The latest MacBook Pro notebooks, which are powered by Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max silicon, include significant CPU and GPU enhancements, greater RAM, miniLED ProMotion screens, improved I/O, and more. Read on for a detailed comparison of the 14 and 16-inch computers in 2022 to help you decide which to buy.
Update 5/9: Apple has delayed new and existing MacBook Pro orders for the 14 and 16-inch models until July. At the time of writing, certain combinations were still available via Amazon, Adorama, and Best Buy. With supply chain constraints, inventories appears to be diminishing.
The M1 MacBook Pro, Air, and Mac mini were released in late 2020, while the M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs will be used in the next-generation Pro notebooks that will be released in late 2021.
RAM up to 64GB, CPUs up to 10-cores, and GPUs up to 32-cores are all included. A 1080p webcam, an all-new Liquid Retina XDR Display with mini-LED backlighting, a redesigned I/O array with HDMI, SD, and MagSafe all returning, and much more are among the new features.
Below you will find a comprehensive guide to buying a new MacBook Pro laptop
Apple MacBook Pros M1 Pro and M1 Max
In October 2021, Apple completely redesigned the high-end MacBook Pro, including a new design, new CPUs, new capabilities, and more. The new MacBook Pro models, according to Apple, provide “exceptional performance” .
The M1 Pro and M1 Max Apple silicon chips are included in the 2021 MacBook Pro models, which come in 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch sizes and have mini-LED displays, additional ports, up to 64GB RAM, and more powerful Apple silicon CPUs. They are, in a nutshell, the best MacBook Pro models to date.
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro models can be ordered with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max processor. Both CPUs have a 10-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and two high-efficiency cores, however the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro has a lower-end 8-core variant. Both chips also have a 16-core Neural Engine.
The distinction between “Pro” and “Max” refers to the performance of the GPU. The M1 Pro has a 16-core GPU, the M1 Max has a 32-core GPU, and a 24-core GPU is also available as a middle-tier upgrade. The M1 Pro and M1 Max both have 32GB of unified memory, while the M1 Pro has 64GB of unified memory.
The CPU in the M1 Pro and Pro Max, according to Apple, is up to 70% quicker than the CPU in the M1. The M1 Pro’s GPU is up to 2x faster than the M1, while the M1 Max’s GPU is up to 4x quicker than the M1. The M1 Pro and Pro Max, like the M1, feature a system-on-a-chip architecture, with the M1 Pro supporting up to 200GB/s memory bandwidth and the M1 Max supporting up to 400GB/s.
The Liquid Retina XDR display, which is a mini-LED display with up to 1000 nits of sustained brightness, 1600 nits of peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, is found on the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The resolution of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is 3024-by-1964 at 254 pixels per inch, while the 16-inch variant is 3456-by-2234 at 254 pixels per inch.
The sides and top of the display have tiny 3.5mm bezels, and the top of the display has a notch design that incorporates a 1080p webcam. ProMotion technology is built into both panels, allowing for adaptable refresh rates ranging from 24Hz to 120Hz. P3 Wide Color for true-to-life colors and True Tone, which adjusts the display’s white balance to match the lighting in the environment, are two further display technologies.
The new MacBook Pro models are similar in appearance to previous generations, although they are bigger and heavier, with more rounded bottom corners. The only color possibilities are silver and gray.
An all-black keyboard replaces the Touch Bar with a full-sized row of function keys. Touch ID is used to unlock the Mac, validate purchases, and replace passwords, and there’s a larger Touch ID button with a circular fingerprint sensor. A huge Force Touch trackpad sits beneath the keyboard.
The MacBook Pro models include a redesigned thermal architecture that can circulate 50 percent more air than the previous-generation model to support the new M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs. The thermal design allows for long-term use.
The MacBook Pro models include a redesigned thermal architecture that can circulate 50 percent more air than the previous-generation model to support the new M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs. The thermal design ensures that the machine remains cool and silent while performing. According to Apple, the fans will not turn on for most ordinary chores.
The latest MacBook Pro models include an SDXC card slot, an HDMI 2.0 connector, three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 connections, a 3.5mm headphone socket with compatibility for high-impedance headphones, and a MagSafe 3 port with a new fast charging capability that provides a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro uses a 140-watt power adapter, while the 14-inch models come with either a 67-watt or a 96-watt adapter, depending on the CPU arrangement, and both computers may be charged through USB-C or MagSafe.
The latest MacBook Pro models have 2x quicker SSDs and can be configured with up to 8TB of storage space. The M1 Pro chip can handle two external displays with a resolution of up to 6K at 60Hz, whilst the M1 Max can support three external displays with a resolution of up to 6K and one external display with a resolution of up to 4K at 60Hz.
The battery life of the MacBook Pro models has been much increased thanks to the new M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs. When watching movies, the 14-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 17 hours, and when browsing the web, it lasts up to 11 hours. When watching movies, the 16-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 21 hours, and 14 hours when surfing the web.
There’s also a six-speaker sound system with two tweeters, four force-cancelling woofers, and wide stereo sound, as well as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 connectivity.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499, according to Apple.
How to Purchase MacBook Pro ?
Apple’s 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models can be ordered online or purchased in-store. There are stock configurations as well as build-to-order enhancements. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499, according to Apple.
Apple began selling used 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs in April 2022, offering moderate savings over brand new models. Apple’s refurbished store changes depending on what consumers have sent in for repair, return, or replacement. The reconditioned store is periodically replenished by Apple, with the available specs changing over time.
Go inside M1 Pro and M1 Max
A completely new power structure has emerged.
The new MacBook Pro is the first professional notebook to include a system on a chip (SoC). Other professional systems employ power-hungry CPUs, discrete GPUs, and numerous chips, each of which functions independently. The M1 Pro and M1 Max include a single SoC with unified memory that houses the CPU, GPU, I/O, and Neural Engine. As a result, the M1 Pro and M1 Max not only smash complex workflows that were previously impossible to complete on a notebook, but they also offer exceptional battery life.
At the chip, it’s connected. Other professional laptops must transfer data over a slower interface. The new MacBook Pro isn’t one of them. A single pool of unified memory is shared by the CPU and GPU. This means that every area of the chip may access data and memory without having to copy it, making everything faster and more efficient.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs each have up to eight high-performance cores and two high-efficiency cores, allowing for quicker processing at a tenth of the power consumption. Their GPUs have access to lower-latency data and increased power efficiency, resulting in unrivaled performance per watt.
Incredible performance. Unrivaled efficiency.
CPU Performance vs. Power Consumption
In the same power environment, the M1 Pro and M1 Max give 1.7 times greater performance than the latest 8-core PC laptop CPU. They also match the PC chip’s maximum performance levels while using 70% less power.
GPU Performance vs. Power in the M1 Pro
At its peak, the M1 Pro uses 70% less power than a PC notebook with a dedicated GPU.
M1 Maximum GPU Performance vs. Power Consumption
At its most powerful, the M1 Max outperforms a compact pro laptop with a high-performance discrete GPU while using 40% less power. In addition, when compared to a high-end laptop with discrete graphics, the M1 Max provides comparable performance while utilizing 100 watts less power.
Notch, Keyboard, and Other Design Features
A notch at the top of the display hides an updated 1080p webcam, while the new MacBook Pro models include a revised keyboard with an all-black design and full-size function buttons instead of a Touch Bar.
HDMI, SD Card Slot, and MagSafe are among the new ports
Many connectors that Apple had deleted in 2016 have been reinstated on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, including an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and MagSafe for a magnetic power cable.
Mini-LED and ProMotion are two types of displays
The new MacBook Pro models have Liquid Retina XDR displays with mini-LED backlighting for up to 3x higher brightness when viewing HDR content, as well as ProMotion, which allows for an adaptive refresh rate between a power-saving 24Hz and a smooth-looking 120Hz depending on the type of content on the screen.
Battery Life
In comparison to previous-generation MacBook Pro models, Apple claims that the new MacBook Pro models have up to 10 hours more battery life per charge.
Key Takeaways
The new MacBook Pro models tick all the boxes for a lot of professional users and are a highly desirable investment, with very fast performance, the return of key connections like HDMI and an SD card slot, and enhanced screens.
Design
The MacBook Pro has been revamped both inside and out, and its look and feature set pay respect to vintage Macs in numerous ways. The MacBook Pro retains its aluminum unibody design (which is available in silver or space gray), but the overall shape is flatter and less curved at the bottom.
There are no major changes to these devices, and they are instantly recognizable as MacBook Pros. The bottom has four feet to add a tiny amount of lift, and the corners are more curled than before.
The MacBook Pro comes in 14 and 16-inch sizes and has small bezels on the top and sides, a camera notch on the top, an all-black keyboard, a big trackpad, and additional connectors on the left and right sides. A huge Force Touch trackpad is still present, as are two speaker grilles on the sides of the keyboard.
The new MacBook Pro models are heavier and thicker than their Intel predecessors, especially the 16-inch variant. The 14-inch model weighs 3.5 pounds and measures 12.31 inches long, 8.71 inches wide, and 0.61 inches thick. It’s bigger in every way than the previous model, although it’s about the same thickness.
The 16-inch variant is 14.01 inches long, 9.77 inches broad, and 0.66 inches thick, so it’s a smidgeon shorter, but also a smidgeon wider and thicker (the prior model was 0.64 inches thick). It is 0.4 pounds heavier than the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro it replaces, at 4.7 pounds.
Because of the size of the M1 Max chip, 16-inch computers with the M1 Max chip will be slightly heavier than machines with the M1 Pro chip.
The laptop features a regular logo on the top casing, but the “MacBook Pro” lettering that used to be below the display has been deleted. It’s now at the very bottom of the MacBook Pro.
Internally, the MacBook Pro’s design maximizes internal space and is built on a new cooling system that can circulate 50% more air than previous-generation devices, even at lower fan speeds.
The new thermal architecture, according to Apple, allows the MacBook Pro to deliver “phenomenal” sustained performance while remaining cool and silent. The fans will not turn on for most ordinary tasks.
Display Screen Resolution
Liquid Retina XDR. Extreme Dynamic Range and a million-to-one contrast ratio are elements of the greatest notebook display ever. With improved specular highlights, remarkable shadow depth, and rich, true-to-life colors, HDR content comes to life in photographs, videos, and games. Each display is factory calibrated and has HDR color grading, photography, design, and print production pro reference modes.
ProMotion. For the first time on a Mac, ProMotion makes everything from browsing through a web page to gaming extraordinarily fluid and responsive – all while lowering power usage. The adaptive technology automatically adjusts to meet the movement of the content with refresh rates up to 120Hz. Video editors can also select a specific refresh rate that corresponds to their material.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 14.2-inch display with a native resolution of 3024 by 1964 pixels per inch and a pixel density of 254 pixels per inch. Aside from the size difference and the accompanying variation in resolution, the 14-inch and 16-inch models’ displays are identical.
Both use mini-LED technology with a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 and a sustained brightness of 1,000 nits and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. A billion colors are supported by the displays, as well as P3 Wide color for brilliant, true-to-life hues. If desired, the display can be calibrated for even more accuracy.
Users should expect HDR material to have greater clarity in shadows, dazzling highlights, deeper blacks, and more vivid colors than previously available, according to Apple. The 10,000 mini-LEDs that are arranged into individually controlled local dimming zones enable this.
The display can reach a peak brightness of 500 nits when displaying SDR content. The display’s max brightness of 1,600 nits is only available for HDR content.
True Tone, a function that adjusts the display’s white balance to match the ambient lighting in the room, is available. True Tone has been utilized in Apple devices for years, and it is supposed to make seeing a Mac’s screen easier on the eyes by accounting for outside illumination and color temperature.
The latest MacBook Pros, in particular, include ProMotion technology, which allows for adjustable refresh rates ranging from 24 to 120Hz. When browsing a static webpage that doesn’t require a high refresh rate, the MacBook Pro’s display switches to a lower refresh rate to save battery life; however, when gaming, scrolling, or doing other tasks that require a higher refresh rate, the higher frame rates kick in.
The top and side bezels on both devices are 3.5mm thick, but there is a notch below the top bezel that houses the front-facing camera. The overall thickness of the display casing is less than 4mm.
Keyboard and trackpad
The new MacBook Pro’s keyboard has been redesigned by Apple, and it now has an all-black base instead of the lighter metal that was previously utilized between the keys.
Apple has replaced the OLED Touch Bar on the keyboard with a full-sized row of 12 function buttons and a considerably larger Escape key on the left. A Touch ID key with a circle-shaped Touch ID fingerprint reader is located on the right.
Apple employed classic inverted T-arrangement arrow keys, and it’s worth mentioning that this is a scissor switch keyboard, which is more robust than the butterfly keyboard used in certain previous MacBook Pro models. It will withstand crumbs, dust, and dirt better, which could cause problems with older MacBook Pro keyboards.
Because of an ambient light sensor, all of the keys are backlit and adjust dependent on the illumination in the environment.
Below the keyboard is a big Force Touch trackpad that is identical to previous generations. The Force Touch trackpad lacks traditional buttons and is powered by a network of Force Sensors, allowing users to press anywhere on the trackpad and receive the same reaction. When utilizing the trackpad, a Taptic Engine powered by magnets offers tactile feedback, substituting the feel of a physical button press.
The Force Touch trackpad enables a light press as a conventional click as well as a deeper push or “force click” as a separate gesture that accomplishes things like display meanings for a highlighted word.
More connected than ever before
Apple removed all ports save Thunderbolt/USB-C ports with the release of the 2016 MacBook Pro, however with the 2021 upgrade, Apple restored some of them.
Using an SDXC card reader, transfer photos and videos. Connect to HDMI-enabled TVs or displays. Listen with a 3.5 mm headphone jack that detects and adjusts automatically for highimpedance headphones. With three Thunderbolt 4 ports, you can connect to high-speed peripherals or displays. And charge quickly with the MagSafe 3 port’s quick release.
The MacBook Pro models include an SDXC card slot (which supports UHS-II SD cards at speeds up to 250MB/s and UHS-I SD cards at speeds up to 90MB/s), an HDMI 2.0 port that supports a 4K display at up to 60Hz, a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones, and three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports that serve as a DisplayPort and allow for charging.
Apple also reintroduced the MagSafe port and a braided MagSafe cable for charging. The MagSafe port is nearly identical to the MagSafe port used prior to 2016, with the exception of a breakaway design that causes the cable to disconnect if pulled.
On the 16-inch machine, the MagSafe port allows for faster charging, but both machines can be charged via MagSafe or Thunderbolt.
Speakers
The MacBook Pro has a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with two tweeters and four force-cancelling woofers for an extra 80 percent of bass. It has the best audio system in a notebook, according to Apple.
When playing music or video on the built-in speakers with Dolby Atmos, the speaker system supports wide stereo sound, and the MacBook Pro also supports spatial audio. Dynamic head tracking is supported when using the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
A three-microphone array provides a high signal-to-noise ratio and a 60 percent lower noise floor, allowing even subtle sounds to be captured. Voice sound is crisp and clear thanks to directional beamforming.
Spatial audio
The MacBook Pro offers spatial audio when playing music or film with Dolby Atmos, providing a sophisticated, three-dimensional experience, thanks to the room-filling six-speaker system and clever algorithms. When you combine that with the Liquid Retina XDR display, you’ve got yourself a portable theater.
Wireless Networking
The MacBook Pro supports the latest WiFi and Bluetooth protocols, including 802.11ax WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. WiFi 6E, which adds a 6GHz band to the WiFi 6 standard, is not supported.
Camera
The MacBook Pro now has a better 1080p camera, which is aided by the image signal processor found in the M1 Pro and Max. The image signal processor ensures that images are sharp and that skin tones appear natural, and the camera itself improves low-light performance.
storage space
The new MacBook Pro features 2x faster SSDs, with both models offering up to 8TB of storage space. The SSDs are capable of speeds of up to 7.4GB/s.
The coolest part
Even at reduced fan speeds, advanced thermal systems move 50% more air. And, because to Apple’s efficiency, the fans never turn on for many of the chores you conduct every day.
Battery Life
The brilliance of Apple silicon is its efficiency, which combines ferocious performance with game-changing battery life. A single charge allows you to compile up to four times as much code in Xcode19 or edit photographs in Lightroom Classic for up to twice as long. 20 And, unlike other notebooks, the MacBook Pro performs admirably whether it is plugged in or not.
In comparison to their Intel counterparts, both MacBook Pro models have excellent battery life.
With the Apple TV app, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro/Max chip provides up to 17 hours of movie playback and up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing. The previous Intel 2020 model had a 10 hour movie playback time and a 10 hour wireless web browsing time.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro can play movies for up to 21 hours and surf the web wirelessly for up to 14 hours. The previous 16-inch Intel machine could play movies for 11 hours and surf the web for 11 hours, so the improvements are significant.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro has a 100-watt-hour battery, which is the maximum size allowed on airlines.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro uses a 67W power adapter for the 8-core machine and a 96W power adapter for the 10-core machine, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro uses a 140W power adapter. All models support Thunderbolt or MagSafe charging and come with power adapters and a USB-C to MagSafe cable.
Through a new fast charge feature, the 10-core 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models can charge from zero to 50 percent in 30 minutes. With the 96W power adapter, the 14-inch model can fast charge via Thunderbolt or MagSafe, whereas the 16-inch model requires the MagSafe connection due to USB-limitations. C’s
Option to Build to Order
The M1 Pro chip can be upgraded in most MacBook Pro models, and there are also upgrades for the SSD and memory. The pricing and model options are listed below.
Upgrade Options for the 14-Inch MacBook Pro Base Model
- M1 Pro with 10-Core CPU and 14-Core GPU – +$200
- M1 Pro with 10-Core CPU and 16-Core GPU – +$300
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 24-Core GPU – +$500
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 32-Core GPU – +$700
- 32GB Memory – +$400
- 1TB SSD – +$200
- 2TB SSD – +$600
- 4TB SSD – +$1200
- 8TB SSD – +$2400
- 96W Power Adapter – +$20
Upgrade Options for the 14-Inch MacBook Pro
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 24-Core GPU – +$200
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 32-Core GPU – +$400
- 2TB SSD – +$400
- 4TB SSD – +$1000
- 8TB SSD – +$2200
Upgrades for the 16-inch MacBook Pro base model
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 24-Core GPU – +$200
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 32-Core GPU – +$400
- 32GB Memory – +$400
- 64GB Memory – +$800 (Max Required)
- 1TB SSD – +$200
- 2TB SSD – +$600
- 4TB SSD – +$1200
- 8TB SSD – +$2400
Upgrades for the 16-inch MacBook Pro in the Middle Tier
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 24-Core GPU – +$200
- M1 Max with 10-Core CPU and 32-Core GPU – +$400
- 32GB Memory – +$400
- 64GB Memory – +$800 (Max Required)
- 2TB SSD – +$400
- 4TB SSD – +$1000
- 8TB SSD – +$2200
Upgrades for the High-End MacBook Pro
- 64GB Memory – +$400
- 2TB SSD – +$400
- 4TB SSD – +$1000
- 8TB SSD – +$2200
Review Macbook Pro 2021
| 14″ MacBook Pro (2021) | 16″ MacBook Pro (2021) | |
| Processor | M1 Pro or M1 Max – 8 or 10-core | M1 Pro or M1 Max – 10-core |
| Storage | Up to 8TB | Up to 8TB |
| RAM | 16 to 64GB | 16 to 64GB |
| Graphics | Up to 32-core | Up to 32-core |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| FaceTime camera | 1080p | 1080p |
| Speakers | 6-speaker high-fidelity | 6-speaker high-fidelity |
| Mics | Studio-quality 3-mic array | Studio-quality 3-mic array |
| Actual screen size | 14.2″ | 16.2″ |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3456 x 2234 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 + notch | 16:10 + notch |
| PPI | 254 | 254 |
| Nits (brightness) | 1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak | 1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak |
| Retina display | – | – |
| Liquid Retina XDR display | ✅ | ✅ |
| ProMotion (up to 120Hz) | ✅ | ✅ |
| mini-LED backlit | ✅ | ✅ |
| True Tone | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 wide color | ✅ | ✅ |
| Magic Keyboard | ✅ | ✅ |
| Touch ID | ✅ | ✅ |
| Touch Bar | ❌ | ❌ |
| USB-C/Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 3 |
| HDMI | ✅ | ✅ |
| SDXC card reader | ✅ | ✅ |
| MagSafe charging | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11.ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11.ax) |
| External display support | Up to 2 external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz (M1 Pro) or Up to 3 external displays with up to 6K resolution and 1 external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz (M1 Max) | Up to 2 external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz (M1 Pro) or Up to 3 external displays with up to 6K resolution and 1 external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz (M1 Max) |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) | 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg) |
| Thickness | 0.61 inch (1.55 cm) | 0.66 inch (1.68 cm) |
| Width | 12.31 inches (31.26 cm) | 14.01 inches (35.57 cm) |
| Depth | 8.71 inches (22.12 cm) | 9.77 inches (24.81 cm) |
| Display size | 14.2 inches | 16.2 inches |
| Finishes | Silver or space gray | Silver or space gray |
| Wireless web battery | 11 hours | 14 hours |
| Video playback | 17 hours | 21 hours |
| Included power adapter | 67W or 96W USB-C + MagSafe | 140W USB-C + MagSafe |
| Battery capacity | 70Wh | 100Wh |
| Fast charging | ✅ | ✅ |
| 512 / 16GB | $1,999 | $2,499 |
| 1TB / 16GB | $2,499 | $2,699 |
| 1TB / 32GB | $2,899 | $3,499 |
| Custom builds | Up to $5,899 | Up to $6,099 |
