Team Bermuda will compete in the 2024 edition of the Backyard World Team Championship, set to take place on Saturday, October 19. A spokesperson said, “After the successful staging of Backyard Ultra running events in 2022 and 2023, sponsored by Monument Re, Team Bermuda is set to take part in the Backyard World Team Championship […]

Joseph Cechini and his Mercersburg Academy boy’s cross country teammates competed in the Mercersburg Cross Country Invitational. Cechini finished 3rd in the boy’s varsity 5K race clocking a time of 17:23.7. The Mercersburg Academy boy’s finished second with a combined time of 1:31:01.5. Related Stories Prunty Claims Victory At AXA Man On The Run Schindel […]

Ryan Outerbridge and the Franklin Pierce University Men’s Cross Country team competed in the 2024 Northeast-10 Conference Championships, hosted by Franklin Pierce at the Hopkinton State Fair Grounds in New Hampshire. In the men’s 8k race, Franklin Pierce secured a commendable fourth-place finish out of 11 competing teams, accumulating 117 points overall. Outerbridge led Franklin […]

Maddy Schindel represented CI Trinity College School Port Hope at the 2024 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations [OFSAA] cross country championships. The OFSAA cross country championships, renowned as the second-largest race of its kind in North America, brought together top high school runners from across Ontario. Schindel competed in the novice girls’ 4km race, […]

Scott Barnes took the track for the Stars Championship Series event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, making a strong showing to win two races and place a second in another. Barnes won the Pro Masters / Rok Masters Heat 1 race clocking a 14-lap winning time of 9:53.369. In Pro Masters / Rok Masters Heat 2, […]

Scott Barnes took the track for the Stars Championship Series event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Barnes won the pro masters / rok masters final race clocking a 24-lap winning time of 16:47:347. Barnes posted on social media, “That’s a wrap for our Stars Debut, almost a clean sweep. Heat 1 – 1st, Heat 2 […]

The Bermuda Karting Association’s 2023/24 final championship points standings have seen 8 champions crowned. Ryan Rebello was the overall combined [Honda + KZ] shifter class champion with 1085 points, and Jason North was the L206 senior class [15+ years old] champion with 1105 points. The L206 masters class [40+ years old] champion was David Barbosa […]

Scott Barnes was in action at the Stars Championship Series event at the New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana. In the ROK Shifter Masters Warm-Up race, Barnes completed 5 laps, his fastest lap was his fourth clocking 1:08.313 which was the fastest time in the Class. Clocking 10:19.912, Barnes won the 9-lap ROK Shifter Masters […]

Bermudian driver Scott Barnes began competing in the final round of the Stars Championship Series in North Carolina, experiencing a mix of results in the opening races. Barnes started his campaign with a 3rd place finish in the ROK Shifter Masters Warm-Up, clocking a 6-lap time of 5:12.391. He then won the ROK Shifter Masters […]

Bermudian karter Scott Barnes returned to the track for the final round of the Stars Championship Series in North Carolina. Barnes secured a third-place finish in the ROK Shifter Masters warm-up race with a time of 5:52.430. He then claimed victory in the pre-final race, completing 14 laps in 14:29.856. In the ROK Shifter Masters […]

Karting driver Scott Barnes stepped up his preparation for the upcoming Skusa SuperNationals 27 in Las Vegas by claiming a podium finish at a club race in Orange County, New York, yesterday [November 3]. Barnes competed in the Shifter class at the Oakland Valley Race Park in Cuddebackville, finishing third in his race. “I popped […]

A fashion show fundraiser last Saturday [Oct 1] at the Bermuda National Trust’s Verdmont property. A spokesperson said, “Verdmont, a Bermuda National Trust historic house and garden, was the splendid setting for a one-of-a-kind fabulous fashion show on Saturday October 1st. Most likely for the first time in its 300-year history it hosted a Fashion Show […]

[Written by Althea Emery and Anya Thompson] CedarBridge Academy set the stage ablaze with its electrifying annual S4 Fashion Show, “Save the Last Dance: It’s Giving Music,” held at the esteemed Ruth Seaton James Center for the Performing Arts on April 19th and 20th, 2024. Seamlessly blending fashion, music, and dance, this eagerly awaited event […]

Metro UK has highlighted the late Bermudian actor Earl Cameron in an article titled “My friend Earl Cameron broke the British colour bar in TV and film.” The Metro UK story said, “On a beautiful summer’s day in August 2017, I felt excited and honoured to be among the family and friends celebrating the 100th […]

Masterworks Museum announced the opening of its next major exhibition, Not All Has To Be As It Was, featuring the innovative works of Gherdai Hassell. A spokesperson said, “Masterworks Museum is thrilled to announce the opening of its next major exhibition, Not All Has To Be As It Was, featuring the innovative works of multidisciplinary contemporary […]

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art held the opening of its “Not All Has To Be As It Was” exhibition, featuring the innovative works of Gherdai Hassell. A spokesperson previously said, “Not All Has To Be As It Was is Hassell’s inaugural collaborative exhibition, blending her unique vision with pieces from the Masterworks Permanent Collection and […]

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art will host the “Identity” exhibition, showcasing new works by Bermudian artists Vaughronde’ and Lisa Joseph that celebrate Gombey culture. A spokesperson said, “Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is excited to announce Identity, an exhibition of new works by Bermudian multidisciplinary artists Vaughronde’ and Lisa Joseph, opening in the Rick Faries […]

There are two new exhibits opening at the Bermuda Society of Arts [BSoA] on Friday, November 15 from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, with the exhibitions set to run until December 10 at 4 pm. A spokesperson said, “In the Onions Gallery, we will present ‘Abstract,’ a retrospective of the late artist Paul Doughty, curated by his son […]

The National Museum of Bermuda opened its latest exhibit, ‘Stone: From Bermuda to Charleston,’ which “features contemporary art by Bermudian architect and artist John Gardner, combined with historical insights.” A spokesperson said, “On Thursday, November 7, a new exhibit at the National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] was officially opened by to a crowd of 80+ […]

“As the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, we recognise how vital these cultural events are—not just as celebrations of artistic talent, but as pillars of our identity,” stated Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport at the National Museum of Bermuda‘s opening of its latest exhibit, Stone: From Bermuda to Charleston, an extraordinary […]

[Written by Patrick Bean] The advantage available to Wesley and George Bryan as trick shot artists on video are staged scenes that allow for multiple takes to be edited into a single, flawlessly constructed final image of perfection. However, there’s a reason why those prone to attempting crazy stunts belying convention rarely make it to […]

This week, SkillCraft Bermuda began its third social media summer internship, guided by Program Director and Coach Margot Shane. A spokesperson said, “Fifteen new student interns and fifteen host-organizations who are taking part in the summer program have begun working together this week.” Program Director Margot Shane said “It is an incredible privilege for us […]

Fifteen high school students completed the six-week SkillCraft Youth Internship, gaining experience in social media marketing. A spokesperson said, “Fifteen high school students are leaving the six-week SkillCraft Youth Internship with a newfound appreciation for social media marketing. “In its third year, SkillCraft paired fifteen youth interns with fifteen local organisations to provide assistance with […]

The Menuhin Foundation held its annual concert on June 9th at the Ruth Seaton James Centre, featuring over 130 primary school students from 22 Bermuda schools and various orchestras. A spokesperson said, “The Menuhin Foundation [Registered Charity #118] held its annual student concert on 9th June at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for Performing Arts […]

Bermudian reggae star Collie Buddz was presented with a Rhode Island FC football shirt before his concert last night [August 30] by former national team footballer Khano Smith. The artist, whose real name is Colin Harper, is currently on tour and played in Wakefield, Rhode Island, where he met up with Smith, the head coach […]

Bermudian actor Nicholas Christopher is set to star in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre in New York. Mr Christopher and Sherie Rene Scott will step into the roles of the unlikely lovers, Seymour and Audrey, respectively, beginning on October 22. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit musical will […]

[Written by Dale Butler] The fifth Pastoral-Parishioners’ Anniversary took place on the grounds of the Christ Anglican Church, Devonshire, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 6.00pm with a very appetizing dinner by Kenny’s Kitchen and water donated by John Barritt & Son Limited; an exceptional night of entertainment followed. The tent, lighting, and stage backdrop […]

“Beyond a general feel-good, this Government doesn’t seem to know why it is even joining Caricom,” Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson said, while the PLP said “instead of being distracted by the OBA’s fearmongering, the PLP is focused on building a fairer Bermuda for Bermudians.” OBA Statement Mr Richardson said, “This Government continues to force Bermudians […]

[Updated] The Convening of the Legislature and the Throne Speech will take place on Friday, November 8th. A Government spokesperson said, “The public is advised that the Convening of the Legislature will take place tomorrow [Nov. 8], on the Cabinet Office Grounds. “On Friday, Her Excellency the Governor, Rena Lalgie will set out the Government’s […]

The dream of traversing the depths of space and planting the seed of human civilization on another planet has existed for generations. For long as we’ve known that most stars in the Universe are likely to have their own system of planets, there have been those who advocated that we explore them (and even settle …

Continue reading "Project Hyperion is Seeking Ideas for Building Humanity’s First Generation Ship"

The post Project Hyperion is Seeking Ideas for Building Humanity’s First Generation Ship appeared first on Universe Today.

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 →

The Roddenberry Archive has begun a “multi-decade collaboration between The Gene Roddenberry Estate and OTOY...

Per the Star Trek On Paramount+ Twitter account, this week’s episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks will feature...

Several classic Star Trek books from the Simon & Schuster era of publishing Trek novels are on sale...

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.

The police provided an update following a three vehicle collision in Warwick last week. A police spokesperson said, “A Government van driver involved in a collision with two cars on Middle Road, near the junction with Longford Road in Warwick around 3pm Tuesday, 9th July 2024, was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving and later […]

[Updated] A truck crashed on Middle Road in Devonshire this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Police officers are currently at the scene of a reported single vehicle collision in Devonshire. Details remain limited at this time. However, it is understood that a truck overturned along Middle Road, Devonshire, in the vicinity of Saltus Grammar [Lower […]

The police have confirmed the death of 50-year-old Steve Perinchief following a collision in St George’s. A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of the 50 year old man, who was seriously injured, in a single vehicle motorcycle collision on Southside Rd., St. George’s on Saturday 24th of August 2024. The […]

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 […]

Part of Harbour Road in Paget Parish will be closed between 10:00am and 12:00pm today [Sept 19] to “allow for the placement of a crane to extract a submerged vehicle from Hamilton Harbour.” Bermuda Police Service Statement A police spokesperson said, “Please be advised that between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. today, efforts will be […]

A collision in Paget yesterday involving a car and two motorcycles resulted in one of the motorcycle riders being injured. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, police, Bermuda Fire and Rescue along with Emergency Medical Services, attended a serious road traffic collision involving a motor car and two motorcycles […]

[Updated] A two vehicle collision involving a car and a motorcycle occurred this afternoon [Sept 29] on Harbour Road in Warwick. A police spokesperson said, “Around 2:20pm Sunday, 29th September 2024, police officers responded to a reported two vehicle collision on Harbour Road in Warwick. “Details remain limited at this time. “However, it is understood […]

[Updated] Police responded to a single vehicle collision on North Shore Road in Hamilton parish this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 8:55am Monday, 30th September 2024, police officers responded to a reported single vehicle collision on North Shore Road in Hamilton parish. “Details remain limited at this time. “However, it is understood that a woman […]

A 33-year-old woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after her motorcycle collided with debris on North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish, causing two hours of traffic diversions. A police spokesperson said, “At last check, a female rider hurt in a reported single vehicle Hamilton parish collision around 8:55am Monday, 30th September 2024, received treatment at […]

[Updated] There is no access to Bermuda College this morning [Oct 9] the police have confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “Please be advised there is currently no access to Bermuda College due to an industrial accident on the compound. There have been no reported injuries at this time. Police and Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service are […]

On October 8, 2024, police found two abandoned vehicles in separate road traffic collisions in Smiths and Sandy’s, with no injuries reported. A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:25 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2024 Police received a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision [RTC] on Middle Road, near the junction with Verdmont Road, […]

There has been a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcar and a motorcycle in the area of Barnes Corner in Southampton Parish. A police spokesperson said, “There has been a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcar and a motorcycle in the area of Barnes Corner, Southampton Parish. “Details are limited at […]

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 […]

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 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 […]