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Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro and iMac this morning with “chip and ship” updates that are notable for something Apple didn’t do — jack the prices up.
Unlike the new iPad mini, which is $100 more expensive than the previous model, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac cost the same as before.
Of course, that comes with a major caveat. Apple did increase the prices of both these machines earlier in the year, so 🤷. It could be worse!
Both the MacBook Pro and iMac are beautiful computers. The 14-inch MacBook is the perfect size for a laptop. The 16-inch variant (which is getting updated tomorrow!) weighs considerably more and is a bit of a bloated hog (but it’s going on a diet, according to the rumors).
The 14-inch machine strikes a great balance between portability and power. The new M6 chip is a screamer, and is architected for local AI. It looks like a great laptop — and don’t miss the fantastic videos Apple created to promo it, which we embedded in the post.
I’m a huge fan of the iMac, too. I love how light and portable it is — even though these aren’t perhaps the most important features of a machine that stays parked on your desktop. Still, when you want to move it, it’s not going to give you a hernia.
This new M6 iMac looks like a great machine, too, and it boasts several internal upgrades.
Also in today’s newsletter:
Upgraded with an OLED screen, an A20 Pro chip and a thinner build, the iPad mini 8 is quite a big leap over the iPad mini 7. Here are all the differences.
I’m skeptical, but Siri AI is supposed to be much, much better on Apple Watch after you update to watchOS 27.2.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: The Beats Pill is a great little portable speaker. Don’t tell anybody, but I picked up a heavily discounted Kim Kardashian (ugh!) model, and I’m always amazed at how energetic it sounds. Amazon currently offers refurb units starting at $66, which is a really good price. #affiliate
In iOS 27.2, Image Playground creations get a SynthID watermark — but so do some of your edited iPhone pictures.
I hardly ever play games, but I’ve got serious, irrational gadget lust for this compact, portable game controller that you can take anywhere and connect to just about anything.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from Atlassian
State of Product reveals what AI still hasn’t solved
80% of product professionals say AI helps them ship faster, but customers aren’t seeing value any sooner. Atlassian’s State of Product 2027 explores the gains AI is delivering and the challenges that remain, from decision-making that hasn’t kept pace to gut instinct overriding customer evidence.
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
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Cult of Mac’s buyback program
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One more thing ...
It’s very crude today, yet our Macintosh computer takes less power than a 100-watt light bulb to run and it can save you hours a day. What will it be able to do 10 or 20 years from now, or 50 years from now? This revolution will dwarf the petrochemical revolution. We’re on the forefront.
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