At Apple’s “Scary Fast” October event, there was more suspense in the air than in the latest blockbuster thriller. In a dramatic turn of events, as the curtain lifted on the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, the stage darkened for the 13-inch model, ushering it out of the spotlight for good.
For the urban wanderer who cherished a blend of compactness and stamina, the 13-inch MacBook Pro was the darling of the range. Its legendary 20-hour battery life stood out even when compared to its larger 18-hour siblings — and that wasn’t just marketing fluff.
Then, of course, was the keyboard’s unique Touch Bar feature. It was the jazz of tech features: while some tapped along, others missed the old rhythm of physical keys. With the OLED touchscreen replacing some of the beloved tactile buttons, reactions were mixed, to say the least.
So, as we bid adieu to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the tech world remains divided: while some may reminisce, others are eagerly looking ahead to what’s next.
From center stage to sidelines
Once the darling of Apple’s lineup, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, armed with the M2 chip, was the go-to for those who wanted Pro-level performance without breaking the bank. But as the tech world knows, competition isn’t always from outside – sometimes it’s in-house.
Enter the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air, also powered by the M2 chip. Not only was it lighter on the wallet by around $200, but it also boasted a crisper webcam, a more dazzling display, and a svelte build that seemed to almost float in hand. And then there’s the MagSafe 3 power port, a subtle game-changer, letting you juice up the Air while leaving both USB-C ports open for business – a perk the Pro couldn’t match.
While the Air skipped the Touch Bar party – a feature some critics playfully dubbed the tech world’s “magic trick without the magic” – it seemed to win over many with its streamlined approach.
Yet, the 13-inch MacBook Pro wasn’t without its merits. Its internal fans, a nod to those involved in heavyweight tasks like video editing, ensured that when things got hot, the laptop kept its cool. And from the perspective of battery life, as an expert who’s reviewed many a laptop, I’ve seen the 13-inch MacBook Pro outpace even the Air.
Despite its battery prowess, the Air’s overall feature set seemed to cast a longer shadow, making it the more tempting pick for many over the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Welcome, 14-inch contender!
Apple, always having a keen ear to the ground, seemed to sense the dwindling allure of its introductory Pro. So, in a move that feels like a tech relay race, the baton has been passed from the 13-inch MacBook Pro to its sprightly sibling, the 14-inch MacBook Pro armed with the fresh M3 chip.
And with this shift, the Touch Bar bids its adieu. A farewell that, candidly, many of us tech aficionados at Mashable (yours truly included) are raising a glass to.
While this new entry-level Pro doesn’t flex as much muscle as its M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, it’s by no means a slouch. It’s like trading up from a sports car to a supercar: you’re getting that extra rev in performance over the M2, and for a starting ticket of $1,599, it’s alluring.
So, as we turn the page, we tip our hats to the 13-inch MacBook Pro and its once-trendy Touch Bar. It’s the end of an era, but the dawn of another exciting chapter.
