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INSIDE: HOW APPLE PLANS TO TRANSFORM THE MACBOOK PRO

OCTOBER 2021

BEST MACS & iPADS FOR STUDENTS

EDUCATION SPECIAL

PLUS: HOW TO GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT

CONTENTS

Credit: Getty Images/Jacob Ammentorp Lund

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NEWS

NEWS ANALYSIS

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Apple delays controversial iCloud Photo CSAM scanning Apple to slightly loosen iOS restrictions on ‘reader’ apps Apple allows developers to promote outside payments Future iPhones could use satellite communications for emergencies Apple acquires Primephonic music streaming service

2 Macworld • October 2021

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Six ways Apple is planning to radically transform the MacBook Pro Developers aren’t impressed with Apple’s App Store changes

EDUCATION SPECIAL 24 37 67

Best Mac for students Best iPad for students How to get an Apple Student Discount

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REVIEWS 71 75

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CleanMyMac X CCleaner

MACOS TIPS & TRICKS 78

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macOS Monterey: How to change the cursor colour on your Mac macOS Monterey: How to set up and use Focus on your Mac How to use Optimized Storage in macOS Make the macOS Dock tiny by using Terminal Use Activity Monitor to handle troublesome apps on your Mac

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HELP DESK 96

Help Desk October 2021 • Macworld 3

NEWS

Apple delays iCloud Photo CSAM scanning New features are coming ‘later this year’. Roman Loyola reports

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pple has announced that the three features it revealed to stop the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) will not be available at the autumn release of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS 12 Monterey. The 4 Macworld • October 2021

company will make the CSAM features available “later this year in updates”. In a press release (fave. co/3l2tKMp), Apple stated that: “This programme is ambitious, and protecting children is an important responsibility. These efforts will evolve and expand over time.” Apple

revealed the CSAM features in early August, and while many in the tech community applauded Apple’s efforts to protect children, many also voiced concerns about the potential for how the technology behind the CSAM features could be used for other surveillance purposes. Over 90 policy and rights groups published an open letter urging Apple to cancel its CSAM features.

The main feature that sparked controversy is the CSAM detection feature, where images on your device are scanned for hashes, and those hashes are then checked on a list of known CSAM hashes. The argument made against this feature is that it could be implemented for other uses. For example, a government could demand that Apple create a similar process to check for images of opposition groups.

Apple stated that in such situations, it would turn down such a request, but the declaration did not create any confidence within the concerned. Governments can (and will) always create consequences for not obeying an order, which could cause Apple to change its policy. There’s also the possibility that Apple could decide to use the technology for its own purpose other

than CSAM, though doing so would weaken Apple’s image as a company concerned about user privacy.

The other two CSAM features that are being delayed are: Messages communication safety: The Messages app will use on-device machine learning to warn children and parents about sensitive content.

Siri and Search: These functions will provide additional resources to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations.

October 2021 • Macworld 5

NEWS

Apple to slightly loosen iOS restrictions on ‘reader’ apps So-called ‘reader’ apps will soon be allowed to link to their own external sites for account management. Jason Cross reports

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pple has long allowed what it calls “reader” apps (like Netflix, Kindle, Spotify, Audible or Dropbox) to bill users outside 6 Macworld • October 2021

of Apple’s usual in-app purchase method (in which Apple takes 15 to 30 per cent of subscription or purchase revenue). However, such apps are forbidden from mentioning that such

a thing is possible, and cannot link out from the app to their websites for account management (including subscription renewals or purchases).

Apple has announced that is making a small revision to this policy in order to close an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC). Apple’s press release states: “The update will allow developers of ‘reader’ apps to include an in-app link to their website for users to set up or manage an account. While the agreement was made with the JFTC, Apple will apply this change globally to all reader apps on the store. Reader apps provide previously purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video.

“To ensure a safe and seamless user experience, the App Store’s guidelines require developers to sell digital services and subscriptions using Apple’s in-app payment system.

Because developers of reader apps do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase, Apple agreed with the JFTC to let developers of these apps share a single link to their website to help users set up and manage their account.”

The change will go into effect early in 2022, after an update and

review of the guidelines for App Store developers. It’s a relatively small concession: the apps in question will not be able to offer their own in-app billing and payment processing, as apps that provide physical goods and services do (such as Amazon or Uber).

Developer David Barnard explained what the change will mean for Netflix, calling it “a big deal, but also not”.

It doesn’t sound like the new guidelines will allow the apps to even state that subscriptions or purchases are available on the web. Rather, the apps will be allowed to, “share a single link to their website to help users set up and manage their account”, according to Apple’s release. That account management might include purchasing or renewing subscriptions, but it sounds from Apple’s release as if the single link in the app may not be allowed to say ‘subscribe for just £9.99 a month’ and instead must say something like ‘Account Management’ or ‘set up your account’.

October 2021 • Macworld 7

NEWS

Apple to let developers promote outside payments Apple and developers reach an agreement in class-action suit.

Michael Simon reports

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n a surprise announcement, Apple announced several changes to its App Store terms as part of the resolution of a class-action suit from US developers. The agreement, which is pending court approval, identifies “seven key priorities shared 8 Macworld • October 2021

by Apple and small developers” that will change several contentious terms that were being challenged in court.

The biggest change involves outside payments. While Apple isn’t allowing developers to offer their own payment methods inside iOS

apps, it is allowing app makers to “use communications, such as email, to share information about payment methods outside of their iOS app”.

That means that iOS users who sign up for a free trial can be directly contacted by developers about outside payment methods without running afoul of the App Store terms.

Customers who make purchases outside the app won’t pay Apple the usual 15 per cent or 30 per cent cut.

Apple and developers have agreed to maintain the fee in its current structure for at least the next three years. That includes a reduced commission for developers making less than $1 million in annual revenue.

Apple is also increasing the number of price points available to developers for subscriptions, in-app purchases, and paid apps to more than 500. There are currently than 100 price points to choose from.

Apple has also agreed to continue to base Search results on ‘objective characteristics’ such as the number of downloads, ratings, and relevance.

Among the other changes are:

• Apple agreed to create an annual transparency report based on App Store data, which it will share with developers.

• Apple will also establish a $100 million fund to assist small US developers who earn $1 million or less.

The motion for the settlement is available online as a downloadable PDF – go to fave.co/3tiWhRg.

• Apple has agreed to add content to the App Review website to help developers understand how the appeals process works.

October 2021 • Macworld 9

NEWS

Future iPhones could use satellite communications for emergencies Don’t expect to use your iPhone 13 to make satellite calls. Roman Loyola reports

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ith the iPhone 13 release getting closer and closer, speculation is heating up about the features of the 10 Macworld • October 2021

new phone. The latest comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who states in an investor’s note that the iPhone 13 could have low earth orbit satellite connectivity, which would allow users

to make phone calls when cellular coverage is unavailable. According to Kuo (who has a record of reliable reports), the iPhone 13 will be equipped with a custom Qualcomm X60 modem that works with low earth satellites. Kuo also says that Qualcomm has been working with Globalstar to use the company’s satellite communications service.

However, it’s unclear as to how the user can get access to a satellite service. Kuo explains one ‘scenario’ in which the user’s network operator has a partnership with Globalstar, and connecting to the satellites would be done through the carrier. Also, in this scenario, the user doesn’t have to sign up for another phone plan.

If the satellite feature comes to fruition, the iPhone 13 will be the first consumer-level phone with it.

According to Kuo, other companies will be using Qualcomm’s X65 modem to implement low earth orbit satellite connectivity.

While it’s an interesting feature, however, it’s unlikely to be one most consumers are going to use.

And that if it’s accurate. A Twitter thread by Sascha Segan of PCMag explains how Kuo might have his information wrong due to the intricacies of Globalstar and its

networks – see fave.co/3l13nGm. He surmises that the new band in the modem could be ground-based LTE rather than satellites.

Later, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg cites “a person with knowledge of the situation” in a report that clarifies the situation. Apple is apparently working to enable limited satellite communications for emergency situations. Users would not be able to make phone calls, or even send regular full text messages, but would instead get a new third class of ‘grey bubble’ text in Messages that are shorter in length. Another tool could allow users to report major catastrophes like plane crashes or sinking ships.

While these could be done without a cell network, it will be no substitution for cell service in any way.

The messaging features are severely limited in a way that makes them practical only in emergencies, and it could take up to a minute to connect to a satellite. Both features are reliant on satellite coverage and local regulations. Gurman’s report says Apple is still working on the potential new feature and it won’t be ready until at least next year.

October 2021 • Macworld 11

NEWS

Apple buys Primephonic music streaming service Apple will release a stand-alone classical music app next year.

Roman Loyola reports

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pple has revealed that it has acquired Primephonic, a streaming media start-up with a focus on classical music. In a press release (fave.co/3yNup9d), Apple says users will be able to access Primephonic playlists and exclusive audio content, and that a “dedicated experience with the best features of Primephonic” will eventually be available.

12 Macworld • October 2021

Digital music can be challenging to manage on streaming services – the metadata system for music files was created with popular music in mind. Apple made some improvements years ago when Apple Music was called iTunes, but it still was frustrating for classical music listeners. With the Primephonic acquisition, Apple says it can provide a better experience, with the ability to

search by composer and repertoire, as well as “detailed displays of classical music metadata, plus new features and benefits.”

A note on the Primephonic website (fave.co/3h9nWiK) seems to indicate that the three-year-old company saw the acquisition as necessary for it to achieve its goals. “As a classical-only start-up, we can not [sic] reach the majority of global classical listeners, especially those that listen to many other music genres as well,” said the company. “We therefore concluded that in order to achieve our mission, we need to partner with a leading streaming service that encompasses all music genres and also shares our love for classical music.”

Primephonic shut down on 7 September, and its users will get six months of Apple Music for free.

Apple will release a dedicated app for classical music next year that will have features that Primephonic are familiar with, plus ‘more added features’.

October 2021 • Macworld 13

NEWS ANALYSIS

Six ways Apple is planning to radically transform the MacBook Pro M1X, mini-LED, and more. Roman Loyola reports

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umerous reports – some from very reliable sources – say that Apple will introduce a new MacBook Pro in the next few weeks. This isn’t any ordinary speed bump release, however. The new MacBook Pro promises to put Apple’s flagship laptop in a new light and set the momentum for future releases. Let’s 14 Macworld • October 2021

take a look at what we could see in the next MacBook Pro and how these new features will transform the laptop from what we’re familiar with into something completely new.

1. APPLE SILICON Apple’s M1 System on a Chip (SoC) took the industry by storm when it was revealed last November in the

13in MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini. Its performance blew past expectations (and Intel CPUs) and extended battery life so much that it boggled the mind.

Now that initial impressions of Apple silicon are out of the way, it’s time for the company to show what else is in store. And The M1 had a successful debut, but now it’s time to see how much further along Apple can take its own silicon. the idea that the next Apple SoC could be significantly faster than the M1 makes Neural Engine for AI and machine this the most exciting thing that will learning tasks, and that will likely happen with the new MacBook Pro. get a big boost too. The M1 has a 16Various reports state that the core Neural Engine, but we haven’t SoC in the new MacBook Pro will be heard as to how those improvements called the M1X, and it could have a will be implemented.

10-core CPU, with eight performance Add it all up, and what you get is cores and two efficiency cores. That’s performance that transforms the new double the number of performance MacBook Pro from a solid, high-end cores of the M1. Also, the M1X could laptop to one that’s more worthy of support a maximum of 64GB of RAM the ‘Pro’ moniker. In comparisons of – the M1’s max is 16GB. the M1 to Intel CPUs available last On top of the CPU boost, graphic November, we saw performance performance will jump ahead, too. improvements of over 80 per cent in The M1X could be available in 16 or some tests, with many other tests in 32 graphics core options, a big jump the 50 to 70 per cent improvement from the seven or eight graphics range. We can’t imagine what the cores in the M1. Apple’s SoC uses a jump in M1X performance will be over October 2021 • Macworld 15

NEWS ANALYSIS

the Intel CPU in the 16in MacBook Pro, but we know it’ll be impressive.

After all these years, the MacBook Pro is undergoing a change in its sizes – and the change actually 2. SIZES started nearly two years ago with Apple introduced the first MacBook the introduction of the 16in MacBook Pro in 2006 as a replacement for the Pro, which replaced the 15in model.

PowerBook. The first release was a To accompany the 16in laptop, Apple 15in model, then came a huge 17in is also rumoured to reveal a 14in model a few months later, and finally MacBook Pro this autumn. the 13in MacBook Pro in 2009. In The 16in MacBook Pro isn’t that 2012, Apple introduced the Retina much bigger than the 15in model display in the laptop and focused it replaced. That’s because Apple the line-up on 13- and 15in models. reduced the bezels around the screen, Retina’s ability to create higher resulting in a larger amount of usable screen resolutions negated the display. We’ll see a similar treatment need for a 17in laptop and it’s been in the new 14in MacBook Pro: It could that way since. be a smidge bigger physically than the 13in, but its bezels will be much thinner.

Essentially, with the new MacBook Pro, you get a bigger screen without an obviously bigger overall size.

Now, the sizes of the MacBook Pro may not seem like a big deal.

As we’ve seen in past iterations of the laptop, The 16in MacBook Pro actually made its debut two years performance can ago. But the new one will use Apple silicon instead of Intel CPUs and AMD GPUs. influence the 16 Macworld • October 2021

size of the laptop you decide upon.

With Intel MacBook Pros, the larger the laptop, the higher the performance, and many users would rather have the smaller form factor without the speed sacrifice.

Reports have said that the new 14- and 16in MacBook Pro will The 12.9in iPad Pro was Apple’s first product with a Mini LED display. both have the M1X SoC, and that the 3. MINI-LED DISPLAY performance will be the same between Mini LED is a display technology that the two sizes. If that’s the case, made its Apple debut in the 2021 picking a MacBook Pro becomes a lot iPad Pro and we could see it make easier, since you don’t need to worry its way to the new MacBook Pros. about any performance sacrifices.

The specifications for a mini LED Like the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone MacBook Pro display will likely be 12, you’ll be basing your decision on very similar to what’s on the iPad screen size, not performance.

Pro: 1,000 nits of brightness (up The 13in design may not entirely go from 500 nits on the current model), away, however. Apple currently offers 1,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio, and four standard configurations of the support for the P3 wide colour gamut.

13in MacBook Pro, two with Apple’s And with Mini LED’s backlighting, M1 System on a Chip, and two with you’ll see less light bleed and a better Intel processors. Apple could keep dynamic range of colour. the M1 models and possibly reduce MacBook Pro displays have the price, while replacing the Intel always been very good, but lately, it models with the new 14in MacBook feels like Apple has stalled with its Pro that feature the next generation laptop display advancements. The of Apple silicon.

October 2021 • Macworld 17

NEWS ANALYSIS

implementation of Mini LED is another feature that helps the MacBook Pro feel like it’s a cutting-edge product.

Pros whose work involves fine detail will appreciate the improvement. But even regular users will appreciate the boost in brightness and clarity, which should be a tremendous improvement over the prior generation.

4. 1080P FACETIME HD CAMERA

camera, and it needs to be in the next MacBook Pro to transform the online experience to one that you can enjoy.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Face ID will be making an appearance just yet, but we’ll take what we can get

5. THE RETURN OF PORTS For a large number of people, their laptop is the primary (and often only) computer. So it helps if that laptop provides what’s needed not just processing-wise, but with ports, too.

Currently, the 13in MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, and the 16in model has four. That’s not enough. If you’re charging while using the laptop, that’s one port occupied.

Connect an external display, and you’ve already filled up the ports on a

The 720p FaceTime camera that is currently in the MacBook Pro is an embarrassment. It produces subpar image quality, and you and your colleagues are reminded of that every time you participate in an online meeting or FaceTime call.

How can a pro laptop have such a terrible camera?

If the rumours are true, Apple will outfit the new MacBook Pro with the superior 1080p FaceTime HD camera that is used in the 24in iMac. It’s better at handling poor lighting conditions and produces far better image quality.

How is it that a pro laptop like the 13in MacBook Pro has only two ports?

It’s a really good 18 Macworld • October 2021

13in MacBook Pro. What if you need to connect a third display, or an external GPU box, or a mixer, or an external drive array, or a video capture device, or a microphone, or an SD card reader… you get the idea. You run out of ports quickly.

The MacBook Pro is often used for production work, so the number of available ports is The Touch ID button on the new MacBook Pro will probably look like the one on the Magic Keyboard. important to connect the gear needed to get stuff done. Sure, you can invest in will equip the MacBook Pro with a a Thunderbolt hub, but you have magnetic power adapter connector enough to carry already. The MacBook similar to the old MagSafe cable. I Pro needs more ports. can remember numerous times I’ve And it sounds like that could tripped over my current MacBook happen with the new 14- and 16in Pro power cord and sent the laptop MacBook Pro. Various reports have plunging to the floor. It’s a miracle my stated that Apple is going to include laptop still works. A power connector more Thunderbolt ports, likely four like the first iteration of MagSafe in like the 16in MacBook Pro. (I’d love MacBooks from 2006 to 2016 would to see four on the 14in MacBook be a great addition and a lifesaver for Pro and six on the 16in model.) It’s the laptop. also possible that Apple will add an 6. THE END OF HDMI port and reinstate the SD Card THE TOUCH BAR reader (which was in the MacBook Pro One of the early rumours about the from 2009 to 2016). That would be new MacBook Pro is that the Touch huge for pro users.

Bar could be replaced by traditional There’s also a rumour that Apple October 2021 • Macworld 19

NEWS ANALYSIS

Function keys. I’ve written about my dislike for the Touch Bar and I’ve heard from plenty of Macworld readers about how wrong I am. It’s a very polarizing feature and removing it would be just divisive.

So despite my dislike for the Touch Bar and hope for it to go away, I actually don’t think it will. Apple sees it as a pro-level feature and they don’t believe it to be problematic – at least not anymore after they modified it to bring back the Escape key. It’s a feature that provides even more separation from the MacBook Air, which Apple promotes as its consumer-level laptop.

Whether the Touch Bar stays or goes, you can count on the MacBook Pro having Touch ID. It’s possible Apple will update the Touch ID button with new sensors and it will look more like the Touch ID button on the external Magic Keyboard. There are also rumours that it could have a glowing ring. If we can’t have Face ID yet, we’ll be quite happy with an improved Touch ID button – it’s such a convenient alternative to looking up and typing in passwords.

20 Macworld • October 2021

Developers aren’t impressed with Apple’s App Store changes Apple announced several changes to its App Store terms but developers don’t think they go far enough. Michael Simon reports

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ast month, Apple announced an agreement with developers involved in a class-action lawsuit that involved several changes to the App Store. As part of the agreement, which still needs

to be approved by a judge, Apple has made several concessions that will change the way developers can sell subscriptions and in-app purchases, including allowing developers to promote outside October 2021 • Macworld 21

NEWS ANALYSIS

1. payment options free of Apple’s fees in correspondence with customers.

However, not all developers are happy with the moves. As part of the agreement, Apple also said it will be keeping the App Store terms the same for the next three years, which means Apple’s 30 per cent cut for developers making over a million dollars a year stays in place.

It’s also not allowing developers to offer alternative payment methods inside apps. Here’s what developers had to say after Apple announced the agreement:

2.

2. SMOKE AND MIRRORS Developer Ryan Jones pored over the terms of the agreement and concluded that Apple didn’t really

1. AN AGREEMENT FOR ONE Overcast developer Marco Arment has been one of the most vocal critics of Apple’s App Store terms over the years and he doesn’t think Apple is giving anything to developers in this agreement.

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3.

4. change much, despite headlines to the contrary.

3. A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

5.

5. THE FIGHT CONTINUES Epic CEO Tim Sweeney vows to continue fighting Apple’s App Store terms – which probably means Fortnite isn’t returning anytime soon.

Tweetbot developer Paul Hadad put the agreement in terms we can all understand.

4. MISSING THE POINT New York Times Silicon Valley reporter Jack Nicas agrees that very little has changed for Apple’s developers as part of this agreement.

October 2021 • Macworld 23

Credit: Getty Images/Jacob Ammentorp Lund

EDUCATION SPECIAL

Best Mac for students Find out whether to buy MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, or if another M1 or Intel Mac would be best. Macworld Staff report

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hinking of buying a Mac or MacBook for school, college or university work?

Here, in our best Mac for students guide, we take a look at Apple’s current Mac line-up to find out which Mac is best for students.

We’ll examine whether you should get a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

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for college, or if another Mac might actually be a better choice.

If you’re looking for stability, security and a reliable and easy to use operating system then Apple’s Mac’s come highly recommended. If might seem that Macs are expensive compared to their Windows alternatives, however the added

premium is justified, and, as you will see if you read on, you don’t have to break the bank to buy one.

To find out how to get an Apple Student Discount, go to page 67.

MACBOOK AIR Models for sale were originally released November 2020.

What is it? The MacBook Air is Apple’s affordable line of laptops. It currently offers two 13in models.

Who’s it for? The MacBook Air is ideal for the budget conscious. It’s also for anyone who is always on the go, doesn’t want to be bogged down by a regular-size laptop and needs a computer that’s more versatile than an iPad. What are the specifications?

The two MacBook Air models have Apple’s M1 system on a chip, which features an 8-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8GB of RAM (upgradeable to 16GB).

Apple claims 15 hours of battery life for wireless web and 18 hours Apple TV app movie playback.

The main difference between the models offered is the GPU and storage. The £999 model has a

7-core GPU and a 256GB SSD, while the £1,249 model has an 8-core GPU and a 512GB SSD. How do I connect stuff? The MacBook Air has only a pair of Thunderbolt/ USB 4 connectors. If you want to connect USB-A devices, you need either a USB-C to USB adapter, like Apple’s £19 one, or a USB-C hub that has USB-A ports. The MacBook Air has built-in Wi-Fi for connecting to a network. It also provides built-in Bluetooth for wirelessly connecting a mouse or other peripherals. If you want to connect to an Ethernet network, you’ll need an adapter.

The MacBook Air is Apple’s most affordable laptop and will be perfect for most students.

October 2021 • Macworld 25

EDUCATION SPECIAL

How fast is it? The MacBook Air is one of the fastest laptops around, full stop. The M1 provides performance that is leaps and bounds faster than what was previously found in the MacBook Air. It’s plenty fast enough for general purpose use, but because it doesn’t have a fan to keep the computer cool, it may throttle down its speed during long processing sessions, such as video editing. But even then, it’s still plenty fast.

Verdict: The MacBook Air is a great affordable laptop for a student, who does general-purpose work and needs a mobile device. You can’t easily upgrade the storage or memory after purchase, so you should buy the model with the largest amount of storage you can afford.

MACBOOK PRO M1-based 13in models were released November 2020. Intel-based 13in models were released May 2020. 16in models released November 2019.

What is it? The MacBook Pro is Apple’s high-performance laptop.

Who’s it for? The MacBook Pro is for the demanding user who wants 26 Macworld • October 2021

a portable computer that also performs well.

What are the specifications? The MacBook Pro is available in screen sizes of 13 inches and 16 inches.

All laptops include the Touch Bar interface at the top of the keyboard.

There are four 13in models: £1,299 model: Apple 8-core M1 system on a chip with 8GB of memory, an 8-core GPU, and a 16core Neural Engine; 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 3 ports £1,499 model: Apple 8-core M1 system on a chip with 8GB of memory, an 8-core GPU, and a 16core Neural Engine; 512GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 3 ports £1,799 model: 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (10th generation) processor, 16GB of memory, Intel Iris Plus Graphics integrated graphics, 512GB SSD, four Thunderbolt 3 ports £1,999 model: 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (10th generation) processor, 16GB of memory, Intel Iris Plus Graphics integrated graphics, 1TB SSD, four Thunderbolt 3 ports

The 13in Retina display has a native resolution of 2,560x1,600, and macOS offers a scaled resolution up to 1,680x1,050.

Apple has two 16in MacBook Pros: £2,399 model: 2.6GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 (9th generation) processor, 16GB of memory, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, 4GB Radeon Pro 5300M discrete graphics, four Thunderbolt 3 ports £2,799 model: 2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i7 (9th generation) processor, 16GB of memory, 1TB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, 4GB Radeon Pro 5500M discrete graphics, four Thunderbolt 3 ports

The 16in Retina display has a native resolution of 3,072x1,920, and macOS’s highest scaled resolution on those laptops is 2,048x1,280.

What is the Touch Bar? The Touch Bar is an input device that sits on top of the keyboard. The buttons and controls available on the Touch Bar change depending on the software you are using.

How do I connect stuff? No need to worry about wireless connectivity: it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

It’s the wired connectivity you need to be concerned with. The MacBook Pro has only Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are compatible with USB-C. The £1,299 and £1,499 13in MacBook Pro models have two ports,

The MacBook Pro is Apple’s high-performance laptop.

October 2021 • Macworld 27

EDUCATION SPECIAL

while every other MacBook model has four. If you have a Thunderbolt 3 device, you can plug it directly into the laptop. The same goes for any USB-C device. However, if you have wired devices that aren’t USB-C or Thunderbolt 3, you’ll need an adapter.

We have a separate MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, be prepared to shell out a good amount of extra cash.

How fast is it? The MacBook Pro models are the fastest laptops Apple has ever released. If it’s processing power you seek, it’s the MacBook Pro you want. There is a thing you need to consider. In November 2020, Apple updated the £1,299 and £1,499 models with its own M1 system on a chip, replacing the Intel processors used previously. The M1 is fast – it makes these two laptops faster than the £1,799 and £1,999 Intel-based models, and in some situations, it’s faster than the 16in MacBook Pro. Verdict: For the most demanding student – one whose work requires a lot of processing power – the MacBook Pro is the ticket. However, it is in a transition period because of Apple’s switch from Intel processors to its own system on a chip. At the time of writing, only two of the six 28 Macworld • October 2021

different models are available with Apple’s M1. And the M1 outperforms the other MacBook Pro models.

If speed is you priority over everything else – port connectivity and screen size aren’t serious considerations – get a £1,299 or £1,499 13in MacBook Pro with Apple’s M1 system on a chip.

If you want speed, but also want more ports, consider the £1,799 13in MacBook Pro or the 16in MacBook Pro. They’re still fast and they offer more ports than the M1 models.

Apple will update the other MacBook Pro models with its system on a chip, so if you can wait, the wait will pay off. You’ll get a really fast laptop. If your work mostly involves Internet access and other productivity tasks, however, go for a MacBook Air.

MAC MINI Models for sale were originally released November 2020.

What is it? The Mac mini is Apple’s smallest desktop Mac. It’s a nice combination of speed and affordability. It’s not only fast enough for general-purpose use, but its multicore speed is quite good – if you use a professional app like a video editor,

3D software or developer tools, the Mac mini can handle it, no problem.

8-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine; 512GB SSD

Who’s it for? Because of its price and performance, the Mac mini is a great Mac for just about anybody. It makes for an ideal primary Mac for a home or small office. Students on a budget will be satisfied with the Mac mini. If you’re switching from a PC, you can use your PC’s keyboard and mouse with the Mac mini. The Mac mini is also ideal as a secondary Mac in your home, and it can integrate into your home entertainment centre.

£1,099 model: 3GHz 6-core Core i5 (eighth generation) CPU, 8GB of memory, integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU, 512GB SSD.

What are the specifications? Apple sells three Mac mini models: £699 model: Apple 8-core M1 system on a chip with 8GB of memory, an 8-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine; 256GB SSD £899 model: Apple 8-core M1 system on a chip with 8GB of memory, an

The Mac mini does not include a display, keyboard or mouse, so you’ll have to provide your own – or you can customize your order to include these devices as extra-cost options.

Since the Mac mini lacks an optical drive, you need to buy an external USB optical drive if you want to read or burn CDs and DVDs. How do I connect stuff? Like Apple’s other Macs, the Mac mini has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The £699 and £899 M1-based Mac minis have two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, while the £1,099 Intel-based Mac mini has four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports. All Mac minis have two USB-A ports, an The Mac mini is a great choice for students on a budget.

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HDMI 2.0 port, a headphone jack and a gigabit Ethernet port.

To connect a display, you can use the HDMI port or a Thunderbolt port.

You might have to buy an adapter if your display doesn’t have either HDMI or a port that can connect to Thunderbolt.

How fast is it? The £699 and £899 M1-based Mac minis are very fast. In fact, they are as fast as the 13in M1 MacBook Pro. As of this writing, the £699 M1 Mac mini gives you the best performance for the price of any Mac that Apple offers. It’s impressive.

The £1,099 Intel-based Mac mini offers good speed, but it’s not as fast as the M1 models. The Intel model is the only one that allows you to install 32GB or 64GB of RAM, so if you do heavy production work, it might be a better fit for you.

Verdict: The Mac mini is an excellent machine for most students.

Whether you’re on a budget or not, it’s a great choice.

21.5in iMAC The iMac is Apple’s iconic all-in-one computer. Made of aluminium, the iMac has a built-in display and looks stately as it sits on a desk.

30 Macworld • October 2021

Who’s it for? The iMac is great for both novices and demanding students. It can handle generalpurpose and heavy-duty tasks equally well. It’s ideal for someone who needs to buy a complete computer set-up (keyboard, mouse or trackpad and display) and wants to maximize workspace efficiency.

What are the specifications? This Mac model is currently available with a 21.5in 1,920×1,080-resolution display.

It has a 7th-generation 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 integrated graphics, and a 256GB SSD. You can’t upgrade the 21.5in iMac yourself after you buy it, so consider paying an extra £200 at the outset for a memory upgrade to 16GB. If you want to add more RAM later, you need to bring the iMac to an Apple store. The 21.5in iMac also offers a 1TB Fusion Drive upgrade for no additional cost, but the Fusion Drive is slower than the 256GB SSD. The iMac comes with Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2. If you order online from the Apple Store, however, you can switch the keyboard to a version with a numeric keypad, and/or switch the mouse to a Magic Trackpad 2. You can opt to get

the £1,099 iMac is Apple’s slowest iMac. Also, if you upgrade to a Fusion Drive, you get a significant amount of storage (1TB), but a Fusion Drive isn’t as fast as an SSD.

The iMac’s large display may appeal to some students.

both a Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Trackpad 2 for £129 extra.

The iMac does not have an optical drive. If you want to read or burn CDs and DVDs, you need to buy an external USB optical drive.

How do I connect stuff? Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in. All iMacs have four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port and an SDXC card slot.

How fast is it? iMacs are among Apple’s fastest computers, however,

Verdict: The iMac is worth considering, but it’s a nonportable Mac, which may deter many students from buying one. You won’t be able to take it with you to lectures, but you will be able to work more efficiently through its bigger screen.

24in iMAC Apple unveiled the 24in iMac at its Spring Loaded event in April 2021. It’s a fresh new take on the iMac and the first update in more than a decade, with a cleaner design, Apple silicon, and a choice of colours.

Who’s it for? The 24in iMac – like its 21.5in cousin –is great for both novices and demanding students.

It’s ideal for someone who needs to buy a complete computer setup (keyboard, mouse or trackpad October 2021 • Macworld 31

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and display) and wants to maximize workspace efficiency.

What are the specifications? T he 24in iMac uses Apple’s M1 chip rather than Intel’s processors, and there are several configurations available: £1,299: Apple M1 SoC with an 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 16-core Neural Engine, and 7-core graphics processor (GPU); 8GB of memory; 256GB SSD £1,499: Apple M1 SoC with an 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 16-core Neural Engine, and 8-core graphics processor (GPU); 8GB of memory; 256GB SSD £1,699: Apple M1 SoC with an 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 16-core Neural Engine, and 8-core graphics processor (GPU); 8GB of memory; 512GB SSD The 24in iMac 24 can have a maximum of 16GB of memory, and you can also upgrade to a 512GB SSD in the £1,299 and £1,499 models.

These upgrades cost extra and 32 Macworld • October 2021

can’t be upgraded after purchase.

Its Retina display has 11.3 million pixels and support for the P3 wide colour gamut, over a billion colours, 500 nits of brightness, and True Tone. Apple treats the display with an anti-reflective coating to help with readability.

Why does it look different from the other iMacs? The 24in iMac has a much different design than the 21.5in and 27in models. The bezels around the display are much smaller than on the other iMacs, but it still has a ‘chin’, a section located below the display that houses the iMac’s internals. The chin doesn’t have the Apple logo on the front. Instead, it’s on the back. Most notably, the 24in iMac comes in several colours: the £1, 299 model is available in blue, green, pink, and silver, while the £1,499 and £1,699 models are available in the same colours as well as orange, purple, and yellow.

How do I connect stuff? The £1,299 24in iMac 24 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports that also work with USB-C devices. The £1,499 and £1,699 iMacs have two additional USB-C ports. If you have a USB-A device, you need to buy an adapter, such as Apple’s

The new 24in iMac comes in a range of colours.

USB-C to USB Adapter (£19). If you have multiple USB-A devices and other items, consider a Thunderbolt hub. The 24in iMac also has a headphone jack on the side.

The 24in iMac, unlike the older iMacs, does not have an SDXC slot. Once again, you’ll need an adapter, such as the Anker SD Card reader (£13 from fave.co/3tnk6HT).

However, it does have a super-cool magnetic power cord.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are built-in. Apple doesn’t put a gigabit Ethernet port on the 24in iMac – instead, it’s on the power adapter.

But that Ethernet-equipped power adapter comes standard with the £1,499 and £1,699 models. It’s not included with the £1,299 model, but

you can select it as an option at the point of purchase – and yes, that means you’ll have to pay extra for it.

How fast is it? Since the 24in iMac has the same M1 as the Mac mini, it’s speed is very similar. That means it’s fast, and it’s faster than the 21.5in models it replaces. It’s got all the speed students need, and it can handle pro applications, no problem.

However, the £1,299 model has only one fan inside its body, while the £1,499 and £1,699 models have two fans. That means the high-priced models do a better job keeping its internals cool. The £1,299 model may need to slow down its performance on heavy-duty tasks in order to maintain a proper temperature.

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Verdict: Everything about the iMac is greatly improved, from the design to the display to its performance. We think the sweet spot is the £1,499 model, which gets you more ports, Touch ID, and Ethernet, but if you don’t need those things the £1,299 model will be plenty good.

photos, or images. Or it’s for the demanding user who wants the best image quality for everyday use.

27in iMac

£1,699: 3.1GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 4GB Radeon Pro 5300 graphics, and 256GB SSD

The 27in iMac is Apple’s high-end allin-one Mac. Made of aluminium, the iMac has a built-in display and looks stately as it sits on a desk. It also offers top-notch performance.

Who’s it for? It’s designed for those who work with high-resolution videos,

What are the specifications?

Apple’s 27in iMac come with a 5,120×2,880-resolution Retina display. Apple offers three models.

£1,899: 3.3GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 4GB Radeon Pro 5300 graphics, and a 512GB SSD £2,099: 3.8GHz 8-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, 8GB Radeon Pro 5500 XT graphics and a 512GB SSD

The 27in iMac is an amazing piece of kit, though it’s high price means it’s out of reach of most students.

34 Macworld • October 2021

Students can upgrade the RAM on the 27in iMac easily.

The machine has four RAM slots, accessible through the back.

Apple installs the standard 8GB as a pair of 4GB memory modules, so you can

add more RAM after you buy the system. Or if you prefer, you can upgrade the RAM at the point of purchase.

The 27in iMacs have the option of standard glass or nano-texture glass (£270) in front of the display. The standard glass is glossy, while the nano-texture glass has a matte-like finish that produces less glare.

dad is feeling particularly generous, it will be out of reach of most students.

MAC PRO The Mac Pro is Apple’s workstation.

It’s designed for professionals who need a powerful and flexible machine.

With prices starting at £5,499, it’s definitely not aimed at students, and so we haven’t included it here.

How do I connect stuff? Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in. All Retina iMacs have four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port and an SDXC card slot.

How fast is it? The 27in iMac is among Apple’s fastest computers when it comes to single-core performance.

When it comes to multi-core speed, the Mac Pros are faster machines, but the iMacs with 6-core processors have closed the gap. You can improve the multi-core performance by opting for the 3.6GHz 10-core Core i9 upgrade in the 27in £1,899 and £2,099 models.

You’ll pay more, but it may be worth it to your for the performance boost.

Verdict: The allure of the 27in iMac is strong; you’ll love the way it looks. You may not love the way the price looks, however. Unless the bank of mum and October 2021 • Macworld 35

MAC PRO: APPLE SILICON REDESIGN COMING 2022

13 ESSENTIAL MACOS TIPS SEPTEMBER 2021

REVEALED: 50 BEST APPLE ARCADE GAMES

Best iPad for students Wondering which iPad is best for school, college or university?

Read on to find out. Macworld Staff report

L

ife as a student is great, but it’s not all about partying; you’ll also have to do some work. To make that easier, you will be looking for the best tech. Here, we help you select the best iPad for student life, seeking out the devices that offer the perfect combination of portability, power, ease of use and value for money.

Before you decide which iPad to buy, there are a few things to note. The biggest is the fact that if you are a student, a teacher or are employed by an educational institution, you can get money off a new Apple product by shopping in Apple’s education store. You can read all about how to get an Apple Student Discount on page 67.

October 2021 • Macworld 37

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BEST FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS: 10.2IN iPAD Price: £329 from fave.co/3zJWxeF Since we expect that students are likely to be looking for a bargain we’d suggest that the 10.2in iPad is the closest you can get to a bargain iPad – especially once you apply the student discount – see page 53.

The 2020 iPad was comprehensively outshone by the updated iPad Air at last year’s Time Flies event, offering only a dull (albeit significant) spec bump while its costlier sibling got a redesign and raft of new features.

What Apple is calling the eighthgeneration iPad is in almost every respect the same as the 10.2in iPad Apple launched in 2019. It differs only in having a processor that’s two generations newer – thereby promising a handy boost in speed – and being very slightly heavier. Is that enough to justify the cost?

Almost certainly not if you’re thinking of upgrading from the 2019 to 2020 models. But it’s important to note that the things tech journalists find appealing (such as differences from the last generation) are not always the things that make a useful,

The 10.2in iPad is perfect for those who don’t want to spend a fortune.

38 Macworld • October 2021

value-for-money product for the average consumer – especially if they haven’t bought a new iPad in years.

So I’m going to do my best to review this tablet as a thing in its own right, with only occasional mentions of the similar model released last year.

Our review of the iPad (2020) tests its speed and battery life, evaluates the design and feature set, and helps you decide if this is the right tablet for you.

Price 32GB: £329 128GB: £429 32GB, cellular: £459 128GB, cellular: £559 If the above prices leave room in your budget, you can supplement your purchase with an accessory or two.

The new iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil stylus (which adds £89 to the cost), and the Smart Keyboard (£159).

Design The eighth-gen iPad has the same design as last year’s model. But to most people that doesn’t matter: instead, we’ll simply say that this is a slim, attractive tablet that’s lightweight to pick up while offering a display comfortably big enough

(10.2in, corner to corner) for gaming and watching films and TV. It’s 490g (or 495g, if you go for the cellular model) and just 7.5mm thick.

Apple’s engineers love to find contrast between gloss and matte surfaces, like the precise, angled brushed-metal chamfer around the edge of the glossy screen, or the shiny Apple logo in the middle of the matte back. You keep finding these kinds of small, thoughtful touches – details that are pleasing to the eye or finger.

These elements have been around a long time, but it’s an elegant, one might say classic, design. The screento-body ratio, however, is starting to look a little dated: the inclusion of a Home button on the front, and comparatively thick bezels – about 8mm at left and right, and a positively chunky 20mm at the top and bottom – means you’re not getting as much screen ‘real estate’ for the size of the chassis as you would with an all-screen design like on the last two generations of iPad Pro and the most recent iPad Air. The back edges of the iPad are curved whereas the front ones are sharp; this has the same ‘pick me up’ effect, when the device is laid down with screen facing up, that Apple used on the iPad 2 back in 2011. Again, it’s October 2021 • Macworld 39

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You get a 10.2in display with a resolution of 2,160x1,620 at 264ppi. That’s standard for Apple, roughly matching the iPad Air 1 from 2013 on the one hand, and the iPad Pro 11in The rear-facing camera doesn’t stick out from the main body.

(2020) on the other. But again, a well-worn design language, but I the lack of progress doesn’t matter if personally find it more welcoming, not it gets the job done, and it does. to mention easier to pick up, than the It’s a decent-quality screen, uniformly squared-off edges of the certainly good enough for most uses newfangled Pro line. even if hardly envelope-pushing in We’ll finish with two old-fashioned terms of specs. It’s sharp, bright elements of the design that we think and colourful, and while there are almost everyone will applaud. The better tablets out there in those eighth-gen iPad has a headphone departments (the Pros offer 600 port, and its rear-facing camera nits brightness to this device’s 500, doesn’t stick out from the main body for instance, and a superior colour at all: it’s totally flush. gamut), the iPad doesn’t suffer much in comparison.

Display The size is in my opinion a good We’ve established that the iPad does compromise point. iPad mini screens not have an all-screen design. But the can be a touch cramped for movies screen still dominates the front of the and working on the go, while the device, and will monopolize your use largest Pro falls down on portability; of it. Is it any good? this is the best of both worlds, 40 Macworld • October 2021

it’s unlaminated.

What does that mean? There’s a tiny gap between the glass and the display tech underneath, and this means that when you press down with a finger or stylus it ‘gives’ very slightly: it The iPad (2020) has a decent screen, though it’s hardly envelope-pushing in terms of specifications. flexes downwards a microscopic although it would be better still if amount. On a laminated screen (which Apple could trim back those bezels. you’ll find on any iPad Pro, the iPad The touchscreen function is slick mini 4 and later, and all Airs except and seamless. You don’t get the the first one) there’s no gap, and higher refresh rate and ProMotion consequently no give. dynamic switching of the iPad Pro It’s a subtle effect, so please don’t line, but in most situations you won’t imagine any kind of visible bending. be conscious that you’re getting a Rather, the effect manifests itself ‘lesser’ experience.

The combination of the screen tech and iPadOS 14 are enough to preserve the fundamental illusion behind all tablets: that you’re literally moving elements around on the screen with your finger.

The last thing to say Apple has opted to use an unlaminated display here. about the screen is that October 2021 • Macworld 41

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in a slight sense of cheapness, of ‘plastickyness’. It’s not reassuring, when most iPad usage involves touching the screen, to have this sense, but it certainly isn’t intolerable.

Indeed, we could go further and ask whether the average consumer will notice the effect at all.

I use and review iPads all the time; my most commonly used tablet is a 2018 Pro. I’m used to laminated screens. So when I pick up the iPad 10.2in, it feels weird. But will it feel weird to you? That depends on what you’re used to.

My sense is that one laminated screen will ruin unlaminated ones for you, forever, and that you will always remember the way screens should feel. But I may be wrong about that, because I was wrong once before.

A few years back I reviewed the iPad 9.7in (2017) and criticised its use of an unlaminated screen, which I saw as a throwback to the iPad Air 1 from 2013 and called “an economy too far”.

And then everyone in the universe bought one, and I felt like a fool.

So you’ll have to go your own way on this one, but try to get your hands on the new iPad before buying if you can. If you’ve ever used a laminated iPad, which means most of them and certainly all the expensive ones, then 42 Macworld • October 2021

this one will feel strange and a little cheap. If you haven’t, then you won’t know what you’re missing.

Photography The iPad has an 8Mp camera on the rear and 1.2Mp on the front, with just a single lens in each case. Neither of these will challenge a good phone camera for quality, but photography tends not to be a priority for tablets.

Rear-facing camera performance was solid, with good colour reproduction and detail. I was particularly impressed by its ability to handle mixed-lighting conditions, with bright sun at the top of the shot (not overexposed) but more shady undergrowth at the bottom (crisp and colourful).

In the official specs list Apple says this model offers HDR rather than the exposure-blending Smart HDR of the iPad Pro or Next-Generation Smart HDR of current iPhones, but a glance in Settings shows that Smart HDR is enabled by default; regardless of the terminology, the A12 processor seems to be helping out behind the scenes in some capacity.

The front camera is more basic. A selfie in good lighting came out with slightly soft edges and noticeable pixellation when looked at closely.

Rear-facing camera performance is solid, with good colour reproduction and detail.

Selfies come out with slightly soft edges and noticeable pixellation when looked at closely.

October 2021 • Macworld 43

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I suspect that the front camera will primarily be used for FaceTime and other video calls, particularly given the state of the world as I write this. Your face would be rendered more accurately by a higher-specced camera, but I (and the caller at the other end) found it fine for FaceTime.

The iPad has no flash on the rear camera, and only Retina Flash (a rudimentary and unflattering flash performed by lighting up the screen) on the front; you don’t get Night Mode, either. It’s therefore no use at all in very low light. There’s also no Portrait Mode.

Performance Subjectively, the new iPad performed every task we threw at it with aplomb.

It’s easily fast enough for gaming, image editing and everyday tasks, and in real-world use we never managed to find a ceiling to its processing power.

But that’s true of almost all brand-new iPads, and a more relevant question is this: how future-proof is it? Will it be able to run the most demanding apps of 2021, and 2022?

To gauge that we need to look deeper.

The headline spec is the A12 Bionic processor, a big update on last year’s A10. It won’t surprise you to hear that the A12 is two generations 44 Macworld • October 2021

newer than the A10; more specifically, Apple claims it’s 40 per cent faster for CPU performance and twice the speed for graphics. We’ll test those claims in a moment.

Note that the A12, while new for the standard iPad line, is by no means the latest thing in Apple processor world. The 2020 iPad Pros, for instance, have the A12Z, a souped-up version of the A12, while the new iPad Air for 2020 gets the A14.

You also get 3GB of RAM – that’s the same allocation as last year, and at the low end of what you’d expect from even a budget tablet. Apple tends to achieve better performance than its devices’ specs would lead you to expect, however, thanks to clever optimization with iPadOS. Sure enough, performance in our speed benchmarks was impressive.

The new iPad scored 2,588 in the multi-core segment of Geekbench 5, up 82 per cent from last year’s 1,424. Single-core performance was up a more modest 44 per cent, from 771 to 1,114, suggesting that the biggest gains will be seen in the most demanding tasks. Note too that the standard iPad still isn’t close to rivalling the Pro models in multi-core; even the 2018 Pro was able to score 4,521 in the same test.

similarly pleasing.

The iPad managed a playable 25fps in even the most taxing of GFXBench’s on-screen tests (‘Aztec Open High’), a test where many tablets languish in the single digits.

Our US colleagues found year-on-year The iPad performed every task we threw at it with aplomb. improvements of Geekbench 5 (single-core) between 60 per cent and 85 per cent iPad (2020): 1,114 in 3DMark’s Sling Shot Extreme test. iPad (2019): 771 We list the iPad’s specifications iPad Air (2019): 1,110 in full on page 30. Aside from the 11in iPad Pro (2018): 1,125 performance-related specs discussed above, it’s worth highlighting the Geekbench 5 (multi-core) storage options: 32GB remains the iPad (2020): 2,588 baseline, and that really isn’t very iPad (2019): 1,424 much. If you take lots of photos, for iPad Air (2019): 2,673 instance, consider plumping for the 11in iPad Pro (2018): 4,521 costlier 128GB model (or paying for more iCloud storage).

Our US colleagues set the 2020 Battery life iPad against the 2019 iPad Air (which The iPad 2020 has the same battery is also based on the A12) and found capacity as last year’s model, that as far as CPU performance goes at 32.4Wh, but improvements the two are essentially identical. They in other areas – presumably the recorded scores of 1,109 and 2,634 processor’s greater efficiency – (single and multi) with the 2020 iPad, enable it to noticeably outperform its and 1,110 and 2,673 with the 2019 Air. predecessor. This is despite Apple Gains in graphical performance were October 2021 • Macworld 45

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making the same claims for both devices: up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi. We put the Air through a punishing day of Netflix, gaming, speed benchmarks and photography – far more demanding than a typical day’s usage – and it died after 7 Performance in our speed benchmarks was impressive. hours and 45 minutes. you. It has twin speakers but they are Our US colleagues, under similarly close together on the Home button taxing conditions, managed just over edge so you don’t get a stereo effect.

8 hours.

For that you should be looking at These numbers might sound quad-speaker iPads, such as the Pro. disappointing, given the published Sound is warm and detailed at claims. But bear in mind a) that this is lower volumes but can get a little tinny an improvement of around a fifth on as you push close to maximum – which the 2019 model and b) the average isn’t massively powerful in any case. consumer, mixing video, email and web surfing with the occasional break, Software will get far longer life than this.

The iPad (2020) comes with iPadOS Indeed, in the Geekbench 4 battery 14 pre-installed (it will also be able to test, which we’d still rate as a more install future iPadOS updates for free taxing assignment than everyday for around five or six years). tablet life, the iPad managed 10 As a 2020 device the eighth-gen hours and 34 minutes. iPad gets access to pretty much all of Audio the upgrades in iPadOS 14. It doesn’t If you’re looking for the consummate have a LiDAR scanner, however, so surround-sound multimedia misses out on some augmentedexperience, this is not the tablet for reality features.

46 Macworld • October 2021

iPadOS is in general a slick, secure and easy-to-use operating system, and you can download a huge number of reasonably well-vetted apps tailored to the iPad screen size(s) from the App Store, one of the biggest software ecosystems on the planet.

The rival Android OS has even more apps available, granted, as well as offering more customization options. But the apps are less well vetted and the overall experience weaker: indeed there are no Android tablets on the market right now that come close to the quality of an iPad.

Verdict If you’ve never owned an iPad before, or you own an iPad from a few years back – the iPad Air 2, say, or the fifthgen iPad from 2017 – then this is a great tablet to pick up for general use.

It’s light, portable, comfortably quick enough for any app you throw at it right now and affordably priced. And you still get a headphone port, which is a dying luxury these days. Just bear in mind that this is very much at the bargain-basement end of what Apple’s iPads have to offer, and there are inevitably compromises.

Storage, for a start: it’s disappointing that Apple continues to offer just 32GB at the entry level,

which will prove restrictive for those who want to store lots of music, photos and videos on their device, or intend to run a large library of games and other bulky apps. Cloud-based services such as Apple Music may help in some of these areas.

In terms of performance, if you can stretch to the new Air or one of the Pros then you’ll have a device that’s faster still – which might not matter much right now but will ensure it’s able to tackle the most demanding apps years into the future.

The design too, while a classic for a reason – it’s attractive and feels good in the hand – is starting to look dated in comparison with the models Apple sells without a Home button. By removing that detail those devices are able to offer more screen space for the chassis size and a generally more modern-looking appearance.

Finally, do try to get your hands on the screen before making a decision.

The unlaminated screen may not bother you at all, but if you’ve tried a laminated version in the past it’s likely to feel plasticky and cheap.

David Price

Specifications • 10.2in (2,160x1,620; 264ppi) Retina IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen October 2021 • Macworld 47

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• iPadOS 14 • Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) processor • Hexa-core (2x 2.5GHz Vortex, 4 x1.6GHz Tempest) CPU • Apple (4-core graphics) GPU • 3GB RAM • 32GB/128GB storage • Rear-facing camera: 8Mp, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12μm, AF • Selfie camera: 1.2Mp, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot • Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS (Wi-Fi + Cellular model only) • USB Type-C; magnetic connector • Fingerprint scanner (front mounted) • Non-removable 32.4Wh lithiumpolymer battery • 250.6x174.1x7.5mm • Wi-Fi, 490g; cellular, 495g

surprise – it’s barely different on first glance and yes, those bezels sure look huge after the past six years of consumer technology working towards bezel-less displays. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the iPad mini, finding that I pick it up way more often than I do with a larger iPad. Using devices more is sometimes a bad thing, but this iPad lends itself to reading far more than it does scrolling through endless timelines. It’s not an iPad for Instagram or Twitter. At its heart it’s a great eReader, news app displayer and Netflix enabler.

Unlike Apple’s other iPads it’s not striving to replace your laptop, but instead does some things better than one. If you don’t mind the ageing design, the smallest iPad could be a better option for you than any other.

Petit power

MOST AFFORDABLE iPAD: iPAD MINI Price: £369 from fave.co/2YmXY4Q This wasn’t meant to happen. The iPad mini hadn’t been updated since 2015 and was left out in the cold, costing more than the larger 9.7in iPads that were released since. We thought Apple had left it for dead.

The introduction of the new 2019 iPad mini came as a complete 48 Macworld • October 2021

There are two things that make the 2019 iPad mini a great iPad. One is its portability, and one is its sheer processing power.

Yes, we know this is basically the same design as the first iPad mini in 2012, but wait.

Ever since the 12.9in iPad Pro was introduced in 2015, Apple has concentrated on larger tablet displays. With the 10.5in screens

joining the standard 9.7in iPad sizes, we’ve been led to believe bigger is better.

It’s no surprise given Apple, and everyone else, has done the same with their smartphones. But when I started You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the iPad mini. using the iPad mini it reminded me of the pure convenience of a small when held, particularly for landscape tablet – something around the size games. The iPad mini is very powerful of a book (and definitely thinner) that thanks to the A12 Bionic chip. This you can carry about unnoticed. It’s is the same processor found in the only 300g and displays most content iPhone XS and XR, meaning the iPad better than your phone can. mini is the cheapest Apple hardware With those phones getting bigger with this extremely fast silicon inside. and better, you may have found By this point there’s not even your tablet use declining. But I much point in comparing it to the found the iPad mini was irresistible A8 processor in the iPad mini 4 that because of its size and I used it this new model replaces – the new in meetings, at home and on the one is so, so much better. At the time bus far more than the larger iPads of release, it is practically the most that I’ve reviewed over the years. powerful mobile chip money can buy.

It measures 203.2x134.8x6.1mm, But if you really must know, here thinner than an iPhone XS. you go: On the bottom are two stereo Geekbench 4 (multi-core) speakers which sound clear and have iPad mini (2019): 11,639 enough bass for a tablet this small iPad Air (2019): 11,369 but will get covered up naturally October 2021 • Macworld 49

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11in iPad Pro (2018): 18,381 9.7in iPad mini (2018): 5,917 iPad mini 4 (2015): 2,989

GFX Manhattan 3.1 iPad mini (2019): 55fps iPad Air (2019): 54fps 11in iPad Pro (2018): 84fps 9.7in iPad mini (2018): 27fps iPad mini 4 (2015): 6fps Geekbench clocks the CPU speed and GFXBench measures the GPU – the latter shows the iPad Pro’s 120Hz frame rates at play, but note how much more powerful the 2019 iPad mini is than 2018’s larger, regular iPad. We also compared it to the iPad Air announced on the same day as the iPad mini. The mini is excellent value for the performance you’re getting here. The most expensive version (256GB with 4G) costs £669 – £100 cheaper than the cheapest iPad Pro. Apple’s claim of 10 hours of battery life when ‘surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music’ proved accurate in our testing, though as expected I found it drained much faster when on 4G or video calling.

I had to charge it about once every three days, but I also personally never let my tech get down into the red.

50 Macworld • October 2021

iO-Yes Inside the iPad mini’s frame, the A12 drives a ferociously fast operating system. iOS 12 undergoes more scrutiny when it’s on an iPad Pro and said to be able to replace a laptop, but when it’s running on the smallest iPad it’s undoubtedly the best software on a casual-use tablet.

I’ve reviewed many consumer Android tablets – none of them are preferable to the convenience and polish of an iPad. On the iPad mini apps open and close instantly and games flow unhindered, even high-end demanding titles such as Fortnite. It’s by far the best software experience on a tablet this small and is as smooth as the iPhone XS that costs around £600 more if we are talking base mode pricing.

The LCD display is well calibrated and laminated so it does not have a gap between the surface and the screen like the cheapest 9.7in iPad does. You also get True Tone for the first time on an iPad mini, so the screen (optionally) adjusts the white balance depending on the ambient light.

And while it supports the firstgeneration Apple Pencil and the requisite apps, the screen doesn’t

have Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion tech found in the iPad Pro models that makes scrolling even smoother.

Apple has admitted that it took ages to update the iPad mini because it assumed tablet buying would veer towards larger displays. In the tech world we knew that the ageing 2015 hardware of the iPad mini 4 wasn’t the best buy, but that didn’t deter people from still buying it because of the size.

There’s clearly still demand for the 7.9in display. Turns out most people don’t care about the large bezels.

You also get second-gen Touch ID which is excellently responsive. I didn’t miss Face ID all that much, though that might be different when it comes to an iPhone.

The things I do on the iPad mini don’t really require it.

also in use case. This is why I like it so much.

What I mean is that I did not feel compelled to load up Twitter or Instagram on it because of the size. Instead I found myself opening the New York Times, Apple News or Feedly apps to read the morning headlines on the bus on a display that has room to breathe.

While doing this I pinged over to Pocket Casts and got a podcast on the go (yes, there’s a headphone jack!). Sure, I could have done these things on a phone but without the constant message notifications

Middle ground What I found more than anything (and this might not apply to you) is that the iPad mini managed to take me away from my phone and bring me down from my computer. It sits in the middle in size, but

The New York Times app displaying the same front page on iPhone XR (left) and iPad mini (right).

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rolling in and a larger 16:9 display to enjoy newspaper style content on, I was personally chuffed.

My use of the iPad mini took me away from the mental burn out of social media and WhatsApp and provided me with a device that let me read The iPad mini supports the first-gen Apple Pencil. and didn’t distract.

This was and the advantage of cloud-stored accentuated even more by the 4G notes is evident. review unit Apple provided me with Apple would of course like you to (the cheapest iPad mini is Wi-Fi only). own multiple iPads and flit between I put my second SIM in it and it meant sizes as task dictates, but then again that I could watch YouTube on the bus, with two Apple Pencils that support check personal emails – again, things different models, this is user hostile. that we all do on our phones but is If you wanted the iPad mini and easier on a larger screen, but not a a 2018 iPad Pro, you’d need both screen so large that I felt like an idiot models of Pencil. for using it on the number 30.

And sure, the second-generation Pencil me in Apple Pencil is ‘better’ but the firstOne thing I personally did not use gen Pencil is absolutely fine, and much was the Apple Pencil, which paired with the base iPad mini it’s the the 2019 iPad mini now supports. cheapest way to use one. I remain Apple’s suggestion that the iPad mini sceptical that many artists will opt for would make a great digital notebook the iPad mini over the iPad Pro with is cute, and you may be someone who its better display and larger digital would genuinely use the tablet as a canvas, but there might be a niche. It way to back up handwritten notes, probably didn’t cost much for Apple 52 Macworld • October 2021

to add the support to the mini and eke out a few more Pencil purchases from curious customers.

And yes, the iPad mini has a camera on the back. If you really want to be that person holding it at head height to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower then I’ll try not to judge you. The 8Mp lens is nowhere near as good as something on any recent iPhone, but it’ll do.

Better used is the front-facing 7Mp 1080p FaceTime camera. I used the iPad mini for a fair few video calls and it was a great experience. But any close inspection on still images from either camera shows these are not great quality photos, with a lot of noise when zoomed in.

Verdict The iPad mini lives on in a very capable package that includes the blazingly fast A12 chip. It’s the cheapest hardware with Apple’s latest processor. The ageing design is a downside, but this iPad design is a certified classic and we don’t think it’ll put many people off – it doesn’t us.

With a headphone jack, outstanding performance, Pencil support and unrivalled portability in the tablet market, the iPad mini is a surprisingly excellent upgrade on a

product we thought was about to bow out. Henry Burrell

Specifications • 7.9in (2,048x1,536; 326ppi) Retina IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen • iPadOS 14 • Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) processor • Hexa-core (2x 2.5GHz Vortex, 4x 1.6GHz Tempest) CPU • Apple (4-core graphics) GPU • 3GB RAM • 64GB/256GB storage • Rear-facing camera: 8Mp, f/2.4, 32mm (standard), 1.12μm, AF • Selfie camera: 7Mp, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot • Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, EDR • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS (Wi-Fi + Cellular model only) • Lightning, USB 2.0 • Fingerprint scanner (front mounted) • Non-removable 19.1Wh lithium-ion battery • 203.1x134.8x6.1mm • Wi-Fi, 300.5g; cellular, 308.2g

BEST FOR FUTURE-PROOF FEATURES: iPAD AIR Price: £578 from fave.co/3n2hE8y Visually, you have to look very carefully to notice that the latest iPad October 2021 • Macworld 53

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Air isn’t an iPad Pro: the angular, nearly all-screen case design was previously reserved for the more expensive tablets, but Apple has found room for an Air in that exclusive club.

This isn’t the only area where this release sees the Pro and Air lines come closer together – in terms of CPU, in fact, the Air model is technically two generations ahead.

But let’s take things one step at a time. Over the following pages, we test and evaluate the tablet’s design, new features, performance, battery life and tech specs, and help you decide if this is the iPad for you.

Price The new Air starts at £579. It’s noticeably more expensive than the Air released last year, although as we will discover, it offers numerous upgrades to justify this. There are four configurations to choose from: £579: 64GB, Wi-Fi £729: 256GB, Wi-Fi £709: 64GB, cellular £859: 256GB, cellular

Storage More storage is always better, and this statement is just as true for Apple’s 54 Macworld • October 2021

tablets as it is for smartphones.

Especially if you like to edit photos or videos on the big screen, which quickly racks up the gigabytes.

Nevertheless, when it comes to equipping the iPad Air with flash memory, Apple is sticking to its strategy: you either get a little, or you get a lot. You only have the choice between 64 or 256GB. This is a difference from the Pro models, which are available with 128 or 512GB, or even with 1TB. A similar differentiation between the Air and Pro lines can be found with the RAM allocation. The new A14 Bionic chip is here supported by 4GB of RAM, whereas the A12Z Bionic in the Pro models has 6GB. You can tell that there are significant differences under the hood, which is why it’s perhaps better not to compare the iPad Air directly with the Pro models.

A better – and we’d say fairer – comparison would be with the direct predecessor, the iPad Air from 2019.

New display At 10.9in, the display is a little larger than the 10.5in screen of the Air’s 2019 predecessor. The Home button has disappeared; you can now reach the home screen – as with the Pro models – by swiping up

from the lower edge of the screen.

The resolution is now slightly higher, while brightness remains the same at a maximum of 500 nits. We measured 404 nits under laboratory conditions in a The fingerprint sensor has been moved to the power button. dark room, which innovation that Apple has never used is a decent performance, and even in any other product: the fingerprint outdoors you should rarely find that sensor moves to the power button on you can’t see what’s on the screen. the upper edge of the iPad case.

Don’t forget to pick up a case for the This makes it significantly smaller, Air 4 if you want to keep that display and considerably narrower. Can it still looking new for longer. reliably recognize fingerprints? We The contrast ratio, which we were initially sceptical, and tested measured at around 1,300:1, is also the function carefully. a reasonable figure, but we are still Setting up fingerprints works in the a long way from the dream numbers same way as with the conventional of an OLED display. Whether OLED round sensor. First, the iPad saves will ever make it into Apple’s tablets the middle area of the fingertip, then is hard to guess. One consolation is the edges. As before, you can save that the Android competition is also up to five fingertips – which really proving frugal in this respect. Only a makes sense now, because if you handful of manufacturers offer OLED operate the iPad Air with the Magic tablets with screens larger than 10in.

Keyboard (which it supports), the Touch ID in the power button power switch is on the left. As a rightNo more Home button and no Face handed person, you definitely have ID? How do you unlock the new iPad to include your left index finger as an Air now? This brings us to a real unlock option, otherwise there will be October 2021 • Macworld 55

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unpleasant contortions in front of the iPad. After an initial familiarization phase, unlocking with the narrow sensor worked fine in practice. Maybe we had a few more unsuccessful attempts than with the larger sensor, but all in all the narrow sensor worked surprisingly well.

It can be assumed Apple will use this type of unlocking in other devices in the future. Fingerprint sensors still have their advantages, especially when there’s a pandemic, because Face ID fails if you wear a mask. But Apple is keen to leave out the Home button, because this allows for larger

screens. Touch ID in the power button is a sensible compromise.

Staying connected

As we’ve seen with the Pro models, Apple is slowly saying goodbye to the beloved Lightning port, which is now getting on in years. The new iPad Air comes with USB-C. This may mean chucking out a bunch of Lightning accessories you already own, which is always frustrating. But there are plenty of third-party chargers out there, and Apple bundles a 20-watt USB-C power adapter and cable. Using these accessories the iPad charged from zero to 100 per cent in just under two-anda-half hours.

We’ll admit there are possible annoyances in switching from Lightning to a new connection standard, but you can do a lot more with USB-C. Mass storage media such as USB sticks or even external hard drives can be connected directly and The iPad Air works with the Magic Keyboard. a large number of files 56 Macworld • October 2021

can be opened immediately using the Files app or copied to internal storage. Other peripherals such as USB Ethernet adapters will also work. Simply plug it in and a new item ‘Ethernet’ appears in the Settings app.

We already alluded to this, but thanks to three contact points on the back and a couple of powerful magnets, the new iPad Air works with the Magic Keyboard. Apple sent us one to test, and it’s amazing how quickly you get used to using the keyboard and trackpad. In no You’ll find a 12Mp lens on the back. time you can work with the iPad just like you’re using a MacBook. when writing German. For most of us Whether it is actually a real though, that’s not an issue. replacement for a notebook depends Photography – as so often – on the software. There Another big step forward compared are still programs that you can’t get to the Air’s direct predecessor is the on an iPad, especially developer built-in camera on the back, which tools such as Xcode or professional now has a resolution of 12Mp. software for audio/video editing. Even We took a few test photos with the with a Magic Keyboard and trackpad, iPad Air in autumnal surroundings an iPad will not penetrate into these and compared them with the iPad areas so quickly. mini 5, which has roughly the same If you’re artistically inclined or like camera as the previous Air. You can to work by hand, you will be happy see that the iPad Air (2020) shoots to be able to use the 2nd-generation sharper images and the colours come Apple Pencil. In our tests, the out looking a little crisper and more handwriting recognition that Apple is natural. In the macro area, however, introducing with iOS 14 worked well, the look of the mini 5 is slightly ahead. although it struggled with umlauts October 2021 • Macworld 57

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In these two shots, you can see that colours look a little crisper and more natural in photos taken with the Air (2020).

58 Macworld • October 2021

Macro shots are less impressive on the iPad Air (2020).

A14 Bionic processor For the first time, Apple is using a processor, the A14 Bionic, that was created using the 5nm process.

This chip makes its official debut in the iPad Air 4, although it has since reappeared in the iPhone 12.

A lot has been written about the A14 Bionic. Now we can measure ourselves for the first time.

CPU performance compared to the A12 in the iPad mini 5 and iPhone XS is between 12 per cent (Linpack) and a whopping 79 per cent (Geekbench 5 multi-core test) better. In graphics-sensitive tasks,

it showed an improvement of 14 per cent (3DMark).

The A14 Bionic thus achieves desktop performance right from the start and even outperforms established Intel chips in the Geekbench single-core test. This is more than enough power for an iPad in all situations and it shows where Apple wants to go with the A14.

An A14, however optimized, in a MacBook or iMac should provide unprecedented computing power.

Especially if you add active cooling, which is not available in the iPhone 12 or the iPad Air 4.

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Battery life Despite the improved computing and graphics performance, we found that battery life remained essentially the same as on the previous generation.

In our exceptionally demanding worst-case test, we played an MP4 video in an endless loop at 100 per cent screen brightness. Here the iPad Air ran out of juice after five hours and 42 minutes. The iPad 7 only ran slightly longer here.

In a more realistic but still demanding web-browsing test, we continually called up a variety of websites. Using this method the iPad Air 4 ran for 10 hours and 30 minutes – again, a very good performance.

In everyday life you should expect the iPad Air to last an entire working day without any problems. What more could you want?

Verdict The iPad Air (2020) is a significant step forward – especially compared to its direct predecessor, which is just over a year old. The gap between the Air and Pro models is shrinking, but remains noticeable in certain areas.

Still, if you’re thinking about buying a new tablet and don’t necessarily have professional ambitions for it, the new iPad Air is exactly the right companion 60 Macworld • October 2021

that will bring joy for many years to come. André Martin

Specifications • 10.9in (2,360x1,640; 264ppi) Liquid Retina IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen • iPadOS 14 • Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) processor • Hexa-core CPU • Apple (4-core graphics) GPU • 64GB/256GB storage • Rear-facing camera: 12Mp, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3in, 1.22μm, dual pixel PDAF • Selfie camera: 7Mp, f/2.0, 31mm (standard) • Wi-Fi 8 02.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dualband, hotspot • Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, EDR • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS (cellular model only) • USB Type-C; magnetic connector • Fingerprint scanner (top mounted) • Non-removable 28.6Wh lithiumpolymer battery • 247.6x178.5x6.1mm • Wi-Fi, 458g; cellular, 460g

THE BEST HIGH-POWER OPTION: 12.9IN iPAD PRO Price: £999 from fave.co/3DOXXXHz The difference between the 2018 iPad Pro and last year’s upgrade was

The 12/9in iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-range model.

so modest that the generation was largely overlooked with a yawn. But this year, Apple surprised us with such a dramatic upgrade that we thought we must have heard wrong.

The same lightning-fast processor as the Mac range? A mini-LED screen that even the Macs haven’t got? Is this finally the laptop replacement that Apple has spent years trying to convince us the iPad can be?

Let’s find out.

thicker). We still don’t get an iPad with screen bezels as narrow as those of the iPhone. Even the camera module on the back is the same.

This is not to say that the iPad Pro is a bad design. On the contrary, it is extremely solidly built, with confidence-inspiring material choices, which makes it feel like a quality product in the hand. We just wanted it to look new on the outside as well.

Models and accessories Design There are major upgrades on the inside, but very little has changed on the outside. The dimensions are the same (except that the new screen means the chassis is half a millimetre

As before, you can get the iPad Pro with an 11in or 12.9in screen.

Other than size and battery capacity, the main difference between these options is that the larger model has a mini-LED screen October 2021 • Macworld 61

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with higher brightness and thus even better contrast.

Both have identical storage options, which now go up to a (slightly crazy) 2TB. They also have more RAM: 8GB gigabytes as standard, and 16GB for the terabyte-plus models.

Both are available either with Wi-Fi only, or with Wi-Fi and 5G. The colour choices are silver or Space Grey. If you want a more colourful iPad, you’ll have to turn to the iPad Air. A surprise was that the old USB-C port has been upgraded to Thunderbolt 3, with USB 4 support.

This means you can connect

lightning-fast external SSD disks, which is probably necessary if you want to transfer movies and fill up those terabytes of storage space.

But there’s also support for a 10Gb Ethernet connection. DisplayPort support allows you to connect it to a Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.

The Magic Keyboard (£329 from fave.co/3w3gGun) is starting to look more and more like a real laptop keyboard. The keys have good stroke length and are at least as comfortable to type on as the standard wireless Magic Keyboard for Mac. They are even backlit, so you can work in the dark.

The Magic Keyboard looks like a real laptop keyboard.

62 Macworld • October 2021

The trackpad has a good feel and supports multitouch gestures. The floating design it gives the iPad is really nice and it’s smart that you can plug the charging cord into the keyboard when it’s connected.

Display The iPad Pro has long had an excellent screen: it was an early trailblazer for features like a 120Hz refresh We’re big fans of the iPad Pro’s screen. rate (which the iPhone is still waiting for), automatic adjustment to allow for changes in of 1 million to 1, while the typical ambient lighting, and support for brightness has increased from the extended P3 colour space. And 600cd/m2 to 1,000; it can increase now the iPad Pro pulls away from the to 1,600cd/m2 when needed. Now we’re talking HDR. MacBook even more by being the As far as we can ascertain, nothing first with a mini-LED screen, which special has happened to the sound. in Apple language is branded as Then again, the iPad Pro already had Liquid Retina XDR. the best speakers we’ve heard on a Note that mini-LED is not a new tablet. Apple clearly believes in the screen technology: what it simply iPad Pro’s audio set-up, as it has now means is that the backlight on the used the same technology in the new screen now consists of thousands 24in iMac. The new iMacs also use a of tiny LEDs. This allows the screen similar set of microphones. to be divided into as many as 2,500 local dimming zones, so when part Photography of the screen has to be black, those The only noticeable change for the lights can be switched off completely. camera set-up is that the FaceTime Apple says this provides a contrast October 2021 • Macworld 63

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and the like. People who take iPads into museums and obscure the view of everyone behind them should be expelled.

The LiDAR scanner remains, of course, which helps with precise AR experiences.

Performance We’ve saved the most Centre Stage ensures everyone remains in the centre of spectacular revelation the frame during a video call. for last. Namely, that the iPad now camera has been given a really has the same revolutionary Apple smart new feature for video calls: M1 processor that has appeared in Centre Stage. This zooms in on the the MacBook, Mac mini and most person having the call, then pans recently the 24in iMac. This means to keep that person in the centre of performance has made the biggest the frame if they move; it can also leap between two generations that pull back to fit in multiple subjects if we have seen in years. someone else turns up.

Overall performance has increased This feature works so well by 46 per cent, based on the AnTuTu 8 and so smoothly that we wish it speed test – and bear in mind that the was available on the iPhone and previous generation, which now looks particularly on the new 24in iMac. so slow in comparison, already ran On the back, the Pro retains its circles around the competition.

12Mp wide-angle and 10Mp ultraGraphics performance has wide-angle lenses. This lack of an improved by 41 per cent, according upgrade doesn’t worry us because we to our test results in 3DMark Wild believe that cameras on tablets are Life Extreme. We had to abandon mostly a bonus for scanning receipts our 3DMark Slingshot test because 64 Macworld • October 2021

the iPad Pro hit the performance ceiling!

Writing performance for storage has improved by 243 per cent, according to PassMark.

We will see what this means in the long run. Will we be able to run macOS software on the iPad, in the same way that you can technically run iOS apps on the Mac? Apple has We were blown away by the Pro's performance. dismissed speculation, but in the long term then we use a Mac, because it makes the company probably has some sort us more productive. The argument of plan to standardize the platform that it is a smaller and more flexible across its computers and tablets. device than a laptop does not hold Can the new iPad either. The new 12.9in iPad Pro has Pro replace a laptop? become 41g heavier. Together with the In short, no, it cannot. For three keyboard, it weighs 1,382g, which is reasons. The iPad is primarily a 92g more than the MacBook Air with device for consuming content on, the M1 processor, which has a larger not creating it. Of course, we’ve screen and a better keyboard. sometimes sat on trains or planes It’s not even cheaper. An iPad Pro with an iPad and answered emails or 12.9in with 512GB of storage, 8GB of even finished writing an article using RAM and without 5G costs £1,299. the keyboard. We’ve sat in cafés and And if we add the Magic Keyboard, cut together a few video clips, or that’s another £329. A total of £1,628. edited a photo at a press conference.

A MacBook Air with 512GB of It can be done. But when we sit at the storage and 8GB of memory costs desk and start working in earnest, £1,249. Or if we want to match the October 2021 • Macworld 65

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price, we can get a 13in MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB of memory and the same storage for £1,699.

Verdict Apple incorporates the best, fastest and most delicious hardware in its new professional tablet. We have never seen this standard of performance or image quality on an iPad – but it is very expensive, and we’re starting to wonder why we have to wait for the corresponding progress on the MacBook range. Jonas Ekelund

Specifications • 12.9in (2,732x2,048; 265ppi) Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD • iPadOS 14.5.1 • Apple M1 processor • Octa-core CPU • Apple GPU • 8GB/16GB RAM • 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB storage • Three rear-facing cameras: 12Mp, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3in, 1.22μm, dual pixel PDAF; 10Mp, f/2.4, 125-degree (ultra-wide); TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) • Selfie camera: 12Mp, f/2.4, 122-degree (ultra-wide) • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dualband, hotspot 66 Macworld • October 2021

• Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi-Fi + Cellular model only) • NFC • USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort; magnetic connector • Face ID • Non-removable 40.88Wh lithium-polymer battery • Fast charging 18 watts • 280.6x214.9x6.4mm • 682g (Wi-Fi), 685g (5G)

How to get an Apple Student Discount Find out if you qualify for Apple’s Education Pricing and how to buy from Apple’s Education Store. Ashleigh Macro reports

S

tudents, teachers, lecturers and those who work for an educational institution can save money on a new Mac, MacBook or iPad purchase thanks to the Apple Education Store. In this article, we’ll show you how to use the Apple Education Store to get a student discount from Apple.

Students are a big market for Apple, which is why it has an entire separate education store that offers hefty discounts on Mac computers and iPad tablets – and sometimes gives away products like AirPods as an incentive for customers.

Most Apple customers aren’t aware of the Apple Education Store, or don’t think the discount applies to October 2021 • Macworld 67

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them. But this is a mistake, because Apple throws the education net quite wide, and there’s a good chance you qualify if you are enrolled in a higher education course, or if you work in a school, college or university.

If you’re already at university, or have been offered your place, then you should ensure that you make use of Apple’s student discount.

Before we begin though, you might be interested to know that until 11 October you’ll get a free pair of AirPods with your qualifying purchase from the Apple Education store.

HOW MUCH IS THE APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT? Apple doesn’t offer a single, universal discount. It sets different prices for each product range. These are currently available for Macs and

iPads only. Unfortunately, there are no discounts on the iPhone, Apple TV or Apple Watch, or on accessories or software for these items.

HOW MUCH IS APPLE’S MAC/MACBOOK STUDENT DISCOUNT You can save hundreds on a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro or Mac mini from the Apple Education Store. Apple’s Pro Display XDR is also available at a discount, so there are some huge savings to be had. Here’s a selection of some of the discounts:

• 24in iMac from £1,124.40 (usually £1,249) – £124.60 off • MacBook Pro from £1,168.80 (usually £1,299) – £130.20 off • MacBook Air from £898.80 (usually £999) – £100.20 off

Apple offers discounts on all of its iPad models.

68 Macworld • October 2021

• Mac mini From £628.80 (usually £699) – £70.20 off • Mac Pro from £4,948.80 (usually £5,499) – £550.20 off

HOW MUCH IS APPLE’S iPAD STUDENT DISCOUNT You can expect to save up to £80 on the more expensive models.

• iPad mini from £379.20 (usually £399) – £19.80 off • iPad Pro from £711.60 (usually £749) – £36.40 off • iPad Air from £535.20 (usually £579) – £43.80 • iPad from £309.60 (usually £329) – £19.40 off

WHO CAN GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT? There are three types of people who can qualify for a student discount:

• Students in higher education.

• People who are buying for education institutions.

• Parents of higher education students buying on their behalf.

Apple says that the following groups are eligible to purchase a Mac or iPad from the Apple Store for Education:

Employees of any education institution: Any employee of a public or private education institution.

Post-secondary Education Students: Students attending or accepted into a post-secondary education institution.

Parents of post-secondary students: Parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private post-secondary education institution

HOW TO GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT Click this link (fave.co/3hqNPuT) to Apple’s UK Education Store to access the Apple Education site.

Once there you’ll be encouraged to sign up on student discount website UNiDAYS (fave.co/3yQ5ge7) to access Apple’s educational discounts. Alternatively, UK customers can also use the rival verification service Student Beans (fave.co/3kW3mnf), which works in the same way as UNiDAYS. On whichever site you use, you’ll need to provide your email address and a password, your name, institution, subject of study, years of study and course length.

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Once you have completed the registration process and signed in you will be able to access Apple’s student discounts.

If you don’t want to register via a verification site, you can also call Apple, use Apple’s Chat online feature or visit an Apple Store. The staff there will guide you through the process.

70 Macworld • October 2021

CleanMyMac X Price: £35 from fave.co/3hdTtjK

W

ith Mac utilities, a multifaceted approach the offers several base functions can be excellent. There’s also a possibility that the developer overextended themselves trying to be everything to everyone, and the result is that some features aren’t as good as others, making you wonder about the value of the total app.

CleanMyMac X seems to be in danger of having run into the latter category. The catch-all utility offers an assortment of modules with its core focus centred around identifying and cleaning out gigabytes upon gigabytes of unused system garbage.

The modules are Smart Scan, System Junk, Mail Attachments, Trash Bins, Malware Removal, Privacy, Optimization, Maintenance, October 2021 • Macworld 71

REVIEWS

Uninstaller, Updater, Extensions, Space Lens, Large & Old Files and Shredder.

As with previous versions, a handy Menu Bar item provides useful information, such as drive capacities, CPU speeds, system temperature, system load, and network activity readouts. The modules themselves generally live up to their purpose, and it’s handy to be able to do a general search for data that’s consuming large parts of your hard drive as well as drill down and enable or disable specific system-level extensions as needed.

CleanMyMac X still runs a handy set of maintenance scripts, such as clearing the DNS cache and repairing file permissions, which help to keep things in order.

To its credit, CleanMyMac X offers some nice surprises, and I was able to recover more than 30GB of drive space as the program found unused files and disk images galore via my iCloud storage. Other features such as the Disk Lens and Uninstaller offered a clear view as to which folders were consuming the most drive space and a quick means of removing applications.

THE UPDATER AND MALWARE REMOVAL FEATURES

Unfortunately, CleanMyMac X has a couple of modules that are the app’s greatest hurdles. While wellintentioned and focused as marketing and selling points, the Updater function seems to only locate a smattering of available application updates, and it’s almost anyone’s guess as to what it will see and what will be glossed over. In my case, the Updater caught major updates such The System Junk module after locating 7.41 gigabytes of extraneous files. as Microsoft Office 72 Macworld • October 2021

components and located a small update to SimCity but missed Zoom updates during its scans as well as the latest Firefox update.

That’s disconcerting, as Firefox and Zoom have an extremely large user base.

The Malware Removal system has The Malware Removal module locates two pieces of suspicious software. gotten better but isn’t where it could be. After infecting my Mac with a and tutorials are as inviting and fair amount of dubious software informative as ever, and it’s nice (including an infamous keystroke to be able to easily dig down into logger disguised as an Adobe Flash component-level elements of your Player update), the Malware Removal operating system. Still, the Malware module was able to diagnose and Removal system’s not where it could remove most of my malware but kept be and it feels as if the Updater the infamous MacKeeper in place, module is only catching updates which then had to be torn out by the from the most prominent developers roots by a copy of Malwarebytes. It’s or smaller third-party ones. This has instances such as this that make one been marketed as a core feature, but raise an eyebrow and wonder what there are still applications devoted to else might be missed. finding software updates that handle It’s not a question of whether this function much better than what MacPaw, creators of CleanMyMac X CleanMyMac X seems to be capable have backed themselves into a corner of at present. as much as whether CleanMyMac VERDICT X can deliver on all it sets out to do.

While CleanMyMac X performs For the most part, the modules work most of its functions admirably well, the application’s introductions October 2021 • Macworld 73

REVIEWS

and provides an excellent means of clearing gigabytes of unused system detritus/gunk off your Mac, it needs to catch up and perform equally well where each of its modules is concerned. Otherwise, the software promises the world, overreaches, and puts itself in a position that almost no one can hope to achieve. Chris Barylick

74 Macworld • October 2021

CCleaner Price: £20 from fave.co/3l3doCZ

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iriform’s CCleaner, which was initially created to help clean up Registry files on Windows-based machines, made its way to the Mac in the Mac OS X 10.7 Lion days and hasn’t looked back. It’s been a techie staple on Macs, Windows PCs, and Android based computers for years now, and rightfully so.

Designed as freeware with an option to pay for a pro version and its appropriate annual license, CCleaner achieves what it sets out to do: help clean up gigabytes of cache files, internet history files, and locate and purge large files on your Mac, all with an impressive level of control.

CCleaner may not be as flashy as its competitors but it gets the job done.

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REVIEWS

You provide CCleaner with full hard disk access in the macOS Security and Privacy preference pane, and the software goes to work. A series of convenient modules (Mac OS X and Applications under the Cleaner tab, as well as Uninstall, Startup, Erase Free Space, Large File Finder, and Duplicate File Finder under the Options tab) provide easy access to specific tools. It’s easy to both analyse a hard drive to determine how much space certain files might be taking up, as well as view and organize a full list based on names and file sizes to see what’s been devouring your hard drive.

The Options tab lets you dive in and customize just about anything you want, including which cookies A CCleaner analysis report prior to running a final cleaning function.

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you want to save or purge and the deletion method to be used (‘Normal file deletion’, which is faster or ‘Secure file deletion’, which is slower), Smart Cleaning preferences for files and specific web browser behaviour, and user management so the professional version of CCleaner can be configured to specific users on your Mac. Per the pro version of CCleaner, your annual fee nets you active file monitoring, automatic updates in the background, full access for all users on your Mac, and premium tech support.

Piriform seems to know what CCleaner’s strengths are and builds them out over time instead of jumping to the next shiny new feature which would change the software outright.

It’s capable of an amazing amount of customization, configuration, and removes gigabytes of clutter at a time while functioning well, and no issues arose while testing it under macOS 11.5 Big Sur.

WINDOWS LOOK & FEEL If there’s something to nitpick with CCleaner, it comes down to its user interface, which feels like a quick Windows port and carries that clunkiness with it. Where the Online Help link in the main menu takes you to a website with useful FAQ and community links, the Check for Updates link doesn’t perform a version check, instead taking you to a website to purchase a fully licensed copy. This isn’t what the user expects

and is more problematic than it should be, especially if your goal was to locate, download, and work with the newest version of CCleaner. The user interface questions are probably a source of continuous debate, since CCleaner has had a similar look and feel for the better part of 20 years.

VERDICT It may not be as eye-catching or as shiny as some of its competitors, but what CCleaner seeks to accomplish, it does well, and it’s actually fun to dive into this level of customization in the macOS. Pair this with your favorite Mac utilities and you have something that can truly help keep your Mac’s storage in order, a facet that is not to be underestimated. Chris Barylick Reports from a Duplicate Finder report find multiple copies of underlying macOS system components.

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macOS Monterey: How to change the cursor colour on your Mac Add some colour to your Mac’s UI. Roman Loyola reports

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he Mac’s cursor is designed with a white outline and black fill. It’s a good combination, making it easy to spot no matter what is on screen. But man, is it boring. In past

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versions of macOS, you can’t change the cursor colour without using a third-party utility. That’s changing in macOS Monterey, though.

With Monterey, you can easily change the colours of the cursor to

something that is easier to catch with your eyes or just add some flair to reflect your personality. You can find it in the Accessibility pane in System Preferences. Here’s how it’s done.

HOW TO CHANGE THE CURSOR COLOUR 1. Go to System Preferences and click Accessibility.

2. In the left column, look for the Vision section and select Display.

3. Click on the Pointer tab in the section to the right.

4. You’ll find two setting here, Pointer outline colour and Pointer fill colour.

Click the colour swatch button next to each setting and the Colours selection palette will appear. Select the colours you want. If you want to revert back to the default white and black, click the Reset button.

5. Close System Preferences.

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macOS Monterey: How to set up and use Focus on your Mac When you need to be left alone, use Focus. Roman Loyola reports

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hanks to the internet and modern-day communication tools, it’s very easy to get in touch with someone – maybe it’s too easy. With Focus in macOS Monterey, you can set it up so

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that you aren’t interrupted by instant messages, calls, and alerts, allowing you to focus on whatever you’re doing on your Mac. Focus is basically an expansion of options that were originally available

in the Do Not Disturb feature that’s already in macOS. To make Focus suitable for your situation, you can adjust its preferences, which we’ll go over in this article.

HOW TO TURN ON FOCUS MANUALLY 1. In the menu bar, click the Control Centre icon. It’s a pair of black and white switches. ‘ 2. You can click the Focus icon and that will turn on Focus until you turn it off. If you want more options, click the Focus label or the arrow.

3. The Window will switch to the Focus window.

4. If you don’t have a profile set up, you can select an option under the Do Not Disturb header. If you do have profiles, you can select one of them.

To turn off Focus, go to the Control Centre menu bar, and click the Do Not Disturb icon.

If you want to set up Focus to turn on automatically, or you want to define the conditions for a Focus session when you

manually turn it on, you need to set up Focus profiles. Read on to learn more.

SET UP A FOCUS PROFILE The default setting has three choices.

If you simply select Do Not Disturb, it stays on until you manually turn it off. Or you can choose to set it for one hour, or until the evening.

Besides the default, Focus allows you to set up profiles for different situations. For example, you can have a profile you use for your lunch

When creating a custom Focus profile, you need to select an icon and colour and give it a name.

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break or for your workout – basically any time period of time you want to be uninterrupted.

The settings for Focus are in the Notifications & Focus system preference. (You can also select Focus Preferences when you click the Do Not Disturb/Focus button in Control Centre.) Here’s how to set up a profile.

field below the icon at the top. Click Add when you’re done.

Now that you’ve made a profile, here’s how to adjust its settings.

ADJUST NOTIFICATIONS SETTINGS FOR A FOCUS PROFILE 1. In the Notifications & Focus system preference, click on the Focus tab.

2. Select the profile in the left column that you want to modify.

1. In the Notifications & Focus system preference, click on the Focus tab.

2. In the left column are your profiles.

To create a new profile, click on the + button at the bottom of the column. A pop-up will appear with six options: Custom, Gaming, Mindfulness, Personal, Reading, and Work. These profiles (except Custom) have only a name, colour, and icon assigned to them.

So if you want to create, say, a gaming profile to begin with, you can select Gaming. Or select Custom and you can customize it as you like. Select a profile.

3. If you selected Custom, you get to choose a colour and icon to help you quickly spot your profile. You also You can pick People and Apps whose notifications will be let through during your Focus session need to fill in a name in the 82 Macworld • October 2021

3. In the box for ‘Allowed Notifications From’, you can set which contacts and apps are allowed to notify you while this particular Focus profile is being used.

• You can allow specific contacts to notify you while the Focus profile is on. Click on People, then click the + button at the bottom of the box.

A directory of your contacts will appear, and you can select people by highlighting the contact can clicking the Add button.

• You can allow specific apps to notify you. Click on Apps, then click the + button at the bottom of the box. A list of your apps appears and you can highlight the app you want and click Add to allow its notifications.

To remove a contact or app from the list of allowed notifications, click People or Apps, highlight the one you want to remove, then click the – button at the bottom of the box.

Click on the Options button, and you can make a few more adjustments:

• Allow time sensitive notifications • Allow calls from everyone, or you can choose a group that’s based on your groups in the Contacts app

• Allow repeated calls, where a second call made within three minutes from the first call by the same person is allowed to notify you

ADJUST THE ‘TURN ON AUTOMATICALLY’ SETTING FOR A FOCUS PROFILE You can set up a Focus profile to turn on and off automatically. Here’s how.

1. In the Notifications & Focus system preference, click on the Focus tab.

2. Select the profile in the left column that you want to modify.

3. In the box for ‘Turn On Automatically’, click the + button. A pop-up will appear and you’ll need to select one of the three conditions: Add Time Based Automation: Set a profile to turn on and off based on a time of the day. You will need to set a time range and the days of the week.

Add Location Based Automation: Set a profile to turn on and off based on where you are physically. The locations you can set are based on your Favorites in the Maps app. (At the time of this writing using beta 5, the only locations I was allowed to select were Home and Work.)

Add App Based Automation: Set a profile to turn on and off based on the use of a specific app. A list of your October 2021 • Macworld 83

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& Focus system preference. When it’s on, this silences all notifications from apps, and people can notify you ‘if something is important’.

You can set Focus to turn on automatically based on the time, location or app.

apps will appear and you’ll need to select the one you want.

You can add multiple conditions to a Focus profile if it suits your needs.

For example, you can set up a profile that automatically puts you into Focus when you are at a location and during a specific time while you are there. Just click the + button to add another condition.

To delete a condition, select it in the Turn On Automatically box, and then click the – button.

SHARE FOCUS STATUS This is a switch at the bottom of the Focus section of the Notifications 84 Macworld • October 2021

How to use Optimized Storage in macOS This feature in Apple’s Mac operating system promises to free up precious storage space. Roman Loyola reports

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pple’s laptops rely on flash storage, and prices really shoot up if you want more local storage (the actual storage on your computer) – if the model you want offers an upgrade in the first place. The

Optimized Storage feature in macOS is designed to help free up precious storage space on your Mac. Optimized Storage requires iCloud, Apple’s online service, to use one of its features (Option 1 mentioned below). Apple provides 5GB of free October 2021 • Macworld 85

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2. iCloud Drive storage per Apple ID, so you may want more to take full advantage of Optimized Storage. iCloud storage pricing as follows: 5GB for free; 50GB for 79p per month; 200GB for £2.49 per month; 2TB for £6.99 per month. Apple has instructions on how to buy more iCloud storage at fave.co/2X69OA0.

To access the Optimized Storage options in macOS:

El Capitan, which provided a colourcoded key below the bar to tell you how your storage is being allocated.

Now, the colour-coded key is gone, but if you move your cursor over the coloured sections, you can see what each section represents.

Below is the main interface for Optimized Storage. First, let’s go over the choices in the Recommendations

1. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. 2. In the window that appears, click on the Storage tab, then click Manage.

This bar graph has changed a bit from the one in OS X 86 Macworld • October 2021

The main window for Optimized Storage.

window that appears in the main section. Then let’s look at the options in the left column.

OPTION 1: STORE IN iCLOUD This option houses your most recently used files and optimized photos in local storage. Here’s why you might want to Fine-tuning the Store in iCloud option. upgrade iCloud: Your iCloud Drive is used as long-term system preferences for Desktop and storage for your original files and Documents, and the Photos app full-resolution photos and videos, preferences for iCloud Photo Library. which can be downloaded to your OPTION 2: OPTIMIZE Mac when you need them.

STORAGE You are able to fine-tune this Video files take up a lot of space. option a little. When you click on If you like to watch TV shows and the Store in iCloud button, you have the choice to save files from the Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud. You can also enable/disable the ability to store photos and videos in iCloud Photo Library.

If you want to modify the Store in iCloud options after you have turned it on, you have Automatically removes Apple TV shows and movies you’ve already watched. to go to the iCloud October 2021 • Macworld 87

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Modify the Optimize Storage settings in the TV app’ preferences.

movies from iTunes, you may not realize that the videos you have already watched are just sitting on your Mac. Optimized Storage automatically removes these files for you. You can download them from

iTunes again whenever you want. If you turned this on and decide later that you want to turn it off, you do so in the TV app (TV > Preferences > Files).

OPTION 3: EMPTY TRASH AUTOMATICALLY

What’s cool about this option is that it’s basically like the Recently Deleted folder of iOS’s Photos app. Items stay in the Trash for 30 days; once the 30 days are up, the item is deleted.

If you decide to turn this feature off, you will notice that there’s no way to do so in this interface.

You do it in the Finder preferences; in the Finder, select Finder Erase Trash Automatically deletes files that have been in your Trash for 30 days. > Preferences,

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way. Also notice that when you click on the Review Files button, it’s the same as selecting Documents in the left column.

Large Files lists the files on your Mac from the largest to the smallest.

Downloads shows what’s in your Downloads folder.

Unsupported Apps lists software that may not work on your Mac If you decide you want to turn off Empty Trash Automatically, you can do so in the Finder preferences. Containers are used by some apps in order to then click Advanced. Uncheck the exchange data. They are often cleared box for ‘Remove items from the Trash automatically, but you can use this to after 30 days’. clean a container yourself.

OPTION 4: REDUCE CLUTTER This is an interface you can use to sift through your files and figure out which ones to delete or move to another storage medium. It’s more efficient than opening a bunch of Finder windows and looking at the files that

Reduce Clutter is the same as selecting Documents in the left column.

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File Browser lets you navigate your storage device. It’s like viewing a Finder window in List view.

To delete a file in any of these views, select the file, then click the Delete or Move to Trash button.

WHAT’S IN THE LEFT COLUMN OF THE WINDOW The items that appear in the left column vary. What appears depends on how you use your Mac. For example, if you use Mail, then you’ll see an entry for Mail. If you use GarageBand, there will be an entry for GarageBand.

There is an Applications option in the left column that provides a view of some of the applications on your

computer and lists them by size. When you select an app, you get the Delete and Show in Finder icons. Apple told me that it has been making an effort to encourage developers to follow its standard procedures for proper app installation, so if a developer has done this, you should be able to uninstall any app bought outside of the App Store along with all of its components through this interface.

This view doesn’t show every application on your Mac. None of the Apple apps are shown here, though App Store apps do appear. Mostly, this view is for apps you’ve installed on your own from the internet or from external media.

Applications can be deleted through Optimized Storage.

90 Macworld • October 2021

Make the macOS Dock tiny by using Terminal What to do if the Size slider in the Dock & Menu Bar system preferences pane isn’t small enough for you. Keir Thomas reports

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ou probably already know that you can shrink (or enlarge) the Dock by clicking and dragging the bar that separates the applications from folder stacks. You probably also know that you can adjust the

Dock size in System Preferences, by opening the Dock & Menu Bar pane and dragging the Size slider whichever way you want.

But these tools can only take you so far. They’ll make the Dock small, but not really small. To do October 2021 • Macworld 91

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Top: The smallest the Dock can be using the Dock & Menu Bar system preference.

Bottom: How the Dock appears after resizing to a 1 setting in the Terminal.

that, you need to open the Terminal (Applications/Utilities) and type: defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -integer 8 Press Return, then type: killall Dock The number at the end of the command can range from 1 (too small to be useful) up to 16 (the smallest size you can achieve with those other tools); 8 is tiny but still visible.

To make such a small Dock useful, you’ll probably want to turn on Dock magnification: in the Dock & Menu Bar system preferences pane, 92 Macworld • October 2021

check the box by Magnification and adjust the slider.

If you want to get back to normal, the easiest way to revert this setting is to open that preferences pane again and use the Size slider. As soon as you click and drag it, you’ll be returned to the normal size range for the Dock.

Use Activity Monitor to handle troublesome apps on your Mac Activity Monitor can show you which apps are chewing up the most CPU resources, memory, and more. Lance Whitney reports

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ometimes your Mac may not run as smoothly or as quickly as you expect. And the culprit may be a single application. A lone app can bump into

performance issues, slowing down not just itself but your entire computer.

An app may even freeze or become unresponsive to the point that you can’t close it the usual way. Whatever October 2021 • Macworld 93

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the problem, one tool that can help is Activity Monitor.

Built into macOS, Activity Monitor shows you a list of all running apps and processes and reveals the biggest hogs based on CPU, memory, energy use, disk use, and network bandwidth. And if a specific app is unresponsive and can’t be shut down the traditional way, you can force it to close. Here’s how it works.

To open this tool from Finder, click the Go menu, browse to Utilities, and then launch Activity Monitor in the window that appears. The utility starts by showing every running app and process based on CPU resources.

Each column for CPU shows a useful result, but the stats for CPU percentage are the most helpful for app troubleshooting.

You can sort the list of apps based on the highest or lowest numbers by clicking on the heading of each column. A graph at the bottom displays the total numbers for CPU percentage and other factors.

MONITORED ACTIVITIES

You can switch views by clicking the tab in the upper right of the Activity Monitor. CPU is the first tab, and the default view the app opens.

On Macs with a discrete graphics processor, the GPU section appears after CPU. This shows which apps are the most demanding on your graphics processor.

The Memory screen shows the amount of memory used by each running app so you can find any chewing up more than its fair share.

The bottom of the screen reveals the total and used amount of memory on your Mac. The stat for Swap Used can tell you if your Mac is copying too much Activity Monitor can provide insight as to what apps are using the most resources on your Mac. data between 94 Macworld • October 2021

physical memory and your hard drive’s swap file, a sign that you might need more RAM. The Energy screen is of value on a laptop as it reveals which apps You can stop apps from running from within Activity Monitor. are consuming the app, select it in Activity Monitor the most juice from your battery. and click the Stop button (the octagon The bottom of the screen displays with an X) at the top. Then in the popthe overall energy impact and the up that appears, click Quit to see if battery charge. the app shuts down without any fuss.

The screen for Disk tells you If not, click the Force Quick button to how much disk activity an app is force the app to close. generating in terms of data written to and read from the disk.

The screen for Network reveals how much network bandwidth an app is using.

TROUBLESHOOTING PERFORMANCE For troubleshooting slow or unstable apps, the screens for CPU and Memory are generally the most helpful. If an app is using so many resources that it’s slowing down your computer, try closing it to see if your Mac bounces back. If the app refuses to shut down the normal way within October 2021 • Macworld 95

HELP DESK

Help Desk Solutions to all your Mac problems. Glenn Fleishman reports

HOW TO OVERRIDE THE FONT SETTINGS IN SAFARI FOR ALL PAGES Sometimes web page designers make interesting choices. Why not use tiny, fancy type on a shaded background to make reading a page more…legible?

Apple’s built-in Reader View in Safari across all its platforms lets you make short work of hard-to-read type.

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But you lose most of the formatting, some of the images, and other elements of the page.

Safari for macOS has another trick up its sleeve: custom CSS. Where HTML defines the structure and content of a web page, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is the coding that underlies the appearance and formatting, from type sizes to

You can override web page’s definitions of how things should appear.

columns and floating boxes. In Safari > Preferences > Advanced, you can select a custom style sheet from the Style Sheet pop-up menu.

You don’t need to know much CSS to have an impact. For example, suppose you like Arial above all other typefaces. A CSS file that contains this single line will change the typeface on all pages to Arial: html body { font-family: Arial !important } Decoded, that says: ‘For an HTML page’s body section, the container for all the stuff you see on a page, set the font family to Arial and override

everything else.’ The cascading part of the CSS name defines a hierarchy about which style characteristics to use when there are overlapping choices. The browser gets top pick and the !important flag says, ‘I don’t care what any other style sheet says – use my parameter.’

If you prefer another typeface, look through the Fonts pane in any app that shows it (TextEdit is such an app; press Command-T to display it), and enter the name in the style sheet above exactly as it appears.

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You can swap the sheet on and off through the Style Sheet menu in Advanced. Just pick None Selected when you don’t want to use it. You can also modify the text in the style sheet so it’s not applicable, like changing html to nohtml and saving it.

A CSS file is a plain text file with the .css extension. You can create this with TextEdit, built into macOS. Ironically, TextEdit only creates rich text files with formatting by default.

Choose TextEdit > Preferences and select the Plain Text option under Format, and then choose File > New to create a plain text file. Save it as any name plus the .css extension.

Now in the Style Sheet menu, select Other and choose that file.

You don’t have to go global in your definition, as you can target specific elements on a page or other aspects by diving into the HTML and CSS – it’s not as daunting as you might think.

On the easy end, W3schools offers straightforward tutorials and recipes (fave.co/3kKmDYM); on the more technical side, Craig Anthony wrote this look at Safari overrides (fave. co/3BxBZXa), which may give you different insight.

I’ve used some custom CSS for very particular fixes. For instance, the Substack newsletter empire has 98 Macworld • October 2021

its text tracking (the overall spacing between letters) set too large for my reading pleasure. (Kerning, by the way, is the space between adjacent letters, not across a range.) This CSS definition takes care of that for me, while also bumping the type size for my aging eyes: .post p { letter-spacing: -0.1pt !important; font-size: 17px !important; } The .post p part means, ‘for paragraphs [p] tagged with the name ‘post’, apply this style’. This can backfire for any other web page that happens to use ‘post’ as a tagging (or ‘class’) name, too, as those names can be reused across websites.

HOW TO REMOVE AN APPLE DEVICE FROM YOUR iCLOUD ACCOUNT WITHOUT THE DEVICE iCloud is a convenient hub for syncing a large array of personal data, some of it secret – like passwords. But if you lose or sell a device or it’s stolen, you can wind up potentially exposing your information in large and small ways. Apple does protect your device’s data by requiring a passcode, password or a Touch ID/

Face ID requirement for accessing the hardware, and that’s enough of a barrier most of the time, coupled with Apple prompting for a password or other validation when you try to make purchases at its various media and app stores.

But even if you can’t get access to the device, you can sever its connection to your iCloud account, which can reduce some of the impact.

For a lost or stolen device, you want to start Apple offers many ways to remove a device remotely with Find My: you can from an iCloud account. Clockwise from upper-left: Big Sur, iOS 14, Apple ID site, and Mojave. lock, mark as lost, or even erase an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod touch via Find My, In each case, change your iCloud and that might be the best course of password after removing the device to action. You can also track its location ensure the greatest level of security. when its connected to a network, Remove via iOS/iPadOS which might let you find a missing 1. Open Settings > account name. item or give law enforcement a lead 2. Swipe down to see associated on finding a thief. devices.

If that’s not the right choice, 3. Tap the device to remove. remove your device from your iCloud 4. Tap Remove from Account and account. You have four different confirm. paths to carry that out.

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HELP DESK

Remove via macOS Mojave and earlier 1. Open the iCloud preference pane.

2. Click Account Details.

3. Click Devices.

4. Select the device to remove.

5. Click Remove from Account and confirm.

Remove via macOS Catalina and later 1. Open the Apple ID preference pane.

2. Select your device from the list at the bottom of the left-hand side of the pane.

3. Click Remove from Account and confirm.

Via the Apple ID website 1. Log in to your Apple ID account at appleid.apple.com (fave. co/3gQFlNb).

2. Scroll down to the Devices section and click the device’s name.

3. Click Remove from Account and confirm.

WHY iCLOUD KEYCHAIN MAY PROMPT YOU FOR A DEVICE PASSWORD USED WITH OTHER APPLE HARDWARE YOU OWN Apple lets you sync passwords via iCloud through a clever mechanism 100 Macworld • October 2021

that keeps your secrets safe from all snoopers – including Apple. iCloud Keychain syncs passwords among all iPhones, iPad and Macs associated with the same iCloud account for which Keychain is enabled in Settings > account name > iCloud (iOS/ iPadOS), the iCloud preference pane (Mojave or earlier), or the Apple ID preference pane’s iCloud section (Catalina or later).

However, when you log into an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with a fresh install, on a new device, or with a new macOS account on a Mac, Apple will prompt you to enter the password or passphrase of one of your other devices. This might seem a bit like malware when you first see it – partly because you can’t find a match for the text that Apple displays on Apple’s support site – but it’s a natural consequence of how Apple protects your data securely without having access to your passwords. iCloud Keychain and a few other kinds of information – like facial recognition matches in Photos – are encrypted using keys that are stored on each device you own. While Apple operating systems generate these keys, they’re kept locally and never shared or transmitted. Apple syncs encrypted data that only you can

process. It bootstraps it by using the password or passcode of an already enrolled device, like your first in the set, to encrypt the keys needed to access the set of passwords While this message appears mysterious, it’s not insidious: it’s really part of a clever validation step for iCloud Keychain. stored in iCloud Keychain. It decrypt – that’s why iCloud Keychain daisy chains it by letting the security can’t be accessed from iCloud. you’ve established on your first com. (Technically, there are ways device be extended to the second, to do browser-side encryption that once you validate yourself. doesn’t leak the keys; 1Password and When you’re prompted in iOS, other companies offer this in their iPadOS, or macOS to enter a ecosystems. But given Apple’s device passphrase or passcode from focus, it doesn’t make sense for it.) another device, Apple uses that to With iCloud Keychain, adding unlock the encryption keys needed a device means enrolling it as a for iCloud Keychain. Apple doesn’t member of a set of devices. Your have access to that device password, first device initiates the process, either: it’s encrypted on the device and Apple may display and have you to which the password corresponds, enter a security code or validate your and only by you entering the identical Apple ID login for that one. It can’t password can the contents protected confirm with other devices, because by it be unlocked. it’s the only member.

For non-cryptographically minded However, with your second and people, which is most people, this any subsequent devices, Apple operation seems obscure and bootstraps and daisy chains the potentially threatening. Apple October 2021 • Macworld 101

HELP DESK

could reduce the concern by adding documentation and screen captures on its website.

HOW TO CHANGE THE ICON OF A STORAGE DEVICE IN MACOS

and LaCie (fave.co/3gR9NGY); and you can copy an icon from an existing volume. You can also find little projects, like these 20 icons (fave.co/3mSgoVi) made from historic Japanese patterns by a designer at software maker Panic in 2012.

(In the below steps, don’t select or drag onto the larger icon shown at the bottom of Get Info if the Preview section is expanded. That shows a larger size of the item icon, but it can’t be copied, and dragging onto it, is like dragging onto a folder or volume.) To copy an icon from an existing volume, folder or other item in the Finder:

Apple hides some of its best features through obscurity, not intentionally.

For many years – at least 15, by my counting – you have been able to select and change the icon for any file, folder, volume or drive. But it’s a multi-step process that requires starting with the right image.

You can find the source icons all over the place.

Generic ones are available at places like IconArchive (fave.co/3DyYz3z) and DeviantArt (fave.co/3mRtGSb) (which has a lot of NSFW content, but not drive related); companies that sell drives often make downloadable icons available of all the models they sell, like One World Computing A designer at Panic made these lovely Waritsuki drive icons. (fave.co/3jxxzJD) 102 Macworld • October 2021

1. Select the item.

2. Choose File > Get Info (or press Command-I).

3. Click the small icon in the upperleft corner and press Command-C to copy it.

To replace the icon on an existing volume or other kind of item in the Finder: 1. Find the item you want to use.

If it’s another icon already in use, follow the steps above to copy it to the clipboard.

2. Select the target item.

3. Choose File > Get Info (or press Command-I).

4. If the icon is in the clipboard, select the icon in the upper-left corner and paste; if it’s a downloaded file, you can just drag it from the Finder over the current item in the upper-left corner.

from scratch, and then crop or export to 1,024x1,024 pixels.

The Finder relies on the ICNS file format, which stores multiple resolutions of items, so you can opt to customize the appearance at sizes from 16 by 16 up to that fullsized 1,024x1,024 pixels, and macOS always picks the most appropriate or closest size for its purposes.

However, if you just create the largest size, you can use free online tools or free apps in the Mac App Store to convert your regular image file into a properly formatted ICNS file. Image2icon (fave.co/38xcuZO), for instance, allows drag-and-drop simplicity for free, and offers more options with in-app purchases.

Cloudconvert offers a web-based utility for converting all manner of files, including a huge array of formats into ICNS (fave.co/3t686KB).

In some cases, you may be prompted to enter your password (or an administrator’s account and password) to complete the change.

You can make your own custom icons quite easily. Finder item icons are square, and are best created at 1,024x1,024 pixels in any software you use to edit or create art or images October 2021 • Macworld 103