Episode Summary
Executive Summary: The episode is dominated by Apple’s pivot back toward pro hardware, especially the long-awaited Mac Pro, alongside speculation about the broader implications for Mac updates, displays, GPUs, and even iOS chip design. The hosts also cover Workflow’s effective sunset, APFS space-sharing quirks, Apple’s Clips app, and the practical headaches of their own t-shirt rollout.
Main Topics: Apple’s renewed commitment to the Mac Pro: The hosts dissect Apple’s Mac Pro transcript and rumors, arguing that Apple has finally acknowledged the need for a replaceable, regularly updated pro desktop after years of neglect. What Apple’s pro-product strategy says about speed bumps and upgrades: A major thread is Apple’s apparent abandonment of boring incremental updates across much of its line, contrasted with the belief that the Mac Pro must be treated differently and refreshed regularly. Workflow acquisition and the end of meaningful app development: The discussion notes that Workflow’s support team says no further planned updates are coming, reinforcing the view that Apple bought the team more than the product. Rumors about future Macs, displays, and MacBook Pro variants: They evaluate unconfirmed reports about a high-end iMac, possible non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro options, legacy ports, and an 8K display, while remaining skeptical of many specifics. GPU transitions: NVIDIA on Macs and Apple leaving Imagination: The hosts examine NVIDIA driver support for Pascal on Macs and Apple’s reported end of Imagination licensing, discussing possible consequences for future Mac Pro and iPhone graphics. APFS free-space reporting and storage oddities: They revisit APFS space sharing and speculate that iOS free-space changes in 10.3 may reflect how APFS reports shared storage, though they lack experiments to prove it. Apple Clips and new creation tools: A brief side discussion praises Clips’ ease of use and automated captioning, while noting limitations like laggy transcription and awkward square-video sharing for Instagram Stories.
Key Arguments: Apple’s Mac Pro reset is significant because it signals a reversal from years of neglect and an acceptance that pro hardware must receive regular updates. The old Mac Pro’s thermal/case design was a dead end; Apple wants a design that can accommodate frequent internal upgrades without redesigning the whole machine. Workflow’s lack of new features suggests Apple acquired the team to absorb its automation expertise rather than continue the standalone app long-term. Apple appears increasingly willing to use market feedback and pro-user interviews to inform future products, but the hosts worry Apple may still be surprised by public reactions to its own designs. A speed bump is not a failure of innovation; for some product lines, boring incremental updates are healthier than years of stagnation. Rumors about a high-end iMac and a non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro make sense mainly as price-point or market-segmentation plays, not because Apple suddenly hates the Touch Bar. NVIDIA’s Mac driver support is exciting for existing Mac Pro owners and Hackintosh users, but it does not prove anything about Apple’s next Mac Pro GPU choice. Apple dropping Imagination licensing likely reflects a desire to own more of its silicon stack, and Apple probably has the internal expertise to design custom mobile GPUs.
Data Points: Mac users classified as pro users (frequent): 15% - Apple research cited in the discussion says 15% of Mac users use at least one pro app frequently. Mac users classified as pro users (less frequent): 15% - Apple research cited says another 15% use pro apps less frequently, at least a few times per month. Total pro market according to Apple: 30% (or possibly 45% if groups overlap) - The hosts debate whether the 15% frequent users are included within the 30% total. Mac Pro price level after recent drop: Still about $5,000 for a good configuration - They note the 2013 Mac Pro remains expensive despite being discounted. Mac Pro original high-end price discussed: About $7,000 - Used as a comparison point for the price drop. Workflow update status: No further planned updates - Email from Workflow support says they will support current functionality but no new features are planned. Suggested time since MacBook Pro with Touch Bar launch: About 10 days - They joke that Apple’s reversal on the Mac Pro came very soon after the Touch Bar-related backlash. Mac Pro development timing rumor: Decision made in recent months; development started only a few weeks ago - A cited rumor claims the new Mac Pro project was restarted very recently. Apple revenue from Imagination licensing: About $75 million/year - Mentioned as relatively small for Apple but over half of Imagination’s revenue. Apple pro-user outreach: Long-running, across many users - Apple reportedly asked pro users how they use hardware before deciding to revive the Mac Pro.
Pivotal Quotes: "In retrospect, that was a mistake." — Craig Federighi (described by the hosts from the transcript): The hosts note he seems to stop himself mid-sentence when discussing the old Mac Pro’s cylindrical design. "We want to make a Mac Pro that we can make the parts inside of it better on a regular basis." — Apple executives summarized by the hosts: This is presented as the most important promise from the Mac Pro meeting: regular internal upgrades without redesigning the whole machine. "No further planned updates for Workflow." — Workflow support team: Quoted from an email forwarded to the hosts, signaling the app’s effective end as a feature-growing product.
Implications: Apple may be re-learning the value of boring but necessary updates, especially for pro hardware. If sustained, this could improve Macs, displays, and Apple’s pro credibility—but the hosts warn execution and follow-through remain uncertain.