Are the 2021 Pros just for pros?

[appleuserindc]

One thing I thought was interesting in yesterday's presentation and the website marketing of the new MBPs is the nearly exclusive emphasis on "pros." That these machines are designed for and sold to pros, which is generally defined as people who use their MBPs for advanced workflows like video editing, coding, music mixing, etc.

I don't remember all the previous MBP introductions, but while they tacked toward professional applications, they also seemed to direct the machines to people who want the most advanced laptops and also focused on core apps like Safari. I am one of those people and it almost feels like Apple is trying to avoid selling to me!

I am upgrading from a 2016 13" MBP to a base 14" MBP because, well it's time, and of course the larger display size in the same body, ProMotion, brightness (SDR, HDR), surround sound, better keyboard, faster everything and the transition to Apple silicon. I'll be the first to acknowledge that I don't *need* the M1 Pro chip but this is about more than the silicon and the M1 13" MBP simply brings Apple silicon to a five-year-old model. I am a fairly advanced Mac user and a professional in the pure sense of the word but rarely use video or photo editing. Still, I have a ton of open apps for work including Chrome, Mail, Safari, Calendar, etc. and travel a fair amount.

I understand there may be a more upscale MacBook Air next year and while it might have a more appropriate chip for my needs, I fear it won't have as cool a display, won't have a right-side charging port (which I need for my setup), worse sound, etc. Also, it may be a year away.

Obviously, just because Apple isn't marketing directly toward people like me doesn't mean we shouldn't buy the machine, but I wonder why they didn't say something like "And for people who simply want the best laptop they can buy"? Perhaps it would draw press scrutiny to the price?

This also raises a question about Apple's use of the "Pro" moniker. In some cases, like the Mac Pro, it signifies usage for pros only. And with the AirPods Pro and the iPhone Pro, it means fully loaded for the people who want the most and best features.

With the 2021 MacBook Pro, they seem to be saying "for pros" but the machine itself, at least at base levels, also mean "most and best features."

 

[Saturnine]

Not really. They’re for anybody that wants one (and can afford one.) I do music production with a lot of tracks and huge sample libraries. I also do some heavy video editing. The new machines make sense for me. Neither are my full-time job so I’m technically not a professional.

My dad uses his laptop for email, web, watching videos and also some Photoshop. His is an 8GB M1 MBP and it’s absolutely more than capable. He couldn’t be more pleased with it.

 

[kerrikins]

I think the reason why they emphasized 'for pros' is because they want to let those people know that they were the ones in mind when Apple built this laptop. A lot of pro users have been feeling neglected over the last few years so I think this was Apple's way of saying 'we hear you'. Doesn't mean that you can't buy it!

 

[DHagan4755]

It's kind of like a pickup truck. Not everyone wants or needs a pickup, but some do. I'd say most people want a sedan (MacBook Air M1) or SUV (13" MacBook Pro M1). The 14" and 16" MBPs are the trucks; 6-cyclinder, Hemi, crew cab, extended cab, light duty, super duty. You get the idea.

 

[Loudsilvereel]

I believe the words were actually mentioned in the event '..and for anyone wanting the best laptop they can get'
That sounds like me. No need for it, but i'm pretty sure i'll enjoy the good screen size, mini LED display and 120Hz ProMotion. The speed of a M1 Max should be enough to last me many more years

 

[cubbie5150]

I most definitely am not a pro-level user, but I want two things:
1) macOS
2) large (>14") screen

Thus, I accept that I will need to pay a hefty premium. I do tend to keep my devices for 5+ years, so I'm sure I'll also exacerbate the expense by severely over-spec'ing my machine when I eventually buy (probably not til the first revision next year)) using the "future-proofing!" justification.

 

[Sterkenburg]

They are designed for professional/enthusiasts, something that could not be said about what they made between 2016 and 2019. Apple had lost reputation among that specific userbase, therefore they (correctly) chose to emphasize the fact they had listened. Ultimately, they are for anyone who can afford and wants to buy a great laptop

 

[Fly360]

its marketing its people doing pro work on older cheaper laptops

 

[ascender]

Remember that they also established that "pro" workflow team to try and better understand the software and hardware needs of users they refer to as pros who are the target users for this sort of hardware. I consider that term from an Apple perspective to be video/audio/photography professionals as well as developers.

Where I think the analogy about pro hardware falls down a bit is that Apple only make one laptop with a screen which is larger than 14" and one range of laptops with more than two ports on it. Which does mean that some people will be forced (relatively speaking) to buy a much more expensive and powerful laptop than they will ever need, just to get some basic features.

Some people will buy the MBP because they want the best laptop Apple make. And there's lots of other reasons people buy them too - many of whom will consider themselves to be a "pro" user because of what they use their laptop for.

 

[3Rock]

Just because they put the ”Pro” In the title doesn’t mean it’s exclusive to pro users. I’m not a pro and I bought one so who’s telling us that we can’t? Not Apple. It just tells the pro user that this new MacBook Pro can be used for pro users. Real simple.

 

[Steve121178]

They are designed for anyone who needs some serious power to do their work.

 

[mctrials23]

Its nothing to do with being a "pro". Apple are just masters at marketing and aspirational selling. Look at any of their adverts, marketing or releases and they are full of models "living their best life" and doing cool things. The latest iPhone spent a lot of time pushing the camera and video capabilities that 99% of users will never even bother to utilise.

Its all about selling a lifestyle. The number of youtubers with a mac pro and pro display XDR and 1000 subscribers is mind boggling.

I could do my work (programming) on a few year old laptop with no issues. I have been using an M1 macbook pro for the last 8 months and its been an absolute monster for what I need. That doesn't mean I haven't just bought a pretty high spec 14" because I want one and I have to give the M1 macbook back to the company.

Basically far more people will convince themselves that they are "pro" and need these than those who will say "ooh, I don't really have a use case for this and its quite a lot of money" and abstain.

 

[assquatch]

I think so, yes. Or to put it another way, if you don’t know that you do computationally heavy work, you don’t need one. The m1s are FAST. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY needs more than an 8gb m1 for their browser tabs.

 

[appleuserindc]

I believe the words were actually mentioned in the event '..and for anyone wanting the best laptop they can get'
That sounds like me. No need for it, but i'm pretty sure i'll enjoy the good screen size, mini LED display and 120Hz ProMotion. The speed of a M1 Max should be enough to last me many more years

Yep, I think missed. I don't need the M1 Pro but I really want all the other features like mini-LED, more screen real estate, ProMotion, spatial audio, etc. I know of wish they had an M1 option. But feels like I'm not really wasting much money on the base M1 Pro. The MBP with an M1 would probably cost $1799.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Yep, I think missed. I don't need the M1 Pro but I really want all the other features like mini-LED, more screen real estate, ProMotion, spatial audio, etc. I know of wish they had an M1 option. But feels like I'm not really wasting much money on the base M1 Pro. The MBP with an M1 would probably cost $1799.

Get the computer you want for whatever reasons you want.

 

[appleuserindc]

Ultimately, if next year, Apple releases an Air that's suitable enthusiasts (space gray, etc.), the MBP will have outstanding re-sale value.

 

[Raebo]

If just “pros“ that really need it bought it, would Apple even make the 14 inch Macbook Pro? And if they did, how much would it cost? 8-10 thousand or more?

 

[babyexercise]

One thing I thought was interesting in yesterday's presentation and the website marketing of the new MBPs is the nearly exclusive emphasis on "pros." That these machines are designed for and sold to pros, which is generally defined as people who use their MBPs for advanced workflows like video editing, coding, music mixing, etc.

I don't remember all the previous MBP introductions, but while they tacked toward professional applications, they also seemed to direct the machines to people who want the most advanced laptops and also focused on core apps like Safari. I am one of those people and it almost feels like Apple is trying to avoid selling to me!

I am upgrading from a 2016 13" MBP to a base 14" MBP because, well it's time, and of course the larger display size in the same body, ProMotion, brightness (SDR, HDR), surround sound, better keyboard, faster everything and the transition to Apple silicon. I'll be the first to acknowledge that I don't *need* the M1 Pro chip but this is about more than the silicon and the M1 13" MBP simply brings Apple silicon to a five-year-old model. I am a fairly advanced Mac user and a professional in the pure sense of the word but rarely use video or photo editing. Still, I have a ton of open apps for work including Chrome, Mail, Safari, Calendar, etc. and travel a fair amount.

I understand there may be a more upscale MacBook Air next year and while it might have a more appropriate chip for my needs, I fear it won't have as cool a display, won't have a right-side charging port (which I need for my setup), worse sound, etc. Also, it may be a year away.

Obviously, just because Apple isn't marketing directly toward people like me doesn't mean we shouldn't buy the machine, but I wonder why they didn't say something like "And for people who simply want the best laptop they can buy"? Perhaps it would draw press scrutiny to the price?

This also raises a question about Apple's use of the "Pro" moniker. In some cases, like the Mac Pro, it signifies usage for pros only. And with the AirPods Pro and the iPhone Pro, it means fully loaded for the people who want the most and best features.

With the 2021 MacBook Pro, they seem to be saying "for pros" but the machine itself, at least at base levels, also mean "most and best features."

Apple real main target customers for MacBook Pro is “Pro Rich” but Apple cannot just say this lol

 

[aeternitas]

It's just a branding strategy that some people take too seriously. The Mac is for whomever wants it, even if they'll just use it to browse the web.

 

[appleuserindc]

It's just a branding strategy that some people take too seriously. The Mac is for whomever wants it, even if they'll just use it to browse the web.

Agree but Apple is using "Pro" elastically. It can mean "cool and loaded" like the AirPods Pro, iPad Pro and iPhone Pro or it can mean "only coders and creative professionals need this" like the Mac Pro or iMac Pro. The marketing for the 2021 MBP suggests the latter definition and it's probably true for all models above the base CPU/GPU. But the advanced display and audio features put it in "cool and loaded" category too.

 

[Seanm87]

I’m in the same category. Not a pro user at all. But I want the larger display with mini LED and 120hz. Plus I have lots of disposable income, and I love apple stuff so why not? You only live once.

But I get what you’re saying about advertising but doesnt really matter at the end of the day. I mean people buy Ferraris and don’t drive them at 200mph, even though they can. They get them because they look and feel nice.

 

[chabig]

This also raises a question about Apple's use of the "Pro" moniker. In some cases, like the Mac Pro, it signifies usage for pros only.

By this logic, Alienware computers are only for aliens.

 

[dingobiatch]

Sorry I’m confused - if you take away the CPU and GPU power, what do these new Pros have that the M1 Air doesn’t? Features that stop you from wanting an Air I mean. I’m honestly curious. Obviously they’ll need to refresh the Air for certain things like MagSafe.

 

[fa8362]

Sorry I’m confused - if you take away the CPU and GPU power, what do these new Pros have that the M1 Air doesn’t? Features that stop you from wanting an Air I mean. I’m honestly curious. Obviously they’ll need to refresh the Air for certain things like MagSafe.

Larger screens - 14 and 16 inches. More port flexibility - 3 ports vs 1 (if using AC) or 2 (if using battery power) on the Air, and an HDMI port and SD card reader.

 

[Kimcha]

In my opinion these computers are not aimed at the average person.

They are pretty clearly optimized for heavy multi-core CPU and GPU workflows like video editing.

The M1 Pro/Max chips have almost the same single-core performance.

Instead of 4 efficiency cores, they have 2 efficiency cores.

So they are faster at multi-core operations and at the GPU, but that benefit comes with many downsides, such as heavier and thicker body.

And most importantly significantly lower battery life. The 13” M1 MBP can do 17h of web browsing, the M1 MBA can do 15h and the new 14” can only do 11h.

And that’s for very, very light usage where you just browse the web in safari.

If you add office apps, slack, Spotify, chrome, maybe development tools and the real life usage will be significantly lower.

For example, the MBA seems to get 8-10h instead of the advertised 15h.

So in real life scenarios the new MBP will likely only get 5.5-7h of battery.

So most people who are buying it now, are trading a significant chunk of battery for additional performance that most of them don’t actually need.

So yeah, I think the new MBP is quite clearly optimized for people who can benefit from the added performance and for whom the resulting compromises are less important.

That’s why I think they will soon release a redesigned MBA that will have many of the benefits of the MBP, but optimized for battery instead of performance.

That will be the perfect device for most people.