On Friday, June 17, Apple will open pre-orders for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. This is the first Mac with Apple’s next-generation M2 processors, followed by a redesigned MacBook Air next month. But while it looks like a “new” device, the MacBook Pro actually contains much older features that we thought Apple had abandoned. So should you buy one? Here are five reasons why you may want to opt out.
It is more expensive than the M2 MacBook Air
Although Apple has not raised the price of the M2 MacBook Pro, it is still in an awkward place when it comes to pricing. Starting at $ 1299, that’s $ 100 more than the upcoming MacBook Air with a larger screen and similar processor (8-core GPU versus 10-core GPU). The MacBook Pro comes with more storage space (512GB vs. 256GB) and a better cooling system that will allow faster speeds for longer times, although most users probably won’t notice.
However, true professionals will probably be better suited to the M1 Pro and M1 Max in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. They are more expensive, of course, but you get more screen, better battery life and more custom build options.
It has the older design and display of Apple
The 13-inch MacBook Pro has long used the same classic design, and there’s really nothing wrong with it. Still, now that Apple has shaken up the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro and redesigned MacBook Air, the large 13-inch MacBook Pro frames feel outdated.
There is also a display. The 13-inch MacBook Pro lacks Apple’s newer Liquid Retina technology, which brings more colors and rounded corners to match the contours of the design. It’s still a nice screen, but compared to other Pro models with XDR and M2 MacBook Air, it’s not that good. It’s also not the smallest in Apple’s range, as the MacBook Air has grown to 13.6 inches.
The 2018 MacBook Pro is essentially the same as the M2.
It lacks ports
Apple and the discussion of ports go hand in hand, but it would be fair to say that the company made a mistake last year, seeing the reintroduction of SD card, HDMI and MagSafe readers on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professionals turned out good for consumers and professional users.
However, with the MacBook Pro M2, you don’t get any of these things. The M2 has the same ports as last year: two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high impedance headphones. Even the M2 MacBook Air has better port options with the addition of MagSafe (so you don’t have to use a USB-C charging port). Of course, if you use a docking station with your laptop, this will not be a problem, but we would still prefer MagSafe.
The new MacBook Pro still has the same two USB-C ports – and no MagSafe.
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The camera is still 720p
Apple was somewhat ridiculed for its firm commitment to the 720p FaceTime HD camera that has graced the Mac for years, but last year saw that it finally kept up with the times and replaced it with a 1080p sensor on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. As expected, the M2 MacBook Air also got better camera hardware, but not the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Of course, once macOS 13 Ventura arrives, you’ll be able to use your iPhone as a webcam with a continuous camera, but that’s hardly an excuse to have a terrible webcam in 2022.
The webcam of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the same as that of the 2020 model.
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Better models are coming
While there is always an argument that saving your money will provide you with a much better product in the future, this is traditionally a bigger concern for buying a phone or tablet. Now that Apple’s (almost) all-in for Apple’s silicon and next-generation M2 has arrived, there will always be a question of whether to wait a few months for the next round of upgrades.
Although we never know what the future holds, it seems like a pretty sure bet that another MacBook will be on the way soon. There are rumors of a 15-inch model on the road, as well as an update to the M2 Pro / M2 Max on existing MacBook Pro models. This is something you need to think about before downloading $ 1,299 right now.
But… Touch Bar
Apart from the processor, there is nothing new about the new MacBook Pro. That means it’s still the last MacBook – probably ever – with a Touch Bar. So, if you like it, there is no other model that has it. And frankly, now that we don’t have it on a higher-end MacBook Pro, we’re actually missing it a bit.
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