My new MacBook Pro

Y’all. I’ve only had it for less than two weeks, but I love this computer so much. I don’t really need to write a review. Every review that’s been written about the new MacBook Pro* essentially says the same thing. The computer is unbelievably fast. The battery life seems endless. The screen is insanely sharp. The ports are back. The keyboard is solid. The notch is strange at first, but then pretty much disappears.

I went with the 14-inch version in Space Gray. It’s the perfect size for what I need for writing and type design. Some of my designer friends have expressed surprise that I didn’t go with the 16-inch screen, but I don’t really want to carry around that computer (or the accompanying charger brick) in my bag.

If I need more screen real estate, I can easily plug it into an external display. I probably won’t do that often, though, because the MacBook Pro’s screen is beautiful and my external display is woefully inadequate in comparison. You have to see the MacBook Pro in person to understand just how sharp and bright this screen is. It’s an amazing piece of technology and it will be a while before an external screen of this quality is affordable.**

Could I have gotten by with the M1 MacBook Air and saved myself some money? Yes, absolutely. I’m not editing video or doing massively intensive computational tasks. But stepping up to the MacBook Pro gets you the gorgeous screen, the updated industrial design, MagSafe, some additional ports (that I probably won’t use) and some extra speed. Well worth the added investment to me.

So far, I’m happy with my purchase. The whole package feels premium — solid and durable. I look forward to using it in coffee shops, conference rooms and classrooms for many years to come.

* I understand why Apple switched the name to MacBook years ago, but this computer looks like more like a Powerbook to me. 😎

** Apple’s Pro Display XDR is not affordable.

Bob Wertz writes about design, technology and pop culture at Sketchbook B. Bob is a Columbia, South Carolina-based designer, University of South Carolina Ph.D. student, mass comm researcher, college instructor, husband and dad. He’s particularly obsessed with typography, the creative process and the tools we use to create. Bob occasionally and begrudgingly posts to Twitter and Instagram. He wears a mask and got vaccinated to protect his community. #TeamModerna