16‑inch MacBook Pro M1 Max – what's the verdict?

[bsmr]

I have had my M1 Max (16"/32-core GPU/32GB RAM/1TB) for just over a month now and I love it. I use mine as a desktop 80% of the time (hooked up to a 34" ultra-wide). So far, I have had no issues.

So you bought the 16" even when connecting to a big screen? Why not a 14"?

 

[nepalisherpa]

So you bought the 16" even when connecting to a big screen? Why not a 14"?

I like bigger screen when I am mobile as well.

 

[Chevysales]

Verdict is still ongoing for me. I just received my 16" with Max and 32 Core GPU and 1 TB (standard "high" configuration). I am coming from a 2019 16" MacBook Pro with 8 GB RADEON 5500 and 16 GB of DDR4. Full disclaimer, I normally have my system plugged in, and I do not use an external monitor.

I will admit that my expectations are fairly high, based on all the positive press and comments in this forum, and other sources. At this point, I am not at all impressed with speed. The only place I noticed any difference in performance coming from an i9 is in generally scrolling on desktop and Safari. This can be chalked up to the weak built-in GPU of the Core i9. In Safari nothing (other than scrolling) is any faster, which is what I expected as this *should* be a function of your connection rather than the performance of your system. I spent most of yesterday in a BlackBoard (kind of like Skype) session as I was working from home. No difference from my old Mac in this app.

I installed Parallels 17 (was using it on my old Mac) and was pleased to see how easy it was to get a Windows 11 ARM VM up and running. It only took about 25 minutes before I was at the Windows 11 desktop (including download and install and initial Windows config). Windows 11 on this system is fast! It boots up (from VM power off state) in less than 5 seconds, it seems to come up much faster than MacOS itself does. The one program I still use that requires me to use Parallels is Quicken 2013, which is a 32-bit x86 program, that runs just fine in the Windows 11 VM.

The other test case I have is Diablo 3 by Blizzard (game). This is a Mac application, but it has not been updated to a Universal Binary, and uses OpenGL vices Metal. I do not thank that Blizzard is ever going to update this game, which is too bad. However, it ran OK on the Intel Mac, but had some severe graphical artifacting due to the terrible OpenGL drivers provided by Apple. Under Rosetta 2, it actually seems to run with the same performance, and the graphical artifacts are gone! This was improved from my older Mac. I haven't spent much time with it yet, so my opinion may change.

Final test case (so far) is with Unreal Engine. Again this is an Intel application which needs Rosetta 2 to run, and is pretty hard on the GPU. I got it installed yesterday, but haven't yet got to testing it out yet.

I still have to get Adobe Creative Cloud on here, and am about to test out iMovie to edit my son's Christmas recital. I plan to post a thorough impression of the new Mac in a week or so.

Thanks!

Rich S.

does anyone truly buy a MBP or this MBP for games? I am biased as I don't play them so just wondering on the consensus. But under impression an intelligent based chipset is what from Mac side works better with games? Not a gamer so just assuming here.

I have a 2019 i9 2.4 32gbs 2 tb sold for my ordered 2021 16" 64gbs 2 tbs Max 10/32/16... coming Feb 8-20th ordered 12/14. but I do lots of video and photo stuff as only thing to push it. so looking for a boost there. but frankly not really unhappy with 2019 as never use external monitor and size/weight a non issue for me.

 

[LinkRS]

does anyone truly buy a MBP or this MBP for games? I am biased as I don't play them so just wondering on the consensus. But under impression an intelligent based chipset is what from Mac side works better with games? Not a gamer so just assuming here.

I have a 2019 i9 2.4 32gbs 2 tb sold for my ordered 2021 16" 64gbs 2 tbs Max 10/32/16... coming Feb 8-20th ordered 12/14. but I do lots of video and photo stuff as only thing to push it. so looking for a boost there. but frankly not really unhappy with 2019 as never use external monitor and size/weight a non issue for me.

Howdy Chevysales,

My Macs main usecase is software development, under Unreal Engine at the moment. Playing a game every now and then is a nice break from work . At some point, Diablo 3 will not work on an Apple Silicon Mac, and at that point, I guess I won't play it there anymore. It is just one of the things I used my older Mac for. In the past, particularly with my 2015 15" MacBook Pro, I installed BootCamp and played a few games on it, but again that wasn't the purpose of it. I think it is more of case that I play games on my Mac because I can, not because I purchased the Mac for that .

Rich S.

 

[Chevysales]

There will be no new M2 Max this year I think. I think it will come next year.

This year we will see something like M2 systems - but not that fast as M1 Max/Pro this year. Maybe more energy efficient and better to built smaller systems (MBA)...

Howdy Chevysales,

My Macs main usecase is software development, under Unreal Engine at the moment. Playing a game every now and then is a nice break from work . At some point, Diablo 3 will not work on an Apple Silicon Mac, and at that point, I guess I won't play it there anymore. It is just one of the things I used my older Mac for. In the past, particularly with my 2015 15" MacBook Pro, I installed BootCamp and played a few games on it, but again that wasn't the purpose of it. I think it is more of case that I play games on my Mac because I can, not because I purchased the Mac for that .

Rich S.

Gotcha. ??

 

[sparkie7]

I have M1 Max with 32 cores, 32gig and 1Tb higher end basic configuration. 32 ram is perfect size for me although the storage is something I want more of. 2TB probably would have been perfect, but then, I'd want more. I'm always that guy that tries to avoid 1st get, but going from intel to M1 max was worth it. No heat and no fan noise.

Yeah, I'm also weary of buying 1st Gen, but I don't think I can wait for the M2 max, so may have to pull the trigger and order the 16" M1 Max this week

 

[AmazingTechGeek]

I have the 32/64GB RAM/1TB Space Gray and it is unbelievable how similar in performance this computer has. Spec wise, it actually does perform very similar or better than the top tiers of the Mac Pro (who wants to buy an afterburner card after this?). The speakers are unbelievibly good; It does not function as mere laptop speakers anymore, they actually have the range and fullness to compete with top tier portable speakers and home theater systems for "small" rooms. Music editing/listening is incredible. The display looks like the Pro Display XDR but much less blooming (much less to me at least), so editing in different formats up to DCI-Cinema is near accurate (except the greens in adobe range, but it's rare to use the adobe color range in the modern age).

The notch is a non-factor because everything is so seamless in practical use. I returned the previous MacBook model because I just felt like it was still a glorified MacBook Air without potential to push for a true all-in-one professional setup. Finally we have the first laptop that is not defined by compromise in anyway. In terms of capability and feature set, MacBook Pro Gen 5 meets many different types of industry standards while also creating a paradigm shift in how we use/enable computer logic.

P.S: The keyboard feels really nice. Never liked the flimsy butterfly keyboard and this magic board is doing wonders for my fingers! (Make sure to clean your MacBook throughout every week, else they keyboard/screen/aluminum attracts finger prints)

 

[AmazingTechGeek]

Yeah, I'm also weary of buying 1st Gen, but I don't think I can wait for the M2 max, so may have to pull the trigger and order the 16" M1 Max this week

In terms of where we are at with processing power, waiting for M2 Max won't be significant as the introduction of this chip for what capability it is already introducing into a notebook. At this point, it's like waiting for an iPhone. This MacBook Pro 5th Gen is the iPhone 6s of the MacBooks.

Its Supercharged!! (Pun intended)

 

[sparkie7]

I have the 32/64GB RAM/1TB Space Gray and it is unbelievable how similar in performance this computer has. Spec wise, it actually does perform very similar or better than the top tiers of the Mac Pro (who wants to buy an afterburner card after this?). The speakers are unbelievibly good; It does not function as mere laptop speakers anymore, they actually have the range and fullness to compete with top tier portable speakers and home theater systems for "small" rooms. Music editing/listening is incredible. The display looks like the Pro Display XDR but much less blooming (much less to me at least), so editing in different formats up to DCI-Cinema is near accurate (except the greens in adobe range, but it's rare to use the adobe color range in the modern age).

The notch is a non-factor because everything is so seamless in practical use. I returned the previous MacBook model because I just felt like it was still a glorified MacBook Air without potential to push for a true all-in-one professional setup. Finally we have the first laptop that is not defined by compromise in anyway. In terms of capability and feature set, MacBook Pro Gen 5 meets many different types of industry standards while also creating a paradigm shift in how we use/enable computer logic.

P.S: The keyboard feels really nice. Never liked the flimsy butterfly keyboard and this magic board is doing wonders for my fingers! (Make sure to clean your MacBook throughout every week, else they keyboard/screen/aluminum attracts finger prints)

Yeah, I think a lot of people are buying these M1 Max MacBook Pro's instead of a Mac Pro. Way cheaper, and have the portability. Leaving the Mac Pro's for only the most demanding high-end scientific, 3D modelling and CGI applications

 

[sparkie7]

In terms of where we are at with processing power, waiting for M2 Max won't be significant as the introduction of this chip for what capability it is already introducing into a notebook. At this point, it's like waiting for an iPhone. This MacBook Pro 5th Gen is the iPhone 6s of the MacBooks.

Its Supercharged!! (Pun intended)

I'm going to get the same spec as yours, just wondering 1TB vs 2TB SSD

Cannot wait for new display releases. Hoping 32" will not be too expensive. Apple are you listening?

 

[sparkie7]

Alright, unless a bunch of people tell me it isn't worth buying, I'm going to pull the trigger and blow $5.5K on an 16‑inch MacBook Pro M1 Max

 

[jinnyman]

Have a good time with your future MBP!
You won't regret. And if you do, you can always return it!

 

[sparkie7]

Have a good time with your future MBP!
You won't regret. And if you do, you can always return it!

LOL thanks ?