Chapter 1: The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Apple Devices

Upgrading tech devices is a trend that has been around for a long time. Personally, I recall eagerly transitioning through every SideKick model after finally acquiring my first one a year after its initial launch. The SideKick 2 was impressive, while the SideKick 3 left much to be desired. However, I digress.

The essence of my argument is that tech enthusiasts have always yearned for the latest and greatest. Even if the device we possessed was perfectly adequate, the allure of a new model often made us want to upgrade immediately. This phenomenon can be attributed to fear of missing out (FOMO), a degree of materialism, and a genuine passion for using innovative gadgets. When better models emerged, the desire to own them became irresistible.

Fast forward to the iPhone era, where we witnessed a revolution in handheld computing. More individuals have joined the ranks of those eager to upgrade their devices. While many still wait until their contracts expire, Apple’s introduction of the iPhone Upgrade Plan has made it tempting to opt for the latest model annually.

When it comes to MacBooks and iPads, even tech aficionados tend to exercise a bit more patience. Year-on-year upgrades for MacBooks often bring minimal changes, while iPad Pros generally follow a two-year hardware refresh cycle with only slight enhancements.

As noted by various voices in the tech community, including Jason Snell from Six Colors, Apple aims to provide something new for customers in search of replacements. This means that even a simple specification upgrade for an iPhone or Mac is designed to assure customers that they are acquiring the most current model. Occasionally, timing can be unfortunate; for instance, one might purchase an iPhone 14 Pro just before the announcement of the iPhone 15 Pro.

However, upgrading from older models like the iPhone 7 or iPhone XS will still yield significant improvements, even if the new model is a year old. The yearly upgrades Apple implements are particularly beneficial for those who haven’t updated their devices in years or for newcomers who may not notice the differences.

Source: apple.com

This brings me to Apple’s upcoming event on Monday, October 30th, which has me excited about the third upgrade of the MacBook Pros since their last revision. Not only is Apple transitioning to the M3 chip, likely built on a remarkable 3nm architecture, but this will also make the market for older M-series MacBook Pros considerably more affordable.

In a previous post titled "Old Apple Tech Worth Buying," I highlighted the value of devices like the 2017 MacBook Pro, Apple Watch SE (1st Gen), and the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. Although these gadgets are three to five years old, they remain highly functional for everyday tasks. I still utilize my Apple Watch SE daily, and my 10.5-inch iPad Pro has become a family favorite, used by my wife and son regularly.

Chapter 2: The Value of Older Apple Technology

New models are fantastic, but opting for slightly older devices can lead to significant savings.

The first video reviews the Apple Watch Series 10, discussing whether the enhancements justify an upgrade.

You can already find the M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch with 1 TB of SSD for under $1,300 in decent condition, representing a nearly 50% discount from its original price just three years ago. With many anticipating the announcement of the M3 MacBook Pros on the 30th, I suspect this discount will increase even further in the coming months.

For those upgrading from much older machines, the new M3 models will offer substantial benefits. Users of the M2 models may also find the transition to M3 advantageous for enhancing their workflow. However, it is those of us with older models who will reap the most rewards as Apple continues to innovate its premier laptops.

The second video explores an intriguing experiment with apple seeds, suggesting that more seeds lead to better-tasting apples.