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Running Ubuntu 25.04 Plucky Puffin as a virtual machine on your Mac is now more streamlined than ever thanks to advances in virtualization support for Apple silicon. With full compatibility for the Arm64 architecture, Ubuntu 25.04 provides a clean, responsive Linux environment optimised for Apple's M-series chips.
Installations on macOS benefit from native Arm performance, and Rosetta support, ensuring the desktop experience feels snappy within a contained VM. Tools such as UTM or Parallels Desktop provide robust virtual machine hosting with minimal configuration, bue we like 'Liviable' which enables developers and power users to easily deploy Linux workloads directly on their Mac.
Virtualization on Apple silicon has matured rapidly, removing many of the bottlenecks once associated with emulating non-native architectures. Now, booting Ubuntu 25.04 inside a VM offers reliable driver support, access to core system utilities, and a polished GNOME experience with minimal resource overhead.
This setup is ideal for testing cross-platform applications, compiling Arm-native binaries, or simply exploring the latest Linux features on modern macOS hardware. With the Arm ecosystem evolving quickly, combining Ubuntu and a MacBook delivers a versatile and efficient development stack that doesn’t compromise on speed or compatibility.
TL:DR – It is easy to set up Ubuntu 25.04 on a MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia 15.5, and once installed you have a perfectly usable, fast, desktop Linux virtual machine at your disposal.
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Read more: Ubuntu 25.04 Plucky Puffin Arm in a VM on your Apple Mac
Running macOS 26.0 Tahoe as a virtual machine on your Mac is easier than ever thanks to advances in virtualization support for Apple silicon. Running in a virtual machine allows you to check out the new version on your Apple's M-series based Mac computer safe in the knowledge that you aren't risking your production environment with beta software.
Tools such as VMware Fusion provide robust virtual machine hosting but cannot support macOS on Mac computers with Apple Silicon so we've chosen to use Viable, free software which takes advantade of the lightweight virtualisation framework provided by Apple.
Virtualization on Mac computers with Apple silicon has matured rapidly, removing many of the bottlenecks once associated with emulating non-native architectures. Booting macOS 26.0 Tahoe inside a VM is made possible by a system enabler from Apple providing reliable driver support, access to core system utilities, and a polished experience with minimal resource overhead.
This setup is ideal for testing applications, or simply exploring the latest features available to users of macOS 26.0 Tahoe.
TL:DR – It is easy to set up macOS 26.0 Tahoe on a Mac running macOS Sequoia 15.5, and once installed you have a perfectly usable, fast, beta macOS virtual machine at your disposal for testing without compromising your Mac.
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Ubuntu 24.04 LTS - (Noble Numbat) is supported for a very long time, until 2029, but I thought that screen sharing via Gnome remote desktop (GRD) was broken in Gnome 46.x which is provided by Ubuntu in 24.04 LTS.
So I decided an upgrade was required for remote access to work. But on reflection its not so simple. GRD in Ubuntu is provided with Microsoft Remote Dektop Protocol (RDP) support and without Virtual network computing (VNC) support. I chiefly use macOS and would rather use Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) which supports VNC not RDP. RDP works fine with Remmina, the Ubuntu provided RDP client, but not so far for me with the Windows App for macOS, or Remote Desktop Connection for Windows 11. I briefly considered a VNC server like its the millenium again, but VNC doesn't play well with Wayland so that doesn't really seem to be the answer. Neither is a third party tool like RustDesk. It want it vanilla and provided by the operating system vendor.
TL:DR – Ubuntu 25.04 has a LOT of new features so the time seems right to give it a try. Upgrade observations and instructions follow. Gnome Remote Desktop continues to be a voyage of discovery to get working the way I want it.
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Read more: Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04 and Troubleshooting Gnome Remote Desktop
In recent years, the popularity of refurbished technology has surged, particularly for Apple devices. The 2021 MacBook Pro stands out as an exceptional choice for both professionals and casual users seeking a powerful laptop at a competitive price point. With refurbished units offering substantial savings, accessing the benefits of cutting-edge technology has never been more attainable. This article evaluates the specifications, benefits, and purchasing options for refurbished 2021 MacBook Pro models, showcasing how these devices can meet even the most demanding user needs.
TL:DR – The 2021 MacBook Pro is a robust and reliable option with advanced features, available through refurbished avenues that offer quality assurance and financial flexibility. This guide discusses the refurbishment process, models available, and considerations when selecting a unit, ultimately encouraging readers to explore these refurbished offerings to meet their computing needs.
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Read more: 2021 Apple MacBook Pro M1 - the Best Choice Refurbished Mac
Apple's MacBook Pro range is the benchmark for performance in both creative and professional workloads. This article provides a thorough comparison of the M1 Max, M2 Max, M3 Max, and M4 Max processors found in Apple's 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models since October 2021. The Max moniker denotes the most powerfully equipped MacBook Pro that can be found, so this isn't about lower end bargain MacBooks, instead the focus of this article is on differences in performance, specifications, features, pricing, and suitability for various user needs of these top-end MacBook Pro computers.
TL;DR – The newly released M4 Max outshines its predecessors—the M1 Max, M2 Max, and M3 Max—in multiple performance aspects, including CPU and GPU power, SSD speeds, sustainability credentials and application efficiency, though it comes at a much higher price than a user or refurbished model. Users looking for peak performance and newer features without budget constraints should go for the M4 Max, while those on a budget can still find excellent value in the refurbushed market for M3, M2 or M1 Max models. The M1 Max is particularly noteworthy, delivering much of the compute power and most of the features that current new model has, at a fraction of the price, with software updates guaranteed for years to come! My pick would be a 14-inch M1 Max (MacBookPro18,4) or M2 Max (Mac14,5), maxed out as much as my budget and reputable refurbished availability allows! I ended up with a 16-in M1 Max with 64 GB 10-Core CPU/32-core GPU and 1 TB SSD. It is a rugged rocket ship and the battery lasts for days.
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Read more: Deeply Comparing the MacBook Pro M1 M2 M3 and M4 Max
The cheap and sometimes nasty routers provided for home networking by cable providers frequently make for configuration challenges for external access to internal services on computers in the home. Sometimes, the service providers block any advanced functionality altogether. This poor appoach doubtless leading to users opting for better providers. Enter the Virgin Media Hub 5 for people in the UK. This device has some benefits compared to previous versions. Virgin supports port forwarding on the Hub 5, which is needed to poke a hole through the router to a device on the local network to allow it to be accessed from the Internet, so lets look at the technical aspects. This short article goes into TCP port forwarding, the implications of modem mode, potential security risks, and practical troubleshooting measures. Additionally, you will be able to see what a successful port forwarding configuration looks like
TL:DR – Virgin Media has historically posed challenges for users attempting to set up port forwarding. Limitations in accessing certain ports, potential issues related to modem modes, and varied user experiences all made for problematic operations, and sometimes a stern sounding letter in the physical post from Virgin Media reminding the account holder of the scarieness of the open ports on home systems and the importance of meticulous configuration. Understanding of the complexities of IP networking and effective troubleshooting measures are important prerequisites to navigate these complexities.
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Read more: How set up Port Forwarding or a DMZ with a Virgin Media Hub 5
Secure Shell (SSH) keys provide a method of authenticating connections to various services which is particularly useful with virtual servers like Amazon EC2 instances where it is often the best or only way to connect to the server in the AWS console. This guide details the process of creating and adding an SSH key from a local computer with Ubuntu Linux to the authorized_keys file of an AWS EC2 instance. It covers the creation of SSH key pairs, the procedure to access the instance and update the authorized_keys file, and considerations to ensure the continued accessibility of the instance.
TL:DR – The process of adding or replacing an SSH key on an AWS EC2 instance allows secure access management for different users. This includes generating a new SSH key, connecting to the instance via SSH, updating the authorized_keys file, and testing the connection. Regularly updating SSH keys is good practice to maintain security, especially in collaborative environments. Additionally, proper management of the authorized_keys file is crucial to prevent accidental lockouts.
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Read more: How to create and add SSH Keys to AWS EC2 Authorized Keys
- Grab some useful apps with Amazon Coins before they expire!
- Microsoft RDS via AWS License Manager in EC2 with Managed AD
- Why You Should Switch from MS Authenticator to Authy Today
- FileCloud in AWS
- Final Days of the Amazon Appstore for Android
- Automate SSL/TLS Renewals with AWS Certificate Manager
- Top red flags in phishing emails that you should never ignore
- How to self verify using a domain with Bluesky
- How to get Google Developer Badges on your developer profile
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- Updates to Standard Google Developer Program Membership
- Last Intel based Mac mini reaches Apple vintage support stage