Apple announced the new Mac Studio, claiming it's their most powerful Mac yet. It's powered by the M2 Max chip, offering significant performance boosts over the previous generation for demanding workflows like video editing and 3D rendering. The Mac Studio also features extensive connectivity options, including HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and 10Gb Ethernet. It's designed for professional users who need a compact yet incredibly powerful desktop machine.
Apple announced the M3 Ultra, its most powerful chip yet. Built using a second-generation 3nm process, the M3 Ultra boasts up to 32 high-performance CPU cores, up to 80 graphics cores, and a Neural Engine capable of 32 trillion operations per second. This new SoC offers a substantial performance leap over the M2 Ultra, with up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster GPU performance. The M3 Ultra also supports up to 192GB of unified memory, enabling professionals to work with massive datasets and complex workflows. The chip is available in new Mac Studio and Mac Pro configurations.
HN commenters generally express excitement, but with caveats. Many praise the performance gains, particularly for video editing and other professional workloads. Some express concern about the price, questioning the value proposition for average users. Several discuss the continued lack of upgradability and repairability in Macs, with some arguing that this limits the lifespan and ultimate value of the machines. Others point out the increasing reliance on cloud services and subscription models that accompany Apple's hardware. A few commenters express skepticism about the claimed performance figures, awaiting independent benchmarks. There's also some discussion of the potential impact on competing hardware manufacturers, particularly Intel and AMD.
A new Safari extension allows users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine. The extension intercepts search queries entered in the Safari address bar and redirects them to ChatGPT, providing a conversational AI-powered search experience directly within the browser. This offers an alternative to traditional search engines, leveraging ChatGPT's ability to synthesize information and respond in natural language.
Hacker News users discussed the practicality and privacy implications of using a ChatGPT extension as a default search engine. Several questioned the value proposition, arguing that search engines are better suited for information retrieval while ChatGPT excels at generating text. Privacy concerns were raised regarding sending every search query to OpenAI. Some commenters expressed interest in using ChatGPT for specific use cases, like code generation or creative writing prompts, but not as a general search replacement. Others highlighted potential benefits, like more conversational search results and the possibility of bypassing paywalled content using ChatGPT's summarization abilities. The potential for bias and manipulation in ChatGPT's responses was also mentioned.
"Mac(OS)talgia" is a visual exploration of Apple's interface design evolution from System 1 to OS X Yosemite. It showcases screenshots of key applications and system elements, highlighting changes in typography, iconography, and overall aesthetic over time. The project acts as a nostalgic retrospective for long-time Mac users, demonstrating how the interface has progressively shifted from simple black and white pixels to the refined, flat design prominent in modern macOS versions. The curated collection emphasizes Apple's consistent pursuit of user-friendly and visually appealing design, tracing the gradual development of their signature digital aesthetic.
Hacker News users generally expressed appreciation for the Mac(OS)talgia project, praising its attention to detail in recreating the look and feel of older Macintosh systems. Some commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with early Macs, evoking a sense of nostalgia for simpler times in computing. A few users pointed out specific inaccuracies or omissions in the recreations, offering corrections or suggestions for improvement. There was also some discussion about the challenges of emulating older software and hardware, and the importance of preserving digital history. A recurring sentiment was that the project effectively captured the "soul" of these classic machines, beyond just their visual appearance.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43266474
HN commenters generally expressed excitement but also skepticism about Apple's "most powerful" claim. Several questioned the value proposition, noting the high price and limited upgradeability compared to building a similarly powerful PC. Some debated the target audience, suggesting it was aimed at professionals needing specific macOS software or those prioritizing a polished ecosystem over raw performance. The lack of GPU upgrades and the potential for thermal throttling were also discussed. Several users expressed interest in benchmarks comparing the M4 Max to competing hardware, while others pointed out the quiet operation as a key advantage. Some comments lamented the loss of user-serviceability and upgradability that characterized older Macs.
The Hacker News post discussing Apple's new Mac Studio with the M4 Max chip generated a number of comments focusing on performance, pricing, and comparisons with other Apple devices.
Several users questioned the value proposition of the Mac Studio, especially considering its price compared to the Mac mini. They pointed out that for many users, the performance difference wouldn't justify the significantly higher cost. Some suggested that Apple is targeting a specific professional niche with this machine and that the average consumer would be better served with a Mac mini or even a higher-end MacBook Pro.
Performance discussions revolved around the M4 Max chip. Some commenters expressed excitement about the raw power and potential of the new chip, particularly for tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Others, however, were more skeptical, noting that real-world performance often differs from benchmarks and that software optimization plays a crucial role. There were calls for independent benchmarks to verify Apple's performance claims.
Comparisons were also drawn with the existing Mac Pro. Some questioned the future of the Mac Pro line, speculating that the Mac Studio might eventually replace it entirely. Others argued that the Mac Pro still held a place for users needing maximum expandability and modularity, something the Mac Studio lacks.
A few comments touched on the design of the Mac Studio, with some praising its compact form factor while others criticized its lack of user upgradability. The lack of easily accessible RAM or storage upgrades was a recurring concern.
Several commenters also discussed the wider implications of Apple Silicon and its impact on the industry. They acknowledged Apple's success in transitioning to its own chips and the performance gains achieved, but also expressed concerns about the closed ecosystem and lack of competition.
Finally, some comments focused on specific use cases. Users working in fields like music production, software development, and machine learning shared their thoughts on how the Mac Studio might fit into their workflows. These comments provided valuable insights into the potential target audience for the new machine. There was particular debate on the relative merits of the Mac Studio compared to similarly priced PC workstations.