On Friday, June 17, Apple will open pre-orders for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. This will be Apple’s first Mac with next-generation M2 processors, followed by the redesigned MacBook Air next month. While this may seem like a “new” device, the MacBook Pro actually packs a lot of old features that we thought Apple JetSon did. So would you buy one? Here are five reasons why you might want to stop.
It is more expensive than the M2 MacBook Air
Although Apple has not increased the price of the M2 MacBook Pro, it is still in an awkward position in terms of price. Starting at $ 1,299, it’s $ 100 more (8-core GPU vs. 10-core GPU) than the upcoming MacBook Air with a larger screen and similar processor. The MacBook Pro comes with more storage (512GB vs. 256GB) and a better cooling system, which will enable faster speeds in the long run, though most users probably won’t notice.
True professionals, however, may find the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro more suitable for the M1 Pro and M1 Max models. These are definitely more expensive, but you get more screens, better battery life and more build-to-order options.
It has Apple’s old design and display
The 13-inch MacBook Pro has long used the same classic design, and there’s really nothing wrong with that. Still, now that Apple has shaken up the template with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro and redesigned the MacBook Air, the larger MacBook Pro 13-inch bezels seem obsolete.
There are also displays. The 13-inch MacBook Pro lacks Apple’s new Liquid Retina technology, which brings more color and rounded angles to match design contours. It’s still a nice screen, but it’s not as good as other Pro models with the XDR and M2 MacBook Air. Also since the MacBook Air is 13.6 inches it is not the smallest in Apple’s lineup.
The port lacks it
Discussions about Apple and the port go hand-in-hand, but the company’s Maya Kulpa said last year that the introduction of an SD card reader, HDMI and MagSafe in 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook programs has gone down well with consumers and Pro users.
On the MacBook Pro M2, though, you don’t get any of those things. The M2 model has the same port as last year: two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Even the M2 MacBook Air has better ports with MagSafe (so you don’t have to use a USB-C port to charge) and support for high-end headphones. Of course, if you use a docking station with your laptop, it won’t be a problem, but we still want MagSafe.
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The camera is still 720p
Apple was somewhat ridiculed for its unwavering commitment to the 720p FaceTime HD camera that has garnered Macs year after year, but last year saw it finally arrive with time and replaced it with a 1080p sensor on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. . . As expected, the M2 MacBook Air gets better camera hardware, but not the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Okay, once the macOS 13 Ventura arrives, you’ll be able to use your iPhone as a webcam with a continuum camera, but that’s not an excuse to have a terrible webcam in 2022.
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Better models are coming
While there is always an argument that you can get better products if you save money, it is more of a concern to buy a traditional phone or tablet. Now that Apple’s (almost) all-in Apple Silicon and the next generation M2 have arrived, there will always be a question about whether to wait a few months for the next round of upgrades.
Although we never know what the future holds, it seems like a fairly safe bet that another MacBook is coming soon. There are rumors of an M2 Pro / M2 Max update on existing MacBook Pro models as well as a 15-inch model on the way. This is something to consider before dropping $ 1,299 right now.
But … touch bar
Without the processor, there’s nothing new about the new MacBook Pro. That means it’s still the last MacBook – probably ever – to have a touch bar. So if you like it, no other model has it. And really, since we no longer have it among the high-end MacBook professionals, we actually miss it.