There’s been a lot of controversy regarding the M2 MacBook Pro 13″, while the early comparisons focus on the base M2 MacBook Pro and in particular it’s slower SSD read and write speeds and Apple’s use of only one NAND storage chip instead of two (compared the M1 model), it has left me wondering what is the purpose of the M2 MacBook Pro?
At the time of writing, the only spec of the MacBook Pro that I can obtain on a same day collection (from my closest Apple Store), is the base M2 MacBook Pro, any deviation from the base would result in having to wait, so I can only choose the one with 8GB unified memory and 256GB SSD storage (storage and memory that would be more than enough for my use).
Probably, rather than asking what is the purpose of the M2 MacBook Pro, the better question would be, who is the M2 MacBook Pro for?
Clearly, if you’ve got a MacBook with any version of the M1 Chip inside than this is not the upgrade for you. The similarities, between this and the M1 MacBook Pro are few and far between with the only real differences between the two being the different generation M chip inside, the two extra GPU cores, up to 24GB of unified and all the other benefits that getting an improved chip with more research and development behind it gives you.
Despite it not getting the redesign that many people had hoped, it is now the only MacBook with a Touch bar and the only one without the notch. Not really much there in terms of uniqueness though. This MacBook Pro is almost like the base iPad of the MacBook’s, has the new internals but Apple aren’t really interested in updates it cosmetically, but maybe with the M3 generation, the 13″ MacBook Pro will finally get that redesign?
The saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind with this laptop, no matter what, it’s going to be a great seller. It’s not aimed at high end users that are going to take it to the point where it’s going to experience the dreaded thermal throttling, there’s a high end MacBook Pro that is designed for that. It’s for that professional who want’s to be able do things quickly but not spend at a premium, but arguably, that professional would be able to do it on the M2 MacBook Air (and possibly even better).
But this is my point with this MacBook Pro, it’s more than just what’s inside, it’s the name, the “Pro” carries an importance, a perception, a sort of snobbishness (not in a bad way) from it’s owners. Without any further talk about specs, people rank MacBook’s (old and new) in this order, MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. No matter what the specs are, this is the order and this is how the public sees the MacBook range.
Admittedly, until I started my YouTube channel and was thrust into the world of consuming as much tech as I do now, growing up, I always wanted a MacBook Pro, nothing else, just a MacBook Pro. The MacBook and the Air never interested me and looking back at generations of both prior to the Apple silicon generation, I didn’t like the look of them. The MacBook Pro has always had the premium look about it, some would call it the ‘Professional’ look.
As the owner of a M1 Mac Mini, the new M2 MacBook Pro isn’t aimed at me either and I’m not ready to move my entire workflow from my permanent desk based setup to a portable one but that is purely down to financial reasons, I couldn’t justify the expense so soon after purchasing the Mac Mini (I have the base spec Mac Mini which is perfect for my regular 4K video and photo editing).
Although buying an Apple Silicon MacBook isn’t going to happen any time soon, a few months ago I did buy a 2014 13′ MacBook Pro, but did I buy it because it was a ‘Pro’?
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]