AirTag’s newest feature could work even better now for many travelers
One of the most common AirTag use cases is for tracking luggage, and Apple shipped a great feature in the last year that helps airlines recover lost luggage faster. Now, per a report at travel publication Skift, that feature has just gotten a key upgrade. more…

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Singapore Orders Apple, Google To Prevent Government Spoofing on Messaging Platforms
An anonymous reader shares a report: Singapore's police have ordered Apple and Google to prevent the spoofing of government agencies on their messaging platforms, the home affairs ministry said on Tuesday. The order under the nation's Online Criminal Harms Act came after the police observed scams on Apple's iMessage and Google Messages purporting to be from companies such as the local postal service SingPost. While government agencies have registered with a local SMS registry so only they can send messages with the "gov.sg" name, this does not currently apply to the iMessage and Google Messages platforms. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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AirPods 4 drop to $69, a new record low price for Black Friday
A record-breaking price drop has hit AirPods 4 on Amazon for Black Friday, with the earbuds falling to just $69.Get the lowest price ever on AirPods 4 with this Amazon Black Friday deal.Save $60 on Apple AirPods 4 at Amazon, bringing the price down to just $69 for Black Friday. This is the lowest AirPods 4 price to date on the earbuds, making it a great time to pick up holiday gifts or a treat for yourself.Buy AirPods 4 for $69 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Polish antitrust watchdog investigates Apple over ad privacy policy
Poland's antitrust authority, UOKiK, announced on Tuesday that it has launched an investigation into whether Apple is abusing its dominant… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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How to get Apple TV+ for free: Best deals, trials and discounts
Macworld Apple TV+, the streaming service from Apple, arrived at the end of 2019 so it’s been here a while now, but it’s only recently come into its own as more and more people have discovered the great shows on offer. If you want to watch shows including Pluribus, Severence, Ted Lasso and For All Mankind, as well as movies like Tetris and Greyhound, you might be wondering if you can really justify yet another subscription. The good news is that you don’t have to commit to a subscription: you can subscribe for a month(for $12.99/£9.99) and cancel Apple TV+ at any time. But there are ways that you can get Apple TV for free and we are here to show you how to do that. Black Friday Apple TV deals There’s a great deal on for Black Friday where you can subscribe for six months for just $5.99/£4.99 a month! You need to sign up before December 1, 2025. Get Apple TV for $5.99 a month Get Apple TV for £4.99 a month If you want to learn more about what you can watch on Apple TV+ read everything you can watch on Apple TV+, and our list of the new shows coming to Apple TV+.  How to watch Apple TV+ for free There are a number of ways in which you can watch shows on Apple TV+ for free. Apple offers limited-time trials (discussed below), and the service also allows you to watch the first episode of many shows for free. In fact there are several dozen episodes available to watch for free including the first episodes of Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, See, Trying, and more. Read about What is free on Apple TV+? in our separate article. Beyond the free episodes, Apple offers a free seven-day trial which might be long enough for you to binge a whole series (if you don’t sleep for a week). But there are also longer trials available both from Apple and from other companies who bundle a free Apple TV+ subscription with their services, read on for the details of the best Apple TV deals and free trial codes. For example, there is the option to get a free year subscription to Apple TV+ with T-Mobile (if you live in the US), you can also get three months free Apple TV+ with a PlayStation 5. Find out more about these deals below. Apple TV+ trials Apple offers various trials so that you can try out Apple TV+ before you subscribe. Unfortunately, none of these offers are available if you or your Family have previously accepted an Apple TV+ 1 year free offer from when the service first launched. Once the trial period is up the $12.99/£9.99 a month subscription will start immediately – but you can easily cancel this. To avoid paying you need to cancel the subscription the day before it is due to renew. Get 7 days of Apple TV+ free If you want to watch a show, and have plenty of time in the immediate future, you could activate your free seven-day trial and binge-watch it! The 7-day trial might sound attractive if you think you can watch a whole series in a week. But make sure the whole series is available, as Apple typically adds new episodes on a weekly basis. You can subscribe to Apple TV+ on Apple’s website here, or via the Apple TV app on your device. The 7-day trial will automatically auto-renew into a monthly subscription though, so you will need to be prepared to cancel within the week if you don’t want to be out of pocket. The easiest way to cancel a subscription go to Settings and click on the Apple ID section on your iPhone. Tap on Subscriptions. Locate Apple TV+ in the Active list and then Cancel Subscription. More details on how to cancel your subscription below. Note that you won’t find Apple TV+ in the Active list until the trial ends. Get 7 days Apple TV+ for free Get 1 month of Apple TV+ free As long as you’ve never used Apple TV+ before, you can actually get a free month if you sign up for the one-month trial of Apple One. That trial will also include free one-month trials for Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and iCloud+. At the end of the month’s trial, the subscription starts at $19.95/£18.95 a month as an individual, but there are different plans available. You can cancel at any time. Read: Apple One: What you need to know. Get 1 month Apple TV+ for free with Apple One (U.S.) Get 1 month Apple TV+ for free with apple one (U.K.) Apple TV+ subscription deals Normally Apple TV costs $12.99/£9.99 a month, but there are plenty of deals that will reduce that price for you. Get 6 months Apple TV for half price Apple’s running a deal for Apple TV where you can subscribe for six months for just $5.99/£4.99 a month! Get Apple TV for $5.99 a month Get Apple TV for £4.99 a month The 50% off deal will run until December 1, 2025. Get 3 months of Apple TV for free with an Apple hardware purchase Apple offers three months of Apple TV+ for free to anyone with a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac. You can get three months of Apple TV+ when you purchase a iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac from Apple. Apple Watch, HomePod, AirPods, and various other Apple devices do not qualify. In short, your device qualifies if it’s a new Apple device that can actually run the TV app and watch Apple TV+ content. Once the three months is up the $12.99/£9.99 a month subscription will start immediately unless you cancel it. It is necessary to claim the deal within 90 days of setting up your new device. Get Apple TV+ free with an Apple Music student subscription Another way to get Apple TV+ for free is to sign up for a student subscription to Apple Music. If you qualify as a student in Higher Education you will be able to get Apple Music for half price, and as an added benefit Apple is bundling free Apple TV+ subscriptions with student subscriptions to Apple Music. You qualify for free Apple TV+ for as long as you subscribe as a student. A student subscription to Apple Music costs $5.99/£5.99 a month. Head to this Apple page for more details. Get Apple TV+ free with a Student Apple Music subscription (U.S.) Get Apple TV+ free with a Student Apple Music subscription (U.K.) Get 12 months Apple TV+ for the price of 8 One way to save money is to pay Apple for the year up-front. When you sign up for the service rather than choosing to pay monthly (which has the benefit of being able to cancel at any time) opt to pay yearly. That will cost you $99.99/£89 up-front, which works out at $8.33/£7.41 a month, rather than the standard $9.99/£8.99 a month. Or $9.99/£8.99 a month for 10 months instead of 12. On your iPhone, go to Settings and click on your Apple ID info at the top. Tap on Subscriptions. Beside Apple TV+ tap on See All Plans. Switch to Annual Plan to save money (you won’t be able to cancel this subscription until the end of the 12 months though). Get two months free with a year's subscription Other Apple TV+ Deals It’s not only Apple that offers free Apple TV+ trials. Some third parties offer even longer deals than Apple does. You’ll find U.S. and U.K deals below. Just remember that at the end of the trial you may need to cancel with Apple if you don’t want the subscription to start. Get Apple TV+ for free with PlayStation 5 There is a 3 month Apple TV free deal with PlayStation 5 (there was a six-month deal, but that deal ended on July 31, 2023.) PlayStation 4 users can also apply for the deal. Get Apple TV+ for 3 months with Sony Playstation 5 U.S. Apple TV+ deals Get Apple TV+ for free with T-Mobile T-Mobile offers Apple TV+ for free on a number of its smartphone plans: Experience More, Experience Beyond, Magenta MAX, Magenta Plus, Magenta MAX Welcome, Magenta Amplified, ONE Amplified, and ONE Plus. Details here. Get Apple TV+ for free with T-Mobile U.K. Apple TV+ deals Get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free with EE New subscribers and existing customers can get up to 3 months free Apple TV+. If you are an existing Apple TV+ member you will still be able to take advantage of the deal, but you will need to cancel your existing subscription with Apple. Customers only need to text TV PLUS to 150 and EE will send an activation code. Alternatively, log into the EE website or app and go to Plan & Add-ons > Add-ons >Apple TV+. After the three months is up customers will be billed £9.99 a month as per Apple’s usual Apple TV+ cost. EE does note that you may get the error message that: “This subscription is being used with another Apple ID” and they suggest that you change the Apple ID associated =with the subscription to solve this. Get 6 months free Apple TV+ with EE Get 6 months of Apple TV+ for free with EE TV EE is also bundling Apple TV+ with EE TV. An Apple TV set top box is included in the deal. EE TV includes over 70 Freeview channels including BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Also included are Sky channels from NOW, Netflix, TNT Sport, discovery+ and more. Apple TV+ is available to new EE TV customers with a six-month free trial. Get 6 months free Apple TV+ with EE TV Get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free with Vodafone You can get a 3-month Apple TV+ subscription if you sign up to a Vodafone Xtra Broadband plan. After your broadband has been connected, Vodafone will send you an email within 14 days with a link to redeem your subscription. You’ll also get an Apple TV box. Sadly a deal that ran until September 4, 2024 gave customers 24-months free Apple TV! Get 3 months free Apple TV+ with Vodafone Get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free with Sky TV in the U.K. Apple There’s a great deal in the UK right now for Sky TV subscribers, although its not as good as it has been in the past. You caa grab three months of Apple TV+ for free (sadly, not that long ago this was six months). The offer is open to both new and existing Apple TV+ subscribers. You’ll need an iCloud account to sign up for Apple TV+. Existing subscribers can redeem the offer and their subscription automatically states that the next renewal is six months later. To get VIP, log into the My Sky app on your iOS or Android device. Then click on the Sky VIP star on the bottom right-hand corner, tap ‘giveaways’ and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Sky VIPs can redeem this offer through the VIP section of the MySky app under the Gifts & Discounts category. All UK-based Sky subscribers can become Sky VIPs if they have one or more active Sky TV, Broadband, Talk and/or Sky Mobile products. Get 3 months Apple TV+ with Sky TV Get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free with Currys During Black Friday 2024 Curry’s offered four months free.Foundry Throughout the year, Curry’s has a deal where you can get three months of Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade, Apple News+ and Apple Fitness if you buy an eligible product from the store, which includes all audio products over £49, all laptops, desktops, games consoles, tablets, TV’s, smart home, smart watches, mobile or any Apple product over £99. After five days you should receive an email from Currys including the link to get three months of Apple services for free. Sign up for the Currys Perks Loyalty Scheme to qualify. Get 3 months free Apple TV+ with Currys Get 3 months of Apple TV+ for free with O2 O2 is offering three months of Apple TV on eligible tariffs and with purchases of Apple products. Details here. Since you would get three months free Apple TV with a new iPhone it’s not clear what O2 is offing in addition to that. Get 3 months free Apple TV+ with O2 How to claim your free trial of Apple TV+ from Apple Having made a qualifying purchase, or decided to try out the free 7-day trial, all you need to do is: Make sure the device is running the latest software. Open the TV app on your new Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Sign in to your Apple ID. Click on the show you want to watch—you should see the option to Enjoy Three Months Free. Note: This will only appear if you have purchased a new device, otherwise you will only see the 7-day trial offer. Click Continue. Confirm that you want to activate the free trial. You will see a message that the free trial will commence immediately and will run until the end of the trial at which point it will renew for a monthly subscription. If you want to cancel the subscription you can do so. You have 90 days from buying a new device to start the free year’s subscription, so as long as you purchased your new Apple product recently then you should be ok to activate your trial. Also, if you stop the free trial before it ends you can’t restart it. What if you are thinking of buying a new Apple device later? Will you be able to switch from a subscription to the free trial? We think that the way to do this would be to cancel your subscription before signing up again via the three-month trial. How to share an Apple TV+ subscription with your family You can also share a subscription to TV+ with six family members—yourself and five others. To do this you all need to be part of the same Family Sharing group. By linking your Apple accounts together under the Family Sharing group you will all be able to: Share music purchased from the iTunes Store Share access to Apple Music (as long as you have a family Apple Music subscription) Share apps bought from the App Store (in app purchases can’t be shared though) Share Apple Books Access games on Apple’s Arcade gaming platform (with a subscription) Share a News+ subscription Share an iCloud storage plan One of your family members will need to be the family organizer, who basically chooses who joins the group, and has to put up their bank details to pay for any purchases. It’s supposed to be family members in the same household. While you could set this up with other ‘family’ members we think the frustration of having all the payments for everything going through the ‘organiser’s’ bank account could make this a hard sell. However, if does at least mean that you and your partner don’t both have to subscribe to the service in order to watch shows on both of your iPhones. How to cancel an Apple TV+ subscription So that’s a few ways to get Apple TV+ for free, at least for a short time, or by sharing a subscription with a family member. However, we think the best way to get access to Apple TV+ is to subscribe as usual but just cancel at any time. You could watch everything you want this month and then stop subscribing next month and it would only cost you £9.99/$12.99. Sign up for Apple TV+ here. To cancel your Apple TV+ subscription follow these steps: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the Apple ID section at the top with your name. Tap on Subscriptions. Now tap on any subscription you wish to cancel (in this case Apple TV+). On the next page tap on Cancel Subscription.

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Top new SoundPeats earbuds pack tons of features but fall a little flat [Review] ★★★☆☆
In our hands-on SoundPeats Air5 Pro+ earbuds review, we find pretty good value for the price -- but merely decent performance overall. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Top new SoundPeats earbuds pack tons of features but fall a little flat [Review] ★★★☆☆
In our hands-on SoundPeats Air5 Pro+ earbuds review, we find pretty good value for the price -- but merely decent performance overall. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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IKEA says its colorful new speakers look as good as they sound
IKEA has been combining speakers with lamps for some time now, and its latest lineup includes new versions of these as well as round speakers with eye-catching graphics. The company says its latest models with graphics created by local designer Teklan will add form, color, and character to a room … more…

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Singapore orders block of iMessage scams that fake government addresses
The Singapore government has ordered Apple to crack down on the spread of fake government messages on iMessage, in a bid to cut down the amount of scams.Smartphone users are familiar with scam calls and messagesText message scams have been around for many years, and are a constant problem that preys on unsuspecting smartphone users. In Singapore, the government wants Apple and Google to help reduce scam messages.The Singapore home affairs ministry said police have ordered Apple and Google to stop criminals from spoofing government agencies on iMessage and Google Messages. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Folding iPhone on track to launch next year with wild $2,399 price tag, reports claim
Macworld The evidence is mounting, and it looks more and more like 2026 will see the launch of the very first foldable iPhone. Supply-chain sources report that Apple is gearing up for mass production of the device, which they say has moved past the (successful) experimental stage. The Chinese-language site UDN this week published an article claiming that Apple has solved what it describes as “the crease problem.” This development puts the company in a position not merely to release the so-called iPhone Fold next year, but to market it as the first product to offer a seamless display when unfolded. “Supply chain sources indicate that Apple has made a breakthrough in developing a foldable iPhone, solving the crease problem that has been the most criticized aspect of previous non-Apple foldable phones,” the site reports (via Google Translate). “Becoming the first truly crease-free foldable phone on the market [will add] a selling point for the new foldable iPhone to be launched next year.” The report doesn’t get into the details of how Apple has solved a problem which has thus far defeated companies with far greater experience in the foldables market, such as Samsung–although it should be noted that the latter company has succeeded in making its creases less noticeable in recent handsets such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Indeed, those achievements may be relevant here, with previous reports pointing to a collaboration with Samsung as being key to Apple’s strategy. Sure enough, UDN notes in passing that the Korean firm has secured the exclusive contract to supply the inner screen for the iPhone Fold. Why it wouldn’t also use those screens on its own foldables and steal Apple’s claim to have the only crease-free product on the market is more of a mystery, although Cupertino’s LiquidMetal hinge, which Samsung does not have access to, may be part of the equation. Samsung may be making the screens, but the big winner, in UDN’s words, is Foxconn. Apple’s long-term assembly partner has “established a dedicated production line for foldable iPhones,” the site claims, citing this as proof that the product has entered the engineering verification and pre-mass production phase. Plenty of things can still go wrong, of course, so the 2026 launch schedule remains uncertain, but Apple’s commitment is clear at this point. A sky-high price Elsewhere, a separate report this week has given us a stronger idea of the price to expect when the iPhone Fold makes its debut. The analyst Arthur Liao, of Fubon Research, predicts it will cost $2,399, which falls at the upper end of what pundits had previously suggested. Liao cites Apple’s high-margin business model and material costs, particularly the panel and hinge, for his lofty prediction. And while that price will clearly present a challenge for Apple’s marketing team, the report was optimistic about sales, forecasting that 5.4 million iPhone Fold units would be sold in 2026. Assuming the iPhone Fold arrives at Apple’s fall event and the $2,399 price prediction is accurate, that’s just under $13 billion in revenue from a single iPhone model in a single quarter, which isn’t bad at all. In the same quarter in 2024, Apple made a slightly disappointing $69B across all iPhone models. With the same numbers, the iPhone Fold would represent a 20 percent boost in sales. It looks, then, as though there’s less than a year to go until we see the first folding iPhone. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated foldable iPhone superguide.

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iVanky FusionDock Max 2 review: 23-port, 3x display pro warship of a Thunderbolt 5 dock
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 23 top-end ports, including four Thunderbolt 5 Only Mac dock to natively support three displays 2.5Gb Ethernet Active cooling 240W Power Delivery Cons Takes two Mac ports for maximum advantage Fan may produce noise in exacting studio environments Our Verdict Actively cooled, the 23-port iVanky FusionDock Max 2 is built for long editing sessions and heavy workflows, has an unmatched number of connections, stands alone in its native support for three external displays. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$449.99 Best Prices Today: iVanky FusionDock Max 2 Retailer Price $399.99 View Deal iVanky $449.99 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Only one dock has ever really competed directly with the iconic CalDigit Thunderbolt Stations: the 21-port iVanky FusionDock Max outgunned the 18-port CalDigit TS4 and with two Thunderbolt chips supported up to four external displays. Thunderbolt 5 brought us the 20-port CalDigit TS5 Plus, and now throwing down the “Ultimate Dock” gauntlet is the 23-port iVanky FusionDock Max 2. We’ll compare the two later in this review, but first let’s look at everything the FusionDock Max 2 offers to the highest echelon of Mac professionals. If you own an Intel Mac or any Windows/Chrome laptop, you must look elsewhere as the FusionDock Max 2 works only with Apple Silicon M-series Macs, including not just the MacBook Pro but Mac Studio and Mac mini as well. The extra-special advantage this dock has over other Thunderbolt 5 docks is its combination of a Thunderbolt 5 controller with an additional DP-Alt chip to natively deliver up to three external displays—a feat that usually takes two docks or a docking station that requires third-party DisplayLink compression software installation on the Mac. In terms of raw power and number of ports, this dock may be overkill for many but even mere Mac mortals with deep pockets might have their heads turned by everything on offer here. And there’s a lot on offer: in some cases, maybe too much! Simon Jary Specs and features We thought the mighty CalDigit TS5 Plus was remarkable packing 20 ports, including ten USB, but the FusionDock Max 2 fits 23 ports into a similarly sized case. All 23 function simultaneously. All the ports are clearly labeled, which is helpful as there are so many! One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W) Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W) Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W) One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W) Three USB-A ports (5Gbps, 7.5W) Three USB-A ports (480Mbps, 2.5W) One HDMI 2.0 Ethernet (2.5Gb) UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps) UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps) One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front) One 3.5mm Audio Out audio jack (back) One optical audio 330W power supply With a port deck armed like a cross between a nineteenth century multi-cannon Man Of War and a big-gun steam dreadnought, the FusionDock Max 2 should first be judged on its firepower. This top-of-the-range Thunderbolt 5 dock has two more ports than the FusionDock Max 1 and three more ports than the CalDigit TS5. In terms of the big guns, there are three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports; with one TB5 port reserved for connecting to the Mac (upstream). Thunderbolt 5 blows the old guard out of the water with its 80Gbps data-transfer bandwidth doubling that of 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4. With Bandwidth Boost, this port can switch to a unidirectional 120Gbps for the most demanding video needs. For the Mac, Thunderbolt 4 was not much of a boost from Thunderbolt 3, but the latest standard is a giant leap in comparison. For example, if you need to connect high performance SSDs or RAID devices Thunderbolt 5 rewards you with a PCIe performance that is doubled to 64Gbps PCIe 4.0, and the dock supports (theoretical) transfer speeds up to 6,200MBps. The upstream PD 3.1 TB5 port can supply up to 140W to the connected MacBook, which is powerful enough to fast-charge the top-end 16-inch model. Each of the downstream ports can deliver 15W. Not including the backwards-compatible Thunderbolt ports, the FusionDock carries an incredible 12 plainer USB ports: six at 10Gbps, three at 5Gbps, and the remaining at the puny USB 2.0 speed of 480Mbps. Five of these are USB-C (and remember that that the three downstream Thunderbolt can also operate as Type C if you desire) and seven are old-school legacy USB-A. In my opinion, seven USB-A ports are more than should ever be required—and certainly four at such a low bandwidth. Sure, you might need a couple of USB-A for older flash drives and memory sticks, but the sort of professional needing Thunderbolt 5 power shouldn’t need seven of these or storage devices requiring the older format. They could be used for a wired keyboard and mouse, but I’d expect most people to use wireless nowadays—unless the user is concerned about the potential instability of Bluetooth signal interference. Anyway, there are seven of them for you to use if you need them. The five USB-C plus three Thunderbolt ports should be enough of the more modern variety. Given the choice I’d have swapped four USB-A for a couple more USB-C. No matter, 12 USB ports is more than you’ll find anywhere else, and more than enough is better than too few. If this dock doesn’t save you from hot-swapping devices, you are certainly pushing the limits! iVanky Dual-chip tech The original FusionDock Max had an impressive trick up its alloy sleeve: it packed in two Thunderbolt 4 chips, allowing for four downstream and two upstream TB ports, as well as two HDMI ports. The Max 2 doesn’t have two Thunderbolt 5 chips but one TB5 and an additional DP-Alt chip. This means it is effectively both a Thunderbolt 5 dock and a DP Alt-Mode dock inside one enclosure. In essence, it’s two independent dock printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) integrated together. To achieve native three-display support you do need to use two of the Mac’s Thunderbolt 5 ports to connect to the dock. The Thunderbolt and HDMI ports are for video: not the plain USB-C ports. By connecting to two TB5/USB-C ports on the MacBook, the limitation that a single USB-C port can only output two displays is bypassed, allowing triple external display support. At the same time, using two upstream USB-C connections provides significantly more bandwidth, avoiding the bottlenecks that often occur with single-port docks. Simon Jary Triple display: Native vs DisplayLink One of the central purposes of a docking station is to support running multiple external displays without using up all the MacBook’s own ports. The dual-chip FusionDock Max 2 is the leader of the pack when it comes to natively supporting up to three displays. If you don’t mind installing third-party compression software such as DisplayLink there are docks that support up to five displays via a single connection. DisplayLink may, however, introduce noticeable latency in some situations or on certain monitors, so high-end studios and professionals will always prefer a native solution. Also, native Thunderbolt output supports up to 4K at 240Hz, whereas DisplayLink is limited to 4K at 60Hz. Native (without help from third-party software) video provides smoother, full-resolution lag-free video with higher refresh rates (4K at 240Hz), which makes it ideal for video editing and gaming. DisplayLink’s max is 60Hz—fine for most of us but nowhere near enough for video pros and gamers. Natively, the Mac’s GPU can be utilized for processing, so reducing CPU system resource load usage. Third-party DisplayLink in a dedicated dock or adapter sends compressed video data over USB connection, and bypasses Apple’s native display output limitations, so allowing you to connect multiple external displays to Mac models that officially support only one or two (for example, the base single-display M1 and M2 models). However, as well as leaning on the CPU more, DisplayLink can introduce noticeable lag with rapidly changing content such as fast-moving video or gaming. It also suffers from restrictions to DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected content as used by streamers such as Netflix and Apple TV that DisplayLink can. Simon Jary The Max 2 requires two connections to the Mac—one Thunderbolt and one USB-C—but no extra software for the purest multi-display support. Unfortunately, the dock can’t override the built-in display limits of your Mac. The maximum number of external displays is still determined by your Mac’s processor and Apple’s own display engine limits. To check your Mac’s display potential, see Apple’s “How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro”. For three displays, you’ll need a Mac with at least a Max M-series processor: so M1/M2/M3/M4 Max. Even Pro M-series Macs are limited to dual 4K/60Hz support. The three displays can be 2x 5K/60Hz plus one 4K/60Hz or 3x 4K/60Hz monitors. Mac users on base M4/M5 and Pro and Max M-series Macs can connect up to two 6K displays, but only Max supports dual 6K and a single 4K. For dual or single 8K/60Hz displays a Max chip is required. To show the display possibilities it’s easiest to check out this grid of possibilities for each type of Mac. iVanky On the TS5 Plus CalDigit sacrificed the third downstream Thunderbolt port for a top-end DisplayPort 2.1 video connection. iVanky gives you the option of adding a DP or HDMI adapter to use with its included third TB port. Native Thunderbolt output supports up to 4K at 240Hz, which is not possible via an HDMI port. Power station Thunderbolt 5 has higher power delivery (PD) than Thunderbolt 4: to the connected laptop at least 140W with support for up to 240W; up from TB4’s minimum 100W and max 140W. The FusionDock Max 2 can power a connected laptop at up to 140W, enough to fast-charge a top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. To achieve this, make sure you use the included 1m TB5 cable or Apple’s MagSafe 3 cable. The external power supply can deliver a maximum of 240W. If you were to use all the dock’s ports at full power it would require 282.5W so you may hit the limit. The dock’s active-cooling fans will also use up some of that 240 of power. The CalDigit TS5 Plus has fewer ports but an unmatched 330W power supply pumping out up to 330W—enough to cope with a full power demand, so the wattage going into the laptop needs never fluctuate to accommodate other hungry devices. That’s not quite the case with the iVanky dock but it’s unlikely all the ports would be in use at one time anyway. The 30W USB-C port at the front of the dock is handy if you want to fast-charge your iPhone or iPad. The TS5 Plus has a 35W front port, and the Sonnet Echo 13 has one of its TB5 ports with a 60W rating. 30W should be enough, though. Unlike the TS5 Plus the Max 2 has a power button at the front that makes it easier to turn off power to the connected laptop if you want to better preserve its battery life. Simon Jary Network speeds Pro studios are turning to networks much faster than the long-traditional Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE), with 2.5GbE, 5GbE or even 10GbE speeds. Recent pro docks include a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) port as standard, and the FusionDock Max 2 matches this with its LAN port. The CalDigit TS5 Plus goes all the way to 10GbE, which will appeal to those with networks at that speed or planning a future upgrade. The faster variants of Ethernet are backwards compatible all the way back to Gigabit Ethernet. Simon Jary Storage Some recent docking stations—such as the Sonnet Echo 13—include built-in SSD storage so that the dock itself operated like a speedy external disk drive. Neither the FusionDock Max 2 nor the TS5 have this feature but both offer fast 312MBps UHS-II SD and microSD card readers at the front for you to slip in and out your own portable and inexpensive storage cards. That’s faster than the 250MBps SDXC card slot built into Apple’s current MacBook Pro. Design While the CalDigit docks are cased in the iconic vertical or horizontal aluminum shell, the iVanky docks take a horizontal-only approach but also in a fine-looking design that has a clever floating aluminum chassis with built-in fan for active thermal management engineered to dissipate heat. The orange-trimmed copper-alloy midframe is therefore cooler. iVanky claims that the FusionDock Max 2’s surface can stay up to 68°F (20°C) cooler than typical Thunderbolt 5 docks thanks to the suspended-chassis airflow and cooling fan that creates extra thermal headroom and should ensure fewer drops and throttling, even under extreme demand. The integrated rubber feet lift the dock from the desk further allowing for air to flow under it. CalDigit’s docks don’t include fans as some can add noise, which is not ideal in music or video studio environments where pro users need absolute silence. Even sturdier looking, the Max 2 is a little larger than the Max 1 but otherwise quite similar in design, except that the dock has the cooling elements all around the dock. It measures 7.4 inches (18.9cm) long, 4 inches (10.1cm) wide, and 2.17 inches (5.5cm) deep. It weighs in at 2.4lbs (1.1kg). The ports are well placed. The upstream Thunderbolt 5 and DP-Alt ports that connect to your laptop are labelled at the back, avoiding probable cable mess from the front. The Power button is of course facing you, and front facing are the two card readers and eight USB ports including the 30W USB-C for iPhone or iPad fast charging, as well as the Audio In/Out jack. At the back is everything else: 3.5mm audio In and the optical audio port; the three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports; HDMI; two 10Gbps USB-C and two USB-A. Simon Jary Price The top-of-the-range Thunderbolt 5 docking stations come at a premium price point but you do get a lot for your money. The iVanky FusionDock Max 2 is priced at $449.99 in the US, £499.99 in the UK, and €499.99 in Europe. The $439 Sonnet Echo 13 that includes an integrated 1TB SSD is cheaper, as is the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock ($329) and best value of all the $299 Plugable TBT-UDT3 Dock. Either may make more sense if you don’t need the native three-display support or so many USB ports. Take a look at all the best Thunderbolt 5 docks in our roundup that also includes Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docks. If multiple monitors are the big draw, then also consider DisplayLink docks that can support up to five but require third-party compression software that the top-end professionals may avoid in case any latency is involved but is find for most users. The FusionDock Max 2 includes a 1.2m Thunderbolt 5 cable and the same-length dual USB-C cable. Duke of docks: FusionDock Max 2 vs TS5 Plus Simon Jary CalDigit TS5 Plus vs iVanky FusionMax 2 dock ports.Simon Jary The closest rival to the Max 2 is the CalDigit TS5 Plus, which costs a little more ($499) than the FusionDock Max 2 ($449). Read our full CalDigit TS5 Plus review. See the port arrangements for both pictured above. Supported displays FusionDock: Up to 3 TS5 Plus: Up to 2 Number of ports: FusionDock: 23 TS5 Plus: 20 Thunderbolt port power: FusionDock: 15W TS5 Plus: 36W Total power: FusionDock: 240W TS5 Plus: 330W Ethernet speed: FusionDock: 2.5Gb TS5 Plus: 10Gb The TS5 Plus wins on the absolute top-end in some cases—the TS5 Plus has 10GbE compared to the 2.5GbE and all its USB ports are 10Gbps—but only the FusionDock Max 2 can offer the three native displays. While the former has plenty of USB ports, the iVanky has a super abundance. If you need the most displays at the highest refresh rates the Fusion Dock Max 2 is an easy winner with its native support for three when matched with the top-end Macs. The compromise is that you have to use two of the Mac’s Thunderbolt port to connect to the Max 2, which somewhat defeats the elegance of having a single cable connected to your Mac to connect all your devices but it’s necessary for those three native displays. Should you buy the iVanky FusionDock Max 2? Actively cooled, the 23-port iVanky FusionDock Max 2 is built for long editing sessions and heavy workflows, and has an unmatched number of connections, beating even the 20-port CalDigit TS5 Plus for number of ports. It could be argued that 12 USB ports is overkill, but they are there if you need them. The TS5 Plus is more powerful in terms of wattage and network speed but only the FusionDock Max 2 can natively support three displays out of the box for Mac professionals demanding bandwidth and multiple-monitor support.

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Huge discounts hit iPad, iPad Air, and more for Black Friday (from $274)
The Black Friday deals for Apple’s entire lineup of iPads have arrived. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate Netflix machine or something with an obscene amount of power, we’ve got you covered. We’re tracking low prices on the base iPad, iPad Air, adorable iPad mini, and powerful iPad Pro. These are the best Black Friday prices on iPads that you’ll find. more…

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Mageasy's Crossbody Cases offer excellent utility and better prices than Apple's alternatives
Mageasy has two Amazon bestselling iPhone 17 Crossbody Cases that are colorful and stylish, the Mageasy Odyssey Strap M and Roam M, plus there are many other lanyard styles and cases available.Mageasy Odyssey Strap MThere's a quiet revolution in iPhone cases at the moment, one reinforced by Apple itself with iPhone 17, and that's the inclusion of lanyard and crossbody strap support. Keep your iPhone always ready, free from pockets, with a crossbody strap that attaches to an industry-best, drop-proof iPhone case that are also compatible with Apple's Crossbody Strap.Mageasy is a brand that blends functionality with style by offering a modular yet protective iPhone 17 case with lanyard attachment. Choose between the sleek and inexpensive Roam M and the premium Odyssey Strap M — both with crossbody strap support. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Best iPhone Air power bank: Apple MagSafe Battery vs Anker Nano
Update: The Anker Nano is 30% off right now on Amazon for Black Friday. Review below. The iPhone Air has surprisingly good battery life for users with light-to-medium daily usage habits. But if you are going to be away from a charger for a long time, especially going travelling like on a plane, you’ll probably want to carry some extra juice with you. Apple has made its custom MagSafe Battery for iPhone Air, that fits precisely beneath the camera plateau on the back of the phone. But another big competitor in this space is Anker, with the Anker Nano Power Bank in a similar size promising 5,000 mAH capacity at half the price of Apple’s offering. But how much extra battery life should you actually expect to get from these power banks, and which is best? more…

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Pocket Casts app introduces smart playlists feature to organize your podcasts
Both mobile and desktop versions of the Pocket Casts app have introduced a new playlist feature designed to help you organize your favorite podcasts. You can manually create your own playlists by hand, while a Smart Playlists option can apply your own rules to do the job automatically … more…

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Poland probes Apple again over App Tracking Transparency rules
Poland has opened another antitrust investigation into App Tracking Transparency, to determine if Apple misled users about privacy while also creating an advantage over third-party app developers.App Tracking Transparency - Image Credit: AppleThe introduction of App Tracking Transparency in iOS 14.5 was intended as a way to allow users to decide whether to allow app developers to track their activity. While the intention was to increase the user's privacy, Apple's implementation has once again prompted a government regulator to probe the situation.On November 25, Poland's UOKiK has started another investigation into App Tracking Transparency, and whether Apple had restricted competition in mobile advertising. Reuters reports that, to the anti-monopoly regulator, ATT may have limited advertisers' ability to collect user data for advertising purposes while simultaneously favoring Apple's ad program. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Around 100 iPhone Folds made after ‘breakthrough’ in eliminating the crease
The iPhone Fold has entered the next stage of production after what is said to be a “breakthrough” in eliminating the crease normally seen in folding phones when they are laid flat. Although the display is being made by Samsung, several elements are said to have been designed by Apple and will be unique to the device … more…

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Apple falsely accused of misleading users about App Tracking Transparency privacy
A competition regulator has accused Apple of misleading users about the level of privacy offered by the App Tracking Transparency feature. That accusation, while made in good faith, is based on a misunderstanding. The iPhone maker has responded by saying that it may be forced to withdraw the privacy protection from EU users … more…

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Reports of Tim Cook’s demise are greatly exaggerated
Macworld The Macalope knows his charming and erudite readers are well-versed in all the theories of quantum superposition, particularly the famous Schrödinger’s cat theory. Or, well, you’ve at least read the Wikipedia entry about it. Or skimmed it, like the Macalope has. The point is, he’s done the relevant research for a mythical beast who makes a joke about it twelve or more times a year. But what you may not know is that Schrödinger put forth other Wikipedia-eligible theories, such as the lesser-known Schrödinger’s well. Schrödinger’s well describes the case of a theoretical author of a jokey column about Apple goes to the well of Schrödinger’s cat jokes so many times that a state of quantum entanglement is triggered, and it becomes impossible to tell where the author of a jokey column about Apple ends and the Schrödinger’s cat jokes begin. All this is just to say that the Macalope is very aware that he is, in reality, just 400,000 Schrödinger’s cat bits in a trench coat. You don’t have to email him about it. You don’t have to stop him on the street. Please stop throwing bricks through his window. He knows who he is. Which brings us to one Tim “Tim” Cook. (Some call him “Tim”? Nay. Everyone calls him “Tim”.) Cook has had a Schrö-dinger of a November, one in which his continued existence seems to depend on how he is being observed and by whom. Just ten days ago, the Financial Times published a report under four bylines saying: “Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim Cook” In it, the Times suggests that Cook could announce his retirement as soon as spring of 2026 to give the news time to jell in order to have a smooth WWDC in June, one unmarred by rioting, violence, depravity and any appearance by Drake. If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.IDG Rumors of Cook’s retirement have been in the air for several years now as the CEO approached his 65th birthday. Hard to remember that just a half-century ago, a 65-year-old CEO would be automatically forced into retirement in the sub-volcanic lair of their choosing. “Here is a billion dollars, a cat, and a hundred flunkies in silver jump suits. Enjoy. Oh, the sharks for the moat arrive Tuesday. They got held up in customs.” It was a simpler time. Tim Cook’s chairmanship has been marked by unprecedented growth and profit for Apple, but nothing lasts forever but the Earth and sky, and, honestly, we’re not at all sure about the Earth. But, wait! Here comes Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, busting into the room out of breath after having fruitlessly asked his many product chain sources about a possible change in the A-suite: He has some choice words about the Financial Times report. I believe the story was simply false. Mark Gurman, Bloomberg A false story, you say?! In a major publication, you say?! Well, I never! While it’s tempting to think of Cook twisting his neck and saying, “I’m gettin’ too old for this stuff,” even if he does step down as CEO, there’s a very good chance he will stay on with the company in an executive capacity, as John Gruber suggests. I would also bet that Cook moves into the role of executive chairman, and will still play a significant, if not leading, role for the company when it comes to domestic and international politics. Especially with regard to Trump. Indeed, it seems cruel to throw likely successor John Ternus to the wolves like that. After all, he’s only 50 years old. Fortunately and unfortunately, it is unlikely that even with an executive change of this magnitude that Apple’s strategies and policies will be vastly altered anytime in the near future. You don’t mess with (financial) success. If and when John Ternus takes over as CEO, don’t expect Apple’s stance on the App Store or its Vichy-esque appeasement of authoritarian regimes to change. Ternus may bring a stronger product focus to the company; however, maybe one less focused on services revenue and one with more of an eye toward cool hardware. So, at least the bread and circuses might be good.

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How to get the best Mac this Black Friday, whatever your needs
Macworld The Black Friday sales have started, with retailers across the land slashing prices and offering discounts on all of the best Macs. You might have decided that the time is right to pick up a new computer from Apple, but with so much to choose from and so many aspects to consider, settling on the right choices can be tough. That’s where our guide to finding the best Mac this Black Friday comes in. Here, we’ve looked at all the key decisions you’ll need to make when buying a Mac and explained the pros, cons, and pitfalls of each. By the end, you should have a better idea of what you need and feel ready to pull the trigger on that irresistible deal you’ve been eyeing up. Laptop versus desktop The most fundamental decision you’ll have to make when buying a new Mac this Black Friday is whether you want a laptop or a desktop, as this choice will set the blueprint for everything that comes after. The best starting point is to determine your priority: mobility or office work? While a Mac like a Mac mini is small enough to easily fit in a bag, it’s not designed for mobile use. If you travel a lot and want a computer for those travels, get a laptop. Laptops offer good processing power and connectivity for those on-the-go situations. The MacBook Pro offers workstation-like power in a laptop.Foundry On the other hand, if you want the most powerful option for an office, a desktop Mac will serve you well–they have more internal space to support the most powerful chips. The best chip you get in a MacBook is the M4 Max; in a desktop Mac, things go even higher with the top-tier M3 Ultra. And desktops also offer more connectivity in terms of the number of ports, so if you’re frequently hooking up a plethora of peripherals, that might play a role in your decision. Speaking of peripherals, you get an extra element of flexibility here with a desktop Mac, as in most cases you can connect whatever monitor, mouse and keyboard you like (rather than relying on a MacBook’s built-in display and keyboard, for example). That said, the need to provide your own extras usually comes with an additional cost, so you’ll need to factor that in before you buy. Our picks Laptop: 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 512GB and 16GB of RAM: $1,149 ($250 off) Desktop: M4 Pro Mac mini with 512GB of storage and 24GB RAM: $1,199 ($200 off) Air versus Pro If you’ve decided to opt for an Apple laptop, the next decision you’ll face is between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The former places an emphasis on lightweight portability, while the latter is where you’ll find Apple’s most powerful options. Going for the MacBook Pro unlocks a range of extras that aren’t available with the MacBook Air. That includes a high-end Liquid Retina XDR display, longer battery life of up to 24 hours, more generous storage (both in terms of the maximum and the starting amount), and more ports. Those features will serve you well if you need a machine for demanding tasks or professional work. The MacBook Air is an excellent choice for general consumers who also need to do occasional media work.Foundry Besides that, the two laptop ranges come in different sizes, although the differences are small: the MacBook Air is available with 13-inch and 15-inch displays, while the MacBook Pro comes in 14-inch and 16-inch flavors. The MacBook Air is also a lot lighter, with the 13-inch model weighing 2.7lbs to the 14-inch MacBook Pro’s 3.4lbs, for example. Finally, there’s the price. The MacBook Air is the more affordable of the two, with its price starting at $999 (and frequently going on sale for less at places like Amazon and Best Buy). The MacBook Pro, meanwhile, will set you back a minimum of $1,599. All that extra power comes at a cost. Apple doesn’t use the Air and Pro branding for its desktop Macs, so the way to differentiate between separate models isn’t as obvious. Generally speaking, you have consumer machines like the iMac and the Mac mini on the one hand, and pro computers like the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro on the other. And then you and the M4 Pro Mac mini, which falls in-between. We’ll dive into those details later in this guide. Our picks MacBook Air: 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 512GB and 24GB of RAM: $1,349 ($250 off) MacBook Pro: 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage and 24GB of RAM: $1,699 ($300 off) Display If you’re going to spend a lot of time looking at content on-screen–especially if its critical to your work or where accuracy is essential–it can pay to get a Mac with a superior screen. In the case of MacBook laptops, that’s found in the MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display. This boasts a resolution of 3024×1964 pixels compared to the 2880×1864 resolution of the MacBook Air’s regular Liquid Retina screen. And there’s the addition of ProMotion adaptive refresh rate tech that can ramp up to 120Hz, which is great for both smoother scrolling and more enjoyable gaming experiences. The iMac has a built-in 24-inch display.Foundry It also brings far more brightness to the table: 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. That should be particularly useful for working outside or in other bright conditions. The MacBook Air only reaches 500 nits, in contrast. On the desktop side, things are a little more complex. That’s because most desktop Macs don’t come with their own display (the exception is the iMac, which has a 24-inch screen with a 4.5K resolution and 500 nits of brightness), so you’ll need to provide your own. There’s a wide range to choose from, but some of the best Mac monitors include high resolutions and refresh rates, plenty of ergonomic adjustments, and a big enough screen size for you to work comfortably. If you decide on a desktop this Black Friday, make sure you consider the cost of a monitor if you don’t already have your own. The chip: M4 versus M5 You might think that choosing a chip is as straightforward as going for Apple’s latest M5, but things aren’t quite so simple at the moment. Right now, in fact, Apple has three chip generations on offer across its Mac range, with chips from the M3, M4 and M5 generations all available in current Macs. Which should you choose? The M3 Ultra Mac Studio is Apple’s fastest Mac.Foundry Since the M4 and M5 are in the widest selection of up-to-date Macs, we’ll start there. Both chips are fantastic options that deliver more than enough power for most people. The M5 is only available in the MacBook Pro for now, though; the MacBook Air is still on M4 but is expected to migrate to the M5 chip in early 2026. If you opt for a MacBook Air, the choice of an M4 chip is already made for you. Then there are the different tiers, like M4 Pro, M4 Max, and so on. Drilling down here, much of your choice depends on your workload. The M4 Max is the most powerful M4 chip available, while the M3 range tops out with the M3 Ultra (which is also Apple’s most performant option across the chip generations). The M5 range only extends to the base M5 for now. If you need something for either pro workloads or for high-end gaming, you’re likely going to want to look at the M4 Max or M3 Ultra. Those chips are available in the MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and Mac Pro. Memory Memory (Apple calls it “unified memory,” and it’s generally referred to as RAM and not to be confused with storage) is important for multitasking and helping demanding apps run quickly and efficiently. You can’t change it once you’ve bought a Mac, so it’s important to get it right first time. The Mac mini, like most of Apple’s consumer Mac models, starts with 16GB of unified memory.IDG The amount you need all comes down to your workload. If you’re just browsing the internet and sending emails, the base 16GB will be plenty. But if you’re training AI models, crunching large datasets or editing huge videos, you’ll want at least 24GB–buy as much as you can afford. Make sure to think carefully about what you actually need, as you can’t change the memory once you’ve bought your Mac. Storage Storage is very important, as (like memory) you can’t change it after you’ve made your decision–although the situation is a little less drastic than with memory, as you can buy external SSDs and hard drives to supplement your Mac’s internal storage. If you start to run out of storage, you can always get an external storage device and connect it via Thunderbolt or USB-C.Thiago Trevisan/Foundry Storage can get used up quickly, especially as your needs change. Give plenty of thought to the things you’ll be using your Mac for, both now and a rough estimate of what might happen in the future. You need to think about everything you want to use the Mac for. For instance, is it likely that you’ll be installing heavy-duty apps that eat into your available storage? Will you be storing reams of sizable photos and videos? Are you going to use your machine for playing large AAA games? These are the types of things that can quickly hog up your available space. There are ways to save on internal drive space, though. Make use of cloud storage, and you can offload files from your Mac, freeing up room for other things. And if you make sure to routinely uninstall large apps that you no longer need–or use Apple’s Optimize Storage feature in the System Settings app, which periodically removes TV shows and email attachments you’re finished with–you can reclaim space and save on storage. Our pick OWC 1TB Express 1M2 40Gb/s Portable NVMe SSD: $200 ($30 off) Ready to shop? Once you’ve figured out your Mac needs, check out our coverage of the best Black Friday Mac deals. We also have a guide to the best Apple deals if you’re looking for iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and more.

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