Bigger MacBook News

At long last, Apple announced larger MacBook Pros with new Apple Silicon chips. They’re crazy powerful, QUITE expensive, and clearly aimed at design professionals and those who crave a laptop with a bigger screen (or the latest at any price). For everyday use, they’re overkill.
There are now a LOT of Mac models, each with many options, so here’s some clarification.
- We don’t advise that you buy an older Mac with a non-Apple chip. You’ll save some money now, but you’ll have to replace it sooner.
That leaves the following choices for most of us (with base prices, not including AppleCare):
Portable (laptops):
13”: Macbook Air M1, $999 or Macbook Pro M1, $1399
14”: MacBook Pro (M1 Pro or M1 Max), $1999
16”: MacBook Pro (M1 Pro or M1 Max), $2499
Non-portable, bigger screens, more options:
24”: iMac with M1, $1299
Flexible display size: Mac Mini with M1, $899 (plus display, keyboard, etc.)
Apple also launched new Airpods 3 ($179, but no noise cancellation), some cute new HomePod minis, and an intriguing cheaper Apple Music plan: only $4.99/month, half the price of the individual plan, BUT you can only control it with Siri.
The Upgrade Question

MacOS 12 “Monterey” is AVAILABLE starting today. That doesn’t mean you should install it immediately. The change to Monterey is not as big as last year’s upgrade to Big Sur, but it won’t hurt to wait a couple of weeks. We suggest that you:
- Make sure your Mac is compatible with Monterey. Find your model (click the Apple > About this Mac) and check this list.
- If you use any unusual non-Apple-store apps or old external devices (e.g. printers), check the manufacturer’s website to be sure they’ll work with Monterey. (Popular apps like Word and Zoom will be fine).
- Put a reminder on your calendar for November 1 or later to install Monterey.
- Make a Time Machine backup before you upgrade (instructions here).
And All Your Other Questions:

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