Forget the MacBook Pro, Apple has more ambitious plans

Excitement around Apple’s new MacBook Pro laptops is growing, with fans ready for a reset and revamp of what it means to be a macOS laptop. But there are some warning signs that should make you think again about buying a new MacBook now.

First of all, Apple is introducing two major new components to the mix. The first will be the new miniLED display, which is expected to complement the new design of the laptop with its vibrant colors and deeper blacks.

Upgrading to the new Apple Silicon processor is more relevant to your decision-making process. Presumably referred to as M1X, this chip is expected to offer more power and capability than existing lower-tier MacBook Pro models launched last year. Apple has a lot of experience with its own silicon, so it’s unlikely that there will be any hardware issues, but it’s not unheard of; earlier this year, Apple reworked many years of Axx processors on the iPhone and iPad lineup to address security concerns in the physical design.

What’s more likely is that the new version of macOS that will roll out with newer MacBook Pro laptops may have significant issues that affect productivity. While that might sound as fanciful as the idea of ​​the M1X silicon having issues, a look at the current state of iOS 15 – which became available to the public alongside the launch of the iPhone 13 family – and you’ll see that it was not a smooth introduction. Some existing functionality has been degraded, screens may become unresponsive, the camera software comes with a number of bugs, and accessories are faulty.

Assuming the new version of macOS will be bulletproof is a tough question given current experiences with iOS 15, including issues with the camera, reviving after sleep, screens that do not respond and connection problems to accessories. This was announced at the same time as macOS and both have gone through a public beta process. Since the new MacBook Pro laptops will launch with the latest version of macOS and likely won’t be downgradable, are you ready to upgrade to a potentially buggy operating system that will take months to iron out?

Add in the supply issues that might arise from the global silicon chip shortage, and you have a perfect storm of low availability, risky software, and potential hardware issues. If your heart is set on one of those mighty MacBooks, the smart advice may be to wait a month or so and let the eager Apple geekerati find all the bugs and flaws before making the investment.

And if you don’t need that ultimate power kick, you might also want to wait. There is always a chance that older MacBook Air and MacBook Pro machines will get discounts during the holidays; but they will still come with the first generation M1 processor which will be the slowest ARM-based MacBook processor ever.

With a new MacBook Air expected in the new year, likely sporting the new design cues and the M1X processor on display in this month’s new laptops, waiting until then will give you the edge of a macOS that will have them. major bugs fixed, the aforementioned new design and a much more economical laptop that will likely meet the needs of the vast majority of MacBook users.

The new Pro laptops will suit those who need a high-end macOS machine, but for everyone? Apple’s plans for the MacBook Air are going to reach a wider audience, with more power and much better value for money.

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