Did you buy a new MBP because you needed one, or because you just wanted one?

[The Cockney Rebel]

We all love our Apple stuff.

Obviously some people are professionals, and need the most power they can get.

Others are more enthusiasts, who simply love new tech.

Which are you?

Also, did you go for base configuration, or did you spec up?

I’m just curious.

 

[Christoph_SK]

Although my MBP 16'' will be used for working, my iMac 5k (2014) as well as my MBP 2012 both work pretty well, so no immediate need for a replacement...

 

[IllusiveMan]

A little bit of both? I'm sure my 16-inch intel would have been fine, but the fact it turned into a jet engine every time I turned it on was annoying. That and also I wanted a smaller form factor with faster specs.

 

[Adarna]

My 2011 MBP 13" and 2012 iMac 27" stopped receiving Security Updates.

 

[zarathu]

I’m using a late 2013 15.4 screen. I need ports. My wife accused me of being a Luddite like my brother in law who uses a 2006 core2 duo running a wimpy version of linux. My MBP needs a new keyboard, new battery and will no longer run the most current system. Apple considers it OBSOLETE. Affinity Photo runs ok but some things are kind of slow, and I cannot load more than 6 photos before it bogs down.

So... I ordered a M1Pro basic model. I have 256gb now and rarely use more than 180gb. I have 16 gb and it works fine if the processor was better.

 

[CoffeeMacBook]

Absolutely needed one. 2017 15” MacBook Pro i7 quad core 16GB 2TB with butterfly keyboard, Touch Bar, and overheating CPU and random shutdowns - photoshop lag! Probably my least favorite MacBook and held off as long as possible before updating but man what a pain it was ?

Used for 4 years and waited for the ARM cpu to come out before updating: 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro 10 CPU 32 GPU 64GB 4TB.

Programs I Use: Photoshop, Clip Studio Pro, Affinity Suite, SketchUp, Zbrush, Blender, FCP X, and Motion.

 

[jazz1]

Need? Want? What's the difference They look to be great performers! A true step up in hardware, and now the newest version of OS. That said they do physically look a little retro. I'd get over that 2 seconds after I booted it up!

 

[GrindedDown]

I bought one because of need. I’m coming from a 2017 iMac with the rx 580 GPU (8gb) and 24GB of Ram. I actually sold that and went with the 13 M1 mbp to try out apple silicon. Only had 8gb or ram, but held up really well. Performance was on par of better than my iMac in some video tasks. I did however run into some performance issues from my video workflow.

I need a laptop that has speed and have been anticipating these machines. Getting an M1 was sort of a trial run for me as I only had it for about two months.

At first I ordered the 14 pro base model, but cancelled after deciding that I’d rather invest the money in the best machine I can afford. Got a 16 inch M1 max instead. It’s drool-worthy indeed, but most importantly, it saves me huge chunks of time that over the course of the next few years will make a massive difference for my business and workflow.

I also just really wanted one lol. ?

 

[m1maverick]

Need? Want? What's the difference They look to be great performers! A true step up in hardware, and now the newest version of OS. That said they do physically look a little retro. I'd get over that 2 seconds after I booted it up!

For me the difference is whether I will buy one or not. I don't need either of them though I want one. I can easily afford to indulge my want but then I ask myself: If I buy this and use it instead of what I currently have what will be different? The answer: Nothing. So even though I can afford it the sensible side of me says to hold off. But who knows, a few beers and a credit card in hand and I might get one

 

[lordhamster]

Both. I didn't technically need one. I have two computers (work issued) at home already. A 2019 MBP and a 20something POS HP tablet thingie (also work issued).

However, as my firm is installing more and more spyware on corporate machines (which I understand), I decided I'd better get a "personal" computer for the first time in 10+ years. I could have gotten away with a MBA, but decided for the 14 inch MBP M1 Max 10/32 with 32GB ram and 1TB SSD. Should last me a good 5+ years.

In addition to the aforementioned spyware, my work Mac also has most iCloud functions disabled which really hurts my interaction w/ my other apple devices and those of family members. It will be nice to have fully un-nerfed MacBook.

 

[Texas04]

My 2018 just got a free battery replacement -- and I didn't need one, but I wanted something that would last another 3-5 years... and a battery that would last longer than a couple hours.

Looking into getting into some heavy graphics stuff so hopefully this helps too!

 

[petvas]

I just wanted the better display and Promotion, so I just bought it. The 14" MBP replaces my 13" M1 MBP..I will never ever need the processing power, but it's good to have it. I ordered the 16GB 1TB model (M1 Pro).

 

[beach bum]

Just because I wanted one.

However, the MBP Pro is replacing an intel mac mini and an m1 MBA which I've traded-in. I've consolidated both machines into one with the 16" MBP Pro. Best of both worlds for me.

 

[cygy2k]

Simply wanted a bit bigger screen and less tapered/lap sliding design than the M1 Air for casual browsing, occasional 3D printing, casual family photo viewing, and not much else

 

[TarkinDale]

Need one for writing/publishing. My last one died earlier this year and I’ve been limping along on a borrowed 13 inch. Can’t wait to restore and get all my software back and easy access to files.

 

[Elektrofone]

A bit mixed for me. I ultimately just wanted one as my work provides me with a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. That thing with all the included obligatory work software is so slow that this will really speed up my workflows.

 

[l0stl0rd]

A bit of both but that option is not there

 

[Rivanov]

Just wanted one. For my purpose, the Air was sufficient. But I'm a lifelong Apple geek and I just want the latest and greatest. Can't ignore this beautiful ProMotion Display!

 

[bobcomer]

I may do work on it when I get it, and it'll have to handle my workload just in case, but need it, nah -- want it! I have other machines I can rely on for work.

 

[Sterkenburg]

I didn't absolutely need to replace my 2018 MBP, but I wanted to move away from the butterfly keyboard + TouchBar generation as soon as possible and this was the right time to do that.

 

[TGM85]

I just ordered the 16" base model.

I'm using a 2015 13" and while it still manages to hold up after all these years, I felt it was time to upgrade.

Since COVID I've been working from home almost full time, only going in to the office 2-3 times a month. I feel the larger display will be a massive upgrade by itself, as portability has lost a lot of its value to me over the last two years.

I'm happy that I skipped the touchbar generation of MBPs, those just seemed to be plagued by problems.

 

[macnmac]

i can honestly say i needed it... every single day, i am getting older and with getting older your eyesight starts to diminish so the larger screen was much needed in my case...

 

[FurtherForm]

Will take a month or more to get mine, but a need. Got a dev-project that requires more 3D performance than what my 2014 mbp has and it has started to show its age. 2017-2019 mbps would be sufficient but now that intels are being phased out I decided to jump the current gen and don't want less than 15" screen.

 

[ice29]

Always had 13" MacBooks until now and last year I bought the M1 Air to replace 2016 MBP (which had trouble with long Teams calls, lol) and performance-wise it does all I need... But I always wanted the 16" screen (I did not like the battery life and heat of the Intel 15/16" MacBooks that lots of colleagues had) so this time I got one to try it out as daily driver (I work in the offices without external monitors at least 1-2 days a week)

I have hoped for a thinner/lighter one, but whatever, upgraded anyway. If they come up with 15/16 inch Air I will switch to that one

 

[alecgold]

Well, technically my 2018 was working well. It had it's keyboard, battery and topcase replaced a week ago. But it had been showing me beach balls many times in the last year and this was also my chance to get away from the butterfly keyboard, touch bar and get HDMI/SD/Magsafe!
So I ordered the 14" pro 10/16 32Gb 512Gb to be delivered for early December. Waiting is hard.

Yesterday I walked by an apple store and to my surprise they had a 14" Pro 10/16 16Gb 1Tb in stock. I folded like a wet piece of paper and bought it then and there.
This really feels like a laptop I might be using for the next 5 or 6 years.
I'm still torn between 16Gb or 32Gb of memory as 32Gb might future proof it a bit further.
1Tb isn't a thing for me, I need 200Gb, 500 is more then enough and with the SD-card-slot I can add a microSD adapter in time and extend it's use and life easily.

So, need/want? I dunno, the 2018 is technically as good as new, but man I did dislike that laptop with it's butterfly, loud fan, Touch Bar and beach balls. So for me this was serious need.