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Apple's next MacBook upgrades could be coming soon
Last year's 16-inch MacBook Pro felt a bit like a return to form. While the latest iteration of Apple's flagship laptop didn't address the love-it-or-hate-it (but mostly hate-it) Touch Bar and an obnoxious lack of connectivity, it did have a much better keyboard compared to previous models. The new MacBook Pro replaced finicky butterfly switch keys with new mechanisms that make typing feel more natural and are more resilient to dust and debris. Naturally, one question on Mac users' minds was when Apple would bring the new scissor-switch-equipped keyboard to the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air lineup. According to 9to5Mac, a new filing with the Eurasian Economic Commission (the ECC) indicates that we could see the more ergonomic notebooks sooner rather than later.
Is the MacBook Pro a better buy than the Air?
This year, Apple made some moves to simplify its laptop lineup, including an upgrade to the MacBook Pro which included an eighth-gen Intel quad-core processor, better speakers and a True Tone display. At $1,299 (to start), the newest model of Pro is now only $200 more than the Air. Deputy Managing Editor Nathan Ingraham found the slight price upgrade was well worth it for users who intended to push their machines performance-wise. He wound up awarding the device a respectable score of 86.
Apple loses bid to stop class action lawsuit over MacBook keyboards
Apple will have to face a class action lawsuit over faulty MacBook keyboards. Federal Judge Edward Davila has tossed out Apple's attempt to dismiss a suit accusing the company of not only hiding the fragility of MacBook butterfly keyboards, but of failing to provide an "effective fix" or full compensation for customers who paid for repairs. The suit claims that Apple violated multiple states' consumer protection laws, potentially leaving the company on the hook for many users who dealt with sticky or unresponsive keys when even a slight amount of debris slipped into their keyboards.
iPad Pro and MacBook Pro could switch to mini LED displays in late 2020
Never mind Apple expanding the use of OLED in its devices -- it may go one step further with its future hardware. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who has a reputation for largely accurate Apple predictions) believes that Apple will start using mini LED displays in its devices in late 2020, starting with updated versions of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (what, no love for the 11-inch model?) and the 16-inch MacBook Pro. There will eventually be four to six products in Apple's lineup using mini LED, Kuo claimed, but there will be a gradual transition.
Best Buy's massive Apple sale includes a $250 iPad offer
Best Buy has already unveiled its Black Friday ad, but if you're in the market for some new Apple gear you can get your hands on some pretty hefty discounts right now. There are good deals to be had across the board, but its deals on iPads, HomePods and Apple Watches are where the major savings are.
Apple's latest MacBook Air is on sale for $900
Not everyone needs a MacBook Pro. The high-powered and high-priced portables are easily capable of tasks like editing HD video, creating graphics projects and resource-intensive development. For those who just need to answer emails, browse the web and get some work done in Microsoft Office and Google Drive, the MacBook Air is likely the more reasonable purchase. Amazon is discounting the most recent 128GB and 256GB models by $200, so if you've been on the fence, now may be time to pull the trigger.
Best Buy’s weekend sale takes up to $200 off the pricey iPad Pro (updated)
Best Buy is running another massive 3-day weekend sale. If that sounds familiar, it's because the retailer slashed prices just a few weeks ago. This time around, Best Buy is cutting prices on the latest entry-level MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. It's offering steep discounts on iPads, Surface notebooks and some of our favorite headphones. The sale runs through Sunday.
Apple killed the 12-inch MacBook
Quietly lost amidst some upgrades to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is a notable absence from Apple's online store: the 12-inch MacBook has been discontinued. The laptop was first introduced in 2015 and ushered in a new era of MacBook design for Apple -- it was the first to use USB-C, the first with the controversial and problematic butterfly keyboard, and the first Mac laptop without a glowing Apple logo in years. Apple has confirmed to Engadget that the 12-inch MacBook is no more.
Apple kills the non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro, discounts the Air
Apple isn't waiting until the fall and macOS Catalina to trot out Mac updates. The company has updated the MacBook Air and the entry 13-inch MacBook Pro with newer hardware and, in one case, a price cut. The Air now starts at an easier-to-swallow $1,099 (conveniently $999 for students) and introduces a True Tone display to the lineup. You won't find a newer processor or other spec updates, unfortunately, but there's now a clearer reason to buy the Air versus a 13-inch MacBook Pro. Oh, and there's no longer a 12-inch MacBook to buy, so your choice for an 'entry' Mac laptop just became that much clearer.
Analyst: Apple will soon ditch its butterfly keyboard design
After years of controversy and technical difficulties, Apple could be about to give up on the butterfly mechanism keyboard in its MacBooks. According to a report authored by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo -- who has a decent record in accurate Apple predictions -- the company is on track to release a refreshed MacBook Air later this year, this time with a keyboard design based on scissor switches.
Apple fans get real about the MacBook Air 2018
When Apple released the newest version of the MacBook Air back in October, Engadget editor-in-chief Dana Wollman was torn in her review. On one hand, the Air was a long-awaited refresh that many Apple fans had been looking forward to. On the other hand, the popular laptop was now only $100 cheaper than the entry-level MacBook Pro, while including many of the same features. Did the addition of TouchID and a sharper Retina display make up for a minimal selection of ports and a relatively low-powered processor? That depends on your priorities, and Dana ended up giving the Air a pretty favorable score of 84. Readers were more critical; the Air earned an average score of 75 on our user reviews page.
Apple offers next-day repairs for faulty MacBook keyboards
After years of user complaints, it looks like Apple is starting to prioritize repairs for busted MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards. According to a memo obtained by Mac Rumors, Apple has started to stock its retail locations with necessary parts so Genius Bar technicians can fix keyboard issues in store rather than shipping devices to an off-site service center. Employees were also instructed to aim for next-day turnarounds when performing keyboard repairs. Engadget has reached out to Apple to confirm this change and will update this story if we hear back.
Apple stops charging $99 to transfer data to new Macs
If you have a ton of files you need to move to your new Mac, you're in luck. Apple quietly did away with the $99 fee it charges to migrate data from your old Mac to your new computer. The policy change, which went into effect on April 2nd, was first reported by TidBITS. From now on, if you purchase a new Mac or take your computer in for repair, Apple will transfer your data for free.
Apple acknowledges keyboard problems with recent MacBooks
It's public knowledge that Apple added silicone membranes to its third-generation MacBook keyboards to prevent debris from getting in, but how well does that work, really? Not necessarily as much as Apple would like. In response to a Wall Street Journal piece highlighting ongoing reports of problems, an Apple spokesman said the company was aware of a "small number of users" whose butterfly keyboards were having issues, and that it was "sorry" for the problems. It didn't say this was a systemic flaw, however -- it contended that the "vast majority" of MacBook Air and Pro users were just fine, and that customers should contact support if there's trouble.
Did you buy the most recent MacBook Air? Tell us what you think.
When Apple unveiled a new Macbook Air last October, we wasted no time in putting the long-awaited refresh through its paces. While the new machine includes an upgraded "butterfly" keyboard, a Touch ID sensor and a Retina display with thinner bezels, it has markedly less inputs than the previous generation: just two USB-C and a headphone jack (no SD card reader in sight, sigh). Although the dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD were more than enough for most day-to-day tasks, we were careful not to make a one-size-fits-all recommendation. After all, the new Air is about the same price as the entry-level MacBook Pro, which packs more power, albeit no fingerprint sensor.
The best ultraportable laptops of 2018
When Steve Jobs first pulled the original MacBook Air out of a manilla envelope in 2008, the tech world dropped its collective jaw. A laptop that could fit in such a small package? Groundbreaking. With a three-pound weight and tapered silhouette that narrowed to just 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, the Air mesmerized reviewers. At $1,799, it was insanely expensive and its battery life was poor, but it was still lauded as a game changer.
Apple reportedly expands the list of ‘vintage’ products it will repair
Apple is expanding its program to repair some of its vintage products that are still in circulation, according to 9to5Mac. Under the program, Apple will extend service of the iPhone 5. It also offer repairs for the 11- and 13-inch models of the MacBook air released in mid-2012 and the 21.7- and 27-inch iMacs from mid-2011. Apple will extend the program to cover the iPhone 4s and 15-inch MacBook Pro from mid-2012 on November 30th. The 13-inch MacBook Pros with Retina display from late 2012 and early 2013, 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display from mid-2012 and Mac Pro from mid-2012 will be covered on December 30th.
Apple’s laptop line is more of a mess than ever
Imagine that you've got $1,300 and you'd like to buy a new Apple laptop. Which one do you choose? The $1,299 MacBook, the new $1,199 MacBook Air or the cheapest MacBook Pro, which also retails for $1,299. If you really want TouchID then you'll opt for the Air, but if you're looking for the "best" then the Pro is the only answer. Not that you'd understand that from the price list, thanks to Apple's crushing inability to properly differentiate its products.
The new MacBook Air vs. the competition: Retina display and more
It's been a while since we've seen a new MacBook Air, and this year's model has been given some serious attention. It's now packing a Retina Display and a more reliable butterfly keyboard, making it a good choice for those who need something small and powerful. But it's not the only super thin contender vying for a spot in your purse or shoulder bag. In the past year Microsoft, Dell and HP have all put out great laptops that won't drag you down in either weight or performance. We've measured them up in the table below, though for the real scoop you'll need to check out our full review of the MacBook Air when it comes out next month.
Apple finally put a Retina display in the MacBook Air
It's no secret that Apple's MacBook Air is beyond outdated, and the company has finally decided to offer a lower-cost laptop with more-modern specs. Amazingly enough, it's called the MacBook Air: CEO Tim Cook started his presentation by calling it the most loved laptop ever. And with that kind of love, it's no surprise Apple's keeping the laptop around. First and foremost, the new MacBook Air has a Retina Display. The giant aluminum bezel is gone, but the screen remains 13.3 inches. The full resolution is four times what the original Macbook Air had, which works out to 2,560 x 1600. That's not exactly the same as four times the old Air's 1,440 x 900 resolution, but we're not complaining about this improvement. Sadly, Apple is sticking with the two USB-C port setup, and it looks like there's no SD slot either. But those ports support Thunderbolt 3 for improved data-transfer speeds.
