Apple is constantly being discussed among the NBC Select team. We’ve used and tested the brand’s products for years. We took the Apple AirTag around the world for Travel Awards testing and we even tested the latest AirPods for weeks to see how much it had improved over the previous version. We did a comparison of the Apple Watch and the Whoop Band to see how the two fitness trackers function side by side. We’ve even mentioned the Apple MacBook Air, which I consider one of the best laptop deals in tech and is also currently on sale. If you’re in need of new back-to-school tech or just searching for an Apple upgrade, this is the perfect time.
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The AirPods Pro 2 is an NBC Select favorite. I’ve used mine for over two years, and it’s still working seamlessly. The pair is ideal for walking, working out, commuting and taking calls. They also have up to six hours of listening time, according to Apple. NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz says they are the best wireless earbuds for anyone with an iPhone. “They are above average at basically any task you throw at them,” he says.
The M4 MacBook Air launched earlier this year and delivers excellent performance in a compact size, especially at this discounted price. It can easily tackle emails, spreadsheets, task management and streaming. You should be able to stream shows, edit photos and documents with very few issues. It’s lightweight, compact and gets up to 18 hours of battery life, according to the brand.
“Despite constantly testing new smartwatches, the Apple Watch stubbornly remains on my wrists, at the very least to compare to other smartwatches,” says Rabinowitz. The Series 10 model has a large, square, always-on display, which allows you to comfortably see text and other complications on screen. The Series 10 gets up to 18 hours of battery life, and it has faster charging, which can give you 80 percent battery in about 30 minutes, according to the brand.
While testing the Apple AirTag, I brought it to Japan to make sure my luggage wouldn’t get lost. I could easily find my bags because the AirTag sends a Bluetooth signal that your iPhone can detect. When you’re near the tracker, you can use its Precision Finding feature. It guides you toward your item, using an arrow that points you in the AirTag’s direction. The AirTag is about the size of a quarter, making it easy to place in your wallet or attach to a bag. The setup process is simple and it takes seconds to pair with your Apple device.
“The Apple Watch SE is an excellent first smartwatch,” says Rabinowitz. “It’s much lower priced than Apple’s other wearables, yet has almost all the same features. You can still send texts, take calls and use Siri. It also pairs with Apple’s Health and Fitness apps to track workout performance, sleep quality, heart rate and more.
AirPods 4 have a few improvements over past models, including an improved IP54 dust and water resistance rating and the new voice isolation feature during calls and FaceTime. The earbuds alone have up to five hours of listening time — with the charging case, it’s up to 30 hours, according to the brand. They are currently 30% off.
- Apple AirTag
- Apple AirPods Max
- Apple MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop
- Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M4
- Apple iPad Air 11-inch M3
- Apple iPad 11-inch
- Apple iPad mini
- Beats Solo Buds
I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. I’ve also tested and tried tech products for over five years including headphones, speakers and computers.
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