What a week!

What you need to know about Apple's compelling new products.

Author

Lewis Wallace
March 08, 2025

In partnership with

Apple absolutely blitzed us with new products this week, including “the most powerful Mac ever” (the new Mac Studio) and solid upgrades to the MacBook Air and iPad Air. Even the entry-level iPad got a speed bump on the down-low.

See the featured stories section below for all our coverage (including buying guides that can help you decide if it’s time to replace your aging Apple gear).

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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2025 Mac Studio launches as ‘the most powerful Mac ever’

The 2025 Mac Studio is here, with either M4 Max or (surprise!) M3 Ultra processors. It’s the latest version of Apple’s highly capable desktop.

Plus, more on Apple’s M3 Ultra:

MacBook Air gets the M4 treatment, lower price and stunning new color

Apple revises the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. It comes in a beautiful new sky blue color, at an even lower price point.

Plus, more on MacBook Air:

iPad Air gets an M3 speed boost and new Magic Keyboard

Apple's new iPad Air arrives with an M3 chip for better performance and a more comfortable Magic Keyboard.

Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases come in fresh spring colors

Apple's new spring collection adds a splash of color, plus a refreshed Hermès Luxury Bands lineup.

iPad 11 chip upgrade does not bring Apple Intelligence

Apple's entry-level tablet gets a faster processor and more storage, but no AI.

Should you buy the 2025 M4 MacBook Air?

With a big performance boost and a stunning new color, it might time to buy the M4 MacBook Air.

Plus, should you buy: Mac Studio, iPad Air, iPad 11 or iPhone 16e?

How-tos

What happens when you report a spam text?

How can you report a spam text you get on your iPhone, and what happens when you report it? Where does the report go?

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News

When it comes to making Siri smarter, the struggle is real

Apple says the smarter Siri promised at WWDC24 is delayed, confirming previous rumors. We might see promised upgrades "in the coming year."

iPhone 17 Pro Max might get thicker, but for a good reason

A thicker design for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max might be a price worth paying to be able to use it longer.

iOS 18.4 beta 2: All the new features and changes

Discover all the changes and enhancements in iOS 18.4 beta 2 for your iPhone, including new emojis and features.

iPhone 16e teardown reveals surprisingly repairable design but can't answer key question

iFixit's iPhone 16e teardown reveals a repair-friendly design, but leaves us wondering, "Where's the MagSafe?"

Plus, more on iPhone 16e:

Apple's first foldable iPhone could cost a fortune

Apple's first folding iPhone could arrive in Q4 2026 with a book-style design, titanium alloy chassis, and dual rear cameras.

Deals

Price drop: Save almost $400 on this high-performance gaming monitor

Gaming monitor deal: Get this high-performance curved gaming monitor for almost $400 off.

Plus, more setups finds from Cult of Mac Deals:

Price drop: Score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (just $80)

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (Home and Business edition), with essential productivity apps Word, Excel and more.

Plus, more Microsoft stuff from Cult of Mac Deals:

This 140W fast-charging beast of a power bank will destroy your nomophobia

The Iniu Leopard 140W power bank is a fast-charging, multidevice powerhouse that can revive your MacBook Pro to 59% in just 30 minutes.

Plus, more gear from Cult of Mac Deals:

$40 lifetime subscription gives you access to ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more, all in one place

Get an AI tool that brings top AI models like ChatGPT, Mistral AI and more together in one interface. Enter 1minAI, the all-in-one AI tool.

Reviews

iPhone 16e: Lightweight power in a beautiful package [Review]

The iPhone 16e might lack some of the iPhone’s most premium features, but I can’t help but love it. Our hands-on iPhone 16e review.

‘Severance’: Wavering Lumon loyalist faces demons, finds revelation [Apple TV+ recap]

In our "Severance" season 2 episode 8 recap, we find a conflicted Lumon employee — and a huge plot twist.

Plus, more entertainment reviews:

Cuktech 30 Power Bank: A hefty yet portable powerhouse [Review]

Our hands-on review finds the device’s hefty capacity and charging power useful -- for those willing to lug it around.

Setups

New audio interface and microphone give good voice to MacBook Pro rig

Our setups writer finally added a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface with microphone to his evolving workstation. Here's how it went.

Gamer loves easily switching from MacBook Pro to PC

How do you choose which KVM switch and Thunderbolt 3 dock to add to a dual-computer workstation?

Smoothly integrate 2 Macs in 1 workstation

When it comes to using two Macs in your setup, easy integration methods using Mac functionality and one hardware addition can help.