Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro

[jchap]

What I don’t understand is why Apple would release a MacBook model that reportedly sits above the Pro, but with touchscreen capabilities. Do professional users really rely more on touchscreen use? It seems to me that more specialized users require the greater precision of the mouse, pen tablet and so on, not the less precise and clumsier touchscreen features.

Touchscreen capabilities might be nice for education users, but it arguably does not make as much sense or fulfill as much of a demand for pros. That’s why the mismatch seems a bit odd to me.

 

[Black_Mage]

No, I upgraded from my 2018 M1 MacBook Pro. ALSO loaded with 8TB SSD!

The M1 MacBook Pro was released on November 17, 2020.

 

[jz0309]

a computer is a tool, buy when when your old tool doesn't do the job anymore ...

and waiting for the "next gen" is by far the best strategy cause there is always something better coming, every year, going strong since the 1st IBM PC was introduced, just too bad you miss out on the tool that could get the job done.

 

[novagamer]

What I don’t understand is why Apple would release a MacBook model that reportedly sits above the Pro, but with touchscreen capabilities. Do professional users really rely more on touchscreen use? It seems to me that more specialized users require the greater precision of the mouse, pen tablet and so on, not the less precise and clumsier touchscreen features.

Touchscreen capabilities might be nice for education users, but it arguably does not make as much sense or fulfill as much of a demand for pros. That’s why the mismatch seems a bit odd to me.

Perhaps the touchscreen is not where everyone assumes it is. 🙂

 

[jdawgnoonan]

The only feature that would make me regret purchasing my M5 Max machine instead of waiting would be FaceID. Also, for the life of me I cannot figure out why touch screen on Macs would start on the highest end machines. In Windows based PCs most high end PCs are bought without touch screens. I for one have bought 3 high end PC laptops in the last 5 years and have always avoided them as I do not use them and do not want smudged screens if someone else uses one of my laptops.

 

[patrick001]

I didn't wait. I just got a M5 Pro MacBook Pro. I love it.

View attachment 2626535

You'll regret it later. No worries

 

[code-m]

There is something better in the works you say? That must be the first time ever! I will wait then!

Forgot the Ultra price tag as well 😝

 

[Nyx1]

Why using OLED really hope Apple doing like using QDEL

 

[code-m]

The only feature that would make me regret purchasing my M5 Max machine instead of waiting would be FaceID. Also, for the life of me I cannot figure out why touch screen on Macs would start on the highest end machines. In Windows based PCs most high end PCs are bought without touch screens. I for one have bought 3 high end PC laptops in the last 5 years and have always avoided them as I do not use them and do not want smudged screens if someone else uses one of my laptops.

Wouldn’t nano texture or some new oleophobic coating reduce if not eliminate most smudges.

 

[code-m]

Why using OLED really hope Apple doing like using QDEL

You mean QD-OLED.

 

[code-m]

why u need a touchscreen for Mac? u buying it wrong.

again, I think there's something odd about this. the delay tells me something.

it just doesn't make sense to touch laptops. it failed miserably on PCS.

If the PC world was doing it wrong sure why should anyone bother to try and innovate. There were MP3 players before iPod, smartphones before iPhone, tablets before iPad, smart watches before AW and so on but hey no one is forcing anyone to buy or use it.

 

[code-m]

Same here. My last MBP had the infamous Butterfly keyboard (and yes, it failed). So I will stick with the tried-and-tested hardware from now on, thanks. No interest in a touchscreen Mac, either. Call me when they can read hand gestures, though! 😉

I don’t think I read a rumour that a keyboard is not part of the device but good to see some go way off the field all together on this one. 😝

 

[code-m]

If you want a MacBook Pro, you should definitely buy it now. They aren’t going to get any cheaper, and this supposed ultra OLED model is likely going be way past what we’ve seen so far.

Oh wait and pick-up a refurb M5 MacBook Pro for a discount.

 

[jchap]

Perhaps the touchscreen is not where everyone assumes it is. 🙂

They already did the Touch Bar for the Pro line, and we all know how that turned out…

ASUS did the touch screen on the trackpad thing, so it’s doubtful that Apple will go that route.

Beyond this, it’s anybody’s guess… ideas?

 

[HVDynamo]

I've never seen a need for a touch screen on a laptop. But I can't begin to tell you the number of times, when I want to show a web page to a friend or relative, that they instinctively try to swipe the screen instead of the trackpad to scroll the page.

I assume this is force of habit from phones and tablets. And I know that extended use in that orientation leads to sore wrists. But there are people who claim they want this. So why not sell them what they want? As long as I'm not forced to pay extra for the feature, i really don't care.

My biggest worry is the OS design catering to touch when I want it to keep catering to mouse/trackpad/keyboard.

 

[Biro]

Not sure if you do want to wait.

Given how component supply and pricing is going, the next MBPs could be astronomically expensive, especially if it's a new generation of tech on key components like the screen.

This is exactly why I upgraded to a 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro model a few weeks ago. I’ll get by just fine without the Ultra.

 

[jchap]

Also, for the life of me I cannot figure out why touch screen on Macs would start on the highest end machines.

Neither can I. Obviously, it costs more to include those touch-sensitive components into the display technology, but I really don’t understand why “touch” is considered as a “pro” feature. People who do not necessary rely on precision, like small children, might enjoy a touchable screen, but for pro users who are accustomed to using a mouse and/or pen tablet to get their work done, touch is really a step backwards.

Some people might think it’s a convenience, and maybe it is occasionally useful to touch an element onscreen when you’re using your laptop, but pointing devices are generally always more precise.

 

[Madonepro]

Because there's something better in the works.

There is always something better in the works! Tech rarely gets worse, and just keep evolving.
Lazy journalism, that’s simply recycling and rehashing stories.

 

[BGPL]

Here we go again with OLED displays. Wonder if it will come with a photo of the Loch Ness Monster signed by Nessie.

I'm surprised cellular connectivity on Macs hasn't happened 10 years ago, it makes total sense. I will 100% be all over that and would buy a new MacBook just for that feature.

 

[AppleTO]

Tech rarely gets worse, and just keep evolving.

Well, hardware anyways. Software… that’s debatable.

 

[now i see it]

A possible future OLED display is reason enough to buy THIS current LCD model now.
Forums are gunna fill up with “my new OLED MacBook is giving me eyestrain” (or headache or dizziness or vertigo or nausea or even worse) for the unfortunate individuals who can’t tolerate staring at a strobe light.

 

[BGPL]

No, I upgraded from my 2018 M1 MacBook Pro. ALSO loaded with 8TB SSD!

I thought THAT one was pricey. The new one all these years later was $12K CAD. (Canadian Dollars).

Anyways, the new one I put some AI stuff on it and decided I want to erase it and remove my Apple ID before doing like Neo Claw etc. So I am using the M1 and it's still fine. Still has super long battery.

My workloads in real life are not heavy, except maybe Astrophotography these days.

I upgraded because I thought now was a good time AND because I heard so much about people doing AI installs on Mac mini and Mac Studios.

I'm not the best guy to ask about horsepower really.

Those 2018 M1 MacBooks are SUPER rare. As in, you may have the only one.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Neither can I. Obviously, it costs more to include those touch-sensitive components into the display technology, but I really don’t understand why “touch” is considered as a “pro” feature. People who do not necessary rely on precision, like small children, might enjoy a touchable screen, but for pro users who are accustomed to using a mouse and/or pen tablet to get their work done, touch is really a step backwards.

Some people might think it’s a convenience, and maybe it is occasionally useful to touch an element onscreen when you’re using your laptop, but pointing devices are generally always more precise.

I don't mind it being available if it adds no cost, but obviously that isn't the case. I just wonder if they will offer an option that does not include it as high end Windows PCs do.

 

[Darajavahus]

...and Apple isn't removing the keyboard or trackpad.

The change in node size is expected to bring faster speeds with reduced power consumption... Performance per watt will improve... new transistor technology will bring improved performance and lower power consumption.

Is this post AI??

 

[Kawawolf]

At schools, students have touchscreen chromebooks that are some 4 years old at this point. Those screens look gross! I can’t imagine people wanting to turn a very nice (and very expensive) computer into a smudge factory. Maybe Apple is doing this so they can sell lots of Woosh! on the side. It works pretty good, I’ll give it that, but still.