Cult of Mac Today
Posts
Behold, the new Mac mini

Behold, the new Mac mini

Smaller than ever, and crazy-powerful for its price and size.

Leander Kahney
October 29, 2024

My goodness, I’d love to drop $600 on the new Mac mini, released Tuesday morning (after leaking on Amazon, oops!)

But I already have, what, four Macs in my life … plus sundry iPads, iPhones, etc.

My main machine is an M1 Mac Studio that’s chugging along nicely and is fully capable of running Apple Intelligence. So for me, there’s little practical reason to upgrade.

But the new Mac mini is tickling that “I must have it” gene.

Its tiny size, its power, its relatively low cost … my wife would castrate me, but who needs testicles when you have a new Mac mini?!?

Also in today’s newsletter:

If you own AirPods Pro 2, I highly recommend updating the firmware and taking the new hearing test built into iOS 18.1. Most people with hearing problems don’t know it, and the test is free and easy to take. Plus, the results look pretty accurate when compared to a professional audiogram.
Apple is not the only company shrinking its electronics. This tiny $99 NanoPhone is smaller than a credit card, and is a great backup or starter phone.
It’s a little mindboggling to read what Apple’s new ThunderBolt 5 cable is capable of.
One of the Macs in my collection is an M1 iMac, and I’m wondering if it’s time for an upgrade to the new M4. Looks like it is!
With the new Magic accessories upgraded to USB-C, Apple's long-lived Lightning connector has one foot in the grave. But wait, what’s left?
Check out the results of yesterday’s poll about the placement of the Magic Mouse’s charging port. Despite the outrage online, readers of this newsletter aren’t big haters!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Mac mini radically redesigned with M4 and M4 Pro chip

Apple unveils a radical new Mac mini powered by the M4 and the new M4 Pro chip. It features a new, smaller design.

How to update your AirPods Pro to add hearing aid functionality

Here's how to see if you have the latest AirPods Pro 2 firmware with hearing aid functionality, plus what you can do to force an update.

Apple’s first Thunderbolt 5 cable: Blazing fast and great for hi-res displays

The fancy new cable is perfect for Apple’s first Thunderbolt 5-capable computer, the M4 Pro Mac mini.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

It may look expensive, but this 3-in-1 charging station costs just $45

Need a simple solution for charging your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch? Get the Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station.

New Magic Keyboard, mouse and trackpad spell end for Lightning

The new USB-C devices mark the (near) death of Apple's Lightning connector.

Surprise! EU gets Apple Intelligence after all.

Apple launched its AI-powered Apple Intelligence features in the European Union on Monday, despite warning earlier that it might not.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

$100 smartphone is smaller than a credit card

Tired of stretching your hands and pockets with a gigantic iPhone? Try the NanoPhone, a mini smartphone that's perfect for travel.

iPhone's Tap to Pay launches in more European countries

Tap to Pay on iPhone is expanding to five European countries, allowing businesses to accept contactless payments through their iPhones.

M4 iMac vs. M3 iMac comparison: What's changed?

Wondering how the M4 iMac compares to the M3 iMac it replaces — and what upgrades it offers? Find out in this comparison.

How to use the (somewhat) new and improved Siri

Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 brings the long-awaited new Siri, but we don't get all the features yet. Here's what you can try now.

Today in Apple history: Scott Forstall gets forced out of Apple

On October 29, 2012, Apple fired rising star Scott Forstall in the aftermath of the disastrous Apple Maps launch.

Tweets of the day

It’s worth noting the prior two iMacs from 2021 and 2023 support Apple Intelligence as well. Not just the new one.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
3:23 PM • Oct 28, 2024

M3 iMac vs M4 iMac colors 🔥
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub)
3:23 AM • Oct 29, 2024

HOLY SMOKES!!!!
All of my performance predictions for the M4 Pro chip in the new Mac mini are SO WRONG!
I was expecting a 14-core chip with 8 Performance cores and 6 Efficiency cores, but it's actually 10 Performance cores, so it's gonna be SO MUCH FASTER than I expected!! 🤯
— Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev)
3:29 PM • Oct 29, 2024

So here’s the deal—Apple’s Magic Mouse has a flaw that’s gnawing at me. Sure, it’s sleek, it’s a Johnny Ive dream in sculpted aluminum, but there’s a ticking time bomb tucked under its glossy surface: a non-replaceable battery. This sucker degrades, and once it’s toast, you’re… x.com/i/web/status/1…
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser)
10:06 PM • Oct 28, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

⭐️New beautifully crafted 4K wallpaper
— Ann (@AIFinity76)
2:18 PM • Oct 28, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

Pretend to be completely in control and people will assume that you are.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

How many Macs is it reasonable to own?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Is the Magic Mouse really Apple's biggest design crime?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.