Macworld
| Company type | Digital publication |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology media |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | David Bunnell, Cheryl Woodard, Andrew Fluegelman |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Owner | Foundry (owned by Regent as of 2025) |
| Website | macworld |
Macworld is a digital publication and website dedicated to Apple Inc. hardware and software, produced by Foundry.
History
Established in 1984 by publishers David Bunnell and Cheryl Woodard along with editor Andrew Fluegelman, Macworld debuted concurrently with the Macintosh computer. It quickly became the foremost Macintosh-centric magazine in North America, boasting the highest audited circulation—exceeding that of its nearest rival, MacLife, by more than twice.
In 1997, the MacUser magazine, owned by Ziff-Davis, was merged into Macworld through the Mac Publishing joint venture between IDG and Ziff-Davis. To enhance its online footprint, the company acquired the digital outlet MacCentral Online in 1999. By late 2001, IDG had fully taken over Mac Publishing from Ziff-Davis.
The launch of a digital edition alongside the print magazine occurred in 2003. However, on September 10, 2014, IDG discontinued the print version and downsized staff, continuing solely with the digital format.
The Macworld brand was also licensed to IDG World Expo for organizing the annual Macworld Conference & Expo (later known as Macworld/iWorld), which took place at San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center.
In March 2025, Regent acquired IDG’s Foundry media division, including ownership of Macworld.
Game Hall of Fame
From 1986 through 2009, Macworld annually highlighted top Macintosh games via its Game Hall of Fame feature. Initiated by Steven Levy in 1986, he contributed until 1998 before Peter Cohen assumed responsibility until the feature concluded in 2009. Beginning in 1998, this Hall of Fame expanded to cover gaming hardware and accessories; during its final two years (2008 and 2009), it also recognized leading iPhone games.
International editions
Through IDG subsidiaries or licensees, Macworld was published globally in countries such as Australia, Germany (from 1990 to 2015 under the title Macwelt), Italy, Spain, Sweden (as MacWorld), Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. Its material was incorporated into various other IDG titles. In France, IDG purchased Golden magazine (launched in 1991), rebranded it as Macworld France in 1996, later merging it with Univers Mac to create Univers Macworld, which ceased circulation around 2004.
In Indonesia, publication of Macworld was handled by Megindo Tunggal Sejahtera from 2008 until December 2011.
Podcast
The Macworld Podcast is a weekly show produced by Macworld. It originally launched on April 26, 2005, as the "Geek Factor Podcast," hosted by Cyrus Farivar. The podcast adopted the official "Macworld Podcast" name starting with its fifth episode in August 2005. Past hosts have included Chris Breen, Philip Michaels, Serenity Caldwell, Glenn Fleishman, and Susie Ochs. After pausing in 2017, the podcast resumed with current hosts Michael Simon, Roman Loyola, and Jason Cross.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Monthly magazines published in the United States
- Computer magazines published in the United Kingdom
- Computer magazines published in Australia
- Computer magazines published in Germany
- Computer magazines published in Italy
- Computer magazines published in Spain
- Computer magazines published in Sweden
- Magazines published in Indonesia
- Macintosh magazines
- Magazines established in 1984
- Magazines published in San Francisco
- Online magazines with defunct print editions
- International Data Group
- 1984 establishments in California
- 2025 mergers and acquisitions