ONE MORE THING…
After last issue’s reveal of the new Apple–powered M1 Macs, this time around we’ve got reviews of all three machines, so you can see if they’re worth purchasing. Personally, I think they’re a big step forward, but I can understand that the lack of any changes superficially might put some people off. Evolution rather than revolution? Turn to page 38 to find out for yourself. By the middle of this year Apple is likely to announce fully redesigned Macs to go with its new processor technology, so unless you’re desperate to get on the M1 bandwagon, you might want to hold out to see what happens. That said, I seriously doubt you would be disappointed if you bought an M1 Mac now and something new and shinier appeared a few months later. They are seriously capable machines and Apple has pretty much got them as damn near perfect as they can be (with a few shortcomings, which you’ll read about in the reviews).
Just when we thought Apple was done and dusted with announcing new Apple gear at the end of last year (I appreciate that seems a while ago now, but at the time of writing this Christmas is only just round the corner) the AirPods Max were announced in early December. If you’ve not had a chance to check them out already, they’re Apple’s first over–ear headphones (p8) and they cost a not–too–inconsiderable $549. That’s a huge amount of money when you consider that the best over–ear headphones you can get today from the likes of Bose, B&W, and Sony are — in some cases — half that price, and we’re talking the cream of the crop here. Now, Apple has been a little, shall we say “light” on the specs of the new headset, but great things are being promised, with highlights such as high–fidelity audio, Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, and spatial audio (as featured on the AirPods Pro, allowing for accurate cinema–like sound in movies). Will they be a tech triumph? I’ll personally be test–driving them in the next issue to find out. All in a day’s work.