For Apple, the core of "pro" is audiovisual professionals.
I mean, really, it just means "the expensive one", as in AirPods Pro, but sticking to Macs for a second: if your job is video editing, or publishing, the bigger and nicer screen is going to trump a faster processor and better battery life. The (much) better speakers are also a big plus.
Smart users in that category are holding off new purchases, if they possibly can, until the M2 (presumably) 16" MBPs drop. Especially if the rumors hold and it comes with an onboard SD card reader.
We're talking here about pros in the context of "increased hardware demands".
This has little to do with "Pro" in the product name or not, nor with them being more professional than other working people.