∞ The Dalrymple Report: MacBook Neo
Is the MacBook Neo really that good? After a week of thinking and reading about the Neo, Dave and I give our thoughts on Apple's newest product. We look at all of the reviews and the use cases for the Neo and compare it to how we use our current systems. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/DALRYMPLE Show Notes: 50 Years of Thinking Different Rising laptop prices likely to further boost MacBook Neo sales Asus Co-CEO: MacBook Neo Is a 'Shock' to the PC Industry Gruber’s MacBook Neo review MacBook Neo teardown MacBook Neo’s two USB C ports Apple reveals MacBook Neo battery cycle limit Find your Mac’s cycle count limit The MacBook Neo doesn’t officially support fast charging, but a beefier charger helps John Ternus interview on Apple MacBook Neo Shows and movies we're watching Tehran, Apple TV Survivor, Paramount + Scrubs, Hulu, same cast, just older

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Apple TV’s star-packed new comedy sounds like a winner, per reviews
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is one of Apple TV’s most anticipated premieres this spring, and the first reviews are extremely positive. more…

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Don’t stop now — bring on a $399 Mac Neo
A very affordable Mac Neo desktop would bring macOS to millions more people. Along with the MacBook Neo, it could change the game for Apple. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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ChatGPT and Claude are evolving from chatbots into interactive learning tools
This week, both Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT were updated to embrace learning through interactive visualizations. Both moves show how AI is evolving from the initial chatbot phase to something more mature and helpful. more…

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THR reviews ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’: Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer sparkle in Apple TV’s endearingly offbeat family dramedy
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” stars and is executive produced by Academy Award, Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Today in Apple history: CNN predicts doom for Apple
On March 13, 1997, CNN predicted doom for Apple, saying "the coffin door is closing." It's one of many "Apple doomed" predictions. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Fold’s crease-free display is about to hit major milestone, per leaker
The iPhone Fold is six months away from launching, and according to a new leak, its crease-free display will soon hit a major milestone: entering mass production. more…

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David Pogue reveals why Tim Cook wouldn't be interviewed for his book
As part of promoting his new book, "Apple: The First 50 Years," author David Pogue spoke to the AppleInsider Podcast about writing it and just what Apple itself would and would not do to help.David Pogue — image credit: Jesse DitmarDavid Pogue joined William Gallagher for an in-depth discussion of "Apple: The First 50 Years" — now available on Amazon, how it was written — and why. Hear the interview on the latest AppleInsider Podcast, or read this lightly edited transcript.David Pogue: Guess what? You are the very first person, the very first person not involved with the book to read it and tell me what you think. So that that means the world. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple lowers App Store commission fees after CCP pressure
Apple announced on Thursday that it will reduce the commission fees it collects from the App Store in mainland China, following discussions… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Top 15 setups where MacBook Pro runs the show
We scoured the archives for the top 15 MacBook Pro setups, with an emphasis on striking aesthetics, clever engineering and smart gear choices. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and special guest David Pogue on the AppleInsider Podcast
David Pogue, author of "Apple: The First 50 Years" is our special guest talking about what did and did not make it into the book, plus there are rumors of the HomeHub and real-world news of the MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.David Pogue talks about his new history of Apple bookPogue is everywhere this week, talking about his 600-page history of Apple, but now you can hear the very first interview he gave about it. Listen to the stories behind the book, but also hear just how keen he was to find out what AppleInsider thought of it.It's a wide-ranging interview, but of course the book is not the only thing happening this week. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD review: Secure NFC storage for iPhone, Mac & more
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Strong security for your files NFC on iPhone is easy to use Compact, lightweight design Cons No IP rating Modest performance Our Verdict There are faster – and more rugged – drives available for professional users. However, the TouchLock’s clever NFC features provide good security for your important files, along with admirable ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed512GB $99.99 | 1TB: $159.99 Best Prices Today: Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best for iPhone users who want simple secure storage Mobile photo/video backups Travel storage Not ideal for High-speed editing workflows Rugged outdoor use Thunderbolt/USB4 performance needs Lexar makes a number of portable storage devices that focus on smartphones and mobile devices rather than just Macs and PCs. The latest addition to its range is the TouchLock Portable SSD. At first glance, the TouchLock looks like a fairly conventional solid-state drive, and its USB-C interface allows it to work with Macs and PCs as well as mobile devices. However, it also includes several additional features that provide extra security, along with MagSafe compatibility for iPhone users. This drive is primarily aimed at iPhone owners who want simple NFC-based security and convenient MagSafe mounting rather than maximum transfer speeds. There are currently two versions of the TouchLock available. The 512GB model costs $99.99/£69.99, while the 1TB version that we tested costs $159.99/£119.99. Lexar has also indicated that it plans to release a 2TB model, although it wasn’t available at the time of writing. A USB-C interface provides compatibility with most recent computers and mobile devices. Lexar The TouchLock is neatly designed, with a sleek silver case that measures just 7mm thick, 53mm wide and 85mm high, and weighs only 40g. It’s easy to slip into a pocket or bag when travelling, and Lexar says the drive can withstand drops from up to two metres. However, the company doesn’t provide an IP rating for water or dust resistance, so users who need a more rugged drive for outdoor use may want to consider alternatives such as LaCie’s Rugged SSD range. The compact design also makes it small enough to attach directly to an iPhone when backing up photos or video files. The back panel of the TouchLock includes a MagSafe-compatible magnetic ring that holds it in place (and it also worked with the MagSafe sleeve I use to protect my iPhone). The drive has a standard USB-C interface, and Lexar includes a USB-C cable with a USB-A adaptor in the box so it can connect to recent Apple devices, as well as Windows PCs and Android devices with USB-C. Admittedly, it’s not the fastest portable SSD available. The TouchLock supports USB 3.2 (Gen 1), with Lexar quoting read and write speeds of 450MB/s and 420MB/s respectively. Those figures are modest compared with some newer USB4 and Thunderbolt 5 drives, but Lexar says the TouchLock can still handle direct recording of Apple ProRes video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (though not at 120fps). In our tests, the drive didn’t quite reach the quoted speeds, generally delivering around 350MB/s for both read and write performance. Even so, that should be more than adequate for routine Time Machine backups on a Mac, as well as backing up photos, videos and other files from an iPhone or iPad. How iPhone NFC locking works The standout feature of the TouchLock is its ability to use NFC (Near Field Communication) on your iPhone to lock and unlock the drive. When you first plug the TouchLock into a Mac, PC or other device, it doesn’t immediately appear on the desktop like a conventional USB drive. Instead, you must first set up its security features using the Lexar app on an iPhone or Android phone. The process is straightforward. Plug the TouchLock into any Mac or other device that can power it via USB-C, then launch the Lexar app on your phone. The first time you use the drive, the app prompts you to create a security code. After that, it uses your phone’s NFC capability to unlock the drive so you can access your files and use it like a normal external drive. (The iPhone has included NFC since the iPhone 6, although NFC isn’t currently available on Macs or iPads.) The TouchLock is locked to protect your files, and can only be unlocked by using NFC on your personal iPhone. Lexar How you unlock the TouchLock with an iPhone The NFC chip in an iPhone is typically located near the camera on the back of the device. To unlock the TouchLock, simply hold that area of the phone against the NFC pad on the front of the drive, which is marked with a small padlock icon. The Lexar app then communicates with the drive via NFC and unlocks it so you can access your files. As a helpful touch, the app uses haptic feedback to make the iPhone vibrate when the drive has been successfully unlocked. When the TouchLock is unplugged from a Mac or other device, it automatically locks again and can only be unlocked using the Lexar app on your personal iPhone. The files stored on the drive are also protected with 128-bit encryption, preventing others from accessing them with the Lexar app on their own phone. Should You Buy The Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD? It may not be the fastest solid-state drive available, but the TouchLock Portable SSD offers strong security for important files and data. It works with a wide range of computers and mobile devices, and its NFC-based unlocking system is easier to use than many password-protected drives we’ve tested. Combined with its compact design and MagSafe compatibility, it’s an affordable and convenient option for keeping important files secure while travelling.

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13-inch MacBook Air (M5) review: Fast and steady wins the race
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Fantastic performance for this laptop class Double the storage capacity and performance All-day battery life and then some Cons Still no HDR or variable refresh rate Not much has changed in four years Our Verdict The more things change, the more the MacBook Air stays the same. It may not be much different from the model from last year or from 2022, but this is still a winning formula that works just right for most users. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When ReviewedFrom $1,099 Best Prices Today: Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) Retailer Price $1099 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you’ve used a MacBook Air in the last four years, you know exactly what to expect of the new M5-equipped model. Apple’s most popular laptop has changed very little. It’s really all about the M5 chip, which delivers impressive year-on-year performance improvements. However, the MacBook Air is no longer the entry-level option. With the launch of the $599 Neo, the MacBook Air, which now starts at $1,099, is firmly in the mid-range of Apple’s laptop lineup. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Air is targeting a different audience, but its positioning puts it in a different light. Unfortunately, you won’t find anything surprising or especially noteworthy about the new M5 version of the MacBook Air. It continues to be a stable workhorse in Apple’s lineup, and a great laptop for most, but it’s hard to get excited about somewhat longer benchmark bars on a benchmark chart year after year. M5 MacBook Air: Design, display, and specs Apple has changed precious little about the MacBook Air since the M2 model was introduced four years ago. With the M4 model last year, it swapped out the Space Gray color option for Sky Blue and added the newer 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, updated the USB-C ports to Thunderbolt 4, and improved the Wi-Fi support to Wi-FI 6E. A pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports and MagSafe charging. Just like last year.Foundry This year, Apple updated the wireless chip to its own N1 (with Wi-Fi 7 support and Bluetooth 6) and doubled the starting storage to 512GB (while raising the price by $100). The SSD is a lot faster, too. A minor detail: The keyboard now has glyphs on the Tab, Caps Lock, Return, and Shift keys instead of words like the rest of Apple’s MacBook lineup. Unfortunately, it has the same four colors, which seem even more subdued next to the MacBook Neo. These keys used to have words instead of glyphs. Other than that, the keyboard is unchanged.Foundry MacBook Air pricing has bounced back and forth for years. The M1 model started at $999. That shot up to $1,199 with the M2 model, which was then reduced to $1,099 when the 15-inch model arrived. The M4 model cut the price again to $999, and now we’re back to $1,099 for the 13-inch model or $1,299 for the 15-inch model. That entry-level model gets you the reduced-spec M5 with 10 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores. Our review unit has the full M5 with 10 CPU and 10 GPU cores, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, bringing the price to $1,299. In the U.S., Apple now includes the new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max with the MacBook Air rather than the 30W USB-C Power Adapter (13-inch base model only) or the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter. M5 MacBook Air: Performance We already viewed the M5-based MacBook Pro, and as expected, the performance of the M5 in the MacBook Air is very similar. As is always the case, the MacBook Pro will run certain tasks a bit faster since it has active cooling for sustained peak performance, while the MacBook Air delivers quiet performance with no fan at all. This causes the processor to slow down when things get too hot, lowering performance. Geekbench 6 CPU

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Apple at 50: Mike Markkula, Apple's second CEO was as important as Steve Jobs
Neither of Apple's first two CEOs are particularly remembered next to the likes of Steve Jobs, John Sculley, or Tim Cook, yet Mike Markkula, Apple's second CEO, certainly should be.Mike Markkula (right) with Steve Jobs in the 1970s — image credit: allaboutstevejobsMichael Scott was the first CEO of Apple, but he was hired by Mike Markkula. And then if not exactly fired, he was at least pointed toward the door by Markkula.Without Markkula, there would quite possibly never have been an Apple. And there certainly wouldn't be one that stood the test of time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple MacBook Neo Beats Ever Single x86 PC CPU For Single-Core Performance
Early benchmarks show the A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo beating every current x86 CPU in single-core Cinebench performance, including chips from Intel and AMD. Notebookcheck reports: We have performed a couple of benchmarks and were particularly impressed by the single-core performance. Not in the short Geekbench test, but in Cinebench 2024, where a single-core test takes about 10 minutes. The A18 Pro consumes between 3.5-4 Watts in this scenario and scores 147 points. This means it is faster than every other x86 processor in our database, including the two desktop processors Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This also means the MacBook Neo beats every modern mobile processor from AMD, Intel and also Qualcomm, even though the upcoming Snapdragon X2 chips should be a bit faster. The A18 Pro is also slightly faster than Apple's own M3 generation in this scenario. Further reading: ASUS Executive Says MacBook Neo is 'Shock' to PC Industry Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Apple MacBook Neo Beats Every Single x86 PC CPU For Single-Core Performance
Early benchmarks show the A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo beating every current x86 CPU in single-core Cinebench performance, including chips from Intel and AMD. Notebookcheck reports: We have performed a couple of benchmarks and were particularly impressed by the single-core performance. Not in the short Geekbench test, but in Cinebench 2024, where a single-core test takes about 10 minutes. The A18 Pro consumes between 3.5-4 Watts in this scenario and scores 147 points. This means it is faster than every other x86 processor in our database, including the two desktop processors Intel Core Ultra 9 285K & AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This also means the MacBook Neo beats every modern mobile processor from AMD, Intel and also Qualcomm, even though the upcoming Snapdragon X2 chips should be a bit faster. The A18 Pro is also slightly faster than Apple's own M3 generation in this scenario. Further reading: ASUS Executive Says MacBook Neo is 'Shock' to PC Industry Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Grand Central Station Apple Store closes temporarily
Customers at Apple Grand Central are being directed to other stores while it's closed for March 12 and 13. There's no explanation, but it's likely to be to do with Apple's 50th anniversary celebrations.View of Apple Grand Central from across the station — image credit: AppleApple Grand Central is used to being used for promotional events — it was where the "Severance" pop-up was in January 2025. Given its size and how many people go by it in Grand Central Station, it would make sense for an anniversary event to be held there.As yet there is no indication, though, of whether it's an anniversary event, an unrelated promotion, or simply a refurbishment of the store. Buyers coming to the store on Thursday March 12, 2026, just saw a sign telling them it was closed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Sennheiser HD 400U Review: Great sound and Lossless Audio for under $100
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Great sound and competitive price Firm, strong bass Comfortable, lightweight design Built-in mic for voice calls Cons Wired only, with no Bluetooth No noise-cancellation Our Verdict There are no digital features such as noise-cancellation or Bluetooth, but the HD 400U provides very good sound quality at a competitive price. The lightweight design is comfortable to wear, and its USB-C connection supports lossless and high-res audio on Apple Music and other streaming services. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$99.95 Best Prices Today: Sennheiser HD 400U Retailer Price $99.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Sennheiser’s new HD 400U wired headphones show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy high-quality sound. Priced at $99.95/£69.99, the over-ear headphones use a USB-C wired connection that delivers what Sennheiser calls “pure, uncompressed audio,” supporting lossless and high-resolution music up to 24-bit/96kHz on services such as Apple Music. Despite the modest price, the HD 400U delivers impressive sound quality, strong bass and a lightweight, comfortable design, making it an affordable option for listeners who want the best possible audio quality from modern streaming services. Wired headphones may feel like a throwback in the age of wireless earbuds, especially since Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016 — a move that helped accelerate the rise of Bluetooth devices such as AirPods. While wireless headphones have dominated ever since, Bluetooth audio still relies on data compression, which means it can’t deliver true lossless sound. As streaming services such as Apple Music increasingly offer lossless and high-resolution audio, wired headphones like the HD 400U are enjoying something of a comeback among listeners who want the best possible sound quality. USB-C and Lossless Audio Support The HD 400U includes a USB-C cable that works with recent Macs, iPhones and other USB-C devices, allowing listeners to enjoy lossless and high-resolution audio without spending hundreds of dollars on premium models such as Apple’s AirPods Max, which cost $549/£499. Instead, Sennheiser focuses on the essentials: a comfortable, lightweight design and strong sound quality at an affordable price. Padded earpieces and lightweight design ensure that the HD 400U is comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Sonova Consumer Hearing GmbH Design & Comfort Padded earpieces and the lightweight design ensure that the HD 400U is comfortable to wear for hours at a time. The headphones weigh just 217g — far lighter than the 386g AirPods Max — and the thick padding helps reduce pressure during long listening sessions. The design itself is straightforward and practical. The headphones are made from matte-black plastic, which doesn’t feel as premium as metal-clad rivals like the AirPods Max but should be durable enough to survive life in a backpack. The earcups fold flat for easier storage, and Sennheiser includes a fabric carrying pouch. Features and Limitations Of course, the low price does mean that the HD 400U lacks some features that certain users may want. There’s no Bluetooth option and no noise-cancellation, and the headphones don’t include a dedicated volume control, so you’ll need to adjust volume on your phone or other device. However, the cable does include simple inline controls, with a microphone for voice calls and a single button for Play/Pause and handling incoming calls. Sound Quality Most importantly, Sennheiser gets the basics right, with sound quality that’s impressive for headphones costing less than $100. Cheaper headphones often struggle with bass, but the HD 400U – with a frequency response of 18–20kHz – handles the bouncing bass that opens Bad Guy by Billie Eilish with a big, firm thud that immediately gets your body swaying. The deep, reverberating bass pulse later in the track adds a sinister edge as Billie whispers, “you said she’s scared of me?” The USB-C cable supports lossless and high-res audio, and includes inline controls for music and voice calls. Sonova Consumer Hearing GmbH Crucially, the bass doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the mix. The finger snaps cut crisply through the bass and drums, while Billie’s whispered vocals retain a smooth, velvety tone. Switching to the sonic chaos of Planetary Go! by My Chemical Romance presents no problems either. It’s a dense track, with heavy rock guitars colliding with electronic keyboards, yet the HD 400U keeps each element clear and distinct. The chopping guitar riffs have real punch, while the fizzing EDM keyboards burst with energy. Should You Buy The Sennheiser HD 400U? If you need noise-cancellation or the flexibility of Bluetooth, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you simply want an affordable pair of wired headphones that delivers high-quality sound, the HD 400U offers excellent value for money. The lightweight, comfortable design also makes it a good option for long journeys – especially since the wired connection means there’s no battery to worry about.

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You won’t believe how much better the new Studio Display’s camera is
Macworld You’d be right to criticize the new Studio Display for its lackluster improvements over the old model. It was overpriced for what it offered in 2022, and the new 2026 model keeps the same price without changing the actual display panel at all. Yes, the four USB-C ports in the back are upgraded, now including two Thunderbolt 5 ports. And yes, the speakers are a little better—and still great compared to most monitor speakers and terrible compared to almost any dedicated speakers. But that hardly takes the sting off paying $1,599 for what is demonstrably decade-old LCD panel technology. The webcam, though…that got a huge boost. Look at the difference in low light between the old and new cameras. Original Studio Display (left) vs. new Studio Display (right) While low light performance is the most dramatic improvement, there’s still a major quality difference even when very well lit with a big key light. Original Studio Display (left) vs. new Studio Display (right) Of course, the new display doesn’t quite match the quality of using your iPhone as a webcam or the best dedicated webcams. You can get a much better image out of the 4K 60fps cameras from Logitech or Elgato. But the new webcam is more than serviceable; it’s actually quite good. But the new camera really highlights how bad the original model’s camera was. The difference is all the more dramatic since the old model had a really bad webcam that produced grainy and blotchy images and couldn’t seem to figure out proper white balance. Apple tried to fix it through firmware updates, but the truth was, it just wasn’t a very good camera. Now the Studio Display has a good camera. Unfortunately, the microphone array is still just okay, but it’ll serve you fine for simple video calls. If you want better voice quality, using AirPods or a dedicated mic is suggested. I produced a quick video to give you an idea of how it all compares in motion. @macworld.com Studio Display old vs. new webcam quality. The new model looks a LOT better! #apple #mac #studiodisplay ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Note that the Studio Display XDR has the same camera, mics, and speakers as the new Studio Display, so you’ll get the same picture and sound out of the $3,299 model. As decent as the webcam is (finally), I’d like to see Apple take real leadership here, though. The next time Apple updates the Studio Display, it should use the same sensor as the iPhone selfie camera. The new square-sensor arrangement makes it easier to shoot landscape or vertical at full resolution (increasingly important for content creators), and it can handle 4K and 60fps with Dolby Vision while delivering superior detail, color, and contrast. The iPhone’s front camera is exactly what Apple should include in a monitor that costs $1,599 (or $3,299 for that matter)—and it’s certainly thick enough to handle it.

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Apple’s cheapest MacBook might also be the easiest to repair
The MacBook Neo is possibly Apple's most repairable MacBook ever, featuring easy-to-access internals and modular components. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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