Computers and computer monitors are finally getting more consumer-friendly and more fun. A large part of that has to do with Apple’s release of the colorful iMac, and the new all-encompassing Studio Display. Samsung has certainly taken note, with the release of the colorful new M8, which takes the previous-generation M7, offers some extra features, lots of colors to choose from, and more.

The M8 is also…much more affordable than Apple’s Studio Display. While the Studio Display is a solid product, it also comes at $1,600 — which puts it out of reach for many. The M8 is less than half of that, coming at $730. Sure, it’s still not a cheap product, but it’s not unreasonably expensive either, at least on paper.

But does the Samsung M8 smart monitor do enough to warrant that price? After all, the Studio Display isn’t its only competition, and much of the rest of the market is even cheaper than it. I’ve been using the Samsung M8 smart monitor for a while now to find out.

Samsung M8 Monitor

Rating: 4 Stars

The Samsung M8 monitor is a killer to-it-all monitor that offers an excellent image quality and doesn’t break the bank.

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Pros

• Good image quality
• All-in-one
• Comes with webcam and microphone
• 4K resolution
• Lots of smart features

Cons

• Speakers are only fine
• Build could be better

Amazon

$699.99

Best Buy

$699.99

Samsung M8 monitor design

The Samsung M8 looks a lot like Apple’s new iMac, including the stand that supports it and the larger bottom bezel. That’s far from a bad thing — and in fact, I quite like it. Colors don’t just make the monitor more interesting, they make it more approachable too.

Speaking of colors, the monitor is available in a number of them — including white, green, pink, and blue. I’m reviewing the blue model, and it looks great.

The build of the monitor isn’t bad at all. It’s built largely from plastic, but it generally seems strong enough for most use. It’s certainly not as premium in build quality as Apple’s recent monitors, but pretty much on-par with the rest of the market.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

There is one big difference though — the webcam kind of pops up from the top of the display. It doesn’t look bad, but it’s not as seamless as the built-in webcam on the iMac or Studio Display. That said, there are some advantages, like the fact that you can cover it with the built-in cover, and remove the webcam entirely if you want, as it really just attaches with a USB-C port and some magnets on the back of the display.

The monitor itself is 32 inches, which is pretty huge. Not everyone will need a monitor that gets close to being TV size, but if you like to have multiple windows open on the screen at a time, as I do, it definitely does the trick.

The stand on the device is pretty well-designed too, and more in line with the premium stand that Apple sells for the Studio Display. That’s to say, it’s both height and tilt adjustable, meaning that you can get it to the perfect position for your needs. They both offer more than enough range than most people will need.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

On the back, the M8 comes with a few different ports, but the selection is a little limited. There’s a Micro HDMI port, along with a USB-C port for connectivity, and a USB-C port for hub use. You do get a Micro HDMI to HDMI adapter in the box though, which is handy.

There’s also the design of the remote to consider. The remote makes it relatively easy to control the software on the monitor, and it comes with quick-access buttons for some of the more popular streaming services. It’s

Samsung M8 monitor display

The actual display on the M8 looks great too. It’s not quite as crisp as the Studio Display, and it doesn’t offer quite the same range of viewing angles. But these are things that we can easily overlook given the price.

When it comes to specifications, the Samsung M8 offers a 4K resolution, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. It supports HDR10+, and has a maximum brightness of 400 nits, which is fine, but not amazing. The refresh rate, perhaps, unfortunately, is capped out at 60Hz.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

Generally, the display looks great. It’s not quite as crisp or as colorful as some other options, but the fact that it’s nice and big, and has a 4K resolution, means that it’s more than good enough for most productivity use. I love the 32-inch size — it definitely helped with my productivity. And, while it’s not quite as contrast-heavy as I might have liked, the colors generally looked vibrant and bright.

Hardcore gamers will be a little disappointed with the 60Hz refresh rate, though the low input lag may make up for that a little. Most will want a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, though those looking for something for mainly productivity, and only occasional gaming, will be perfectly fine with what’s on offer.

Samsung M8 monitor software

One of the big differences between this monitor and many others is that it can essentially act as a TV. It has the same software as Samsung’s TVs, Tizen, meaning it supports streaming apps and services, Samsung Gaming Hub, and more.

Generally, if you’ve used a Samsung TV before, you’ll find it relatively easy to navigate Tizen on this monitor. And, the monitor offers some smart features that some might find useful. You can install all your favorite streaming apps and services, and you can create your own picture-in-picture view — meaning you can have a Netflix window over your desktop when you’re working. Unfortunately, you can’t have the two different inputs on the display at once.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

The display also supports some other connected smart features. It has AirPlay 2 built into it, and it has Samsung DeX support built into it. You can even access Microsoft’s cloud Office apps without connecting a computer to the monitor at all, which is pretty handy.

Lastly, the monitor supports Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which ties together any connecting consoles, and installed game streaming services. Microsoft has actually just unveiled a new version of its Xbox Game Pass app for Gaming Hub, which means that you can stream your Xbox games straight to the monitor without needing to have an actual Xbox. It’s generally where many see gaming going in the future, and having tried it at an event with Microsoft and Samsung, it seems to work great.

Samsung M8 monitor webcam

The Samsung M8 comes with a webcam that can be plugged into the back, and is held in place magnetically. The fact that it’s removable means that you can use your own webcam if you want, which is super helpful for those that want something of a slightly higher quality.

I do wish that the webcam was built into the monitor, but being able to cover it and remove it as needed is a nice touch. It just looks a little weird on top of the monitor, though obviously less intrusive than the larger webcams that many will be used to.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

Unfortunately, the placement of the webcam means it can’t really be adjusted. I mostly would have liked to be able to tilt it down a little, considering how big the monitor is.

The actual quality of the webcam is pretty good though. It has a 1,080p resolution, and while not quite as colorful or vibrant as some more expensive webcams, it’s definitely able to deliver a good webcam experience. Live-streamers will still probably want something a bit higher-end.

Samsung M8 monitor speakers

The Samsung M8 also comes with built-in speakers, meaning that you don’t necessarily have to use external speakers with it if you don’t want to. Now, to be sure, I still recommend most who want a decent listening experience, but in a pinch these do the job.

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

Perhaps the worst thing about the built-in speakers is that they mostly lack bass, making listening to music not the best experience overall. But for things like video-calling and listening to podcasts, the speakers aren’t bad, and they get quite loud. Again, those wanting to use the speakers for listening to music will probably want to turn to a decent pair of external speakers, but for voice, the monitor’s own speakers are perfectly fine.

Samsung M8 monitor microphone

The microphone quality is pretty similar to the speaker quality. That’s to say, it’s fine for voice calling and for use in a pinch, but don’t expect anything beyond that.

That’s not a huge deal though. Most will be using the built-in microphone for video chatting — not things like live-streaming. If, however, you are using it for live-streaming, I recommend turning elsewhere.

Conclusions

The Samsung M8 is a killer do-it-all monitor option for those who don’t want to have to worry about piecing together a monitor, webcam, and speakers for themselves. Even without the webcam and the speakers, however, it’s still a great option, with a good image quality and a design that should look great in any environment. That’s not to mention the smart features.

The competition

It’s hard to consider the Apple Studio Display a real competitor given the fact that it’s so much more expensive than the M8, but those looking for a do-it-all monitor might consider them competition. If you’re deciding between the two, the Studio Display is technically the better option — despite the smaller size and the lack of smart features. It offers a better design, better build quality, and better image quality. But you’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the extra cash.

It’s also worth considering the last-generation Samsung M7 monitor, which is quite a bit cheaper and still offers many of the same features as the M8.

Should I buy the Samsung M8 monitor?

Yes. It’s an excellent monitor at a good price.

The post Samsung M8 smart monitor review appeared first on BGR.

Apple devices are durable and stay relevant for a very long time, thanks to Apple’s five-year plus software support. That said, the price tags on Apple devices can be an obstacle for those on a budget. No worries though, because there are still several great Apple deals this month that you can take advantage of.

Whether you’re looking to get a new Mac, the latest Apple Watch, an Apple iPad mini for your kid, a new pair of Apple AirPods, or you want to make your first foray into the infamous Apple ecosystem; we got you.

This article brings you a compilation of all the best deals on the most popular and latest devices on Apple’s lineup you can find right now.

Best Apple Mac Deals

Mac computers are an excellent choice if you’re searching for a new desktop computer or PC. Apple has announced two new additions to its MacBook lineup, the new MacBook Air (2022) and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro computers equipped with M2 chips. However, there are still great deals on the M1-equipped models of the Apple MacBook Air and Apple MacBook Pro.

Apple 14- inch MacBook Pro (2021)

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

The new Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is a huge step up from the old Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020). Apple updated its M1 chip to the greatly improved M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, which contribute to the Apple MacBook Pro’s 14-inch (2021) very impressive performance. This MacBook Pro also offers excellent battery life, a 14-inch Liquid Retina display, and a good selection of ports. It is a great laptop for creative professionals.

Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

16-inch MacBook Pro launched in late October 2021. Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

In addition to its M1 Pro and M1 Max chip, 16-inch Liquid Retina display, and a better selection of ports than its predecessor, the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro comes with an even larger screen and a better battery life of up to 21 hours (MagSafe battery-charging) than the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021).

2021 Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, Apple M1 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU, 16GB RAM,…

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (2020)

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (2020). Image source: Apple

This Apple MacBook Air (M1 2020)is highly recommended for creatives on a budget. The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) sports Apple’s in-house M1 chip that replaces the Intel processors Apple MacBooks used to run on. It has an excellent battery life of up to eighteen hours, a Magic Keyboard, and a Touch ID. The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is a tremendous improvement on older models of MacBook Air laptops which often come across as greatly watered-down versions of their MacBook Pro counterparts.

Best Apple Watch Deals

The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches on the market. It is useful for fitness and health tracking, connecting with loved ones on the go, can be used to locate lost Apple devices, stream songs with Apple music, and make payments with Apple Pay, and the look is also customizable.

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7 being worn on a wrist. Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

The new Apple Watch Series 7 is Apple’s latest smartwatch. The Apple Watch Series 7 sports an always-on screen and good battery life. It also has a stunning design and broader case sizes, which have been changed to 41mm and 45mm from 40mm and 44mm on the Apple Watch Series 6. This design is Apple’s largest display yet, with up to 20 percent more screen area and 40%percent bezel reduction leaving the watch with a 1.7mm bezel.

The cover crystal of the Apple Watch Series 7 is 50 percent thicker and thus more crack-resistant. The smartwatch also has an IP6X rating for resisting dust entry and is water-resistant for up to 50 meters(WR50 water resistance). This Apple Watch is also capable of 33 percent faster charging than the series 6.

The device also boasts a fall detection feature during workouts and Apple’s full health sensors, including heart rate, ECG, and blood oxygen. This Apple Watch Series is one of the best apple accessories to buy.

Apple Watch Series 7 [GPS 45mm] Smart Watch w/ Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band.…

Where To Buy The Apple Watch Series 7 on contract

If you want to get the Apple Watch Series 7 but don’t want to pay for it up front, there are tons of great deals. For those living in the US, these are some of the best deals you can find right now. These carriers let you pay for the cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 7 in installments:

T-Mobile: $20.84 per month (41mm), $22.09 per month (45mm) for 24 months

AT&T: $13.89 per month (41mm), $14.73 per month (45mm) for 36 months

Apple Watch SE

Apple Watch SE. Image source: Apple

The Apple watch SE is one of the most affordable Apple watches. This Apple Watch sports an S5 chipset and a better battery life than the more expensive Apple Watch Series 6. The Apple Watch SE has 32GB of storage, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It also comes in an Apple Watch SE GPS + 4G model and has a display that is over 30 percent larger than the Apple Watch Series 3 display. This Apple Watch is up to two times faster than the Apple Watch Series 3, and its S5 chip makes it more future-proof than the Series 3.

The Watch SE comes in 40mm and 44mm models and runs watchOS 7, making it an excellent choice for tracking your health and fitness. It does this while staying on top of your messages, emails, and notifications. It also supports emergency calls, a built-in compass, and an always-on altimeter.

Apple Watch SE [GPS + Cellular 40mm] Smart Watch w/ Gold Aluminium Case with Starlight Sport Ba…

Best Apple AirPods Deals

Apple’s AirPods are the perfect wireless headphones for Apple fans. They support tech like automatic switching, spatial audio, and more.

Airpods Pro

Apple’s AirPods Pro on a table. Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

Industry-leading active noise cancellation and excellent sound quality sum up the Apple Airpods pro. They instantly pair with other apple devices and support hands-free Siri. Once paired with one apple device, they’re instantly available to any other device signed in with the same Apple ID. Switching between devices is seamless and automatic. These Apple AirPods also add themselves to the Find My app as soon as they get paired to a device, which helps avoid losing them.

These wireless earbuds are quite impressive with connection range and stability. They also show extremely fast wireless connectivity and unique controls. The controls work by squeezing the sticks on the AirPods. One squeeze for play/pause, two to skip forward, three to skip back, and hold for a moment to switch between ANC mode and Transparency mode.

ANC stands for Active noise cancellation, which is useful for suppressing sounds and noises around you. Transparency mode utilizes external microphones to tune in on conversations around you without having to take out your earbuds. Another major audio is Spatial Audio, Apple’s special implementation of 3D sound, using the movement sensors in the AirPods to place sound around you.

The Apple AirPods Pro is also sweat and water-resistant. The only downside of these AirPods appears to be their not-so-great battery life of 4.5 hours per charge from the buds. They might just be Apple’s best wireless earbuds yet.

Apple AirPods Pro (Renewed)

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max.

Apple Airpods Max is Apple’s first over-ear headphones, and they are Apple’s priciest headphones yet. The Airpods Max has great noise cancellation and highly impressive sound quality. It also offers quick pairing with other Apple products, shares audio with other AirPods, and automatically switches between devices signed in with the same Apple ID. They support hands-free Siri and the Find My app. The AirPods Max features Apple’s powerful H1 chip, nine microphones, and 40mm drivers.

They provide a superb listening experience with Spatial sound and top-notch active noise cancellation. The AirPods Max has a battery life of about 20 hours. The headband is stainless steel (with a soft-touch finish), the earcups are aluminum, and there’s a special mesh fabric when the headband actually touches your head and over the earpads.

The Apple Airpods Max comes in five colors: Silver, Pink, Space Grey, Green, and Sky Blue. All colors come with at least a two-tone finish, with the headband and earcups in different hues and meshes that complement those. The right earpad houses the only two controls: A wheel similar to the one found on an Apple Watch but larger, and another button. The wheel adjusts the volume and play/pause/skip, while the other button switches between ANC mode and transparency mode.

Apple AirPods Max - Silver

AirPods 3rd Generation

Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

The third-generation Apple AirPods were released in October 2021. These AirPods bring some of the features of the AirPods Pro to the traditional AirPods line. They feature Apple’s H1 chip, Spatial audio and are sweat and water-resistant. When fully charged, you get up to 6 hours of playtime and up to 30 hours with the MagSafe wireless charging case. They do not have noise-cancellation but shorter stems, force control, and adaptive EQ to automatically tune music to your ears. The AirPods 3 have better battery life than the Airpods Pro.

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

AirPods 2nd Generation

AirPods 2nd Generation. Image source: Apple

The AirPods 2 are the best value AirPods on the market. They were released in 2016 and immediately kickstarted the true wireless earbuds revolution. These wireless earbuds are powered by Apple’s H1 chip for fast wireless connectivity with Apple devices. They offer five hours of battery life from the buds per charge and up to 24 hours total listening time with the included charging case. They also possess the ability to instantly pair with your iPhone or automatically switch pairing to another of your Apple products the moment you play something on that device. These headphones support hands-free Siri, audio sharing, and the Find My feature on iPhones.You can get these AirPods with or without wireless charging.

However, these AirPods do not support Spatial Audio, ANC mode, and Transparency mode.

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Best Apple iPad Deals

Like the iPhone experience but want a bigger screen from time to time? The iPad is the way to go. Check out the best iPad deals we could find below.

Apple iPad Air 5

iPad Air 5th-generation. Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

The new iPad Air 5 (2022) sports a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating. The iPad Air also comes with Apple’s M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and stereo speakers. For image capturing and video calls, it has a 12MP wide-angle primary camera on the back and a 12MP FaceTime Camera. Touch ID and Apple Pay offer secure login and payment. This iPad Air works with an Apple pencil and magic keyboard.

The Touch ID is built into the top button, allowing app sign in and secure payments with your fingerprint. The iPad Air 5 comes in five colors: Blue, Purple, Pink, Starlight, and Space grey. The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera enables Center Stage, a feature that ensures the camera automatically pans to keep you centered in the shot even as you move around. The view expands or zooms in when others leave the frame or join in. This feature makes content creation easier and more enjoyable and can also help video calls feel more natural.

The 12MP wide back camera is great for taking crisp photos and making 4k videos. Connection to drives, docks, cameras, and other devices is by means of USB-C, which has up to 2x faster transfer speeds than the previous generation. This makes sending/transfer of large files easier and faster than it’s ever been.

2022 Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) - Purple (5th Generation)

Apple iPad Mini 6

The stunning display on the Apple iPad Mini 2021. Image source: Christian de Looper for BGR

Apple’s 6th generation compact tablet packs an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, and Apple pencil support Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support. There’s a 12MP wide-angle back camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front, Touch ID, and Apple Pay. The iPad Mini comes in four colors: Starlight, Purple, Space Gray, and Pink.

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (M1, 2021)

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (M1, 2021). Image source: Apple

The 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro is Apple’s most powerful tablet yet. It has one of the best screens ever made when it comes to color accuracy, contrast, and brightness! It also packs as much power as a desktop PC with its M1 chip. The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display delivers true-to-life detail with a 1,000,000: 1 contrast ratio, making it perfect for watching your favorite movies and shows and viewing and editing HDR photos and videos. The iPad Pro also utilizes advanced display technologies such as ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color.

This iPad Pro (M1, 2021) is equipped with a remarkable array of speakers, with drivers in all four corners, which adjust their output depending on the device’s orientation to give the best balance and produce a solid stereo effect. The iPad Pro works perfectly with the second-generation apple pencil and the magic keyboard.

2021 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) - Silver

Best Apple iPhone Deals

Apple iPhone SE 3rd Generation

iPhone SE 3rd Generation. Image source: Apple

The iPhone SE packs a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, dual-camera system, A15 Bionic 6-core chip, 128GB of storage, 12MP camera, and 5G support. This is all protected by a sleek, glass aluminum design. iPhone SE comes in three colors: Starlight, Midnight, and PRODUCT(RED)

The iPhone SE is now available in the Apple store. You can save between $110 and $700 when you trade in an iPhone 8 or a newer model iPhone with Apple’s trade-in program. Check this deal out here:

Apple iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 13. Image source: Apple

The iPhone 13 was released in October 2021. It has a longer battery life, improved camera hardware, a more visible screen outdoors, and a larger base storage option of 128GB compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 12. It boasts a super-fast A-15 bionic chip, 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display, and is water-resistant.

A new Apple iPhone feature for this year is ‘Photographic Styles.’ This allows you to fine-tune the processing carried out on your images and make it more to your taste. The five standard presets that come with this feature are: Standard, Rich Contrast, Vibrant, Warm, and Cool. There is room for you to customize within these presets by means of two sliders marked ‘Warmth’ and ‘Tone.’

Apple iPhone 13 (256 GB, Green) [Locked] + Carrier Subscription

Apple iPhone 12

Apple iPhone 12. Image source: Apple

The iPhone 12 was released in October 2021. The iPhone 12’s wide and ultra-wide 12MP front cameras will suit most of your photographic needs. It’ll shoot 4K video at 60fps and has the same A14 Bionic chip as its more expensive siblings in the same Generation.

It comes in five colors: Purple, Green, Blue, White, Black, and PRODUCT(RED).

FAQs

How do I get the best Apple deals?

• Buy certified refurbished products.

• Buy second-hand.

• Shop the previous Generation of Apple products.

• Get an education discount.

• Shop Apple deals on Macs

• Use the military and veteran discount.

• Trade-in your old device.

• Shop Apple’s back-to-school sale.

Does Apple have back-to-school deals?

Yes. Apple holds a back-to-school promotion known as the Higher Education Offer. This promotion holds yearly, and a free product (usually AirPods) is given away with qualifying purchases.

Can you negotiate with Apple?

No, you cannot negotiate with Apple store employees. Apple store employees can only apply qualified discounts (business, educational, government, etc.) and price-match competitors to a certain percentage on models with the same SKU.

When to get the best deals in Apple?

You can get the best Apple deals on huge annual sales days/ timeframes like Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and Prime Day. Regardless, it is possible to find excellent discounts on Apple products throughout the year. This article is a compilation of all the best apple deals for June 2022.

Does Apple ever go on sale?

Apple isn’t known to announce their sales. However, you can get discounts on products shopped in the Apple store and even online. A good tip is to use your Apple card and purchase Apple gift cards at stores where they are sold at discounted prices.

Will Apple give free Airpods again?

Apple offers free Airpods to Students and Teachers that bought an iPad or Macbook in its back-to-school sale. But that offer elapsed in March 2022.

Is it better to buy at Apple or Best Buy?

Neither! There’s virtually no difference in the prices of Apple products between Apple stores and Best Buy. While Best Buy always seems to have the best Apple deals, it is still just a retailer of Apple products. The only possible advantage of Best Buy would be the availability of multiple physical stores.

The post Best Apple deals for June 2022 appeared first on BGR.

Battery life remains one of the most important factors when buying a new smartphone, and the iPhone is no exception. The iPhone 13 achieved something unexpected, with the Pro Max version delivering the best life of any 2021 smartphone. And there’s no 2022 handset to outperform it. With that in mind, we expect iPhone 14 models to deliver same-or-better battery life. But the iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t necessarily have to be the new battery life king now that a different Max will come into the picture.

The iPhone 14 battery leak

A report a few days ago suggested that the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro would have slightly larger batteries than their predecessor. This indicates that both devices will feature similar battery life to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, if not better.

The same leak said the iPhone 14 Pro Max would have a slightly smaller battery than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. We’re looking at 4,323 mAh vs. 4,352 mAh, respectively. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Max has no predecessor, so there’s no way to compare it to a previous model.

But the new 6.7-inch device will have a 4,325 mAh battery, according to the same leak. That’s barely larger than the iPhone 14 Pro Max but smaller than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The iPhone XR exception

Naturally, we expect the best iPhone to offer the best possible battery life. This year, the best iPhone will be the iPhone 14 Pro Max. That’s because Apple is going for a significant differentiation between the non-Pro and Pro models. But the existence of the iPhone 14 Max might complicate things.

There is precedent for the best new iPhone not delivering the best battery life: The 2018 iPhone XS/XR series. That was the last iPhone generation where a “Pro” model was smaller than the cheapest model. The iPhone XS featured a 5.8-inch screen compared to 6.1-inch for the XR. The following year, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 got 6.1-inch screens.

But what’s important here is that the iPhone XR offers better battery life than the XS models.

Battery life estimates: iPhone XS Max vs. iPhone XR vs. iPhone XS. Image source: Apple Inc.

iPhone 14 Max internal design

To understand why the iPhone 14 Max might feature better battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, we also have to consider the internal design. And we’re going to look at another exception.

Apple’s iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro might have the same size but feature different battery capacities. The iPhone 13 has a 3,227 mAh battery compared to 3,095 mAh for the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro. That’s because Apple used different internal layouts for the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 phones.

The iPhone 13 has a traditional battery, like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Those devices featured the same battery size, by the way. But the iPhone 13 Pro gets a more compact logic board that makes room for the L-shaped battery life seen in the following images.

Battery design: iPhone 13 (I shape) vs. iPhone 13 Pro (L shape) Image source: iFixit | Image source: iFixit

Similarly, the iPhone 13 Pro Max features an L-shaped battery life, as seen in the following image. But because the iPhone 13 Pro Max is much larger, Apple has more internal space to fill with extra battery capacity. That’s how we end up with record-breaking battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 Pro phones will likely keep the L-shaped batteries in place. Because the iPhone 14 Max is just as large as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the former will probably get an L-shaped battery of its own. What’s different, though, is that the regular Max has only two rear cameras. That means Apple has even more space for the battery. And that explains the battery leak.

Even if the leak isn’t accurate, the iPhone 14 Max should still have a slightly larger battery than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

iPhone 13 Pro Max battery design. Image source: iFixit

One more thing

With that in mind, the iPhone 14 Max might get a slightly better battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. At least in real-life tests.

But there’s one crucial thing to take into account. It’s not just size that matters here. Power efficiency is also essential, and the iPhone 14 Pros will have two big advantages over the iPhone 14 Max. First, the iPhone 14 Pro versions will get the more efficient A16 Bionic chip.

Secondly, the Pro phones will get ProMotion displays. That’s support for dynamic refresh rates that could go even lower this year, down to 1Hz. The iPhone 13 Pros have screens that adjust the refresh between 10Hz and 120Hz.

You can see the advantage of dynamically adjusting refresh rates in the battery estimates below. The same-size iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro offer significant battery life differences. That’s even though the former has a slightly larger battery than the second. Last year’s phones all feature the same A15 Bionic chip, therefore the same processor efficiency.

Battery life estimates: iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 13 Pro. Image source: Apple Inc.

With that in mind, the iPhone 14 Max (static 60Hz refresh rate) might consume more energy than the iPhone 14 Pro Max (ProMotion).

But there’s another big twist this year. The iPhone 14 Pro models will reportedly get always-on displays to take advantage of that 1Hz refresh rate. Even so, always-on screens consume power when displaying that information. That means the iPhone 14 Max might have a chance of getting better battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

All of this is speculation, however. But it’s all based on the most recent iPhone 14 rumors.

More iPhone coverage: For more iPhone news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

The post Which of Apple’s iPhone 14 models will have the best battery life? appeared first on BGR.

Apple’s stunning M1 iMac is finally back in stock, and there are iMac and Mac mini price discounts on Amazon. The new iMac is Apple’s most powerful model ever, and prices start at $1,229 while it’s on sale. Considering the specs and performance you get with this killer all-in-one desktop computer, that price is actually quite reasonable.

Of course, if you want the most powerful new M1 iMac model you’re going to need to spend at least $1,649, so things get pricey pretty quickly. Luckily, the iMac isn’t the only computer powered by Apple’s lightning-fast M1 chipset. And if you choose the M1 Mac mini instead, you’ll pay Amazon’s lowest price of the year right now!

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

Three new M1 Mac computers were released by Apple at first, and they all packed the groundbreaking new M1 processor. The M1 MacBook Pro has been on sale for a while now at Amazon, and you can still save $100 on the 256GB version. That deal matches the lowest prices of 2022 so far, so you really can’t go wrong.

But if you’re looking for a desktop instead of a laptop and you don’t need the all-in-one form factor from the iMac, you can get the same lightning-fast performance at a fraction of the price.

Amazon is currently discounting Apple’s white-hot M1 Mac mini by up to $140. That’s the lowest Mac mini price of all time on Amazon!

Mac Mini price discount at Amazon

There is really no question whatsoever that Apple blew people’s minds when it unveiled its new M1 chipset. The first three new Mac computers powered by the M1 were incredible as well.

If you really think about it, nearly every last detail surrounding the iPhone 12 leaked long before Apple’s launch event. With that in mind, the M1 unveiling might have been Apple’s most exciting event of 2020.

The Mac is exciting again!

Apple’s M1 is lightning-fast and packed full of technology that makes many rival processors look ancient by comparison. Early adopters have been blown away by the M1’s performance. And now, you have the opportunity to save some money when you score one for yourself.

The next-gen M1 MacBook Pro has been on sale at a discount for a while over at Amazon, and you can still save a whopping $150 on either size if you grab one today. But now, in addition to that fantastic deal, you can also save a bunch of money on Apple’s most compact M1-powered desktop computer. We’re obviously talking about the M1 Mac mini, and both storage options are currently on sale at Amazon.

Amazon has been discounting the new Mac mini with 256GB of SSD storage for a while now, though $30 off was the best you could hope to get. That changes now, however.

Head over to Amazon and you’ll see a new, deeper discount. Grab one before they sell out (again) and you’ll save $50 off Apple’s retail price. That means you can get all the power of the class-leading M1 processor for just $649!

Of note, the larger 512GB capacity Mac mini model also has a discount right now. Unfortunately, it’s nowhere near as big as the discount on the 256GB model.

This is the best deal we’ve seen for this model so far in 2022.

There’s no telling when Amazon plans to close the door on this special sale, so get in on the action before it’s too late. This is Amazon’s best Mac Mini price of the year.

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)

Mac mini fast facts

Amazon’s Mac mini price discount is a great reason to finally pick one up. Here are some key details to keep in mind:

• The new Mac mini is among the first computers in the world to be powered by Apple’s own M1 chipset
• M1 provides a massive leap in CPU and GPU performance, as well as offering unrivaled machine learning capabilities
• Apple’s M1 SoC offers 3x faster CPU performance and 6x faster graphics than comparable PC chips
• Work faster and play harder than ever before
• A 16-core neural engine powers advanced machine learning
• 8GB of RAM and a superfast SSD with either 256GB or 512GB of storage
• Instant-on capability wakes your computer from sleep at lightning speed
• An advanced cooling system ensures that there are no drop-offs in performance
• Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 enables the fastest possible wireless connection
• Includes 2 Thunderbolt / USB C ports, 1 HDMI port, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 Gigabit Ethernet port
  

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)

Go here to see this month’s best deals online!

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The humble Mac Mini has long been loved as the way to get a decently powerful Mac experience, without having to shell out for a full laptop or an all-in-one. The computer got the M1 treatment in 2019, alongside the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. But now, finally, it looks like it’ll get that latest-generation redesign we’ve been waiting for, in 2022.

The new Mac Mini will likely not only offer a redesign, but will get more powerful too. Many expect the new Mac to come with an M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, but it could also come with an M2 chip instead — the same chip that features in the new MacBook Air. Some newer rumors even indicate that there will be a few different models of the Mac Mini.

Here’s everything we know about the next Mac Mini so far.

2022 Mac Mini design

The new Mac Mini is likely to offer a new design that makes it slimmer than ever before. That’s on-trend — the original Mac Mini was around two inches tall, and the current model is 1.4 inches. According to leaker Jon Prosser, the new Mac Mini may be less than an inch tall.

Generally, the Mac Mini will likely still look like a Mac Mini. For example, it will probably still offer a square build. That said, Prosser notes that it may have a plexiglass top, and could even come in different colors, like the new iMac and the rumored new MacBook Air. The design may look like an old-school Apple TV combined with a Mac Mini.

2022 Mac Mini price and availability

So when will the 2022 Mac Mini be released? Well, we don’t know yet, but we have some ideas. The new computer didn’t show at Apple’s spring hardware event, where the Mac Studio was unveiled, nor did it show up at WWDC. Apple could wait for October, which is when it released the revamped MacBook Pro last year.

Pricing is even less clear. The current-generation model starts at $699, which may end up being the price of the new lower-end model. The higher-end model, obviously, will cost more, but we don’t yet know exactly how much more.

2022 Mac Mini ports

Renders of Apple’s new 2021 Mac mini. Image source: Jon Prosser/RendersbyIan

On the back, the new Mac Mini will likely offer a host of modern ports. Reportedly, the device will offer four Thunderbolt ports (up from two on the current-gen model). That’s along with a HDMI port, an ethernet port, and a power input that’s similar to that on the new iMac.

Of course, all of this is subject to change. It’s possible that Apple could release different models with varying numbers and types of ports, so we’ll have to wait and see. Notably, it remains to be seen if Apple will add an SD card slot, like on the MacBook Pro, and USB-A ports. In August, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the new Mac Mini would offer an “updated design and more ports than the current model.”

2022 Mac Mini specs

Perhaps the most interesting part of the new Mac Mini will be what it offers under the hood.

There’s little question that the new Mac Mini will offer improved specs over the current-generation M1 Mac Mini. Some reports, however, indicate that the new device will offer either an M1 Pro or M1 Max, while others suggest that it will instead have the same M2 chip that comes in the new MacBook Air.

Latest reports from Mark Gurman, however, note that all three might be true. According to Gurman, Apple will release a lower-end M2 Mac Mini, along with a higher-end M1 Pro/M1 Max Mac Mini.

The M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro offers up to 64GB of RAM, and it’s likely the new Mac Mini will have the same RAM options. Storage amounts could also range up to 2TB.

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Apple unveiled the M2 Series-on-Chip (SoC) at WWDC 2022 earlier this month, announcing two new MacBooks that are powered by the new processor. That’s the 2022 MacBook Pro and 2022 MacBook Air models unveiled at the show. Apple focused more on the latter, as the company gave the Air lineup a massive makeover this year. But the MacBook Pro is the first new M2 Apple laptop to hit stores. Preorders started a few days ago, and the first M2 MacBook Pro reviews are already in.

The consensus is that the M2 MacBook Pro does keep Apple’s promises. The reviews show that the M2 chip is significantly faster than the M1 SoC from late 2020. But aside from the speed and efficiency gains, the 2022 MacBook Pro still rocks the same “old” MacBook design.

In the review roundup that follows, you’ll get an idea of what to expect from the M2 processor in terms of performance and battery life improvements.

M2 MacBook Pro reviews

CNET

Dan Ackerman for CNET:

In fact, it looks just like the 13-inch MacBook Pro that was part of Apple’s first wave of M1-chip Macs in late 2020. Same body, same camera, same limited ports, same Touch Bar. Yes, this remains the last holdout of the Apple Touch Bar, a clever-but-underused second screen that’s fallen out of favor.

And that’s exactly what this system is: The 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, with the initial M1 chip swapped out for the new M2 chip. That makes it Apple’s most powerful 13-inch laptop, and it will probably edge out the otherwise similar new M2 MacBook Air because its active cooling allows it to run at higher temperatures.

It’s the smallest MacBook with the longest battery life (at least until we test the new Air model).

CNET’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Engadget

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget:

Our review unit, which featured the M2 chip (10 GPU cores) with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, was noticeably faster in just about every benchmark. It scored almost 9,000 points in Geekbench 5’s multi-core test, whereas the M1 MacBook Pro was closer to 7,000 points. The M2 chip also blew away the M1 in Geekbench’s Compute benchmark, as well as Cinebench R23, where it scored 1,300 points higher than the M1 machine. The performance bump isn’t enough to dump the M1 MacBook Pro if you’ve already bought one, but it’s still nice to see Apple make some decent gains with its sequel chip.

The battery life is also solid, lasting more than 17 hours in our benchmark. If you didn’t know what you were missing from the other MacBooks on the market, then I’m sure you’d be happy with the M2 MacBook Pro.

Engadget’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Apple’s M2 MacBook Pro preorders opened on June 17th. Image source: Apple Inc.

Gizmodo

Gizmodo for MacRumors:

Our tests confirmed [Apple’s] claims, with the M2 chip propelling the MacBook Pro 13 to a Geekbench 5 score of 8,603, or about 15.2% above the previous model (7,470). While nowhere near the MacBook Pro 14 (12,663) with M1 Max or the beefier Intel chips found in gaming laptops like the Asus Zephyrus G14 (9,830), the MacBook Pro outmuscled peers like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (6,643) and Lenovo Yoga 9i (7,259) with the latest Intel Core i7-1260P.

Price aside, the best reason to buy the MacBook Pro 13 over the more expensive models is for its record-breaking battery life. The thing just doesn’t die. In fact, the battery dripped so slowly that I had to stop our test to complete this review in time for the embargo. I’m going to rerun the test and update this article with more definitive results soon.

Gizmodo’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Macworld

Roman Loyola for Macworld:

When it comes to performance claims, Apple doesn’t usually exaggerate its numbers. The company claims an 18 percent improvement in general CPU performance for the M2 over the M1, so to test this we used Geekbench 5, a popular benchmark for gauging a system’s overall performance. In the multi-core CPU test, we are able to confirm Apple’s 18 percent claim. The single-core CPU test showed a lower 13 percent increase for the M2.

The M2 MacBook Pro is 10 percent slower than the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 10-core M1 Pro–as far as general-purpose performance goes, that’s actually noteworthy for the M2 MacBook Pro.

Macworld’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Apple slide showing the M2 CPU performance upgrade over the M1. Image source: Apple Inc.

South China Morning Post

Ben Sin for South China Morning Post:

The new MacBook Pro’s M2 chip is powerful and battery life and performance are superb, making the laptop a great tool for digital nomads and content creators

In the benchmark app Geekbench 5, the M2 scored roughly the same as a similarly priced Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro with the newest 12th-generation Intel i7 processor. But where the M2 really stands out is in efficiency, requiring significantly less power than comparable Intel chips to generate the same performance. This results in excellent battery life: for basic productivity uses, the M2 MacBook Pro can last well over 10 hours on a single charge. Heavier tasks, like a two-hour video editing session, drained only 35 per cent of the battery.

South China Morning Post’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Stuff

Craig Grannell for Stuff:

In terms of raw benchmarking, we found it edged ahead of the entire M1 line in some single-core tests, and sat somewhere between an M1 and M1 Pro in multi-core performance. In the real world, this meant our 16GB review unit happily blazed through image editing and audio work, along with more mundane tasks.

We found it easily got through a day with typical workloads. It also offers more juice in the tank than the upcoming M2 MacBook Air, if that’s a priority for you.

Stuff’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Features of the first M2-powered MacBook Air. Image source: Apple

The Street

Jacob Krol for The Street:

Unlike when M1 first hit the scene, many of these — and likely the applications you’d find yourself using — are all optimized for Apple Silicon with versions designed for the operating system. And still, when you see an application that isn’t yet optimized, Rossetta kicks in to let that Intel-optimized application run on this Mac. This is a key area where the M2 chip kicks some butt in speed. It can make an Intel application open near instantly, whereas the M1 takes a few seconds to get the ball moving.

Notably, our battery test beat the promised 20 hours of video playback that Apple was promising. In our testing, the 13-inch MacBook Pro lasted for 23 hours and 15 minutes with a 4K playback test. I also set the brightness to 50% and turned off connectivity during the playback. It’s quite impressive, and in day-to-day use, it’s tough to make the MacBook Pro die.

The Street’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

The Verge

Monica Chin for The Verge:

In CPU results — Geekbench, Cinebench, the Xcode benchmark, etc. — the results we’re seeing are somewhat better than the M1. In GPU tests, including some games, the results are substantially better. That means gaming is much better.

The M2 did edge out the pricier M1 Pro in the single-core benchmarks I ran. That’s impressive in itself (it indicates that though the M1 Pro has more power cores than the M2 does, those cores aren’t as strong as the M2’s power cores on an individual level). But it also bodes well for the M2 Pro, Max, and Ultra variants that we’ll presumably see down the line; they’ll likely display single-core speed improvements over their M1-based predecessors, rather than just loading on more cores.

Now, there is one way in which the MacBook Pro with M2 does have a significant advantage over the more expensive machines: battery life. This M2 MacBook Pro does not die. I have never said this about a laptop before: I was not able to fully run it down during my testing period. I can tell you that I’ve been able to run it well past 10 and a half hours, which is when the 14-inch M1 Pro device was dying when I reviewed that last year with this same workload.

The Verge’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

Wired

Brenda Stolyar for Wired:

The M2 performed well. Most of the time, I didn’t run into any hiccups. On busier days, when I had about 20 tabs open on Google Chrome and multiple apps running in the background simultaneously, it felt a bit sluggish; there was some lag when switching between tabs and windows, and I managed to trigger the dreaded rainbow wheel a few times.

It’s a perplexing addition to the MacBook lineup. Yes, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro works just fine. Its performance is great and battery life is reliable; the Butterfly keys that caused so many problems are long gone. It’s the only MacBook in the entire lineup that keeps the Touch Bar (er, if you like that). But for $1,299, I think it’s fair to expect more from Apple.

Wired’s M2 MacBook Pro review is available here.

More Apple coverage: For more Apple news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

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Apple’s brand new processor

The M1 SoC was an instant hit for Apple. The processor performed just as well as Apple claimed and delivered spectacular battery life. The M1 shocked Intel, prompting the chipmaker to harass MacBooks with Apple chips in a months-long ad campaign last year.

While Intel and Qualcomm are yet to catch up to the M1, Apple is marching forward with the next generation. The M2 further builds on that, with Apple detailing the new processor on stage at WWDC 2022.

Apple slide showing the M2 CPU performance upgrade over the M1. Image source: Apple Inc.

Apple did not offer benchmark results for the M2 chip during the show. That’s not how Apple does things. But the company said the M2 will deliver 18% faster CPU performance than the M1 while consuming the same amount of power.

The GPU got a bump to 10 cores in the M2, which translates to 35% higher performance than M1 at maximum power.

Apple also said the M2 also outperforms the PC chips when it comes to efficient performance. That is, the new Apple processor delivers top performance at reduced power consumption compared to PCs.

Apple M2 processor benchmarks leaked. Image source: Geekbench

The first leaked Apple M2 benchmarks seem to confirm Apple’s claims. They indicate the M2 is 20% faster than the M1 when it comes to multi-core tests in Geekbench 5. We’re most likely looking at the scores for the M2 MacBook Pro laptop, which goes on sale online on Friday.

First Apple M2 benchmarks leak

The 2022 M2 is clocked higher than the 2020 M1, at 3.49GHz compared to 3.2GHz for the first-gen SoC. The new Apple processor scored 1919 and 8928 in single-core and multi-core tests. That’s a 12% bump over the M1’s 1707 single-core score, per MacRumors. And up to 20% faster than the M1’s 7419 multi-core score.

The M1 benchmarks can vary slightly, as seen in the following image. But the same goes for Apple’s M2 processor.

Furthermore, the M2 scored 30627 in the Metal benchmark, compared to the 21001 score of the M1. This is a GPU benchmark that highlights Apple’s significant graphics performance boost for the new M-series SoC.

Benchmark comparison between Apple’s M1 and M2 chips. Image source: Geekbench

However, you should remember that not all M2 processors will be the same. The base M2 MacBook Air model ships with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU inside that M2 SoC. The better M2 version rocks a 10-core GPU. This model will power the M2 MacBook Pro and a more expensive version of the M2 Air.

That’s to say that CPU performance will be uniform, although the M2 Pro can sustain peak performance for a longer time as it comes to active cooling. The GPU performance will be better on the 10-core models — again, the M2 Pro’s active cooling will help.

We expect even more M2 benchmarks and performance comparisons once the M2 MacBooks start selling. But the leaked scores should be enough to convince you to upgrade.

More Apple coverage: For more Apple news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

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Apple unveiled two new MacBooks at WWDC 2022. The brand-new M2 MacBook Air is coming in July with a fresh design and a lot more power. But you can get that same power in the M2 MacBook Pro that uses the Touch Bar design on Friday. If you aren’t ready to upgrade your MacBooks, be aware that Apple is working on brand new devices for the coming months. Some of the upcoming products include a 15-inch MacBook Air that might get a mid-2023 release date.

Soon after WWDC, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in a report that Apple is working on brand new computers on top of the expected MacBook Pro refresh coming in late 2022.

It’s in that report that Gurman mentioned new screen sizes for MacBooks and iPads. The insider said Apple has been working on a 15-inch MacBook Air and a 14-inch iPad pro. Finally, Gurman noted that Apple might be looking to resurrect the 12-inch MacBook size, which it killed a few years ago.

Central to Apple’s plans is the M-series System-on-Chip (SoC). The M-series made waves from the first generation. The M1 speed and battery life rejuvenated MacBook sales while sending rivals into panic mode. Intel and Qualcomm are yet to release M1 alternatives, and Apple is already on M2.

The power and energy efficiency that Apple can offer with these chips explain why Apple can afford to create all sorts of MacBook and iPad sizes for them.

The first M2-powered MacBook Air. Image source: Apple

New release estimates for the 15-inch MacBook Air

The SoC let Apple create fanless laptops that can be much thinner than before. And the M-series chips blur the lines between the Air and Pro series. A 15-inch MacBook Air could feature the same design as the 13.6-inch Air model and offer the same power as the new M2 MacBook Pro.

Or it could be even more powerful if Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions come true. The well-known analyst took to Twitter to update one of his tweets from mid-March.

At the time, Kuo said that the 15-inch MacBook would go into mass production in the fourth quarter of 2023. He also said the laptop might be called the MacBook Air, with Apple aiming to use a 30W charger, just like the Air.

In his new tweet, Kuo claims that the 15-inch MacBook will hit production a lot earlier, in the middle of the first half of 2023. Apple could then release the 15-inch MacBook in the second quarter of 2023 at the earliest.

The insider also noted that Apple might release the 15-inch MacBook in two chip variants. The M2 model will come with a 35W adapter, while the M2 Pro will ship with a 67W charger. The M2 Pro is likely one of the SoC models that will power the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models coming later this year.

Finally, the leaker said he didn’t hear of any plans for the 12-inch MacBook.

More Apple coverage: For more Apple news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

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Earlier this year, rumors suggested that Apple would refresh the entry-level MacBook Pro, and Apple delivered. The company announced the M2 MacBook Pro at WWDC 2022, although the brand new M2 MacBook Air got most of the attention. That’s because the 2022 Air also comes with an exciting new design, whereas the M2 MacBook Pro still uses the Touch Bar design. Apple did not reveal preorder dates or release dates for the M2 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air at the event, listing only the entry prices for these laptops.

Buyers looking forward to one of the new M2-powered MacBooks should know that Apple just announced launch details for the entry-level Pro.

Preorder and release date details

Preorders start on June 17th, with the cheapest M2 MacBook Pro retailing for $1,299. You can save $100 by taking advantage of Apple’s education pricing.

Apple also announced the release date for the M2 MacBook Pro. The laptop will ship to buyers and start selling in stores on June 24th, a week after preorders start. That’s a typical Apple product launch right there. Preorders begin on a Friday, while the in-store launch happens a week later.

Apple is yet to announce the preorder and release date for the M2 MacBook Air. But we know the laptop is coming at some point in July.

The new COVID-19 lockdowns in China impacted Apple’s supply chain and production. The MacBook took the biggest hit of all of Apple’s products. That explains Apple’s inability to ship the new M2 MacBooks right after WWDC.

Apple’s M2 MacBook Pro preorders open on June 17th. Image source: Apple Inc.

The $1,299 price for the M2 MacBook Pro is much better than the $1,999 starting price for the M1 Pro MacBook Pro. You get Apple’s brand new chip that delivers solid performance and excellent battery life for $1,299. That extra $700 gets you the new MacBook Pro design: more ports, MagSafe charging, and even more performance.

What’s the difference between the M2 MacBook Pro and M2 MacBook Air?

But placing a preorder for the M2 MacBook Pro on Friday might not be as simple if you compare the new Pro with the M2 MacBook Air.

Starting with the 2020 refresh, the MacBook Air has offered similar performance to the same-year MacBook Pro. The 2020 MacBook Air and Pro both had the same M1 chip inside. Similarly, the M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro come with the same next-gen processor.

Technically, the $1,299 2022 MacBook Air has a distinct M2 System-on-Chip (SoC). It includes an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. You get a different M2 variant in the MacBook Pro for the same price: 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. You’d have to pay $1,499 to have the same chip inside the new MacBook Air. But that price bump also doubles the storage.

With that in mind, it might seem like a bad idea to preorder the M2 MacBook Pro this week instead of waiting for the new Air. You could score a brand new design and MagSafe charging support for the same price. And the $1,299 MacBook Air will still support formidable performance.

The one advantage the M2 MacBook Pro has over the M2 MacBook Air is active cooling. That means the Pro can sustain more extended peak performance than the Air. Buyers who care about this particular deal but don’t necessarily want to spend more money for the M1 Pro/Max performance should preorder the M2 MacBook Pro over the new Air.

More Apple coverage: For more Apple news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

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Rumors that Intel will release its next generation of desktops have been stirring. But, if these new i9-13900 benchmark leaks are anything to go off, the new Intel CPUs might have a problem beating out AMD.

i9-13900 benchmark leaks suggest AMD could overpower Intel with next-gen CPUs

11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake-H mobile chip for laptops. Image source: Intel

Benchmarks for the i9-13900 have appeared in the SiSoftware Sandra benchmark database. VideoCardz originally spotted the leak, noting that the CPU is marked to feature 24 cores with 32 threads. Those cores are split into eight performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. That’s double the number of efficiency cores of last year’s i9-12900.

Additionally, the i9-13900 benchmark leaks suggest the next generation of Intel CPUs will offer a 20% larger L3 cache. It’s also based on an enhanced 10-nanometer process and will support faster DDR5 memory that tops out at 5600MT/s. Previously generations only supported up to 4800 MT/s.

According to the leaked specs, the next-gen CPUs will deliver significant gains over the current generation of Intel processors. Based on the numbers that SiSoftware shared, the flagship chip should manage 33 to 55 percent faster speeds than the current generation. Of course, take these numbers with a grain of salt, as leaks may or may not tell the entire story.

Beating out Zen 3

New Intel CPUs may beat out Zen 3, but Zen 4 is believed to bring new levels of performance to desktop CPUs. Image source: AMD

Based on the data, the Intel i9-13900 benchmark leaks seem to point towards the next-gen CPU beating out AMD’s Zen 3. However, AMD’s Zen 4 is meant to offer significant gains over the Zen 3. As such, Intel could be in trouble when it comes to keeping up with AMD in the future.

The numbers also note that the chip runs with a maximum of 3.7 GHz for the performance cores and 2.76 GHz for the efficiency cores. This is significantly lower than the 5.0 GHz performance cores and 3.8 GHz efficiency cores of the Alder Lake. However, the numbers still show that it performed better than AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X processor (Zen 3).

What’s important to really note here is that Intel’s 13th-generation chips won’t move the needle very much in tests. Even if the numbers here change a bit with official benchmarks, they still might be disappointing. Still, getting a look at early i9-13900 benchmark leaks is exciting. Especially if you prefer sticking with Intel CPUs in your PCs.

But, if you’re looking for maximum performance in next-generation CPUs, it looks like AMD might have a leg up with the Zen 4 chips it has planned.

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