Apple is planning to refresh the entire Mac lineup with updated M4 chips starting in late 2024 and continuing into 2025, and that will include a new M4 chip for Apple’s mid-tier desktop machine, the Mac Studio.
M4 Chip Rumors
Apple has a lineup of M4 chips in development, including the standard M4, the M4 Pro and M4 Max, and a higher-end version that’s codenamed “Hidra.” This higher-end chip could be an “Ultra” version that’s equivalent to the M2 Ultra, or it might even be something even more powerful.
With the M2 lineup, the M2 Ultra is a chip that is in fact two M2 Max chips linked together. There is no M3 Ultra at this time, but the architecture of the M3 Max chip has led to speculation that future Ultra chips might be standalone chips rather than constructed from two Max dies.
The M3 Max seems to lack the UltraFusion interconnect that allowed the M2 Max chips to function as an Ultra. Because that’s missing, it’s likely the Ultra chip would have dedicated development with customizations for heavy workloads. Apple could tweak the number of performance and efficiency cores to focus on power, and add more GPU cores.
Current Mac Studio machines use M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, so we can expect the M4 models to be equipped with M4 Max and M4 Ultra (or its equivalent) chips. Aside from the Mac Pro, the Mac Studio is the only Apple machine that uses “Ultra” chips.
The Mac Studio is designed for Mac users who have system intensive workflows that require advanced compute and graphics capabilities. There isn’t a lot of differentiation between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro as of right now, so Apple may be planning for a more powerful M4 Ultra variant for the Mac Pro.
Apple is going all-in on artificial intelligence across its product lineup in the coming months, so the M4 is expected to have a focus on boosting AI and machine learning performance. Rumors suggest there will be an updated Neural Engine with a greater number of cores to handle AI tasks.
Memory Updates
The next Mac Studio and Mac Pro could support as much as 500GB of Unified Memory, up from the current 192GB maximum.
What About the M3?
With Apple planning to refresh the Mac Studio with M4 chips in 2025, it’s not entirely clear as of yet if there will be an M3 refresh this year.
The iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air lines have been updated with M3 chips, but the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro are still using M2 chips. With the M4 refresh already planned, Apple could skip the M3 update for its desktop machines, but it’s also possible we’ll get an M3 refresh around the middle of the year and a second M4 refresh next year, which would put a year between each update.
Apple is testing a version of the Mac Studio with an M3 processor, so an update this year and then a second update next year is plausible.
Design Changes
The Mac Studio hasn’t had a design update since it was first launched in March 2022, but it hasn’t really existed long enough to need a refresh. Apple tends to wait several years before making major changes to Mac hardware, and we are not expecting the Mac Studio to get a refreshed look in the near future.
It will likely be closer to 2026 or 2027 before Apple considers updating the design, though it could be even longer. The Mac mini has not seen notable design changes since 2010.
Release Date
According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the Mac Studio with M4 chip is expected to be released in mid-2025, which would suggest a possible introduction at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference.
Apple TV+ heralded the birth of a new season of popular family comedy Trying with a season 4 trailer Tuesday. It charmingly shows everyone getting older as the London family faces life’s little problems, including those adopted kids. After all, six years have passed in the story since season three’s action. They’re “older not wiser,” according to the show’s tagline.
The trailer is not exactly uncontrollably laughing-out-loud funny. But, like the show, its moments of wry humor will draw smiles and a chuckle or two. The fourth season debuts May 22 on Apple TV+.
Life’s little problems continue in Trying season 4 trailer
Apple TV+ said Tuesday the “beloved series” returns for season four’s eight episodes starting Wednesday, May 22, with the first two episodes. The show stars BAFTA Award nominee Esther Smith and SAG Award nominee Rafe Spall.
Here’s how the streamer describes the new season:
In this exciting new season, we fast-forward six years to discover that Nikki (Smith) and Jason (Spall) are experienced adopters having built a lovely little nuclear family, enriched by an extraordinary support network.
However, as their teenage daughter, Princess (Scarlett Rayner), starts to yearn for a connection with her birth mother, Nikki and Jason find themselves confronted with the ultimate test of their parenting skills.
And notably, the trailer and the show include new music:
The trailer features the brand new single from London-based pop star BEKA, titled “Forever.” BEKA helms this season’s soundtrack with original songs set to debut in each episode. She follows Maisie Peters and Bear’s Den who wrote and performed the soundtracks for Trying season two and season three, respectively.
Watch the Trying season 4 trailer
New and returning cast members
In addition to Smith and Spall, the cast includes Sian Brooke and BAFTA Award winner Darren Boyd. The new season welcomes Rayner and Cooper Turner as cast members.
Andy Wolton created and executive produces the show. BAFTA Award nominee Josh Cole, Sam Pinnell and Chris Sussman also executive produce. BBC Studios produces the show.
Watch Trying on Apple TV+
Like the Trying season 4 trailer? While you wait for the new season to air, you can watch the first three seasons of Trying on Apple TV+. The service is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
With no M3 version on the way, iMac mini M2 will stay around until the M4 chip arrives. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
There will never be a version of the Mac mini with the Apple M3 processor, according to a reliable tipster. Instead, the inexpensive desktop will wait for the next-generation chip.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that the wait supposedly won’t be terribly long.
Mac mini could pass over M3 in favor of M4
The Apple M3 launched in autumn 2023 in MacBook Pro and iMac, and came to MacBook Air early this year. It’s still rolling out, with a new, more powerful iteration of the chip supposedly headed for the Mac Studio desktop in mid-year.
But the replacement M4 is already on the horizon. And the next Mac mini will be on hold until that chip arrives, reports Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman in the paywalled section of the new edition of his Power On newsletter.
The M4 iMac mini will arrive at the end of 2024 or early 2025, and there simply isn’t time to squeeze an M3 version in before that launch, according to Gurman. Which means the M2 version will stay on shelves for longer.
When the next-generation Mac mini arrives, it’ll supposedly be available in both M4 and M4 Pro variants.
More about the M2 Mac mini
This compact desktop is the least expensive Mac — the base model is only $599 — and it’s aimed at budget-conscious consumers. It’s really not surprising that it’s not always kept updated with the latest-and-greatest processor.
That said, the M2 Mac mini is hardly underpowered. With an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, the machine can easily handle a typical consumer’s browsing and light photo/video editing needs.
Those who need a significant step up in performance can get the version with the M2 Pro chip. This model ships with a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, and 16GB of unified system memory. This variant also packs four Thunderbolt 4 ports alongside two USB-A ports so users can hook up as many high-bandwidth accessories as needed, including more than two monitors.
Apple is likely to skip an M3 version of the Mac mini in favor of a bigger update with M4 chips toward the end of the year, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his “Power On” newsletter, Gurman explained that he does not expect Apple to refresh the Mac mini with M3 chips. Apple last updated the Mac mini with the M2 and M2 Pro chips in January 2023. Other new features included two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI 2.1 port for M2 Pro configurations, Wi-Fi 6E support with a compatible router, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Gurman previously said that Apple is planning to release new Mac mini models with M4 and M4 Pro chips “between the end of 2024 and early 2025.” Now, he has clarified that with new Mac minis arriving as soon as the end of the year, there is not sufficient “room for M3 models to come out before then, so it’s probably safe to say that those Mac desktops will skip the M3 generation.”
Such a move would not be unprecedented since the iMac skipped the M2 chip entirely, holding off until a bigger performance bump with the M3 chip late last year. With the M4 chip series, the Mac mini should get a significant CPU performance improvement compared to the existing models with the M2 series. The M4 chips are also rumored to have a faster Neural Engine for artificial intelligence tasks.
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,…
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of…
Last September, Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch …
The rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air that is expected to be announced in May will be equipped with a mini-LED display like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to Ross Young, CEO of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. The existing 10.9-inch iPad Air is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would provide increased brightness for…
If your Mac is running slow, there are a few things you can do to speed it up and better understand what’s slowing it down.
It’s not just that your Mac is old — although that is an important factor. It could be that you don’t have enough memory, especially if you like to use Google Chrome. You may have a bunch of apps running in the background. There also might be dust in the vents, keeping your Mac from running nice and cool.
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5 reasons for a slow Mac
1. Switch from Google Chrome (and other apps) to Safari
Safari is much easier on your Mac than Google Chrome, which is a notorious power drain and memory hog. The more Chrome tabs you have open, the less memory you have available for everything else.
Safari consistently comes out on top of browser speed tests. According to Apple, Safari loads pages up to 50% faster than Chrome. So, switching to Safari from Chrome is an easy way to speed up your slow Mac. (Making the switch also gives you a security boost, especially if you max out Safari’s privacy settings.)
It’s not just Google Chrome itself, either. Apps like Slack, Discord, Spotify, Microsoft Teams and many others are made using the Chrome browser engine, too. But there’s a solution to this problem: Instead of using the official versions of those apps, you can open them and sign in from Safari, then click File > Add to Dock.
Then you’ll be able to run your web apps in their own windows, just like before, but with the energy-efficient Safari powering them instead.
2. Check what apps are running in the background on your slow Mac
Clear out the background items you don’t use. Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
It’s good to keep an eye on what’s running in the background, especially if your Mac is running slow. It could be that you’ve installed a bunch of apps over the years, and one of them is still churning away in the background even though you never use it.
You can find this information in System Settings > General > Login Items.
On top, you’ll see apps that launch automatically when you sign in to your Mac. You can click to select one and click the − button to remove it. Below, you’ll see a list of apps allowed to run in the background. Simply uncheck them to turn them off.
Other background activities are built into macOS itself. There’s no easy way to turn them off without digging into the Terminal, but you should be aware of them:
If you sync your photo library to your Mac, it’ll download new pictures and videos in the background and scan through them to identify people and pets.
Spotlight, the universal search box that can find files, apps, messages, email and more, occasionally needs to scan your Mac to find if there’s anything new.
3. Your slow Mac is simply too old
Macs last a really, really long time — and that’s both a blessing and a curse. I used my 2015 MacBook Pro for eight years, even as its battery started swelling. Now, it’s probably a fire hazard.
Apple releases a major new version of macOS every year. And updating can make an older Mac run slowly. If you keep using an older version (while still installing Apple’s minor security updates), your Mac might run a little faster. (Or, at least, stop getting slower.) Major new releases with new features can slow down an older computer.
Toward the end of the period when Apple sold computers with Intel chips — let’s say from 2014 to 2020 — there were some pretty bad Macs. The 2014 to 2018 Mac mini is legitimately one of the worst Macs ever made. If you own one of those, I’m sorry.
Clean out your old Mac with compressed air. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If your Mac starts getting warm, it will automatically slow down (aka “throttle”) the processor to keep it from getting too hot. Normally, your Mac will only throttle itself if you’re doing something really intense, like exporting a video. It can be frustrating if your Mac slows down in the middle of your regular work.
In an older MacBook, the vents can become blocked by dust over time and cause overheating. That’s pretty easy to fix. Carefully unscrew and remove the MacBook’s bottom case. Then use a vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air to clear out all the visible dust.
In ordinary usage, it’s rare for a newer MacBook Air with Apple silicon to be pushed to its limits, but it can still happen. Since these laptops doesn’t come with an internal fan, you can boost their performance with a cooling pad.
This model sold on Amazon costs only $25. When you’re at your desk, you can put your MacBook on top of it. The cooling pad’s fans will keep cool air blowing underneath, where a MacBook Air gets the hottest. This particular cooling pad doubles as a USB hub, so plugging it into your Mac gives you two USB ports as well.
5. You don’t have enough memory (or storage)
Most Macs made in the last 10 years start with just 8GB of memory on the base model. Upgrading to 16GB or more is one of the most important upgrades you can make when buying a Mac, but a lot of people skip it. You can upgrade the RAM on some older Macs, but not on any recent ones running on Apple silicon.
The bad news is, if you have too many apps open at once, other apps you have open will be pushed out of memory. And that can really make your Mac run slowly if you’re trying to multitask. Short of splurging on extra memory with your next Mac, unfortunately, the only solution when this happens is to quit big apps you’re not using.
This problem can be compounded if your Mac is running low on storage, too. Usually, when your Mac is running low on memory, background apps will be offloaded into storage — but if you don’t have enough storage, that can cause more problems. Here’s what to do if you need to clear up space on your Mac.
World of Warcraft looks and performs very well on Mac. It’s a standout option for gamers frustrated that few other big-name games come to macOS.
Blizzard’s perennially popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game offers constantly evolving content so you won’t get bored. And you don’t need a PC to play.
Use your Mac to pay a visit to World of Warcraft
The game is set in the fantasy world of Azeroth, which is populated by various races: humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and trolls, among others. Players create a character from one of these races then choose to be a warrior, mage, rogue, etc.
Then your character goes out to complete quests, explore the world and battle monsters and other players. And it’s not all fighting — crafting and trading are also part of the game.
None of that’s going to be fun if the game doesn’t play well, but a wide range of Mac users report generally positive experiences with WoW, not just me. Blizzard made a native Apple Silicon version of the game, and Apple’s M-series chips are powerful, with speedy GPU cores built into them.
Of course, the new and more advanced the processor, the better the performance. But that’s always true for every platform — games always push the limits of computer power.
Generally, the worst that happens is the number of frames-per-second temporarily slows down when there’s more going on than the processor can handle, or the amount of detail shown gets momentarily reduced.
World of Warcraft plays well on Mac as long as the computer meets recommended specs. Photo: Blizzard
WoW on Mac recommended system requirements
OS: macOS 11 or later Processor: Intel i7 or Apple M1 Max or better Video: AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 8 GB or Apple M1 Max or better Video Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution Memory: 8GB RAM Storage: 100GB available space Internet: Broadband Input: Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel
Blizzard keeps it fresh
While the game uses a standard fantasy RPG formula, it’s a very popular one. World of Warcraft launched twenty years ago and there are still roughly 130 million active players.
Part of the reason people stick with it is because Blizzard keeps releasing new expansion packs that add fresh content such as areas to explore, monsters to conquer and storylines to follow. There are often new races, classes, and gameplay mechanics, keeping the game fresh and engaging.
There’s no better example than Dragonflight from 2022. This expansion pack sends players to the Dragon Isles where you become a dragonrider. Before that was Shadowlands, in which characters travel to the realm of the dead. And these are only a couple of the packs.
Get a group together
Among the most important features of WoW is its social aspect. Players can form parties and guilds to tackle challenges together, and the game encourages cooperation and teamwork, particularly in more difficult content like dungeons and raids.
Ideally, you and group of friends can play together, each on your own computer. It’s an easy way to socialize because no one has to leave home.
Consider WoW boosting
As play progresses, characters gain experience points and new abilities, equipment and areas to explore. That’s standard … it’s a big part of what makes World of Warcraft an RPG.
Whether progressing upward through the game takes too long depends on who you ask. Some people complain there’s too much grinding — wandering around and around looking for monsters to fight to level up.
Fortunately, WoW boosting is always an option. You can buy boosts to your level, powerful equipment, etc. It’s not cheating — Blizzard sells boosters itself.
World of Warcraft subscription cost
World of Warcraft is free to play until your character reaches level 20. After that, the only way to play is via a subscription. It’s $12.99 per month or $155.88 a year, though special deals are available at various times. Expansion packs vary in price but generally run about $50.
A subscription system is a vastly better option than Blizzard making the game “free.” The company released Diablo Immortal as a free game and it’s swamped with in-app purchases.
The other advantage of a subscription payment system is you can load WoW on your Mac for a month, confirm it performs well and decide whether you like it before you have to pay anything. You don’t have to buy the whole game just to find that out.
And you don’t need a gaming PC. You can play World of Warcraft on the Mac you already own.
Download from:Blizzard Price: Free to try; or $12.99 a month or $155.88 a year.
An audio interface serves as a bridge between your Mac and external audio sources like microphones and musical instruments. The hardware is essential for great sound reproduction, whether you’re a professional producer or a beginner. So finding the best audio interface for your Mac can significantly enhance your recording and mixing experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore top audio interfaces available for Mac, including several affordable options. We’ll discuss their features, performance, compatibility and price points to help you make an informed decision.
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Best audio interface for Mac: Who needs one?
First, do Macs need an audio interface? For the most part, yes, but it depends on what you’re doing. An audio interface connects audio equipment to your Mac. And it converts analog audio signals from various sources into digital signals you can alter and record using digital audio workstation, aka DAW, software installed on your computer. The interface often handles digital-to-analog conversion, aka DAC, too, allowing you to listen through headphones or speakers.
Second, do audio interfaces work with Macs? Yes, most are designed to work easily and integrate beautifully with your computer. They typically connect to a computer via Thunderbolt/USB and work with both Macs and PCs. All audio interfaces in our selection connect that way. We reserved the most portable of them for use with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Third, what is the best sound quality audio interface? Well, that’s a matter of opinion. Every product we feature below is capable of excellent sound quality, and you can enhance it with included software or popular programs you might buy separately, like GarageBand or Logic Pro, both from Apple.
Keep in mind that if you work with software-based instrumentation and a USB or 3.5mm-jack microphone, you don’t necessarily need an audio interface for your Mac. But for pro-level XLR mics and instruments with 1/4-inch line-level outputs, you do. And in any case, an audio interface can improve vocal clarity, reduce latency and offer more control over audio inputs and outputs.
Table of contents: Best audio interfaces for Mac
Factors to consider when choosing an audio interface for Mac:
Inputs/outputs: How many inputs and outputs do you need? Will a two-input audio interface for you and your guitar suffice? Or do you need more for your band?
Connectivity: Ensure that the interface you choose works with your Mac’s available ports.
Compatibility: Make sure the interface is compatible with your specific Mac model, as well as the version of macOS you are running and your preferred DAW software.
Portability: Recording on the go and recording in a dedicated studio call for different audio interfaces. Some are extremely portable but others aren’t.
Microphone type: Condenser microphones require phantom power (+48V or +24V options). So if you use, or plan to use, one a condenser mic, be sure to buy an audio interface with phantom power.
Quality: Look for high-resolution audio, such as 24-bit/192kHz conversion, and high preamp quality (check the reviews).
Software: Some audio interfaces for Mac come with software bundles that drive up the price. If that’s the case, make sure you want or need the software before you pay extra.
Best audio interface for Mac (top pick): Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad
It’s not cheap, but the Apollo Twin X Quad is an excellent audio interface for Mac users. Photo: Universal Audio
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad is our top recommendation for Mac users seeking a highly capable and professional audio interface. This audio interface combines a compact form factor, high-end audio quality, flexible input/output options and powerful onboard digital signal-processing capabilities.
The interface features a small footprint and an attractive design. And its control and input/output schemes are intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to use.
Plus, the Apollo Twin X Quad comes with different software bundles for macOS and iOS as well as PC, depending on where you buy it. The interface includes Universal Audio’s Mac-only Luna DAW software and a bundle of plugins, including compressors, EQs, reverbs and guitar amp emulators to help you achieve various pro audio sounds.
Lots of inputs and outputs
The rear of the Apollo Twin X Quad offers a wide array of inputs and outputs. Photo: Universal Audio
On the back of the unit, you’ll find two combo mic pre/line-level inputs, two sets of 1/4-inch monitor outputs, a power supply input, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an optical input for connecting audio equipment with ADAT or S/PDIF outputs, and a power switch.
The device’s controls and LED indicators are conveniently located on the top panel. With just eight buttons and a wheel, you can control all the input and monitor-related parameters. The interface allows you to easily switch between monitors/headphones and different sources connected to the Twin X Quad.
A quad-core DSP chip for running audio plugins
The Apollo Twin X Quad comes equipped with a built-in quad-core digital signal processing, or DSP, chip, that enables you to run UAD plugins in real time with ultralow latency. The included Console software handles real-time UAD processing and can be routed to any DAW software.
With an impressive D/A dynamic range of 127dB and the lowest noise (-117 dB THD+N) among desktop audio interfaces, the Apollo Twin X Quad delivers organic and spacious sound on par with top-of-the-line professional interfaces used in recording studios.
The optical input allows for stereo S/PDIF operation or connection to gear with ADAT OUT, expanding the number of available input channels to 10 (2 + 8 ADAT).
The Thunderbolt 3 connection ensures lightning-fast processing and minimal latency. It also allows for daisy-chaining up to six UAD-2 devices or four Apollo devices.
Minor negative note: A Thunderbolt 3 cable is not included in the package.
The Apollo Twin Quad usually goes for between $1,100 and $1,500. Looking for a great alternative for a few hundred dollars less? Check out Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin X Duo, below.
Best audio interface for Mac under $1,000 (top options)
1. Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo
This is the smaller sibling of our top pick, and an excellent choice that costs less than $1,000. Photo: Universal Audio
When it comes to Thunderbolt and USB-connected audio interfaces, there are many excellent options for less than $1,000. One of those is the little sibling of our top pick above. It’s the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo. With dual rather than quad DSP chips, this one can run fewer plugins than the Quad.
Like the Quad, the Duo features A/D and D/A conversion derived from Apollo X rackmount interfaces paired with Unison mic preamps for classic mic and guitar amp sounds. And it runs the Luna recording software,made for Apollo (Mac only) and UAD powered plug-ins.
The front panel includes Unison-enabled Hi-Z instrument input, headphone out and a built-in talkback mic for communication in the studio. Dedicated monitor functionality includes monitor remote functions and mono, mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controls. And you can access up to eight channels of additional digital input via optical ADAT/SPDIF inputs.
Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces are great for more budget-minded Mac users. Photo: Focusrite
The fourth-gen Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 audio interface is another popular audio interface for Mac users, offering a great balance of features, performance and affordability. It features USB-C rather than Thunderbolt connectivity and costs about $280.
With two upgraded Scarlett mic preamps, low latency and high-quality converters, the Scarlett 4i4 is a versatile interface that can handle a wide range of recording and production tasks. It’s great for both beginners and experienced producers.
The Scarlett 4i4 offers 24-bit/192kHz converters for high-resolution audio, optimized preamp gain structure, low latency and Hi-Z instrument inputs.
The mic preamps on the Scarlett 4i4 include Focusrite’s “Air” mode, which adds a touch of analog tonality modeled on the company’s legendary ISA console transformers. This feature enhances the high-end frequencies and adds a sense of depth and richness to your recordings. The Air mode can be switched on or off, allowing you to customize the effect based on the source and desired sound.
The interface’s USB-C connectivity allows for direct connection to your Mac without the need for a dongle. It also comes bundled with software, including the Studio One Artist DAW and the Studio Magic Plugin Suite, featuring plugins from renowned manufacturers like Maag Audio, Lexicon, and Arturia.
The Scarlett 4i4 is compact and portable, making it a great option for musicians who need a versatile interface for on-the-go recording or small studio setups.
The Scarlett 4i4 is not Thunderbolt 3 compatible, which may be a drawback for users seeking the fastest data-transfer speeds and lowest latency. However, the USB-C connection still provides reliable performance for most recording and production needs.
You can grab Focusrite’s excellent fourth-gen Scarlett 4i4 for just $279.99 (or go with the third-gen model for $199.99).
Simple USB-C connectivity makes many audio interfaces easy to use. Photo: Audient
Any of the choices above, like the Focusrite Scarlett interface, are great for USB-C connectivity. But another exceptional choice would be the Audient iD4 MK II two-in, two-out audio interface. USB-C-specific interfaces won’t transfer data as fast as Thunderbolt, but they’re often less expensive and they generally work with both Macs and PCs.
Audient’s entry is a compact, feature-rich audio interface that offers excellent sound quality and user-friendly controls. With its streamlined design and professional-grade performance, it is an ideal choice for Mac users seeking a high-quality interface for recording vocals, instruments and podcasts.
The iD4 MK II features a single Class-A Audient console mic preamp, providing clean and transparent amplification for microphones. It also offers a discrete JFET DI input for connecting guitars, basses or other instruments directly.
The interface supports 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution, ensuring accurate and detailed recordings. It features high-quality converters and analog circuitry for pristine sound reproduction.
The iD4 MK II includes a large volume knob that doubles as an intuitive monitor control. It also offers a dedicated headphone output with independent volume control, allowing for convenient and easy monitoring. The interface comes bundled with a comprehensive software package.
You can pick up the Audient iD4 MK II for $194 (and if you need to connect more gear, you can try a bigger version for $399).
This is a solid choice for a USB audio interface. Photo: PreSonus
For Mac users on a budget, the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is an excellent entry-level audio interface. Despite its affordable price, it offers impressive features, including two upgraded Scarlett mic preamps, 24-bit/192kHz converters and optimized preamp gain structure.
The AudioBox USB 96 comes in an attractive package and includes a USB-A to USB-B cable, a user manual, a warranty card and PreSonus Studio One Artist software. This software bundle also includes the Studio One Magic software, which features Ableton Live Lite, virtual instruments, and nine plugins.
The interface features a sturdy metal housing and comes in two colors: black and blue/silver. Its front panel offers two combo mic pre/line-level inputs that accept XLR and 1/4-inch connectors. It also includes gain dials for each input with LED indicators, headphone volume dial, monitor volume dial and an input/playback mixer dial. The front panel also features a 48V phantom power button for condenser microphones.
On the back of the interface, you’ll find a headphone output, a set of line-level monitor outputs, 5-pin MIDI in/out ports and a USB Type-B port for connecting to your computer. The AudioBox USB 96 is one of the rare audio interfaces that allow you to connect your MIDI controller or instrument directly, making it a great choice for those needing MIDI capabilities on a limited budget. The device’s maximum conversion rate is 24-bit/96kHz.
Universal Audio’s Volt 2 USB audio interface is suitable for professionals. Photo: Universal Audio
The Universal Audio Volt 2 USB audio interface is a versatile and high-quality audio interface designed for Mac and PC users. (It works with iPad and iPhone, too.) It offers two inputs and two outputs, premium audio quality and seamless integration with Universal Audio’s DSP plugins.
The Volt 2 also comes with a studio-quality headphone amp, MIDI connections, 48V phantom power and direct monitoring for latency-free recording.
The interface offers 24-bit/192kHz audio resolution, delivering exceptional sound quality and detail. It features high-quality converters and premium analog circuitry for transparent and accurate audio reproduction.
Universal Audio’s Volt 2 USB audio interface is designed to work seamlessly with the company’s DSP plugins. It includes the UAD-2 DUO Core processing, allowing you to run UAD plugins in real time with low latency.
Best audio interface for M1 Mac mini and other desktop Macs (top options)
1. Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 Mk2
This robust audio interface is great for M1 Mac mini (or any Mac). Photo: Native Instruments
The Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 Mk2 is a feature-packed audio interface designed for professional producers and musicians. It offers exceptional sound quality, versatile connectivity options, and a comprehensive software bundle, making it a top contender for Mac users seeking a high-end interface.
The Komplete Audio 6 Mk2 features six inputs and six outputs, providing a wide range of connectivity options. It includes two combo XLR/1/4-inch inputs with switchable phantom power, two 1/4-inch line inputs, four 1/4-inch line outputs, a headphone output, MIDI I/O, and a USB 2.0 connection. This extensive connectivity makes it suitable for recording bands, multi-instrument setups and complex studio configurations.
The interface offers 24-bit/192kHz audio resolution, ensuring pristine sound quality for your recordings. It features premium Cirrus Logic converters, delivering exceptional detail and dynamic range.
Native Instruments includes a comprehensive software bundle with the Komplete Audio 6 Mk2. This bundle includes a full version of Komplete Start, a collection of high-quality virtual instruments, effects and samples. It also includes Maschine Essentials, Ableton Live Lite and Traktor LE, providing you with a wide range of tools and sounds to inspire your creativity.
You can pick up this audio interface on Amazon for $249 $179.
The MOTU M4 is a solid choice for an M1, M2 or M3 Mac. Photo: MOTU
The MOTU M4 audio interface works well with Apple silicon-powered machines with M-series chips. The M4 provides fast speed for monitoring live inputs (mic, guitar or keyboard) through your computer, thanks to MOTU’s expertly engineered USB drivers, which deliver class-leading, ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency (at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer), the company noted.
The four-channel interface includes metering for recording live music (which not every interface has). At this price you don’t find many interfaces with a full color LCD featuring detailed level meters for all inputs and outputs.
Quiet preamps add to the interface’s overall quality. And you can use the M4 as a stand-alone mixer.
The interface’s driver provides loopback channels to your host computer, so you can route computer output back to the computer. At that point you can mix it with live mics and/or guitar inputs from the M4 in your host software for live streaming or podcasting.
Performer Lite or Live Lite production software is included, along with hundreds of loops, one-shots and sounds from Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples and Loopmasters.
Best audio interface for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (top options)
1. IK Multimedia iRig HD 2
If you’re a guitar or bass player, iRig could be your portable audio interface. Photo: IK Multimedia
What audio interface works with Macbook Air? Like all of the audio interfaces featured here, IK Multimedia’s iRig HD 2 and the Behringer interface below work well with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
The big difference between iRig and the Behringer interface, though, is that iRig is instrument-specific. With so many guitar players in the world, we thought we’d include it. The compact and portable audio interface is designed specifically for guitarists and bassists using Macs or iOS devices. It offers high-quality sound, convenient features and compatibility with popular guitar apps.
iRig HD 2 fits easily in your pocket or guitar case. It features a 1/4-inch instrument input, a 1/4-inch output for connecting to an amplifier or headphones, and a Lightning/USB cable for connecting to your Mac or iOS device. This simplicity and portability make it a go-to choice for guitarists and bassists who require a streamlined setup without sacrificing sound quality.
The interface provides 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, ensuring accurate and detailed recordings. It also features a built-in preamp with adjustable gain control, allowing you to dial in the perfect input level for your instrument.
The iRig HD 2 includes a headphone output with a dedicated volume control, enabling you to monitor your playing without latency. This feature proves particularly useful for practicing or recording on the go.
The interface is compatible with popular guitar apps and software. IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube, for example, provides access to a vast array of virtual amplifiers, effects and cabinets so you can explore different tones.
The iRig HD 2 is bus-powered, meaning it draws power from your Mac or iOS device, eliminating the need for batteries or an external power source. This feature enhances its portability and convenience.
iRig HD 2 costs $99.99. Want a bit more? Try iRig HD X for $129.99 (and for that you get higher-quality recording, a bigger software bundle and more device compatibility).
This affordable audio interface could suit M1 Mac mini users quite well. Photo: Behringer
The Behringer U-Phoria UM2 is a budget-friendly audio interface that offers solid performance and essential features for Mac users. It’s great for beginners, and it’s the least expensive item on this list.
The U-Phoria UM2 features a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable and suitable for on-the-go recording or small studio setups. It offers a single XLR/TRS combo input, a 1/4-inch instrument input and RCA line outputs.
The interface provides 48V phantom power for condenser microphones and includes a dedicated headphone output for monitoring. It offers 16-bit/48kHz audio resolution, which is sufficient for most entry-level recording and production needs.
The interface is compatible with popular DAW software and works seamlessly with Mac systems. It also comes bundled with Tracktion DAW software, providing a solid platform for recording, editing and mixing your music.
The U-PhoriaUM2 offers limited input and output options, which may not be sufficient for more advanced recording and production requirements. However, for beginners or those with basic recording needs, it provides a cost-effective solution.
It’s currently available for just $59 from Amazon.
April 14, 1986: The “low-cost” Macintosh 512Ke brings hardware upgrades — and a bit of confusion — to the low end of the Mac lineup.
The Mac 512Ke is an “enhanced” (hence the “e”) model of the Mac 512K. The upgrade addresses complaints that the original Mac lacked enough memory. The 512Ke adds a double-density 800KB floppy drive and a 128KB ROM to the Mac 512K formula.
Macintosh 512Ke: A ‘low-cost’ Mac. Sort of.
The fourth Mac model released, the Macintosh 512Ke served as a lower-cost alternative to the Macintosh Plus, which shipped three months earlier. While the Mac Plus cost $2,599 when it launched (the equivalent of more than $7,100 today), the Mac 512Ke cost $1,999 (the equivalent of a still-not-exactly-cheap $5,500 in 2023).
Buyers of the Mac 512Ke could trade in their machine for a Mac Plus for a one-off payment of $799. However, that meant they would pay more than if they just bought a Mac Plus outright.
For their money, Mac 512Ke buyers got an 8MHz 68000 processor (the same as the earlier Macs), 512k of RAM and that 800KB floppy, but no hard drive. This came packaged in a beige (at first) all-in-one case, with a 9-inch monochrome display. It shipped with Mac OS System 3.0, but could be upgraded to support System 6.0.8.
Although Steve Jobs was already out of Apple, the Macintosh 512Ke retained his philosophy that Macs shouldn’t be expandable. Apple was already moving away from this stance with its higher-end computers, since the Mac Plus allowed memory expansion.
The Mac 512Ke came with no memory-expansion slots. However, it was among the first Macs (maybe even the first?) that could be used as an AppleShare server.
Mac 512Ke: What’s in a name?
As older Apple fans might remember, the company’s product line names could prove confusing. The same Macs often got different names depending on the sales outlet. As someone whose early memories of Apple come from the 1990s, I always associated this naming oddity with that decade. The 1980s enjoyed straightforward product names like the Macintosh SE and Macintosh II.
In fact, this “Today in Apple history” pick shows that Apple’s unfortunate naming convention began relatively early in the Mac’s lifespan. While regular U.S. customers bought this machine as the Macintosh 512Ke, Apple also sold the computer to the education market as the Macintosh ED. That version came with a Mac Plus extended keyboard.
That same model, complete with Mac Plus extended keyboard, also sold to non-education customers outside the United States under the name Macintosh 512K/800.
More confusion: Mac 512Ke gets a face-lift
To add one final complication for Mac completists, in 1987 Apple gave the Macintosh 512Ke an aesthetic face-lift by switching to the Platinum color scheme. That meant changing the 512Ke’s front bezel to that of the Macintosh Plus. But the internals and name remained the same.
Apple ultimately canceled the computer in September 1987.
Do you remember the Macintosh 512Ke? Leave your comments below.
Apple’s hardware roadmap was in the news this week, with things hopefully firming up for a launch of updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models next month while we look ahead to the other iPad models and a full lineup of M4-based Macs arriving starting later this year.
We also heard some fresh rumors about iOS 18, due to be unveiled at WWDC in a couple of months, while we took a look at how things are going with the iPhone 15 Pro now that it’s halfway through its flagship lifecycle, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
Macs to Get AI-Focused M4 Chips Starting in Late 2024
The report says that the MacBook Pro and iMac lines will be the first to be updated with the M4 series of chips later this year, while other models like the MacBook Air, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro are expected to be updated with M4 series chips throughout 2025.
Gurman said the chips are “designed to highlight artificial intelligence” capabilities on the Mac.
New iPads Likely to Launch During Second Week of May
It’s been a bit over six months since the iPhone 15 lineup came out in September, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using an iPhone 15 Pro Max sans case since launch. Over on our YouTube channel, Dan did a long-term review to demo how his phone has held up and his thoughts on the Action button, battery life, and camera features.
If you’re an iPhone 15 Pro owner, let us know how your battery life is holding up, whether you’re regularly using the Action button, and anything else you’ve found interesting about your experience with Apple’s latest high-end flagship phone!
At least two new color options are rumored for the lower-end iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, including Purple and White, while the Pro models could gain new Space Black and Rose Gold titanium finishes.
iOS 18 May Feature All-New ‘Safari Browsing Assistant’
One of the new generative AI features rumored to be coming to the iPhone with iOS 18 could be a browsing assistant in Safari, according to backend code discovered on Apple’s servers.
While no specific details about the browsing assistant are known, the feature could allow Safari to better compete with other AI-infused web browsers available on the iPhone, such as Microsoft Edge and Arc Search.
The MacRumors Show: Apple Shortcuts and iOS 18 ft. Matthew Cassinelli
Matthew Cassinelli, one of the minds behind Workflow, joined Dan and Hartley on this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show to talk Apple Shortcuts and potential improvements and AI features coming to the app in iOS 18.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we’ve covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Setting up a new Mac is an experience in itself. But once you finish your initial setup, you should change these Mac system settings for a better experience. These five easy tweaks to default Mac system preferences will speed up your workflow and save you time.
Irrespective of whether you are a new or long-time Mac user, below are five settings to change on your Mac. Keep reading or watch our latest video.
Change these Mac system settings now
The initial Mac setup process only covers the basics, like moving over all your data from your old computer to your new one, and ensuring you signed into your Apple account. But there are a lot more Mac system settings and options you can play around with. This includes turning off unwanted features and customizing some key elements of macOS for a better experience.
Table of contents: 5 Mac system settings to change
1. Turn off True Tone
Like iPhones and iPads, modern Macs come with True Tone support. With True Tone turned on, your Mac will automatically change the display’s color, warmth and intensity based on the ambient light in your room. This will reduce eye strain and ensure that the on-screen content appears natural.
On paper, True Tone sounds like an impressive feature. However, once you start using your Mac daily, you might not like the True Tone experience. Personally, I deactivate it on any new Mac. I find it makes the display look too warm.
True Tone on a Mac only sounds good on paper. Screenshot: Rajesh/CultOfMac
Here’s how you can turn off True Tone on your Mac:
Open System Settings on your Mac and select Displays from the left sidebar.
2. Change Mac trackpad settings and gestures to suit your needs
If you just started using a new MacBook, you should customize the trackpad’s behavior. It’s a key way you interact with your Mac, and your preferences should drive the settings you choose.
By default, you must press down on your MacBook’s trackpad to register a click — the same behavior as on a Windows laptop. But there’s a better option: You can set it to substitute a quick tap on the trackpad’s glass surface for a click. Just enable the relevant option first.
Play around with the trackpad options on your Mac. Screenshot: Rajesh/CultOfMac
Here’s how to do it:
Open System Settings on your Mac and navigate to Trackpad from the sidebar.
Enable the Tap to click toggle.
Once you’ve changed this preference in your Mac system settings, you can tap once or twice with a finger to register a single or double-click. Besides this, there are plenty of Mac trackpad gestures you should learn. The Trackpad options window provides an overview of all of them, alongside some customization options.
3. Add more items to the Control Center for quick changes to your Mac system preferences
Your Mac utilizes a Control Center, just like your iPhone or iPad. If you find yourself using your Mac’s Control Center only sparingly, consider customizing the modules it contains to increase its usefulness. The Control Center provides quick access to some commonly used Mac settings, which you likely use daily, helping you save precious time.
If you own a MacBook, for instance, you can customize the Control Center to show the remaining battery percentage. (Then you can hide this item from your Mac’s menu bar to free up precious space there.) Other functional modules you can add to the Control Center include Focus modes, multi-user switching, screen mirroring options, and a Stage Manager toggle that lets you turn Apple’s alternative desktop manager on and off.
Customize the Control Center in macOS to get the most out of it. Screenshot: Rajesh/CultOfMac
You can find the Control Center customization options in System Settings > Control Center. Oh, and if you want to access the Control Center quickly, use the keyboard shortcut fn + C.
4. Add AirDrop to Finder’s toolbar
Do you frequently use AirDrop to share files from your Mac to other Apple devices? You can add a direct AirDrop shortcut to the Finder’s toolbar to speed up the process. This will save you a few clicks — and precious time.
Add an AirDrop shortcut to Finder’s toolbar for easy file sharing. Screenshot: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Here’s how to set it up:
Open a new Finder window on your Mac.
Navigate to View > Customize Toolbar from the menu bar at the top.
Drag and drop the AirDrop shortcut to your desired location in the Finder’s toolbar.
Then, the next time you want to share a file using AirDrop from your Mac, click on the file in the Finder. Then click on the AirDrop option from the Finder toolbar to bring up the list of devices available nearby.
5. Change settings for the Mac Dock
As a Mac user, you undoubtedly rely heavily on the Dock to open and switch between apps. By default, the Dock sits at the bottom of your Mac’s display. However, you can customize it to your heart’s liking. To do so, open your Mac’s System Settings and select Desktop & Dock from the sidebar.
From there, you should first change your Mac’s Dock size and magnification level to suit your preferences. Then, use the Position on screen option to move the Dock to the left or right of the display. I prefer to keep it on the left of my MacBook’s display.
Additionally, enable the Automatically hide and show the Dock toggle. This will free up precious screen space by automatically hiding the Dock when unnecessary. To bring up the hidden Dock, move your mouse to its position.
You also can customize the action when you double-click a window’s title bar. By default, it will zoom, but you can set it to minimize the window instead.
In the same menu, you will find some Desktop and Stage Manager-related customizations. To stop macOS Sonoma from flashing your desktop — a new feature that some people love but others hate — change the Click wallpaper to reveal desktop setting to Stage Manager.
Customize the Mac’s Dock to your heart’s content. Screenshot: Rajesh/CultOfMac
Out of the box, the macOS Dock houses all your frequently used apps, such as FaceTime, Messages, Safari and more. If you prefer a minimalistic experience, remove the unwanted apps from the Dock. You can instead access them from the Applications folder or Mission Control.
Right-click on a Dock item to quickly access some everyday actions. Screenshot: Rajesh/CultOfMac
For the apps in the Dock, you can right-click on many of them to access their commonly used actions. For example, you can favorite, repeat or toggle shuffle in the Music app directly from the right-click menu.
More Mac pro tips and how-tos
After you change these settings, check out more of our tips and how-tos that will help you customize your Mac system preferences.
April 14, 1986: The “low-cost” Macintosh 512Ke brings hardware upgrades — and a bit of confusion — to the low end of the Mac lineup.
