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It is launch day for the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro in the U.S., and same-day pickup is now available at many Apple Store locations across the country. The same is true for many other countries around the world.

To order a product with Apple Store pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the “I’ll pick it up” option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available Apple Store location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.

Same-day Apple Store pickup is not available for custom Mac configurations with upgraded specifications ordered through Apple’s online store.

As we recently reported, Apple’s extended return policy is now in effect for the holiday shopping season. If you purchase a new Mac from Apple between today and December 25, it is eligible for return until January 8 in the U.S. and many other countries.Related Roundups: iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac miniTag: Apple StoreBuyer’s Guide: iMac (Buy Now), MacBook Pro (Buy Now), Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forums: iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac miniThis article, “New Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro Now Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It is launch day for the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro in the U.S., and same-day pickup is now available at many Apple Store locations across the country. The same is true for many other countries around the world.

To order a product with Apple Store pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the “I’ll pick it up” option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available Apple Store location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.

Same-day Apple Store pickup is not available for custom Mac configurations with upgraded specifications ordered through Apple’s online store.

As we recently reported, Apple’s extended return policy is now in effect for the holiday shopping season. If you purchase a new Mac from Apple between today and December 25, it is eligible for return until January 8 in the U.S. and many other countries.

This article, “New Mac Mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro Now Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

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Apple today indicated that its extended return policy is now in effect for the 2024 holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products that Apple sells, but there are a few exceptions, including carrier-financed iPhones.

In the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and many other countries, most products purchased between November 8 and December 25 of this year may be returned through January 8, 2025, according to Apple’s website. All purchases made after December 25 in those countries are subject to Apple’s standard 14-day return policy.

In some countries, such as Italy, Spain, Japan, and Mexico, the return window is slightly longer. Apple says most products purchased in those countries between November 8 and January 6 may be returned through January 20.

Apple has also updated its online “Store” page with gift recommendations for the holidays.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, “Apple’s Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2024 Holiday Season” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple today indicated that its extended return policy is now in effect for the 2024 holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products that Apple sells, but there are a few exceptions, including carrier-financed iPhones.

In the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and many other countries, most products purchased between November 8 and December 25 of this year may be returned through January 8, 2025, according to Apple’s website. All purchases made after December 25 in those countries are subject to Apple’s standard 14-day return policy.

In some countries, such as Italy, Spain, Japan, and Mexico, the return window is slightly longer. Apple says most products purchased in those countries between November 8 and January 6 may be returned through January 20.

Apple has also updated its online “Store” page with gift recommendations for the holidays.

This article, “Apple’s Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2024 Holiday Season” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Read More 

The MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with three distinct models starting at $1,599, $1,999, and $2,499, so which should you choose?

With a range of three similar models in the lineup to choose from, our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these MacBook Pros is best for you. The three models are as follows:

14-Inch MacBook Pro with M4: An entry-level model for users who need a machine that is more powerful and versatile than the MacBook Air.
14-Inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max: A more powerful, high-end model with a choice of performance-focused chips. It comes with higher memory bandwidth, larger quantities of memory, support for additional external displays, and an 8TB storage option, but loses two hours of battery life.
16-Inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max: A model with identical specifications to the 14-inch model with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips, but with a significantly larger display and up to two extra hours of battery life. It also gains High Power Mode to boost performance.

Each ‌MacBook Pro‌ is configurable to add more a more powerful processor and larger quantities of memory and storage. Read on for a detailed break down of all of the differences between the three ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌
(With M4)
14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌
(With M4 Pro and M4 Max)
16-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌

14.2-inch display
14.2-inch display
16.2-inch display

0.61 inches thick (1.55 cm)
0.61 inches thick (1.55 cm)
0.66 inches thick (1.68 cm)

Weighs 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg)
M4 Pro: Weighs 3.5 pounds (1.61 kg)
M4 Max: Weighs 3.6 pounds (1.62 kg)
M4 Pro: Weighs 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg)
M4 Max: Weighs 4.8 pounds (2.16 kg)

Configurations start with M4 with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU
Configurations start with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU
Configurations start with M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU

High Power Mode to boost M4 Max performance
High Power Mode to boost M4 Max performance

120GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Pro: 273GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Max: 546GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Pro: 273GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Max: 546GB/s memory bandwidth

16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory
M4 Pro: 24GB or 48GB unified memory
M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB unified memory
M4 Pro: 24GB or 48GB unified memory
M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB unified memory

Support for two external displays
M4 Pro: Support for two external displays
M4 Max: Support for up to four external displays
M4 Pro: Support for two external displays
M4 Max: Support for up to four external displays

Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports

Fast charging over MagSafe 3 or USB-C port
Fast charging over ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C port
Fast charging over ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C port (with 240W cable only)

Up to 24-hour battery life
M4 Pro: Up to 22-hour battery life
M4 Max: Up to 18-hour battery life
M4 Pro: Up to 24-hour battery life
M4 Max: Up to 21-hour battery life

Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

70W USB-C Power Adapter
70W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU) or 96W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 14-core CPU or M4 Max, configurable with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU)
140W USB-C Power Adapter

512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB storage
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB storage

Starts at $1,599
Starts at $1,999
Starts at $2,499

Display Size
The ‌MacBook Pro‌ is offered in 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch display sizes. The 16.2-inch display is a better replacement for a desktop machine and provides much more screen space to arrange multiple windows and use professional applications that benefit from the additional display area. The 14.2-inch display is still larger than the 13.6-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, and will likely be the best overall balance of needs for most users.

Design
The 16-inch model is, of course, physically larger than the 14-inch model, with a markedly bigger overall footprint. It is also worth noting that the 16-inch model is also 0.13 cm thicker and up to 1.4 pounds (0.64 kg) heavier.

The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is decidedly more portable and comfortable than the 16-inch model to carry around on a daily basis. Though the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ can still fit in larger bags and is an acceptable size for travel, it is a much bigger, heavier machine. If you are considering the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, you should make sure you are comfortable with its size and weight—especially if you plan to use it on the go.

Chip Configurations
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models are equally upgradeable to the M4 Max chip with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, but if you are looking to spend as little as possible or do not need a high level of performance for intense workflows the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is also available with the standard M4 chip. The M4 offers a more balanced processor with more of a focus on efficiency to prolong battery life, which will be more appropriate for users with less demanding requirements. Buyers should be aware that the M4 chip is limited to 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 32GB of memory, 2TB storage, and supports just two external displays.

The base configuration of the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ features an M4 Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, while the base 16-inch model contains an M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU. If you upgrade the 14-inch model to the same M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU that the 16-inch model starts with, it increases to $2,299 – just $300 less than the starting price of the 16-inch model.

For those who are leaning toward buying the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ and want the 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU at a minimum, the slimmer price difference between the two models to just $300 may make it easier to justify getting the larger machine. On the other hand, if you do not need the performance of the M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, the 16-inch model may be overkill, and getting the 14-inch model will be the best way to keep costs down.

High Power Mode
The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips offer a software feature called High Power Mode. When enabled, High Power Mode boosts the machine’s performance to better meet the needs of intensive, sustained workloads.

High Power Mode is designed to optimize and improve performance for resource-intensive tasks, such as color grading 8K ProRes video, according to Apple. When enabled, High Power Mode will de-prioritize resource-hungry system processes in order to leverage the full performance capability of the ‌M4 Max chip. The setting is effectively the opposite of “Low Power Mode,” which aims to decrease system performance in favor of prolonging battery life.

How to Use High Power Mode on MacBook Pro

The M4 and M4 Pro chips do not feature High Power Mode, so if you want the ability to selectively push your processor to its limits, you will need to buy a machine with the M4 Max chip.

Battery Life
Owing to its larger size, the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ contains a larger battery and has longer-lasting battery life. The 14-inch model contains a 72.4-watt-hour battery, while the 16-inch model contains a 100-watt-hour battery.

Apple says the M4 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ can deliver up to 24 hours of battery life when playing back video, but this drops to 18- or 22-hours when configured with the M4 Pro or M4 Max. The 16-inch model features 22-hours of battery life with the M4 Max and 24-hours with the M4 Pro when playing back video. For users who need maximum battery life, the M4 14-inch model or the M4 Pro 16-inch model will be the best options. That being said, the battery life of the other configurations is still good enough for most users.

Charging and Connectivity
The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ uses a 70W or 96W USB-C power adapter for charging, while the 16-inch model comes with a 140W power adapter. Both models support fast charging, but a 96W or higher USB-C power adapter is required. The 96W USB-C power adapter is a $20 option on the base model 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, but it comes as standard with M4 Pro configurations with a 14-core CPU and ones with the M4 Max.

Both models can use the ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C ports to fast charge. They can charge with up to 100W via their USB-C ports, but since the 16-inch model has a larger battery, it is not classified as “fast charging” on this machine.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips features Thunderbolt 5 ports, but the model with the standard M4 chip is limited to Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 4 wired transfers should be more than sufficient for most users, but it is still a difference worth noting.

Final Thoughts
The 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is $500 more than the 14-inch model with the base M4 Pro chip, so you should be sure that you need the additional display area, battery life, and perhaps even High Power Mode support to justify its higher price. That being said, if you upgrade the 14-inch model to the same M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU that the 16-inch model starts with, the price difference shrinks to $300, and it may be worth opting for the larger model—especially if you could take advantage of its longer battery life.

Buyers of the 16-inch model should be aware that it is considerably larger, thicker, and heavier than the 14-inch model, to the extent that it could be needlessly cumbersome to some users. The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is clearly a more portable machine, so if you intend to carry your ‌MacBook Pro‌ around frequently or need the versatility of it easily fitting into a bag for transport, the smaller model is the better option by far.

If you need more than 16GB of memory and are interested in the 14-inch model with the M4 chip, a 24GB memory configuration pushes the price up to $1,799. The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 Pro chip has 24GB of memory as standard and starts at $1,999. In this case, it may be worth spending the extra $200 to gain two extra CPU cores and six extra GPU cores, unless you are particularly concerned about losing two hours of battery life.Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, “14-Inch vs. 16-Inch MacBook Pro Buyer’s Guide 2024” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with three distinct models starting at $1,599, $1,999, and $2,499, so which should you choose?

With a range of three similar models in the lineup to choose from, our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these MacBook Pros is best for you. The three models are as follows:

14-Inch MacBook Pro with M4: An entry-level model for users who need a machine that is more powerful and versatile than the MacBook Air.

14-Inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max: A more powerful, high-end model with a choice of performance-focused chips. It comes with higher memory bandwidth, larger quantities of memory, support for additional external displays, and an 8TB storage option, but loses two hours of battery life.

16-Inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max: A model with identical specifications to the 14-inch model with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips, but with a significantly larger display and up to two extra hours of battery life. It also gains High Power Mode to boost performance.

Each ‌MacBook Pro‌ is configurable to add more a more powerful processor and larger quantities of memory and storage. Read on for a detailed break down of all of the differences between the three ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌

(With M4)

14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌

(With M4 Pro and M4 Max)

16-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌

14.2-inch display

14.2-inch display

16.2-inch display

0.61 inches thick (1.55 cm)

0.61 inches thick (1.55 cm)

0.66 inches thick (1.68 cm)

Weighs 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg)

M4 Pro: Weighs 3.5 pounds (1.61 kg)

M4 Max: Weighs 3.6 pounds (1.62 kg)

M4 Pro: Weighs 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg)

M4 Max: Weighs 4.8 pounds (2.16 kg)

Configurations start with M4 with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU

Configurations start with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU

Configurations start with M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU

High Power Mode to boost M4 Max performance

High Power Mode to boost M4 Max performance

120GB/s memory bandwidth

M4 Pro: 273GB/s memory bandwidth

M4 Max: 546GB/s memory bandwidth

M4 Pro: 273GB/s memory bandwidth

M4 Max: 546GB/s memory bandwidth

16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory

M4 Pro: 24GB or 48GB unified memory

M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB unified memory

M4 Pro: 24GB or 48GB unified memory

M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB unified memory

Support for two external displays

M4 Pro: Support for two external displays

M4 Max: Support for up to four external displays

M4 Pro: Support for two external displays

M4 Max: Support for up to four external displays

Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports

Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports

Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports

Fast charging over MagSafe 3 or USB-C port

Fast charging over ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C port

Fast charging over ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C port (with 240W cable only)

Up to 24-hour battery life

M4 Pro: Up to 22-hour battery life

M4 Max: Up to 18-hour battery life

M4 Pro: Up to 24-hour battery life

M4 Max: Up to 21-hour battery life

Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

70W USB-C Power Adapter

70W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU) or 96W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 14-core CPU or M4 Max, configurable with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU)

140W USB-C Power Adapter

512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage

512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB storage

512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB storage

Starts at $1,599

Starts at $1,999

Starts at $2,499

Display Size

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ is offered in 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch display sizes. The 16.2-inch display is a better replacement for a desktop machine and provides much more screen space to arrange multiple windows and use professional applications that benefit from the additional display area. The 14.2-inch display is still larger than the 13.6-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, and will likely be the best overall balance of needs for most users.

Design

The 16-inch model is, of course, physically larger than the 14-inch model, with a markedly bigger overall footprint. It is also worth noting that the 16-inch model is also 0.13 cm thicker and up to 1.4 pounds (0.64 kg) heavier.

The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is decidedly more portable and comfortable than the 16-inch model to carry around on a daily basis. Though the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ can still fit in larger bags and is an acceptable size for travel, it is a much bigger, heavier machine. If you are considering the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, you should make sure you are comfortable with its size and weight—especially if you plan to use it on the go.

Chip Configurations

Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models are equally upgradeable to the M4 Max chip with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, but if you are looking to spend as little as possible or do not need a high level of performance for intense workflows the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is also available with the standard M4 chip. The M4 offers a more balanced processor with more of a focus on efficiency to prolong battery life, which will be more appropriate for users with less demanding requirements. Buyers should be aware that the M4 chip is limited to 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 32GB of memory, 2TB storage, and supports just two external displays.

The base configuration of the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ features an M4 Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, while the base 16-inch model contains an M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU. If you upgrade the 14-inch model to the same M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU that the 16-inch model starts with, it increases to $2,299 – just $300 less than the starting price of the 16-inch model.

For those who are leaning toward buying the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ and want the 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU at a minimum, the slimmer price difference between the two models to just $300 may make it easier to justify getting the larger machine. On the other hand, if you do not need the performance of the M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, the 16-inch model may be overkill, and getting the 14-inch model will be the best way to keep costs down.

High Power Mode

The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips offer a software feature called High Power Mode. When enabled, High Power Mode boosts the machine’s performance to better meet the needs of intensive, sustained workloads.

High Power Mode is designed to optimize and improve performance for resource-intensive tasks, such as color grading 8K ProRes video, according to Apple. When enabled, High Power Mode will de-prioritize resource-hungry system processes in order to leverage the full performance capability of the ‌M4 Max chip. The setting is effectively the opposite of “Low Power Mode,” which aims to decrease system performance in favor of prolonging battery life.

How to Use High Power Mode on MacBook Pro

The M4 and M4 Pro chips do not feature High Power Mode, so if you want the ability to selectively push your processor to its limits, you will need to buy a machine with the M4 Max chip.

Battery Life

Owing to its larger size, the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ contains a larger battery and has longer-lasting battery life. The 14-inch model contains a 72.4-watt-hour battery, while the 16-inch model contains a 100-watt-hour battery.

Apple says the M4 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ can deliver up to 24 hours of battery life when playing back video, but this drops to 18- or 22-hours when configured with the M4 Pro or M4 Max. The 16-inch model features 22-hours of battery life with the M4 Max and 24-hours with the M4 Pro when playing back video. For users who need maximum battery life, the M4 14-inch model or the M4 Pro 16-inch model will be the best options. That being said, the battery life of the other configurations is still good enough for most users.

Charging and Connectivity

The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ uses a 70W or 96W USB-C power adapter for charging, while the 16-inch model comes with a 140W power adapter. Both models support fast charging, but a 96W or higher USB-C power adapter is required. The 96W USB-C power adapter is a $20 option on the base model 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, but it comes as standard with M4 Pro configurations with a 14-core CPU and ones with the M4 Max.

Both models can use the ‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C ports to fast charge. They can charge with up to 100W via their USB-C ports, but since the 16-inch model has a larger battery, it is not classified as “fast charging” on this machine.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips features Thunderbolt 5 ports, but the model with the standard M4 chip is limited to Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 4 wired transfers should be more than sufficient for most users, but it is still a difference worth noting.

Final Thoughts

The 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is $500 more than the 14-inch model with the base M4 Pro chip, so you should be sure that you need the additional display area, battery life, and perhaps even High Power Mode support to justify its higher price. That being said, if you upgrade the 14-inch model to the same M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU that the 16-inch model starts with, the price difference shrinks to $300, and it may be worth opting for the larger model—especially if you could take advantage of its longer battery life.

Buyers of the 16-inch model should be aware that it is considerably larger, thicker, and heavier than the 14-inch model, to the extent that it could be needlessly cumbersome to some users. The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ is clearly a more portable machine, so if you intend to carry your ‌MacBook Pro‌ around frequently or need the versatility of it easily fitting into a bag for transport, the smaller model is the better option by far.

If you need more than 16GB of memory and are interested in the 14-inch model with the M4 chip, a 24GB memory configuration pushes the price up to $1,799. The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 Pro chip has 24GB of memory as standard and starts at $1,999. In this case, it may be worth spending the extra $200 to gain two extra CPU cores and six extra GPU cores, unless you are particularly concerned about losing two hours of battery life.

This article, “14-Inch vs. 16-Inch MacBook Pro Buyer’s Guide 2024” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

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Amazon today has Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds for the all-time low price of $169.99, down from $249.00. It’s been about a month since we last tracked this price on the AirPods Pro 2, and right now Amazon is the only major retailer with the deal.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you’re looking for deals on other AirPods models, like the new AirPods 4, be sure to check out our guide on the Best Early Black Friday AirPods Deals. Right now you can get the AirPods 4 for $114.00 from Woot, an all-time low price.

$79 OFFAirPods Pro 2 for $169.99

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2024.

Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, “AirPods Pro 2 Hit $169.99 Low Price on Amazon” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Amazon today has Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds for the all-time low price of $169.99, down from $249.00. It’s been about a month since we last tracked this price on the AirPods Pro 2, and right now Amazon is the only major retailer with the deal.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you’re looking for deals on other AirPods models, like the new AirPods 4, be sure to check out our guide on the Best Early Black Friday AirPods Deals. Right now you can get the AirPods 4 for $114.00 from Woot, an all-time low price.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we’re keeping track of all of the season’s best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you’ll find for Black Friday 2024.

This article, “AirPods Pro 2 Hit $169.99 Low Price on Amazon” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Read More 

Apple has returned to using two 128GB storage chips in the new Mac mini with 256GB of storage, according to a partial teardown video shared on social media today. This means the base-model Mac mini with the M4 chip will not have significantly slower SSD speeds compared to higher-end configurations of the computer with 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage, as multiple NAND chips allows for faster SSD read and write speeds.

The teardown video also reveals that storage is modular in the new Mac mini, meaning that it can be easily removed since it is not soldered down. As we saw with the Mac Studio, however, replacing the modular storage is complicated.

The previous-generation Mac mini base model with the M2 chip has a single 256GB storage chip, resulting in 30% to 50% slower SSD read and write speeds compared to higher-capacity models. The slower speeds led to criticism from some customers.

The new Mac mini has modular storage (via iFixit Answers forum)
A single 256GB storage chip also led to slower SSD speeds in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro base models with the M2 chip a few years ago. Apple returned to using two 128GB storage chips in 256GB configurations of MacBook Air models with the M3 chip earlier this year, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro line was discontinued last year and replaced with an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro that starts with 512GB of storage.

The criticism surrounding Apple’s decision to use a single 256GB chip in some base-model Macs a few years ago primarily came from a vocal contingent of tech enthusiasts, and the average customer is unlikely to even notice the slower speeds in common day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, it appears that customers who do want the fastest SSD speeds do not need to worry about which storage capacity they choose when ordering the new Mac mini.Related Roundup: Mac miniTag: TeardownBuyer’s Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, “New Mac Mini Has Modular Storage, 256GB Model Will Have Faster SSD” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple has returned to using two 128GB storage chips in the new Mac mini with 256GB of storage, according to a partial teardown video shared on social media today. This means the base-model Mac mini with the M4 chip will not have significantly slower SSD speeds compared to higher-end configurations of the computer with 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage, as multiple NAND chips allows for faster SSD read and write speeds.

The teardown video also reveals that storage is modular in the new Mac mini, meaning that it can be easily removed since it is not soldered down. As we saw with the Mac Studio, however, replacing the modular storage is complicated.

The previous-generation Mac mini base model with the M2 chip has a single 256GB storage chip, resulting in 30% to 50% slower SSD read and write speeds compared to higher-capacity models. The slower speeds led to criticism from some customers.

A single 256GB storage chip also led to slower SSD speeds in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro base models with the M2 chip a few years ago. Apple returned to using two 128GB storage chips in 256GB configurations of MacBook Air models with the M3 chip earlier this year, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro line was discontinued last year and replaced with an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro that starts with 512GB of storage.

The criticism surrounding Apple’s decision to use a single 256GB chip in some base-model Macs a few years ago primarily came from a vocal contingent of tech enthusiasts, and the average customer is unlikely to even notice the slower speeds in common day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, it appears that customers who do want the fastest SSD speeds do not need to worry about which storage capacity they choose when ordering the new Mac mini.

This article, “New Mac Mini Has Modular Storage, 256GB Model Will Have Faster SSD” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will feature an upgraded main rear camera with a variable aperture for the first time, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple has gradually expanded new camera technologies, such as sensor-shift stabilization, 48-megapixel sensors, and the tetraprism 5x telephoto camera, across its ‌iPhone‌ models in recent years. It now appears that after completing the rear camera array’s transition to 48-megapixel sensors by bringing one to the telephoto camera on next year’s iPhone 17 Pro models, the next significant camera upgrade will be the introduction of a variable aperture.

The information comes from Kuo’s latest post on Medium, where he outlined how upcoming products such as the ‌iPhone 17‌ “Slim,” M5 MacBook Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 18 will affect Apple supplier Sunny Optical. Kuo believes that Sunny Optical and Luxshare will be the primary and secondary shutter suppliers for the ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro’s new main camera, while the variable aperture lens will be supplied by Sunny Optical and Largan Precision.

The iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro’s main cameras feature a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. A variable aperture on future ‌iPhone‌ models would allow the main camera to control the amount of light entering the lens, allowing it to adjust to different lighting conditions. It also would provide more control over depth of field, enabling sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. The ‌iPhone‌ 18 is expected to launch in 2026.Tags: Largan, Luxshare, Ming-Chi KuoThis article, “Variable Aperture Rumored to Bring Major Camera Upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models will feature an upgraded main rear camera with a variable aperture for the first time, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple has gradually expanded new camera technologies, such as sensor-shift stabilization, 48-megapixel sensors, and the tetraprism 5x telephoto camera, across its ‌iPhone‌ models in recent years. It now appears that after completing the rear camera array’s transition to 48-megapixel sensors by bringing one to the telephoto camera on next year’s iPhone 17 Pro models, the next significant camera upgrade will be the introduction of a variable aperture.

The information comes from Kuo’s latest post on Medium, where he outlined how upcoming products such as the ‌iPhone 17‌ “Slim,” M5 MacBook Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 18 will affect Apple supplier Sunny Optical. Kuo believes that Sunny Optical and Luxshare will be the primary and secondary shutter suppliers for the ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro’s new main camera, while the variable aperture lens will be supplied by Sunny Optical and Largan Precision.

The iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro’s main cameras feature a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78. A variable aperture on future ‌iPhone‌ models would allow the main camera to control the amount of light entering the lens, allowing it to adjust to different lighting conditions. It also would provide more control over depth of field, enabling sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. The ‌iPhone‌ 18 is expected to launch in 2026.

This article, “Variable Aperture Rumored to Bring Major Camera Upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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When Image Playground was first introduced in June as one of the key Apple Intelligence features, Apple said that it would generate images in three styles: animation, illustration, and sketch.

The version of Image Playground available in the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas only offers animation and illustration as style options, leaving us wondering if sketch might be added a later time.

It looks like the answer might be no, as Apple has removed Sketch from the Image Playground app description. ‌Image Playground‌ used to list three styles as design options, but it was updated to two, and the line about Sketch was removed. Here’s what was removed:The highly detailed and academic Sketch style produces gorgeous drawings on stark backgrounds.The updated app description only mentions animation and Illustration.Animation style offers a whimsical, 3D cartoon look with expressive characters and cinematic environments. Illustration style is defined by strong outlines, simple shapes, and bold colors, providing uplifting and playful compositions.While Apple updated the Style portion of the ‌Image Playground‌ app description, one mistaken mention of three style options remains at the top. “‌Image Playground‌, powered by ‌Apple Intelligence‌, lets you turn descriptions, concepts or people from your photo library into original, fun images in three unique styles.”

Sketch is also still listed as an option on Apple’s website highlighting ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, but Apple will likely remove these remaining references soon.

It isn’t clear why Apple decided to eliminate the sketch option from ‌Image Playground‌, or if sketch or other styles will be added in the future. As it stands, ‌Image Playground‌ in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 will only include animation and illustration as style options. The updates are set to launch in early December.

(Thanks, Nicolás!)Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS SequoiaThis article, “Apple Drops Promised ‘Sketch’ Style Option From Image Playground” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

When Image Playground was first introduced in June as one of the key Apple Intelligence features, Apple said that it would generate images in three styles: animation, illustration, and sketch.

The version of Image Playground available in the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas only offers animation and illustration as style options, leaving us wondering if sketch might be added a later time.

It looks like the answer might be no, as Apple has removed Sketch from the Image Playground app description. ‌Image Playground‌ used to list three styles as design options, but it was updated to two, and the line about Sketch was removed. Here’s what was removed:The highly detailed and academic Sketch style produces gorgeous drawings on stark backgrounds.The updated app description only mentions animation and Illustration.Animation style offers a whimsical, 3D cartoon look with expressive characters and cinematic environments. Illustration style is defined by strong outlines, simple shapes, and bold colors, providing uplifting and playful compositions.While Apple updated the Style portion of the ‌Image Playground‌ app description, one mistaken mention of three style options remains at the top. “‌Image Playground‌, powered by ‌Apple Intelligence‌, lets you turn descriptions, concepts or people from your photo library into original, fun images in three unique styles.”

Sketch is also still listed as an option on Apple’s website highlighting ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, but Apple will likely remove these remaining references soon.

It isn’t clear why Apple decided to eliminate the sketch option from ‌Image Playground‌, or if sketch or other styles will be added in the future. As it stands, ‌Image Playground‌ in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 will only include animation and illustration as style options. The updates are set to launch in early December.

(Thanks, Nicolás!)

This article, “Apple Drops Promised ‘Sketch’ Style Option From Image Playground” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Nvidia today announced plans to start capping the number of hours that GeForce NOW players can game each month, with the company charging an additional fee for more game time.

Performance (formerly the Priority plan) and Ultimate subscribers will get 100 hours of gameplay a month starting in January 2025. Up to 15 hours of unused playtime will roll over to the next month. Performance subscribers can purchase 15 additional hours for $2.99, while Ultimate subscribers can purchase 15 additional hours for $5.99.

Current GeForce NOW subscribers that have a paid membership as of December 31, 2024 will continue to have unlimited playtime until January 2026.

Nvidia says that limiting playtime will allow it to provide exceptional quality and speed, along with shorter queue times. The 100-hour monthly playtime limit “comfortably accommodates” 94 percent of subscribers.

The Performance plan, priced at $9.99 per month, provides subscribers with access to a GeForce RTX with 1440p streaming quality. The Ultimate plan is priced at $19.99 per month and offers a GeForce RTX 4080 and 4K HDR 120fps streaming.

Nvidia continues to offer a basic free plan for entry-level cloud gaming, as well as day passes priced starting at $2.99.Tags: GeForce Now, NvidiaThis article, “Nvidia Capping Monthly GeForce NOW Playtime at 100 Hours” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Nvidia today announced plans to start capping the number of hours that GeForce NOW players can game each month, with the company charging an additional fee for more game time.

Performance (formerly the Priority plan) and Ultimate subscribers will get 100 hours of gameplay a month starting in January 2025. Up to 15 hours of unused playtime will roll over to the next month. Performance subscribers can purchase 15 additional hours for $2.99, while Ultimate subscribers can purchase 15 additional hours for $5.99.

Current GeForce NOW subscribers that have a paid membership as of December 31, 2024 will continue to have unlimited playtime until January 2026.

Nvidia says that limiting playtime will allow it to provide exceptional quality and speed, along with shorter queue times. The 100-hour monthly playtime limit “comfortably accommodates” 94 percent of subscribers.

The Performance plan, priced at $9.99 per month, provides subscribers with access to a GeForce RTX with 1440p streaming quality. The Ultimate plan is priced at $19.99 per month and offers a GeForce RTX 4080 and 4K HDR 120fps streaming.

Nvidia continues to offer a basic free plan for entry-level cloud gaming, as well as day passes priced starting at $2.99.

This article, “Nvidia Capping Monthly GeForce NOW Playtime at 100 Hours” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Max, the streaming service previously known as HBO Max, is cracking down on password sharing in the coming months, reports The Verge. During an earnings call today, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery said that customers will start seeing “very soft messaging” about the upcoming change.

After that initial message about password sharing, more strict rules will be put into place in 2025 and 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Widenfels said that Max would be asking viewers who have “not signed up, or multi-household members to pay a little bit more.”

Max could also get a price increase in the future, and the company has not ruled out raising the cost of a subscription. Widenfels said that there is a “fair amount of room to continue to push a price” that Max has been “judicious about.”

Max has a total of 110.5 million subscribers globally, and the service is priced starting at $9.99 per month for an ad-supported version ($99.99 per year), or $16.99 per month for an ad-free version ($169.99 per year). There’s also a more expensive “Ultimate” $20.99/month plan that provides 4K streaming.

Streaming services are putting an end to password sharing after Netflix successfully cracked down on the practice last year. Netflix saw its subscription numbers increase after preventing customers from sharing accounts across multiple households.Tag: HBO MaxThis article, “Max Planning to Crackdown on Password Sharing” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Max, the streaming service previously known as HBO Max, is cracking down on password sharing in the coming months, reports The Verge. During an earnings call today, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery said that customers will start seeing “very soft messaging” about the upcoming change.

After that initial message about password sharing, more strict rules will be put into place in 2025 and 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Widenfels said that Max would be asking viewers who have “not signed up, or multi-household members to pay a little bit more.”

Max could also get a price increase in the future, and the company has not ruled out raising the cost of a subscription. Widenfels said that there is a “fair amount of room to continue to push a price” that Max has been “judicious about.”

Max has a total of 110.5 million subscribers globally, and the service is priced starting at $9.99 per month for an ad-supported version ($99.99 per year), or $16.99 per month for an ad-free version ($169.99 per year). There’s also a more expensive “Ultimate” $20.99/month plan that provides 4K streaming.

Streaming services are putting an end to password sharing after Netflix successfully cracked down on the practice last year. Netflix saw its subscription numbers increase after preventing customers from sharing accounts across multiple households.

This article, “Max Planning to Crackdown on Password Sharing” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It’s already Friday, November 8 in Australia and New Zealand, so customers who pre-ordered a new iMac, Mac mini, or MacBook Pro are beginning to receive their orders.

Apple introduced the new M4 Macs last week, with staggered announcements on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The ‌iMac‌ is equipped with the M4 chip that we first saw in the iPad Pro, while the ‌Mac mini‌ uses the M4 and the M4 Pro, a new higher-end chip.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ can be purchased with the M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chip in the 14-inch size, or with an M4 Pro or M4 Max chip in the 16-inch size. Apple has bumped up the minimum RAM to 16GB, but starting prices have not changed. For the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, Apple added Thunderbolt 5, which allows for faster transfer speeds.

The ‌Mac mini‌ has a new, slimmed down size that takes up less space on a desk, and the ‌MacBook Pro‌ and ‌iMac‌ got a nano-texture display option that cuts down on glare. The ‌Mac mini‌ is priced starting at $599, the ‌iMac‌ starts at $1,299, and the ‌MacBook Pro‌ starts at $1,599.

New Zealand doesn’t have any Apple retail stores, but Apple Stores in Australia will have stock configurations of the new Macs available for walk-in purchases. Supply constraints are not expected.

Following New Zealand and Australia, sales of the M4 Mac models‌ will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America.Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: 14″ & 16″ MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, “M4 Macs Now Arriving to Customers in Australia and New Zealand” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It’s already Friday, November 8 in Australia and New Zealand, so customers who pre-ordered a new iMac, Mac mini, or MacBook Pro are beginning to receive their orders.

Apple introduced the new M4 Macs last week, with staggered announcements on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The ‌iMac‌ is equipped with the M4 chip that we first saw in the iPad Pro, while the ‌Mac mini‌ uses the M4 and the M4 Pro, a new higher-end chip.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ can be purchased with the M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max chip in the 14-inch size, or with an M4 Pro or M4 Max chip in the 16-inch size. Apple has bumped up the minimum RAM to 16GB, but starting prices have not changed. For the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, Apple added Thunderbolt 5, which allows for faster transfer speeds.

The ‌Mac mini‌ has a new, slimmed down size that takes up less space on a desk, and the ‌MacBook Pro‌ and ‌iMac‌ got a nano-texture display option that cuts down on glare. The ‌Mac mini‌ is priced starting at $599, the ‌iMac‌ starts at $1,299, and the ‌MacBook Pro‌ starts at $1,599.

New Zealand doesn’t have any Apple retail stores, but Apple Stores in Australia will have stock configurations of the new Macs available for walk-in purchases. Supply constraints are not expected.

Following New Zealand and Australia, sales of the M4 Mac models‌ will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America.

This article, “M4 Macs Now Arriving to Customers in Australia and New Zealand” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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