Apple’s M Series Chips: A Scenario of Being Too High-Tech for Their Own Benefit


**A Remarkable Week for Apple: New Macs, but Is an Upgrade Necessary?**

Apple has just concluded *three straight days* of showcasing new products, and it has been quite a journey. Initially, we were introduced to the eye-catching new [iMac](https://mashable.com/article/m4-imac-preorder-price-release-date), followed by the launch of the most powerful [Mac mini](https://mashable.com/article/mac-mini-m4-apple-announcement) ever. The grand climax? The eagerly awaited [MacBook Pro](https://mashable.com/article/macbook-pro-m4-announcement) series, now equipped with Apple’s latest M4 Pro and M4 Max processors.

All these new machines appear to be remarkable. Apple’s M4 processors are among the finest — if not *the* finest — available in a PC, particularly when weighing power efficiency against performance. Yet, in spite of the buzz, I’ve never been less motivated to upgrade.

### Why I’m Not in a Rush to Upgrade

Here’s the situation: I don’t even possess a particularly modern laptop. My primary device is a [16-inch MacBook Pro](https://mashable.com/review/apple-macbook-pro-m1-pro-review) featuring the M1 Max processor, and my wife has a 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Pro. Neither of us thinks we require more power because, honestly, the M1 and M1 Max processors are already extraordinarily capable.

I purchased the M1 Max MacBook Pro on an impulse. Last year, it was offered at such a significant discount from a local store that I had to verify whether the deal was legit. I assumed the price drop was related to the fact that the M1 Max is a high-end, pro-grade device — and not many users were keen to pay full price for something unnecessary.

It’s accurate: I don’t genuinely need 10 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores. I’m neither a video editor nor a 3D artist engaged in complex projects in Blender. However, the deal was too attractive to resist, so I went for it. Ironically, it ended up costing less than the M1 Pro model just a few months prior.

### The M1 Is Still More than Sufficient

Even my wife’s less powerful M1 MacBook Pro manages daily tasks effortlessly. Whether it’s managing multiple Chrome tabs, using social media applications, or playing a match of *Hearthstone* in the background, the M1 chip continues to operate flawlessly.

Interestingly, Apple’s marketing for the new M4 chips doesn’t compare them to the previous generation but to the M1. For example, Apple asserts that the M4 Max is up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 Max. However, here’s the catch: unless you’re testing the chip’s limits with demanding applications, you’re unlikely to perceive much difference in routine use. My current laptop already handles tasks almost instantaneously.

### The Impulse to Upgrade Has Never Been Lower

As a tech professional who considers themselves a bit of a computing enthusiast, I’d love to own the latest and greatest MacBook Pro. But honestly, I’ve never been less driven to upgrade. I realize that in my daily tasks, I wouldn’t notice the distinction between my three-year-old laptop and a new model.

It’s challenging to blame Apple for producing chips so exceptional that you don’t need to upgrade every year — or even every three years. Yet it raises the question: what else could Apple introduce to make these new machines more appealing? Sure, the new Space Black hue is exciting, but that was already available with the prior generation (at least in the 16-inch variant). Thunderbolt 5, marginally better battery life, and a superior display are all desirable features, but are they worth investing a few thousand dollars to replace your current MacBook?

### What Lies Ahead for Apple?

Perhaps Apple must reconsider its strategy. More color choices could be a starting point, or maybe a redesign is warranted. There are even discussions regarding a [foldable, all-screen MacBook](https://mashable.com/article/foldable-macbook-delayed) — a groundbreaking change that could rejuvenate interest.

For now, however, I require more than just an upgraded chip to rationalize an upgrade. The M1 Max is already more powerful than I need, and the M4, while impressive, doesn’t entice me enough to invest in a new device. Apple’s chips have maintained a leading edge for some time, and until there’s a more compelling reason for an upgrade, I’m content with what I currently possess.