Mac Chat: CSUN Recap, MacBook Air M4 Thoughts, and Smarter Storage with Hyperspace

In this episode of Mac Chat, Marty and Chris return from the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and share highlights from the event, including reconnecting with the community and joining the Double Tap team for a live wrap-up on the vendor floor.

They dive into Apple’s new MacBook Air with the M4 chip, weighing the pros and cons of upgrading. Is it worth moving up from an M1 or M2? Marty shares what’s changed—like the bump to 16GB RAM as the new baseline, a lower starting price, and a subtle new blue color—plus tips for deciding if it’s time to update your machine.

Next, Chris introduces Hyperspace, a simple and VoiceOver-accessible app that helps free up storage by removing duplicate files. They break down how it works, what to watch for (like local vs. cloud files), and why it’s a great option for anyone dealing with limited space on a smaller drive.

They also explore RSS readers—what they are, how they help you avoid clutter, and why Marty recommends NetNewsWire as a free, accessible way to track your favorite sites and YouTube channels.

Rounding out the episode, Chris shares excitement about the MacStock Conference and Expo and applying to speak there, while both give a big shoutout to Allison Sheridan of the NosillaCast for her work in the Mac and accessibility communities.

Other Topics Covered:

• Setting ChatGPT as your default Safari search engine
• Using RSS readers for smarter content consumption
• Recommended communities: AppleVis, Mac Geek Gab, Mac Power Users, and NosillaCast

Links & Mentions:

• Hyperspace on the Mac App Store
• NetNewsWire RSS Reader
• Double Tap CSUN Wrap-Up
• NosillaCast Podcast
• MacStock Conference & Expo

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