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Apple’s strategy for the iPhone SE is to take the same body and screen from older phone models to save on costs, while adding in the latest processor and cellular chip to keep it up to date. That means it can still run all the latest games and apps that you’d expect from any new iPhone — I played Disney’s Melee Mania, for example — without any slowdown that you might otherwise see in a phone that’s a few years old.

The front-facing camera on Studio Display is outstanding, thanks to the 12-megapixel sensor, which is a much higher resolution than the 720p built-in camera on my 2018 Apple MacBook. I like that the wide lens captures a lot of the scene around me and that it includes three microphones, which helped me sound clear on video calls. It was easy to see the difference in Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex meetings. My image was clearer and brighter than before, with less low-light noise. I was impressed by Apple’s Center Stage feature, which automatically moves the monitor’s camera so I remain in the frame even as I fidget.

And it does all this quietly. Over half of the computer’s internal volume is taken up by an internal heat sink so that the computer runs quietly without spinning its fans. I never heard the fans while testing. I didn’t need the more powerful chip for my workflows, and neither will users who primarily use their computers to send emails, browse the web and watch movies. So, unless you want the fastest computer for bragging rights or you’re designing 3D movies for work, consider the regular Mac Mini for $699 instead. Let’s talk a bit about the Studio Display, which I used with the Mac Studio. It’s a good-looking screen with an aluminum exterior, squared-off angles and a thin black bezel. Its base and footprint are compact given the 27-inch size. I liked that I could easily disconnect it from the Mac Studio and connect it to my work MacBook Pro through a single USB-C cord. It’s seamless. With one USB-C cord, I could charge my laptop, work on a bigger screen and access Apple’s built-in cameras and speakers.

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Three things stand out to me about the iPad Air: the new front-facing camera for Center Stage video chat, support for faster 5G cellular networks if you want it and the new faster M1 processor. OK, four things: The new blue color is also pretty awesome. It’s a deeper hue than Apple used in 2020 and gives it a unique look that will stand out against most gray and black tablets. Apple has been brightening its products with new colors over recent years, and I hope the trend continues into its MacBook laptops.

Apple unveils new budget 5G iPhone and set of Macbooks. The iPhone SE isn’t as popular as Apple’s other phones. According to Counterpoint Research, the 2020 version of the iPhone SE accounted for 12% of all iPhone sales from its launch until Q4 2021. The addition of 5G, however, could make it a compelling option in international markets such as Europe and China where Apple didn’t yet have a low-priced 5G phone to compete with budget Android devices.