MacworldLets face it: Kids want iPhones. Their favorite celebrities use them, their parents use them, and some of their friends have them, too. But which iPhone is best for your kid? There are lots of factors to consider, not the least of which is the age of the child in question. When should a child be given their own iPhone? Well discuss that in a section below.For toddlers who need a simple device for watching parent-approved videos and playing some games or educational apps, we recommend avoiding iPhones altogether and getting a basic iPad. Its affordable, you dont have to worry about cellular connectivity, and the large size is easy for toddlers still working on their fine motor skills. You can check out our best iPad for kids guide to see if this would be a better fit for your child, and we recommend a look at our best iPad deals roundup so you can get the best prices.But, once a child gets old enough for phone connectivity to be useful (for mobile internet, texting friends, tracking and being contactable by you), its time to step up to a proper iPhone. Apple has just updated the iPhone for 2024, introducing the iPhone 16 series and reducing the prices of the current handsets. How does that change the landscape for the best iPhone for kids? Read on to find out and see our recommendations.Whatever iPhone you get, you should consider using Screen Time to manage their use. Built into iOS, Screen Time lets you set limits on how long your kid can use their phone, what apps they can download and use, and when they need to put it down for the night. Its a great way for busy parents to keep tabs on what their kids are doing when theyre not within eyeshot, and ought to be the first thing you set up.Best iPhone for kids in 2025Below you will find our top choices for iPhones for children. We arent recommending the ultimate iPhones because we think that unless you have a money tree in the garden you wont want to be spending a whole lot of money on a phone for a child who is just as likely to leave it on a bus or drop it. But if youd like a wider range of iPhones to choose from read our iPhone buying guide and our iPhone comparison.Apple iPhone 14: Best iPhone for older kidsProsPriceDisplay sizeGood battery life Decent cameraConsOlder processorPrice When Reviewed:999Best Prices Today: NewRefurbishedRetailerPrice729View Deal619,88 View Deal628,22 View Deal629,00 View Deal648,00 View Deal648,00 View Deal649,00 View Deal649.86View Deal652,79 View Deal669,99 View Deal669,99 View Deal680.38View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPriceiPhone 14 128GB Gelb Ohne Vertrag535.59View DealPrice comparison from Backmarket729 at Apple619,88 at bettste.de628,22 at tease-Shop629,00 at amazon.deView more prices from amazon.denotebooksbilligernullprozentshop.deMAINGAU EnergieClose Best Prices Today:Apple iPhone 14: Best iPhone for older kidsNewRefurbishedRetailerPrice729View Deal619,88 View Deal628,22 View Deal629,00 View Deal648,00 View Deal648,00 View Deal649,00 View Deal649.86View Deal652,79 View Deal669,99 View Deal669,99 View Deal680.38View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPriceiPhone 14 128GB Gelb Ohne Vertrag535.59View DealPrice comparison from BackmarketOlder kids (young teens and high school students) have demanding standards. An iPhone SE may serve them well, but that smaller screen is a little archaic and theyre going to want to look cool in front of their friends. More importantly, photo-taking and social media have started to become an important part of their social life. So if youre willing to spend more on an iPhone with a more capable camera, Face ID, and a full-screen display, we recommend looking no further than the iPhone 14.With a 6.1-inch display, its considerably bigger than the iPhone SE, which older kids will appreciate, and it has a more modern design and features. The iPhone 14 will deliver, with battery life that will easily last a full day.You might be wondering why we picked the iPhone 14 over the iPhones 15 and 16. Its cheaper, which is a good enough reason. But we also think that the iPhone 14 compares very favorably with the iPhone 15. Sure, youre giving up some of the newer features, such as improvements to the camera, or the iPhone 15s USB-C port instead of Lightning. The iPhone 14 still has a faster chips and excellent battery life.The iPhone 14 starts at $599/599 for 128GB, you pay another $100/100 for the iPhone 15 and yet another $100/100 for the iPhone 16. Since your 9th grader is probably going to fill up the memory quickly making TikTok videos and taking selfies and pics for social media and texting with friends, wed suggest that if you do have a bigger budget that the extra money is spent on increasing the storage in the iPhone 14 rather than the bells and whistles of the newer models.Read our full Apple iPhone 14 128 GB mitternacht review Apple iPhone SE (2022): Best iPhone for younger kidsProsPriceSmall sizeDurabilityConsNo Face IDOlder, less modern, designBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View Deal529View Deal376,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal485,66 View Deal495,88 View Deal495.88View Deal499,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo529 at Apple376,00 at SparSmart24469,00 at amazon.deView more prices from amazon.deMedia Markt Online ShopSaturn Online Shoptease-ShopClose Best Prices Today:Apple iPhone SE (2022): Best iPhone for younger kidsRetailerPrice0.01View Deal529View Deal376,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal469,00 View Deal485,66 View Deal495,88 View Deal495.88View Deal499,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketIf you have a kid at grade school/elementary/primary school whos mature enough to handle their own phone, you should look no further than the iPhone SE. Its got the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 range, so you know its going to perform well and get software updates for years. With a 4.7-inch screen, its also pretty small, which is good for younger kids hands and pockets. Its a more than serviceable iPhone, and theres really nothing your kid may want to do that they wont be able to, outside of using features like Memoji or Animoji, which require the TrueDepth camera found in the Face ID-equipped higher-end iPhones.The best part is that its inexpensive (for an iPhone) at $429/429, although that is for the 64GB version, which could fill up quickly if the child in question wants to download plenty of games and content to watch. Stepping up to the 128GB version ($479/479) can alleviate this, but the price does start to creep up. Still, cutting back on features like the all-screen Liquid Retina display and dual cameras, and sporting Touch ID instead of Face ID saves a lot of cost, so the SE will still be cheaper than all the other iPhones. And since young kids tend to be rough on stuff, even with a good case and screen protector (which are highly recommended), youre not going to want to risk putting a $700 phone in their hands.In truth, we dont really recommend the iPhone SE (2022) for adults (although it can be ideal for the elderly), as in modern terms it seems a bit dated and limited, but for a kids first step into the Apple world it would be a great choice.Read our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) review Apple iPhone 16 (128GB): For kids who want everythingProsLatest iPhoneHuge improvement in battery lifeSupports macro and spatial photography and video recordingConsPriceyPrice When Reviewed:949Best Prices Today: RetailerPrice949View Deal860,69 View Deal879,99 View Deal879,99 View Deal899,00 View Deal899,00 View Deal899,00 View Deal925,49 View Deal949,00 View Deal949,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket949 at Apple860,69 at tease-Shop879,99 at baur.deView more prices from OTTOMedia Markt Online ShopProshop.deSaturn Online ShopClose Best Prices Today:Apple iPhone 16 (128GB): For kids who want everythingRetailerPrice949View Deal860,69 View Deal879,99 View Deal879,99 View Deal899,00 View Deal899,00 View Deal899,00 View Deal925,49 View Deal949,00 View Deal949,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketThere is of course a certain status that you can only get from having the latest iPhone, and kids certainly arent immune to that. There are a lot more reasons to buy the iPhone 16 than there were for the iPhone 15 in 2023, including the new Camera Control button and an improved camera thats capable of taking macro and spatial photos. That might be handy if your child is often working on projects and wants to expand their artistic eye for the pictures they take.Perhaps the biggest change for 2024 though, is the huge improvement in battery life. In our tests, we saw a four-hour boost in battery life for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 15. Thats a drastic improvement. Kids are never aware of the amount of battery their phone uses, so the iPhone 16s battery life gives them even less to think about.We also recommend getting a case, see Best iPhone 16 cases.Read our full iPhone 16 128 GB Schwarz review iPhone 15: Best iPhone for kids who want higher-quality photos and videoPros48MP sensor in the cameraConsiPhone 16 offers much better battery lifePrice When Reviewed:949Best Prices Today: NewRefurbishedRetailerPrice777View Deal799View Deal807View Deal849View Deal756,22 View Deal769,00 View Deal777,00 View Deal783,00 View Deal786,19 View Deal789,99 View Deal789,99 View Deal830.51View Deal839,00 View Deal846,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPriceiPhone 15 128GB Schwarz Ohne Vertrag695.73View DealPrice comparison from Backmarket777 at OTTO799 at Computeruniverse807 at Alternate777,00 at amazon.deView more prices from amazon.deAppletease-ShopcoolblueClose Best Prices Today:iPhone 15: Best iPhone for kids who want higher-quality photos and videoNewRefurbishedRetailerPrice777View Deal799View Deal807View Deal849View Deal756,22 View Deal769,00 View Deal777,00 View Deal783,00 View Deal786,19 View Deal789,99 View Deal789,99 View Deal830.51View Deal839,00 View Deal846,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPriceiPhone 15 128GB Schwarz Ohne Vertrag695.73View DealPrice comparison from BackmarketWhile the iPhone 16 is a better overall phone, the iPhone 15 is no slouch. It has a better camera than the iPhone 14, shooting at higher resolution to provide better quality. It also records excellent video that kids can use in presentations or social media. The main drawback to the iPhone 15 is its battery lifeits actually very good but the iPhone 16 offers a dramatic improvement. But otherwise, the iPhone 15 is a top performer and can handle anything you child wants to do on it, including streaming videos, games, and a lot more.Read our full Apple iPhone 15 128 GB Schwarz review iPhone 13 mini Best value iPhone for kidsProsFantastic sizeLightweightGreat camerasConsDiscontinued by Apple so harder to findBattery life isnt amazingApple has discontinued the iPhone 13 mini, but if you can get hold of one it is an excellent choice for youngsters with a small frame that is perfect for small hands.The device shares most of the attributes of its bigger brother the iPhone 13, including the processor and twin rear cameras. Somehow the engineers at Apple still managed to fit a 5.4-inch display into a device thats smaller than the iPhone SE. One thing to bear in mind is that the smaller nature of the mini means that battery life can be a little lacking. So, if youre expecting your kid to be on it all the time, especially when out and about, wed suggest maybe picking up a portable power bank to top up the battery if things get low. As the iPhone 13 mini supports MagSage, you can choose one from our roundup of the best MagSafe portable battery packs and power banks. Read our full Apple iPhone 13 mini review Buy a refurbished iPhoneBefore you buy one of the phones mentioned above our advice is to explore the second-hand and refurbished market. Buying a second-hand or refurbished iPhone can save you a lot of money. Your first port of call should be Apples Refurbished store where Apple sells iPhones that have either been returned as faulty or unwanted. These iPhones (and other products) are fixed up so they are good as new and sold at around 15% off their normal price.There are various benefits to buying from Apples Refurbished Store in the U.S. or U.K., including the fact that all products in the Refurbished Store come with a one-year warranty. You may even be able to find an older iPhone model that Apple doesnt sell anymore, such as the iPhone 12 mini or an iPhone 13 Pro in Apples refurbished store. However, Apple is not the only place that sells refurbished iPhones; plenty of companies make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Check out our where to buy second-hand and refurbished iPhones guide for more details.musicMagpieThere is a growing marketplace for older devices that are fixed up and sold on. Before you buy from one of these do check their policies regarding refurbishment and returns, and also wed advise buying recent models of iPhones some of these outlets have much older models. Consult How long does Apple support iPhones for more information about the handsets to avoid. Always make sure that the iPhones previous owner has completely wiped the iPhone and removed it from their iCloud account or you will encounter many problems. This is a good reason to buy from a reputable refurbished seller, rather than someone on eBay or Marketplace. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S.Decluttr: A popular destination for refurbished devices, often with sales that slash even more money off. You can also trade in any of your old tech, gadgets, and media (including books and CDs) to get steeper discounts.The iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.Amazon Renewed Store: This sites greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazons standard returns policy and its Renewed Guarantee lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product.Best Buy: Best Buy doesnt offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is unopened or defective in any way.Walmart: Walmart doesnt sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally.Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K.Music Magpie: The UK version of Decluttr and a good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones. You may find that sales reduce the price still further.The iOutlet orThe iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.Amazon Renewed Store: While you cant really sell on Amazon Renewed unless youre a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazons standard returns policy and its Renewed Guarantee lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product.Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for cash towards purchasing a refurbished phone. However, it mostly specializes in phones so you wont be able to trade in your DVDs or books for cash.4Gadgets: Offers a 12-month warranty for all online orders.Reboxed: Pledges that devices are fully tested and in perfect working order. All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty.Smartfone Store: Look out for the additional 10 percent discount for students and young people.Refurb-Phone: Like most refurb sellers, this site offers a 12-month warranty. Less commonplace is its policy of allowing returns within 14 days if you simply change your mind.The Big Phone Store: Says it ensures refurb phones are thoroughly tested, repaired, and cleaned before being sent out. Backs this with a 12-month warranty.Laptops Direct: You get a 12-month warranty on parts and labor. Watch out for slightly confusing grading system: A3, for example, means Average condition.Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty or occasionally more.Companies like musicMagpie (UK), Decluttr (US), Amazon and eBay are all now providing this service, along with one-year warranties and money-back guarantees if youre not completely satisfied with your purchase. Of course, investing in older tech is also better for the environment, as it stops the iPhones from being thrown into landfills even though they are capable of providing years more service to a happy kid. So, they come with guarantees, save you money, and protect the planet. Whats not to love?Pass on an old iPhone to themAnother route to explore is handing over your current iPhone and buying yourself a new one! If youve had yours for a while, then it may be out of its contract period, but if you bought it outright then all you need to do is get a new SIM card for your youngster, give them your handset, then head off to the Apple store to give yourself a present for being such a magnanimous parent. If youre unsure what to treat yourself to, our best iPhone roundup should prove a helpful guide. Before you hand over your old iPhone make sure you set it up correctly for your child. Have a look at 5 things to do before giving an old iPhone or iPad to your kid, how to prepare an iPhone for sale, how to reset an iPhone and how to set up parental controls on iPad & iPhone.Should kids have iPhones?This is a huge question and a topic fraught with pros and cons. Everyone is different. There are still parents who dont allow their kids to watch TV, let alone play computer games. Other parents dont see any harm in letting their kids be familiar with technology. And others just need a few minutes of peace while they push a toddler around a supermarket, or something to stop the tweens fighting in the back of the car on a long journey. Surely allowing the kids a few minutes here and there with a mobile phone wont damage their development. You could give them your own iPhone of course, but that depends on how prepared you are for the risk of them sending their favorite YouTube video to your manager at work. A better solution may be to give them an old iPhone or iPad: it can still be linked to your account so there is no need to pay for the apps youve already downloaded for them. You may want older kids who walk to and from school to have an iPhone for safety and security, so that they can contact you to let you know their bus is canceled, for example. You may also want to use an app to track their locations via the iPhone. Teens will no doubt want a handset with a bit of credibility. Its also at this age that the risks associated with mobile phone ownership become more prominent as concerns about their use of, and influence of, social media become apparent. You will want to familiarise yourself with Parental Controls and ensure that they are really mature enough to handle all that comes with this connection with the world and that they are able to avoid becoming addicted to their handsets.Apple founder Steve Jobs famously limited his kids use of technology, so maybe we should take a leaf out of his book. Or maybe we should accept that our kids are growing up in a world so immersed in technology that it is going to be a part of their lives whether we like it or not. We just need to control their access to it, rather than stop it altogether.

MacworldThere are three types of storage you can use with your Mac.External storage devices like SSDs and hard drives can plug into your Mac and be used to back up your data or to extend your storage. There are also those little USB memory sticks you can use to store or transfer files, these days they can hold up to 2TB of files in your pocket. These days cloud storage is another popular solution, as it offers a simple way to access your data from anywhere, collaborate with teams of people, and it extends the amount of storage available on your Mac. With the advent of home working meaning fewer people are confined to the office, lots are turning to cloud storage for collaboration, but there are downsides to this, not least the fact that typical cloud storage solutions are not really suitable for backing up (iCloud doesnt work with Time Machine for example). There are various cloud backup services that we look at here: Best Cloud backup for Mac. The third kind of storage is a NAS (network-attached storage). A NAS drive is a good solution if you are looking for a shared storage solution for a team of people in an office, when you want to share data and projects between multiple workstations, or if you are looking for a way to keep your Mac backed up without needing to leave it plugged into a drive. Using a NAS to store your files means you arent reliant on a good internet connection, you dont need to upload your data to an external service, and you dont (generally) have to pay a monthly subscription.So, in this article, we round up the best NAS drives for a Mac owner. If youd like more advice about what to look for in a good NAS drive, such as the amount of storage youll need and the features to look for, jump down to our buying advice.Best NAS and PCS drives for Mac 2025Western Digital My Cloud Home Best overallBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice265View Deal247,65 View Deal254,62 View Deal255,62 View Deal270,60 View Deal270,60 View Deal280.28View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket265 at Computeruniverse247,65 at tease-Shop254,62 at MAINGAU EnergieView more prices from digitalo.deAmazon Marketplace CEAmazon Marketplace PC NotebookJACOBClose Best Prices Today:Western Digital My Cloud Home Best overallRetailerPrice265View Deal247,65 View Deal254,62 View Deal255,62 View Deal270,60 View Deal270,60 View Deal280.28View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketYoure spoilt for choice when it comes to Western Digitals My Cloud range, with several models available for home users and small businesses, as well as a number of Expert and Pro models for larger organizations.The My Cloud Home is a little more expensive than other models in the My Cloud range, but is fast and provides additional features such as support for the Plex Media Server software (although thats probably not a must-have for Mac users).It comes with a range of storage allocations; 8TB should be more than enough for most homes, as well as small offices and self-employed users. The slimline white-and-silver unit is neatly designed and only measures 2in wide, so itll sit easily on your desk or on a shelf close to your router without taking up too much space.Theres also a larger dual-drive model, called the My Cloud Home Duo, which houses two matching drives and offers considerably more storage. That provides RAID 1 mirroring for extra data protection, but if you want more sophisticated RAID features, as well as the ability to install and remove drives yourself, youll need to step up to the My Cloud Expert or My Cloud Pro models.Western Digital always does a good job with Mac support, and the My Cloud Home is no exception, with apps that handle a range of tasks quickly and easily. The iOS app can perform automatic backups of your photos and videos, while the Mac app lets you use Time Machine for your backups (and there are Mac and Windows versions of the apps available too).There are some nice touches too, such as the ability to right-click a folder on your Mac and automatically sync the contents of that folder on to the My Cloud Home. That will be handy for people who want an extra backup of their current work files or projects in addition to the basic Time Machine backup. You can also right-click any file that is stored on the My Cloud Home and send a download link in order to quickly share that file with friends or colleagues.And, if you also use an online backup service, such as Dropbox, then you can sync the contents of your Dropbox account on to the My Cloud Home too. You can even back up photos and albums from Facebook on to the drive for safekeeping if you want to.There are a couple of rough edges. You cant simply double-click the drives icon on the Mac desktop in order to open the drive and then drag-and-drop to copy folders or files on to the drive. For some reason you have to open the apps pulldown menu and view the contents of the drive through the app instead. You cant create individual user accounts on the Mac either, so youre forced to use the app on an iPhone or iPad if you want to invite someone else to create their own personal folders on the My Cloud Home drive. Most Mac users will have an iPhone or iPad, of course, but wed like to see the Mac app updated to allow you full freedom to control the My Cloud Home with your Mac as well.TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus Uber-fast network/workgroup storageProsHolds up to 8 NVMe SSDsUp to 1GBps transfers over 10GbeConsNon-fatal bugs in the interfaceThe TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is an 8-bay/slot NVMe NAS box with an 8-core Intel Core I3 CPU, 32-execution unit GPU (part of the CPU), 16GB of DRAM, and 10Gbe ethernet connectivity.Ports include 10Gbe ethernet, three 10Gbps USB ports (two Type-A, one Type-C), and an HDMI port for diagnostics rather than direct video output.Its 7-inch tall, by 2.25-inch wide, and 5.5-inch. Its not particularly hefty, weighing only 1 pound, 10 ounces with eight SSDs installed. The eight included heat sinks add another 5 ounces if you need them (that depends on how much traffic the fan-cooled box is subjected to).It opens via a single thumb screw and rests on rubber feet. It is stable despite its vertical orientation, but you might want to lay it on its side. Of course, SSDs arent as delicate as hard drives that normally inhabit NAS boxes, so a tumble likely wouldnt be catastrophic.NAS/server features include security, file sharing, media streaming, BitTorrent downloads, video surveillance, Docker and VM hosting. These all require installing applications from TerraMaster. There are numerous backup solutions available, and the File Manager lets you add remote folders from Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and Amazon S3/S3-compatibles.The operating system, TOS 6.0, isnt quite as refined as those offered by QNAP and Synology. I couldnt run file manager or anything else while installing an app, for example.Also, the program didnt register a deleted storage pool, an added online destination, or a new volume immediately. I had to reboot each time to get changes to register.Despite this, I found TOS 6 attractive, decently intuitive, easy to use, and stable. But it could use some fine-tuning (and multi-tasking), even if none of the issues are particularly deadly.Read our full Terramaster F8 SSD Plus NVMe 10Gbe NAS review Synology DiskStation DS723 Best for small offices/working from homeBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice492,53 View Deal499,00 View Deal499,00 View Deal515,81 View Deal519,63 View Deal530,11 View Deal534,05 View Deal534,05 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket492,53 at tease-Shop499,00 at notebooksbilliger499,00 at nullprozentshop.deView more prices from Proshop.dedigitalo.deOTTO OfficeAmazon Marketplace CEClose Best Prices Today:Synology DiskStation DS723 Best for small offices/working from homeRetailerPrice492,53 View Deal499,00 View Deal499,00 View Deal515,81 View Deal519,63 View Deal530,11 View Deal534,05 View Deal534,05 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketMany people now rely on cloud storage, such as Apples iCloud Drive or Dropbox, for personal use or working from home, but Synology is one of the few companies that still makes conventional NAS drives that provide physical storage for home networks and small offices. The latest addition to its range is the Diskstation DS723+, which provides an affordable and easy-to-use storage system that can be further expanded in the future if required.The compact drive enclosure measures just 166mm high, 106mm wide and 223mm deep, so its easy to set up on your desk or any convenient shelf. There are two bays for hard drives on the front, along with two small slots for SSD drives that are located on the underside of the unit. Advanced users who want to configure their own system can buy the DS723+ as an empty enclosure (unpopulated) for around 575/$450 and then provide their own choice of HD or SSD drives. Or, if youre looking for a simple, all-in-one storage system then some of Synologys specialist dealers also sell the DS723+ with drive units already installed (populated). The price for populated drives will obviously depend on the amount of storage you require, but the 8TB model that Synology provided for our review should cost around $800/850. Prices do vary widely online, though, so its definitely worth shopping around to find the best price (the starting price quoted above will rise depending on the storage options.) Theres a Gigabit Ethernet port on the back of the for connecting to your home or office network, but the DS723+ also has two expansion ports that allow you to upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet if required, and even to connect some additional drive bays so that you can add even more storage in the future. Synologys manuals may look a bit daunting for people who havent used a NAS drive before theres a 50-page PDF just for the initial set-up process, and another 80-page manual covering all the features provided by Synologys DSM software (Diskstation Manager). However, you dont have to memorise all that info straight away, as there are quick and easy apps for iOS, Android, Mac and PC that can help you with the set-up process, and we had no trouble at all connecting the DS723+ to our office network and then using the apps to connect our Mac and iPhone to the drive.Synology Beestation Good for beginnersPrice When Reviewed:238 EuroBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View Deal239,00 View Deal239,00 View Deal240,86 View Deal249,00 View Deal252,65 View Deal254.91View Deal281,87 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo239,00 at notebooksbilliger239,00 at nullprozentshop.deView more prices from tease-Shopcoolbluedigitalo.deJACOBClose Best Prices Today:Synology Beestation Good for beginnersRetailerPrice0.01View Deal239,00 View Deal239,00 View Deal240,86 View Deal249,00 View Deal252,65 View Deal254.91View Deal281,87 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketThe widespread use of cloud storage services such as iCloud and Google Drive means that NAS drives arent as popular as they used to be, and Synology is one of the few companies still making NAS drives that cater to the SOHO market (small office/home office) with its DiskStation range. In fact, Synology is expanding its product range with the introduction of the BeeStation.The BeeStation looks like a fairly conventional desktop hard drive, and it provides 4TB of storage so youve got plenty of room for your work or personal files. Like most NAS drives it uses an Ethernet port to connect to your home or office network, but once youve connected it to your Wi-Fi router, you can simply scan a QR code with your iPhone or iPad to connect to the drive remotely and set it up using a web browser (although youll need to provide an email address to set up your Synology account first). You are then prompted to download two mobile apps called BeePhotos and BeeFiles, which, as the names suggest, allow you to back-up photos and other files onto the BeeStation. Once the drive is set up, you can log in via a web browser on your Mac, and then download the BeeStation desktop app for Macs (running macOS 12 or later) and Windows PCs.These apps provide plenty of useful features, including the ability to automatically upload photos and videos from your mobile devices onto the BeeStation. You can share files with friends, family or colleagues, and sync specific folders on your Mac with the BeeStation. However, these apps can be a bit tricky to use they tend to throw a lot of settings and information onto the screen, and the Help files on Synologys website use a lot of techno-jargon that might be confusing for less experienced users. Mac users, for instance, will find that instructions for using the BeeStation with Time Machine are hidden within a rather convoluted Help file about local access settings.So it may take a little work to get the BeeStation properly set up, but its ability to provide both online storage for mobile devices and a NAS drive for your home or office network makes it a very versatile back-up device for home and small business users.Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra The quick and easy optionWestern Digitals My Cloud Home drive provides a quick and easy option for home users who arent familiar with NAS drives and networking technology. In fact, the company doesnt even call it a NAS drive, opting for the more user-friendly personal cloud label instead. (If you feel a bit more comfortable with jargon such as NAS and RAID, you might want to step up to WDs expert range with the My Cloud EX2 Ultra instead.)The EX2 Ultra is a no-compromises NAS drive with additional features and customisation options, while remaining affordable enough for home users or self-employed people, such as photographers or designers, who need a really reliable backup drive for important work files.Its a two-bay drive that holds two separate hard drives, and allows you to remove the top panel so you can remove the drives for repairs or adding more storage in the future. You can buy the EX2 Ultra with a pair of drives pre-installed, with a wide range of prices depending on the storage you select.WD includes its high-performance Red Drives and 1GB of memory to help the EX2 Ultra multi-task when different people are using the drive on the network at the same time. Theres a Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your network, and the EX2 Ultra also has two USB ports that allow you to connect an external USB drive for additional storage.Alternatively, you have the option of buying the EX2 Ultra unpopulated with no drives at all and then providing your own drives to suit your particular needs. This is the best option if you think you might want to add extra storage in the future, and installation is really easy: the top panel simply pops open at the press of a button to reveal the internal drive bays.Using two separate hard drives also means the EX2 Ultra can work as a RAID drive, with either RAID 0 which improves performance by splitting files across both drives (called striping) or RAID 1 mirroring, which makes separate copies of your files on each drive for extra reliability. If you want even more safeguards for your important files, theres also an option to back up data from the EX2 Ultra on to an external hard drive connected to one of its USB ports.Despite all these extra features, setting up the EX2 Ultra is still very straightforward, as the drive supports Time Machine for automatically backing up files from your Mac. Theres also a My Cloud app for iOS/iPadOS and Android that allows you to back up and share files using non-Apple devices as well.The app provides remote access to the drive over the internet, and theres a web browser interface also available for Macs and PCs, which allows more advanced users to configure RAID settings and features such as the FTP server and even to use it as an iTunes Server for streaming music across your network.Its worth checking out the changes made by the My Cloud OS 5 software update, however; this adds several new features, but reduces compatibility with some web services.Buffalo LinkStation 220D Versatile & affordableBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceDell Home$264.99View Deal$387.49View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket$264.99 at Dell Home$387.49 at AdoramaBuffalos LinkStation 220D is a versatile and affordable NAS drive thats suitable for both home and business users. But, as weve seen with Buffalo in the past, its products sometimes lack the straightforward ease of use that Mac and iOS users take for granted.The LinkStation 220D is a dual-bay NAS drive that houses two separate hard drives. You can buy it unpopulated with no drives at all and then provide the drives that you want to use for yourself. Alternatively, you can buy it with 2TB, 4TB or 8TB.Theres also a more expensive model called the 220DR thats designed for use with Western Digitals high-speed Red drives, but the standard 220D model that we review here should be perfectly adequate for most homes and small businesses.The dual-bay setup also means you can use the LinkStation as a RAID drive, supporting either RAID 0 for maximum performance, or RAID 1 for maximum data protection (storing separate copies of your data on both drives). Future upgrades are simple as well, as you can quickly remove the front panel of the LinkStation and pull out the drives by their handles, with no screws or tools required. Theres also a USB port on the back of the LinkStation that can be used to make additional backups to an external USB drive for extra safety.Getting started is quite straightforward, as the 4TB LinkStation that we tested automatically showed up on our office network once we connected it to our router with an Ethernet cable. That allowed us to simply drag-and-drop files onto the LinkStation for quick backups, but things get a bit more complicated when you start to move beyond the basics. The LinkStation does work with Time Machine so that you can back up your Macs over the network, but setting up Time Machine and a shared folder for your backups proved rather complicated.Buffalos NAS Navigator app for Macs allows you to view the LinkStation on your network and displays basic information, such as its IP address. However, using any other features requires you to open up a web browser in order to view the LinkStations web interface.This does include a variety of useful features, including Time Machine support, remote web access for when youre away from home or the office, BitTorrent downloads, and the ability to use the LinkStation as an iTunes server for streaming your music across the network. But this browser interface is very complicated and wont be easy for non-technical users to understand and Buffalos 125-page jargon-heavy PDF manual doesnt really make life any easier.And neither do Buffalos mobile apps. Buffalo provides two separate apps for iOS devices: Smartphone Navigator for basic setup, and WebAccess to provide access to your files via Wi-Fi when youre out and about.These apps are getting on a bit, and some users have complained that theyre unreliable. In fact, the apps seemed to run on our office iPhone and iPad without any problems, but theyre still quite complicated and unhelpful for people who arent familiar with NAS drives and networking technology.So while the LinkStation is a good option for more experienced home or business users who already know a bit about NAS drives, its probably not the best option for first-time users who are still learning the ropes.NAS drive features to look forHere are some essential features you should look out for when selecting a NAS drive for your Mac.Time Machine supportOne of the great unsung features of macOS is Time Machine, the software that sits inside your System Preferences panel and quietly performs an automatic backup of the entire contents of your Macs hard disk every hour, on the hour.If you accidentally delete a file you can go back and check out all the previous versions of that file that you backed up in the past. And if your Mac starts behaving oddly and you think you might have been infected by malware, you can just reboot your Mac and use Time Machine to restore the entire macOS to an earlier, untarnished state.But, of course, in order to use Time Machine you do need to have an external hard drive connected to your Mac that can store all your old backups. Hard drives are pretty cheap these days, but as we all start to own more and more desktop computers, laptops and mobile devices, it starts to become both expensive and rather impractical to buy a separate backup drive for every single device in our home or office. The answer to this problem is a NAS drive.Most NAS drives are Mac-compatible but not all of them are what we might call Mac-friendly. For instance, not all NAS drives will allow you to use Time Machine to make backups over the network, so support for Time Machine is a key feature that you should check on when thinking about buying a NAS drive for use with one or more Macs.User accounts and sharingAnother important feature is the ability to create individual user accounts, so that each person in your home or office can have their own private area on the NAS drive for storing their personal files. And, at the same time, its also handy to create shares, which are like public folders that can be shared by everyone perhaps for storing music or photos for the whole family.Most NAS drives will allow you to do this, but sometimes you need a bit of network know-how to figure out how each drive handles this process (and some drives, such as Apples now-discontinued Time Capsule, just ignore this side of things altogether and focus on the basic task of handling Time Machine backups).Mobile device supportAnd, of course, youll also want to check that your new NAS drive provides an app for your iPhone or iPad. Most of us now tend to use iCloud for backing up photos, videos and other files from our mobile devices, but it can give you extra peace of mind to know that youve got a spare backup on your NAS drive in case anything goes wrong.A good NAS drive will also let you share your photos and videos with other people by streaming them to mobile devices over your network, or possibly even provide a remote access option that allows you to retrieve files over the internet when youre away from home (a feature that manufacturers often refer to as a personal cloud).File streamingMany people also use their NAS drive as a kind of central media server for their home, perhaps streaming music and videos to a games console that is connected to their TV in the front room. Mac users should check to see if a NAS drive can stream files to an Apple TV, or act as an iTunes server, storing your iTunes/Music library on the NAS drive so that it can stream music to every Mac or iOS device on the network.How much storage do I need?Thats something youll need to decide for yourself, but its worth mentioning that some NAS drives are more flexible on this point than others.Some of the less expensive NAS drives are sold with a built-in hard drive generally at least 2TB but the hard drive is fixed and cant be replaced once its full (although the NAS drive may have a USB port that lets you connect a conventional USB hard drive in order to add some extra storage). This is the simplest option, favored by most home users and small businesses, as it means you can just unpack the NAS drive and connect it to your router to get started.The unpopulated optionHowever, many NAS drives are sold unpopulated without any internal hard drives already installed and simply provide two or more empty drive bays into which you insert your own choice of hard drives. This option is more expensive, but it allows you to customise the NAS by buying your own hard in order to provide as much storage as you need. And, if you run out of storage space, you can just take out the old drives and insert new, larger drives in the future.This type of NAS drive generally also offers a number of RAID options this stands for redundant array of independent disks which use multiple hard drives to provide additional performance and data protection.

MacworldIf youve ordered a new iPhone recently, youll notice that the box is a whole lot slimmer than in previous years. Thats because the bulkiest accessory is gone: the power charger. Apple has removed the power adapter from all iPhones it sells, so you need to bring your own.If youve been using Apples feeble old 5W adapter, its a perfect time to upgrade. Apple now supplies a cable in all iPhone boxes to allow for fast charging, so all you need is the right charger. Here we list our favorite trusted iPhone chargersmany of which do more than the plain Apple-branded charger, and nearly all of which are much smaller.Lightning or USB-C for iPhone?When we talk here about USB-C chargers, we mean the port on the charger, not on the iPhone. Starting with the iPhone 15 family, Apple has switched the port on its iPhone from Lightning to USB-C. But iPhones older than the 15 with the Lightning port should still hunt out a charger with a USB-C port as only these offer fast iPhone charging. Older phones will use a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, while the iPhone 15 series will have USB-C at both ends.Which wattage charger for iPhone?Its important to consider the amount of wattage a charger will provide to your device. For years, Apple supplied good-enough 5-watt chargers in the iPhone box, which take about 2.5 hours to fill up your iPhone. The newest iPhone models require a charger that can handle 20 watts or greater for fast charging30W will charge recent iPhones even faster. You can fill up about 50 percent of an iPhone 15 or 16s battery in about 30 minutes with the right adapter.The latest iPhones can take in around 30W of power, so aim for that as a minimum for your iPhone charger. Higher wattages mean you could use the charger for your MacBook, too.Wired and wireless iPhone charging?From the iPhone 8 on, iPhones have the ability to be charged wirelessly. The iPhone 12 and later also feature Apples superior MagSafe wireless charging technology that uses magnets to make the connection with the wireless charging pad more efficient; check out our roundup of the best MagSafe chargers, most of which require one of the USB-C wall chargers tested here.Magnetic wireless chargers come in different charging speeds: 7.5W for MagSafe compatible, 15W for certified MagSafe and Qi2, and 25W on Apples newest MagSafe Charger.However, charging with a cable plugged into the iPhone will always be faster than wireless as less power is lost than in a wireless connection. Below our chart of the best iPhone chargers we recommend our favored charging cables.Count the portsMany adapters offer multiple ports on a single wall charger. If youre going to be regularly charging more than one device at a time, buy an adapter with at least two portssome have as many as four ports. You can even get a mix of USB-C and USB-A, depending on your needs.Plugs: To fold or not to foldSome chargers have folding pins to protect the adapter as well as other items if you toss it in a bag, but Apples 20W charger and a few others have less flexible protruding prongs. Its a small thing, but it could make a big difference in your travel bag.As any traveler knows, plugs come in all shapes and sizes around the globe. Weve tried to cover the most used types here. Some USB-C power adapters even come with different prong sets so you can leave the multi-holed travel adapter at home when you travel.Best iPhone chargers 2025Official Apple iPhone charger: Apple 20W USB-C Power AdapterProsOfficial Apple chargerFoldable prongs on U.K. modelConsNo foldable prongs on U.S./AU modelsOne portWhy we love it: Apples 20W USB-C power adapter is as basic as it gets. Its one of the bulkiest chargers on this list as well as one of the heaviest, It wont charge a laptop, and you cant charge more than one device at a time. However, if you want to keep your chargers in the Apple family, its a solid option for $19/19. In our testing, it wont charge your phone noticeably faster than the old Apple 18W plug, but it is noticeably cheaper than the model it replaces. Wed like it better if Apple offered a half-price option for iPhone buyers, but even at full price, its not a terrible value at all. The U.S. and Australian models dont feature a folding plug, but the more cube-like U.K. model does, despite the larger plug type, and is a much cleaner design as a result. While 20W is the minimum for fast charging, we recommend a 30W charger for newer iPhones.Best single-port iPhone charger: Anker 30W Nano Charger 511ProsSmallest, lightest 30W charger30WFoldable plugMultiple color optionsConsOne portWhy we love it: Measuring just 1.12 1.12 1.39 inches (U.S. model), the 30W AnkerUSB-C Nano 3 Charger511 is the smallest 30W USB-C charger weve had in our labs for testing. It weighs just 1.3oz (36g).We recommend you buy a 30W charger over 20W as it will charge newer iPhones even faster. The iPhone 15 Pro models will probably fare better with 35W for the fastest iPhone charging, so owners of the very latest iPhones should look at the two-port 40W Anker Nano Pro charger reviewed lower down. Earlier iPhones should be fine with 30W chargers such as this one.Its available in a range of pastel colors, including Misty Blue, Lilac Purple, Phantom Black, Aurora White and Natural Green.The U.K. Anker Nano 3 (511) model is larger and doesnt feature foldable prongsso for U.K. buyers, we recommend the equally incredibly light and powerful Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W), pictured above, that does have foldable prongs.Ugreen Nexode 30W USB-C GaN ChargerProsSmall size30WFoldable plugConsOne portWhy we love it: At 1.26 x 1.26 x 1.57 inches and 48g (U.S. model), the tiny Ugreen Nexode 30W GaN Charger is slightly larger than the similar Anker Nano (reviewed above). To make it even more portable both U.S. and U.K models feature foldable prongs.That extra power wont make much difference with many iPhones as 20W is enough for fast charging. But if you have an iPhone Pro or Max, a 30W charger will allow it to charge a little faster (27W), and it certainly wont hurt to have the added power on other models. At 30W, It could even recharge a 13-inch MacBook Air!While the 2-Port Nexode 45W Charger, also by Ugreen and reviewed below, gives you two ports, the single port of this charger pumps out a few more watts than either of the two on the 45W dual chargerso if you only have one device to charge, this is the better (and cheaper choice).Plugable 30W USB-C GaN ChargerProsSmall size30WFoldable plugAvailable in white or blackConsOne portNorth America onlyWhy we love it: This is another new-generation USB-C charger that measures just 1.22 1.26 1.37 inchesonly marginally larger than the 30W Anker Nano and about the same as the Ugreen Nexode.It weighs just 45galthough youll likely not notice the difference with the 36g Anker Nano or 50g Ugreen Nexode.Available in either white or black, its not available outside of North America.Budget iPhone charger: Anker PowerPort III 20W Cube Fast ChargerProsSmall sizeFoldable plug on U.S. modelAvailable in white or blackConsOne portNo foldable plug on U.K. modelBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View Deal15,95 View Deal18,30 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo15,95 at DS-Computertechnik18,30 at tease-ShopWhy we love it: At 1.23 x 1.25 x 1.3 inches, the compact GaN-tech Anker PowerPort III is also pretty tiny and may be found cheaper than the 30W USB-C chargers as it is rated at the lower 20W.The U.K. model is less flexible due to the size of the U.K. plug and doesnt allow for foldable prongs, so we prefer the Anker Nano or the even finer Apple 20W Charger in that country only.However, if you can afford it we recommend you go for a 30W charger if your iPhone is a version 13 or later.Fastest two-port iPhone charger: Ugreen 2-Port Nexode 45W ChargerProsTwo ports45WSmall sizeFoldable plug (U.S. and U.K.)Price When Reviewed:35,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceUgreen35,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket35,99 at UgreenWhy we love it: The Ugreen Nexode 45W GaN Wall Charger 2-Ports Charger has more ports and power than the Anker 511 Nano Pro, but at 1.57 x 1.57 x 1.93 inches isnt much larger.Each USB-C port is rated at 45W, although note that 45W is the maximum total outputyou can choose either port to supply it. Using both ports, one will give 25W and the other 20W.Its a great compact choice for homes with a couple of iPhones in need of a power boost.Slimmest two-port iPhone charger: Plugable 40W Dual USB C ChargerProsTwo ports40WFoldable plugSlimlineConsNorth America onlyWhy we love it: Measuring 1.7 x 1.9 x 0.9 inches (4.4 x 4.8 x 2.3cm), the Plugable 40W Dual USB C Charger is a dual-port charger that is a little larger in volume than the Ugreen 2-Port Nexode 45W Charger reviewed above, but has a slimmer profile when plugged into a power socket. Its wider but sticks out of the wall half as far as most chargers.Its also lighter than the two-port Ugreen charger: 2.5oz vs 3.46oz (70g vs 98g).Each USB-C port is rated at 40W (maximum total output is 40W). Using both ports, that 40W is intelligently shared by priority. A 9V or higher device will charge faster than a 5V device, and you can see which devices is charging the fastest with the LED indicating the charge speed: blue for fastest, and green for slow.The Ugreen beats it on charging speed, but that which means more for 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 Samsung users than max 30W iPhone users. If you want to use it to charge a MacBook, that extra 5W might be more useful.Best four-port charger: Minix NEO P3 100W TurboProsFour portsUp to 100WU.S./U.K./EU pinsFoldable plugConsMay be overkill for just a phoneWhy we love it: The Minix NEO P3 100W Turbo packs a lot of power and has four ports: three USB-C and one old-school USB-A.Two of the USB-C ports can charge at 100W, although obviously not at the same time. That means you can use this power adapter to charge a laptop as large as the 16-inch MacBook Pro as well as tablets and phones. The third USB-C is perfect for fast iPhone charging at 20W, as is the 18W USB-A port if you have an older charging cable.Using two ports at the same time it supports one 65W and one 30W feed. Using three supports 45W, 30W, and 20W charges. With all four, it supports, 45W, 30W, and two 7.5W feeds.Like Apples dual-port charger, this adapter features intelligent power allocation, automatically adjusting the power output of each port depending on the devices connected to it.The U.S. plug folds, making it a tidy package for carrying around, and the U.K. and EU pin converters simply slide onto the U.S. pins to make this a great home charger in those territories and a useful international travel companion.Best travel adapter charger: OneAdaptr OneWorld 65ProsFive portsTravel plug adapter65W PDConsTotal output limited to 5 portsPrice When Reviewed:64,95Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceOneAdaptr64,95 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket64,95 at OneAdaptrWhy we love it: The OneWorld 65 is an international adapter that also boasts a built-in 65W PD Charger that can charge up to six devices simultaneously.It features one 65W USB-C PD port, one 20W USB-C PD port, another USB-C charging port, and two USB-A charging portsthe non-PD USB-C port and two USB-A ports share 15W of power. Note that the maximum power output is 65W so if you are charging a mid-sized laptop in full use, there wont be much spare juice for fas-charging your iPhone.But the real benefit of the OneWorld 65 is that as well as all the USB ports you can also use this as a travel adapter. Sliding connectors will fit into U.S., European, Australian/Chinese, and British wall sockets so covering over 200 countries, and you can plug a similar range of plugs into the OneWorld 65 from the other side.OneAdaptr has a few versions of this handy travel adapterall with the sliding international prongs and an AC socket. The $39 entry-level OneWorld30 features one 20W USB-C PD port, 2x 15W USB-C and 2x 15W USB-A ports; the $69 OneWorld65 reviewed here; the $89 OneWorld100 features two 60W USB-C PD ports and 2x 15W USB-A ports; and the $109 OneWorld135 features two 100W USB-C PD ports, 1x 20W USB-C and 1x 18W USB-A port.Colorful two-port iPhone charger: Casetify 33W Fast ChargerProsSmall sizeTwo portsFoldable plug on U.S. modelInternational plug headsCute Pink/Blue modelConsExpensivePrice When Reviewed:41,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceCasetify41,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket41,99 at CasetifyWhy we love it: The biggest selling point of the Casetify Fast Charger is its cute pink/blue color, although it is also available in plain white. Its 33W beats standard 30W chargersenough for an iPhone fast charge and AirPods or Apple Watch at the same time.This two-port charger (USB-C and USB-A) is not as tiny as some other chargers but at 1.3 x 1.9 x 1.5 inches it isnt much larger.It comes with U.K. and E.U. plug heads that slip over the foldable U.S. prongs, so makes a great travel charger, too.Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power AdapterProsTwo portsU.S. models have a foldable plugConsNon-U.S. models dont have a foldable plugExpensiveWhy we love it: Apple offers its own dual-port USB-C charger in two models. As far as we can tell they are identical in everything except shape and size. As an Apple product, its reassuringly expensive but also a little smarter than most power adapters.The neat 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter is aimed at iPhone users, and the larger non-compact model is called the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter, which is the one built for the newer MacBook Air models. Both U.S. chargers feature foldable plugs. The larger version is maybe only preferable if you prefer the ports pointing straight on rather than below the plug itself.As it was designed to work with an iPhone and also something as energy-hungry as an M2/M3 MacBook Air, it needs to be able to distinguish which device needs what. When you connect two devices, power is automatically distributed between them based on their power requirements. In most cases, it will give each device 17.5W, but if you connect a MacBook or iPhone and an Apple Watch or AirPods, it will receive up to 27.5W and the Watch/AirPods gets up to 7.5W.Apple doesnt say so, but we expect that it uses GaN technology to keep its size to a minimum.Plugable Wall Outlet ExtenderProsAdds two ports, keeps AC socket30WConsNorth America onlyWhy we love it: If you are short on power sockets, adding a wall charger leaves you with one less place to connect a plug for another device. You could add an extension stripsuch as the Ugreen GaN Power Strip reviewed belowbut the Plugable Wall Outlet Extender is smaller and neater, giving you two USB ports and a passthrough power socket.The USB-C socket can power an iPhone at up to 30W, and theres another USB-A port that can handle 12W. Note, though, that the combined USB power output is 32W, so if you use both, that USB-C port might get pegged back to just 20W.UGreen 100W USB-C GaN Power StripPros4 USB ports and 3 AC power sockets100WConsBulkyWhy we love it: This power strip is both a desktop charger and AC extender with three power sockets, and includes four USB ports (3x USB-C, 1x USB-A), two of which are PD compatible at 100W so powerful enough to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro or super-fast-charge the latest iPhones. This is great for adding all sorts of device-charging on or underneath your desk.The other USB-C port and the USB-A port can each fast-charge an iPhone at 22.5W. Maximum output on the USB ports is 100W, and for the three power plugs (one on the top, and two behind) 1,870W.Amazon FAQ 1.Whats the best iPhone Lightning charging cable?Apple still includes a cable in the box with all new iPhones whether they have Lightning or USB-C. But you can never have enough charging cables, right?Older iPhones (before iPhone 15) require a Lightning port on one end. If you need a spare, make sure you buy a USB-C to Lightning cable thats certified Made for iPhone (MFI).Anker makes several of our recommended iPhone chargers, and its MFI-certified USB-C to Lightning cable is a little cheaper than Apples own cable and is twice as long. Anker has a bunch of USB-C to Lightning cables in various lengths and colors on its U.S. Amazon Store and at Amazon UK. We also rate UGreens USB-C to Lightning iPhone charge cables. For more detail, read our roundup of the best Lightning cables.2.What about USB-C to USB-C cables?From the iPhone 15 onwardsor until Apple offers only wireless chargingApple has replaced the iPhones Lightning port with a standard USB-C port so you need a USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C cable. The new iPhones ship with the correct cable so you dont need to go looking for a new one unless you require a spareand, lets face it, most of us need several. Check out PCWorlds list of the best USB-C cables.For more advice on charging your iPhone read: iPhone Clean Energy Charging: How it works and why you want to keep it on, How to charge an iPhone properly and Whats the fastest way to charge an iPhone.

Thanks for being with AppleInsider in 2024, the year of the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence. Have a very good 2025 which promises to be a rollercoaster for Apple.Fireworks at a celebration image credit: Malcolm OwenThis time last year we were awaiting the release of the Apple Vision Pro and wondering whether it would revolutionize the world, or prove to be a costly flop. Nearly twelve months on, we still don't know, but it feels as we're at the beginning of something great.Apple Vision Pro was unusual in that it wasn't just a device, it was a whole new platform for Apple. And, perhaps surprisingly, it looks as if we may get yet another one in 2025. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Generative AI has revolutionized video synthesis, producing high-quality content with minimal human intervention. Multimodal frameworks combine the strengths of generative adversarial networks (GANs), autoregressive models, and diffusion models to create high-quality, coherent, diverse videos efficiently. However, there is a constant struggle while deciding what part of the prompt, either text, audio or video, to pay attention to more. Moreover, efficiently handling different types of input data is crucial, yet it has proven to be a significant problem. To tackle these issues, researchers from MMLab, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, GVC Lab, Great Bay University, ARC Lab, Tencent PCG, and Tencent AI Lab have developed DiTCtrl, a multi-modal diffusion transformer, for multi-prompt video generation without requiring extensive tuning.Traditionally, video generation heavily depended on autoregressive architectures for short video segments and constrained latent diffusion methods for higher-quality short video generation. As is evident, the efficiency of such methods always declines when video length is increased. These methods primarily focus on single prompt inputs; this makes it challenging to generate coherent videos from multi-prompt inputs. Moreover, significant fine-tuning is required, which leads to inefficiencies in time and computational resources. Therefore, a new method is needed to combat these issues of lack of fine attention mechanisms, decreased long video quality, and inability to process multimodal outputs simultaneously.The proposed method, DiTCtrl, is equipped with dynamic attention control, tuning-free implementation, and multi-prompt compatibility. The key aspects of DiTCtrl are:Diffusion-Based Transformer Architecture: DiT architecture allows the model to handle multimodal inputs efficiently by integrating them at a latent level. This gives the model a better contextual understanding of inputs, ultimately giving better alignment.Fine-Grained Attention Control: This framework can adjust its attention dynamically, which allows it to focus on more critical parts of the prompt, generating coherent videos.Optimized Diffusion Process: Longer video generation requires a smooth and coherent transition between scenes. Optimized diffusion decreases inconsistencies across frames, promoting a seamless narrative without abrupt changes.DiTCtrl has demonstrated state-of-the-art performance on standard video generation benchmarks. Significant improvements in video generation quality were made in terms of temporal coherence and prompt fidelity. DiTCtrl has produced superior output quality in qualitative tests compared to traditional methods. Users have reported smoother transitions and more consistent object motion in videos generated by DiTCtrl, especially when responding to multiple sequential prompts.The paper deals with the challenges of tuning-free, multi-prompt, long-form video generation using a novel attention control mechanism, an advancement in video synthesis. In this regard, by using dynamic and tuning-free methodologies, this framework adds much better scalability and usability, raising the bar for the field. DiTCtrl, with its attention control modules and multi-modal compatibility, lays a strong foundation for generating high-quality and extended videosa key impact in creative industries that rely on customizability and coherence. However, reliance on particular diffusion architectures may not make it easily adaptable to other generative paradigms. This research presents a scalable and efficient solution ready to take advancements in video synthesis to new levels and enable unprecedented degrees of video customization.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Afeerah Naseem+ postsAfeerah Naseem is a consulting intern at Marktechpost. She is pursuing her B.tech from the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Kharagpur. She is passionate about Data Science and fascinated by the role of artificial intelligence in solving real-world problems. She loves discovering new technologies and exploring how they can make everyday tasks easier and more efficient. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

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Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWe test dozens of laptops every year here at ZDNET, and our testing process employs a dual approach. On one hand, we run a series of benchmarking programs to gather important system data and metrics. On the other hand, we approach laptops the way any normal consumer would, considering ease of use, form factor, durability, and battery life.Also: The best laptops: Expert tested and reviewedOur core testing philosophy is simple: while it's imperative to gather data, numbers aren't the whole story. Laptops can be very personal, and as such, there's an intuitive, human element that can't be ignored, and we take that into account while writing our reviews.How we test laptops in 2025 Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETYou only get one first impression, and when we get a new laptop to review, we always take note of initial perceptions before diving into the data. Upon setting up the laptop's operating system, connecting to Wi-Fi, and logging in with any relevant credentials, we take note of how smooth the startup process was. Was it quick and painless? Or was there a lot of clicking to get through all the product offers and bloatware? (Windows 11, I'm looking at you.)We give all the devices we test equal footing by starting with the most recent updates to the device's operating system, as well as all relevant drivers for the GPU, BIOS, and hardware. It can be easy to skip over these updates, but you don't need me to tell you that not updating your computer can result in some bizarre behavior.The core components of a laptopThese are the most important core system metrics we look at during the testing process:The processor (CPU): This is the "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in their own machines only).RAM: Random access memory acts as your computer's short-term memory and is involved in multitasking as you edit documents, run multiple apps, and most importantly -- browse the web. The amount of RAM your computer has is measured in gigabytes (GB) and starts at 8GB, and goes up to 32GB and beyond.Storage: Also measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), where one terabyte equals around 1,000 gigabytes. This is the storage bank where your computer's files, documents, photos, and videos are saved. Most laptops these days have at least 128GB of storage, where some go up to 1, 2, or more terabytes.The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming.The display: The size of the display (measured diagonally from corner to corner) is also what dictates the laptop's overall size, and almost always included in the model's name. Displays run the gamut, as they often play a big role in the laptop's cost. On lower-end machines, you'll find lower brightness (measured in "nits") and lower resolutions. Higher-end laptops often feature OLED displays, which are often the most visually pleasing, along with high refresh rates (120Hz and above).Port selection: Different folks will have different needs when it comes to ports. We always identify what's available and how the port selection aligns with the device's targeted use case.Physical form factor:Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet or touchscreen.What makes a laptop ZDNET Recommended?Obviously, more factors go into a laptop's final review other than being simply "good" or "high-performing." Yes, feature sets are ultimately subjective, but we recommend a laptop when it fulfills the following requirements:Expectation:First and foremost, does the laptop perform how it's meant to? If a laptop is marketed to be a gaming machine, how well does it run high-end games? If it's a laptop designed for creators, does it handle video and photo editing efficiently? Understanding what a laptop is designed for -- and how well it executes on that niche -- goes a long way to being recommended. Value:A laptop's value is more than just how good its price looks. A more accurate way to gauge its value is by considering how well it performswithinits price point. A $500 laptop should look and feel like a $500 laptop. Much like how a $1,000 laptop should feel like it's twice as fast. We give extra attention to laptops that perform above their price point.Performance:There's no need to beat around the bush. When it comes down to it, highly recommended laptopsperform. They're fast, efficient, and easy to use. Whether that means browsing the web with ease on a $300 Chromebook or rendering 4K video projects in a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro, the scale is different, but the core idea is the same: high performance is key.Excellence:A highly recommended laptop should punch above its weight in multiple areas. We want to highlight laptops that don't just meet the bar but exceed it, either in design, battery life, display, performance, or value.Benchmarking and system data Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETIn order to gather detailed information about the laptop, we run a few different diagnostics programs that provide at-a-glance summaries for its hardware and software. There are quite a few programs out there that can do this:SiSoftware Sandrais one such reliable program, as well asGPU-Z, which provides all the detailed information you could ever want about your computer's graphics processor.We then run a series of benchmarking tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what they're capable of.Cinebenchis one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores, and then compares these numbers against other machines.PCMark 10is another powerful benchmarking suite that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the modern workplace.Also: The best OLED laptops: Expert tested and reviewedGeekbenchis another industry standard testing program that provides a numerical score for your laptop's processor's performance in a variety of different use case categories. For example, how well the CPU handles common everyday tasks such as file compression, navigation, and browsing in its productivity workload, as well its developer and machine learning workloads.Other benchmarking software applications we regularly use include3DMark, which tests the laptop's graphics performance, (particularly important with gaming laptops), andJetStream2, a browser-based benchmarking tool we run on Chromebooks.After completing a variety of metric-oriented testing, we then compare the results of the tests up against the manufacturers' claims. In most cases, the data is close to the advertised numbers, but every once in a while we'll see some outliers that prompt additional investigation or testing, noting this in the device's final review.Finally, depending on any niche use cases, we can test the laptop's performance further in specific areas. For example, if a machine is geared toward creators, we will run photo and video editing software, while testing a gaming laptop wouldn't be complete without firing up a handful of games.In these scenarios, we pay close attention to the performance of the laptop's GPU, how the display handles rendering tasks, and performance while multitasking while running select performance testing software.How we test laptop batteries Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETBattery life is one of those things that all consumers care about. Regardless of what kind of device you're using, and whether it's $300 or $3,000, if your laptop is dead, it's useless.We approach testing a unit's battery in largely the same way. Basically, the idea is to let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. First, we ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, as well as any battery-saving performance mode (although running tests in that mode is also valuable; it's just a separate test).Also: The best battery life laptops: Expert tested and reviewedWe then set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, turn off any RGB or keyboard backlighting, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, set a timer, and wait 'til the end. In my experience, battery life is one of those metrics that has changed a lot within the past few years, and it keeps getting better. With new advancements with AI-powered chips, battery life has exploded into heights that just a few years ago would have been considered nigh impossible.With this in mind, putting every laptop we review to the test is more important than ever, to get to the bottom of manufacturers' sometimes "ambitious" claims.The human element Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETAs we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.Laptop manufacturers always have a specific demographic in mind when they design a new model, so this is where knowledge of that marketing aspect comes into play. If a computer is designed specifically for video and photo editors, how well do industry-standard programs like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and OBS actually run?Also: The best lightweight laptops: Expert testedFor productivity-focused laptops, how long do their batteries last? Can they multitask on three monitors as well as they advertise?Ultimately, our goal here is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience.ZDNET Recommends

Time for AI to prove itselfGettyAnecdotally, its being said, at least anecdotally, that the AI hype has been cooling as of late. Gartner, the consultancy that devised its oft-quoted hype cycle, agrees.GenAI has passed the Peak of Inflated Expectations, wrote Afraz Jaffri, analyst with Gartner, in a bulletin published in November. By the end of 2024, value will be largely derived from projects based on familiar AI techniques, either stand-alone or in combination with GenAI, that have standardized processes to aid implementation. In other words, time to get past the shiny-new-thing stage to roll up ones sleeves and make it all work.Industry leaders agree that its time for the hard and purposeful work to begin. While there is a lot of hype around AI, we have seen impressive outcomes in such a short span of time, said Sri Elaporu, global head of the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center. Companies are already seeing real benefits of generative AI."There is certainly a lot of hype and potentially unrealistic expectations around AI, especially generative AI, in the short run," said Steve Chase, vice chair of AI and digital innovation at KPMG. "This can put unrealistic pressure on teams to deliver immediate results and cause doubts about continuing investments when those lofty expectations are not met right away. However, many companies are already seeing tangible benefits from AI. The mid to long-term potential of AI is likely understated."Elaporu pointed to some large customers his organization is working with, and how they are gaining ground with targeted genAI projects. For instance, Rocket Mortgage Americas largest retail mortgage lender leveraged genAI built using Amazon Bedrock to improve the path to homeownership and clients have seen a 10% increase in resolutions during their first call to Rocket, he said. Another client. Bayer, is also using genAI to accelerate and re-envision the development of food across Bayers 120 million acres of growing fields.KPMG is working with its clients to implement AI solutions across various functions, such as marketing, sales, customer service, field service, procurement, and software development, Chase said. In highly regulated industries we are helping clients use AI to process large quantities of written content to produce structured and repeatable summarized documents think rate cases for utilities or required product labeling in life sciences.MORE FOR YOUAt its core, both operational and generative AI require human input. At KPMG, we've observed that the primary challenges companies face in genAI adoption are engaging employees, helping them understand the benefits of the technology, and keeping pace with the rapid advancements in the field, Chase said.There's often a gap between leaders' enthusiasm for the disruption that genAI brings and the concerns of employees who are nervous about what the technology might mean for them, especially as it evolves quickly, he added.Enterprises express concern about AI around data privacy, integration with existing systems, model selection, and the skill gaps, Elaporu observed. However, the first stepknowing how and where to startis often the most significant barrier to entry. He stated that moving from proof of concept to a productized service is the most difficult step to generative AI adoption.Chase advocates a human-centric approach to AI to deliver working value. This involves focusing on robust change management, training, and communication efforts, he says. Engaging with employees requires connecting with them on an emotional level, using storytelling techniques to share examples of how the technology can be used and celebrating successes.Reskilling is also critical, as many companies lack the necessary skills to fully leverage AI technology, Chase continued. We have also found that adoption occurs faster when AI capabilities are embedded into the tools or workflows that employees are already using, rather than requiring them to navigate to another system.