Reviews

Review: OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock is the only game in town for FireWire 800
05/14/2017, 01:41:AM
Vendor OWC has been supplying Mac users with upgrades for more than two decades, and the company continues that commitment with its own Thunderbolt 3 dock -- AppleInsider examines the offering.

Review: Sonos Playbar speaker does all-in-one TV & music for Apple device owners
05/06/2017, 02:26:AM
Even with a few rough edges, the Sonos Playbar may be a handy way for Apple device owners to tackle all of their living room audio needs.

Review: Garmin's Fenix 5 smartwatch aims at athletes, not Apple Watch fans
04/16/2017, 03:10:AM
Garmin's Fenix 5 is an impressive smartwatch for people serious about fitness or the outdoors, but probably both too much and too little for people expecting something like the Apple Watch.

Review: Apple's 2017 9.7" iPad with A9 CPU isn't a game-changer, but it isn't supposed to be
04/05/2017, 12:37:PM
The 2017 9.7-inch iPad isn't intended to revolutionize Apple's tablet offerings, but it does go a long way to unifying the product line, and paving the way for the future of the platform -- all starting at just $329.

Review: Audeze's Lightning-connected iSine 10 planar magnetic headphones are the best in-ear set we've ever heard
03/04/2017, 04:26:AM
Almost everything about Audeze's iSine 10 headphones is audacious: the technology, the ambition, the appearance, and the sound itself. On paper they shouldn't work, but in practice they are some of the best sounding compact in-ear headphones money can buy.

Review: D-Link's HomeKit-connected Omna 180 is a great pet, baby or nanny cam, but security hounds should look elsewhere
02/27/2017, 12:13:PM
If you don't feel a need to be covert with a live camera feed from your home, the D-Link Omna 180 is a great choice for keeping tabs on your pets or loved ones. It's also the first HomeKit-enabled camera on the market, but security-focused users should probably wait for another option.

Review: eero Wi-Fi is a solid option for Apple's outgoing AirPort
02/26/2017, 12:32:AM
With the rumor that Apple is discontinuing Airport and Time Machine Wi-Fi products, it leaves some users looking for new solutions. One new option might be Eero, one of the latest entrants in the field.

Review: CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 TS3 Lite dock for MacBook Pro
02/25/2017, 03:14:PM
A bevy of Thunderbolt 3 docks for the 2016 MacBook Pro have arrived, and AppleInsider takes a look at the first one to cross our test bench -- the CalDigit TS3 Lite.

Review: Jaybird's X3 Bluetooth earbuds are a great choice for pumping iron
02/21/2017, 06:37:PM
The Jaybird X3s are a high-quality, yet affordable alternative to other fitness-oriented Bluetooth headphones, including Apple's AirPods and Beats products. Whether or not they're right for you, though, can be very subjective.

Review: BeatsX are Apple's most affordable W1 wireless headphones
02/14/2017, 12:48:PM
With BeatsX, Apple takes the best of Beats by Dre's line of minimalist earphones in-ear monitors wireless, incorporating the new W1 chip, top-notch materials and unique Flex Form neck strap into a consumer-friendly design.

Review: Kanex's GoPower Watch portable battery for Apple Watch is good, but would be great with a Lightning port
02/11/2017, 02:40:PM
There's a lot to like about the Kanex GoPower Watch charger and battery for Apple Watch, especially the inclusion of an embedded magnetic watch charger and a passthrough USB port for charging your iPhone as well. But with a $100 price tag, we feel it should accept power through Lightning instead of micro USB.

Review: LG UltraFine 5K Display with Thunderbolt 3 for Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro
01/07/2017, 01:55:PM
Apple may have abandoned the monitor market, but LG has taken the torch for a high-performing display specifically for Apple users. Despite eschewing some of Apple's design principles, the LG UltraFine 5K Display monitor brings almost everything to the desktop that Mac users have been clamoring for, including a convenient, versatile Thunderbolt 3 connection.

Review: Master & Dynamic MW50 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
01/02/2017, 10:43:AM
Master & Dynamic's MW50s look and sound great, but may be hard to justify given cheaper alternatives from other high-end headphone makers.

Review: Bragi's Headphone offers a solid alternative to Apple AirPods
12/31/2016, 06:55:PM
Bragi's fully wireless Headphone -- yes, in the singular -- is a competent if not spectacular alternative to Apple's AirPods, and even has some features the AirPods lack.

Review: Apple's new wireless AirPods put a smile on 2016
12/21/2016, 11:31:AM
Delivering hours of enveloping, untethered sound and Siri assistance, Apple's new wireless AirPods elegantly perform in a way that promises to put a smile on your face no matter how terrible of a day you're having--a beautiful thing given how many ugly days 2016 has thrown at us so far.

Review: Using LG's UltraFine 4K Display with Apple's USB-C MacBooks is as simple as can be
12/17/2016, 12:13:PM
While it isn't branded as an Apple display, the LG UltraFine 4K Display is quite Apple-like, featuring a minimalist design, high-quality ultra high-resolution screen, and dead-simple plug-and-play connectivity. It's a fantastic choice and a gorgeous display if you have a USB-C equipped MacBook, with a few caveats: it lessens the appeal of the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar and Touch ID, and it doesn't utilize Thunderbolt 3.

Review: Apple Watch Nike+ isn't much different from Series 2, and that's OK
12/13/2016, 12:30:PM
What's the difference between the Apple Watch Series 2 and the special edition Apple Watch Nike+? Not much, including the price, which makes the exclusive Nike version of the wearable fitness device a solid candidate for runners.

Review: Powerbeats3 with Apple W1 chip are the most reliable Bluetooth headphones we've ever used
12/03/2016, 08:09:AM
Bluetooth audio --?especially when exercising --?has always been "good enough,"has always been "good enough," but never great. Apple's W1 chip in its latest headphones lineup changes that, and the proprietary wireless technology steals the show in its new sports-focused Powerbeats3 headphones.

Review: Master & Dynamic MW60 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
11/27/2016, 01:07:AM
Master & Dynamic's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones deliver on style, build, and sound quality, but are almost certainly overkill -- especially if you intend to take them outside.

Review: Apple's 13" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
11/26/2016, 01:03:PM
Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar embraces the future, delivering it in a super light, portable, attractive and expensive package. But are users ready to embrace that future? And does the 13-inch model have enough horsepower and connectivity? Find out in AppleInsider's full review.