Posts tagged Apple Macbook Pro
The M1 Pro and Max Change Everything for Creatives

Apple today released newly-designed MacBook Pros with brand new M1 "Pro" and "Max" chipsets. For creatives, this changes everything.

No longer held down by Intel, Apple has been allowed to "unleash" it's in-house silicon to heights that it we would never have seen when they were waiting on Intel to catch up. With the introduction of the M1 chip earlier this year, Apple was already well ahead of the entire industry when it came to raw processing and graphics power. Now they're just leaving everyone in the dust.

Apple is not one to over-promise and under-deliver. In fact, most times, they do the opposite. These new computers, on average, are 5-7 times faster than the regular M1. Apple has clearly done a lot of optimization with these chips for limited power consumption and to minimize heat issues. The star of the show might have been the new processors, but it was the MacBook Pros that stole the show.

On the new MacBook Pros, they have new screens with an iPhone-like notch at the top to maximize screen real estate. The new screens also have 120Hz ProMotion, as well as take on the XDR moniker now. The new chassis is like something from 2005, and I love it. I couldn't help but look at the new laptops and think about my first Apple notebook - the iBook G4. When you see it, you'll get what I mean. Gone is the Touch Bar, a less-than-revolutionary tiny touch strip above the keyboard that almost no one used. In it's place is a full size black keyboard, surrounded by black on the case as well. Last but not least, Apple claims to have "advanced connectivity" - which really means they brought back some ports. Full-size HDMI, SD Card slot, as well as three Thunderbolt ports now blanket both sides of the computer. Even the prodigal son, Magsafe, has returned!

There wasn't too much to not like about Apple's event today. We got new AirPods, new colors of HomePod mini, and even a new "voice-only" Apple Music plan (we'll have to see more about that later).

Apple is clearly listening. It's good to see. If you would have told me just two years ago we'd have ports added back to the laptop line, I'd have said you were outside your mind.

Just goes to show that you never say never.