Apple is trying to make computers the yearly update cycle like iphone.

[MacheadSK]

You are simply a kind of guy who is not buying Mac or iPhone because of his work demands, where few years old would just serve you well.
no, you are buying it because you want to be the coolest guy and to show of the others how much they suck. If you are buying yourself a self respect, then sorry, money are not gonna cut it.

No, Apple diesn’t force you into anything. People are using 6 or 8 year old computers happily. I had replaced my iPhone SE 1st gen for 13 mini just half a year ago.

Your life must really suck and I don’t care. The only “work” you are probably doing is to present yourself on instagram of how “great” you are.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Components, chips and general hardware gets improvements on an annual basis. Every company does it. Not just Apple. Just because Apple announced the M2 Pro/Max chips in Oct doesn't mean that everyone who has the M1 Max is required to upgrade to the M2 Max.

The general recommendation is to buy the product that you need today and that will last.

An off-topic statement is that Apple is rumours to launch a subscription service [either yearly or monthly] in which you can upgrade your Mac on a yearly basis instead of paying full price.

I can't help but feel like a lot are looking at this 13" M2 MBP as some kind of "first" glimpse of the M2 generation of MacBook Pros, and that the performance we're getting here is indicative of all of what M2 has to offer across all product lines.

It's not that. This is the same old Intel 13" Pro with Touch Bar that has just had a tiny spec bump. Nothing more and it's certainly not apart of Apple's "true" Pro line of the 14 and 16" M1 Pros.

Apple always leads with the runt of the litter getting all the fomo buyers to upgrade and then steps it up with each subsequent release.

Skip and wait until Apple drops a new Mac with at least M2 Pro in it. Anything less than that is not worth considering if you're sitting on a entry level M1 machine.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Apple used to update their Macs at least once, and sometimes even twice, a year. Annual internal spec bumps is a good thing.

This. In all the years I've been a member of this forum, the regularity - or rather, lack of - Intel Mac updates might be the #1 hotly debated topic that I've come across. Users have complained for years about both Intel and Apple's release schedules, so it's honestly refreshing to now see Apple releasing new computers with a clear strategy and promptness.

They control far more of the design and production now, and whilst yes many users will feel buyers remorse has better products are released more frequently, the real winners are the customers who are new to Mac. They're going to look at these products and see a company that is being aggressive with its specs, not sitting on years old Intel processors...

 

[appleguy123]

What Apple seems to be doing with the Mac (keeping its processors in line with the iPhone yearly) is better for users who hold their products for a long time, not worse.

In the Intel days, you often had to study this site to make sure Apple’s current Mac with a 4 year old processor that you planned to keep for at least 5 years wasn’t just about to be updated. People who didn’t could be royally screwed. If Apple truly updates these chips yearly or even every 18 months, it will be great for people to know that whenever they buy a Mac they are buying a computer with cutting edge components.

 

[MauiPa]

I think these are the kinds of reactions we get when we follow the tech news cycle too closely.

Nobody is forcing us to anything and this M2 13" Pro was clearly a dud even before the reviews, at least when looking at pricing compared to the new M2 Air.

Take a deep breath and rejoice in the fact that someone tested the machine for you so you can spend your money better.

the 13 MBP is not a dud, it is an updated 13 with a faster chip - a dud would have been to continue to sell the 2020 when the M2 came out. Sure some redesign would have been nice, but it looks like chip shortages may have had a play. The only slot it fits is for the active cooling that the MBA does not have. Personally, I do notice the fans come on when I use handbrake, and I also notice it doesn't slow down at all - I am hoping the MBA can run without slowing, but then why not discontinue the 13 MBP altogether. No, it has a place (a narrow slot, I'll admit). In fact logic seems to say that it is probably the last iteration of the 13 MBP, otherwise a more extensive redesign would surely have been made.

 

[bobcomer]

Just because a new version of the hardware comes out, it doesn't mean you have to buy it. The old version will continue to work for some time. I don't normal upgrade phones yearly either, but I may this time as I'm not really happy with my current one. But that's by my choice, not somebody else's.

 

[Rafterman]

Just because a new version of the hardware comes out, it doesn't mean you have to buy it. The old version will continue to work for some time. I don't normal upgrade phones yearly either, but I may this time as I'm not really happy with my current one. But that's by my choice, not somebody else's.

I upgrade iPhones every year. But Macbooks, I'm on a three year cycle. Just bought a 14" M1. iPad Pros...depends. This year, a slightly faster processor and wireless charging? (which you kind of get already if you use a Magic keyboard?) Probably going to pass this time. Same with watches. it's like "what'cha got this year?"

 

[pi=e=3]

Here’s a radical idea… You could just not buy a new device every year.

Tim doesn’t have you at gunpoint here. The only person making you consume is yourself.

 

[bobcomer]

I upgrade iPhones every year. But Macbooks, I'm on a three year cycle. Just bought a 14" M1. iPad Pros...depends. This year, a slightly faster processor and wireless charging? (which you kind of get already if you use a Magic keyboard?) Probably going to pass this time. Same with watches. it's like "what'cha got this year?"

Computers are more like 5 year things for me, and phones 2.

My newest iPad Pro is 3 or 4 I think. I've had miniLED screens on my mind lately though.

 

[Pakaku]

I haven't upgraded my phone in years, and even longer when it comes to my computers. I think more people need more of that skill known as "self-restraint"

 

[boss.king]

Since when are you forced to upgrade your phone annually? And why is this rate of computer releases any different to when Apple would release annual spec-bumped machines?

Use a little common sense and self control, you don’t need to replace electronics as soon as something new comes out.

 

[v0lume4]

When any company launches a new computer, it doesn’t make yours slower. It just means that there’s now another one that’s even faster.

Regardless of whether Apple launches a new computer or not, the chip in yours stays the same. What’s it matter that another one came out? FOMO is a fools game where the buyer is the loser and Apple is the winner.

I’m incredibly critical of Apple, but I don’t see how more frequent hardware upgrades are a bad thing.

Them crippling devices with software updates… Well that’s another matter. Ask me how I know. But that’s a topic for a different thread.

 

[Apple_Robert]

What an absurd Op.

 

[mollyc]

by this logic we should all be required to buy a new car every year.

i typically update every 5 years. hopefully my next upgrade will be even longer.

 

[jav6454]

I cant believe most people are lapping this up. This is wrong and apple is now flipping off each customer who purchases a product. even mac OS is now 14 15 16 17 18 eat ****. Now its known the M2 is worse and contains shrinkflation yet apple demands me upgrade yearly. news flash my iphone 13 feels like like my 12 and my 11 did. the 14 probably will too. Yea nice upgrade with the 14 and 16mbp.. now to spit in the face of everyeone who dumped 3k to have the latest and greatest with instantaneous obsoletion.

Don't buy into it. Vote with your wallet. Also, Macs are meant to be 5-7 year devices.

 

[Mr. Dee]

If you use your devices as intended, then you don’t need to upgrade everywhere. Chris Evans is just upgrading from a 6s. Obviously someone in his tax bracket was happy with an almost 8 year old phone.

I remember an article from the Daily Mail showing Tim Cook at the car wash using an older model iPad at the time the newer models were out on the market.

My iPhone X is still going strong and even though I plan a to upgrade next year, I might actually follow Chris Evans and wait until it’s on its last legs.

 

[1@@@]

You know, such things remind me of a certain quote…

“If the words 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on.”​

― Terence McKenna

Why does this thread remind you of that?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

You know, there is no law that says you have to have the latest greatest every year.

Unless you're a hospital.

 

[jav6454]

Unless you're a hospital.

Hospital's, in the US, charge a soul or your first born. So they can afford yearly upgrades.

 

[fwmireault]

I cant believe most people are lapping this up. This is wrong and apple is now flipping off each customer who purchases a product. even mac OS is now 14 15 16 17 18 eat ****. Now its known the M2 is worse and contains shrinkflation yet apple demands me upgrade yearly. news flash my iphone 13 feels like like my 12 and my 11 did. the 14 probably will too. Yea nice upgrade with the 14 and 16mbp.. now to spit in the face of everyeone who dumped 3k to have the latest and greatest with instantaneous obsoletion.

You seem pretty unsatisfied with yearly upgrades on iPhones... so why do you upgrade at all each year? People here who upgrade yearly know that the upgrade might seem incremental, but they are perfectly fine with that. Nobody forces you to upgrade yearly, it's up to you to decide if the newest device and features are worth your money. From my actual iPhone 12PM, the 13 was not, and the 14 will probably not be too.

Apple is not forcing you on anything, and I'm more than happy that they provide more choice today and always give people the latest tech. Having a M2 MacBook doesn't remove anything to your actual device. Computers like M1 MacBooks will last several years, and I don't think that you have a need for the latest computer, except to be flashy. When Apple is releasing new devices each year, wether it's iPhones, iPads or Macs, it's not aimed to people who have the precedent generation. It's aimed at people who have older devices and are ready to upgrade.

If you're falling to Apple marketing to the point that you're pissed that you'll be forced to upgrade yearly your laptop, I recommend you seek help, because that's not in any way a healthy customer behaviour. This post is why people are making fun of Apple customers and enthousiasts

 

[Cognizant.]

I cant believe most people are lapping this up. This is wrong and apple is now flipping off each customer who purchases a product. even mac OS is now 14 15 16 17 18 eat ****. Now its known the M2 is worse and contains shrinkflation yet apple demands me upgrade yearly. news flash my iphone 13 feels like like my 12 and my 11 did. the 14 probably will too. Yea nice upgrade with the 14 and 16mbp.. now to spit in the face of everyeone who dumped 3k to have the latest and greatest with instantaneous obsoletion.

They're not demanding anything of you. If you're upgrading every year that's on you, not Apple. I have a new Mac now, but I also have a 2010 MacBook Pro that still works just fine. Nobody is forcing you to upgrade unless you have some kind of mental issue compelling you to compulsively upgrade that may require therapy.

Unless you're a hospital.

Many hospitals run on infamously ancient hardware, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

 

[ahurst]

Nah, they are not. But their devices might be usable for lesser period of time.

Gone are the days when you could add more RAM and throw in faster SSD in your 2010 MBP and it was good for another several years.

Just FYI they started soldering RAM on MBPs in 2012 with the first Retina 15” and switched from SATA HDDs/SSDs to semi-proprietary (albeit much faster) PCI-E SSD modules in 2013. Given how little general storage and RAM demands have changed since then those MacBooks are still entirely usable a decade on, and I don’t expect any different from Apple Silicon Macs.

EDIT: To the OP, until I got my 14” MBP last fall the last new computer I bought was a Late 2013 27” iMac, which is still remarkably fast and capable almost 9 years on (I still use it regularly). I’m hoping to get at least a good 6-7 years out of my MBP before I upgrade again unless there’s something really compelling.

 

[ian87w]

I cant believe most people are lapping this up. This is wrong and apple is now flipping off each customer who purchases a product. even mac OS is now 14 15 16 17 18 eat ****. Now its known the M2 is worse and contains shrinkflation yet apple demands me upgrade yearly. news flash my iphone 13 feels like like my 12 and my 11 did. the 14 probably will too. Yea nice upgrade with the 14 and 16mbp.. now to spit in the face of everyeone who dumped 3k to have the latest and greatest with instantaneous obsoletion.

How was it different before? Apple already was doing almost yearly refreshes as well during Intel era, with the limitations of whether Intel could deliver the chips or not. Only few less popular models like the Mac mini that got less attention, but the most Intel MacBook models got yearly refreshes, with some even got refreshed in less than a year.

The only downside is that older Intel Macs can get their lives extended easily using Windows and bootcamp, while the Apple Silicon models probably won't have that luxury

 

[rafark]

I cant believe most people are lapping this up. This is wrong and apple is now flipping off each customer who purchases a product. even mac OS is now 14 15 16 17 18 eat ****. Now its known the M2 is worse and contains shrinkflation yet apple demands me upgrade yearly. news flash my iphone 13 feels like like my 12 and my 11 did. the 14 probably will too. Yea nice upgrade with the 14 and 16mbp.. now to spit in the face of everyeone who dumped 3k to have the latest and greatest with instantaneous obsoletion.

Macs have had yearly releases since forever.

 

[jav6454]

Macs have had yearly releases since forever.

Nope, some Macs took 2 or more years to receive an update.