The End of the 13-inch MacBook Pro: What's Next for Apple?
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The Discontinuation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro
Apple has officially phased out the 13-inch MacBook Pro, a decision that many anticipated due to its stagnating design.
Following Apple's recent “Scary Fast” event, the company unveiled its latest M3 chip family along with new Mac models set to incorporate these advancements. Among the surprises, the discontinuation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro stood out. Let's delve into its replacement and the rumors that surround it.
The Replacement Model
The previous 13-inch MacBook Pro, which featured the unpopular Touch Bar, has been effectively replaced by the 14-inch MacBook Pro. This new model is now available with the base M3 chip, which was previously exclusive to the Pro and Max variants.
However, the starting price for the 14-inch model is $1599, a notable increase from the $1299 price tag of the last M2-equipped 13-inch version.
Specifications and Pricing
The M3 chip features an 8-core CPU (four performance and four efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU. The pricing and storage options for the 14-inch MacBook Pro are as follows:
- 512 GB starting at $1599
- 1 TB starting at $1799
- 2 TB starting at $2199
The base model comes with 8 GB of unified memory, which can be upgraded to 16 GB or 24 GB for an additional cost of $200 and $400, respectively.
Like its predecessors, this model boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 port. It retains the familiar Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and the responsive Force Touch trackpad.
For power, it includes a 70W USB-C adapter, with an option to upgrade to a 96W adapter for an extra $20. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is available in Space Grey and Silver.
Availability of the New Model
You can order the new MacBook starting today, with availability set for November 7. The 13-inch MacBook Pro has been completely removed from Apple's website.
Potential New Models on the Horizon
Speculation is rife regarding the possible introduction of budget-friendly 12-inch and 13-inch entry-level MacBooks in late 2024, potentially starting at around $700. This move could be a strategy to better compete with the rapidly growing Chromebook market.
Final Thoughts
With the discontinuation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, Apple has also put an end to the Touch Bar. This model has been overshadowed by the rest of the MacBook lineup since the M2 chip's launch, as it did not receive any design upgrades like the MacBook Air did.
Now, all MacBooks share a cohesive design aesthetic, and while the newer models offer a welcome performance boost, they come with a $300 price hike.
What do you think about the new M3 MacBook Pro? Is it a model that piques your interest, or do you miss the Touch Bar? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Thank you for reading!
Tobias
Chapter 2: Video Insights into Apple's Strategy
In this chapter, we'll explore some relevant YouTube videos that discuss the discontinuation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Apple's future direction.
The first video discusses the reasons behind Apple's decision to discontinue the MacBook, providing insights into their strategy.
The second video addresses the speculation surrounding the 13-inch MacBook Pro and clarifies why it's not entirely being phased out.