New 14-inch MacBook Pro costs $1,999 but keeps 2021 design
Apple's latest entry-level laptop features the M6 chip but lacks OLED displays and touchscreen capabilities found in higher-end models.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Apple has released its new 14-inch MacBook Pro, a machine that starts at $1,999. The laptop features the company's new M6 processor, but it retains the physical design Apple introduced in 2021.
The new model sits in a difficult position within Apple's lineup. It shares the basic chassis and external ports with the more expensive, higher-end MacBook Pros. However, it uses a more modest processor and has lower limits for RAM and storage.
Unlike the top-tier models, this version does not include an OLED panel, a touchscreen, or the Dynamic Island feature. It also does not offer the weight reduction or the glowing Apple logo on the lid that appear in the premium "PROLED XDR" machines.
The M6 chip itself is considered strong. Rumors indicate that Apple will not release Pro, Max, or Ultra versions of the M6. This means the entry-level MacBook Pro will be one of the few ways to access the M6 architecture, as the top-tier laptops will continue using different chip configurations.
The price of the new laptop is notably high. At $1,999, it costs $700 more than the basic M1 MacBook Pro from 2020. It is also $400 more expensive than the starting price of the M5 MacBook Pro released last year.
The comparison to last year's model is complicated by recent price changes. When Apple raised prices for most of its products in June, the M5 model received a mandatory 1TB storage upgrade and a $400 price increase. This makes the current $1,999 price tag for the M6 model a direct continuation of Apple's recent pricing strategy.
The new laptop continues a trend where Apple reserves its most updated screen technologies and design changes for its most expensive devices. Previous entry-level models, such as the 13-inch M1 and M2 MacBook Pros, stuck with older 2016-era designs, including the Touch Bar, well into the 2020s.
