This Week at Mark Ellis Reviews
π Hello all! After last weekβs video on the subject, Iβve been reflecting a bit more on why switching from Windows to Mac was such a revolutionary moment for me, in more ways than simply having a better laptop. I also took a dive into the very murky waters surrounding the rumoured iPhone Fold, which is appearing as elusive as ever at the moment. Will further delays damage Apple in the long run? Do they even care? Itβs all in this email!
Just a quick note to say our big Back To School giveaway ends at midnight tonight. You can enter here for your chance to win a pair of AirPods Max, an M2 MacBook Air or an M2 iPad Air!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
The REAL reason I switched to the Mac
Last week, I published a video on the Mark Ellis Reviews channel titled βWhy Everyoneβs Finally Switching to Mac in 2025β. I tell a lie - it was called something else originally, but that title didnβt βhitβ, so we renamed it and lit a fire up its backside.
Whatever the title, there is some absolute cinema taking place in the comments section of that video. Those of you who appreciate how this YouTube game works will probably realise that this was intentional; we wanted a lot of people to get involved in this particular topic, and thereβs only one way to do that: publish a βWindows vs Macβ video and leave out some key details.
The stuff I left out wasnβt life-threatening. I made it abundantly clear - twice - that Windows 10 PCs wonβt cease to work after Microsoft ends support for that version of its operating system in October. I simply failed to mention that Windows 11 is a free upgrade, providing your computer supports it (in my defence, that point was actually in the rough script - I just missed it). Oops.
I also failed to reveal my journey from Windows to the Mac, because by leaving out that key detail, Iβd paint myself as even more of an Apple Sheeplz for the trouser-wetting Windows Massiv to obsess over. Which means yet more comments.
My story of switching to the Mac isnβt unique - nor is it particularly exciting. But it is personal to me, and itβs something I delve into during this weekβs Tech Diary episode. Just a quick warning, though - this one is even more all over the place than normal. Enjoy!
BYTE-SIZED NEWS
Nobody seems to know when the iPhone Fold is coming; the only thing theyβre sure of is that it keeps getting delayed. I donβt think Apple will be too worried yet; the market is still tiny compared to regular phones. But the later they leave it, the better the competition getsβ¦I think they need to get a move on!
Rumours Suggest iPhone 17 Pro To Start At $1,049 with 256 GB Base Storage
Yeahβ¦Iβm not sure how this one is going to go down. Well, thatβs a lie. Itβs going to go down badly. To be fair to Apple, the reasons for the price rises are largely out of their hands and in those of a very well-tanned man in the White House. But nonetheless, this could be yet another bit of negative PR to add to the pile for Apple this year.
FREE EBOOK
Intentional Ambition: Redefining Your Work for Greater Joy, Freedom, and Fulfilment
Back with another free eBook recommendation this week. Most of us stumble into careers and then wonder why we feel stuck. I certainly didβ¦thatβs why I ended up exploring YouTube and eventually making the full switch.
Intentional Ambition is about building work around your life, and your freedom, so you can do what matters, on your terms. Based on Rha Goddessβs work with everyone from Google teams to solo entrepreneurs, itβs free right now (worth $17).
HAVE YOUR SAY
In keeping with my Tech Diary video this week, I thought it made sense to get the lay of the land when it comes to you, my loyal readers. I want to know what your favoured operating system is and why, so make sure to comment your reasons! Iβm guessing my readership skews towards Appleβ¦but I want to see how many of you Linux folks are out there.
Which Operating System Do You Prefer (and why)?
ICYMI
The BIG Problem With Ultra-Wide Displays (Apple Studio Display vs LG GX9s)
I love Appleβs Studio Display, but it doesnβt half cost a lot. As such, I use a range of different displays from various brands in the studio. These days, you really donβt need to spend copious amounts to get a respectable display. But what I havenβt managed to get on board with is ultra-wide displays. Iβm hoping the LG GX9s can change my mind!
TIP OF THE WEEK
iOS Tip π Most iPhone users know about the built-in Calculator app, but thereβs a handy trick many overlook: it has a hidden backspace function. If you make a typo while entering numbers, it might seem like you have to hit βclearβ and start all over. Instead, just swipe left or right across the number display, and the last digit will disappear without wiping your entire calculation.
TOP FINDS
What I Watched On YouTube This Week
π€ Jonathan Ross Special Guests: Oasis | Best bits from interviews with Liam and Noel Gallagher (ITV Entertainment) - If youβre an Oasis fan, youβll love this. Youβll also continually ask yourself the question: βDid they really split up?β.
π₯΅ Macaulay Culkin Is Up For a Goof While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones (First We Feast) - Ever wondered what Macaulay Culkin has got up to over the last few years? I have. You may also be surprised at how unfazed he is when eating monumentally spicy chicken wings.
π€© They Gave Me a Bentley. I Fell in Love. (The Next Drive) - Shameless plug. Because Iβm very proud of this one. And boy, do I miss that car.
ELSEWHERE
Do smartphone unboxing experiences really matter?
We released the second episode of Not PC with Mark and Rob, our new tech podcast, last week, covering a range of things from Tim Cookβs impact on Apple to tech guilty pleasures. We were joined by the lovely Alex Gear & Tech, as you can see in the taster above. Itβs a great episode for a road trip or when you need to get some cleaning done. Iβd really appreciate it if you gave it a listen and left a rating!
Thanks for reading this weekβs newsletter, I hope you have a great weekend. Weβre nearing iPhone season, so stay tuned as the rumours ramp up!
~ Mark



