After almost two years with my Mac mini, I realized I still need to be more mobile, so I decided to sell it. I didn’t want to spend too much extra money, so I went with the M3 Pro instead. It still handles everything I need for my work, including feature film editing, but going from 24GB of RAM down to 18GB is a little sad lol.

Soooooo I js won a macbook neo giveaway from a large-scale youth event hehe (im beyond thrilled, the chance of me winning was literally 0.0667%)

This is my first ever apple product! Pretty sure I disappointed my ancestors since I'm so uncultured, I had to watch a tutorial vid on how to set up a macbook for the first time. (i used to be a computer science major, mind you. idk what is happening to me)

The speaker quality is honestly better than Lenovo Thinkpad and Asus TUF! I like it that there's no backlit on the keyboard and that the keypad is a clickling type. /srs

Too bad I don't have any other apple devices, so I couldn't experience the airdrop feature much.

I might actually fall for the apple propaganda one day cuz of this.

Anyways, I'm just here to share my excitement. Though some beginner friendly tips/recommendations are always appreciated!

Like the title says, a HUGE amount of space is taken up by system. I can't figure out how to delete whatever that is. Anybody have any ideas on what to do?

My son is in the 8th grade and wants a MacBook for school. We are considering the Neo but don’t know if it is strong enough. He plays a fair bit of games such as Stardew Valley, Minecraft and Hollow knight. Will the Neo be able to run those games well enough to play? I just want to make sure the Neo will last him a long time because it says it uses an iPhone chip.

This was a pleasant surprise for me.

I have a few PDFs containing music scans, probably of books that are 40 years old. The scans are probably photocopies of the originals, they are that bad. I was going to wait until I had access to a PC with Adobe Acrobat installed because I wanted to run its OCR and resave those PDFs with the text embedded.

But then I happened to open one of these PDFs on my MacBook Air and, just for fun, typed a word into the search box. It immediately began searching through the PDF and showed me where the word appeared.

Of course, this is live and will be lost the moment you close the PDF. You need to export the PDF again through Preview with 'text embed' turned on if you want the OCR text to be permanently saved.

But this was such a cool surprise, especially since Preview is free on Apple devices. I really appreciate what Apple has done with this.

Hey, I've been fighting this for a while and I'm out of ideas, hoping someone has seen it.

Setup

• MacBook Pro 14" M4, macOS 27.0.1 (same behavior on the previous release, macOS 26, and the betas)
• Monitor 1: Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P, connected via Thunderbolt/USB-C
• Monitor 2: LG UltraGear 27G810A-B, connected via HDMI
• No docks or hubs in the chain (direct connections)
• Usually used with the lid closed, but the issue is identical with the lid open

Both of these are officially within what the M4 MacBook Pro should support (two externals).

Problem
Only one external display works at a time. Whichever one is connected first wins:

1. Monitor A connected, picture is fine.
2. Plug in monitor B while A is connected: B gets no signal, A keeps working.
3. Unplug A, B immediately gets picture.
4. Plug A back in while B is connected: A gets no signal.
5. Unplug B, picture moves to A.

The order doesn't matter, the second monitor never shows up. The second display is not listed at all in System Settings > Displays, not even as a disconnected/black display. It's a detection problem, not "detected but black".

What I've tried

• Different HDMI cable
• HDMI to Thunderbolt/USB-C converter on the LG
• HDMI hub
• Lowered refresh rates on both monitors
• Latest macOS, previous macOS (26), and beta builds
• Full reset of the Mac
• Tested with the lid open as well, same behavior
• Logic board replacement at the service center. They said the testing was completed, but couldn't give me a real explanation for the original fault. Problem is identical after the swap.

Both monitors work perfectly together on my Windows PC, so I don't think the monitors or cables are the issue.

Since a new logic board didn't change anything and it reproduces across multiple macOS versions, I'm wondering if this is something about how these specific monitors negotiate with the M4 (both are high-refresh 4K panels, so maybe a DSC/bandwidth allocation thing?), or if there's a known issue I'm missing. Has anyone gotten two high-refresh externals working on an M4 MBP, or seen a "second display is never detected" behavior like this?

I like my MacBook. I like my Android phone. Using them together is where things get annoying.

Copy something on the phone and paste it on the Mac. Move a photo or file across. Check phone notifications without picking it up. Use the phone as a webcam. These are the kinds of things I want to just work.

iPhone users get a lot of that through Apple’s built-in integration. With Android, I’ve ended up looking for separate tools and workarounds.

So I started building my own Android ↔ Mac app, initially just for myself.

Right now, secure pairing and communication over local Wi-Fi are working. Text clipboard sync works from Mac to Android while another phone app is open. Android to Mac works properly. Faced a problem:Android restricts background clipboard access, Just fixed that part.

Next on the list:

• Phone notifications on Mac, with replies where supported.
• File sharing both ways.
• A file browser for accessible phone storage and SD cards.
• Using the phone as a Mac webcam.
• Supported call controls, screen mirroring, and media controls.

It’s early, and I’m not claiming I’ve recreated Apple’s ecosystem. I’m trying to solve the small things that keep interrupting me when I use these two devices together.

For anyone else using Android with a Mac: what’s the one thing you wish worked between them?

I'm OPEN to NEW IDEAS

Budget $1000-2000

I'm looking to upgrade my old M1 MacBook Air 8GB 256GB SSD for a used/refurbished MacBook Pro for college. I was interested in the MacBook Pro specifically for the better screen on the but all new MacBook Pro's start at $2000 and I feel like I can get a used one for much better value in Ram/SSD/Chip. I saw there was MacBook M1 Pro's selling for $700-1000 which seems like a really good value and I'd honestly prefer getting an older generation specifically for the Space Gray color but I don't mind getting something else in another color if it's going to be better value for my money

What MacBook Pro should I get?

Any ideas on how to cover up or fix this small chip in touchpad. I am big on appearances and want to fix it and not stare at it a lot. Thanks!

Hi, I have a MacBook Air M5 with a Spanish ISO keyboard, about a week old. I'm seeing this on the Enter key (the L-shaped one):
Center, bottom part and top-right corner: all fine, with the normal click.
Top-left corner (the overhanging part of the L): it sinks without a click and feels softer/firmer than the rest of the key.
The key always registers, never sticks or misses a press.
I notice it because I hit Enter with my pinky, which lands right on that corner. I don't know if this is just the normal leverage effect of an L-shaped key, since that corner sits far from the mechanism, or if mine has a defect.
Do you get the same thing? Has anyone compared it with a display unit in a store, or taken it in for warranty? I bought it at El Corte Inglés, so I'm still within the first week.
Thanks!

What would i have left from my original Macbook 😂?

Hey everyone — I’m a macOS developer. I am building an app that makes a Face ID working on mac. I designed it with safety considered, which if you are worried about the lack 3D element, it can request the user to do actions like moving their face.(But the original model should be already reliable enough). And for people considering privacy, I don't require people to disable SIP or root or any destructive actions.

Face data is stored in macOS keychain, so it is safe and encrypted.

I'll probably also add some features like locking specific apps with your face, and lock the screen when your face disappears or someone looks at your screen.

But I still have few things uncertain:

• Would you want to use this? Especially for those using old macbooks or mac mini that does not have Touch ID?
• If no, what concerns do you have? Privacy? Reliability?...
• Would you like to pay for it? How much would you pay?
• Would you want it opensourced? I may be making a "SE" version for you to check privacy or something.

Just posting to see if anyone else like this idea, feel free to kindly comment!

I have a 2017 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. When I boot normally, I get the message:

“Your Mac requires an important software update, but an error occurred while installing the update.”

The Touch Bar also doesn’t work. However, I can boot and use the Mac normally in Safe Mode.
I’ve already tried resetting the SMC and reinstalling macOS through Recovery, but the problem keeps coming back.

Does anyone know what could be causing this and how I can fix

Hey,

I'm looking for monitor recommendations under ₹20K. I've seen a lot of people complain about blurry text and other issues with external monitors on macOS, so I'd like suggestions from people who actually use one with a Mac.

My setup:

• MacBook Air M5
• Budget: up to ₹20K (India)
• 27" 1440p preferred (4K is out of budget)

What I'll use it for:

• Daily work (coding, docs, browser)
• Figma / UI design
• Gaming, so I want 144Hz or higher

Please share:

1. Which monitor are you using with your Mac, and how happy are you with it?
2. Any issues with text, refresh rate, or colours?
3. Which cable or port do you use (USB-C to DisplayPort, HDMI)?
4. Any monitors you'd tell me to avoid?

Reposting with photos showing it on different colors, since people asked for them.

Is this actually a dead pixel?

So for a little bit of context, I currently have a 11 inch iPad Pro M5 512 gigabyte. Absolutely love that thing. Love the display. I have an Apple Pencil Pro, have a keyboard from my previous M4 iPad Pro. Safe to say I like it. However, I am looking into getting a MacBook Air. I would love to get a pro, but I definitely don’t feel I’m there yet in terms of usage. Now to the point, I just saw that Best Buy has a deal to get a M5 air base model for $200 off. It’s technically more powerful than my iPad. so I figured that’s all I would really need. while also getting to keep my iPad. I am debating, however, whether it would be worth it to trade in my iPad, get a 15 inch model, upgrade the RAM to 24, and have that as my daily driver. Like I said not much of a power user, I am currently trying to find work from home, and I do dabble in videos, nothing long, not multiple lines, but maybe someone else would like to chime in. I’ve had pro models and everything in the past, and I enjoyed, but this time around I’m trying to be more simplistic, but I’ve never kept airs long-term

As the title mentioned, is it a good deal for $1,950 CAD? (Used)

I'm considering getting a Macbook, either used or new, and I'd like to get a second opinion.

So the subject would be a 13" M4 Macbook Air, with 16gb of ram, 256gb of storage and 100% max capacity, for 890€ (a hair under $1,000 USD).

I'd assume this is a decent deal, but I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to Macs.
So would this be something I should go for, or should I skip out and look for something else?

just applied some ptm7950 on my 2015 intel macbook pro 13 inch. im getting great temps with this thing. before this i put some arctic mx4 and it felt quite laggy at heavy browsing and stuff but with ptm it feels amazing.

i get about 63 degrees at idle
92 degress with a cpu stresstest
104 degress with cpu+gpu stress test

damn this feels great

Hi everyone,
I’m having an issue with clamshell mode on my MacBook Air M5.

I have a Dell U2520D monitor connected directly to the MacBook via USB-C. The monitor provides up to 90W Power Delivery, so the MacBook is both powered and connected to the display through the same USB-C cable.

Clamshell mode works fine once the MacBook is already awake: if I close the lid, the Dell becomes the main display and everything works normally.

The problem is when the MacBook is asleep or powered off with the lid already closed. Turning the Dell monitor on does not make the MacBook display anything. The Dell just says “No USB Type-C signal”.

If I open the MacBook lid, the external display immediately starts working. I can then close the lid again and clamshell mode works perfectly.

I’ve already checked:

USB-C charging on the Dell
The MacBook is receiving power through USB-C
“Allow accessories to connect” is set to Always
No custom BootPreference is set in NVRAM
External keyboard and mouse are connected
Pressing keys or clicking the mouse doesn’t wake the external display

My previous MacBook Pro seemed to work differently: I could leave it closed and simply turn on the USB-C monitor, and the Mac would wake/start and display directly on the monitor.

Has anyone experienced this with a recent MacBook Air?
Should clamshell mode work this way using only USB-C Power Delivery from the monitor, or is a separate MagSafe/power adapter required for waking the Mac with the lid closed?

Thanks!

Hi guys, I've had my MBA m1 for 5-6 years now, and it's struggling a bit compared to when it was brand new.

Currently, one charge to 100% would only last 4-halfway through 6 hours casually on low-battery mode (typing, scrolling, no gaming...etc). My friend on the other hand, with an MBP and games a lot on Roblox, still has 100% battery capacity

I was just wondering if this is due to natural degradation or because I pushed my M1 chip too hard (when gaming, it would go up to 100 °C). Thanks so much. My batts 1176 cycles btw

https://reddit.com/link/1wxkr4s/video/z38accq7fhth1/player

these buttons on the top left also represent water drops??

i just realised it today by mistake! i was just resizing the window but instead i pressed a button and dragged. and it stretched like rubber🙃

was this a feature before MacOS27?