The M1/M2 air are both cheaper and better than this. If someone already had an M1 MBP then why would they upgrade to this? They wouldn’t.
This product really has no meaning in the lineup
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Apple Announces Updated 13-inch MacBook Pro With New M2 Chip
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This product really has no meaning in the lineup
TTBWND
The
Touch
Bar
Will
Never
Die.
Thanks Apple, for giving me one more reason to not upgrade my laptop.
I agree. Why does the 13 pro still exist? I'm a graphic designer (Adobe Suite) using the 14inch base model. It does all I ask of it and more. The old M1 MacBook Air can do some heavy lifting. So to me the 13 just feels like a middle child. Kinda put together with whatever and not really thought about. I'm trying to think about the types of people who'd be in the market for one. People who just want a nice computer will opt for the MacBook Air. And professionals could either do the MacBook Air or the 14 inch if budget is an issue. Anyone know why the 13 is still farting around?
The Air is a growing part of what keeps Apple in the green so to speak. And it's not like they don't take the global economy into consideration. More people could probably justify an upgraded MBA for need and budget fit than they could make a case for a new Pro at the moment. Don't worry: half the customers who spring for an Air this time around will want the Pro when the bells and whistles for that one are revealed. Maybe by then the economic recovery will have got more of us up off the mat, plus we get to see how the M2 performs meanwhile.
Retaining the old design, touch bar and all, makes the lineup look sloppy...
I'd at least have redesigned the chassis like they did with the air.
I'd at least have redesigned the chassis like they did with the air.
I rarely use the static Function keys, with their most frequent usage typically being Volume Up/Down/Mute and Brightness keys - all of which are most always present in Touch Bar. However, since Touch Bar, I have found myself interacting with that strip way more than I ever did when it was static. I find Touch Bar way more interesting/useful, for my specific needs. Clearly, not everyone feels the same.
That said, this updated MBA makes the base 13" MBP now seem even more of a curious offering. Even as one who really likes Touch Bar, I can't see why I (or anyone debating between the two devices) would chose the updated 13" MBP.
That said, this updated MBA makes the base 13" MBP now seem even more of a curious offering. Even as one who really likes Touch Bar, I can't see why I (or anyone debating between the two devices) would chose the updated 13" MBP.
You can think that, but what you can't do is deny that these are actual features that would draw someone to a product over another model that doesn't have these things.
Even if you like the touchbar, the new MBA has it, and as far as I can tell, there is NOTHING that the new 13" MBP has that the new MBA doesn't have, so then why the hell would anyone buy that over the new MBA?? That is why everyone is so bewildered by this product - it literally makes no sense and has no unique spot in the lineup. Everyone should just get the MBA.
The 13" MBP seems like it would be a great laptop for those who don't really need a laptop. Consider someone who:
- Uses their laptop in clamshell mode, on a desk (where a fan will help with heat)
- Transports it between different desk (home office and work office, where a smaller footprint than a 14" would be nice)
- Occasionally needs to break it out as a laptop, but not frequently
Then the 13" MBP's limitations aren't so glaring:
- MagSafe might actually be a detriment if the machine is plugged in securely (power cord not strung across the floor)
- Old webcam not an issue because you're using an external one (or your iPhone now!)
- One never has to use the Touch Bar
So if you think of it as a portable Mac mini, it's a value-conscious product that helps use up older tooling.
... Or Apple could've added a version of the MBA with a fan. Or a version of the 14" with an M2. Lots of way to skin this cat, Apple just decided old parts and tooling makes the most sense. And hey, you don't like it? There's an M2 MBA sitting right next to it.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Apple ends up selling these in bulk more cheaply than the new MBA (which will likely sell like hotcakes directly to consumers).
- Uses their laptop in clamshell mode, on a desk (where a fan will help with heat)
- Transports it between different desk (home office and work office, where a smaller footprint than a 14" would be nice)
- Occasionally needs to break it out as a laptop, but not frequently
Then the 13" MBP's limitations aren't so glaring:
- MagSafe might actually be a detriment if the machine is plugged in securely (power cord not strung across the floor)
- Old webcam not an issue because you're using an external one (or your iPhone now!)
- One never has to use the Touch Bar
So if you think of it as a portable Mac mini, it's a value-conscious product that helps use up older tooling.
... Or Apple could've added a version of the MBA with a fan. Or a version of the 14" with an M2. Lots of way to skin this cat, Apple just decided old parts and tooling makes the most sense. And hey, you don't like it? There's an M2 MBA sitting right next to it.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Apple ends up selling these in bulk more cheaply than the new MBA (which will likely sell like hotcakes directly to consumers).
those new 14 & 16" models JUST came out a few months ago and its too soon to bump their processors.
I'm the kind of person who will definitely be upgrading to this. I've had every version of the 13" MacBook Pro starting with the 2016 version. Current work horse is the M1 version and its hands down the best laptop I've ever owned.
Main job is software engineering, coding, etc. To be fair my laptop spends a lot of time at home in a dock, but I frequently undock it just to be able to use the Touch Bar. For me, the Touch Bar is a killer feature and I wouldn't want a Mac without one now. I know this is probably something that I will have to one day learn to live without, but as long as Apple are making a laptop with a Touch Bar then that's what I will be using, and I will upgrade to the M2 laptop just to ensure I can continue to use Touch Bar for another 5 years.
I think its a fair bet I'm not the only one who loves the Touch Bar, despite the angst of people on this forum who seem offended by the presence of such a machine, despite them having absolutely no obligation to buy one! I can't see Apple continuing to update this form factor if there wasn't demand.
My wife still uses a 2016 MacBook Pro with the TouchBar, she uses hers for online marketing, website development and the occasional podcast. I explained to her earlier that OS Ventura will not be supported on her hardware and she is also looking at the M2 MacBook Pro because she also loves the Touch Bar.
Apple must have a significant unused inventory of Touch Bar.
How is there a MagSafe on the Air but not on this? That makes no sense...
Embarrassed for Apple. The Air now has a larger display, better camera… better everything. Only advantage is slightly faster speed due to the fan. This is the same recycled design 3 or 4 times in a row.
So many frustrating decisions in this lineup. Why keep the old chassis of the MBP? Why keep the name "MacBook Air" instead of just renaming it "MacBook"? Why differentiate colors between the consumer model MacBook Air and iMac? Why exclusively use white bezels on iMac but none on MacBook Air when they target the same crowd?
Actually I was quite impressed and am very happy they sell a entry level MacBook Pro for those of us that prefer the touch bar.
Trivial to solve:
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