Following Apple's "Scary Fast" event on October 30, the new M3-based MacBook Pro and iMac models have officially launched, so media and everyday users alike have been sharing their thoughts on what's almost certainly the last of Apple's new hardware for 2023.
While hardware may be wrapping up for the year, Apple's still hard at work on software updates with a number of bug-fix releases this week plus a new round of betas for more significant updates we're expecting to see released before the end of the year. Black Friday deals are also starting to get underway several weeks ahead of the big day, so be sure to read on below for all of this week's top stories!
New MacBook Pro Reviews: Scary Fast, But M3 Pro Chip Has a Catch
The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips began arriving to customers and launched in stores this week, and the first reviews of the laptops have been shared. We also shared our own hands-on video of the new MacBook Pro.
The new iMac with the M3 chip is also now available, and we rounded up reviews of the all-in-one desktop computer.
Apple Says There Won't Be a 27-Inch iMac With Apple Silicon
Apple discontinued both the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro over the past two years, and it has yet to launch a larger-screen iMac with an Apple silicon chip as a replacement, leaving the 24-inch iMac as its only all-in-one desktop computer.
Apple this week confirmed that it has no plans to release a new version of the 27-inch iMac with Apple silicon, but that does not explicitly rule out the rumored 32-inch iMac Pro.
Apple Releases iOS 17.1.1 With Bug Fixes for BMW Wireless Charging and Weather Widget
Apple this week released a minor iOS 17.1.1 update for the iPhone with a pair of bug fixes. Specifically, the update resolves a BMW wireless charging issue affecting the iPhone 15 lineup, and it addresses a bug related to the Weather widget displaying snow.
The update is available for the iPhone XS and newer, and it can be installed in the Settings app by tapping on General → Software Update.
Apple Releases watchOS 10.1.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Battery Drain Bug
Alongside iOS 17.1.1, Apple also released a minor watchOS 10.1.1 update for the Apple Watch. The update resolves an issue causing excessive battery drain on a variety of Apple Watch models that had been updated to watchOS 10.1.
Apple had acknowledged the battery drain issue in an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, and it has now delivered on its promise to make a fix available.
iOS 17.2 Will Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone
iOS 17.2 remains in beta testing, and while we published an overview of ten features coming in the update based on the first beta, the second beta released late this week added even more.
New features in the second iOS 17.2 beta include the ability to record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models for viewing on Vision Pro and an expansion of the optional Sensitive Content Warning feature to include Contact Posters, stickers in the Messages app, and more.
Apple Silicon Buyer's Guide: Which Chip Should You Choose?
Choosing a new Mac often involves consideration of the many Apple silicon chips now on offer, so our comprehensive guide covers their generations, variations, and performance benchmarks to help you decide which is best for you.
Our guide includes Apple's latest M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips announced for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac last month.
The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals
Black Friday is still two weeks away, but the holiday shopping season is already ramping up with tons of solid deals on Apple products and more.
We're keeping track of the best deals, regularly updating our coverage to reflect the rapidly changing deal situation, and we've got dedicated deal guides for Apple's major product categories linked in there for closer looks.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
Top Rated Comments
I’m not so sure. Look how long it took them to upgrade the Mac Pro…
Actually, though, you can’t really have everything running on M3 or you you really blur your lineups. We know the MacBook Airs 15 and 13.6 will get M3 next year, but I doubt the wedge MacBook Air will get M2. The Wedge will either be discontinued or redesigned/repurposed possibly at a lower price point. I think, anyway.
Next year the iPad Pros will get M3 and iPad Air will get M2, but I doubt the iPad 11 and Mini will get M1. We know the iPad 9 is an eventual goner.
The pattern seems petty clear: generally the lower priced mainstream devices will get the older entry level chips and the higher priced devices get the newer upper tier chips.