At the heart of every Apple device is an Apple processor. Apple has been using its own chips in its iPhones and iPads for some time, while the Mac lineup has finally completed its transition away from Intel chips. Every product Apple makes is powered by a home-grown chip.

What’s remarkable about Apple silicon is its performance and power efficiency. But all chips aren’t created equally. Understanding the performance differences between each chip will help with your buying decisions, especially when you’re deciding between iPhone 14 or MacBook models. Knowing how each chip performs gives you a better idea of what products to buy and whether or not it’s worth your money to step up to a higher model.

Let’s take a look at how the new processors compare with the rest of the processors in the iPhone, iPad, and Mac lineup and see how each performs and what that means to you. For the sake of consistency, we’ve used Geekbench 6.1 benchmarks. Here’s every chip and how the benchmarks compare with each other.

Updated 6/21/23 with Geekbench 6 scores and M2 Ultra score. To see these scores, click the pop-up menu under the title of each chart.

Every processor compared

Before we get into the individual processors, let’s let the chips fall where they may. We’ve only included chips in Apple devices that are still for sale and it’s a somewhat predictable chart, with the fastest Mac chips at the top, followed by a mix of iPads and iPhones. But there are still some fascinating results: owners of the iPad Pro can say their tablet is about as fast as a MacBook Air and that wouldn’t be much of a reach. And the difference between the $399 iPhone SE and the $899 iPhone 14 isn’t as huge as their price difference indicates.

Read about how Apple’s M1 and M2 processors compare to Intel in our Mac processor guide.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Read our review

Best Prices Today:


$999.99 at Best Buy

iPad mini (6th generation)

Best Prices Today:


$469.00 at Amazon |
$499.99 at Best Buy

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (2022, M2)

Read our review

Best Prices Today:


$999.00 at Best Buy |
$1,097.96 at Amazon |
$1099.00 at Adorama

Apple’s Max chips have the same CPU configuration as the Plus versions; the key difference is the GPU. The Max can have double the GPU cores as the Plus, so its graphics performance is much improved.

The chip that started it all, the good ol’ M1, may seem slow compared to Apple’s more current chips—but that’s not to undermine Apple’s original Mac processor. Remember, the M1 blows past the Intel processors it replaced, resulting in a significant price/performance value.

CPUs and Processors, iPad, iPhone, Mac

Preparing for student life can be exciting and stressful. To make things easier, it’s good to know that you’ve got the right tech to help you write your essays, take notes in lessons, and kick back with Netflix and games when the work is done. The iPad has evolved in recent years to something that can now act as a laptop replacement for many students, with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil making it one of the most versatile devices you can buy. 

Choosing the best iPad can be tricky, as Apple currently offers a wide range of models with different prices and features. But that’s not a problem for Macworld readers. Here’s our guide to buying an iPad for your student days. 

Before you decide, you should also know that you can get money off a new Apple product by shopping in Apple’s education store. In a separate article, you can read all about how to get an Apple Student Discount. Apple offers money off new iPad purchases to students in higher education all year round.

Plus, if you’re a student and you buy an iPad (or a Mac) from Apple, you might be able to get a free gift such as a pair of AirPods or vouchers while the company’s “Back To Uni” event is running. (This usually runs from June to September in the U.S. and Canada, and from July to October in the U.K. and January to March in Australia)

Click on the following links for the Education stores in the countries where most of our readers reside:

• Apple’s U.S. Education Store
• Apple’s U.K. Education Store (in the UK you will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS).
• Apple’s Canada Education Store
• Apple’s Australian Education Store

If you’re a student, you can also get Apple Music for half price with free Apple TV+ included.

How much can students save on an iPad?

You can save as much as $50 in the U.S., £60 in the U.K., $90 in Australia, and $70 in Canada if you buy from the education store.

How to get an iPad student discount

Apple offers a student discount via its country-specific education stores. To recap:

• Apple’s U.S. Education Store
• Apple’s U.K. Education Store (in the UK you will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS).
• Apple’s Canada Education Store
• Apple’s Australian Education Store

Depending on your location you may only need to sign up with details of your student status and course and prove your identity. Some countries have less stringent checks than others. In the U.K. you need to be registered with UNiDAYS in order to even see the student prices. We explain how to do this in our article How to get an Apple student discount.

To qualify for a discount you also need to meet Apple’s conditions. You either need to be a student in higher education, or a teacher at a teaching institution. The only way to get a discount for a child still at school is to be home educating them or to be a teacher yourself.

If you can’t get a student discount that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get money off a new iPad though. Read our round-up of the best iPad deals. You will also find links to the best deals for each iPad below.

Best iPad for students

iPad 10.2in (9th gen, 2021): Best low-cost iPad

Pros

• Low price (in U.S.)
• Centre Stage support for FaceTime
• Compatible with any Bluetooth keyboard

Cons

• 64GB storage may be too little
• Price hike outside U.S.

Best Prices Today:



$269.99 at Amazon$269.99 at Best Buy$319.99 at Adorama

Since we expect that students are likely to be looking to save money where they can, we’d suggest that the 10.2in iPad (9th gen) is the closest you can get to a bargain iPad–especially once you apply the student discount. True, it has suffered from the price increases that Apple has recently applied around the world (except in the U.S. where it got a price cut), making it not quite the bargain it used to be. But if you want an iPad to cover the basics, it remains the most affordable option.

While this is the cheapest iPad, it still offers enough performance and features to make it an excellent choice for many students. This 2021 model features the more than adequate A13 that previously powered the iPhone 11 range, plus it gained significant improvements to the front-facing camera compared to the previous generation, with an Ultra-Wide lens and support for Center Stage. 

It can happily run the Microsoft Office apps for iPad if that is what you want to use, but there are free productivity apps from Apple and others that will make note-taking and working on assignments a doddle. Add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and you have a very workable laptop that should cope with most coursework demands. Support for Apple Pencil (gen 1) means you can annotate documents, sketch, and of course practice your handwriting. 

The iPad 10.2-inch is a great pick if your demands aren’t too onerous. It will handle academic life with ease, and provide plenty of entertainment when lessons are over. One word of caution, though. The base model comes with only 64GB of storage, which in this day and age seems pretty mean. With that in mind, we’d recommend opting for the 256GB version as it would be more practical, albeit more expensive.

Get the best deal on a new 10.2-inch iPad

Read our full

Apple iPad 10.2in (2021) review

iPad mini (6th gen, 2021): Most portable iPad

Pros

• Small and light
• Centre Stage for FaceTime calls

Cons

• 64GB storage may be too limiting

Best Prices Today:



$399.99 at Amazon$399.99 at Best Buy$499.00 at Apple

If the most important factor to you is portability there’s one iPad in particular that you might want to consider.

The iPad mini, updated in September 2021 with an A15 Bionic and a brand-new design, is the smallest and lightest iPad you can buy. It weighs in at 293g, whereas the 9th generation iPad is 487g, the 10th generation iPad is 477g, and the iPad Air is 461g. Of course, the low weight is a result of the iPad itself being smaller, thanks to the 8.3-inch display (which is bigger than it used to be since Apple got rid of the Home button and relocated Touch ID to the power button on the top edge). The result is a compact but powerful device that doesn’t feel too small. We think this screen size is perfect for reading books or taking notes (especially with an Apple Pencil), so it may well be ideal if that’s how you intend to use your iPad.

And don’t let the diminutive form fool you: the A15 Bionic chip is the same as that found in the iPhone 13 Pro Max, so there’s no shortage of power on tap. Connectivity is top-notch too, with support for Wi-Fi 6 and LTE 5G networks available, depending on the model you choose. 

The front-facing camera is an Ultra-Wide lens, so it can track you and keep you in the center of the frame on video calls thanks to Center Stage, while the 12MP Wide camera on the back can capture great photos and videos that could be used in presentations or for media-based assignments. 

There are two storage options available (64GB and 256GB) and, as with the 10.2in iPad, we’d recommend the larger of the two as it allows you to store more apps, music, movies, photos, and videos. 

One disadvantage is that the mini only works with Bluetooth keyboards, rather than Apple’s range of iPad-specific keyboards–but whether that’s a significant disadvantage is debatable. It will definitely save you money.

Prices start at $499/£569 for the 64GB model, with the 256GB option raising the cost to $649/£749. This is an increase over the previous generation, and the late-2022 price bump outside the U.S. doesn’t help, but you do get some serious up-to-date tech in the new iPad mini.  

Get the best deal on a new iPad mini.

Read our full

Apple iPad mini (2021) review

iPad (10th gen, 2022): Best all-rounder

Pros

• New Air-style design
• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display
• Camera is now in landscape
• A14 processor

Cons

• High-ish price (especially with Magic Keyboard Folio)
• 64GB storage on base model
• Requires dongle to power Apple Pencil (gen 1)

The newest kid on the block is the iPad 10.9-inch (10th gen), which arrived in October 2022 and features the same design approach as the iPad mini and iPad Air. This means you don’t have the traditional Home button, as it’s been replaced with swipe gestures, and the Face ID sensor has been embedded in the power button on the top edge. This makes room for a larger display than on its predecessor, the iPad 10.2-inch (9th gen), which Apple has kept in its catalog for those who want a cheaper device that’s still equipped with a Home button (see above).

On the new iPad, there’s a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display which, like all the other devices that are called iPad (rather than mini, Air or Pro) is unlaminated. This means there’s a slight air gap between the glass and the digitizer beneath. You probably won’t notice it at all, but if you intend to use the Apple Pencil for notes (gen 1 is supported) then you may experience slight delays in the tracking.

One welcome addition is that the front-facing camera is located on the longer end of the panel, meaning it offers a true landscape view that’s centrally located. No more awkward side views from the portrait cameras that appear on all other iPads. That new landscape 12MP Ultra Wide camera has a f/2.4 aperture that delivers a 122-degree view; it’s also compatible with the Center Stage feature that keeps you in the center of the frame even if you move about while on FaceTime calls. Apple bestows its new iPad with the same 12MP f/1.8 rear camera as on the iPad Air, so you can get some great shots and shoot video 4K video at 60fps. If your course requires any kind of video content, then either the front or back optics of the new iPad should prove more than sufficient–plus you can call home and look good doing so.

An A14 Bionic processor is at the heart of the new iPad, which is the same chip that powered the iPhone 12 devices (including the Pros). So there’s more than enough power for word processing, note-taking, coding, and most other education apps, not to mention gaming and entertainment duties. The switch from a Lightning port to USB-C also opens up the ability to use various peripherals and even power an external display if you want the iPad to become more like a fully-fledged computer.

As with all the other iPads on this list, Apple kits out the baseline model with 64GB, which remains a paltry amount and needs to be increased in the next year or so if Apple wants to keep charging its high prices. With this in mind, we’d recommend you opt for the 256GB version, although it does push the price from $449/£499 (64GB) to $599/£679 (256GB). The extra space will serve you better in the long run.

There are four colors to choose from (Blue, Yellow, Silver, and Pink) so you should be able to find one that suits your personality, and for extra functionality, you could invest in the new two-piece Magic Keyboard Folio, although the $249/£279 price tag does seem very high. Of course, a standard Bluetooth keyboard will get you the same results for a lot less money. As mentioned above, the new iPad supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, but as the charging port is now USB-C you’ll need an adaptor from Apple if you’ve already bought the Pencil. Otherwise, the dongle is now included in the box when you buy a new Apple Pencil (1st gen).

As you can see, there are a few caveats (mainly around the increased price), but with its modern design, solid processor, and larger display, the new 10.9-inch iPad (10th gen) is a great all-rounder that would prove a wise investment for those heading off to pursue their studies.

For more information, you can read our iPad 10.9-inch (10th gen) guide.

iPad Air (2022): Best high-power option

Pros

• Bigger screen
• Touch ID in Power button
• Lots of color options

Cons

• Avoid the 64GB model

Best Prices Today:



$499.99 at Amazon$499.99 at Best Buy$599.00 at Adorama

Yes, the iPad Pro range includes the most powerful iPads available, but for what a typical student needs they are overpriced and overpowered. We think the iPad Air, last updated in March 2022, with its 10.9-inch display, modern design, low weight (461g), great cameras, and hugely powerful processor, is a great choice for students.

Unfortunately, it’s not as cheap as it once was, especially outside the US, with the updated format and construction methods bringing the costs up to $599/£669 for the 64GB model and $749/£849 for the 256GB variant (which is the one we’d recommend).  

Because of the price increase, it’s no longer our top choice for students, but if you can afford it then it really is worth the investment. 

There are lots of things that the iPad Air has going for it. The design allows for a bigger screen and slimmer bezels, as the Home button is replaced by Touch ID embedded in the power button on the side of the chassis. There are plenty of colors to choose from, but the biggest feature of the 2022 model is the inclusion of the M1 processor. This is the same chip that powered the previous generation of iPad Pro models, not to mention several of the new Macs. In an iPad Air, it makes the device fly. 

The camera is a 12MP Wide lens (also like on the iPad Pro), which can record video up to 4K/60fps, and as with other iPads on this list, the front-facing camera has been upgraded to the 12MP Ultra-Wide that allows for Center Stage. Unlike the iPad 10.9-inch (10th gen) the camera isn’t on the longer side of the chassis, so you still have the slightly off-center angle, but that’s about the only advantage the less expensive model has over the Air.

Essentially, the iPad Air is an iPad Pro for a cheaper price. The only major feature it’s missing is the 120Hz ProMotion screen refresh rate, but that’s hardly something most people will even notice. 

We highly recommend the iPad Air for students who need premium performance and the best iPad you can buy without the Pro name.

Get the best deal on a new iPad Air.

Read our full

Apple iPad Air (2022) review

Should students buy an iPad or a laptop?

Before you go ahead and buy your iPad you may want to consider its suitability for your purpose.

As a student you probably have a few requirements:

• Low price
• Great apps for things like note-taking, recording lectures and revision
• Light enough to carry around all-day
• Keyboard and stylus support
• Suitable for making video calls home

You might be wondering whether a tablet or a laptop would be better for those needs, and if you lean towards the latter, take a look at our guide to the best Macs for students.

We think, however, that an iPad is a great choice. It runs many of the apps you’ll find on a laptop, including Office apps like Word and PowerPoint and the Apple equivalents, and in some cases, an iPad is actually more powerful than a laptop thanks to the super-fast processors Apple uses.

Another benefit is that you can have all the books you need for your course on your iPad and carry them with you to lectures and tutorials. You could even photograph pages from books in the library and use optical character recognition to save the text to your iPad.

Not only do you not need to lug all your books around with you, but an iPad is also far lighter than even the lightest laptop, so you won’t be getting backache from carrying it to lectures and the library.

With battery life of 10 hours–plenty for a day on campus–you aren’t going to need to find a space beside a plug socket in order to get through a day at uni.

Think that having an iPad will mean you have to type on an on-screen keyboard. No! You could sync any Bluetooth keyboard or plug in one of Apple’s own iPad keyboards and effectively turn your iPad into a laptop. There’s also the Apple Pencil, which could come in useful if you wanted to jot down some notes on your iPad screen in a lecture. See Best stylus for iPad.

And when you’ve finished studying there are loads of games, and apps for video calling your parents.

Still not sure? We have more information comparing a MacBook laptop and an iPad.

Are iPads good for students?

The next question you might want some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best option for a student. There are a lot of other tablets available, many of which are cheaper than an iPad. So you might be thinking of saving some money.

We think if you do so you will regret it. There are many reasons why Apple’s iPads are so popular:

• The App Store is heaving with great apps designed specifically for the iPad.
• Many of those apps will be ideal for students: note-taking apps, apps for converting handwriting to text, apps for recording lectures, timetable management, and of course video calling (so you can stay in touch with mum and dad).
• There is an ecosystem of great accessories designed to work with the iPad.
• Apple’s iPadOS is stable and easy to use, especially if you already have an iPhone.
• If you’ve got a Mac you can use an iPad as a second screen, provided you’re running Big Sur or later. 

Further reading

That’s all of our student-related buying advice, but if you’re buying for someone younger, check out our guide to the best iPad for kids.

iPad

The MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular laptop, and for good reason. It’s thin and light, performs very well, and is the most affordable laptop Apple sells.

At the end of 2020, it got its first major revision in a long time as one of the first Mac models to be powered by Apple Silicon. The M1 MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop, but in June 2022 at WWDC Apple announced an all-new MacBook Air with a better M2 processor, a new design, and several welcome new features and improvements. Now, in June 2023, another new MacBook Air is expected. A 15-inch version that may feature a M2 Pro chip.

We are awaiting news on whether the 15-inch MacBook Air rumors are true and expect to hear more on June 5 at WWDC.

MacBook Air price and specs

There are two MacBook Air models on sale right now, with a new one expected soon.

M1 MacBook Air

We love the M1 MacBook Air which was one of the first Macs to feature an M1 chip when it launched in 2020. Almost three years later we still think the performance and battery life are phenomenal. The older M1 MacBook Air remains available at $999/£999. If Apple starts selling a new larger MacBook Air it may stop selling this model.

Apple MacBook Air (2020) M1

Read our review

Best Prices Today:


$849.00 at Amazon |
$869.00 at Adorama |
$999.00 at Apple

M2 MacBook Air

In July 2022 a new M2 MacBook Air brought a whole new design with lots of welcome improvements to the range. The M1 model remained on sale for now.

This MacBook Air sports a new design: the wedge shape is gone in favor of a flat body that resembles the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, only slimmer–even thinner than the old Air design, in fact. The bezels around the display have shrunk, expanding the viewing area to 13.6 inches. It still has only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, but with the addition of the MagSafe connector for charging (including fast charging), they’ll both be free more often. The webcam got a bump to 1080p with much better overall quality, and the speakers and microphones are improved. The price went up a little, but you’re getting a lot more computer for the dollar. It’s $1,119/£1,249.

Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)

Read our review

Best Prices Today:


$1049.00 at Best Buy |
$1,165.23 at Amazon |
$1199.00 at Adorama

MacBook Air: Why you should buy

The new MacBook Air brings a whole new design and the latest M2 processor. Now that it has been available for several months, you may start to find some discounts on certain configurations from third-party retailers. Check our best MacBook Air deals to see if you can save some money.

MacBook Air: Why you should wait

The only reason not to buy the MacBook Air right now is if you need more performance, and want a MacBook Pro, or if you want a larger screen, in which case you might want to wait to see if the rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air are true. The next MacBook Air, with the M3 processor, will probably be a good leap over this one–but it’s also not likely to appear until the beginning of 2024.

Macworld recommends: BUY

It’s not often that Apple fully redesigns one of its most popular Macs, and that’s exactly what the new MacBook Air is. If you want to wait for the 15-inch MacBook Air it doesn’t look like it will be a long wait, and when/if that arrives we may see some good deals on the 13-inch M1 and M2 MacBook Air models.

MacBook

Apple’s new Beats Studio Buds + are now available and there’s one obvious reason why you might get them instead of a pair of AirPods Pro: They’re available in an incredibly cool Transparent color, which is a see-through plastic on both the earbuds and the case.

Transparency isn’t a new idea for Apple. For longtime users, the new Buds+ brings back memories of past Apple products encased in transparent and translucent plastic. In fact, Apple popularized the trend many years ago, but like all trends, it eventually faded way. Now, with the Nothing Phone and now the new Beats Studio Buds+, transparent designs are having a moment and we’d love to see Apple return to the days when Macs and displays got the see-through treatment.

Beats Studio Buds +

Best Prices Today:


$169.95 at Amazon

While we dream, here’s a look back at a few Apple products that paved the way for the new Transparent Beats Studio Buds +:

iMac (1998)

Apple

The original iMac just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and while it set off an industry trend, it wasn’t Apple’s first foray into transparency. But it was the most successful. The original blue-and-white shell didn’t provide a crystal clear look into the inner workings of the machine, but it provided just enough of a technological visual element to balance out the playfulness of the design. Over the years, Apple expanded the color palette and patterns of the case—some were transparent, some weren’t—but we’ll always have a soft spot for the original Bondi Blue iMac.

eMate 300

Ryan Schult/Wikipedia

Before the iMac, Apple used translucent parts on products like the Power Macintosh 8600 and 9600, but the eMate 300 was the first Apple device that went all-in with a colorful translucent design. Part of Apple’s Newton platform sold through education channels, the dark blue-green plastic miniature laptop had a tiny keyboard, a tinier screen, and ran Newton OS. It never really caught on, but we’d buy one in a second if Apple released it today.

iBook

Ben Szymanski/Unsplash

Two years after the eMate 300 and one year after the iMac, Apple released the iBook. The iBook was Apple’s consumer-level laptop available in Blueberry. Graphite, or Tangerine, and its rugged construction actually made it bigger than the pro-level PowerBook G3 that Apple also offered. The iBook also had a carrying handle, which added to the cuteness factor. But what made it wildly popular was its iMac-inspired case complete with un-PC-like curves and just the right amount of transparency. We love today’s MacBooks, but there’s nothing like the iBook.

Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One

Recycled Goods

The Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One actually predates the iMac by two months and it was clearly a sign of things to come. The top and rear of this Mac used translucent clear plastic, while the rest of the case was beige. Weighing 60 pounds, this Mac was often referred to as the Molar Mac because of its resemblance to a tooth. You have to see this thing in person to truly get a sense of how form and function really didn’t mix—but the transparent plastic, funky curves, and compact all-in-one design was the first glimpse of the future.

Studio Display (1998, 1999, 2000)

L’Aventure Apple

When Apple released the Studio Display last year, the company actually revived an old brand name. The very first Studio Display was released in 1998, and it featured–you guessed it–a translucent gray enclosure and a blue stand. It was Apple’s first flat-screen LCD, but since LCDs were expensive (especially if you wanted to go bigger than 15 inches), CRT monitors were still popular. So Apple released a 17- and 21-inch Studio Display with a CRT and a white and translucent Blueberry case to match the Power Macintosh G3. But we have a soft spot for the last CRT Apple made—the 17-inch Apple Studio Display CRT (ADC) that had a crystal clear enclosure so you could see everything inside it.

Apple

Harman Kardon Soundsticks

The Soundsticks were made by Harman Kardon, but they were co-developed with Apple, designed by Jony Ive, and made for the Macs of the early 2000s. The Soundsticks were a complement to iSub, a 20-watt subwoofer specifically designed to work with Apple’s slot-loading iMacs and the Power Mac G4. The vertical design and translucent enclosure are striking even today—and you can still buy a set with or without wires.

Harman Kardon

Apple

Apple’s new Beats Studio Buds + are now available and there’s one obvious reason why you might get them instead of a pair of AirPods Pro: They’re available in an incredibly cool Transparent color, which is a see-through plastic on both the earbuds and the case.

Transparency isn’t a new idea for Apple. For longtime users, the new Buds+ brings back memories of past Apple products encased in transparent and translucent plastic. In fact, Apple popularized the trend many years ago, but like all trends, it eventually faded way. Now, with the Nothing Phone and now the new Beats Studio Buds+, transparent designs are having a moment and we’d love to see some of our favorite Apple products get the see-through treatment too.

While we dream, here’s a look back at a few Apple products that paved the way for the new Transparent Beats Studio Buds +:

iMac (1998)

Apple

The original iMac just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and while it set off an industry trend, it wasn’t Apple’s first foray into transparency. But it was the most successful. The original blue-and-white shell didn’t provide a crystal clear look into the inner workings of the machine, but it provided just enough of a technological visual element to balance out the playfulness of the design. Over the years, Apple expanded the color palette and patterns of the case—some were transparent, some weren’t—but we’ll always have a soft spot for the original Bondi Blue iMac.

eMate 300

Ryan Schult/Wikipedia

Before the iMac, Apple used translucent parts on products like the Power Macintosh 8600 and 9600, but the eMate 300 was the first Apple device that went all-in with a colorful translucent design. Part of Apple’s Newton platform sold through education channels, the dark blue-green plastic miniature laptop had a tiny keyboard, a tinier screen, and ran Newton OS. It never really caught on, but we’d buy one in a second if Apple released it today.

iBook

Ben Szymanski/Unsplash

Two years after the eMate 300 and one year after the iMac, Apple released the iBook. The iBook was Apple’s consumer-level laptop available in Blueberry. Graphite, or Tangerine, and its rugged construction actually made it bigger than the pro-level PowerBook G3 that Apple also offered. The iBook also had a carrying handle, which added to the cuteness factor. But what made it wildly popular was its iMac-inspired case complete with un-PC-like curves and just the right amount of transparency. We love today’s MacBooks, but there’s nothing like the iBook.

Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One

Recycled Goods

The Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One actually predates the iMac by two months and it was clearly a sign of things to come. The top and rear of this Mac used translucent clear plastic, while the rest of the case was beige. Weighing 60 pounds, this Mac was often referred to as the Molar Mac because of its resemblance to a tooth. You have to see this thing in person to truly get a sense of how form and function really didn’t mix—but the transparent plastic, funky curves, and compact all-in-one design was the first glimpse of the future.

Studio Display (1998, 1999, 2000)

L’Aventure Apple

When Apple released the Studio Display last year, the company actually revived an old brand name. The very first Studio Display was released in 1998, and it featured–you guessed it–a translucent gray enclosure and a blue stand. It was Apple’s first flat-screen LCD, but since LCDs were expensive (especially if you wanted to go bigger than 15 inches), CRT monitors were still popular. So Apple released a 17- and 21-inch Studio Display with a CRT and a white and translucent Blueberry case to match the Power Macintosh G3. But we have a soft spot for the last CRT Apple made—the 17-inch Apple Studio Display CRT (ADC) that had a crystal clear enclosure so you could see everything inside it.

Apple

Harman Kardon Soundsticks

The Soundsticks were made by Harman Kardon, but they were co-developed with Apple and designed by Jony Ive and made for the Macs of the early 2000s. The Soundsticks were a complement to iSub, a 20-watt subwoofer specifically designed to work with Apple’s slot-loading iMacs and the Power Mac G4. The vertical design and translucent enclosure is striking even today—and you can still buy a set with or without wires.

Harman Kardon

Apple

Apple has issued firmware updates for eight different devices today, and you can’t even really take care of it yourself. Multiple AirPods and Beats models are getting firmware updates, along with, oddly enough, the official Apple MagSafe charger.

The full list of products and their new firmware numbers are as follows:

• AirPods 2nd-gen: 5E135
• AirPods 3rd-gen: 5E135
• AirPods Pro 1st-gen: 5E135
• AirPods Pro 2nd-gen: 5E135
• AirPods Max: 5E135
• PowerBeats Pro: 5B66
• Beats Fit Pro: 5B66
• MagSafe Charger: 258.0.0.0

What do these firmware updates do? Nobody really knows! Apple never says. The company maintains a support document for AirPods firmware updates but every update only says it provides “Bug fixes and other improvements,” with very few exceptions.

What’s worse, it’s not possible to actually update the firmware yourself. Firmware updates are delivered when your AirPods are charging and within range of a paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is connected to the Wi-Fi. Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes it takes days, and there’s no way to force it.

To check the firmware version of your AirPods or Beats products, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info button (i) next to the name of your AirPods. Scroll down to the About section to find the firmware version.

To check the firmware of your MagSafe charger, have it plugged into a power supply and attached to your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > About > Apple MagSafe Charger and look for the firmware version. The MagSafe charger updates its firmware when connected to a power adapter and an iPhone that is connected to Wi-Fi.

Firmware updates for AirPods are not uncommon, and it would probably behoove Apple to provide for a way to force them–even if just by long-pressing the firmware revision number in Settings.

Headphones