Monte StewartCritics were quick to praise Apple’s new MacBook Pro laptop and AirPods 3 Bluetooth earbuds after the company rolled them out Monday. Apple unveiled the products in a virtual presentation as the company began efforts to market its new products in advance of the holiday season.
“Both of these products have been long anticipated and it’s a statement that Apple is announcing these key hardware innovations into the holiday season despite the chip shortage overhang as (Apple) further flexes its muscles,” wrote Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives in a research note that he provided to Capital.com.
He predicts that up to 30% of MacBook users will upgrade their laptops.
Apple unveils new microchips
The global microchip shortage has plagued tech companies and several sectors, particularly the automobile industry. Apple unveiled its new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that power new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro versions.
The company said the M1 Pro contains up to 32 gigabytes (GB) of unified memory – double the M1 chip’s total.
In turn, the M1 Max chip doubles the M1 Pro total to 64GB of memory. Ives called the new MacBook Pro “the most powerful computer that Apple has ever launched.”
“These chips are 70% faster than its current M1 chip, a stunner for technologists,” wrote Ives.
He called the chips “a big step up from the M1,” which was launched a year ago, and “another shot across the board at chip stalwarts.”
Enhanced processors, graphics and batteries
During the presentation, company officials touted MacBook’s faster processing times and enhanced graphics, camera, and sound capabilities, and longer-lasting and faster-charging batteries. (Battery life varies according to laptop sizes.)
“For years we'll look back on 2020 as the year Apple Silicon propelled the Mac into the performance and battery spotlight,” tweeted tech-product analyst Austin Evans.
He reviews devices on his popular YouTube channel, which is followed by about 5.2 million viewers.
Ports welcomed back
Meanwhile, reviewers and users welcomed MacBook Pro’s increased ports, including a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), and SD card slot. Some ports and the MagSafe charging system have returned after being left out of the most recent version of MacBook Pro.
“For the first time in five years, the MacBook Pro looks like it was designed by and for people who love computers,” wrote Marco Ament, a computer programmer, writer, and podcaster, on Twitter.
It remains to be seen whether the new MacBook Pro’s pricing options will deter buyers. But previous products, which are typically more expensive than android devices, have not run into price-related roadblocks.
The 14-inch version will retail for $1,999, while its 16-inch will carry a $2,499 price tag.
Earbuds rollout contradicts rumours
Meanwhile, Apple’s rollout of the AirPods 3 earbuds contradicted some predictions that the company would hold off on releasing them. Wedbush analyst Ives, who had anticipated that AirPods 3 would be released in spite of rumours to the contrary, reiterated his previous prediction that Apple could sell upwards of 100 million earbud units in its 2022 fiscal year.
“The AirPods have an extra hour of battery life and ultimately bring an acoustic system that should translate into major product upgrades over the next six to nine months,” he wrote.
Improved design
Apple also upgraded its earbuds’s design.
“The regular AirPods haven't seen an update in two years, so we're glad to see Apple offer a new design with shorter stems and improved touch controls with a new sensor,” wrote Mark Spoonauer and Roland Moore-Colyer in Tom’s Guide, which reviews products for potential buyers.
The AirPods 3 will retail for $179.
The new products release appeared to boost Apple’s share price slightly Monday. The stock closed up 1.17%, or $1.70, at $146.54.
Read More: Wall Street analysts expect big future from Toast
