Touching the Next Generation of Macs
The 2021 MacBook Pros blew us all away by simultaneously bringing back tons of long lost features with a handful of major new ones. It brought back ports, MagSafe, a chassis better for heat regulation, and the function row, while also introducing the larger Mini LED displays, the notch, and the first ‘pro’ Apple Silicon. Those machines are still incredible and that’s probably why the company continues to sell their latest iterations. But the newest version of the Mini LED MacBook Pro is not what I want to talk about. The next generation MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR is the true successor to those incredible 2021 machines. Like its predecessor, it brings back old features alongside new ones but is much more focused on the future than the past. Yes, it glows and it looks amazing. But that’s about it for returning features. This is a MacBook Pro that knows its reputation was repaired and is now ready to build on top of it.
If this was just an OLED display it would already be a massive upgrade, but this is an OLED you can touch. It’s no surprise that the first touchscreen Mac is the MacBook Pro. But I think lots of people were worried about how macOS would evolve to handle such input. Fortunately they’ve done exactly what they needed to do, leaving macOS at its core exactly how it should be while adding small optimizations you wouldn’t otherwise encounter or even miss on a traditional Mac. Some elements bubble up to make them easier to tap and that’s about it. Touching, swiping, panning, and pinching all feel as natural as ever. It’s a very similar experience to using an iPad Pro on a Magic Keyboard but with far more powerful apps. I’ve already given up my 13" iPad and use this Mac casually on the couch as much as I use it for projects at my desk.
The new Dynamic Island is a fun update that’s proven shockingly useful. I didn’t know if I’d care that much about having it on the Mac, but it makes the Menu Bar feel much more organized and alive. It’s particularly useful for media controls and I almost always have audio or video on in the background. I love poking it and seeing it spring out.
One thing everyone will notice before they even open the new MacBook Pro is how light it is. I was amazed to learn that the 14” MacBook Pro is lighter than even the last 13” Intel MacBook Pro. Combined with the more rounded and slightly thinner chassis, this MacBook Pro defies logic. It’s more powerful in every way but its volume has shrunk. It may be a tweaked version of the design introduced in 2021 but it’s inexplicably thinner and lighter when picked up. It just feels better, especially in a backpack or a tote.
I’ve heard a lot of folks say they want to wait until the next iteration of this machine because it uses the same generation of Apple Silicon as the last model, but this still feels like a truly new machine. I love it and I cannot wait to see how this next generation of MacBooks continues to evolve. If you’ve been waiting for a new MacBook Pro, this is the one to get.