2026-03-04 07:38:30
Ahead of the launch of new iPad Air models equipped with the M4 chip, preliminary Geekbench benchmark results have surfaced for the device, giving us an idea of how its performance compares to the prior-generation M3 iPad Air.
A pair of benchmarks from the 13-inch M4 iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular (iPad16,11) suggest the M4 iPad Air CPU is 17.3 percent faster in single-core performance and 7.9 percent faster in multi-core performance.
The benchmarks show single-core scores of 3438 and 3714 and multi-core scores of 12885 and 12296, translating to an average single-core score of 3576 and an average multi-core score of 12591. The prior-generation 13-inch M3 iPad Air has an average single-core score of 3048 and an average multi-core score of 11667 on Geekbench.
The M4 iPad Air is equipped with an 8-core CPU featuring three performance cores and five efficiency cores, along with a 9-core GPU. Apple previously used the M4 in the iPad Pro, but the version in the iPad Pro had up to a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, so the M4 iPad Air does not match the M4 iPad Pro in CPU performance.
The 13-inch M4 iPad Pro has a single-core score of 3704 and a multi-core score of 13805, so it offers 3.6 percent faster single-core CPU performance and 9.6 percent faster multi-core CPU performance.
The new M4 iPad Air will be available to pre-order at 6:15 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow, with a launch to follow on March 11.
2026-03-04 06:16:36
OpenAI today updated its most popular ChatGPT model, debuting GPT-5.3 Instant. GPT-5.3 Instant is supposed to provide more accurate answers and better contextualized results when searching the web. The update also cuts down on unnecessary dead ends, caveats, and overly declarative phrasing, plus it has fewer hallucinations.
According to OpenAI, it tweaked the Instant model to address complaints about tone, relevance, and conversational flow, which are issues that don't show up in benchmarks. GPT-5.2 Instant had a "cringe" tone that could be overbearing or make unsubstantiated assumptions about user intent or emotions. The new model will have a more natural conversational style and will cut back on dramatic phrases like "Stop. Take a breath."
Users found that GPT-5.2 Instant would refuse questions it should have been able to answer, or respond in ways that felt overly cautious around sensitive topics. GPT-5.3 Instant cuts down on refusals and tones down overly defensive or moralizing preambles when answering a question. The model will no longer "over-caveat" after assuming bad intent from the user.
GPT-5.3 Instant also provides higher-quality answers based on information from the web. OpenAI says that it is able to better balance what it finds online with its own knowledge, so it is less likely to overindex on web results.
GPT-5.3 Instant is available to all ChatGPT users now. Updates to Thinking and Pro will come in the future.
2026-03-04 06:11:00
The new Studio Display XDR is designed for all kinds of professional work, and it is uniquely suited for use in the medical field.
The Studio Display XDR supports DICOM medical imaging presets and a Medical Imaging Calibrator so it can be used for diagnostic radiology. Radiologists will be able to view images right on the Studio Display XDR without the need to use a single-purpose medical imaging display.
There is a display mode switching option for transitioning from a standard viewing mode to a radiology viewing mode. Pricing on the Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299, and it is more affordable than many specialized medical imaging monitors.
Apple says the Medical Imaging Calibrator that it created for the Studio Display XDR is pending FDA clearance and it should soon be available in the United States.
According to Apple, its aim with the new functionality is to continue to improve technology available to the healthcare community to boost patient care.
The Studio Display XDR also features a mini-LED backlight with 2,304 local dimming zones, 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and advanced color accuracy.
Pre-orders for the Studio Display XDR will begin on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, with a launch to follow on March 11.
2026-03-04 06:09:14
Apple is going to be accepting pre-orders for a slew of new devices starting tomorrow, with orders set to begin at 6:15 a.m. Pacific Time. To give users around the world an idea of when pre-orders will be accepted in their time zone, we've compiled a list of time zone conversions for several countries.
Our list isn't exhaustive, so if you're planning to order one of Apple's new devices, make sure to verify the exact time for your location.
Pre-orders will be available for the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 Max MacBook Pro, M5 Pro MacBook Pro, M5 MacBook Air, Studio Display 2, and Studio Display XDR. Apple hasn't announced the low-cost MacBook yet, but presumably pre-orders for that device will also start tomorrow.
2026-03-04 02:31:37
If you still have a Mac with an Intel chip inside, you're not going to want to pick up one of the new Studio Display or Studio Display XDR models.
According to Apple's list of compatible Macs, neither model will work with an Intel-based Mac. Apple says that the Studio Display is compatible with a long list of Macs dating back to 2020, but they all have M-series chips inside.
2026-03-04 02:18:52
The new Studio Display XDR features a mini-LED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, but you'll need a newer Mac to get support for the full 120Hz.
According to Apple, Macs that have an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, or M3 will only support the Studio Display XDR at 60Hz. All other features remain available.
For the full 120Hz refresh rate, you'll need to have a Mac with one of the following chips:
