Computers

Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

And comfortable Dual Knit Band

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Apple Vision Pro M5

Apple has introduced the upgraded Apple Vision Pro, now powered by the M5 chipand equipped with the Dual Knit Band for improved comfort.

This latest version delivers faster performance, sharper display rendering, longer battery life, and new experiences through visionOS 26, which introduces widgets, updated Personas, and new Apple Intelligence features with expanded language support.

M5 chip brings faster AI and sharper visuals

The M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, introduces a 10-core CPU and GPU that boost performance across the system. Apps launch faster, web browsing feels more responsive, and visuals appear sharper with 10% more pixels rendered on Vision Pro’s micro-OLED displays.

The new GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. It brings lifelike lighting and reflections to games like Control. Vision Pro now supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. It reduces motion blur and delivering smoother experiences for Mac Virtual Display users.

The high-performance battery extends use to 2.5 hours of general activity or 3 hours of video playback on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI-powered tasks up to 2x faster than before. Developers can now use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to create smarter on-device AI experiences.

Dual Knit Band offers improved comfort

Apple introduces a redesigned Dual Knit Band, crafted from 3D-knitted fabric for a more cushioned and balanced fit. It uses flexible ribs embedded with tungsten inserts for counterweight and stability, while the dual-function Fit Dial enables fine-tuned adjustments.

The Dual Knit Band is available in three sizes (S, M, L), sold separately, and compatible with previous Vision Pro models. Users can find their best fit through the Apple Store app for iPhone.

visionOS 26 expands spatial experiences

With visionOS 26, Vision Pro adds immersive new ways to work and play. Widgets can now stay anchored in your space, Personas look more natural in FaceTime, and spatial photos use AI to add realistic depth.

Vision Pro also supports 180° and 360° video playback from Canon, Insta360, and GoPro. This lets creators and users relive footage the way it was captured. Later this year, the Vision Pro app for iPad will launch. It will give users another way to browse and manage spatial content.

Expanding apps, games, and immersive content

Vision Pro users can explore over 1 million apps, with 3,000+ made specifically for visionOS. Lifestyle and design apps like HomeByMe, Balenciaga, and Christie’s Select join entertainment titles like Epic Earth and Space Vision.

Apple Immersive continues to push storytelling boundaries with new titles from Audi F1 Project, BBC, HYBE, and Red Bull. There are also 3D movie hits like Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked on the Apple TV app.

Gaming also levels up with support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. It unlocks tactile gameplay with six degrees of freedom and haptic feedback.

Built for creators and professionals

Pro users can use Vision Pro for advanced workflows — from 3D design and photography to film production and live collaboration. The new Logitech Muse stylus offers pixel-level precision in apps like Crayon and Sketch Pro. Enterprises such as CAE, Porsche, and UC San Diego Health are already adopting Vision Pro to power simulation, visualization, and healthcare innovation.

Pricing and availability

The upgraded Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band starts at SGD 4,999, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

Pre-orders in Singapore begin October 17, with availability in Apple Stores starting October 22.

The Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for SGD 149, the Vision Pro Travel Case for SGD 299, and ZEISS Optical Inserts for SGD 149 (Readers) or SGD 219 (Prescription). The Logitech Muse stylus is priced at SGD 179 and will be available alongside the new Vision Pro.

Customers can book demos online, featuring the new Vision Pro and its latest features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, and new Apple Immersive experiences like Tour De Force and MotoGP.

Computers

AMD announces Ryzen AI 400, AI 400 PRO series at MWC 2026

Offering support for next-gen AI PCs, Copilot+ experiences

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AMD announced new products and initiatives at MWC 2026 Barcelona, headlined by their newest Ryzen AI 400 and Ryzen AI PRO 400 series processors.

These latest processors are built on the AM5 platform and advanced Zen 5 architecture, delivering next-generation experiences for both consumer and commercial scenarios.

The additions enable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer next-gen AI PCs across high-performance desktops, laptops, and mobile workstations optimized for modern workloads.

Along with dedicated AMD XDNA 2 NPUs and AMD RDNA 3.5 graphics, both series offer up to 60 TOPS of NPU AI compute, exceeding the requirements of Copilot+ PCs.

As such, these enable powerful on-device AI performance, including running LLMs locally and tackling compute-intensive applications for design and engineering.

The Ryzen AI 400 series processors are also the first for next-gen desktop AI PCs to support Copilot+ PC experiences. Featuring an NPU providing up to 50 TOPS of AI compute, these processors enable running AI assistants and productivity tools locally.

In addition, AMD is expanding the Ryzen AI 400 series mobile portfolio to include workstations. Some that are expected to release in Q2 2026 include products from Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

AMD PRO initiative

Furthermore, AMD announced AMD PRO for enterprise-grade security, manageability, and reliability.

This is done through foundational hardware and software designed to simplify IT operations and protect investments over time.

AMD says it will continue to evolve the AMD PRO platform by strengthening both its silicon foundation and software stack.

This will support enterprise IT teams managing distributed AI-enabled PC fleets. Meanwhile, expanded remote management features improve visibility, recovery, and control.

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Computers

Apple unveils Studio Display and all-new Studio Display XDR

Powering up the desk.

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Apple Studio Display

After taking the MacBook Pro to Super Saiyan levels, Apple is now doing the same for the display it pairs with.

With its latest Studio Display family, Apple is splitting the lineup into two clear tiers. The regular Studio Display already feels powered up. The all-new Studio Display XDR transforms.

If this were Dragon Ball Z logic, the Studio Display is Super Saiyan. The Studio Display XDR is Super Saiyan Blue — calmer, more controlled, and operating on an entirely different plane.

A strong base form

The new Studio Display sticks to what already worked: a 27-inch 5K Retina panel with over 14 million pixels, 600 nits of brightness, and P3 wide color. It’s sharp, bright, and more than capable for photo editing, design work, music production, and daily tasks.

Apple upgrades the experience around the screen, too. There’s now a 12MP Center Stage camera with improved image quality and Desk View support. The three-mic array and six-speaker system return, this time with deeper bass and Spatial Audio support.

Connectivity jumps to Thunderbolt 5, allowing users to daisy-chain up to four Studio Displays for nearly 60 million combined pixels. It also delivers up to 96W of charging power for a connected MacBook Pro.

It’s the dependable powered-up form. Strong. Confident. Already more than enough for most creators.

The controlled transformation

Then there’s Studio Display XDR.

This is where Apple goes full Super Saiyan Blue.

The 27-inch 5K Retina XDR panel uses a mini-LED backlight with over 2,000 local dimming zones. It pushes up to 1000 nits of SDR brightness and 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, alongside a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Highlights hit harder. Blacks stay deep. Blooming stays minimal.

The display also adds Adobe RGB support on top of P3, covering more than 80 percent of Rec. 2020 for HDR workflows. For video editors, colorists, and print professionals, this shifts the XDR from “great display” to “reference-grade tool.”

Motion gets smoother, too. A 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync dynamically adjusts between 47Hz and 120Hz, reducing latency and making everything from scrubbing timelines to gaming feel more fluid.

Apple even introduces DICOM medical imaging presets and a Medical Imaging Calibrator for diagnostic radiology use in the U.S., pending FDA clearance. It’s a reminder that this panel isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about precision.

Built for the pro desk

Both displays share the same upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality microphones, six-speaker Spatial Audio system, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. The XDR model goes further with up to 140W charging power and additional downstream ports, effectively acting as a high-speed hub.

Pricing and availability

In the U.S.

The new Studio Display starts at $1,599 (U.S.) and $1,499 for education, while the Studio Display XDR begins at $3,299 (U.S.) and $3,199 for education. Both models can be pre-ordered starting tomorrow, March 4, with availability beginning March 11 in select Apple Store locations and authorized resellers.

In Singapore

Pre-orders open on March 9 via apple.com/sg/store and the Apple Store app. Pricing starts at S$2,199 for the Studio Display (S$2,059 for education). The Studio Display XDR begins at S$4,499 (S$4,359 for education).

Optional accessories such as the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse remain available in white and black color options. Apple also offers nano-texture glass and adjustable stand configurations for professional setups.

The message from Apple is consistent: the base Studio Display remains a strong professional companion, while the Studio Display XDR targets workflows demanding reference-grade performance and HDR capability. Pre-orders go live soon, with deliveries and in-store availability following in mid-March.

In the Philippines

Customers can pre-order starting March 4 at apple.com/ph/store.

Studio Display starts at ₱104,999, and ₱97,990 for education. Studio Display XDR replaces Pro Display XDR and starts at ₱219,999, and ₱212,990 for education.

Additional technical specifications, including nano-texture glass and a choice of stand options, are available at apple.com/ph/store.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (from ₱10,490), Magic Trackpad (₱6,990), and Magic Mouse (₱5,490) in black or white color options are available at apple.com/ph/store.

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Computers

Apple debuts M5 Pro, M5 Max to supercharge pro workflows

Fusion Architecture, advanced AI

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Apple has introduced the M5 Pro and M5 Max, chips designed for professionals who need high-performance computing and AI acceleration.

Built on the company’s new Fusion Architecture, the chips combine two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC), integrating a CPU, GPU, Media Engine, unified memory controller, Neural Engine, and Thunderbolt 5 support. This design increases performance and AI capability while maintaining Apple’s focus on efficiency.

The M5 Pro features an 18-core CPU with six super cores and 12 performance cores, delivering up to 30 percent faster performance for demanding workloads compared with the previous generation. The GPU scales to 20 cores and includes Neural Accelerators in each core, boosting AI compute and graphics performance. Unified memory supports up to 64GB with bandwidth reaching 307GB/s, enabling faster data handling in complex professional applications.

The M5 Max expands capabilities further with up to 40 GPU cores and unified memory of up to 128GB. Memory bandwidth reaches 614GB/s, accelerating workflows involving large datasets, 3D rendering, and AI models. According to Apple, the GPU delivers more than four times the peak compute of the prior generation for AI tasks and up to a 20 percent graphics improvement over the M4 Max.

Both chips include a faster 16-core Neural Engine for on-device AI features, support hardware-accelerated media formats such as AV1 and ProRes, and incorporate memory safety protections via Memory Integrity Enforcement. Thunderbolt 5 ports with dedicated controllers enable high-speed connectivity for professional peripherals.

With the M5 Pro and M5 Max, Apple aims to push professional computing forward, particularly for developers, researchers, and creatives who require advanced AI and graphics performance. The new chips will power the latest MacBook Pro lineup, available for pre-order soon with shipments beginning March 11.

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