Speed up your Mac

When Cult of Mac writer Rajesh Pandey’s M4 Pro Mac mini started feeling sluggish, he feared it might be time to upgrade.

Then sanity kicked in. Even if you’re a power user — with multiple AI apps, custom workflows and loads of open Chrome tabs — there’s no way a year-old Mac needs to be replaced.

He dug in and found (or rediscovered) a handful of easy ways to get his Mac mini back up to speed. Use his spring-cleaning tips to rev up your Mac in no time flat.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

If your iPhone seems slower than it did a couple of years ago, you can give it a speed boost, too.
We heard some extra-juicy Apple rumors this week, including one that purports to nail down the color options for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. And on the Cult of Mac podcast, we went deep on the latest chatter about Apple’s rumored smart glasses.
If you upgraded to macOS Tahoe and can’t stand those ubiquitous menu bar icons, there’s a (relatively) straightforward fix.
And finally, don’t miss this week’s hottest deals on Apple’s official iPhone cases, the latest Apple Watch (both sizes) and everyone’s favorite earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3. Apple gear is even better at big discounts like these!

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Featured story

My Mac felt slow, but hardware wasn't the problem. Here's how I fixed it.

I thought my M4 Pro Mac mini was running slow because it needed more RAM. Turns out, it needed some spring cleaning and better usage habits.

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How-tos

How to hide all the menu bar icons in macOS Tahoe

The new macOS Tahoe menu bar icons are almost universally panned. Luckily, there’s a quick way to disable the annoying icons.

3 ways to give your old iPhone a performance boost

If your older iPhone runs more slowly than it used to, there are straightforward fixes. You can speed up your iPhone with some simple steps.

iPhone Game Mode explained: What it is (and how to turn it off)

Every time you play a game, iPhone Game Mode enhances graphics and reduces controller latency to maximize performance.

Listen to gentle rain and ocean sounds while you work

Your iPhone has a built-in feature called Background Sounds for playing rain noises or white noise to tune it all out.

News

Dark cherry in, cosmic orange out in iPhone 18 Pro color lineup

In the four-color lineup, the popular and vibrant cosmic orange goes away, with a wine-colored "dark cherry" red supposedly taking its place.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Apple's smart glasses come into focus [Cult of Mac podcast No. 17]

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: New details emerge about Apple's smart glasses, including possible shapes, sizes and colors.

5 reasons Apple’s ecosystem is almost impossible to leave

Apple’s ecosystem isn’t held together by one killer feature. Dozens of small conveniences that make it difficult to walk away.

Plus: iPhone users are more loyal to Apple than ever

Apple hits record recycled material use, eliminates plastic packaging

Apple hit record recycled-material use, got rid of plastic packaging, saved water and more, its latest Environmental Progress Report says.

Why MacBook Neo 2 will boast 50% more RAM

Love Apple's affordable new MacBook Neo but really think you want more RAM? Have we got good news for you!

Deals

Save on Apple's Silicone, Clear and TechWoven cases for iPhone 17 lineup

Don’t miss big savings on official Apple cases to protect your iPhone 17. There are many designs and colors to choose from.

Price cut: Your Mac has hidden tools — this $25.50 app makes them visible

Mac utility sale: MacMagic is an easy way to unlock hidden Mac features without memorizing Terminal commands.

Plus, more software from Cult of Mac Deals:

Apple Watch Series 11 hits record-low $299: Save $100 on latest smartwatch

Fresh discounts slash 100 bucks off the price of Apple Watch Series 11, in both sizes and many strap options.

Get 15 coding courses, plus Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2026, for just $59.99

This bundle pairs Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 with 15 in-depth coding courses covering Python, JavaScript, Java, SQL and more.

Plus, more ways to learn from Cult of Mac Deals:

Grab AirPods Pro 3 for just $199.99 before this deal disappears again

Apple's high-end, noise-canceling earbuds already provide incredible value, and this AirPods Pro 3 deal makes them way more affordable.

Reviews and recommendations

Slim MagSafe iPhone power bank is made for wireless charging haters [Review]

The Clutch Pro slim power bank is perfect for users who prefer USB-C charging to wireless charging. We did hands-on testing for our review.

New 10-port hub brings 8K video and high-speed networking to MacBooks

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is a versatile 10-in-1 USB-C hub with high-wattage charging, advanced display support and faster networking.

New AI voice recorder captures calls even when you wear AirPods

With the new HiDock P1 AI Voice Recorder, you can keep your AirPods in and still capture, transcribe and even translate both sides of calls.

Setups

Top 10: Best use of docks and hubs in Mac setups

Scouring Cult of Mac's Setups archive, we found the 10 best uses of docks and hubs in Mac setups. Learn a thing or two for your workstation!