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Apple recently released the latest additions to its Mac line-up, the M2 and M2 Pro Mac minis and the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros.
The M2 and M2 Pro Mac minis are designed for versatility and power, making them the perfect choice for users who need a compact and portable computer that can handle demanding tasks. With Mac mini, you are free to use whatever monitor, keyboard and mouse you like, so they are a very versatile and economical solution. Both are powered by Apple’s latest M2 chips, which bring improved performance and efficiency compared to the previous generation of Mac minis.
The M2 Mac mini comes with 8-core Apple M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive, making it suitable for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, word processing, and video playback. A perfect small Mac for general computing and work tasks.
The M2 Pro Mac mini, on the other hand, features a powerful 16-core M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive, making it a perfect choice for demanding tasks such as design, video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. A great choice for those in demanding workflows, who want to use their own monitors and peripherals. And M2 Pro Mac mini can run up to three external monitors too.
The M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros are designed for professionals and power users who demand the highest performance and versatility from their laptops. Powered by Apple’s latest M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which deliver improved performance and efficiency compared to the previous generation of MacBook Pros. M2 is generally providing a 20% performance boost compared to M1, so while these are not a necessary upgrade for current M1 MacBook Pro owners, they are a very compelling option for those still using an Intel based Mac laptop.
The M2 Pro MacBook Pro comes with a 16-core M2 chip, 16GB of RAM (upgradeable to 32GB), and a 1TB solid-state drive, making it an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. The M2 Max MacBook Pro features a powerful 32-core M2 chip, 32GB of RAM (upgradeable to 96GB RAM with the 38 core GPU model), and a 2TB solid-state drive, making it the perfect choice for demanding tasks such as large-scale image editing, CAD, video editing, 3D rendering or motion graphics.
Both the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros come with great connectivity options, including four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. They also come with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
The M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros also feature a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, featuring ProMotion with refresh rates up to 120Hz, making everything from scrolling to gaming incredibly fluid and responsive.
Apple’s latest M2 and M2 Pro Mac minis and M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros are significant upgrades over their predecessors, delivering improved performance, efficiency, and versatility. Whether you’re a basic user or a demanding professional, these devices offer a powerful and versatile solution for all your computing needs. So, if you’re in the market for a new Mac, talk to Mac Aid about what spec will work best for you.
The M2 MacBook Air brings a strong refresh to Apple’s most popular laptop. Completely updated and redesigned, the M2 MacBook Air is the biggest design overhaul in the history of the MacBook Air and has also sees the introduction of the new M2 chip.
He is particularly enamoured with the look and feel of the device. Weighing in at 1.2kg and measuring just over 11mm thick, the new design is the same thickness from front to back. Gone is the tapered design of its predecessors, replaced with the minimalist slab style introduced in the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pros last year.
Perfect for your commute, the new M2 MacBook Air will slot into your laptop bag with ease.
There are four colours to choose from: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight. While the MacBook Air is thin and light, it’s sturdiness is still unsurpassed.
What features stand out as being remarkable?
There are a few features to really celebrate in the MacBook Air M2.
While the M2 is not the radical improvement in processor power and battery life that the M1 was, it does provide noticeably improved performance. This is the first MacBook Air designed specifically for the Apple M-processors, and so it is thinner and lighter than has been possible previously.
The FaceTime camera has been upgraded to HD and the screen is now a ‘Liquid Retina’ display and brighter than the previous iteration.
This all combines to make the MacBook Air a great device for general computing and a perfect for keeping in touch with work colleagues or friends and family on zoom or Teams. And let’s not forget the incredible battery life that the M-processors bring to all Apple laptops.
The welcome return of the MagSafe port for charging means that tangling and tripping over the power cable no longer results in your MacBook Air ending up on the floor, and you can use your two USB-C ports for other devices. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also included.
What to look out for…
While the new Midnight colour might be enticing, bear in mind that it can be a magnet for fingerprints – it might look a little dishevelled pretty quickly unless you are prepared to clean it regularly.
Apple are installing SSDs in the M2 MacBook Airs using 256GB components. That means that if you buy an M2 MacBook Air with the minimum of a 256GB SSD you will only be using one of the two available PCI lanes, and so have slower read and write performance. Specifying a 512GB or bigger SSD ensures that your M2 MacBook Air will have two SSD components and so use both PCI lanes for maximum SSD performance.
If you are interested in the M2 MacBook Air, call Mac Aid and have a chat with Jeffrey. He will put you on the right path for choosing the right configuration for your needs and getting the best out of your new M2 MacBook Air.
The short answer is YES! We’ve all heard about the havoc hackers can wreak. Pretty much every account you have on the internet has the potential to be hacked, and your data stolen. And when your data is stolen, your identity and money are likely to be next. While MFA is not perfect, it is the best option available right now to keep you, your identity and your money safe.
At Mac Aid, we see many people who have wished that they got their MFA sorted before they were hacked. Don’t wait until it is too late – the pain of setting up MFA pales into insignificance compared to the pain of losing your data, identity or your savings.
What is MFA?
MFA is a security measure whereby you need additional proof of identity to access your online accounts, apps, etc… It’s a multi-layered defence system, so that even if one security factor is compromised, there are more barriers to others accessing your data.
Mac Aid Senior Technician, Sean tells us that the easiest way to think of MFA is to imagine the front door to your house. MFA is like adding a fingerprint security door. While someone can copy/borrow/steal your front door key, your fingerprint security door adds that extra layer of protection. So what does MFA (your security door) look like? MFA is either something you know, something you have or something you are, or a combination of the three. Newer technologies are also adding in your location, context and behaviour-based factors, along with biometrics as authentication factors. But for now, the most common authentication factors are:
Something you know: – One-Time Password; PIN; Secret Questions;
Something you have: – Authenticator App; SMS code; Token;
Something you are: – Fingerprint; Voice; Facial Recognition
Is MFA the same as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
While MFA and 2FA are often interchanged, MFA is the superior option. 2FA requires only two factors, while MFA can be two or more additional proofs of identity to access your accounts.
Do I have to use MFA all the time?
MFA usually occurs when you or someone else tries to log into your account, app or device for the first time, or after you have changed your password. It is not the inconvenience you may imagine it to be. In fact, it is quite simple. The Verge has set out how to set up your MFA on a variety of platforms, including your Apple devices, Facebook and Dropbox.
However, the initial setup up is important to get right. Setting up your MFA incorrectly could result in locking users out of your systems, loosing access and in the worst-case scenario, not protecting you or your data.
How can Mac Aid help?
For personal use, Mac Aid recommends that the most valuable MFA is an authenticator App. Both Google and Microsoft have their own versions, and if you are unsure which one would suit you best, give us a call and we can work through the options with you. For multi-user systems, our techs have up-to-date advice and solutions for your business needs.
Contact Mac Aid now to book a consultation tailored to your needs.
iPads, iPadOS and iPad apps are more capable than ever. But navigating the waters when choosing what iPad is right for you can be difficult. Let us take you on a journey comparing each aspect of these tablets to find your best option.
The Base Model – iPad
If you are looking for an entry level tablet that is good for gaming, watching movies and scrolling through social media, then look no further! The 10.2” screen has TrueTone tech, which automatically adjusts the screens image to your environment with improved colour accuracy.
The ultra wide 12MP front camera utilises Centre Stage, a feature that tracks your face with digital pan and zoom to always keep you in shot, even if you’re moving from one side of the room to the other.
This model is the last to have the elusive headphone jack, for those of you that still want that old school headphone feel, along with a home button on the front for fingerprint ID scanning for security.
As far as accessories go, it is compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil and a range of keyboard cases – unfortunately it does’t have the capacity to work with the slick Magic Keyboard.
The All Rounder – iPad Air
Sporting the M1 chip that’s in the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is a little powerhouse in itself, performing 60% better than the previous A13 model.
Sizing up at 10.9”, the Air has a laminated LED display, meaning that if the iPad is dropped, the screen won’t shatter if it’s broken. The Air features Touch ID integrated into the power button on the top.
With 12MP cameras on both back and front, it seamlessly keeps video and image quality consistent when flipping between the two. The front facing camera also keeps the Centre Stage feature and the screen also uses True Tone to adjust to your environment.
Changing from the lightning port to a USB-C port allows up to 10GB per second data transfer and supports connections with cameras, hard drives and 4K/5K external monitors, and can even charge your iPhone or Apple Watch with the right cable.
The Smart Connector means the Air can communicate with power accessories like the Magic Keyboard and transfer both power and data, negating the need for batteries. The Magic Keyboard is a hinged folio-style case that features a full backlit keyboard and a trackpad, essentially turning your iPad into a small laptop. The 2nd generation Apple Pencil also communicates and charges via the Smart Connector.
The Air is the only full sized iPad to come in colour options outside of silver or space grey and is available in Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Blue and Starlight.
The Pocket Rocket – iPad Mini
The design of the iPad Mini reflects a smaller, 8.3” version of the iPad Air with its full screen and Touch ID located on the power button on the top, although the volume buttons have also been moved to the top edge and there is no Smart Connector.
Equipped with the A15 chip, the Mini now features up to 80% better performance. The cellular models can also now connect to 5G.
Like its big brother, iPad Air, iPad Mini features a 12MP wide camera on the back and ultra wide on the front, with Centre Stage for video calls.
The Mini also sports a USB-C port for charging and connecting to cameras, 4K/5K screens and other USB-C devices and supports 5GB transfer rates.
The 2nd generation Apple Pencil is also compatible with the iPad Mini. iPad mini is available in Space Grey, Purple, Pink and Starlight.
The Powerhouse – iPad Pro
The iPad Pro comes in 11” and a whopping 12.9” edge to edge screen design with a True Depth camera system with Face ID for facial recognition.
The 11” model has the same Liquid Retina display as the 2020 model with wide colour support, True Tone that adjusts to ambient light and a refresh rate of 120 times per second.
The 12.9” model has the new Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, giving the iPad Pro a much more dynamic range in brightness and contrast, its true-to-life HDR creates a visually stunning image.
The front camera is the 12MP Ultra Wide camera featured on all of the current iPads, also utilising Centre Stage. The rear camera set up holds a 12MP wide angle camera and a 10MP ultra wide angle camera along with True Tone Flash and a LiDAR scanner that uses reflected light to measure distances up to 5m away from the iPad.
iPad Pro rocks the same M1 chip that’s in the iPad Air and MacBook Pro, as well as compatibility with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard.
The long and the short of it all…
The baseline iPad is great for light users with a budget who want to be able to watch movies on the go, interact on social media or send emails. It makes a great and affordable iPad for kids.
The iPad Air is the cool kid, and rightly so, it has most of the capabilities of the iPad Pro without such a hefty price tag, and has the added bonus of more colour options.
The iPad Mini is perfect for people on the go who don’t want a large screen but want all of the features of the larger models and fun colours.
The iPad Pros are powerful, well made, really mean business, and could even replace your Mac entirely.
Over the years, the Apple eco-system has become renowned for its integration between all of its devices, from the general communication between your Mac and your iPhone or Apple Watch, to more recent innovations like Handoff, AirDrop, AirPlay, FaceTime, iMessage and SharePlay.
For these features to work, your devices need to be logged into the same iCloud account. Some of these features are only available on newer Apple devices, use Google to find out whether your devices are compatible, or ask Mac Aid if it is all too confusing.
iPad users should try out SideCar, which lets you extend your workspace by using your iPad as a second Mac display. And Sidecar can also bring the ease and precision of Apple Pencil to your favourite creative Mac apps.
With Continuity Camera you can use your iPhone to shoot a photo or scan a document and have it automatically appear on your Mac. Just choose Insert a Photo from the File menu, then choose Take Photo or Scan Documents. Take a photo of something on your desk and instantly see it in your document. Or scan a receipt, and a straightened version is immediately available in the Finder as a PDF. Continuity Camera works in the Finder, Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, Keynote and Numbers.
Camera Remote on your Apple Watch allows you to remotely control the camera on your iPhone. Just launch Camera Remote on your Apple Watch and the camera app on your iPhone will open. Camera Remote allows you to take a photo, set the timer interval, swap between front and rear cameras, turn your camera flash on or off, and other settings.
Auto Unlock lets you automatically log in to your Mac when you’re wearing your Apple Watch. Turn this feature on in the Security and Privacy settings in the system preferences on your Mac.
Universal Clipboard lets you copy images, video or text from an app on your iPhone or iPad. Then paste into another app on your nearby Mac — or vice versa. It’s like magic!
SharePlay and the new Meetings feature of FaceTime easily allow non-Apple users to join in video calls and combined with SharePlay, you can have a video call with your friends or colleagues regardless of whether they use Apple devices or not. It allows you to:
Handoff is a very useful built-in feature that allows for you to be working on your Mac, iPhone or iPad and then switch to another device to exactly where you were on the device you’ve moved from.
AirDrop, is one of the most useful features Apple ever developed and makes non-Apple users jealous to this day. Take a photo or video and then just tap the share icon, select your iPad or Mac and it instantly transfers the file to the device. No emailing the file or uploading it to the cloud. Brilliant!
AirPlay is one of the oldest of all of these features. The ability to simply be able to share your screen to a compatible screen or device is just so easy! We’ve tried Google’s Chromecast version of AirPlay and it will most of the time give some kind of connection error. AirPlay is just always seamless!
Do you use all of these features? Would you like to learn how to use some of these features in your day-to-day life? If so, contact Mac Aid today and we’ll ensure that your devices are setup to work with all of these features and train you on how to effectively use them.
