Smoking weed isn’t a new problem, but a more potent one, and changes the definition of what “high school” is supposed to be.
The Wall Street Journal (News+ link), starting off their story with what seems like a scene straight out of the movies:
It was 10:09 and 22 seconds on a Friday morning at Liberty High School when an alert dinged on James Geis’s phone: “High Vape Index.”
He dashed out of the administrative building and jumped into a golf cart, racing across the school’s sprawling campus to the location identified in the alert, the “E” girls’ bathroom. Within minutes he was outside the door.
A girl walked out. “Can I talk to you? Was there anyone else in there with you?” said Geis, one of the school’s campus supervisors tasked with combating marijuana use—or what many Liberty students call “narcs.”
Two more girls walked out. Geis told the students that a vape sensor went off. “What would happen if I ran?” one said.
“We would get you when you come back,” Geis responded.
She didn’t run. Geis ushered the students to a conference room where Liberty’s principal, Efa Huckaby, searched their backpacks. Hand sanitizer, folders, perfume, a pair of black leggings. Empty chips bags. He had the girls, two seniors and one freshman, turn their jeans’ pockets inside out and patted down the hoods of their sweatshirts. One of the students spoke slowly and seemed glassy-eyed.
Another campus supervisor, Brad Ainsworth, hung back to search the empty bathroom. Eventually, he found an empty box for a vape cartridge stuffed under a bag lining a metal trash receptacle.
Everywhere I go I can smell weed, even right outside the hospital. It’s not surprising that schools also have increased usage. Meanwhile, High Times argues that marijuana use is going down, even quoting the Wall Street Journal’s survey statistics:
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way. Teen cannabis use is real. The risks are real. THC can be harmful to developing brains, and schools have every right to care about what students are doing on campus. But that is not the same as proving legalization created some brand-new youth cannabis crisis. That leap is where the piece gets slippery.
Because once you leave the anecdote and look at the trendline, the panic starts to wobble. The University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future report shows past-year marijuana use among 12th graders at 26.0% in 2024, down from 35.7% in 2019. Among 8th graders, it was 7.0% in 2024, down from 11.8% in 2019. That is not an explosion. That is a decline.
While different news outlets will argue whether it should be illegal to smoke and how widespread the issue might be, no one can deny the barrier to entry has declined significantly since I went to high school back in the 90s:
It was a process to smoke weed. You had to first acquire it without the aid of a cellphone where you are in constant communication with your “source.”
You had to prep it with tools and “roll your own joints,” which apparently is a skill many of today’s youth don’t have or need because a vape is much easier to use and masks the smell from teachers.
And who would know best if use has actually gone down except teenagers themselves (WSJ continues):
But some Liberty students said they don’t think weed use has really gone down. The school’s focus on the bathrooms has just pushed it to other spots, both on campus and off. A major hot spot for weed and nicotine is the stairwell of a parking garage next to the school. “Anytime you go over there, I see a herd of them puffing,” said Blunt, the Liberty senior.
Some teens are brazen enough to do it in class, Blunt said, while a group of her fellow students nodded in agreement. Some will hide vape pens in the sleeves of their shirts and hoodies and take a discreet puff when the teacher isn’t looking.
And if the teacher is showing a video in class, it is a free-for-all, said Trimua. “If the lights are off, the smoke is on,” he said.
Let’s not forget the surveys given in high school are also a horrible way to determine true accuracy of increase or decrease in usage. Many students skew the results by trolling the polls and do speed clicks to get the survey over with, selecting any answer at random:
But a new research paper points out one huge potential flaw in all this research: kids who skew the results by making stuff up for a giggle. "Mischievous Responders," they're called.
They may say they're 7 feet tall, or weigh 400 pounds, or have three children. They may exaggerate their sexual experiences, or lie about their supposed criminal activities. In other words, kids will be kids, especially when you ask them about sensitive issues.
Jackson Terry, 14, says he answered honestly when he took one of these surveys last year, but he knows kids who didn't.
"They handed out the sheet, I believe it was in language class," says Terry, who's from Granville, Ohio. "The teacher was in the room. It was anonymous. I think they asked us about bullying, do you feel safe in school, some questions about drugs, the learning environment."
Some kids "would joke through the entire thing and have a cocky attitude about it," Terry says. "Afterwards some would say, yeah, No. 5, that's totally not true; I just made something up."
New York Times also describes how the potency of THC has increased dramatically from 4% to 90% in some cases (gift link):
Today’s cannabis is far more potent than the pot that preceded legalization. In 1995, the marijuana seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration was around 4 percent THC, the primary psychoactive compound in pot. Today, you can buy marijuana products with THC levels of 90 percent or more. As the cliché goes, this is not your parents’ weed. It is as if some beer brands were still sold as beer but contained as much alcohol per ounce as whiskey.
This extremely potent version of THC can lead to psychosis, even with a single dose, destroying the future of countless children and adults.
“Stats” might say use is declining, but I beg to differ.
The Wall Street Journal (News+ link), starting off their story with what seems like a scene straight out of the movies:
It was 10:09 and 22 seconds on a Friday morning at Liberty High School when an alert dinged on James Geis’s phone: “High Vape Index.”
He dashed out of the administrative building and jumped into a golf cart, racing across the school’s sprawling campus to the location identified in the alert, the “E” girls’ bathroom. Within minutes he was outside the door.
A girl walked out. “Can I talk to you? Was there anyone else in there with you?” said Geis, one of the school’s campus supervisors tasked with combating marijuana use—or what many Liberty students call “narcs.”
Two more girls walked out. Geis told the students that a vape sensor went off. “What would happen if I ran?” one said.
“We would get you when you come back,” Geis responded.
She didn’t run. Geis ushered the students to a conference room where Liberty’s principal, Efa Huckaby, searched their backpacks. Hand sanitizer, folders, perfume, a pair of black leggings. Empty chips bags. He had the girls, two seniors and one freshman, turn their jeans’ pockets inside out and patted down the hoods of their sweatshirts. One of the students spoke slowly and seemed glassy-eyed.
Another campus supervisor, Brad Ainsworth, hung back to search the empty bathroom. Eventually, he found an empty box for a vape cartridge stuffed under a bag lining a metal trash receptacle.
Everywhere I go I can smell weed, even right outside the hospital. It’s not surprising that schools also have increased usage. Meanwhile, High Times argues that marijuana use is going down, even quoting the Wall Street Journal’s survey statistics:
Let’s get the obvious part out of the way. Teen cannabis use is real. The risks are real. THC can be harmful to developing brains, and schools have every right to care about what students are doing on campus. But that is not the same as proving legalization created some brand-new youth cannabis crisis. That leap is where the piece gets slippery.
Because once you leave the anecdote and look at the trendline, the panic starts to wobble. The University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future report shows past-year marijuana use among 12th graders at 26.0% in 2024, down from 35.7% in 2019. Among 8th graders, it was 7.0% in 2024, down from 11.8% in 2019. That is not an explosion. That is a decline.
While different news outlets will argue whether it should be illegal to smoke and how widespread the issue might be, no one can deny the barrier to entry has declined significantly since I went to high school back in the 90s:
It was a process to smoke weed. You had to first acquire it without the aid of a cellphone where you are in constant communication with your “source.”
You had to prep it with tools and “roll your own joints,” which apparently is a skill many of today’s youth don’t have or need because a vape is much easier to use and masks the smell from teachers.
And who would know best if use has actually gone down except teenagers themselves (WSJ continues):
But some Liberty students said they don’t think weed use has really gone down. The school’s focus on the bathrooms has just pushed it to other spots, both on campus and off. A major hot spot for weed and nicotine is the stairwell of a parking garage next to the school. “Anytime you go over there, I see a herd of them puffing,” said Blunt, the Liberty senior.
Some teens are brazen enough to do it in class, Blunt said, while a group of her fellow students nodded in agreement. Some will hide vape pens in the sleeves of their shirts and hoodies and take a discreet puff when the teacher isn’t looking.
And if the teacher is showing a video in class, it is a free-for-all, said Trimua. “If the lights are off, the smoke is on,” he said.
Let’s not forget the surveys given in high school are also a horrible way to determine true accuracy of increase or decrease in usage. Many students skew the results by trolling the polls and do speed clicks to get the survey over with, selecting any answer at random:
But a new research paper points out one huge potential flaw in all this research: kids who skew the results by making stuff up for a giggle. "Mischievous Responders," they're called.
They may say they're 7 feet tall, or weigh 400 pounds, or have three children. They may exaggerate their sexual experiences, or lie about their supposed criminal activities. In other words, kids will be kids, especially when you ask them about sensitive issues.
Jackson Terry, 14, says he answered honestly when he took one of these surveys last year, but he knows kids who didn't.
"They handed out the sheet, I believe it was in language class," says Terry, who's from Granville, Ohio. "The teacher was in the room. It was anonymous. I think they asked us about bullying, do you feel safe in school, some questions about drugs, the learning environment."
Some kids "would joke through the entire thing and have a cocky attitude about it," Terry says. "Afterwards some would say, yeah, No. 5, that's totally not true; I just made something up."
New York Times also describes how the potency of THC has increased dramatically from 4% to 90% in some cases (gift link):
Today’s cannabis is far more potent than the pot that preceded legalization. In 1995, the marijuana seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration was around 4 percent THC, the primary psychoactive compound in pot. Today, you can buy marijuana products with THC levels of 90 percent or more. As the cliché goes, this is not your parents’ weed. It is as if some beer brands were still sold as beer but contained as much alcohol per ounce as whiskey.
This extremely potent version of THC can lead to psychosis, even with a single dose, destroying the future of countless children and adults.
“Stats” might say use is declining, but I beg to differ.
MacBook Neo in Indigo - what does it look like in different lighting scenarios?
If my memory serves me correctly, the Midnight Blue MacBook Air was darker than this Indigo color, making the Neo a bit more pleasing to the eye. Anyway here are the photos 📓
If my memory serves me correctly, the Midnight Blue MacBook Air was darker than this Indigo color, making the Neo a bit more pleasing to the eye. Anyway here are the photos:
In low, warm light.
Morning productivity.
It is a fingerprint magnet.
Near a window, with overcast skies.
Logo is matte finished instead of the usual glossy finish.
Outdoors in overcast skies. Wasn’t planning on snow today…
Dorm room, warm, low light simulation. Almost looks like the iPhone 14 Pro in Deep Purple.
I like the color matched keyboard, and I think the Indigo has the most colored keyboard out of the bunch. You really notice the lack of a backlight. Speaking of…
In complete darkness, you get some light on the keyboard from the screen, but not enough to compensate for no backlight.
Update to Series 5 Ceramic Apple Watch hands-on.
Posted in my official hands-on, but just in case you want the “line notes” of what was updated:
Series 5 Smart Stack only holds 6 widgets. The Series 9, 10, 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3 can have 10 widgets. I’m sure the SE 3 can also support 10 widgets since it has the same S10 processor (what qualifies as a widget?).
Added some photos with the neon yellow band.
Posted in my official hands-on, but just in case you want the “line notes” of what was updated:
Series 5 Smart Stack only holds 6 widgets. The Series 9, 10, 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3 can have 10 widgets. I’m sure the SE 3 can also support 10 widgets since it has the same S10 processor (what qualifies as a widget?).
Added some photos with the neon yellow band.
Dave2D finally answers my most important question about MacBook Neo.
When the MacBook Neo was announced, I wanted to know if Apple cut a corner on the hinge, since the price point was so low:
The only unanswered question on my mind - can you open the lid with one finger?
That is a signature Apple feature, and it doesn’t surprise me that Apple kept it. The one-finger lift is a sign of premium build quality, and any laptop without it automatically is a deal breaker for me personally. Even when I was a Chromebook user, I only bought the best.
Professional laptop reviewer Dave2D not only confirmed it, but he gave it some screentime, emphasizing the importance of what many would consider an insignificant feature.
When the MacBook Neo was announced, I wanted to know if Apple cut a corner on the hinge, since the price point was so low:
The only unanswered question on my mind - can you open the lid with one finger?
That is a signature Apple feature, and it doesn’t surprise me that Apple kept it. The one-finger lift is a sign of premium build quality, and any laptop without it automatically is a deal breaker for me personally. Even when I was a Chromebook user, I only bought the best.
Professional laptop reviewer Dave2D not only confirmed it, but he gave it some screentime, emphasizing the importance of what many would consider an insignificant feature.
iPhone Clock icon transition right at daylight savings time.
Had to get up for work at 2:30am but that time didn’t exist last night, so I decided to get up at 1:55am and saw the clock transition from 1:59am to 3am. Nothing super special, but you have to wait 8 months to see a transition like this again.
Had to get up for work at 2:30am but that time didn’t exist last night, so I decided to get up at 1:55am and saw the clock transition from 1:59am to 3am. Nothing super special, but you have to wait 8 months to see a transition like this again.
Why MacBook Neo can only have 8GB of RAM.
AleksandarK from TechPowerUp, explaining why the RAM in MacBook Neo is limited to 8GB:
Some online criticism emerged regarding Apple's decision to offer a laptop with only 8 GB of RAM in 2026, with no options for higher RAM capacity. However, this 8 GB of RAM is a design choice Apple made at TSMC's packaging facilities for the A18 Pro chip. Inside the MacBook Neo, Apple decided to reuse the iPhone 16 Pro's chip, which comes from TSMC with 8 GB of LPDDR5X memory. This memory is attached directly above the A18 Pro SoC using Integrated Fan-Out Package on Package (InFO-PoP), creating a 3D wafer-level fan-out package. This package is designed to hold memory directly above the SoC die, resulting in a smaller PCB design without the LPDDR5X module taking up over 100 mm² of PCB area.
Therefore, Apple's MacBook Neo configurations are limited to what the A18 Pro SoC is originally packaged with. These are 8 GB LPDDR5X modules that are shipped directly to TSMC for integration into the InFO-PoP package, which is later shipped back to Apple for integration into these new MacBook Neo laptops.
Future upgrades to the MacBook Neo, say to the A19 Pro, would mean it would get 12GB of RAM.
AleksandarK from TechPowerUp, explaining why the RAM in MacBook Neo is limited to 8GB:
Some online criticism emerged regarding Apple's decision to offer a laptop with only 8 GB of RAM in 2026, with no options for higher RAM capacity. However, this 8 GB of RAM is a design choice Apple made at TSMC's packaging facilities for the A18 Pro chip. Inside the MacBook Neo, Apple decided to reuse the iPhone 16 Pro's chip, which comes from TSMC with 8 GB of LPDDR5X memory. This memory is attached directly above the A18 Pro SoC using Integrated Fan-Out Package on Package (InFO-PoP), creating a 3D wafer-level fan-out package. This package is designed to hold memory directly above the SoC die, resulting in a smaller PCB design without the LPDDR5X module taking up over 100 mm² of PCB area.
Therefore, Apple's MacBook Neo configurations are limited to what the A18 Pro SoC is originally packaged with. These are 8 GB LPDDR5X modules that are shipped directly to TSMC for integration into the InFO-PoP package, which is later shipped back to Apple for integration into these new MacBook Neo laptops.
Future upgrades to the MacBook Neo, say to the A19 Pro, would mean it would get 12GB of RAM.
My old advice aged worst than gorgonzola.
Before the MacBook Neo was announced, I said it would be a bad idea to make any upgrades to it:
Apple’s new rumored MacBook with multiple deep color options might be the best deal for students and first-time Mac users, but the minute you go past the base model’s specs, it’s value proposition and charm will fumble.
Rumored to start at 8GB of RAM and at 256GB of memory, it’s a solid computer for an alleged $599-$699 starting price. 8GB of RAM is a limitation though and historically Apple charges a $200 upgrade to 16GB. Now we’re at $799-$899 for this smaller laptop, right in MacBook Air territory, making the M4 MacBook Air the logical purchase since it’s always on sale for $799.
At the time there was no certainty about price and what chip and RAM configurations it would have. Now that it has been revealed, the only upgrade is the $100 option for Touch ID and 256GB of extra storage. Well worth it as I explained in greater detail.
Before the MacBook Neo was announced, I said it would be a bad idea to make any upgrades to it:
Apple’s new rumored MacBook with multiple deep color options might be the best deal for students and first-time Mac users, but the minute you go past the base model’s specs, it’s value proposition and charm will fumble.
Rumored to start at 8GB of RAM and at 256GB of memory, it’s a solid computer for an alleged $599-$699 starting price. 8GB of RAM is a limitation though and historically Apple charges a $200 upgrade to 16GB. Now we’re at $799-$899 for this smaller laptop, right in MacBook Air territory, making the M4 MacBook Air the logical purchase since it’s always on sale for $799.
At the time there was no certainty about price and what chip and RAM configurations it would have. Now that it has been revealed, the only upgrade is the $100 option for Touch ID and 256GB of extra storage. Well worth it as I explained in greater detail.
Should you upgrade your MacBook Neo for $100 to get Touch ID and more storage?
The $100 upgrade price is the only upgrade option on MacBook Neo and it gives you two features:
256GB of extra storage, for a total of 512GB.
Touch ID instead of a Lock button.
In my opinion it is well worth the upgrade for these two features. 256GB is already limiting for a MacBook, and if you take a lot of photos and videos on your iPhone, the 512GB of storage comes in handy for local storage. Even though this laptop isn’t really a “creator’s laptop” due to its lower specs, it does give people plenty of power to dabble in photo or video editing, where storage once again comes in handy. There’s also the possibility of faster read and write speeds with double the storage and better performance when your 8GB of RAM is full, forcing the computer into swap memory. We will have to wait for the teardown to see if Apple is using single or dual NAND chips but like I said previously:
If I were a betting man, I would assume the base model comes with a single NAND 256GB chip instead of dual NAND 128GB chips. You would get extra performance if you had dual 128GB chips since you have more “lanes” for data transfer and memory swap, but since this is the budget MacBook, it’s hard to tell until someone does a teardown.
Even if there was no difference in SSD speeds and performance, the price upgrade is worth it.
The second reason - Touch ID, a huge time saver when you add the cumulative amount of time you would spend either typing in your password, or hoping your “Apple Watch to Unlock” feature is going to work. Don’t get me wrong - using your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac works really well most of the time…but you need an Apple Watch. Even if you have one, the times where it doesn’t work makes it annoying to manually type your password, potentially making it a security risk if people are snooping around.
Let’s not forget about the other benefits of Touch ID:
Apple Pay.
You can easily fill usernames and passwords more securely. Without Touch ID, you simply click your username and password from iCloud Keychain to fill the field with no authentication other than when you unlocked your MacBook. In this case Touch ID is less convenient (barely), but more secure.
Passkeys - if you’re trying to login with a passkey, there’s a lot less friction with Touch ID. Simply touch and you’re in. Without Touch ID, you would have to use an iPhone or iPad and scan a QR code, adding more friction.
Apple kept the upgrade path simple with MacBook Neo, and the $100 upgrade is a no-brainer. At $699, this is still a great deal and the deal gets even better with education pricing at $599.
The $100 upgrade price is the only upgrade option on MacBook Neo and it gives you two features:
256GB of extra storage, for a total of 512GB.
Touch ID instead of a Lock button.
In my opinion it is well worth the upgrade for these two features. 256GB is already limiting for a MacBook, and if you take a lot of photos and videos on your iPhone, the 512GB of storage comes in handy for local storage. Even though this laptop isn’t really a “creator’s laptop” due to its lower specs, it does give people plenty of power to dabble in photo or video editing, where storage once again comes in handy. There’s also the possibility of faster read and write speeds with double the storage and better performance when your 8GB of RAM is full, forcing the computer into swap memory. We will have to wait for the teardown to see if Apple is using single or dual NAND chips but like I said previously:
If I were a betting man, I would assume the base model comes with a single NAND 256GB chip instead of dual NAND 128GB chips. You would get extra performance if you had dual 128GB chips since you have more “lanes” for data transfer and memory swap, but since this is the budget MacBook, it’s hard to tell until someone does a teardown.
Even if there was no difference in SSD speeds and performance, the price upgrade is worth it.
The second reason - Touch ID, a huge time saver when you add the cumulative amount of time you would spend either typing in your password, or hoping your “Apple Watch to Unlock” feature is going to work. Don’t get me wrong - using your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac works really well most of the time…but you need an Apple Watch. Even if you have one, the times where it doesn’t work makes it annoying to manually type your password, potentially making it a security risk if people are snooping around.
Let’s not forget about the other benefits of Touch ID:
Apple Pay.
You can easily fill usernames and passwords more securely. Without Touch ID, you simply click your username and password from iCloud Keychain to fill the field with no authentication other than when you unlocked your MacBook. In this case Touch ID is less convenient (barely), but more secure.
Passkeys - if you’re trying to login with a passkey, there’s a lot less friction with Touch ID. Simply touch and you’re in. Without Touch ID, you would have to use an iPhone or iPad and scan a QR code, adding more friction.
Apple kept the upgrade path simple with MacBook Neo, and the $100 upgrade is a no-brainer. At $699, this is still a great deal and the deal gets even better with education pricing at $599.
Studio Display and Studio Display XDR have A19 and A19 Pro chips inside.
Joe Rossignol from MacRumors:
Apple's press release and marketing materials for the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR models do not mention which chips are inside the monitors, but MacRumors has confirmed this information in the latest Studio Display firmware.
The firmware reveals that the second-generation Studio Display is equipped with an A19 chip, while the Studio Display XDR has an A19 Pro chip, according to code reviewed by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Rumors had mentioned either the A19 chip or the A19 Pro chip, and it turns out that the two chips are split across the two models.
I was about to write about this exact topic, wondering why Apple didn’t reveal the chipset in these two devices. In 2022 they did discuss the A13 chip and how it was responsible for the Center Stage camera, “Hey Siri” support, and Spatial Audio among other functions. No doubt the A19 Pro is pulling a lot of muscle with all the new features, including medical grade imaging in the XDR model.
Joe Rossignol from MacRumors:
Apple's press release and marketing materials for the new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR models do not mention which chips are inside the monitors, but MacRumors has confirmed this information in the latest Studio Display firmware.
The firmware reveals that the second-generation Studio Display is equipped with an A19 chip, while the Studio Display XDR has an A19 Pro chip, according to code reviewed by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Rumors had mentioned either the A19 chip or the A19 Pro chip, and it turns out that the two chips are split across the two models.
I was about to write about this exact topic, wondering why Apple didn’t reveal the chipset in these two devices. In 2022 they did discuss the A13 chip and how it was responsible for the Center Stage camera, “Hey Siri” support, and Spatial Audio among other functions. No doubt the A19 Pro is pulling a lot of muscle with all the new features, including medical grade imaging in the XDR model.
Apple debuts all-new MacBook Neo, starting at $599.
A very low entry price, and even lower at $499 with education pricing. The main specs:
Powered by A18 Pro, the same chip in iPhone 16 Pro, except with one less GPU core.
You can only get 8GB of RAM, which is a bummer, but makes sense for the target audience.
Base storage of 256GB.
For $100 extra, you get double the storage and Touch ID. Totally worth the $100, which could even be a wash when sales start happening. If I were a betting man, I would assume the base model comes with a single NAND 256GB chip instead of dual NAND 128GB chips. You would get extra performance if you had dual 128GB chips since you have more “lanes” for data transfer and memory swap, but since this is the budget MacBook, it’s hard to tell until someone does a teardown.
Side firing stereo speakers - they sound promising (haha), and Apple does a good job of giving decent audio even in budget products.
No MagSafe 3 - totally expected and I barely use it on my wife’s 14-inch M1 Pro.
Two USB-C ports - a plus since I was expecting a single port. Supports one 4K display alongside the Neo’s display.
Four colors:
Silver
Blush (light pink),
Citrus (excess vitamin intake piss yellow),
Indigo
No backlit keyboard, but you do get color matching keycaps, which could be problematic in dark environments.
Full specs comparing the two models. I’ll be testing the base model which matches my M1 Air in terms of memory and RAM, so we’ll see if the performance at least matches my M1.
In all fairness, I’ve been happy with 8GB of RAM on my M1 Air, and for people who only use stock apps and maybe Chrome or Firefox, this will be a beast.
The only unanswered question on my mind - can you open the lid with one finger?
A very low entry price, and even lower at $499 with education pricing. The main specs:
Powered by A18 Pro, the same chip in iPhone 16 Pro, except with one less GPU core.
You can only get 8GB of RAM, which is a bummer, but makes sense for the target audience.
Base storage of 256GB.
For $100 extra, you get double the storage and Touch ID. Totally worth the $100, which could even be a wash when sales start happening. If I were a betting man, I would assume the base model comes with a single NAND 256GB chip instead of dual NAND 128GB chips. You would get extra performance if you had dual 128GB chips since you have more “lanes” for data transfer and memory swap, but since this is the budget MacBook, it’s hard to tell until someone does a teardown.
Side firing stereo speakers - they sound promising (haha), and Apple does a good job of giving decent audio even in budget products.
No MagSafe 3 - totally expected and I barely use it on my wife’s 14-inch M1 Pro.
Two USB-C ports - a plus since I was expecting a single port. Supports one 4K display alongside the Neo’s display.
Four colors:
Silver
Blush (light pink),
Citrus (excess vitamin intake piss yellow),
Indigo
No backlit keyboard, but you do get color matching keycaps, which could be problematic in dark environments.
Full specs comparing the two models. I’ll be testing the base model which matches my M1 Air in terms of memory and RAM, so we’ll see if the performance at least matches my M1.
In all fairness, I’ve been happy with 8GB of RAM on my M1 Air, and for people who only use stock apps and maybe Chrome or Firefox, this will be a beast.
The only unanswered question on my mind - can you open the lid with one finger?
Apple’s new M5 Pro and M5 Max debut in the MacBook Pro, now starting with 1TB of storage.
Apple today announced the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max, bringing game-changing performance and AI capabilities to the world’s best pro laptop. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, MacBook Pro features a new CPU with the world’s fastest CPU core, a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, and higher unified memory bandwidth, altogether delivering up to 4x AI performance compared to the previous generation, and up to 8x AI performance compared to M1 models. This allows developers, researchers, business professionals, and creatives to unlock new AI-enabled workflows right on MacBook Pro. It now comes with up to 2x faster SSD performance and starts at 1TB of storage for M5 Pro and 2TB for M5 Max. The new MacBook Pro includes N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, bringing improved performance and reliability to wireless connections. It also offers up to 24 hours of battery life; a gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display with a nano-texture option; a wide array of connectivity, including Thunderbolt 5; a 12MP Center Stage camera; studio-quality mics; an immersive six-speaker sound system; Apple Intelligence features; and the power of macOS Tahoe. The new MacBook Pro comes in space black and silver, and is available to pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
The new storage bumps lead to both price increases and decreases, and this piece from Macworld explains all the price changes to the new MacBooks (including the MacBook Air).
Apple today announced the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max, bringing game-changing performance and AI capabilities to the world’s best pro laptop. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, MacBook Pro features a new CPU with the world’s fastest CPU core, a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, and higher unified memory bandwidth, altogether delivering up to 4x AI performance compared to the previous generation, and up to 8x AI performance compared to M1 models. This allows developers, researchers, business professionals, and creatives to unlock new AI-enabled workflows right on MacBook Pro. It now comes with up to 2x faster SSD performance and starts at 1TB of storage for M5 Pro and 2TB for M5 Max. The new MacBook Pro includes N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, bringing improved performance and reliability to wireless connections. It also offers up to 24 hours of battery life; a gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display with a nano-texture option; a wide array of connectivity, including Thunderbolt 5; a 12MP Center Stage camera; studio-quality mics; an immersive six-speaker sound system; Apple Intelligence features; and the power of macOS Tahoe. The new MacBook Pro comes in space black and silver, and is available to pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
The new storage bumps lead to both price increases and decreases, and this piece from Macworld explains all the price changes to the new MacBooks (including the MacBook Air).
Apple releases M5 Pro and M5 Max chips with more than 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to M4.
Apple today announced M5 Pro and M5 Max, the world’s most advanced chips for pro laptops, powering the new MacBook Pro. The chips are built using a new Apple-designed Fusion Architecture. This innovative design combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC), which includes a powerful CPU, scalable GPU, Media Engine, unified memory controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 capabilities. M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a new 18-core CPU architecture. It includes six of the highest-performing core design, now called super cores, that are the world’s fastest CPU core. Alongside these cores are 12 all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded workloads. Collectively, the CPU significantly boosts performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads. The GPU scales up the next-generation architecture introduced in M5 to an up-to-40-core GPU. With a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core and higher unified memory bandwidth, M5 Pro and M5 Max are over 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation. The GPU substantially increases graphics capabilities — now up to 35 percent for apps using ray tracing than M4 Pro and M4 Max — enhancing advanced visual effects and 3D rendering. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, the new MacBook Pro is the ultimate powerhouse for pros and is available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
Apple might not have the best AI chatbot, but they sure as hell will give you the best performance to help you make said chatbot. Also notable:
With all these features, M5 Pro delivers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to M4 Pro, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Pro for AI performance. […]
M5 Max offers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to the previous generation, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Max for AI performance.
It goes to show how crazy Apple went with their first set of silicon chips, the historic M1 lineup, still being used by many today without the need or urge to really upgrade.
Apple today announced M5 Pro and M5 Max, the world’s most advanced chips for pro laptops, powering the new MacBook Pro. The chips are built using a new Apple-designed Fusion Architecture. This innovative design combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC), which includes a powerful CPU, scalable GPU, Media Engine, unified memory controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 capabilities. M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a new 18-core CPU architecture. It includes six of the highest-performing core design, now called super cores, that are the world’s fastest CPU core. Alongside these cores are 12 all-new performance cores, optimized for power-efficient, multithreaded workloads. Collectively, the CPU significantly boosts performance by up to 30 percent for pro workloads. The GPU scales up the next-generation architecture introduced in M5 to an up-to-40-core GPU. With a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core and higher unified memory bandwidth, M5 Pro and M5 Max are over 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation. The GPU substantially increases graphics capabilities — now up to 35 percent for apps using ray tracing than M4 Pro and M4 Max — enhancing advanced visual effects and 3D rendering. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, the new MacBook Pro is the ultimate powerhouse for pros and is available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
Apple might not have the best AI chatbot, but they sure as hell will give you the best performance to help you make said chatbot. Also notable:
With all these features, M5 Pro delivers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to M4 Pro, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Pro for AI performance. […]
M5 Max offers over 4x the peak GPU compute compared to the previous generation, and over 6x the peak GPU compute than M1 Max for AI performance.
It goes to show how crazy Apple went with their first set of silicon chips, the historic M1 lineup, still being used by many today without the need or urge to really upgrade.
Studio Display vs Studio Display XDR - full specs comparison document.
You can compare the fundamental differences between the two displays on Apple’s website, but you can compare the full specs of each in my attached document:
You can compare the fundamental differences between the two displays on Apple’s website, but you can compare the full specs of each in my attached document:
Apple loves the iPhone Air and its durability so much, it didn’t need to release new cases for it.
Apple's Silicone Case for the standard iPhone 17 model has three new color options, including Bright Guava, Vanilla, and Electric Lavender.
Bright Guava and Vanilla extend to the Silicone Case for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the Pro models did not get Electric Lavender treatment.
Apple has a Silicone Case for the new iPhone 17e too, and it comes in Bright Guava, Vanilla, Soft Pink, and a handful of other colors.
Apple also has a MagSafe Clear Case for the iPhone 17e.
If you prefer an iPhone 17e case from Apple's Beats brand, there is a new MagSafe case with hard plastic. It comes in Bedrock Blue and Lime Stone.
Any new case options for the iPhone Air? Any?
Of course not, because why would the best designed iPhone, with superior Titanium durability, even need a case? Unlike the other inferior options with their inferior aluminum chassis, the Air can take a beating over and over again.
Apple’s love for the Air is more obvious than ever.
Apple's Silicone Case for the standard iPhone 17 model has three new color options, including Bright Guava, Vanilla, and Electric Lavender.
Bright Guava and Vanilla extend to the Silicone Case for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the Pro models did not get Electric Lavender treatment.
Apple has a Silicone Case for the new iPhone 17e too, and it comes in Bright Guava, Vanilla, Soft Pink, and a handful of other colors.
Apple also has a MagSafe Clear Case for the iPhone 17e.
If you prefer an iPhone 17e case from Apple's Beats brand, there is a new MagSafe case with hard plastic. It comes in Bedrock Blue and Lime Stone.
Any new case options for the iPhone Air? Any?
Of course not, because why would the best designed iPhone, with superior Titanium durability, even need a case? Unlike the other inferior options with their inferior aluminum chassis, the Air can take a beating over and over again.
Apple’s love for the Air is more obvious than ever.
Apple releases iPhone 17e, with MagSafe (Finally!)
Apple today announced iPhone 17e, a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. At the heart of iPhone 17e is the latest-generation A19, which delivers exceptional performance for everything users do. iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. The 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning photos, including next-generation portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto — like having two cameras in one. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.1 With MagSafe, users can enjoy fast wireless charging and access to a vast ecosystem of accessories like chargers and cases. And when iPhone 17e users are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help them stay connected when it matters most.2
Available in three elegant colors with a premium matte finish — black, white, and a beautiful new soft pink — iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11. iPhone 17e will start at 256GB of storage for $599 — 2x the entry storage from the previous generation at the same starting price, and 4x more than iPhone 12 — giving users more space for high-resolution photos, 4K videos, apps, games, and more.
MagSafe is the real win here, but also Ceramic Shield 2 is a huge win for durability, not to mention double the base storage starting at 256GB. Soft pink will be a big seller too.
All the right upgrades.
Absolute no-brainer recommendation for most people who just want a basic iPhone.
Apple today announced iPhone 17e, a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. At the heart of iPhone 17e is the latest-generation A19, which delivers exceptional performance for everything users do. iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. The 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning photos, including next-generation portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto — like having two cameras in one. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.1 With MagSafe, users can enjoy fast wireless charging and access to a vast ecosystem of accessories like chargers and cases. And when iPhone 17e users are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help them stay connected when it matters most.2
Available in three elegant colors with a premium matte finish — black, white, and a beautiful new soft pink — iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11. iPhone 17e will start at 256GB of storage for $599 — 2x the entry storage from the previous generation at the same starting price, and 4x more than iPhone 12 — giving users more space for high-resolution photos, 4K videos, apps, games, and more.
MagSafe is the real win here, but also Ceramic Shield 2 is a huge win for durability, not to mention double the base storage starting at 256GB. Soft pink will be a big seller too.
All the right upgrades.
Absolute no-brainer recommendation for most people who just want a basic iPhone.
Apple releases new iPad Air with M4, and flexes more RAM for the same price.
Apple today announced the new iPad Air featuring M4 and more memory, giving users a big jump in performance at the same starting price. With a faster CPU and GPU, iPad Air boosts tasks like editing and gaming, and is a powerful device for AI with a faster Neural Engine, higher memory bandwidth, and 50 percent more unified system memory than the previous generation. With M4, iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than iPad Air with M3,and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Air with M1. The new iPad Air also features the latest in Apple silicon connectivity chips, N1 and C1X, delivering fast wireless and cellular connections — and support for Wi-Fi 7 — that empower users to work and be creative anywhere. Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for those who want more space to multitask. With game-changing iPadOS 26 capabilities, advanced cameras, all-day battery life, a powerful app ecosystem, and support for accessories like Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, iPad Air delivers a remarkable and versatile experience for anyone who wants to do more on iPad, from students and creators, to business users and gamers. […]
With the same starting price of just $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model, the new iPad Air is an incredible value. And for education, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at $549, and the 13-inch model starts at $749. Customers can pre-order iPad Air starting Wednesday, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
Essentially just a spec bump, but the increase in RAM from 8GB to 12GB is notable. It’s funny how Apple never used to disclose RAM in their iPads and iPhones for years, and now we have them advertising it in the second sentence of their press release. 50% more RAM for the same price with today’s RAM prices? I would tout it too.
When compared to the previous two iPad Air devices, the M4 chip and RAM are the main upgrades.
Apple today announced the new iPad Air featuring M4 and more memory, giving users a big jump in performance at the same starting price. With a faster CPU and GPU, iPad Air boosts tasks like editing and gaming, and is a powerful device for AI with a faster Neural Engine, higher memory bandwidth, and 50 percent more unified system memory than the previous generation. With M4, iPad Air is up to 30 percent faster than iPad Air with M3,and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Air with M1. The new iPad Air also features the latest in Apple silicon connectivity chips, N1 and C1X, delivering fast wireless and cellular connections — and support for Wi-Fi 7 — that empower users to work and be creative anywhere. Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for those who want more space to multitask. With game-changing iPadOS 26 capabilities, advanced cameras, all-day battery life, a powerful app ecosystem, and support for accessories like Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, iPad Air delivers a remarkable and versatile experience for anyone who wants to do more on iPad, from students and creators, to business users and gamers. […]
With the same starting price of just $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model, the new iPad Air is an incredible value. And for education, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at $549, and the 13-inch model starts at $749. Customers can pre-order iPad Air starting Wednesday, March 4, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 11.
Essentially just a spec bump, but the increase in RAM from 8GB to 12GB is notable. It’s funny how Apple never used to disclose RAM in their iPads and iPhones for years, and now we have them advertising it in the second sentence of their press release. 50% more RAM for the same price with today’s RAM prices? I would tout it too.
When compared to the previous two iPad Air devices, the M4 chip and RAM are the main upgrades.
What will Apple cut from the new budget MacBook?
According to a Weibo leak (reported by Tom’s Guide) the following limitations might apply to the new MacBook in order to reach a cheaper price point:
No backlit keyboard
The display may have a lower max brightness
No True Tone color adjustment for the display
Slower SSD speeds
No 1TB or 2TB storage capacity options
No fast charging support
No N1 chip (the chip used to improve performance and reliability of connectivity features like AirDrop)
No high-impedance headphones support
What I think should also be on this list:
Single central speaker instead of stereo speakers
Starting at 8GB RAM
No MagSafe (but keeping a fast charging USB-C port)
Single USB-C port
Bonus feature that could be a surprise welcome (complete wild guess):
Vapor chamber similar to iPhone 17 Pro
We’ll find out soon enough.
According to a Weibo leak (reported by Tom’s Guide) the following limitations might apply to the new MacBook in order to reach a cheaper price point:
No backlit keyboard
The display may have a lower max brightness
No True Tone color adjustment for the display
Slower SSD speeds
No 1TB or 2TB storage capacity options
No fast charging support
No N1 chip (the chip used to improve performance and reliability of connectivity features like AirDrop)
No high-impedance headphones support
What I think should also be on this list:
Single central speaker instead of stereo speakers
Starting at 8GB RAM
No MagSafe (but keeping a fast charging USB-C port)
Single USB-C port
Bonus feature that could be a surprise welcome (complete wild guess):
Vapor chamber similar to iPhone 17 Pro
We’ll find out soon enough.
Apple corrected its spelling mistake for turmeric.
Updated my watch to the latest watchOS 26.4 Developer Beta, and lo and behold, they spelled it right. Maybe someone at Apple does read my posts? I’m quite flattered.
Updated my watch to the latest watchOS 26.4 Developer Beta, and lo and behold, they spelled it right. Maybe someone at Apple does read my posts? I’m quite flattered.
Samsung didn’t put Qi2 magnets in their S26 lineup, and the phones’ design is probably why.
iPhone and Google Pixel are the only mainstream phones with magnetic Qi2 systems in place, and I think Samsung skipped it because their vertical camera setup makes it impossible to have a magnetic system that doesn’t interfere with squared off MagSafe accessories like wallets, battery banks, etc.
They’ve made cases as a consolation, but it’s still only useful for circular accessories. Take a look for yourself (phones not to scale).
Expect a plateau design in the future?
iPhone and Google Pixel are the only mainstream phones with magnetic Qi2 systems in place, and I think Samsung skipped it because their vertical camera setup makes it impossible to have a magnetic system that doesn’t interfere with squared off MagSafe accessories like wallets, battery banks, etc.
They’ve made cases as a consolation, but it’s still only useful for circular accessories. Take a look for yourself (phones not to scale).
Expect a plateau design in the future?
The “miracle” weight loss drug only works if you can withstand taking it for life.
The impact of GLP-1 medications on weight loss is undeniable, but emerging research suggests the results may only be temporary. A growing body of evidence shows that when patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, much of the weight they lost returns—and so do the medical complications that may have prompted treatment in the first place.
“The only way that they work is if you keep taking them,” Scott Isaacs, an endocrinologist at the Grady Health System in Atlanta, told Market Watch. “And when people stop taking them, they have a lot of weight regain, and the medical problems that went away tend to come back.”
New research from the University of Oxford found that weight is projected to return to pretreatment levels within about 1.7 years after stopping medications. Improvements in cardio-metabolic markers—including blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes-related indicators—also trend back toward baseline within about 1.4 years after cessation.
It’s not a surprise that any medication for weight loss needs to be taken indefinitely, especially since personal responsibility takes a backseat. From personal experience, I take a cholesterol pill everyday, knowing full well that this might be a lifelong pill, and yes, it makes one eat a little less responsibly at times knowing that the pill will take care of my bad decision to eat a greasy burger with fries and soda, followed by some ice cream.
At least I know what to watch out for in terms of side effects, but anyone taking a medication for lifestyle improvements needs to realize wholeheartedly what they’re getting themselves into. Don’t just follow the fad and look at the positives, but look at the negatives as well.
The impact of GLP-1 medications on weight loss is undeniable, but emerging research suggests the results may only be temporary. A growing body of evidence shows that when patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, much of the weight they lost returns—and so do the medical complications that may have prompted treatment in the first place.
“The only way that they work is if you keep taking them,” Scott Isaacs, an endocrinologist at the Grady Health System in Atlanta, told Market Watch. “And when people stop taking them, they have a lot of weight regain, and the medical problems that went away tend to come back.”
New research from the University of Oxford found that weight is projected to return to pretreatment levels within about 1.7 years after stopping medications. Improvements in cardio-metabolic markers—including blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes-related indicators—also trend back toward baseline within about 1.4 years after cessation.
It’s not a surprise that any medication for weight loss needs to be taken indefinitely, especially since personal responsibility takes a backseat. From personal experience, I take a cholesterol pill everyday, knowing full well that this might be a lifelong pill, and yes, it makes one eat a little less responsibly at times knowing that the pill will take care of my bad decision to eat a greasy burger with fries and soda, followed by some ice cream.
At least I know what to watch out for in terms of side effects, but anyone taking a medication for lifestyle improvements needs to realize wholeheartedly what they’re getting themselves into. Don’t just follow the fad and look at the positives, but look at the negatives as well.