The Mac Pro’s history has had excellent high points, as well as challenges that had to be dealt with. When Apple replaced the Power Mac G5 with the Mac Pro, the switch to Intel chips made the future look bright, while at the same time, users had to deal with the technology transition. In 2013, Apple proved it could think differently about its flagship Mac, with a cylindrical design that morphed our notion of what defines the Mac Pro. But the “trash can” Mac suffered much criticism for its lack of upgradability and reliance on external devices. The 2019 Mac Pro brought back the tower that users demanded, but Apple had to win back a lot of customers.
Good or bad, the release of the new Mac Pro was an exciting time that allowed us to witness how far Apple can push the envelope for its flagship system. This time, however, feels different, because pros have another choice in the M2 Ultra Mac Studio—it’s not a second-rate choice, either. It offers the same exact performance as the M2 Ultra Mac Pro—the Mac Pro traditionally is the uncontested champion. That’s not true anymore.
