Macos on Tech Journeyman

Apple Journal App Review

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:46:12 +0800

Apple’s Journal app, which was first introduced during the WWDC 2023, has made its debut beyond iOS, now available on iPadOS and macOS. This expansion marks a significant step for Apple in the realm of digital journaling. However, with well-established competitors like Evernote, Notion, and Apple’s own Notes app, it’s essential to analyze how effectively the Journal app stacks up against these popular alternatives.

Journal App

At its core, Apple’s Journal app is built around the concept of creating collections of journals, where each journal comprises a series of pages. Users can freely write on these pages, providing a straightforward canvas for their thoughts, reflections, and daily entries. One of the standout features of the Journal app is its ability to incorporate multimedia elements; users can insert video and audio directly from their device’s camera and microphone, making it easy to capture spontaneous thoughts or experiences in a more dynamic format. This integration allows users to create richer narratives within their journals, blending text with multimedia to enhance storytelling.

Do You Really Need a Mac Studio?

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:50:24 +0800

Apple recently showed a behind the scenes view of their latest hit show, Severence. In that featuratte, Ben Stiller, the show creator/director is working with Geoffrey Richman, his editor, is seen arranging and discussing about the season finale. The behind the scenes look highlighted a few of Apple products, notablably Macs that help create a potentially Emmy-winning series.

One noticable fact that is shown on the scene is they are just using baseline Macs like iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Air. Not the high-end ones like the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro like what you are expecting from professionals of this calibre. So what gives? Do we really need a Mac Studio to deliver high-end results?

How to Run Local LLM on Your Mac in 60 Seconds

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 10:44:09 +0800

Throughout the 2023 and 2024, the biggest trends in tech is the “rise” of AI systems. To be more specific, the rise of smart chatboxes that can mimic human conversations. Of course, later, AI-generated Art comes to the scene and the whole AI, or more specifically, content generation through Large Language Models or Transformation process exploded with a few leading edge companies like OpenAI coming to the scene.

The common theme of those AI companies is they require loads and loads of servers, GPUs, networking equipment, and energy to host and generate those texts and images. What if we can have our own smart chat boxes that runs right from your Mac? What if we can set it all up under 60 seconds?

WWDC 2024 Keynote Recap

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:37:39 +0800

WWDC is a software-focused event outlining Apple’s plans for the next twelve months. Unlike hardware announcements that are prone to leaks in the supply chain, the software is entirely controlled by Apple so rumors about what will shown are scant.

The Intro

The keynote started with Apple’s SVP of software engineering, Craig Federighi, motivating their time to jump out of an airplane with Mötley Crüe’s 80s classic “Kickstart My Heart” sung in the background. As they jumped and opened their parachutes unveiling “Apple presents …” and credit, Tim Cook the CEO on the roof of the Apple Park building welcoming you to WWDC 2024. What an entrance. After that, it’s the usual corporate news announcements like new shows coming to Apple TV including the long-awaited second season of Severance.

iPad Pro M4 vs MacBook Pro M3

Fri, 10 May 2024 09:23:03 +0800

In early May 2024, Apple held an event in which they unveiled the most powerful consumer device ever. And no, it’s not a gaming laptop, but a tablet that a lot of people mostly use to watch streaming cat videos. Engineering-wise, Apple managed to pack a lot of power in a slab of glass and metal barely 5mm thick, which is around 100 sheets of paper.

However, given they bumped up the price of the iPad Pro, so now it starts at $1299 for the 13", and the new Magic Keyboard starts at $299, the comparison with their own MacBook Pro is inevitable. Did Apple manage to finally replace the laptop with the tablet of the future?

Amazing Starter Terminal Apps

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:36:40 +0800

In the previous article, we explore the Terminal, why it is there in macOS, and why people still using it despite one could say everything is graphically based. We touched a bit on the basic stuff and now we explore some programs that come with it.

Homebrew

Homebrew is a package manager that was originally built for macOS. What is a package manager? Imagine it is like an app store but for your terminal. It has a collection of small programs that we call packages. Homebrew manages them by helping you install them, update the package where necessary, and download all the supporting packages where required.

Terminal: Or How I Stop Worrying and Love the Command Line

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 17:31:37 +0800

Apple Macs are not only popular for students, and simple people who need to use a computer, they are popular with power users who build apps and software that runs the world. This is because despite Macs looking like toys, underneath the hood is one of the most powerful and robust operating systems ever built. It is estimated that macOS has around 86 million lines of code.

To unleash the power, one of the main gateways is using the command line, which is wrapped in an application called Terminal. Here’s a basic guide on how to use it and why you should at least learn the basics of it.

Apple Ecosystem Explained 2024

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:09:49 +0800

Apple is known as a company that sells high-quality products that are both unique and familiar at the same time. When we think of Apple, we think of iPhones, iPads, Macs, AirPods, and sometimes, the Apple TV. But there’s a product that Apple kinda sells, but it is invisible. You won’t find this product in any of Apple’s marketing or ads or even in the Apple Store, but it’s on everyone’s tip of the tongue. It’s the Apple ecosystem.

MacBook Pro battle: M3 Pro vs M3 Max. Is It Worth It?

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 08:43:16 +0800

The starting price for a M3 Pro MacBook Pro is $1,999. The starting price of the M3 Max MacBook Pro is $2,999. From the outset, you can’t tell a difference if this 14" MacBook Pro has M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. And in some cases, you can’t even tell if it has the base M3 chip but we are not talking about that. What we want to know is if it is worth it to invest an extra $1,000 to get that M3 Max on the MacBook Pro?

Apple Invisible AI products

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:11:49 +0800

The biggest tech buzzword for 2023 is Artificial Intelligence. We are bombarded by news that we are getting closer to the holy grail which is general artificial intelligence. Through keywords like transformative model, large language model, tensor matrix, and supervised machine learning we got things like Google Bard chatbot, OpenAI’s infamous ChatGPT chatbot, and Stable Diffusion image generator. One famous name that seems to be absent in all of these is Apple. Is Apple left behind in the AI race? Does it not feel a threat to its survival like Google did?

Apple M3 vs Intel Core i5-14600K

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:07:02 +0800

The Apple M3 family was launched during the October “scary fast” event in Apple Park. Here Apple introduced their latest SOC (system-on-chip) which compromised the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max.

Intel launched their 14th generation Core desktop processors in mid-October with much fanfare. Intel has been the bedrock of the personal computing revolution which started almost 40 years ago and with the latest Core processors, Intel continues to lead the way in innovation and technology.

What to Do if External Hard Drive Is Not Showing Up on Mac

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:53:23 +0800

External hard drives are a good way to network and share data. However, while they have been very important in the data industry for a long time, they sometimes come with their own share of challenges.

Many times, when you connect an external hard drive on the Mac, you see it popping up quickly on the deck top. This is a sign that it has successfully mounted and Apple prefers to ensure that they are easier to find by users, which is why they also appear in Finder.

Macbook Pro M3

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:15:46 +0800

For the M2 generation of MacBook Pros, read here.

Apple updated the MacBook Pro during their October “Scary Fast” event. Apple updated the MacBook Pro to the M2 Pro and M2 Max chip earlier this year, so the update is ahead of schedule.

Here’s what you need to know in regard to the updates:-

M3 Family

The star of the show is the introduction of the M3 family and Apple decided to update unleash the most popular M3 chips right out of the gate. So we get the base M3, the M3 Pro, and the M3 Max.

How to Create an Efficient Study Environment With Apple Devices

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:56:51 +0800

The life of an average student in the age of technology and constant innovations can be quite challenging and time-consuming. Just think about virtual classrooms, artificial intelligence to check grammar and readability, or all the helpful apps that are constantly used to verify facts and create automatic summaries. Ultimately, the creation of an efficient study environment comes down to the set of tools and technical solutions. People behind Apple Inc. have always been in the vanguard of technology and education as they worked hard to provide modern learners with helpful devices that stir creativity and help to achieve numerous tasks much easier!

How to Make Phone Calls on Your Mac

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 21:44:20 +0800

We make 13.5 billion phone calls every day, with the average person making or receiving around eight phone calls daily. These numbers look insanely impressive, agree? But in today’s interconnected digital world, the ability to seamlessly transition between devices has become a hallmark of convenience. If you own Apple devices, then you’ll be happy to know that your Mac can do more than just handle spreadsheets and presentations. It can also serve as a platform for making and receiving phone calls. In this article, we’ll explore the top methods for making phone calls directly from your Mac, allowing you to stay in touch without missing a beat.

5 Best Data Recovery Software for MacOS Sonoma

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:57:07 +0800

Apple’s macOS Sonoma is the latest and best version of Mac’s Operating Systems. It comes with several optimizations and additional features. But it does not prevent you from losing data in whichever way. That said, you must take care of all your files to safeguard them from loss and overwrite.

But in case you lose data from the new version of Mac, you should not worry as there are still many ways to recover it. One of the best and seamless ways to recover files is the use of data recovery software. You may not have known it, but there are more data recovery tools for various Mac OS versions with varied support systems including procedures to recover emptied trash Mac. In this article, we focus on the top 5 data recovery software for macOS Sonoma.

External Hard Drive Recovery on Mac Essential Techniques and Tips

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:50:03 +0800

Mac users like Windows PC users also use external hard drives for various reasons. While others use them to expand their Mac storage, some users need them when transferring files or creating external backups of their data.

Also, depending on the situations within which your Mac is used, data loss can result from various causes. Besides, external hard drives are more exposed to data loss than internal drives. This is one reason why you need to have knowledge of more ways to recover files.

Restoring Your Macs Emptied Trash Files

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 21:41:09 +0800

If you use a Mac and have accidentally emptied the trash folder, then you are looking for solutions in the right place. Mac Trash works in a similar way as Windows Recycle Bin. Generally, all the files you delete from your Mac end up at the Mac Trash.

Emptying the Trash however would be more gross if you continued using the device. This is because there are more chances the files can be overwritten by new ones. Overwritten files would be cleared permanently and would become unrecoverable. That is when you start looking for some of the best recovery apps for Mac or even professional recovery service.

Security: Free Password Managers Compared

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:36:54 +0800

According to a report, hackers leaked around 721 million passwords in 2022. That means, for every second, 23 passwords are leaked onto the internet which can compromise your security. Why is this important? If we reuse passwords for our account, a breach in one account and lead to a breach in other accounts. So one way to mitigate this is to use a password manager service.

How Password Manager Works

A password manager works by how you think it works: by managing your password in a centralized location. It might seem counter-intuitive to put all your eggs in one basket, but there is logic to this method. There are also some criteria for a good password manager:-

Battle of M2 Ultras: Mac Studio 2023 vs Mac Pro 2023

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:16:04 +0800

Apple finally updated the Mac Pro in WWDC 2023, thus completing the transition from Intel processors to their own Apple Silicon. In the same event, Apple also updated the Mac Studio lineup to feature the M2 Max and for the first time, M2 Ultra.

What’s surprising is Apple released a Mac Pro which is essentially an M2 Ultra Studio but with PCI-Express slots. Everything else is basically what you get in the Mac Studio: the memory and storage options, the graphic options, and no option for upgradability. Is the Mac Pro worth the $3,000 premium that it commands?

Unlocking Online Freedom: Complete Guide to Internet Privacy and Security on Mac

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 21:29:19 +0800

Securing your computer may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Just a few simple actions can protect your Mac from common threats without affecting its functionality. There is no limit to perfection in terms of digital privacy protection, but for most people, basic protection is sufficient. Here we provide tips to help you protect your online privacy and improve the security of your device.

What Is Internet Privacy?

Internet privacy is a paramount concern for individuals living in today’s digital age. It refers to the ability to control the information that is shared online and who has access to it. From browsing history to social media activity, search results, and personal details, people leave a trail of digital footprints behind them as they navigate the web. Unfortunately, these footprints are not always secure, leaving individuals exposed to potential cyber crimes like identity theft, fraudulent activities, and data breaches. Confidentiality means that you do not leave these traces behind you or clean them up masterfully.

WWDC 2023 Prediction & Recap

Wed, 31 May 2023 11:48:14 +0800

Every June, Apple will host a special event called World Wide Developers Conference or WWDC. The keynote is what everyone will see and what news outlets will report the most, but the special event is weeklong instead an hour. It is where Apple showcases its software architectures, software & hardware developers can see and talk to Apple software engineers to discuss the details of the Apple ecosystem. And sometimes, there will be some new hardware announcements.

Final Cut Pro: macOS vs iPadOS Versions

Sun, 14 May 2023 09:09:32 +0800

The day that we have longed for has finally come. After years of building overpowered iPads, Apple finally bring apps that are worthy to fully utilize the desktop chip that Apple put on the iPads since 2021. Some of the pre-WWDC 2023 announcements that Apple made, one of which raises the brow is Apple launching Final Cut Pro (FCP) and Logic Pro for the iPad.

Although the official release will be on the 24th of May 2023, here is what we know so far.

Safari Preferences and Settings Customize Your Browsing Experience

Thu, 11 May 2023 17:08:18 +0800

Your web browser often starts out as a medium for accessing web pages on the internet. However, it soon grows to become your companion. At this point, you are so used to it and want to personalize your experience.

Doing this makes surfing the web much easier. If you do it right, you may even be able to use your browser with your eyes closed. It will be similar to walking through an apartment you have lived in all your life.

4 Ways to Customize Your Mac for Better Productivity and Convenience

Fri, 05 May 2023 11:18:45 +0800

Customizing your Mac can significantly affect how efficiently and comfortably you work. You can streamline your workflow and eliminate unnecessary distractions by tailoring your computer's settings and preferences to your specific needs. There are many ways to customise your Mac for efficiency and convenience, whether you're a student, professional, or casual user. This blog post will explore four ways to do just that. So, let's get started and see how you can make your Mac work better for you!

Cloning Your External Drive in macOS

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:29:06 +0800

Here’s the scenario: your current external storage is full and naturally you bought a new external storage (HDD or SSD) that has twice (or more) the capacity of your current external. Now, some of your applications like Adobe Lightroom have registered your hard drive so you want to make sure that your hard drive is exactly like the old one, but with a bigger capacity.

This is the guide to cloning and extending your external storage so your application can’t tell the difference.

Choose the right Mac Mini: Mac Mini M2 vs Mac Mini M2 Pro

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 07:54:39 +0800

The Mac Mini is one of Apple’s best product. Small, value for money, and low barrier to entry. Apple updated the Mac Mini in January 202 and made a lot of improvements. Apple not only spec bump the Mac Mini to include the M2 chip, but also lowered the base price by $100 to $599. If you are a student, you can even get a $100 discount making the Mac Mini a sub $500 computer which can do 8K video editing. Apple also put a “professional” chip the M2 Pro in the Mac Mini chassis replacing the aging 2018 Space Grey Mac Mini.

What Productivity Apps to Install in Your Mac

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:13:30 +0800

Thinking about productivity, all apps should be good because they boost it. However, we’re going to list the best productivity software for Mac and Apple in 2023 in general. Hopefully, this list is going to give you something good to work with.

Task Management

Task management software should be a must for anyone’s professional desktop or laptop. It’s not time-efficient when the tasks aren’t managed well. We’re talking about not wasting your time, of course.

Macbook Air M2

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 16:16:57 +0800

MacBook Air is the base laptop from Apple. It’s the most mobile, arguably the most useful laptop Apple has ever made. In the previous generation where they debuted the Apple Silicon chip the M1, it has become the most powerful mobile chip with the best spec. Together with the pricing at $999 (which occasionally drops in select stores), it is the best deal for consumers who are looking for a casual business laptop. On June 6th, WWDC 2022, Apple unveiled a redesigned MacBook Air. The greatest laptop in the world has been remade into something greater.

Macbook Air M2

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 16:16:57 +0800

WWDC 2022 Recap

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 16:36:36 +0800

Normally, WWDC would not generate a lot of buzz in the typical news cycle. Usually there is no new hardware announcement. It is a showcase of new software that will come to users in the next 3 months. But for Apple, WWDC is arguably the most important event for Apple, possibly only next to a new iPhone launch (which now the novelty has weaned off). Millions of people might buy a new MacBook Air or the new iPhone, but billions will use the new software to update the Apple showcase in WWDC. That’s how important WWDC is to Apple.

WWDC 2022 Preview

Fri, 20 May 2022 10:35:59 +0800

WorldWide Developers Conference is an Apple event primarily directed at developers that work on Apple’s platform. It’s an event for Apple to showcase and market its upcoming features, their software direction for the next 12 months and also a place where Apple developers can talk directly with Apple engineers itself on how best to use Apple APIs. Traditionally it is held in the early June every year, at the midpoint of Apple events.

iMessage Alternatives

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:52:58 +0800

Humans are social animals. We gather around the campfire and swap stories of the day. Then, when we created civilization and we started to spread out the earth, we sent messages across long distances using sheets of paper. Then we send them using wires and the wires later are replaced with radio waves. And the content has changed, from sending fine crafted messages to snippets and now videos and intelligent signals. But the trends are the same, we yearn for connections and we send messages through time and distance. How we do it is now different, but the purpose is the same: the connection.

iMovie in iPad vs Macs: Differences that will make your head scratch

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:07:15 +0800

One of the selling points and key features of Apple ecosystem is that they have a slew of common apps in every device they have sold. And if you register all your devices in iCloud, the apps can be synched up with every device you have and act in a certain way. This is pretty much true for Apple’s utility apps like Messages (with iMessage), photos, Shortcuts (coming to Monterey Bay), FaceTime, Stocks and others.

Apple Ecosystem Explained

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:08:34 +0800

At WWDC 2021, Apple showcased new features and updates for the upcoming iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS and macOS which is scheduled to be released in fall 2021. What is not shown nor mentioned is that the features that are demoed are available, one form or another, for the entire Apple Ecosystem. What is the Apple Ecosystem? It is something that Apple makes but does not directly market it, feature it or even mention it by name.

What Happened in WWDC 2021

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 09:31:09 +0800

WWDC 2021 keynote come and went and wow, there’s a lot to unpack. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a new 16-inch MacBook but there is tons of software update in store for us in the future. Since there’s a lot to cover, each feature will be as brief and concise as possible.

If you do not want to go through the laundry list of features and updates, the key takeaway from this WWDC is that Apple is building features for ecosystem-wide usage instead of for a specific devise. Now the hardware level is getting streamlined, Apple’s focus is being the best ecosystem out there, not just being a one-device company.

What to Expect in WWDC 2021

Sun, 30 May 2021 15:15:50 +0800

WWDC will be held from June 7 to 11. Just like last year, WWDC 2021 will be a fully digital affair. It will kick off with a keynote presentation at 10am PT where there will be anticipation of new products and of course, new releases for Apple software. Here is what we are expecting from this year’s WWDC 2021.

Plug: Wondershare Filmora video editor for the Mac allows you to tell your story to the world.

eGPU on MacOS: A Good Idea or Bad?

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 23:02:04 +0800

Update: Since the introduction of Apple Silicon beginning with M1, eGPUs are no longer being supported on Macs. However, they eGPU are supported on Intel Macs. As of press time, Apple shows no indication of supporting eGPU on Apple Silicon.

Imagine that you have your laptop. It can be bought everywhere. Imagining having a special box that contains the latest graphic card. Connect a cable to a card and you have the power of a full blown graphic card at your disposal. Unplug, and you have the mobility of a laptop to take your work everywhere. That is the idea of the eGPU.

Great macOS Exclusive Apps

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:27:20 +0800

Apple is known for their industrial and timeless design. The original Mac that was shown in 1984 will still look good in today’s living room. The iPod in the 2000s would still look good in your hands. And who can forget the greatest phone ever designed: the iPhone 4. But behind every best designed hardware, there is a better designed software. Afterall, you might hold the hardware in your hand, but the software is what you hold with your mind.

Best Note Taking App

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 12:01:29 +0800

One of the main abilities that separate humans and other living organisms is record keeping to keep our thoughts in our oversized brain organized. We cannot remember everything so we write them down, and writing things down clarifies our thought process and brings us ideas that were not there in the first place. A good note-taking app is as useful as a knife in the woods or a saw in a workshop.

Why M1 Macs Need Less Ram

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:38:14 +0800

Apple M1 macs has shown that with only 8GB, it can out perform PCs with double or even quadruple the RAM size. The answer to the mystery of how this is possible is Apple stance to optimize the marriage of software and hardware to reach the common goal: process as much I/O as possible. However, there is a limit to all the optimization in large dataset, but for most common tasks a typical user will face, it is surprising what Apple M1 macs can do away with just 8GB of RAM.

Enter the Keyboard: macOS Keyboard Shortcuts

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:27:12 +0800

Mastery of keyboard shortcuts will cut you time spent looking for commands to do what you need to do in macOS. The keyboard shortcuts will allow you to work more efficiently by removing the need of moving you hand to reach for the mouse and navigate around. It also another way to impress your peers by moving around macOS without using a mouse.

All keyboard shortcuts is the combinations of the modifiers keys and the normal keys. Some of the modifier keys are:-

How to Take Screenshots on Your Apple Devices

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 10:22:42 +0800

Screenshots and screen recordings can help record point in time moments on your iPhone, Mac and other Apple devices for record keeping or to share the recordings to someone else. This is a guide to help you to take a screenshot on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices.

Executive Summary:

macOS: command + shift + 4 or 5

iPhone: press the home and side button together or volume up and side button together

iPad: same as iPhone

Apple Watch: you must enable screenshot in settings. Press digital crown and side button together

Apple TV: record the screen from a Mac using the QuickTime Player.

Screen Shots

Taking a screenshot is like taking a camera and pointing straight at the screen of your device. With certain keystrokes, you can immediately take the state of your Apple Devices screen.

Apple Ecosystem Explained in 2020

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 10:11:43 +0800

Apple is well known for very well designed electronic devices like the iPhone and the AirPods. It also known for is how well and polished the user interface and software that runs those devices. But what makes the Apple devices more pleasant to use than the competition is how each of the devices works together in unison. This is the Apple Ecosystem and this article will explains it.

What is the Apple ecosystem

The Apple Ecosystem is a nickname given by people regarding how Apple devices work very well with other Apple devices. It is a combination of services, software configurations and hardware capabilities that makes each Apple devices works very well with every other Apple devices.

Throttling Your Network in macOS

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:00:45 +0800

You can throttle your network speed on your macOS. Some situation may call for this, such as for testing purposes or you want to preverse speed for your entire home network. You will need Xcode and a Apple developers account for this (it is free and you can just use your icloud account for this).

First, download Xcode. Each macOS has their own version of Xcode and the current one for Big Sur is Xcode 12

Booting Linux on M1 and Beyond Challenge

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 19:17:29 +0800

If you referring to run in virtual environment? Yes, it does and Linux does have binaries compiled can you can pretty much run on virtual environment pretty much right now. If you thinking of replacing macOS with Linux, it is possible but hacky. If you thinking replacing macOS with Linux and everything works like the Touch Bar, Touch ID, power management and the camera, it won’t and it’s not coming for a long time.