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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Marko Zivkovic’s December 30, 2025 roundup is a personal-use retrospective, not a universal “best Apple products” list. His five picks were an M4 iPad Pro, an iPhone 16, a 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro, and two Seenda peripherals. The newer devices suited everyday work and entertainment; the old MacBook was a niche retro machine. The article’s accessory prices are historical, not verified current prices.
Marko’s choices make more sense when “useful” means useful to one person’s routines, not newest, fastest, or best value for every buyer. His roundup included three Apple devices and two third-party accessories. It was published on December 30, 2025; its observations and prices should be read in that context. Read Marko’s original roundup.
| Pick | Role in Marko’s roundup | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| M4 iPad Pro | Premium tablet for daily use, games, and movies | People who want a high-end tablet rather than a Mac |
| 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro | Large-screen retro computer and legacy-device companion | Collectors and retro-computing hobbyists |
| iPhone 16 | Everyday phone and daily driver | People upgrading from an older phone if its current price is compelling |
| Seenda CBD 2 | Colorful keyboard/peripheral set | Budget-minded buyers who like its distinctive design |
| Seenda MBD 5 | Vertical ergonomic mouse with extra controls | People who prefer this mouse shape and will use its buttons |
M4 iPad Pro: a premium tablet for media and games
Marko’s silver M4 iPad Pro was his most substantial new Apple purchase of 2025. He used it for email, notes, projects, news, and entertainment, with the tandem OLED display especially valuable for movies and games: strong contrast and deep blacks make a visible difference in dark scenes. The M4 also gave him the performance headroom for demanding games, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Marko reported these Geekbench 6 results from his own comparison; they are his test results, not independently reproduced figures:
#1 Best Overall
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| Device tested by Marko | Single-core | Multi-core |
|---|---|---|
| M4 iPad Pro | 3,682 | 13,457 |
| Second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2017) | 929 | 2,256 |
For him, moving from the 2017 iPad Pro felt like a major improvement. But he still regarded the iPad as a tablet, not a Mac replacement. iPadOS does not provide macOS workflows or desktop software, so a faster chip does not resolve a mismatch between the device and the work a buyer needs to do.
Who should consider it
- Buyers who prioritize a premium tablet display, portable media, or demanding iPad games.
- People who want substantial performance headroom and expect to use the device regularly.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who mainly browses, checks email, streams video, or takes notes and would be satisfied with a less expensive iPad.
- People who need desktop applications or Mac-style file and work routines.
Marko considered the M5 iPad Pro’s improvements—including better power efficiency through its C1X modem, faster charging, and Wi-Fi 7—relatively modest for his own use. That is his late-2025 judgment, not a general verdict on the newer model or a current price comparison.
Rank #2
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2009 17-inch MacBook Pro: useful as a retro side machine
The surprise pick was a 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro Marko acquired for very little in a trade for a first-generation iPad Air. Its 1,920 × 1,200 matte display made it a portable movie-watching machine, and he also used it for browsing and productivity. USB-A ports suited older equipment, and he used the computer with older iOS devices and tools such as iFunBox. Repairability, customizability, and the appeal of the hardware were part of the attraction.
This is an enthusiast’s secondary computer, not a practical modern Mac replacement. Marko said newer Apple Silicon Macs were dramatically faster and relied on an M2 MacBook Air for more serious work. He found macOS Monterey and earlier worked better on the old machine; newer macOS versions may require workarounds and perform poorly.
Rank #3
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What to check before buying one used
- Battery condition and whether a replacement is available; an aging battery can make a supposedly portable machine impractical.
- Storage health, display condition, keyboard wear, Wi-Fi capability, and whether replacement parts can be sourced.
- Whether the operating system and applications you need still run. Modern browsers, streaming services, security updates, and software may not be compatible.
- Return terms and the seller’s description of faults. A low purchase price does not account for repairs or troubleshooting.
Consider it only if the appeal is retro computing, collecting, legacy-device management, or a large inexpensive screen for limited use. It is a poor choice for secure everyday computing, current professional software, gaming, or reliable battery life.
iPhone 16: the everyday phone Marko kept using
After replacing an iPhone 12, Marko used an ultramarine iPhone 16 for most of 2025. He valued its 48-megapixel Fusion main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with macro photography support, A18 chip, and battery life that he found sufficient for a full workday. Storage and performance suited his messaging, email, browsing, photography, and gaming.
Rank #4
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He also liked Camera Control for opening the camera quickly and adjusting zoom, and for accessing Visual Intelligence. But he did not consider the button transformative. Apple Intelligence was likewise a secondary benefit rather than a reason to buy: he found Image Playground and the Photos Clean Up tool more useful than many other features. The roundup notes that iPhone 16 meets the relevant hardware requirement for Apple Intelligence; that does not make the features essential to every buyer.
Who should consider it
- Someone upgrading from an older iPhone who finds the iPhone 16 materially cheaper than newer models.
- Buyers who want a capable camera and everyday performance, and do not need a ProMotion display.
Who should compare other options
- People upgrading from a recent iPhone, for whom practical gains may be limited.
- Buyers for whom ProMotion matters, or who are considering the phone mainly for Apple Intelligence or Camera Control.
The roundup does not establish the iPhone 16’s price, stock, or value against newer and refurbished phones in August 2026. Compare current regional prices before buying; Marko’s 2025 experience cannot settle today’s value question.
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Seenda peripherals: low-cost, distinctive, and personal
Marko also included two accessories that were not Apple products. The prices below are those reported in the December 30, 2025 article, not verified current offers.
| Accessory | What Marko liked | Reported price at publication | Practical caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seenda CBD 2 peripheral set | Bright plastic design and round keys with a typewriter-like feel; Marko said he used it with Macs spanning Intel, Apple Silicon, and PowerPC generations. | $39.99 | Compatibility is Marko’s experience, not a manufacturer-certified guarantee for every Mac. Key feel and software support may not suit everyone. |
| Seenda MBD 5 mouse | Vertical shape, separate left and right buttons, a top dial, and two additional side buttons that Marko found useful in games. | $27.99 | Vertical-mouse comfort is personal, and the usefulness of extra controls depends on the workflow. |
Those publication prices do not establish current stock, warranty coverage, returns, or support. If those factors matter, verify them before purchasing and compare with peripherals from established vendors such as Logitech or Apple. The roundup’s personal compatibility observation should not be treated as a universal support promise.
Which pick fits which buyer?
| If your priority is… | Closest fit among Marko’s picks | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet gaming and high-quality movie viewing | M4 iPad Pro | It remains an iPad, not a macOS computer; check whether a less expensive iPad meets your needs. |
| A dependable everyday phone | iPhone 16 | Its 2025 usefulness does not establish its current value; compare today’s prices and newer options. |
| Retro Apple hardware or legacy-device tinkering | 2009 17-inch MacBook Pro | Expect old-hardware and software limitations, and inspect condition carefully. |
| A colorful budget keyboard or unusual mouse | Seenda CBD 2 or MBD 5 | The prices are historical and current availability and support are unverified. |
| General-purpose modern computing | None of these picks is the obvious answer | A current MacBook Air is a more relevant category to compare than the 2009 machine. Apple’s Mac storefront is at apple.com/shop/buy-mac. |
How to use this retrospective when shopping
Marko’s roundup is useful for understanding what fit his routines, not as a current buying list. Before spending, compare the price of a new device with refurbished and used alternatives, and check the condition and return terms for used hardware. Apple’s regional stores provide current product listings for iPad, iPhone, and refurbished products; availability and prices vary by region. For Mac buyers checking a model’s identity and supported operating systems, Apple provides MacBook Pro model-identification information. Modern 16-inch MacBook Pro specifications are listed by Apple here, with the product family’s specifications at apple.com/macbook-pro/specs.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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