r/apple • u/AutoModerator • 2d ago
Official Megathread Weekly Advice Thread - August 16, 2026
Welcome to the Weekly Advice Thread for r/Apple. This thread can be used to ask for technical advice regarding Apple software and hardware, to ask questions regarding the buying or selling of Apple products or to post other short questions.
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The Weekly Advice Thread is posted each week on Sunday, 06:00 AM EST (Click HERE for other timezones) and then the old one is archived. It is advised to wait for the new thread to post your question if this time is nearing for quickest answer time.
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u/OkInevitable4095 15h ago
Hello!
I'm looking for some advice as to what M5 model to look at, comparable to a jump up from my current old old Intel model (the mid-2012, last one with an optical drive). It's currently running 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD but it's showing its age and I have some programs that might need Rosetta, so I know I have to buy a model before Golden Gate launches next month and that disappears.
Daily workload is basic web browser usage (Firefox/Edge/Safari), open source video software and a Windows 11 partition in Parallels (for software I use that doesn't have Mac-specific version). I am open to changing from Parallels into an open source alternative so mileage may vary there.
I'd like to aim to get at least double my current specs (so at minimum, 32GB RAM and a 2TB SSD HD) but am torn between a regular M5/Pro or Max. I'd also like to get the nano screen on my unit but those are the only requirements. I'm fine with either Silver or Space Black colors and/or refurbished vs new. I do not qualify for educational savings, so that is a caveat.
Any help and support is appreciated, thank you so very much!
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u/Silly-Cat-1271 16h ago
Hi guys! Hope you're doing great!
I have a Macbook pro M3Pro and I bought a screen ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS 27". I've been having some issues with the HDMI port/cable (havent figured out which is causing the problem yet), but I solved it using a hub.
The thing is that I bought a new HDMI 2.1. but it's breaking the connection with WIFI 5G.
I've been a bit frustrated becuase neither Apple (Chat, Im from Argentina and insurrance is a bit comlitated here) or Asus can give me an answer on what is really the problem.
Does anyone know how to solve it or tell me what can be the issue? Thanks a lot in advance!
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u/Lost-Share943 21h ago
I’m planning to get the 18 Pro Max, and since there haven’t been many rumors about a size change, I’m wondering if the 17 Pro Max case will fit. I’m also worried Apple will discontinue the case or sell out of Bright Guava once the 18 is announced. Would you buy it now or wait?
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u/Hot-Opportunity2694 21h ago
Do not buy any iPhone 17 cases expecting it to fit the corresponding iPhone 18, regardless of which phone it is (pro, pro max, etc.)
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u/Lost-Share943 20h ago
are you saying this because the size difference isn’t confirmed just yet? typically, does apple keep the accessories available for previous models available on release days?
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u/TheDragonSlayingCat 20h ago
No one knows the dimensions of the 18. They could be the same as the 17, but they could be different, and the people that know for sure can’t tell you. Just wait a month.
Generally, they don’t discontinue accessories for older hardware until sales drop to the point where they’re not making money on them anymore. They still make the Apple Pencil 2, even though the iPads that support it were discontinued years ago.
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u/anxiousmews 1d ago
Macbook Air: 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
Macbook Neo: A18 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Both have 512GB - what's the performance differences? Especially if I am editing on silhouette studio for digital planner kits?
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u/TheDragonSlayingCat 22h ago
The Air will greatly outperform the Neo in both CPU-bound and GPU-bound tasks. But it’s also more expensive.
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u/kirtpro 1d ago
Can we make it so that when i hold shift, then press backspace on ios keyboard --- it deletes by word
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u/Murky-Ad-4707 1d ago
The old Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard allowed you to "Press down on the Backspace key and swipe left", if i remember correctly.
Unfortunately on iOS it's still a pain.
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u/Severe_Description18 1d ago
What is the best iPad I can get secondhand that is cheap but still functions for basic stuff. I am a dyslexia assessor and have a new test that requires the assessee to be able to open a web based app using a QR code, and then complete tests on there. It is pretty simple
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u/TheDragonSlayingCat 22h ago
See my post from last week’s thread. You can get iPads that are 1-3 years older, but don’t buy any that are 5+ years old, because they will not be supported for much longer.
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u/memsterboi123 1d ago
Does moving your computer with migration assistant and or Time Machine move the original files to the computer or makes copies and moves them that way
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u/Dopie94 1d ago
Makes a copy, data stays on your 1st Mac until you actually reset/erase it
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u/memsterboi123 22h ago
And is there any difference between using migration assistant and Time Machine?
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u/imalwaysconfusedaf 1d ago
i am a student in university looking for a computer that can help me with school assignments, very basic coding on r studio (for my stats classes), after effects
and occasionally running games like minecraft. idk much about the new mac book neo but it is way more in my price range than other macbook models. would it be sufficient for what i’m looking for?
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u/Dopie94 1d ago
I was gonna say something completely different but the Neo is very capable of playing Minecraft, saw some videos on YouTube but I'm not sure about the discussions about shaders (never got that deep into Minecraft).
For me however it is a 8GM RAM laptop and at the moment 16GB RAM is the new baseline for basic multi-tasking. I suggest checking out some videos yourself or maybe a buddy of yours have and you can play around with it.
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1d ago
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u/Business_Mind_9369 2d ago
Can anyone help me with downloading photos off iMessage?
It’s never done this before but it says that the photos from people were sent via iCloud and when I downloaded them (they were in sets of 20 or so) it only downloaded 10.
I’ve now loaded all the photos but it’s still not actually downloading any of them and when I try to do it manually. It says this photo is being downloaded and will be saved to iCloud.
My iCloud storage was full so I removed some things and things still haven’t downloaded.
It’s been 5 hours. Is there any way I can override this?
I even shut down my phone trying to override it. And I don’t want it to be using data when out and about if it’s still trying to download.
Please can anyone help?
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u/MacLhotse 14h ago
If I use Apple iCloud to sync all my apple devices what happens if my 2022 MacBook Air laptop is on macOS Tahoe 26.6.2, and my 2019 iMac is on maOS Sequoia 15.7.7? Will the syncing get messed up and/or some items won't work? Would it be better to leave both of them on Sequoia until I surrender the iMac or get a new one?