The theory goes that black holes accrete material, often from nearby stars. However the theory also suggests there is a limit to how big a black hole can grow due to accretion and certainly shouldn’t be as large as they are seen to be in the early Universe. Black holes it seems, are fighting back …

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Filmmakers love New Zealand. Its landscapes evoke other worlds, which explains why so much of The Lord of the Rings was filmed there. The country has everything from long, subtropical sandy beaches to active volcanoes. The country’s otherworldliness extends into its atmosphere, where a cloud nicknamed the “Taieri Pet” forms when conditions are right. The …

Continue reading "An Otherworldly Cloud Over New Zealand"

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In This Episode Erin and Weer’d discuss court cases involving: machine guns being ruled as bearable arms; California required to issue Non-Resident Carry permits; another challenge to the Maryland assault weapons ban. David brings us an interview with Jan Wolbrecht … Continue reading →

Weer’d, Weer’d, Weer’d. It’s all about Weer’d this episode. In This Episode Erin and Weer’d discuss: the new NRA Executive Vice President’s disturbing (cat) skeleton in his closet; Tim Walz going “hunting”, and the questions it raises about his knowledge … Continue reading →

Weer’d is feeling sick after his colonoscopy, but Erin, David, and Oddball have come to the  rescue with an ACP Round Table. In This Episode We discuss: gun manufacturers handing over purchaser information taken from warranty cards to political groups; … Continue reading →

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At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple announced updates coming to its various operating systems, most of which focus on its own version of AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. MacBooks will get macOS 15, aka Sequoia, that will support Image Playground, Apple’s image generation tool, and AI composition features that can rewrite, proofread and summarize text in Mail, Notes, Pages and more. But the AI smarts will only be available to Apple laptops with an M1 chip or newer. So if you have an older model (pre-2020), or want the latest chips to get the most out of macOS 15, you might want a new MacBook. This guide will help you pick which one makes the most sense for you.

After testing every model Apple makes, we think the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip and 16GB of RAM is the best choice for most people. But there are definitely reasons to consider the cheaper M2 Air and the fully featured Pro laptops. We’ve broken down all the options to help you decide which is the best MacBook for you.

Factors to consider when buying a MacBook

Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series “system-on-a-chip” condenses things even further. It started with the M1 chip, which has since been retired in all models. The M2 and M3 chips can be found in current-generation MacBooks, but the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip, is only housed in the new iPad Pro. All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apple’s Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition. 

While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it's worth pointing out that the Pro come in just two colors (Silver or Space Gray) but the Air adds two additional hues (Midnight and Starlight).

CPU cores

Currently the lowest-specced chip in a MacBook is the M2 in the 13-inch MacBook Air. It comes with an 8-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. At the other end of the spectrum, the M3 Max chip is built with up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill — and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage.

RAM

Your options for RAM, or in Apple’s terminology, Unified memory, varies depending on the chip you choose. The M2 and M3 chips can be paired with 8, 16 or 24GB of RAM. The M3 Pro chip has 18 or 36GB memory options, while the most powerful M3 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM.

You’ve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later.

More RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if you’re the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesn’t involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that you’re most likely to actually use.

For casual users, 8GB may be enough, however, if you can afford an upgrade to 16GB of RAM, we recommend going doing so, as modern browsers tend to be pretty memory-hungry. Investing in more RAM now will give your new MacBook a longer lifespan of reliable use. It’s also important to keep in mind that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in current-model MacBooks is not user-upgradable, so you’ll want to get what you plan on needing at the outset.

Storage capacity (SSD)

Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the M2 MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M3 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, you’ll want more storage. If you’re mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if it’s within your budget. You’ll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop.

When Apple announced the iPhone 15, the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans, with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, it’s best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset.

Screen size

MacBooks come in 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-inch sizes. That might not seem like a huge difference, but, as Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the now-retired 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen "makes a surprising difference.” That’s especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and won’t be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming.

But screen size is the main factor influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.8 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run.

All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels (in-plane switching, liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M1 has a Retina display. A Liquid Retina display comes with the M2 MacBook Air and the Liquid Retina XDR display comes with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. “Liquid” refers to the way the lighted portion of the display “flows” within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. “XDR” is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range).

Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. It’s the company’s term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the other models max out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, you’ll have to shell out more money for an upgrade.

Price

When the MacBook Air M3 came out, Apple dropped the price of the base-model, 13-inch, M2-powered Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. With a $999 starting price, it’s now the least expensive new MacBook you can get. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,199 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max with 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you don’t) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you.

We recommend the MacBook Air M3 for most people, the MacBook Air M2 for students and those on a budget, and the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once you’ve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible.

Best MacBooks 

MacBook FAQs

What's the difference between MacBook Air and Pro?

The MacBook Air comes with a standard M3 or M2 chip. MacBook Pro models have the option of more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen with a higher peak brightness that supports XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer.

What's the difference between macOS and Windows?

MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsoft’s Windows operating system can be found in the company’s own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer.

A man has been transported to hospital following a collision in Sandys this evening. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:25 PM on Friday, 19 July 2024 police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle, on Somerset Road in the vicinity of Scaur Drive, Sandys […]

A male pedal cyclist was taken to hospital with “serious head injuries” following a collision involving a car on Pitt’s Bay Road in Pembroke this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:08 a.m. on Sunday, July 21st, 2024, police and other first responders were dispatched to a serious road traffic collision involving a motorcar and […]

A 30-year-old male motorcycle rider was injured in a collision in Pembroke early this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before 12:45 a.m., on Monday, July 29th, 2024, police and Emergency Medical Services personnel, were dispatched to a reported single vehicle road traffic collision, involving a motorbike, near the junction of West Park Lane and North […]

The Ministry of Public Works advised of a “smouldering bunker fire at the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy facility in Devonshire.” A Government spokesperson said, “The incident has resulted in periodic impacts on service delivery. The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Tynes Bay personnel are closely monitoring the situation to ensure it remains under […]

A collision involving motorcars occurred in Sandys today [Sept 9], with one driver sustaining injuries. A police spokesperson said, “Around 5:50 PM on Monday 9 September 2024, police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a two vehicle collision, involving motorcars on Somerset Road Sandys in the vicinity of Lantana Drive. “Information […]

[Updated] A motorcyclist was injured in a collision in Southampton this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, police officers responded to a reported two vehicle collision at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton. “Early information indicates that a tractor trailer truck driven in the eastbound lane […]

There are “between 4 and 6 RTCs being reported daily,” and the police are urging people to “slow down, always drive sober, do not drive when stressed or tired, put your phone down and please wear your seatbelt and fasten your helmet.” Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell said, “By design, it was hoped that increased traffic […]

A 30-year-old male motorcycle rider was injured in a collision in Warwick this afternoon [Oct 7]. A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:25 pm on Monday, October 7, 2024, police and other first responders attended a serious single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle at the junction of Middle Road and Ten Pin Crescent, Warwick. “Upon arrival, […]

[Updated] Emergency services responded to a collision on East Broadway today [Oct 30] involving a car that crashed into the gas station building. The 83-year-old driver was not harmed, however his wife, 81, was taken to the hospital following the incident and a person in the building was also injured. Update Oct 31, 4.10pm: A police […]

The police have confirmed that a 19-year-old male has died following a collision. A police spokesperson said, “Around 8:10 this morning, Friday, November 1, 2024, police officers were dispatched to a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a truck and a motorcycle, near the junction of Harrington Sound Road and Lolly’s Well Road, Smith’s. “It was […]

A road traffic collision between two motorcycles yesterday [Nov 3] left one man with injuries, while the second driver left the scene before police arrived. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 5:15pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police attended a road traffic collision involving two motorcycles near the junction of Parson’s Road and Crossland Lane, […]

Police are investigating a car fire that happened in Pembroke yesterday [Nov 3], noting that “there were items recovered at the scene to suggest the fire was maliciously set.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:40am on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police, along with Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, responded to a report of a car […]

[Updated] “There has been a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles on Blue Hole Hill, Hamilton Parish,” the police said this evening [Nov 7]. “The roadway is currently closed, with traffic being diverted through the Grotto Bay compound. Motorists heading into or out of the east end are encouraged to delay their departure, if possible […]

The police have confirmed the death of 56-year-old man, who died following a collision in Hamilton Parish. A police spokesperson said, “Around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, police were dispatched to a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles on Blue Hole Hill, near the junction with Dolphin Drive, Hamilton Parish. “Officers arrived […]

A White Hyundai Creta vehicle was “removed from a Paget residence” early this morning, the police said A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is asking members of the public to be on the look out for a White Hyundai Creta, which was removed from a Paget residence during the early morning hours on Tuesday 27th […]

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith and Acting Chief Inspector Mark Tomlinson of the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] are currently in Brazil where they are attending the 9th Americas Working Group meeting on Cybercrime. A police spokesperson said, “The officers addressed the gathering on measures and countermeasures implemented by the [BPS] to deal with cybercrime, which […]

Gavin Dorvil has been held without bond after pleading not guilty to vehicular homicide in the Florida crash that led to the deaths of Lisa Jackson and Geraldine Francis. A South Florida Sun-Sentinel story said, “The teenage driver accused of being behind the wheel of a speeding Tesla that struck an SUV two weeks ago, […]

The police said there has been an increase in the number of motorcycles reported stolen, with 20 motorcycles reported stolen in the last week. A police spokesperson said, “In recent times, the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] has observed an increase in the number of motorcycles reported stolen. Last week, 20 motorcycles were reported stolen from various locations around […]

“More than sixty cannabis plants in various stages of growth” were “seized and subsequently destroyed,” the police confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, police officers were on mobile patrol when they had occasion to attend a property in the area of Mission Lane, Pembroke. “A check of the […]

The Bermuda Police Service recovered stolen motorcycles in a Warwick search. A police spokesperson said, “On Wednesday 11th September, 2024, the Bermuda Police Service continued to progress Operation Athlestan. Members of the Serious Crime Unit assisted by the Gang Targeting Unit and Police Support Unit, executed a search warrant at a property located along South […]

Police responded to a reported armed robbery at Mr. Chicken Express in Devonshire, with the suspect brandishing a knife and stealing a “draw containing a quantity of cash from the cash register.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024, police responded to a reported armed robbery at Mr. Chicken Express on […]

The police are investigating a stabbing incident which resulted in a 25-year-old man being injured. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Police attended a report of a male at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital [KEMH], seeking treatment for an apparent stab wound. “On arrival, officers spoke with […]

The Bermuda Police Service is reminding the public to “securely lock their vehicles before leaving them unattended” after four cars with keys left inside were stolen over the past nine days. A police spokesperson said, “Between Sunday, 29th September and Monday, 7th October 2024, four cars were reported stolen. Three of those vehicles were removed […]

As Halloween nears, the Bermuda Police Service reminds the public that throwing eggs at vehicles, homes, and businesses is “potentially dangerous, as well as costly” and noted that “officers have already responded to alleged incidents.” A police spokesperson said, “As Halloween approaches, the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] would like to remind the public that throwing […]

Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Robinson’s Marina in Somerset this morning [Oct 24], where a suspect “brandishing a machete, entered the service station and demanded money.” A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, police received a report of a robbery at the service station located […]

[Updated] 17-year-old Ethan Arruda has died following a stabbing incident, the police have confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS], is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation into a stabbing incident which occurred at a residence on Devonshire Bay Road, Devonshire, shortly after 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. “The […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Entrepreneur Shi-Vaughn Lee will celebrate the third anniversary of her online skincare business, Dove & Butterfly, by hosting a “Sniff and Shop” event on Friday and Saturday [June 23 and 24]. Created during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dove & Butterfly offers products made in Bermuda by Bermudians, including whipped […]

Premier David Burt and his family released their annual Cup Match photo, featuring clothing by Bermudian designer, business owner and creative Jordan Carey, founder and Creative Director of the Loquat brand. A spokesperson said, “Premier David Burt, JP, MP and his family have today shared their annual Cup Match photo. “This year’s official photoshoot is particularly […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Aspiring model Nalia Mitchell had the experience of a lifetime strutting down the catwalk at the recent New York Fashion Week Festival. Mitchell was among a handful of Bermudians who successfully applied for the Model Experience, which allowed participants to walk the runway, connect with brands and designers, share the stage […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Asia Smith has described her experience on the runway at the recent New York Fashion Week Festival as a “breathtaking” experience. Ms Smith was among several Bermudians who successfully applied for the Model Experience, allowing participants to walk the runway, share the stage with A-List talent, connect with brands and designers, […]

The RMS beauty brand has launched the Bermuda Rose Kit, a limited-edition blush collection inspired by Bermuda, with a special shopping evening scheduled for October 26 at the Cassine store. A spokesperson said, “Join the Bermuda Blush global launch at Cassine. The Hamilton based clean beauty boutique launches the RMS Bermuda Rose Kit in the country […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Yushae DeSilva-Andrade ensured she won her silver medal in dazzling style after braiding her hair in blue and pink colours for the Parapan Am Games in Santiago, Chile. DeSilva-Andrade enjoyed a Games to remember, winning the silver medal in the women’s individual BC1 division and decided to wear the eye-catching braids […]

The US debut of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” took place in Beverly Hills this past Saturday, with Beyoncé styled by Bermuda’s Shiona Turini. As reported by the Daily Mail, the star-studded event was graced by celebrities like Laverne Cox, Tyler Perry, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Gabrielle Union, Halle Bailey, Chloe Bailey, Winnie Harlow, and […]

Davidrose Studio is inviting the public to its Front Street store on Friday [Dec 15] to celebrate its upcoming 11th anniversary. A spokesperson said, “Davidrose Studio is inviting the public to pop by its Front Street store on Friday, December 15 to celebrate its 11th anniversary. Guests will enjoy free sweet treats [no purchase necessary] […]

Bermudian Shiona Turini styled Beyonce’s Essence magazine cover for the March/April 2024 issue. Ms Turini — whose client list includes some of the most famous people in the world — recently served as a stylist for Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour. Essence released the official cover image Instagram and Twitter with the caption “Beyoncé discusses the […]

Bermudian Shiona Turini has been named one of the Hollywood’s top 25 stylists by Hollywood Reporter. The story said, “It’s been a year — one in which Barbie pink dominated fashion, the box office and the Oscar red carpet, notably on America Ferrera, who glittered in a custom Atelier Versace sheath, courtesy of stylist Karla […]

The New York Times featured Bermudian fashion expert Shiona Turini, in an article about her favorite jewelry, with the stylist to the stars noting that her necklace features a map of Bermuda and is locally made. The New York Times website said, “Somewhere at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, in the middle of the […]