With the dust settling on Apple’s recent “Scary Fast” event, there will be more than a few people out there contemplating their next Mac purchase. Leaning into Steve Jobs’ product matrix, I’ve broken down the Apple product range so you can see where each Mac fits.
Apple’s product strategy matrix
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, he identified a significant issue. The problem wasn’t that Apple couldn’t make great computers. It was trying to be all things to all people and, as a result, it lacked focus.
His solution was to draw a simple matrix.
The result was the almost instant discontinuation of some products, like the MessagePad (aka the Newton) with efforts channeled to Apple’s core products – at least until the iPod came along in 2001.
I’m using a similar matrix to breakdown Apple’s current computer range.
Which Mac is for you?
Apple’s laptop range is quite simple. There’s the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. But on the desktop side of things there are four options. Here’s how I break them down.
I see the iMac as being very much a consumer play. With its bright colours and all-in-one design it looks great, performs well would look fine in a home office or on a student’s desk. That’s not to say it wouldn’t work in a professional environment – the recent introduction of the M3 chip gives it a massive performance hike – but the limited screen size will be a significant factor.
The Mac mini sits on the border between consumers and professionals. That’s because it can be ordered in a relatively low cost specification but can be boosted, if your budget allows, to be a very powerful small form-factor systems. And it gives the flexibility to use a large display.
The Mac Studio is definitely pitched at professional users. It’s powerful, has plenty of ports for connecting peripherals and can power more displays than the Mac mini.
And, at the top end is the ultra pricey Mac Pro that boasts the kind of upgradeability and expandability that pros demand.
If I put that into a Steve Jobs product matrix, this is what we get.
Specs and budget
Once you choose the machine you want, it’s then about your budget and the best specification.
I have a simple rule when it comes to being Apple kit: set a budget and buy the machine with the greatest storage capacity you can afford.
One of the most annoying things about Apple’s systems is that they are not upgradeable (the Mac Pro is the sole exception and even it has limits). The amount of storage and memory the units ship with is what you’ll be stuck with. Other than adding external drives, there’s no easy way to upgrade a Mac.
While processor power and memory are critical, most users are more likely to run out of storage if they skimp. The accumulation of photos, documents, music and other information is more of a hassle than a slightly slower-than-your-friend’s computer.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.