New MacBook Pros bring welcome surprise

In partnership with

You won't believe this: The new MacBook Pros, powered by M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, are faster and more power-efficient than ever!

Actually, of course you believe that -- no sane person would expect anything else from the latest Apple silicon processors.

The new laptops feature “the world’s fastest CPU core” while delivering “up to 24 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac,” according to Apple. They also come with a 12MP Center Stage camera. And the high-end models boast Thunderbolt 5 ports for faster throughput.

That all sounds like just what you’d expect from Apple’s pro laptops. However, there was another big surprise in today's M4 MacBook Pro announcement: The base model starts at 16GB of RAM -- double the memory of last year's model.

This seems like a welcome follow-on effect from the launch of Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI-powered tools that Cupertino's touting like the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Apple Intelligence needs capable hardware, and as a result, Apple is abandoning its skimpy ways when it comes to RAM.

Need more proof? Tucked into the M4 MacBook Pro rollout, Apple revealed that it is doubling the RAM in base model M2 and M3 MacBook Airs from 8GB to 16GB -- with no price increase.

Now that's a welcome surprise!

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Our Mac mini comparison shows how the tiny new M4-powered desktop stacks up against its predecessors.

• Did you enjoy Presumed Innocent or The Family Plan on Apple TV+? If so, you’re in luck. There’s interesting news about what’s next for both of them.

• Apple makes it easy to share photos with friends and family members. Here’s how to tap into this useful feature.

• Graphically intensive role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition arrives on Mac early next year.

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

^{A message from Cornbread Hemp}

Your Healthy Happy Hour

Skip the alcohol and experience your healthy happy hour with Cornbread’s THC Gummies. With 10mg of THC, their organic edibles provide a pleasant sense of calm, comfort, and confidence.

Derived from hemp and legal in nearly all 50 states, Cornbread Hemp has introduced America’s first USDA organic THC gummies. That means no synthetic ingredients and no pesticides.

Find your favorite record and invite your best friends over. Whatever your good life is, Cornbread’s THC gummies will help you live it without worrying how you'll feel tomorrow.

New customers can use code BREEZE25 for 25% off until 10/31.

Enjoy the moment and take your edge off, this is the good life.

Shop Now

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

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

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: How many Macs is it reasonable to own?

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.