After five years, Apple released its first major redesign of the MacBook Pro since the M1 Pro/M1 Max models, and well… it was a bit disappointing from a design perspective. The product is amazing in so many ways, but after seeing it, I don’t feel like I have to buy one – at least not yet.
The “revision” wasn’t really one
The new MacBook Pro is significantly lighter. This is a major improvement, especially if you’re carrying a 16-inch MacBook Pro. With this new generation PROLED XDR, the 14-inch model has lost 0.5 pounds and the 16-inch model has been reduced by 0.7 pounds. This is a great deal when you carry it in a backpack or similar. The new models are also slightly thinner.
For my part, however, I am a little surprised by the fact that nothing has changed in the design of the top case. The layout of the keyboard, trackpad, speakers, and ports is pretty much the same, and the chassis hasn’t changed shape other than becoming a bit thinner. For every MacBook Pro redesign in the past, the top case has changed significantly. With this redesign, it really feels like more of a display upgrade that also comes with a lighter chassis.
Was there a problem with the current MacBook Pro chassis? No way. However, the same could also be said for most design changes in Apple’s history. It would have been nice to have a slightly different look, beyond display.
Expensive and chips aren’t a major upgrade
It’s more of a personal point. That said, I already have an M4 Pro model, and given that these new MacBook Pros are significantly more expensive ($400 more than the miniLED MacBook Pros, which are also $300 more than before the June price hikes), I’m not particularly excited about buying silicon that isn’t the latest and greatest. The M5 family started last year and we already know that M7 will arrive next year.
I completely understand why Apple chose to ignore the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, but it certainly makes this MacBook Pro a little less interesting.
Touch is not a major selling point
Apple has already hinted that they have more in the works when it comes to macOS optimizations for touch, so perhaps I’ll be impressed in the future. For now though, other than being able to interact with the iOS simulator with the appropriate touch, I don’t really see the need for touch on my Mac.
It’s great that it’s there, and I’m certainly not disappointed that Apple added it – but I’m not yet convinced that I really need it.
Conclude
None of this was meant to disparage the new MacBook Pro. In fact, I will most definitely buy one in the future, probably once it gets the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips this time next year. Hopefully, touch will then seem more important. I certainly like the idea of having a shiny Apple logo again, but not yet – and it’s not like this product would go anywhere if I didn’t buy it in the first iteration.
It’s also worth noting that I haven’t seen the new screen in person yet. It’s entirely possible that I’ll be blown away once I see it, but I still think I’ll be able to wait. Especially since my MacBook Pro M4 Pro already has a 1000 nits screen, so I don’t miss the OLED model too much.
What do you think of the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR? Are you going to buy one or are you in the same boat as me? Let us know in the comments.
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