Latest news with #MacPro
Engadget
2 days ago
- Business
- Engadget
Apple to invest another $100 billion into the US to avoid tariffs
Apple plans to invest an additional $100 billion in the US, the company announced on Wednesday. The investment follows President Donald's Trump's previously announced plans to raise tariffs on India by an additional 25 percent (bringing the total tariff to 50 percent) for purchasing oil from Russia. Apple relies heavily on manufacturers in India to create the iPhone, so adding to its already $500 billion investment in the US is likely a way to avoid being impacted by the tariffs. "Today, we're proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program," Apple CEO Tim Cook shared in a statement. "This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we're grateful to the President for his support." In a statement to Bloomberg before the announcement, a White House spokesperson suggested the new investment would "help reshore the production of critical components to protect America's economic and national security." The Trump administration has previously called for Apple to make the iPhone in the US, something CNN reports is difficult to downright impossible. In February, Apple said it's original $500 billion investment plan would go towards building Apple Intelligence servers in the US, and that the majority of the new jobs the funding would provide would be focused on R&D, silicon engineering, software development and AI and machine learning. As part of this additional investment, Apple says it's deepening relationships with components makers in the US, like Corning, Coherent and Amkor. Apple's current strategy for dealing with Trump is similar to how it handed the President during his first term. In 2019, Apple CEO Time Cook and Trump "opened" a Mac Pro factory in Texas. The factory had been up-and-running since 2013, but the President was pleased by the optics of making a deal. Apple is a trillion-dollar company that can afford to spend a few billion avoiding tariffs, but it also likely planned to increase investment in the US anyway to keep up with competitors like Google and Microsoft. Its entirely possible the company is just packaging its spending in a way that flatters the President's ego. Developing...
Tom's Guide
19-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I gave my Mac mini M4 the ultimate upgrade with this Mac Pro-style case — and it fixes some of my biggest complaints
When it comes to putting together the perfect desk setup for your needs, a little customization can go a long way to making a great product even more useful. Don't get me wrong, the Mac mini M4 is easily one of the best mini PCs you can get today but as I noted in my Mac mini M4 review, it isn't perfect. The upgrade from 8GB to 16GB of unified memory is certainly a welcome change as is its powerful new M4 chip and completely redesigned aluminum case. However, after spending 8 months with the Mac mini M4, my original gripes with the device still ring true today. For starters, the Mac mini M4 doesn't have any USB-A ports whatsoever. Instead, you get two USB-C ports on the front and three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back. While this is fine if you're using Apple's wireless accessories like a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, it isn't ideal if you have older peripherals you'd rather use instead. The Mac mini M4's power button is also in an odd position on the underside of the device. If you leave your computer running 24/7, then this might not be a problem. However, if you like to power your computer down at the end of the day while saving a bit on your electric bill at the same time, it's less than ideal. Finally, the base version of the Mac mini M4 only comes with 256GB of storage. This likely isn't enough for most people and upgrading to a higher storage tier costs $200 each time you do so which makes what is normally a very affordable Mac at $599 less enticing. While there are a lot of different hubs and stands which address the Mac mini M4's biggest downsides like this one from Satechi, I recently tried out Orico's new MiniPro Dock Case. I think I might finally be done customizing my Mac mini for good, especially now that it looks like a mini Mac Pro. This all-aluminum enclosure for your Mac mini M4 or Mac mini M4 Pro gives your mini PC a Mac Pro-style look in a much smaller package. It also adds more ports, gives you the ability to add up to 8TB of additional storage with an M.2 SSD and you can easily reach your Mac mini M4's power button. Just like the Mac mini M4 itself, Orico's MiniPro Dock Case also features an all-aluminum chassis. However, unlike some of the other stands and hubs you can get, this one doesn't go under or on top of Apple's smallest Mac yet. Instead, you literally put your Mac mini M4 inside and close the lid. To prevent scratching and your Mac mini M4 moving around inside it, Orico has outfitted its MiniPro Dock Case with a silicone inner lining that holds the device in place. While the sides of the case have a smooth matte finish, the front and back have those same circular cutouts you'd find on the significantly more expensive Mac Pro. There are also two carrying handles on top and metal feet on the bottom to complete the look. However, you won't find any optional wheels like the ones for the Mac Pro but at $699 for the wheels themselves, you're probably better off without one of Apple's most expensive optional accessories yet. Installing your Mac mini M4 inside Orico's MiniPro Dock Case is as simple as can be. You just push the slider on top to remove its side panel and from there, you just push your Mac mini inside. I like this approach over some of the other hubs I've seen as you get a completely self-contained unit that also keeps your Mac mini M4 safe from scratches. While I haven't tried it yet (nor do I plan to), I bet the MiniPro Dock Case would also protect the computer if it happened to fall off your desk. Orico sells two versions of its MiniPro Dock Case: one with a free slot for an SSD and one with a pre-installed SSD. I decided to check out the former as not only is it cheaper but you can also expand its storage all the way up to 8TB. To access the SSD slot, there's a removable panel on the bottom of the case and you get a pad of thermal paste to put under your SSD to keep it cool once it's installed. Opening the bottom panel and moving my 1TB WD-Black SSD from my Satechi Mac Mini M4 Hub & Stand to Orico's MiniPro Dock Case was a breeze and only took a few minutes. With my Mac mini M4 and SSD both installed, it was time to plug everything back in and take my new faux Mac Pro for a spin. I have to admit that with both the Mac mini M4 on its own and with Satechi's stand and hub underneath it, I was often inclined to tuck this Apple-powered mini PC out of the way. Now with it inside the MiniPro Dock Case, I felt like it deserved to be front and center which is why I put it on the left side of the desk shelf on top of my desk. Not only is it now a conversation piece but with the underside of the Mac mini M4 exposed, the computer is getting a lot more airflow too. Just like with Satechi's stand and hub, the MiniPro Dock case uses a single cable to connect to your Mac mini M4. One nice touch with this case though is that it's a detachable cable instead of a hardwired one like on Satechi's which means you can always replace it later on if you need to. I also like the fact that Orico sprung for a braided white cable as this definitely fits better with Apple's whole aesthetic. Around front, you get easy access to both a microSD and an SD card reader at the very bottom. However, there are also large square and rectangular cutouts that allow you to easily reach the Mac mini M4's front ports. They sit a bit farther back inside the MiniPro Dock but I actually kind of like this as they blend into the case when you don't need them but are easy to reach when you do. Besides its unique look and just how easy it is to add extra storage, the other great thing about the MiniPro Dock case is that the Mac mini M4's power button is much more accessible. On hubs and stands where your Mac mini sits on top, you still have to reach around the back to access it but this way, it's just right there by all the ports at the back. Speaking of rear ports, all of the Mac mini M4's original ones are contained within a similar cutout on the back of the case. However, in addition to these ones, you also get two USB-A ports on either side under them with an extra USB-C port in between. At my Mac desk setup, I'm using one of those USB-A ports for the full-size Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard and the other for a trackball mouse from Logitech. While a lot of people have moved on to using Bluetooth for their peripherals, I still prefer 2.4 GHz wireless USB dongles. The reason for this is that I often move from using one mini PC to another and I just plug one of them in and be ready to go as opposed to having to go through the Bluetooth pairing process each time. It's worth noting though that the Logitech Ergo M575S mouse and Satechi SM3 keyboard I'm currently using at this desk setup both have Bluetooth support too. Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Keyboard: $119 at AmazonThis low-profile, full-size mechanical keyboard works with both Mac and Windows and comes in either a light gray/white or dark gray/gray variation. You can connect up to two devices over Bluetooth, use the included 2.4 GHz dongle or connect it to your computer over USB-C. The SM3 also features low-profile brown switches and a rechargeable 2,500 mAh battery. From the Geekom A6 to the Khadas Mind, there are tons of great mini PCs out there for different workflows and desk setups. However, with the Mac mini M4, there are endless accessories that allow you to customize the look and experience of using Apple's mini PC. While you can get a similarly-specced, Windows-based mini PC for the same price or even cheaper, you're losing out on the ability to customize it after the fact. Whether you want a hub with more ports, a stand or even an under-desk mount, the possibilities are almost endless. They're not just for looks either as you can see with Orico's MiniPro Dock Case and Satechi's Mac mini M4 Hub & Stand since they both allow you to add additional storage without having to pay the Apple tax to do so. Whatever option you decide to go with, you always have the freedom to change things up later while bringing over any extra storage you added. As for me, I plan on keeping my Mac mini M4 in this MiniPro Dock Case for the foreseeable future as not only do I love its unique look but with the computer now standing up vertically, it helps free up even more space on my desk.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Six popular Apple devices are now classed as VINTAGE - and may leave users unable to get repairs if they break
They were some of the hottest gadgets in Apple's recent history. But the tech giant has added another six products to its official 'vintage' list – most of them not even a decade after their release. Unfortunately, 'vintage' doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to sell them for large amounts online. In fact, if you still own a vintage Apple product, it means you may not be able to get it repaired by Apple if and when it breaks. Meanwhile, three Apple products have gone from the vintage list to the dreaded 'obsolete' list – signifying their days are nearly numbered. All Apple products progress through three categories – current, vintage, and obsolete. Even the new iPhone 16 will become obsolete one day, consigning it to the great technology scrap heap. But Apple and other tech companies have received criticism for giving their devices such a short lifespan as it fuels the problem of electronic waste. As first noticed by MacRumors, the six products Apple has just added to its vintage list include the 2013 Mac Pro, nicknamed 'trash can' due to its appearance. This cylindrical desktop computer, also compared with a rice cooker and R2-D2 from Star Wars, originally cost $2,999 when released over a decade ago. Something of a cult favourite, the 2013 Mac Pro was criticised for an 'unsustainable' design that didn't meet the needs of professional users. The 2013 Mac Pro was discontinued in 2019 when its successor – the $6,000 'cheese grater' – was released, but it is finally officially 'vintage'. A 'vintage' product means Apple stopped selling it more than five years ago and as a result it may or may not be able to receive Apple services. Apple retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers are still able to offer repairs for 'vintage' devices, but only if the required parts are available. The other five products now 'vintage' are not as old as the 2013 Mac Pro, making their addition to the list rather more surprising. They are the 13-inch MacBook Air (2019), iMac (2019), 11-inch iPad Pro (2018), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018) and iPhone 8 with 128GB of storage (2017). At the time of its release in 2016, MailOnline called iPhone 8 'the best handset Apple has ever made' with its all-glass back and wireless charging At the time of its release in 2017, MailOnline called the $699/£699 iPhone 8 'the best handset Apple has ever made' with its all-glass back and wireless charging. But the new update means all three iPhone 8 storage options (64GB, 128GB and 256GB) are now vintage. Meanwhile, the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, released in 2018, was described by MailOnline as 'the best tablet out there' with a 'stunning screen' and 'blazingly fast' processing speeds. Also, three Apple routers – AirPort Express, 2TB and 3TB AirPort Time Capsules, and 802.11ac AirPort Extreme – have become 'obsolete'. Apple considers a product 'obsolete' when it stopped distributing it for sale more than seven years ago. As Apple explains, an obsolete device has lost support and is no longer eligible for repair at an Apple Store or an authorised third-party service. Essentially it means if the product stops working Apple is not obliged to fix it – rendering it barely more than a relic from the past. Apple explains on its website: 'Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. 'Mac laptops may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair period for up to 10 years from when the product was last distributed for sale, subject to parts availability.' Although Apple releases several devices to feverish fanfare every year, even more are quietly consigned to the technology scrap heap. But environmental campaigners believe a lifetime of less than a decade isn't reasonable for a tech device retailing for several hundreds of pounds. Tech companies including Apple have faced fierce criticism for fuelling an 'e-waste crisis', where piles of electronic waste are building up in landfill. A 2020 report from MPs said companies like Apple and Amazon have been 'dodging their environmental responsibilities' for the products they sell. 'Too many devices have a limited, and sometimes decreasing, lifespan and end up in bins, eventually going to landfill or incineration,' said former Environment Audit Committee chair Philip Dunne. For some dated phones, you might struggle to find a retailer that'll give you much money, or any at all, according to Which? In this instance, your best option is to recycle your phone directly. National recycling campaign Recycle Now can check if you can recycle your mobile phone at home or at a nearby recycling point so its materials can be used again elsewhere. If you enter your postcode, it will give you a list of local recycling facilities where you can take your devices - preventing them from ending up in landfill. After a device is discarded and e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released into the air, damaging the atmosphere. E-waste in landfills can also seep toxic materials into groundwater, affecting animals and plants.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Remember ‘Trash Can' Mac Pro? Apple now calls it vintage and here's what that means for owners
Apple has quietly added a familiar fan-favourite, or fan-frustrator, to its vintage products list. The 2013 Mac Pro, most often dubbed the 'trash can' Mac, has officially been marked vintage, more than a decade after its release. Apple's boldest desktop design just got demoted and it might stir up some strong opinions all over again.(Apple) Though sold for years, it now enters its final phase of support, alongside a small batch of Apple products that are gradually reaching the end of the line. While the move isn't unexpected, it closes the chapter on one of Apple's boldest and most unconventional designs. A design Apple would rather forget When Apple launched the cylindrical Mac Pro in 2013, it caught a lot of attention. Sleek, black, and turbine-like, it was unlike anything they'd made before. The idea was to deliver powerful performance in a small and futuristic form. At the time, it looked like something from a sci-fi film. But the excitement didn't last. The design was compact, yes, but that same sleek form made upgrades nearly impossible. Graphics, storage, thermals, all were boxed into a space that didn't leave much room to grow. Power users quickly hit limitations, especially those wanting to swap out GPUs or add memory. Even Apple's own engineers ran into trouble. 'I think we designed ourselves into a bit of a thermal corner,' said Craig Federighi back in 2017, admitting publicly that the design didn't allow the performance flexibility they'd hoped for. The Mac Pro remained on sale until 2019, when Apple finally rolled out a new version based on a more familiar tower-style frame, often referred to as the 'cheese grater Mac Pro.' That design stuck, offering better airflow and vastly improved upgrade options. What vintage means and what comes next Once a product hasn't been sold by Apple for five years, it's labelled vintage. That means limited support may still be available but only if replacement parts are in stock. Spend two more years on this list, and the product becomes obsolete, losing all official support altogether. You also won't find help at Apple-authorised service centres after that point. Other devices now joining the vintage list include the 2019 13‑inch MacBook Air, 2019 iMac, 2018 iPad Pros, and the iPhone 8 (128GB) model. Meanwhile, older accessories like AirPort routers and Time Capsules have now shifted into the obsolete category. The 'Trash Can Mac Pro' may have been a bold swing that didn't quite land, but it's now part of Apple's design legacy - unusual, eye-catching, and finally, vintage.
Tom's Guide
14-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Apple's infamous trash can Mac is now classified as 'vintage'
Apple's ongoing vintage and obsoletes products list got a recent update, and the latest update adds some unique Apple products, including the infamous "trash can" 2013 Mac Pro, considered retro 12 years after it's introduction. In general, products added to the list are actually more recent than the trash can desktop, but Apple sold that version of the Mac Pro for years. To be added to the vintage list a device has to be five years is produced and distributed for sale. Apple sold the trash can Mac Pro until December of 2019 when it was replaced with the equally unique "cheesegrater" Mac Pro, a design that has largely stuck around since then. At the time, the Mac Pro's cylindrical design was smaller than than the previous tower Mac Pro. However, the design was flawed with a lack of space to upgrade components like GPUs and RAM. As MacRumors reported in 2017, even Apple had to admit that the design was a failure when it came to updating the system, even for Apple engineers. "I think we designed ourselves into a bit of a thermal corner, if you will," said Craig Federighi said, who was then software engineering chief. Beyond the turbine-looking Mac Pro, a few other Apple devices are now vintage: Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Additionally, a number of devices are now considered obsolete. The transition occurs when a product has been considered vintage for two years. More accurately, devices are obsolete seven years after Apple discontinued them. Most of this list includes Apple's long-dead AirPort routers. Apple will support vintage products with repairs if parts are available. However, once parts supplies are gone, repairs will no longer be offered. Obsolete devices won't be repaired by Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers.
