Apple’s time to abandon the 13-inch MacBook Pro

OPINION: Apple has confirmed that it will hold a new event on Tuesday, and rumor has it the company may introduce iPhone SE 2022new iPad and 13-inch MacBook Pro.

As a computer editor, I’m firmly focused on the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but I find it hard to admire the features and specifications that are rumored. Yes, it is expected to be second generation packaging M2 chipbut MacBook Air 2022 It is expected that such an update will be received later this year.

I was hoping that Apple would finally give the 13-inch Pro a major update by adding a few features that flaunt its bigger 14-inch and 16-inch siblings. This includes such as a Mini LED display that supports ProMotion, and a thinner screen frame. Heck, it would be even good if Apple could staff it M1 Pro chip, though I understand it will be tricky due to its size and cooling requirements.

But, unfortunately, MacRumours suggests that Apple will not be giving the 13-inch MacBook Pro a design update or new features. This means that the only update we can expect is the transition to the new M2 processor.

This decision seems even more surprising when reports suggest that this year’s MacBook Air gets a complete design, becomes even thinner and lighter, and has new color options. Rumors also suggest that the MacBook Air may be equipped with a mini LED panel, which is the same screen technology as the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops.

If true, the 13-inch MacBook Pro would be a very amazing place; it would be as powerful as its MacBook Air brother (perhaps a little faster thanks to the built-in fan), but with less glamorous features, as it will still stick to the LCD panel. In that case, why would anyone buy a 13-inch MacBook Pro?

Truth be told, I’ve had issues with the 13-inch MacBook Pro for a long time. Its nickname Pro means it can cope with intense graphics loads such as the 14 and 16 inch models, but that’s just not the case. I would not recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro to anyone who needs a laptop primarily for professional content creation, such as video editing and 3D animation.

Sure, there’s still a huge market for high-performance portable laptops, but the new 14-inch MacBook Pro is much better at meeting that demand. It has an M1 Pro chip (with option M1 Max) and weighs only 1.6 kg – is an absolute dream for creators who want to work on the road.

The MacBook Air, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro have clear and obvious target audiences, but it’s very hard for me to understand who the 13-inch MacBook Pro is aimed at. There is no real reason for its existence.

But I believe Apple is fully aware of this. Why else (if rumors are true) decided to release a 13-inch MacBook Pro a few months before its release? He knows perfectly well that it will be darkened by the air if opened at the same time.

Instead, in the first half of the year, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will be Apple’s showy pony for the new M2 chip. That will probably be enough to secure strong sales. But once the MacBook Air 2022 finally hits stores, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will look very ordinary compared.

I personally don’t see a way forward for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air already stands out as a production laptop with more powerful performance than the vast majority of its competitors, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro is perhaps one of the best high-performance laptops on the market with a portable design.

As a result, I think Apple has finally retired the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It ran well, but there are no longer good enough reasons to buy it instead of other great Apple MacBook laptops.

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