus 6GB for the A16. This amount of RAM would finally enable Apple Intelligence on the budget iPad, which would be the last iOS device currently to gain AI capabilities. Otherwise, we expect the iPad to have the same design and specs. An iPad with an A19 chip is an odd comparison next to the just-launched MacBook Neo.Apple A question of timing If this iPad were to arrive this month, it would run the same chip as the current iPhone. That’s an odd move for the budget iPad, which usually has a chip that’s at least a generation behind. So it makes more sense to push this iPad launch until later this year. If Apple holds off on launching the 12th-generation iPad until this fall, after the launch of the iPhone 18, the A19 chip will no longer be the latest. This would solve two problems for Apple: Marketing and cost. In October, Apple can say that the budget iPad has a very capable chip without creating an awkward situation where it appears to be as fast as a new iPhone and better than some higher-end devices, including the iPad mini. It would also be an odd look to launch an A19 iPad alongside the just-released A18 Pro MacBook Neo. Also, by the end of this year, the A19 will certainly be much cheaper to manufacture than it is now. And that’s essential for making a budget iPad. The fact that Apple skipped the entry-level iPad this week likely means it will arrive much later in the year. By splitting the announcements, Apple also ensures that the budget iPad and iPad Air won’t cannibalize each other’s sales. The A16 iPad will probably stay on shelves until the fall.Britta O’Boyle What about the other iPads? According to the latest rumors, Apple has also been working on a major update to the iPad mini, which currently has an A17 Pro chip. Apple’s internal code leaked online suggests that it will be powered by the yet-to-be-announced A20 Pro chip. In addition, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the mini will be the first iPad to feature an OLED display.  As for the next iPad Pro, there won’t be any major changes other than the faster M6 chip and potentially a vapor chamber cooling system similar to the one in the iPhone 17 Pro. The new iPad mini is likely to arrive this fall along with the new budget iPad, while a new iPad Pro is slated for 2027.

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Forget 512GB RAM — Apple has dropped the Mac Studio's $4,000 upgrade
Without warning, Apple has stopped selling the Mac Studio with its previous maximum configuration of 512GB RAM, perhaps because of worldwide shortages.The current Mac StudioOne day ago, you could have spent $14,099 on a maxed-out Mac Studio. That included $4,000 on a 512GB RAM option, but that is now gone.At the same time, Apple has raised prices on what RAM upgrades it still offers. The configurations depend on which processor you select, but for one example, it now costs an extra $400 than it did to upgrade from 96GB RAM to 256GB RAM. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple launches new MacBook Neo, Studio Display XDR, MacBook Pro, more
Chance and Zac break down Apple’s Mac announcements of the week. There’s the M5 MacBook Air and more powerful MacBook Pro models with an intriguing new chip architecture and naming scheme. Plus, the new Studio Display “family” is here with good and bad news. Finally, Chance recounts his trip to NYC where he saw the launch of the all-new MacBook Neo.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Zac gives us a rundown of his current Apple gear. And a small philosophy lesson. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/HAPPYHOUR for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security by securing your team’s credentials. Find out more at 1password.com/happyhour and start securing every login. more…

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If you think MacBook Neo is a bad deal, it’s not for you
Macworld Apple announced an all-new MacBook this week at a starting price of just $599, and as you might have guessed, everyone has opinions about it. If the social media feeds are to be believed, the most common critique is that it’s not actually a good deal because it’s slow trash garbage with only 8GB of RAM and will be obsolete and useless in just a couple of years. Obviously, Apple’s not going to make a Mac laptop as good as the MacBook Air at nearly half the price. But are the compromises really dealbreakers? Let’s dig in. ‘There’s not enough RAM’ Central to most complaints is that an A18 Pro with only 8GB of RAM is going to provide a bad user experience. Sometimes that hot take is carefully hedged—sure it’s fine now, but in a couple of years it won’t be able to run the latest AI models, or whatever! If you’re the kind of user who knows the complete specs of your computer and considers such details carefully, then the MacBook Neo is not for you. It’s not what’s inside the MacBook Neo that counts.Michael Simon / Foundry There are millions of people whose entire laptop use consists of email, web browsing, online shopping, reading news, watching YouTube videos, and scrolling through social media. The closest they come to creating anything is trimming the end off a video or cropping some photos. They often don’t update to the latest OS release and aren’t really concerned about it. They’re totally happy with their 4-year old laptop, and aren’t really sure what kind of CPU it has or how much RAM it’s got. They went to Best Buy or some other big box store, poked around at the laptops on display, and picked one that was inexpensive and looked good. Users like this are everywhere, and they rarely end up with a Mac because the starting prices are usually $1,000 or more. The MacBook Neo is for them. And for eighth graders who need to type reports. And for grandkids to buy for their grandparents who don’t understand all this new computer stuff, but the HP laptop they used since 2010 won’t start up anymore. For those target markets, the MacBook Neo is going to be more than fast enough. We know this because M1 and M2 MacBook Airs that sold with only 8GB of RAM are still doing all that basic stuff just fine. And yeah, maybe in a couple of years they won’t be able to run the latest big AI models locally. So much of the AI stuff is moving to the cloud anyway, and it’s just not necessary for the everyday tasks these users are spending their time on. I’m not so sure a $599 Chromebook is going to handle the latest AI models in 2028, either. ‘Just get an iPad and keyboard’ I can’t believe how many people suggested that an iPad with a keyboard/trackpad cover would be a better deal. The most basic iPad with the Magic Keyboard Folio is $598, almost exactly the price of the MacBook Neo. Only it’s smaller (11 inches), slower (A16), and has half the storage (128GB). iPad + Folio Keyboard is the same price as MacBook Neo. With slower CPU, less RAM, half the storage.Foundry Sure, iPads have their own strengths—mainly cameras and touchscreens—but getting iPad hardware that is comparable to the MacBook Neo definitely costs more. And importantly, iPads run iPadOS, not macOS. Everyone who wants a touch-first tablet already has an iPad. MacBook Neo is for people who want a Mac. They want to run Mac software. ‘You can get a better PC for the less’ What about them? You can definitely get a Windows laptop or a Chromebook for this price. Or less. Much less! Similarly-priced Windows laptops are generally bigger, with thicker, heavier bodies. They feel cheap and plasticky. They have slow processors, RAM, and storage. It’s not uncommon to find better specs in some places—more storage, more RAM, larger screens—but you’re unlikely to find them all. And compromises abound, too. But they don’t run well, or feel good, or look good. Put a $600 Windows laptop side-by-side with a MacBook Neo, and it just feels cheap. And do you have any idea how much bloatware and crud you get on a sub-$1,000 Windows laptop these days? Why do you think the price is so low? There aren’t many $599 Windows PCs that won’t look cheap next to the Neo.Foundry There are a billion iPhone users out there who would enjoy a computer that syncs all their messages, photos, and bookmarks with ease. They want to copy something on their laptop and paste it on their phone. They want to use their phone as a webcam. They want Find My on their computer. And they don’t want to mess with a bunch of utilities and third-party software to make it happen. People don’t buy Macs just because of how the benchmarks or specs compare to a Windows machine of the same price. They buy them because they’re Macs. Just as people buy Windows desktops because of the games they want to run, people buy Macs because of the Mac software they want to run. The price is the feature One could compare the MacBook Neo to other products all day. (It’s $100 less than the wheels for the Mac Pro!) To do so is to miss the point. The point is that it’s a Mac laptop that is hundreds of dollars cheaper than any Mac laptop has ever been, and it’s going to do all the “basic laptop stuff” just fine. It opens up the possibility of getting a Mac to an absolutely huge market that simply wasn’t reachable before. It’s the basic MacBook. The first MacBook. The trial MacBook. The you-don’t-have-to-be-too-careful-with-it MacBook. The RAM, and ports, and display aren’t the features. The price is the feature.

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Best iPad to buy in 2026: Which Apple tablet is right for you?
Macworld Which iPad Is Right for You? Choosing the best iPad in 2026 depends on how you’ll use it. If you want a powerful tablet for creative apps and pro workflows, an iPad Pro model delivers the most performance. If you want a balanced mix of speed and price for everyday tasks, the iPad Air is a great choice. For a compact, travel-friendly option, the iPad mini shines, and the standard iPad offers solid performance at the lowest price point. Which iPad should you buy? There are a lot of choices and it can be confusing. There are four different varieties of iPad, listed below, and each is available with or without 5G cellular, which costs extra and requires a data plan. That’s before we get into storage capacity, colors, and second-hand alternatives. Types of Apple iPad iPad – from $349 / £329 iPad mini – from $499 / £499 iPad Air – from $599 / £599 iPad Pro – from $999 / £999 Our in-depth buying guide assesses the whole range of iPads sold by Apple and explores all the factors that should influence your iPad buying decision such as value for money, how much storage you need, which size will be best for you, and whether or not to buy a cellular version. We also reveal whether an updated version of each device is likely to be launched soon–answering the question of whether now is a good time to buy an iPad. Below the review chart is more detailed advice about screen size, storage, processor and cellular vs Wi-Fi. Best iPad to buy in 2026 The iPad that is best for you will depend on what you need from an iPad. If you just want an iPad for reading books, watching movies and TV shows, email, and web browsing—or for kids who will just be watching Bluey—then you don’t need all the bells and whistles. An iPad or iPad mini might be best here. If you are looking for an iPad that will do everything that a laptop can, then consider a model that is more powerful and supports additional components, such as one of Apple’s iPad keyboards or the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air might suit you. And if you will be using your iPad for gaming, video editing, photo editing, or anything high-powered and graphic intensive, then you should probably look at an iPad Pro. However, it isn’t as simple as that, as you will see if you read on. Below we will run through every iPad you can buy right now, so you can find the one that’s best for your needs. For each iPad we record the essential information, its pros and cons, which buyer should pick it, and whether now is a good time to buy. Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 2026): Best iPad for business users Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Since March 2026 the 11-inch iPad Air has an M4 processor that is powerful and energy-efficient (less than a year ago it was widely praised performance in the Mac). The M4 pushes the iPad Air far ahead of the iPad mini and standard iPads with their A-series chips. The M4 also makes the Air an appealing alternative to the more expensive iPad Pro models, with their faster M5 processors. Like all recent iPads, the Air features an all-screen design with no Home button. As with the standard iPad and the iPad mini, biometric security is handled by a fingerprint sensor in the power button rather than Face ID, which is reserved for the Pros. It has superb cameras (the front-facing 12MP camera and Center Stage), supports a wide range of Pro accessories, and now features 5G. Aside from the faster processor, 50% boost in memory (12GB of RAM vs 8GB), Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, there’s not much to distinguish it from the M3 iPad Air. Pros: Beautiful design. Superb processing and graphics power. Cheaper than the iPad Pro. Cons: Screen doesn’t feature ProMotion. Who is the iPad Air best for: Tablet gamers and anyone who wants to be able to run the most demanding apps now and in the future. Pro users (business, creative, design) who can’t afford an iPad Pro. Is now a good time to buy? Absolutely. It was updated in March of 2026 so is the newest of all the iPads. But would the iPad Pro be better? Read: iPad Air vs iPad Pro, or look below. Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024): Best iPad for kids and portability Price When Reviewed: $499 (128GB; Wi-Fi only) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi only) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $399 View Deal $399 View Deal $399.99 View Deal $483.94 View Deal $499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This generation of iPad mini launched in October 2024 and is available in four colors: Blue, Purple, Space Gray, and Starlight. The biggest draw of the iPad mini is probably its diminutive stature; with its 8.3-inch display it’s Apple’s smallest iPad. It’s perfect for carrying around in a bag or handing to children when they need entertainment. It might be small, but it is actually more powerful than the standard iPad thanks to its A17 Pro processor, which is newer than the A16 in today’s standard iPad and supports Apple Intelligence. You also get a Liquid Retina screen, and 12MP/12MP rear/front cameras. Pros: Very portable and respectably powerful. The cheapest version now has a decent amount of storage (128GB, previously only 64GB). Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil Pro. Cons: Small screen, which may not be great for those who get eyestrain or who like immersive films and games. Who is the iPad mini best for: The portability-conscious. Gamers on the go. Tablet photographers. Ebook readers. Kids. Is now a good time to buy? The iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024 and an update isn’t expected until mid to late 2026. You’ll likely find it for a little bit lower than Apple’s MSRP at third-party retailers. Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review Apple iPad (A16, 2025): Best budget iPad Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: Retailer   Price Check on Amazon Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The 2025 iPad (A16) is the cheapest iPad at just $349/£329. It offers a lot of features for the price and it’s available in an assortment of fun colors. It has a 11-inch screen, a USB-C connector, and supports the Apple Pencil 1 or the Apple Pencil (USB). It’s also capable of 5G. Pros: Good price especially now it starts with 128GB storage. Most colorful range of all the iPads. Cons: Apple picked an A16 chip for this iPad despite the A16 not supporting Apple Intelligence. This is likely to mean it will missing out on features. Still feels cheap due to the unlaminated screen (will Apple ever update this?). Not as thin and light as the iPad Air, or the iPad Pro for that matter. Who is iPad A16 best for: Anyone who needs a big screen (not a huge screen; they’ll want the 13-inch iPad Air (or iPad Pro) but is on a budget, and can cope without the latest in processing. It’s a good option for anyone who likes the look of the iPad Air, but not the price. Is now a good time to buy? Apple is unlikely to update this model until mid to late 2026. If you can wait until then we recommend you do though, because the A16 iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence features. If you want the cheapest iPad it’s a good deal, but it might be better to pay a little more for the iPad Air if you can afford to. Read our full Apple iPad (A16) review Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4, 2026): Best value big screen iPad Price When Reviewed: $799 (128GB) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you want a larger screen, there’s also a 13-inch iPad Air with an M4 processor, making it a viable alternative to the more expensive 13-inch iPad Pro with its M5 chip. Aside from the bigger screen this iPad Air is identical to the 11-inch iPad Air, with the same all-screen design, fingerprint sensor in the power button and front-facing 12MP camera with Center Stage. Pros: Large screen. Cheaper than the iPad Pro. Cons: Screen doesn’t feature ProMotion. Who is 13-inch iPad Air best for? Anyone who want a bigger screen at a lower price than the iPad Pro. It’s a great size for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match). It’s also a great option if you want to use your iPad as a laptop, just add an iPad keyboard case. Is now a good time to buy? This iPad Air was introduced in March 2026 and will be around for a while. If you want a big screen and don’t need, or can’t afford, an iPad Pro it’s a great choice. 11-inch iPad Pro (M5, 2025): Best performance for creative pros Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $929 View Deal $942 View Deal $958.27 View Deal $999 View Deal $999.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 256GB, $999 / £999 512GB, $1,199 / £1,199 1TB, $1,599 / £1,599 2TB, $1,999 / £1,999 The current generation of iPad Pro models launched in October 2025. The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and a variety of capacities all the way up to a massive 2TB. The 2025 Pros feature M5 chips and are incredibly powerful–some might say more powerful than it has any right to be. The 11-inch iPad Pro features a display it calls Ultra Retina XDR, which is an implementation of OLED technology that offers deeper blacks, better details in shadows and low light, and better response to motion. Apple uses two OLED panels in an implementation it calls Tandem OLED to address the brightness concerns of a single OLED panel. The Tandem OLED generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. The display on the iPad Pro differs from the other iPads because it features ProMotion, which means it can automatically vary its refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz, which ensures exceptionally smooth on-screen motion. With the launch of the M4 generation in 2024, the front-facing camera moved to the longer side of the iPad Pro for better use in landscape mode. The M5 and M4 iPad Pro also lack the rear 10MP ultra-wide camera that was on the 4th generation. Apple must have concluded that people don’t use the iPad Pro for photography—scanning however, is provided for: the 12MP main camera uses some AI tricks for scanning. Pros: Slim and light (even slimmer than the iPad Air!); dual cameras; Face ID; quick and power-efficient processor. Cons: Very expensive. Its power could be overkill for many. Who is iPad Pro best for? Creative types who don’t need the absolutely largest screen. It’s great for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match), but there are other screens in the range that are a similar size and a lot more affordable. Is now a good time to buy? The 11-inch M5 iPad Pro was released in October 2025 so it’s unlikely to be updated again until 2027. Read our full Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 2025) review 13-inch iPad Pro (M5, 2025): Best iPad laptop replacement Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1,199 View Deal $1218 View Deal $1278.84 View Deal £1299 View Deal $1299.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The iPad Pro 13-inch, updated in October 2025, squeezes a huge screen into a relatively small and very thin chassis. The screen is fractionally larger than the iPad Air (2,064 pixels across compared to 2,048 pixels). It’s also fractionally bigger, but not heavier, than the 13-inch iPad Air. In other respects it’s largely the same as the 11-inch Pro (above): with the same, super-fast processor (the M5), lots of RAM, ProMotion screen, and a user experience that looks more than capable of replacing a laptop. The 13-inch iPad Pro, like the 11-inch version, has an Ultra Retina XDR. This is based on OLED technology, but Apple uses two OLED panels–it calls Tandem OLED and it generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. This is all thoroughly impressive. But on the downside, the 13-inch Pro is far less portable than the mid-size iPads (it remains admirably slim, but the sheer screen area makes it a handful) and ruinously expensive, particularly at those upper storage tiers. Pros: Large screen (13-inch); extremely fast processor with lots of RAM; landscape camera with Face ID; four speakers; Ultra Retina display. Cons: Very slim, but not as portable as the smaller models; very expensive; processor speed will be overkill for many prospective buyers. Who is 13-inch iPad Pro best for? : Creative types most of all, but anyone who needs a big screen will be interested—this is the perfect set up for anyone wanting to use a iPad as a laptop. Gamers and those who enjoy consuming media on the go will like the combination of a sumptuous screen and a quad-speaker audio system. Is now a good time to buy? The current Pros came out in October 2025. Apple isn’t expected to update it until 2027. iPad Buying Guide: What to look for when buying an iPad As you can see from the above there are a lot of iPads sold by Apple—that doesn’t even include the many previous-generation iPads that are still on sale at various resellers and at Apple’s Refurbished Store (U.S) or U.K. When confronted with so much choice what should you consider when deciding which iPad to buy? For many the choice will be based on price and value for money. Some may be influenced by the screen size, others by the weight. The ability to get more than 512GB storage may be important, as may the inclusion of Face ID or Touch ID. Finally, the decision of whether to get a cellular version, which invites the assessment of the minefield of network contracts, will no doubt be a factor for some. We will look at each of those factors below. How iPad specs compare The table below summarizes the main features of the iPads in Apple’s current lineup and highlights the price for each. We have more information about the individual iPads and buying advice below. Model (launch date)Key features + specsStorage + priceiPad A16(March 2025)• 10.9-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• A16 processor (5-core CPU, 4-core GPU)• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil 1• 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm / 9.97in x 7.07in x 0.28in • 1.5 pounds / 481g128GB, $349 / £329256GB, $449 / £429512GB, $649 / £629 iPad miniA17 Pro(October 2024)• 8.3-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• A17 Pro processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro• 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm / 7.69in x 5.3in x 0.25in• 0.65 pounds / 293g128GB, $499 / £499256GB, $599 / £599512GB, $799 / £799iPad Air 11-inchM4(March 2026)• 11-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• M4 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm / 9.83in x 6.99in x 0.21in• 0.98 pounds / 465g128GB, $599 / £599256GB, $699 / £699512GB, $899 / £8991TB, $1,249 / £1,249iPad Air 13-inchM4(March 2026)• 13-inch screen• Touch ID on the Power button• M4 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm / 11.04in x 8.46in x 0.24in• 1.36 pounds / 616g128GB, $799 / £799256GB, $899 / £899512GB, $1,099 / £1,0991TB, $1,299 / £1,299iPad Pro 11-inch M5(October 2025)• 11-inch screen• Face ID• M5 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm / 9.38in x 6.99in x .021in• 0.98 pounds / 444g256GB, $999 / £999512GB, $1,199 / £1,1991TB, $1,599 / £1,5992TB, $1,999 / £1,999iPad Pro 13-inchM5(October 2025)• 13-inch screen• Face ID• M5 processor• 12MP/12MP cameras• Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro• 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm / 11.09in x 8.48in x .020in• 1.28 pounds / 582g256GB, $1,299 / £1,299512GB, $1,499 / £1,4991TB, $1,899 / £1,8992TB, $2,299 / £2,299Prices for Wi-Fi models. Cellular models cost more Which iPad is the best value for money? One person’s value for money is another person’s extravagance. You might be looking for the cheapest iPad. That would be the A16 iPad, launched in March 2025. At just $349/£329 price that’s a bargain in Apple’s terms. It has a 10.9-inch screen, a 12MP rear-facing camera, an A14 Bionic processor, and 5G as an option. The main problem is that it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the bunch of AI features Apple has been shouting loudly about. With subsequent versions of iPadOS likely to lean heavily on Apple Intelligence you could get FOMO in the future if you buy this iPad. But if you only need a cheap iPad for the kids it’ll probably do the job, especially now that it has a reasonable amount of storage (no more struggling with 64GB). An older iPad might be a better choice if you do want a bargain—especially if it is a model that supports AI (any M-series iPad Air will, for example). If you are happy to buy an older iPad model then there are plenty of discounts available while they are still in stock. There are also some great savings to be had on refurbished models. We recommend you check our best iPad deals round up. If you have more to spend, what can you get for your money? The A17 Pro iPad mini more than justifies its price tag of $499/£499 with its faster (Apple Intelligence-capable) A17 Pro processor, True Tone flash, and a fully laminated, better quality, display, among other things. But its biggest draw will probably be its size for those who want a small iPad. The iPad mini is not much bigger than a hard-backed book making it the perfect size to carry around in a bag and a great size for kids. That’s assuming you want a small iPad—if not, then it won’t be for you. Next up is the M4 iPad Air, which starts at $599/£599 for the 11-inch model. It might be worth every extra penny if you want a faster M4 processor. The iPad Air display is still superior to that of the standard iPad, fully laminated and with an antireflective coating (like the iPad mini). The introduction of an 13-inch iPad Air means that you no longer need to fork out extra for the iPad Pro if you want a larger display on your iPad. The M5 iPad Pro, last updated in October 2025, is the ultimate in this category. Starting at $999/£999, the Pro has a lot to offer, with an incredible display and an M5 chip for starters. But we think these features are probably more than the average person needs. Then again, if you need those features you can’t beat it, unless you want a bigger screen, in which case get the 13-inch iPad Pro. Those are the prices that Apple sells its iPads for, but you don’t have to pay that much. Take a look at our regularly updated iPad deals page for the lowest prices and best discounts on iPads new and old. iPad screen size: Which size iPad to choose Size is a question of taste rather than simply going for the biggest iPad you can get your hands on. Bigger isn’t necessarily better if what you need is small and light. The most obvious aspect of this decision comes down to screen size. All screens are measured diagonally from corner to corner, or from the place where the corners would be. You’ve got four options: 8.3-inch iPad mini 10.9-inch iPad 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro But how big a screen do you really need? You can think of the tablets in terms of print publications: the mini is roughly the height and width of a paperback book; the mid-size iPads are closer to a hardback (albeit much slimmer); and the 13-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air are like a magazine (remember them?) The screen on the 13-inch iPad Pro is a tiny bit bigger than that on the 13-inch iPad Air, that’s 2,752 x 2,064 pixels vs 2,732 x 2,048 pixels. The larger screen is obviously better for immersive entertainment. Whether watching films or playing games, it’s a more enjoyable, richer experience. But really this is a question of priorities. Are you more set on getting maximum screen space, or are you willing to compromise on that front in order to get a lower price tag and improved portability? iPad Pro 13-inch (2025): 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 5.1mm; 579g/582g (Wi-Fi/cellular) iPad Pro 11-inch (2025): 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm; 444g/446g iPad Air 13-inch (2026): 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm 616g/617g iPad Air 11-inch (2026): 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm; 464g/465g iPad A16 (2025): 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm; 477g/481g iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024): 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 293g/297g Want the lightest iPad? As you’d expect, the iPad mini is a lot lighter than the other iPads. There’s a big gap between that device and even the mid-size iPads. As well as its markedly lower weight the mini also has a smaller body, which slips easily into a rucksack or jacket pocket. If you plan to mainly use your iPad out and about, on vacation, or commuting, or perhaps you’re buying an iPad for a child, the mini is your best bet. The iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch Pro are pleasingly portable, but they still can’t match the mini for portability. The iPad has a similar length and width to the Air, but is thicker and heavier; the Pros are slimmer still. The 13-inch Pro and Air are considerably less portable than their smaller cousins, but we think Apple has done well to keep the weight down, especially with the Pro, which is actually thinner than the iPad Air (go figure): it remains a slender, relatively lightweight, and portable alternative to a laptop. How much storage do iPads need? The five iPads offer anywhere from 128GB to 2TB of storage, but if you are looking at an old, refurbished, or preowned iPad you could be confronted with 64GB or even 32GB storage, which isn’t enough. But what storage capacity do you really need for an iPad? Well, first of all, remember that you can’t upgrade the storage of an iPad at a later date: this is your limit from now until you buy another iPad, so aim high and buy as much storage as you can afford. It’s better to spend an extra few pounds now than to buy an entire new iPad in six months. Storage capacity is mainly used up by three things: music, photos, and videos. If you want to keep lots of films or TV shows–or even a few, to be honest–then you need high storage: probably 256GB or higher for video fans. If you’re buying an iPad with the kids in mind, remember that you’ll want storage space for multiple episodes of their favorite show on a long car journey. The same applies if you have large photo or music libraries, although iCloud Photos and iTunes Match make it possible to keep your stuff in the cloud and access it remotely. The problem with iCloud Photos is that it will store low-res versions of all your images, from all your devices, on your iPad. If your library is huge then even these low-res versions of images can take up a lot of space on your iPad. If you don’t have a lot of storage on your iPad then avoid using iCloud Photos. The other thing that will fill up your storage is apps, especially games which will use up a lot of space. For that reason gamers should aim high on storage: The iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini start with 128GB and the Pro begins at 256GB. We recommend getting what you can afford. See: How much storage do you need on an iPhone or iPad? for more advice. Should you get the most powerful iPad? The iPad Pro models are, as you would expect, faster than their smaller and cheaper equivalents, next up is the Air, then the iPad mini and finally the iPad. You can get an idea of relative speed by looking at a few relevant specs: iPad Pro 13-inch (2025): M5; 12GB/16GB RAM iPad Pro 11-inch (2025): M5; 12GB/16GB RAM 13-inch iPad Air (2025): M4; 12GB RAM 11-inch iPad Air (2025): M4; 12GB RAM iPad mini (2024): A17 Pro; 8GB RAM iPad 10.9-inch (2025): A16; 6GB RAM The M-series chips have won widespread acclaim in the Mac range and produce outstanding performance in the iPads. But that doesn’t mean the A chips are sub-standard or incapable of running modern apps; keep in mind that much of the software on the App Store was designed with A chips in mind, and even now most developers will want to make their software accessible for as many iPad owners as possible. There is a good reason to choose the M-series chips over the A-series though. Some of the most impressive features from iPadOS 26 and iPadOS 18 will only work with the M-series iPads. These include features like Stage Manager, which is a feature for organizing your windows. There are also rumors that one day Apple may make a cutback version of macOS available on the iPad but this will be probably be restricted to the M-series chip, if indeed it ever happens. But speculation aside, how powerful you need your iPad to be will be based on your requirements (and how long you intend to use your iPad for). The most demanding graphic-design, video-editing, and audio apps will see better performance on the M5, M4, M3 and even M2 processor, so if you’re looking at high-level workloads multiple years down the line the M5 and M4 would be a better option. Another important factor to consider is memory. Apple doesn’t advertise the fact, but the iPad has only 6GB. The mini has 8GB and Air gets a jump up to 12GB, while the Pros have either 12GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, depending on your storage tier: the 1TB and 2TB versions get the higher RAM allocation. If you want to run Apple Intelligence, you must have an iPad with at least 8GB of RAM. With the current iPad lineup, Apple Intelligence can run on all iPads expect the iPad. Learn more about Apple Intelligence. Overall, we would advise those who want to use highly demanding apps, such as video and image editors and graphically advanced games, to choose an iPad Pro or Air. If you’re going to be using your tablet for the odd bit of email and web surfing, you’ll find an iPad or iPad mini perfectly decent. Should you get a Cellular iPad? For most people cellular connectivity is a luxury, even if it’s a nice one to have. For an extra $200/£200 or $150/£150 depending on the iPad, you’ll be able to access the web and email, and use connected apps, away from a Wi-Fi network. You also need to factor in the cost of a data plan and find a network provider. Consider carefully how often you’re going to do that: with an iPad mini there’s likely to be more on-the-go use than with a full-size iPad, but it’s still a lot to pay for something you may only use from time to time. Have you got a regular (overground) commute where you’d enjoy catching up on news headlines or e-mail? Then it could be worth the extra. We think the best option, if you want to be able to get data on your iPad when you are out and about, is to create a hotspot and share it from your iPhone. Then you can use your iPad as if it is on the cellular network. Read about how to create an iPhone hotspot to share your mobile web connection to your iPad. Just bear in mind that the cellular option also brings with it a GPS radio, meaning you’ll be able to input accurate location data when using your device on the go. The other concern when buying a cellular iPad is whether to buy your iPad on a contract. Network providers will allow you to pay for your iPad and the data contract over a number of months—but after that term is up, and certainly not before, you may not be able to switch to a different data provider. Buying on contract may also mean that the iPad is locked to the original contract provider—which can also be a problem if you want to sell it in the future. Here’s how to unlock an iPad from its network, once you’ve fulfilled your contractual obligations. Should you buy a refurbished iPad? Apple We’ll mention this only briefly because it’s covered in detail here: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you, but one option you should absolutely consider is Apple’s Refurbished Store U.S or U.K. It’s a sort of halfway house between new and second-hand: the devices are generally ones that have been returned within the 28-day period in which you are legally allowed to change your mind about a purchase, or they have been returned due to a fault that has been rectified, or they were ex-display or ex-demo units from Apple’s stores or marketing. You can rest assured that Apple has checked all the refurbished iPads that it sells thoroughly, replaced any problematic components, and rated them as good as new (and you get a full one-year warranty to prove it). Apple’s not the only place to buy a refurbished iPad, so beware that all refurbished iPads are not the same, so do check the small print before you buy. Look for refurbished models that have been fully checked out by Apple-certified engineers, especially those that come with a guarantee. Our best advice is to only consider the current or previous generation iPads when looking at refurbished models, then you are less likely to be caught out by a sub-par tablet. Buying a refurbished iPad from a reputable company is definitely preferable to buying a used iPad from someone on eBay. It’s too often the case that secondhand iPads sold that way end up as useless bricks because the person selling it didn’t properly log out of their account. Another way to save money is to buy from a reseller who is selling discontinued stock at a discount. We often see resellers significantly dropping the price on older iPad models that are usually just one generation out of date—just beware, they sell out quick! Should you buy the newest iPad generation? Speaking of older iPads, even if functioning perfectly right now, older models will reach the end of their useful life sooner than the newest models and that is a good reason to avoid buying an iPad that is more than one or two generations old. But keep in mind that iPads tend to start slowing down at around two to three years of age; at the four- or five-year mark you should expect noticeable loss of performance and you won’t be able to get all the latest software updates. The current iPad range launched in 2024 and 2026, the most recent being the iPad Air in March 2026 and the oldest being the iPad mini in October 2024. Another reason to buy a recent iPad is the operating system it runs. Apple only supports recent versions of iPadOS with security updates, so that could mean that only iPadOS 26 and iPad OS 18 get security updates, although Apple has been known to update older iPadOS versions when necessary. See How long does Apple support iPads? for more information. So, while you don’t have to buy the newest generation, we would recommend that you buy one that was launched relatively recently to be sure that Apple will support it for as long as you intend to own it. On that basis, any of the iPads listed above should be a safe bet because they support the iPadOS that Apple will support for the next three years, and for many the support will stretch on for more years. Buying advice: Which iPad should you buy? The standard iPad is a good option for newcomers and those who will mostly use their iPad as a media consumption device with some light work. The one key thing it still lacks, despite a 2025 update, is support for Apple Intelligence. For most people, our recommendation is the iPad Air (2026). The update in March 2026 brought it an M4 processor, which is more than enough for an iPad right now, but even 2024’s M2 iPad Air will be more than sufficient if you find one on sale. Mind you, the iPad Air is still expensive compared to the standard iPad and the iPad mini, and to most rival tablets out there. But, the addition of the 13-inch model means that if you want a big screen you don’t have to fork out for the iPad Pro. The iPad mini is mainly recommended for those who see portability as their main priority. It’s an excellent little device, although the smaller screen makes it less immersive for games and entertainment options. The remaining iPads will be too expensive for the average buyer. The 11-inch and 13-inch Pro models are amazingly powerful and well-made, and the M5 is excellent, but probably more power than anyone really needs right now. But if you’re a creative professional, the Pro is the iPad to get. Finally, before taking the plunge, have you considered if a laptop might suit your needs better? See iPad vs MacBook for more advice on that front. If you’re thinking of buying an iPad for college or university you might also like to read our guide to the best iPad for students. You may also like to read our best iPad for kids guide. We also have a Best iPad for Seniors guide.

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Journey Nexa and Nexa Lift review: The best MacBook sleeve we’ve ever used
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Two integrated chargers Adjustable iPhone stand Lift option High-quality workmanship Not just for Apple products Cons Slow 7.5W iPhone charger Expensive No space for accessories Our Verdict If you work on the go a lot, the Journey Nexa is a fantastic protective laptop sleeve for your MacBook—provided you are willing to pay its price. The workmanship is outstanding, and there are two integrated wireless chargers for the iPhone and AirPods. A new Nexa Lift version is even better with a superior adjustable iPhone charger. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price Journey $129.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price When Reviewed$129.99 Best Prices Today: Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging Retailer Price Journey $129.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Every few years, there’s a gadget that makes us think, “Yes, that’s brilliant, I want that!” And at the end of 2023, it was the Journey Nexa, a laptop sleeve made of vegan leather and other materials. Relatively inconspicuous at first glance, it has an incredibly clever trick at second glance: two wireless chargers integrated into the protective cover, on which you can charge a smartphone and wireless headphones (or two smartphones very, very slowly). A new Nexa Lift version incorporates a more adjustable and faster 15W iPhone charging stand that folds down when you’re carrying your MacBook in the sleeve. The Nexa laptop sleeve is a mobile office dream. It is the mobile counterpart to the multifunctional desk pad Journey Alti, which in turn is more suitable for fixed workstations. There are two main version: the standard Journey Nexa (Gen 2) with flat charging pads (from $139 / £99) and latest Journey Nexa Lift with an adjustable iPhone-charging viewing stand (from $149 / £109). The original Nexa Sleeve has two fixed charging pads, meaning the iPhone must be charged flat.Eugen Wegmann The more able Nexa Lift features an iPhone wireless charging pad that can lie flat (like the standard Nexa’s) or pull up into an adjustable viewing stand.Journey Journey Nexa: Design & workmanship Two sizes, two colors Two versions High-quality workmanship No space for accessories The Journey Nexa looks classy but is still largely inconspicuous. Both the standard Nexa and Nexa Lift come in two versions: for 13/14-inch and 15/16-inch laptops—basically, all Apple laptops. You can choose between two colors, Black and Dove Grey. In this review, I took a close look at the smaller black version made to fit a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro. We also looked at the grey Lift version for the larger laptops. Eugen Wegmann The workmanship is simply great. The seams are clean, there are no creases or other noticeable quirks, and the materials feel very high-quality. The case consists of two halves sewn together and therefore spreads open like a large envelope when opened. The surface of the lower half is made of a kind of textile, and the upper half of artificial leather. The lower half is significantly longer, because at its end is the flap with the two chargers, which is also covered with imitation leather and holds magnetically to the other half when closed. The Nexa is generally designed so that it lies on the textile-like side with the leather side facing upwards, as this is the only way the chargers will also face upwards. The element with the chargers is relatively thick: while the base is slightly thicker than a USB-C port, a few millimeters are added for the two chargers that protrude from the flap. Journey The Nexa is explicitly a sleeve and not a bag. That’s why there is no additional storage space for cables, a charger, a mouse, or an adapter—not even the USB-C cable supplied fits in anywhere. If you are traveling with a lot of accessories, you will have to stow them in a separate bag or invest in a small tech cable organizer bag. Journey advertises the Nexa as a 4-in-1 product: charger, protective cover, mouse pad and desk pad. To my satisfaction, this is all true, but with some limitations. Check out our reviews of the best bags for MacBook if you need a bag with more storage. Eugen Wegmann Journey Nexa: Charger Lift version iPhone charger is adjustable Non-Lift version is flat Both are 7.5W MagSafe Compatible rather than 15W MagSafe Requires power adapter for maximum performance No charger for Apple Watch The feature that sets the Nexa apart from other protective cases is the two integrated chargers. They are designed for the iPhone and AirPods, but they are also compatible with other smartphones and in-ear headphones that support wireless charging. The round charger for smartphones has the exact dimensions of a MagSafe charger, and the rectangular one is the size of the AirPods charging case. On both Nexa versions, the round magnetic smartphone charger is only 7.5W “MagSafe-compatible”, not MFi-certified or Qi2 for fast-charging. Most modern wireless chargers support faster 15W MagSafe-certified or Qi2 wireless charging or even 25W Qi2.2. In practical terms this is the difference between taking 90 minutes (7.5W) to charge an iPhone from 0-50% to doing the same in just 45 minutes (15W) or around 30 minutes (25W). If you’re not in a mad hurry, this shouldn’t matter but we were surprised the newer Lift Nexa didn’t move to a faster wireless charging solution. Android users have an advantage, however: compatible smartphones charge on the puck at up to 15W, which is twice as fast as an iPhone. Journey The Lift’s iPhone charger is, however, much more useful as it can be raised from flat to a viewing stand and rotated for easier viewing and usage. The rectangular wireless charging pad reaches only 5W, which is fine for an AirPods case but can be used to charge a second iPhone… slowly. Journey Of course, all of this assumes that you connect the Nexa to an external charger and not to the USB-C port on your MacBook, which supplies less power. If you want to minimize the number of accessories you have to carry with you, we recommend a powerful power supply with at least two USB-C ports and a minimum of 100W—one for the MacBook, and one for the Nexa, which doesn’t include an adapter. Incidentally, the maximum power consumption of the Nexa is 30W, more than enough for two devices. What the Nexa completely lacks is a charger for the Apple Watch. Watch users should instead look to our reviews of the best Apple Watch chargers. Eugen Wegmann Journey Nexa: Protective cover Inside, the two halves are not symmetrical and consist of different layers. The faux leather half is slightly more rigid than the other half—presumably hiding a thin layer of plastic inside—and is coated with a kind of microfibre on the inside. The textile side on the other side is much better padded and therefore softer and more flexible. The different textures of the two halves help to show where a laptop should be placed inside: with the display half on the soft side and the keyboard half on the hard side. This creates a strange problem: If the Nexa is lying on the table and you want to store your MacBook in it, you have to push it in “upside down”, i.e. with the display side facing down and the feet facing up. The same applies to unpacking: you always take your MacBook out with the underside facing upwards and then have to turn it. Sure, it’s just a simple operation, but it’s not very intuitive overall. Eugen Wegmann How you insert the MacBook in the Nexa has an effect on the protective function of the case in borderline cases. We can well imagine that there is a load limit somewhere where the display is damaged in the event of a fall if the MacBook is inserted in the case improperly, whereas it would have remained intact if it had been inserted the proper way. The envelope design does work to provide the MacBook with some protection. If the case with the MacBook inside lands on the floor, it spreads out (minimally) in a wedge shape on impact and absorbs the force completely via the flexibility of the two halves. The MacBook would probably not be damaged even from greater heights. Incidentally, there’s no need to talk about water and dust resistance with the Nexa: the cover doesn’t close completely, but leaves a thumb-sized gap open on both sides of the flap. So if you are often out and about in the rain, you should make sure that your bag provides protection. Journey Nexa: Mousepad and underlay To use the Nexa as a desk pad, you simply place your MacBook on the leather side. Using it as a mouse pad is pretty clever, if not flawless. Simply place your MacBook on the table and place the Nexa next to it and you have a huge mouse pad. Although the cover is more than three times larger than a conventional mouse pad, the height is hardly noticeable. I have owned much thinner textile and plastic mouse pads that were less comfortable. The reason for this is the rounded edges over which the wrist and forearm can slide gently without getting stuck. Eugen Wegmann As with everything else, the leather side is intended as a mouse pad. My Logitech Lift has a little more resistance on it than on a textile or hard plastic gaming mouse pad, but this is still perfectly acceptable. The fact that the leather side serves as a mouse pad also explains why there is a stiffer layer and why the MacBook has to be pushed in upside down: so that the mouse pad remains as flat as possible and does not curl. Unfortunately, this only works to a limited extent in practice. If your MacBook has been in the case overnight (or even longer) this layer bends inside and takes a while to flatten out enough so that you don’t feel like you’re pushing the mouse over a mountain. For me, this means that I use the Nexa as a base for my MacBook for the first half hour in the office so that it is flattened again by the weight before I push it to the side and use it as a mouse pad. Journey Nexa: Price and deliverables Standard Nexa: From $139.99 or £99.99 Nexa Lift: From $149.99 or $109.99 Cable, but no power supply included Eugen Wegmann Journey, as a premium or lifestyle brand of Alogic, is not exactly known for bargains. In this respect, it is hardly surprising that the Nexa has a premium price. $139 for a laptop sleeve is a pretty penny when you consider that there are other more affordable laptop sleeves. However, these are largely simple protective sleeves or bags; according to our research, there are no other sleeves with integrated wireless chargers on the market apart from the Journey Nexa. Journey Should you buy the Journey Nexa? With the Journey Nexa and Nexa Lift, you pay for high-quality workmanship and its unique selling point: the integrated wireless chargers. If you’re a frequent traveler with your MacBook, you can quickly setup a perfect desktop experience with built-in chargers for your mobile devices. For more MacBook travel options, check out our roundup of the best cases, sleeves, and bags.

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Apple’s M5 Max posts record-breaking scores in early benchmarks
The first M5 Max benchmark results are here — and they look impressive, delivering big CPU and GPU performance gains. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB 512GB Is $300 Off
The MacBook Air features a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display capable of supporting up to a billion colors. Videos, photos, game graphics, and movies will appear with sharp detail and rich contrast, making everything you see from the display look stunning. Get through your workload effortlessly with the M4 chip, providing you with speed and fluidity, […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 Released
macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 has been launched by Apple today, a small update to macOS Tahoe, the OS that was released in September. Users are able to install the new software by going to System Settings, and then going to Software Update, and then from there they can now find the option to install the latest […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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