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Should you get the new MacBook Pro?

Should you get the new MacBook Pro?

What about the new iMac? Is it time for an upgrade?

Leander Kahney
November 01, 2023

The new MacBook Pros are extremely attractive, especially with the Space Black finish.

But what if you have a fairly new MacBook Pro from, say, 2019?

What about the first M1 iMac from 2021?

Should you upgrade these machines or not? The answers are, respectively, yes and no.

See our top post to help you navigate these thorny questions.

And if you are going to get one of the new MacBook Pros, you can already save $100 on the preorder.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Apple just released new firmware for AirTags: here’s how to get it.
Elago has a great lineup of retro-inspired cases for Apple accessories. The Apple Watch charging stands shaped like retro Macs are adorable. And look at this Floppy Disc case for AirTags.
Next year’s Apple Watch — rumored to be a new slimline ‘X’ model for its tenth anniversary — may get blood pressure monitoring. It sounds limited though. And where’s the blood glucose sensor we’re all waiting for?
Soundcore’s new open-ear earbuds sound interesting — and they sound great too, according to our hands-on review.
In a comment on yesterday’s poll, reader k88dad raises a good point about why Apple compared the new M3 chips to the M1: Desktop machines aren’t often upgraded annually, like iPhones, so it makes sense to compare it to a machine customers are likely to upgrade from. I actually have a 24-inch M1 iMac from 2021: should I upgrade this two-year-old machine to the M3? Take today’s poll.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Should you buy the new MacBook Pro or iMac?

The new MacBook Pro and iMac are already available to order — so is it time for you to upgrade? That all depends on which devices you have, so I’ve put together a buying guide with sharable images and a video to help you decide.

Save $100 on your M3 MacBook Pro preorder

Apple's M3 MacBook Pros are available with $100 discount on Best Buy, provided you have a Plus or Total membership.

How to get the latest AirTag firmware update

AirTag users will want the latest firmware for the item tracker. Here’s what you need to do to get it, and then be sure it’s installed.

^{A message from Cult of Mac Store}

Go retro with nostalgic Elago cases for Apple accessories

Elago excels at making nostalgic cases for Apple accessories that look like other things. Not long ago the company put out the Elago W5 AirTag Keychain

Next-gen Apple Watch could offer limited blood pressure monitoring

The 2024 edition of Apple Watch might finally include a feature that been a bit of a holy grail for the wearable: blood pressure monitoring.

Affordable new Apple Pencil with USB-C goes on sale

Just $79, the new USB-C stylus looks and works a lot like 1st and 2nd generation models, but it skips some features.

^{A message from Cult of Mac deals team}

AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are now an amazing 24% off

The new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case, which adds a couple of other new features, is on sale for a tempting $60 off the retail price.

Apple Arcade getting 8 more fun new games in 2023

"Disney Dreamlight Valley," "Football Manager 2024 Touch," "Sonic Dream Team" and "Puzzle & Dragons Story" are among the games headed for Apple Arcade.

Hate stuff in your ears? Try Soundcore’s new open-ear wireless buds [Review] ★★★★☆

For those who dislike earplug-style earbuds and want a secure fit for workouts, Soundcore offers bold-sounding Aerofit and Aerofit Pro.

Today in Apple history: Time crowns iPhone 'invention of the year'

November 1, 2007: Six months after Steve Jobs showed it off, the original iPhone becomes Time magazine's "best invention of the year." The iPhone stands

Using external webcam and mic instead of MacBook for video calls [Setups]

Today's MacBook Pro users seeks advice on a webcam with a mic for video calls because they'd rather leave the laptop in clamshell mode.

Tweetz o’ the day

Alright so yesterday Apple revealed that yesterday's event was shot on the iPhone (15 Pro/Pro Max)
They've also now published some BTS, and as expected there's a LOT of gear alongside that iPhone... but there's still a lot to learn here. Here's my biggest takeaways (Thread)
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD)
4:01 PM • Oct 31, 2023

This feels like a very Apple thing to do... I really think that is the Car in this shot.
— Charles Patterson (@CharlesPattson)
9:26 PM • Oct 31, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

When you have feelings, like sadness or anger about your cancer or your plight, to mask them is to lead an artificial life.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Should I upgrade my 24-inch M1 iMac to the new M3 model?

Results from yesterday’s poll: What did you think of the Scary Fast event?

Best reader comment

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