9to5Mac Reviews

I have a very strange memory. I can forget my wife’s dinner order when picking it up from a restaurant, but I can remember the most random details from years ago. One of those is knowing every router I’ve ever used. The first one was a Microsoft 802.11b router, followed by the classic WRTG54G, onto a Netgear 802.11n model, followed by two 802.11ac AirPort Extremes, and finally the previous generation Google Wifi. I recently got a chance to try out the new AmpliFi Alien router, so I was excited to put some of its features (including Wi-Fi 6 support on iPhone 11 Pro) to the test.
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As a happy owner of a Promise Pegasus3 R6 external RAID enclosure, I was excited to try the new Promise Pegasus R4i internal RAID MPX Module, a unit that’s been specifically designed for the Mac Pro.

The Promise Pegasus R4i is a four-drive hardware RAID array that can easily slide into your Mac Pro thanks to its MPX form factor. Adding the R4i to your Mac Pro instantly gives you a ton of on-board storage via four 8TB drives set up by default in a RAID 5 configuration.

Does the Promise Pegasus R4i produce good performance results? Is it easy to install? Does it stay relatively quiet? How does it compare to a standalone Promise Pegasus? All of these questions and more are answered in our hands-on video review.
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Earlier this week the highly-anticipated Mac Pro finally touched down on my desktop after several years of anticipation. In this initial hands-on video, I take a look at the top 2019 Mac Pro features and explain why even the base model Mac Pro might be the best system for you if expandability is at the top of your list.
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I reviewed Woolnut’s previous-generation MacBook Pro Sleeve last year and concluded that it was at least as good as the official Apple one – better in a couple of ways – for half the price. The latest version, the MacBook Pro leather Folio, improves on the protection via a two-sided zip closure but costs more…

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In this 16-inch MacBook Pro review, we discuss Apple’s new top-of-the-line successor to the now discontinued 15-inch model, headlined by its transition away from the maligned butterfly keyboard.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro bears a resemblance to the outgoing version, but along with the keyboard update, there are changes that make this year’s high-end MacBook Pro the most compelling portable Mac computer that Apple has released in years.

We already published our first-look video discussing the new 16-inch MacBook Pro’s top features. Today, after a solid few weeks of usage, we’re publishing our hands-on video review. Be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos, and read on for the details.
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The Mac mini, while a great device, has lacked some essential I/O since the 2018 refresh. The SD card slot in particular has been missed on this latest-generation mini. Thankfully, Satechi has designed a sleek and functional USB-C Hub for the new Mac mini.
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Ekster wasn’t on my radar until just about a month ago when I got to test out the company’s smart wallets and I’ve found myself very impressed with the design, build quality, and functionality of the offerings. Read on for our full review of Ekster’s smart wallets and what sets them apart from the rest of the market. And, yep, the company is also doing a Black Friday promotion with a 40% off deal.

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Fuse first made a name for itself with a clever reel called the Side Winder to tame messy MacBook chargers/cables and offer a seamless user experience. Now the company has launched a fresh product lineup that covers every Apple device from iPhone and iPad chargers and Lightning cables to EarPods and Apple Watch, as well as USB-C MacBook chargers and even cables from other companies. Follow along for a look at all these handy cable tamers. And the company is also doing a 30% off launch/Black Friday promo.

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Keeping track of your own chargers can be enough of a task but when you throw a family into the mix, there’s bound to be issues like borrowing stealing each others’ cables, not enough chargers where and when you need them, and more. Enter ElevationLab’s Family Charger that can power up to five devices at once with one robust integrated cable. Read on for our full review of this fantastic MFi family (or business) charging solution that offers power for Lightning, USB-C, and microUSB devices.

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Earlier this week Apple quietly released its latest version of the Smart Battery Case for its newest iPhones. The Smart Battery Case for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max helps to extend your iPhone’s battery life just like previous versions.

But unlike previous versions of the Smart Battery Case, this year’s edition comes with a brand new physical camera shortcut feature that helps to further differentiate itself from third-party iPhone 11 battery case offerings. Watch our hands-on iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case video review for the details.
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I started looking for leather iPhone 11 cases even before my iPhone 11 Pro arrived. I tried a few options, but my firm favorite remains the latest version of the case I first used on my iPhone 6: the Mujjo wallet case.

Since Apple Pay, I’ve stopped routinely carrying my wallet. I can rely on using my Apple Watch for the vast majority of purchases, but do carry a couple of physical cards just in case…

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The iPhone 11 Pro Max battery has been fantastic since the day I purchased it. Apple touts up to 80 hours of audio playback and 20 hours of video playback. Apple’s technical specs page says that it lasts up to five hours longer than the iPhone XS Max. With this increase in battery life, is a battery case still needed? I’ve been using the Mophie juice pack access for the past few weeks (which included my trip to JNUC 2019), so I wanted to share my thoughts.
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I’ve been using the AirPods Pro for the last several days, and one thing is immediately clear: these are easily the best headphones that Apple sells, and as you’ll see in our AirPods Pro review, some of the best headphones that you can buy today.

AirPods Pro present an incredible mix of convenience, comfort, and features, making them well worth considering, even if you already own regular AirPods. Watch our hands-on AirPods Pro review for the details.
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After initially using the baseline iPhone 11 as my daily driver, I transitioned over to the iPhone 11 Pro Max in order to see if Apple’s top-of-the-line hardware was good enough to justify its price premium. As you’ll see in this hands-on iPhone 11 Pro review, I came away with a conclusion that largely mirrors last year’s efforts.

Like last year, I think it’s wise for the majority of users to opt for the entry-level iPhone, as that device will more than meet the needs of most customers who are looking to upgrade. However, there are a few use cases that warrant splurging for the iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max over the baseline model. Have a look at the full video review for the details.
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Beats Solo Pro is the the biggest upgrade to the Solo line of on-ear headphones since Apple bought Beats five years ago. While the evolved $299 ‘Pro’ version carries a $100 premium over Solo3 Wireless, Solo Pro includes active noise cancellation found in Beats Studio3 Wireless for $50 less.

Other new features include Transparency for hearing ambient noise through the headphones, controlling power by folding each side, and Apple’s new H1 wireless chip that first debuted with second-gen AirPods.

The new Beats Solo Pro on-ear headphones look better on paper than Studio in terms of features and value, but one size may not fit all sonically and physically. If you’re in the market for either model, the feature differences are worth a closer look.

It’s been over a month of Apple Watch Series 5 ownership, which has given me plenty of time to assess its value in our Apple Watch Series 5 video review.

Series 5 is very much an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, perhaps more so than any other Apple Watch upgrade thus far. In fact, it shares so much in common with the Apple Watch Series 4 that they could easily be confused for the same device outside of a few obvious differences.

Although Apple Watch Series 5 is ultimately a big step in the right direction for the hardware, such growth isn’t totally devoid of growing pains. Should you upgrade from a previous generation Apple Watch? Our hands-on Apple Watch Series 5 video review provides the details.
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Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus are the latest iteration of my much-loved MW07 true wireless in-ear headphones. The new model adds active noise cancellation, and dramatically better battery-life – a pretty impressive trick to pull off.

With anything audio-related, there is always a trade-off to be made between sound quality and cost. But there’s also a sliding scale with best audio quality at one end and mobile convenience at the other end.

MW07 were the product that had me change my position on that scale, and the MW07 Plus has made that shift even more practical…

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Last year I stated that the iPhone XR was the phone that most iPhone users should buy, so it should come as no surprise that the follow-up to the XR comes with a similar recommendation in our iPhone 11 review.

The iPhone 11 is, for all intents and purposes, a more powerful and more feature-filled iPhone XR. Its flagship feature, a second camera with an ultra-wide focal length, is a noteworthy upgrade for camera enthusiasts, and its $699 starting price, which is $50 cheaper than its predecessor, is a refreshing change trend of more expensive tech year-over-year.

Yet, outside of some substantial camera upgrades, the remainder of the enhancements that come with the iPhone 11 don’t necessarily warrant an upgrade if you already own the iPhone XR. Watch our hands-on video review for the details.
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