Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
"Pro" and "Ultra" are the most expensive words in tech. The problem is nobody tells you whether you actually need it.
So this week, I will: what each "Pro" is really for, and what most people should buy instead.
Why Most "Pro" Tech Isn't Actually For Pros
Here's my honest breakdown of who each "Pro" is really for, and what most people should get instead.
💻 MacBooks: you're paying for a screen, not "Pro"
Ask most people why they bought a MacBook Pro and the honest answer is: the screen. Faster refresh rate, higher resolution, a bit brighter.
And the thing is, a MacBook Air would do the job for about 99% of people.
Here's how the line-up actually shakes out now:
MacBook Neo (~$599) — Apple's new budget Mac on the A18 Pro chip. Performs like the old M1 Air for everyday stuff. Web, docs, video calls, media. Brilliant for students and first-time Mac buyers.
MacBook Air (~$1,100) — the sweet spot for basically everyone. Browsing, work, light photo and video editing, all handled without breaking a sweat.
MacBook Pro ($2,199+) — the genuine 1%. If you're exporting video all day, compiling code, or living inside pro creative apps, this is your machine. The extra power and ports actually earn their keep.
If you're not regularly maxing out a machine for a living… you don't need the Pro. You want the Air.
📱 iPhone "Pro": just a good camera
Loads of people go for the iPhone Pro because they want the triple cameras.
So what to get instead:
🏆 What is the "Ultra?
Everyone's calling their phone an Ultra now. The honest answer for most people:
If you chase cameras, look at the Chinese Ultras.
If you just want it to work everywhere with full warranty and support… the Samsung Ultra or an iPhone Pro Max is still the safe pick.
There are Chinese phones out right now that are way more "Ultra" than the Ultra.
The Vivo X300 Ultra runs two 200MP sensors and has arguably the best main camera of any 2026 flagship, plus clip-on 200mm and 400mm telephoto lenses that are frankly ridiculous.
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the zoom king, and it's finally gone global.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is still out there with its 1-inch main sensor and Leica colour science.
📊 Skip The Badge: What To Actually Buy
If you… | Get this instead |
|---|---|
Just browse, write, watch, video-call | |
Do everyday work + light photo/video edits | MacBook Air (M5) |
Export video / compile code / run pro apps all day | MacBook Pro (the real 1%) |
Want lovely photos of your kids and holidays | Standard iPhone (or last year's Pro secondhand) |
Actually shoot photography as a hobby or job | iPhone Pro or a Chinese "Ultra" |
Want the technically best camera phone of 2026 | Vivo X300 Ultra / Oppo Find X9 Ultra |
Want it to "just work" with full support | Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone Pro Max |
Buying "Pro" or "Ultra" for the badge | …honestly, the normal version |
📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:
I reviewed the Meirro PD6, a 32-inch 6K monitor that's trying to be the affordable Apple Studio Display and Pro Display XDR alternative creators have been begging for.
Apple-style aluminium design, a fraction of the Apple price… so where's the catch?
Whether a budget 6K panel can really stand in for Apple's Pro Display XDR
What "6K" actually looks like up close
HDR, colour accuracy and brightness put through proper tests
Whether it plays nicely with Windows, not just Mac
The surprise remote control nobody asked for (and whether it's any use)
Build quality and that very Apple-looking aluminium design
Whether it's genuinely worth buying over the real Studio Display
and more…
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to you.