hello (again)

If ever there was a month for Apple

APPLE CHOICE

The latest hardware and software – reviewed and rated!

MAC FORMAT

MacFormat, Future, Quay House, The Ambury Bath, BA1

Apple’s reveals new affordable MacBook during spring refresh

Say hello to the MacBook Neo, plus other Mac, iPad and display updates

MacBook Pro gets M5 upgrade

Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max chips finally arrive on Apple’s most powerful laptop

New Studio Displays

Studio Display and Studio Display XDR get a refresh

M4 iPad Air

New chips, new colours

APPLE NEWS ROUNDUP

MacBook Neo 2 predictions RUMORS RIFE ALREADY! >

iPhone 17e makes its debut

The next generation of Apple’s affordable iPhone range

Apple’s ‘HomePad’ may have an ingenious use for MagSafe

Snap-on functionality

Aeronaut for Bluesky Free (IAPs)

A better way to use Bluesky

Media Picks

What you should be playing and reading this month

John-Anthony Disotto…

THINKS THAT THE MACBOOK NEO WILL CONQUER THE BUDGET LAPTOP MARKET – AND WINDOWS SHOULD BE LOOKING CLOSELY AT ITS POSITION

NUMBERS

The M5 Max

The rising cost of memory & storage

Memory and storage prices are being driven through the roof thanks to artificial intelligence

126 time-saving tips for Mac, iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch

O ne of our very favourite things about

50 YEARS OF APPLE

As Apple turns 50, we take a look at the rise and fall, and rise again, of one the world’s most influential companies

LOCK DOWN YOUR iPHONE

Lower the odds of iPhone theft – and the cost of it

Master Apple shortcuts

The modifier keys enable you to use shortcuts

Import your vinyl collection

Keep your records pristine by making them digital with GarageBand

Improve portrait images

Turn a quick snap into a slickly graded portrait with background blur

Manage Mac windows with Moom

Use shortcuts and maximise buttons to move Mac windows – in a snap

Create a home inventory

Manage your home and catalogue all of your items on your Mac

Explore Reminders’ secret tricks

Stay on track with your tasks

Get fit anywhere and anytime

Put a personal trainer in your pocket

Find planes fast with Zephy

Follow aircraft routes with your very own radar tracker

Create an iPad weather station

Use Carrot Weather and never get caught out by a downpour again

AirTag 2 and Find My

Apple’s second-gen AirTag is here with some new and improved features

GENIUS TIPS

EXPERT ADVICE Our resident genius solves your Mac

Password managers

Store your online passwords safely and securely

MacBook Neo

Apple’s most affordable laptop is revolutionary in more ways than one

Moment Pro Camera II vs ProCamera

Moment Pro Camera II £9.99 FROM shopmoment.com/gb

BenQ PV3200U

Slick Ultra HD display for wannabe YouTubers

TR-49

Looking for eureka moments despite ghosts in the machine

Edifier M90

Stylish compact active desktop speakers

DJI Mic Mini

Pro audio recording on a budget

Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand

$79.99 (about £70 ) FROM satechi.net FEATURES Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, rechargeable battery, three-device memory, scissor-switch keys

Tribit StormBox Mini+

£29.99 FROM tribit.com FEATURES 2x 48mm full-range drivers, 1x passive radiator, 12W output, Bluetooth 5.4 with AAC/SBC, True Wireless Stereo (TWS) support, up to 12 hours’ battery life, waterproof to IPX7, Aux input, built-in mic; 119x91x91mm, 545g

iFi UP Travel

£99 FROM ifi-audio.com FEATURES Portable Bluetooth 5.2 transmitter/receiver, 1x USB-C port, 1x 3.5mm Aux, up to 10 hours’ battery life; 55x30x16.8mm, 25.7g

Making music on iPhone

Create great tunes anywhere!

MacBook Air

LAST UPDATED MAR 2026 › From £1,099 ›

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

› From £179 › Apple’s extended keyboard boasts

Apple Magic Mouse

› From £79 › The Magic Mouse is

Apple Magic Trackpad

› From £129 › This Multi Touch glass

MacBook Neo

FIRST INTRODUCED MAR 2026 › From £599 ›

MacBook Pro

LAST UPDATED MAR 2026 › From £1,699 ›

TV 4K

› From £149 › Apple’s third-gen little black

Apple HomePod/HomePod mini

› £299 / £99 › Apple’s Siri-powered speakers

Watch Series 11/Ultra 3/SE 3

› From £219 › Launched in September 2025,

iMac

LAST UPDATED OCT 2024 › From £1,299 ›

Mac mini

LAST UPDATED OCT 2024 › From £599 ›

Mac Studio

LAST UPDATED MAR 2026 › From £2,099 ›

Studio Display

LAST UPDATED MAR 2026 › From £1,499 ›

iPad/mini

LAST UPDATED MAR 2025 LAST UPDATED OCT 2024

iPad Air

LAST UPDATED MAR 2026 › From £599 ›

iPad Pro

LAST UPDATED OCT 2025 › From £999 ›

Apple Smart Folio

› From £59 › Available in a range

Apple Pencil/Apple Pencil Pro

› From £79 › There are now four

Apple Magic Keyboard

› From £299 › Team your iPad with

iPhone 17

LAST UPDATED SEP 2025 › From £799 ›

iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max

LAST UPDATED SEP 2025 › iPhone 17 Pro,

iPhone Air

LAST UPDATED SEP 2025 › iPhone Air, From

iPhone 17e

› From £599 › Released in March 2026,

Apple AirPods Pro 3/AirPods 4/AirPods Max 2

› £219 /From £119 / £499 › The

BEST BUYS…

EXTERNAL DRIVE SanDisk Desk Drive From £319.99 westerndigital.com

BEST BUYS… Third-party Mac apps

TEXT EDITOR BBEdit 15 $59.99 (about £60 )

BEST BUYS…

Third-party iPhone, iPad & Watch apps

One more thing MacBook Neo

Graham Barlow wonders if we’re all living in The Matrix now