Updated: Mar 31, 2026 – 6 episodes
Apple has announced the discontinuation of its Mac Pro line, marking the end of an era for the high-end desktop computer. The company also hinted at the release of new iPhone and MacBook models, suggesting a shift in focus towards its more popular consumer products. This move could impact professionals who rely on the Mac Pro for intensive computing tasks.
Three very different takes here — start with 9to5Mac Daily for a straightforward analysis of why the Mac Pro's discontinuation was expected. They argue that the Mac Studio is the new 'Pro' option, making the Mac Pro obsolete. For a more nostalgic perspective, The Talk Show With John Gruber reflects on the Mac Pro's legacy while acknowledging the strength of Apple's current lineup. If you're interested in how this affects professional users, Apple Bitz XL w/ Brian Tong discusses the shift towards consumer-focused products and the success of the MacBook Neo. Each episode offers unique insights into Apple's strategic decisions.
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“Apple needed to make a decision to either update the Mac Pro or discontinue it. Continuing to sell it with the M2 Ultra at such a high price was a disservice to Mac shoppers. There will undoubtedly be some Mac Pro loyalists disappointed by this news, but they shouldn't be surprised because the writing has been on the wall for a long time.”
Ridealong summary
Apple's discontinuation of the Mac Pro was inevitable given its outdated hardware and high price point, making the Mac Studio the new 'Pro' desktop option.
“But overall a bit of a sad you know pour one out for the Mac Pro name. But the Mac hardware lineup remains in the best shape it ever been in company history. I was going to say, I'd be more upset if like the Mac Studio was not so good. The Mac Mini wasn't so good, right? Like, I think that Pros would be too. Like, what happened before with the trash can, and even after that, was that you had people where that was the highest in Mac you could get, and you might have needed it for some purposes, but it wasn't good enough.”
Ridealong summary
The discontinuation of the Mac Pro is a strategic move by Apple, reflecting a shift towards more efficient and capable alternatives like the Mac Studio, which better serve professional needs.
“9to5Mac says Apple has discontinued the Mac Pro with no plans for an update. The most recent version was introduced in 2019 with Intel inside. The model was updated with Apple Silicon M2 Ultra processors in 2023, and it's kind of languished ever since. The fact that Apple outed the M3 Ultra last year without a Mac Pro update probably should have been a clue.”
Ridealong summary
Apple's discontinuation of the Mac Pro was foreseeable given the lack of updates and the introduction of newer processors without a corresponding Mac Pro model.
“People are like, oh my gosh, they discontinued the Mac Pro. And then my question to them is, when was the last time you bought or used a Mac Pro? And it's like, crickets, crickets. But there's a few things that you mentioned that I want to bring up just kind of because there's a little bit of history of the Mac Pro and for the record I did buy multiple Mac desktops over the course of my design slash video editing life cycle.”
Ridealong summary
The discontinuation of the Mac Pro is not a significant loss for most users, as many have already transitioned to using MacBook Pros for their computing needs.
“"The machine has been effectively dead for a long time... notice how there's no rumors at all about anything having to do with the Mac Pro... And it's like, well, that's it. It's dead. It's done. Like, this is not what you do to a machine that's a going concern... it just needed to be put out of its misery."”
Ridealong summary
The Mac Pro has been effectively dead for a long time, and its discontinuation was overdue as Apple had already moved on from supporting it.
“The Mac Pro used to be like the thing... it's like a, it's like an old broken down car that no one wants to get rid of. It's such a sad demise for what was once such a cool Mac. In a lot of ways, the Mac Studio is the new Mac Pro, and they couldn't call it the Mac Pro, but it's really what it is.”
Ridealong summary
The Mac Pro's demise is a sad end for what was once a flagship product, now replaced by the less modular Mac Studio.