During the Unleashed event, Apple formally unveiled the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks that are the best laptops for creative professionals I have ever reviewed. The MacBook Pro lineup has been updated with considerably increased battery life and new powerful processor that is far faster than last year’s M1.
There are two next-generation chips to choose from: M1 Max with up to 32GB and M1 Pro with up to 64GB, both are the most powerful versions they have ever built.
So, which MacBook Pro should you buy?
| Starting price | $1,999 | $2,499 |
| Screen | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024×1964 pixels, 254ppi) | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3456×2244 pixels, 254ppi) |
| Processor | M1 Pro (8-core CPU, 14-core GPU or 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU),
with optional M1 Max (10-core CPU or 32-core GPU) |
M1 Pro (10-core CPU, 16-core GPU)
or M1 Max (10-core CPU, 32-core GPU) |
| Battery size | 70Wh | 100Wh |
| Battery life (claimed) | Up to 11 hours of web surfing | Up to 14 hours of web surfing |
| Storage | 512GB to 8TB | The same |
| Memory | 16GB to 64GB | The same |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4 (x3),
HDMI, MagSafe 3, headphone jack, SD memory card slot |
The same |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | The same |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 | The same |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | The same |
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches | 14 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds | 4.7 pounds (M1 Pro)
Or 4.8 pounds (M1 Max) |
Pricing
Apple fans can order the MacBook Pro right now from the official website. If you want to buy the latest MacBook Pro 14, you should be ready to spend at least $1,999 for the base set. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is priced higher, customers have to spend at least $2,499 to benefit from the various improvements that it provides.
In addition, you can upgrade your MacBook Pro by adding more RAM and storage, so this could move the price a little bit higher. If you want to get the M1 Max with a 24-core GPU, you will have to add $500 to the price, while it is $700 for the M1 Max with a 32-core GPU.
Apple M1 Pro vs M1 Max: All the Differences
The MacBook Pro can be configured with the M1 Pro chip or with the M1 Max which are powerful enough for more complex workloads. Both of these new MacBook Pros come with Apple’s own-brand silicon. It means that there is no Intel chip on any Apple’s notebooks now.
Both chips clearly differ in terms of peak performance. This is exciting, as maximum unified memory supported by the M1 Pro is up to 32GB of RAM, and the M1 Max supports up to 64GB, it is the most memory available to a mobile GPU.
When it comes to the processor, the M1 Pro has 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores switching between them depending on what a user is doing.
The M1 Pro will use the performance cores to increase speed when you are editing something intensive, doing multitasking or making a video at 8K. Although if a user is doing simple tasks or browsing the web, the M1 Pro uses the efficiency cores to save battery life.
Design
Following in the footsteps of numerous Apple products that have gone before, the notebooks come in two color options: Space Gray and Silver.
The new portable 14.2-inch model weighs 3.5 pounds, which is lighter than you’d expect. Depending on whether a user configures it with an M1 Pro or M1 Max, the 16-inch laptop varies between 4.7 and 4.8 pounds.
Put aside the weigh differences, the MacBook Pros are extremely identical in design and component options. Both laptops feature improved 1080p webcam at the top of the display, both have the same ports and new Mini-LED display.
Display
The new MacBooks has increased not only the screen size, but the resolution to 3,024 x 1,964, which boosts the pixel density to 254 pixels per inch, sharpening the image and adding clarity.
Apple has equipped both displays with ProMotion technology that supports from 24Hz to 120 Hz. It means that the refresh rate is adapted to user’s needs saving battery life. At the highest level, it is up to 120Hz and allows for extraordinary performance during gameplay or intensive video editing at 8K.
While we’re on the subject of display, both of them come equipped with P3 Wide color that is used extensively in mobile devices for true-to-life colors.
Measuring the ambient light color and brightness, the True Tone technology can change the white balance of the display to match the lighting in the room.
Upgrading the screens to the mini-LED technology, Apple makes them brighter than ever with the Liquid Retina XDR. Thanks to around 10,000 LEDs, we get a wider color gamut with deeper contrasts.
Ports
Apple has added Thunderbolt to the MacBook Pro, it lets you move data between all your devices.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch Macs include three ports, but it seems complicated. Graphic designers and video creators are a big part of the Macs audience, and those professionals usually use a lot of displays and other devices. It means that the ports will be quickly occupied, and they will need to take a Thunderbolt hub.
Thanks to the SDXC slot, now it is easy to pop the card out of the device that uses SDXC cards, and plug it into your laptop.
The company also adds a high-impedance headphone jack that supports headphones, this port is important for people who often create videos. And with a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port, you can make presentations without an adapter.
Battery life and the MagSafe power connector
The 14-inch MacBook Pro works up to 17 hours while watching a full-screen video and up to 11 hours browsing the web. The 16-inch MacBook Pro works up to 21 hours of battery while watching a full-screen video and 14 hours browsing the web. Sure, you can work on a MacBook Pro for a very long time without plugging in while editing your video or coding.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks support the MagSafe 3. Thanks to this fast-charging feature, you can charge your battery from 0 to 50 percent in 30 minutes.
Although the MagSafe power connector isn’t compatible with previous MacBook power adapters, it has its advantages. Its magnetic element allows you to connect the power supply, and if you drag the cable accidentally, it will come away from the laptop without any damage. In addition, the MagSafe power connector doesn’t use a USB-C/Thunderbolt connector to charge the battery, so you can use it in another way.
Other features
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks offer Bluetooth 5, WiFi 6 and a six-speaker sound system. Apple also adds an upgraded webcam, bringing the much-needed 1080p quality.
No Touch Bar
Apple made the decision to dump the Touch Bar from its lineup. It is a display located above the keyboard that let users touch access to some functions.
Replacing the Touch Bar, the company offers to use new full-sized function keys, that have an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the backlight intensity.
Wrap-up
Releasing the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks, Apple has proved that it can deliver products that change the way people think about them.
If you are a creative professional and want to save some money, you should buy the 14-inch MacBook Pro, it is an awesome laptop for doing heavy duty creative work on. However, if you want to be an owner of the best laptop in the world, go with the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Skilled content and article writer with 8+ years of experience in writing for the web on a range of topics and formats. Solomiia is passionate about excellent grammar use as she takes a fresh approach to every writing project.
