Following the introduction of the third generation Apple Silicon, the landscape of Mac devices has undergone a significant transformation since the start of 2023. You’ve likely read about the best Macs to buy this year, tailored to your workflow and budget. Now, it’s essential to consider which Macs are the least recommended options. Below, we’ll delve into this list to help you make a wise investment.
Before diving into the blacklist of Macs for the end of 2023, let’s get a brief overview of Apple’s Mac portfolio at this juncture. In the desktop realm, we have the 24-inch iMac with the M3 chip, while the Mac mini features the M2 and M2 Pro chips. In the laptop category, we have an array of options, including the MacBook Air M1, the 13-inch MacBook Air M2, and the 15-inch MacBook Air, which shares Silicon with the 13-inch variant. On the professional front, we have the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 16-inch MacBook Pro, featuring M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, and Ultra chips, depending on the chosen configuration. Additionally, there’s the Mac, a unique device designed for a specific audience, powered by the M3 Ultra chip.
- Any iMac without an M3 chip: With the introduction of the M3 chip in the iMac lineup, Apple has brought the latest generation of Apple Silicon to its most affordable and general desktop offering. Consequently, all prior iMac models, including those with the first-generation Apple Silicon and Intel processors, now exhibit significantly lower performance. This performance gap applies regardless of the amount of RAM or graphics memory in the older models. Moreover, these older iMacs face a considerably shorter lifespan in terms of software updates when compared to the new 24-inch desktop.
- 13-inch MacBook Pro: Purchasing a 13-inch MacBook Pro is strongly discouraged due to its obsolete status in Apple’s product lineup over the past two years. This laptop retained the outdated design introduced in 2016, including the unpopular Touch Bar—an innovation that didn’t resonate with users. The limited hardware upgrade options and a lack of meaningful improvements make this MacBook a less attractive choice. It’s essentially a more powerful version of the MacBook Air, but it falls short of Apple’s more professional-grade laptops.
- MacBook Air M1: The MacBook Air M1 finds itself in a similar predicament as the older iMacs. With the imminent release of the M3 chip towards the end of 2023, Apple is expected to update the MacBook Air’s Silicon sooner rather than later. This makes purchasing the current MacBook Air less sensible, especially when considering that the fourth-generation MacBook Air is likely on the horizon for 2024. If you urgently need a MacBook Air, opting for the 14-inch MacBook Pro is a more advantageous choice, offering third-generation Silicon, higher base storage, and the same RAM capacity.
- Other Discarded Options (Mac Pro and Mac Studio): Both the Mac Pro and Mac Studio share a similar fate. These devices are equipped with third-generation Silicon, which implies that unless you have an immediate need for them, it’s wiser to hold off on your purchase. The upcoming component updates, particularly with the introduction of Silicon Max and Ultra chips, will bring substantial performance improvements. These enhancements will significantly benefit professionals engaged in 3D tasks, video editing, and software development.
In conclusion, when considering your Mac purchase in 2023, it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest Apple Silicon releases and choose devices that offer the best value and performance for your specific needs.