All the new M4 Macs, reviewed!

MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac ... which new Mac is best?

Author

Lewis Wallace
November 16, 2024

In partnership with

I can’t remember a time when we’ve run as many reviews on Cult of Mac as we did this week. I guess that’s to be expected. The M4 Macs that arrived just a week ago — MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac — are all stunning machines that got our reviewers raving.

The team did an excellent job putting the hot new M4 Macs through the paces. Read their hands-on reviews of the latest Apple computers — as well as several other cool gadgets and accessories, including maybe the best iPad case yet — below.

We also posted several video reviews on our YouTube channel so you can kick back and watch them instead of reading if you like. (The videos are also embedded in the reviews on our website.)

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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Reviews

Mac mini with M4 Pro is mightier and mini-er than ever [Review] ★★★★★

M4 Pro Mac mini review: Incredible power in a truly unbelievable value -- and it's super tiny. What's not to love?

My MacBook Pro quantum leap from M1 Pro to M4 Pro [Review] ★★★★½

Our hands-on M4 Pro MacBook Pro review finds it an upgrade-worthy improvement over older machines like the M1 Pro MacBook.

With the M4 iMac, you don’t have to pick between fast or fun [Review] ★★★★☆

The 2024 iMac with the M4 chip is a stunning and powerful all-in-one. It speaks to the golden age of the Mac we find ourselves in.

New Apple Magic Trackpad is still the best ever [Review] ★★★★½

The new Apple Magic Trackpad with USB-C still holds the crown for best Mac peripheral. It is, simply, the best trackpad in the world.

OtterBox makes the best iPad wraparound folio case [Review] ★★★★★

Protect your iPad with the slim and light OtterBox Statement Series Studio case. It includes an adjustable kickstand and Apple Pencil holder.

New Apple Magic Mouse has all the same problems, but Lightning ain’t one [Review] ★★★☆☆

The Magic Mouse has been updated with USB-C, and … well, that's about it. You can ditch the Lightning cable on your desk, at least.

3 Reasons to Watch: ‘Silo,’ the hit dystopian sci-fi show on Apple TV+

It’s a captivating show about the last people on Earth, who live in a huge and mysterious underground structure to escape a poisoned atmosphere.

Cool your iPhone while it charges with this power puck [Review] ★★★★☆

Keep your iPhone or Android cool while charging up with the Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger.

New Apple Magic Keyboard is still a high price to pay for Touch ID [Review] ★★★☆☆

The Apple Magic Keyboard is the only way to get Touch ID on desktop Macs. You just have to pay a rather high price for it.

How-tos

Use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac with Camo

Camo is a powerful app that lets you use your iPhone, and any connected USB camera, as a webcam for your Mac.

How to add fonts to an iPad

You're not stuck with the fonts that come preinstalled on your iPad. We walk you through the process of adding more.

How to update your AirPods and AirPods Pro to fix bugs

Here's how to see if you have the latest AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware, plus what you can do to force an update.

News

Find lost luggage by sharing your AirTag location with your airline

Find out how AirTag and the new Share Item Location feature can help you recover lost luggage securely and (hopefully) easily.

iOS 18.2 beta 3: All the new features and changes

iOS 18.2 beta 3 packs several bug fixes and minor changes, as the OS prepares for its early December release.

Apple’s next big thing is a wall-mounted iPad?

Apple is reportedly developing a an inexpensive wall-mounted, tablet-like computer used to control smart home devices.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Apple legend Bill Atkinson in treatment for pancreatic cancer

Legendary Apple programmer Bill Atkinson is being treated for the same disease that killed his boss, Steve Jobs.

Surprise! M4 MacBook Pro includes quantum dot display

The latest MacBook Pro screen reportedly includes a quantum dot film, improving the appearance of the display.

Get an inside look at ‘Bad Sisters’ season 2 [Apple TV+ video]

A new "Bad Sisters" season 2 video gives an inside look at the unfolding story and welcomes a new cast member, Irish actor Fiona Shaw.

M4 Mac mini offers user-upgradable storage — with a catch!

Apple's new M4 Mac mini features a removable and upgradeable SSD, though the non-standard SSD will make replacements difficult.

Deals

Print your favorite iPhone photos instantly

Wirelessly connect the Kodak Step instant photo printer to your iPhone or Android to print your digital photos without messy ink cartridges.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Nab these early Black Friday deals on M4 Macs and more

Early Black Friday Mac deals on Amazon cover each M4 machine -- MacBooks, Mac minis and iMac. And you can nab a bargain on M2 MacBook Air, as well.

Price drop: Don't board the plane without this travel hack for your phone

Make your travel abroad more affordable with an international eSIM from aloSIM. You get $50 worth of travel data for just $24.97.

Plus, more software and services from Cult of Mac Deals:

Setups

Powerful M4 Pro MacBook replaces trusty M1 Pro laptop

This writer liked his old M1 Pro laptop, but his new M4 Pro MacBook Pro is going to seriously supercharge his setup.

MacBook Pro user finds M4 Mac mini 'incredibly impressive'

A user with M1 and M3 MacBook Pros says he "couldn't be happier" with his "incredibly impressive" new M4 Mac mini setup.

Make it mobile: Set iPad as display for M4 Mac mini

This novel computer setup creates an iPad display for Mac mini, making the M4 desktop a mobile computer.