MacBook Pro Returns with Major Upgrades
The MacBook Pro is back. For years, Apple Inc’s MacBook Pro was the go-to device for creators, photographers, business users and students looking to get the most power out of their laptops. But they did some really weird and obnoxious changes in their last version which led to loads of complaints.
Who can forget the debut of the original MacBook Pro in 2006, where Steve Jobs unveiled his first Intel-powered laptop and demonstrated the built-in video chat camera for the first time? Or the 2008 models with the new unibody designs and revamped trackpads?
And the 2012 models with thinner frames, speedier chips and the first Mac Retina displays… But the 2016 MacBook Pro was absolutely forgettable.
With that model, Apple disregarded its core audience for the MacBook Pro and attempted to go more mainstream. Instead of leaning in to professional users, Apple changed the definition of “pro” to anyone willing to spend top dollar for its products. That’s not surprising really. Money, ultimately drives all companies, but a Pro may not be for all audiences- but the real buyers should not have been ignored.
Even if it meant buying a device that jettisoned necessary capabilities, “non pro users” lined up to buy. For actual pro users, the 2016 MacBook Pro was a failure.
Apple shifted to the thinner butterfly keyboard originally found in the 2015 12-inch MacBook Pro. This keyboard was quickly found to be unreliable, prone to breaks and uncomfortable.
The company also removed the physical escape key, a must-have for programmers and other users who would normally buy a MacBook Pro. Apple also replaced the physical function keys with the Touch Bar, which some customers found difficult to use.
The Touch Bar was a hit to productivity and a solution without a problem. Why was it added in the first place? It has very little usability anyway. They also removed key ports like the SD card slot and HDMI connector in favour of USB-C ports and clunky adapters.
MagSafe magnetic charging was removed in favour of the USB-C port, which led to quite a few MacBook Pros crashing onto the floor. Wasn’t the MagSafe their key selling point? It was a major differentiator and USP for all users. Over the last 5 years, Apple slowly began to fix some of these problems of its own making.
The escape key returned in 2019 and the keyboard was ultimately fixed. But this year’s new MacBook Pro goes further, finally addressing most- if not all of the complaints.
The new 2021 M1 Pro and M1 Max models truly feel like high-end products, putting them alongside the elite 2006, 2008 and 2012 versions. Major fixes have been achieved this time around. Now, this is what Apple really stands for!
Apple embraced a better blend of form and function, letting the new models get slightly heavier and thicker to accommodate better performance and larger batteries. This is what pro users want.
If pro users wanted the thinnest and lightest Mac available, they’d get an Air- like I did. The Touch Bar is also out.
Instead, there are full-sized function keys for audio control, brightness, accessing search, turning on “do not disturb” and using dictation. Of course, the Touch Bar was conceived as a solution to Apple’s stubborn refusal to add touch screens to Macs. Personally, I don’t know what’s wrong with a touch screen on a Mac.
Perhaps one day, Apple will add such functionality, but that could harm iPad sales. Also, the ports are back!
The SD card slot and HDMI port have made their returns. MagSafe is also back- as MagSafe 3- yay!
All of this represents a great step forward for Apple, which has occasionally focused too much on form and not enough on function. Now the company has started to find a better balance. Beauty with brains seems to be the mantra and hopefully, this will continue.
The slightly thicker iPhone, with longer battery life and protruding cameras, is another perfect example. But the company is facing severe shortages of its products at the worst time possible.
Want a new iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch? Good luck finding one.
New orders from Apple’s online store won’t arrive until between late November and December. On top of that, Apple’s retail stores are light on supply. So if you’re looking to buy some new Apple products, be patient.
If the company doesn’t find a solution to its supply chain problem soon, its golden holiday quarter could generate lower revenue than expected. Now that may lead to another set of upgrades (read downgrades!)….
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