For a long time, the Apple hardware lineup has been a confusing mess. There was no clear message for which Mac to buy. It looks like they are finally cleaning this up.
We already have good, better, best with iPhones (iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max) and iPad (iPad, iPad Mini/Air, iPad Pro). I’d l’d like to see them clean up the Mac lineup similarly. Here’s how I (hope to) see things shaping up.
Modular Desktop
Good: Mac Mini (with M1)
Better: Mac Studio (with M1 Max or M1 Ultra)
Best: Mac Pro (with something even better, not announced yet)
All of this is made possible by the reintroduction of a Studio Display made by Apple!
All-In-One Desktop
Good: iMac 24″ (with M1)
Better: iMac 27″ with M1 Max (not announced yet)
Best: iMac 27″ with M1 Ultra (not announced yet)
Laptop
Good: MacBook Air
Better: MacBook Pro with M1 Pro
Best: MacBook Pro with M1 Max
If they stick with this, the lineup becomes much simpler. You only have two questions to ask yourself:
- Do I want an all-in-one desktop, a modular desktop with a separate display, or a laptop?
- Do I want good, better, or best?
- There is no question 3.
This could drastically simplify Mac marketing for years to come.