As in most horror films, Apple's October event, named "Scary Fast," didn't take long to claim its first victim.
As the new 14-inch MacBook Pro crept into our lives, it slashed the 13-inch MacBook Pro from existence — for good.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro was an option for users who desired ultra-portability and jaw-dropping battery life. Sure the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models also deliver decent battery runtimes, but in my experience as a laptop reviewer, Apple's claims that the 13-inch MacBook Pro can last 20 hours (compared to the larger models' 18-hour runtime) was spot on.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro was also ideal for anyone who loved the controversial Touch Bar. However, many Apple fans aren't sad to see it go. After all, it replaced physical function keys — as well as the precious Esc button — with an OLED touchscreen, which most found to be irksome.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is dead and gone, but many won't mourn its death.
How the 13-inch MacBook Pro lost its 'sexy'
The 13-inch MacBook Pro, packed with the M2 chip, attracted users who craved a Pro model, but didn't have the wherewithal to splurge on the pricier, upper-tier 14-inch and 16-inch variants. But Apple has other laptops with the M2 chip, too, including some Air models, which made the 13-inch MacBook Pro look less seductive.
For example, there's a 2022 13-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip that is cheaper by about $200 — and it has sharper webcam, a higher-resolution display, a slightly lighter chassis, and it has a MagSafe 3 power port.
For the uninitiated, MagSafe 3 lets you charge the MacBook Air, allowing you to keep your two USB-C ports free. You can't do the same on the Pro.
Plus, the Air doesn't have a Touch Bar, a controversial feature often labeled as a "gimmick" by tech pundits.
However, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, unlike the Air, has fans, so if your workflow consists of resource-intensive tasks (e.g., video editing), the Pro model would be a better choice because it manages thermals better for the uptick in heat generation. Plus, in my experience as a laptop reviewer, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has an incredible runtime — even longer than the Air.
However, the Air still has sufficient battery life to keep consumers happy and has an attractive set of features that likely had consumers flocking to it instead of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
There's a new 'entry-level Pro' in town
It looks like Apple recognized that its base-level Pro was losing its sexy. As such, it decided to kick the 13-inch MacBook Pro to the curb and replace it with the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a new M3 chip.
That means the Touch Bar is gone, a move that some Mashable tech reporters, including myself, are celebrating.
No, you won't get the same "oomph" as you'd get from the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the more robust M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. But you're still getting a nice performance jump over the M2 chip, which is welcome. It has a starting price of $1,599.
Goodbye 13-inch MacBook Pro. Sayonara Touch Bar. It was nice knowing you.
Topics MacBook
