I noticed on Apple's website today they are doing a great job of differentiating their Pro MacBook lineup and their entry level 13". I even saw the 13" at a steep discount on Amazon.
I think most regular folks who aren't deep into what all is going on at Apple would go into an Apple store or online and be aghast at the $2000 price tag for a "base" model laptop.
They would probably just leave, go to Best Buy, and pickup a Samsung or Dell.
I think Apple is doing the right thing by offering the 13" MacBook Pro at $1299(?). I'm sure if someone shops around they can even get a sweeter deal like I mentioned seeing above.
Of course there is always the Air lineup, but there is something about it that I think could turn off some customers. People want a standard computer- they don't want to feel like they're getting something cheap.
Think about iPhone XR as an example.
I also think the differences in the chips like M1 and M1 Pro and all that is better understood by the professional folks. The regular folks are NOT going to follow all that so easily, and then translate it into how it affects their use.
The regular folks just want to know whether or not their laptop will do what they need it to do without looking at a bunch of specs.
The regular folks just want a nice screen, good keyboard, reliability, decent performance, and then it's on to their lives (friends, school, work, sports, hobbies, family, holidays, and so on)
They're not going to care so much about 90Hz or 120Hz or 1 trillion colors or 100 trillion colors and all that. It looks good; it works good; it gets the job done; it does what I need it do. And that's about it.
Overall it's becoming more clear the direction Apple has headed, and I must say that I like it. Bravo, Apple
EDIT: I also think the touch bar is great for your average consumer- not because it's super useful (IMO), but rather just because it looks really cool lol.
My ex-girlfriend complimented my touch bar and as an Apple nerd, I have to admit it made me feel pretty good
I think most regular folks who aren't deep into what all is going on at Apple would go into an Apple store or online and be aghast at the $2000 price tag for a "base" model laptop.
They would probably just leave, go to Best Buy, and pickup a Samsung or Dell.
I think Apple is doing the right thing by offering the 13" MacBook Pro at $1299(?). I'm sure if someone shops around they can even get a sweeter deal like I mentioned seeing above.
Of course there is always the Air lineup, but there is something about it that I think could turn off some customers. People want a standard computer- they don't want to feel like they're getting something cheap.
Think about iPhone XR as an example.
I also think the differences in the chips like M1 and M1 Pro and all that is better understood by the professional folks. The regular folks are NOT going to follow all that so easily, and then translate it into how it affects their use.
The regular folks just want to know whether or not their laptop will do what they need it to do without looking at a bunch of specs.
The regular folks just want a nice screen, good keyboard, reliability, decent performance, and then it's on to their lives (friends, school, work, sports, hobbies, family, holidays, and so on)
They're not going to care so much about 90Hz or 120Hz or 1 trillion colors or 100 trillion colors and all that. It looks good; it works good; it gets the job done; it does what I need it do. And that's about it.
Overall it's becoming more clear the direction Apple has headed, and I must say that I like it. Bravo, Apple
EDIT: I also think the touch bar is great for your average consumer- not because it's super useful (IMO), but rather just because it looks really cool lol.
My ex-girlfriend complimented my touch bar and as an Apple nerd, I have to admit it made me feel pretty good