👨‍💻 New Apple MacBook Pros and more - This Geek in Review for 2021-10-22

By goz

New MacBook Pros

The release of new MacBook Pros from Apple isn’t normally a big thing for most, and for those, this week’s announcement won’t be very exciting. These new laptops will be powered by two new processors, the M1 Pro and the M1 Max.

As I was watching the presentation video, there was a sinking feeling in my stomach that formed and became bigger and bigger the longer the video went on. What I’ve realized is that the longer Apple talks about the performance advantages of new machines, the higher the price will go. And boy, did they talk about the performance. The new M1 Pro and M1 Max look great in the non-descriptive graphs. I guess all of the talk was to lessen the blow of the starting price, $1,999. Fully maxed out, you’re looking at over $6K.

I’m not one that would be looking at these models, but for those professionals that need a powerful macOS machine, the prices will be well worth it.

What’s awesome?

The performance to power ratio looks great on paper. Apple has also added an HDMI port, SD card slot, and brought back MagSafe. The Touchbar is gone, and we now have a 1080p webcam. The new MacBook Pros support more monitors, starting with 2 monitors on the lowend and 4 on the high end.

What’s blah?

They are heavier, the Apple logo doesn’t light up, and there isn’t a USB-A port. The HDMI port is limited to 4K at 60Hz, so all three of you with 120Hz 4K displays will be out of luck.

What were they thinking?

One of the biggest negatives for the new MacBook Pros is the addition of a notch for the webcam. I don’t think Apple is too keen on the notch since most of the pictures on Apple’s new MacBook Pro product page show apps running full screen. It looks like in this mode the window only goes up to the bottom of the notch, so you don’t see it.

The Batman trailer was also released

My feelings are pretty indifferent for a new Batman movie. The trailer doesn’t get me too excited though.

I’m not sold on Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, but he looks pretty good as Batman. Andy Serkis, Jeffery Wright, and John Turturro are all amazing, and will be a pretty good reason to watch.

However, if I see Thomas and Martha Wayne murdered on screen once again, I swear I’m going to get up and leave the theater right then and there. Note to future directors of Batman: every Batman movie does not need to see Thomas and Martha Wayne gunned down in an alley.

The shining light in social media

It appears that there is one social media service that isn’t as toxic as the rest, Twitter. There may be hope for humanity yet!

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