Apple Says High Power Mode on 16-Inch MacBook Pro With M1 Max Designed for Tasks Like Color Grading 8K ProRes Video

[MacRumors]

As we previously reported, we've received confirmation from Apple that 16-inch MacBook Pro models configured with an M1 Max chip feature a new High Power Mode that is designed to maximize performance during intensive, sustained workloads.

MacRumors has since obtained an internal Apple document that indicates users will be able to enable High Power Mode in System Preferences on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Max chip running macOS Monterey. Apple says that High Power Mode will provide users with "extreme performance" for tasks like color grading 8K ProRes video.

It's still unclear exactly how High Power Mode will function, but we should get a closer look at the feature next week when reviews of the new MacBook Pro models are shared. Based on code-level references to High Power Mode in the macOS Monterey beta found by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, we do know that the feature "will optimize performance to better support resource-intensive tasks" and "may result in louder fan noise."

Apple only confirmed High Power Mode being available on 16-inch MacBook Pro models with an M1 Max chip, so we presume the feature is not available on any 14-inch MacBook Pro models or any models configured with the M1 Pro chip.

9to5Mac's Filipe Espósito was first to discover references to High Power Mode in the macOS Monterey beta last month.

There are two configurations of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip available, including one with a 10-core CPU and a 24-core GPU and another with a 10-core CPU and a 32-core GPU. Pricing starts at $3,099 for this level of performance. The new MacBook Pro models will begin arriving to customers on Tuesday, October 26.

Article Link: Apple Says High Power Mode on 16-Inch MacBook Pro With M1 Max Designed for Tasks Like Color Grading 8K ProRes Video

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

So for high intensity task! Very nice. This is such a massive upgrade. Total pure horsepower! That’s all I see.

 

[Dolmio]

I suppose useful for future proofing that it can even handle 8k pro res! 4k pro res is tough enough for most machines

 

[vladi]

yeah right

 

[iPhysicist]

Turbo is BACK!!!

 

[BarredOwl]

For those that need it, it’s great to have an option. I’m not processing/editing 8k video so I’m not missing anything.

 

[mi7chy]

High Power Mode sounds like it can run at high power consumption without throttling but with higher fan speed vs High Performance Mode that boosts clocks and performance. This is video editing anyway so it should be using hardware video encoders which according to the presentation is suppose to be low power. Conflicting message.

 

[Razorpit]

Turbo is BACK!!!

You need the button though!

 

[somnolentsurfer]

So are we to presume that all the benchmarks on Johny Srouji's charts were with this off? And does that mean that with this on it might actually surpass that most powerful PC laptop they could find? Is it designed to be used only in short bursts? Might it risk shortening the life of your hardware if you keep it on for extended stretches?

 

[alien3dx]

So are we to presume that all the benchmarks on Johny Srouji's charts were with this off? And does that mean that with this on it might actually surpass that most powerful PC laptop they could find? Is it designed to be used only in short bursts? Might it risk shortening the life of your hardware if you keep it on for extended stretches?

that part i confuse, why in macbook ?. at least in mac pro case with lot of ventilation.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

So are we to presume that all the benchmarks on Johny Srouji's charts were with this off?

We don't know yet; unlikely.

And does that mean that with this on it might actually surpass that most powerful PC laptop they could find?

We don't know yet.

Is it designed to be used only in short bursts?

We don't know yet.

Might it risk shortening the life of your hardware if you keep it on for extended stretches?

We don't know yet.

 

[TheRealAlex]

So sad my 2023 14” M2 Max 3nm MacBook Pro will run circles around the M1 Max that needs a Turbo Boost to achieve what the M2 Max can do in low power mode.

 

[Spanther]

Welp, now I don't feel left out of the party. At all.

In a few years the ability to color correct 8k ProRes without breaking a sweat will trickle down to folks who won't even know what that means.

 

[Dolmio]

So sad my 2023 14” M2 Max 3nm MacBook Pro will run circles around the M1 Max that needs a Turbo Boost to achieve what the M2 Max can do in low power mode.

Not sure the M2 will be a massive improvement over the M1 soc and will likely be 5p rather than 3nm. The m3 with armv9 and 3nm yep will probably be a beast

 

[Techwatcher]

So sad my 2023 14” M2 Max 3nm MacBook Pro will run circles around the M1 Max that needs a Turbo Boost to achieve what the M2 Max can do in low power mode.

Even more sad that the 2024 14" M3 Max will destroy the M2 Max. Why do chips improve every year?

 

[bsbeamer]

that part i confuse, why in macbook ?. at least in mac pro case with lot of ventilation.

Apple is designing machines for field use and portable for work at a location then bring home to work. The reality, the people who need the ultimate power are largely desktop based and not pushing laptops to the limits outside of their typical setup. The work from home for the foreseeable future helps Apple a lot here, but companies paying for them are not buying into the M1/M1x systems, yet. Might be very different in a 6-12 months from now.

 

[alien3dx]

Welp, now I don't feel left out of the party. At all.

In a few years the ability to color correct 8k ProRes without breaking a sweat will trickle down to folks who won't even know what that means.

the old days render left at night and morning completo.

 

[mozumder]

If we're doing color grading on a MacBook Pro, what's left for Mac Pros to do?

 

[Mockletoy]

This really does seem like a whole new mindset taking hold at Apple, as if they have finally remembered that these are tools for doing work, not status symbols for influencers and coffee shop posers.

 

[Mockletoy]

If we're doing color grading on a MacBook Pro, what's left for Mac Pros to do?

I can’t wait to see what their Apple Silicon answer for the Mac Pro is. It’s going to be beyond beastly.

 

[PhoneI]

So sad my 2023 14” M2 Max 3nm MacBook Pro will run circles around the M1 Max that needs a Turbo Boost to achieve what the M2 Max can do in low power mode.

Yeah but my 2025 Macbook Air has you beat

 

[alien3dx]

If we're doing color grading on a MacBook Pro, what's left for Mac Pros to do?

play boot camp gamesss. m1 can do canoooot

 

[8KYUP]

Apple is designing machines for field use and portable for work at a location then bring home to work. The reality, the people who need the ultimate power are largely desktop based and not pushing laptops to the limits outside of their typical setup. The work from home for the foreseeable future helps Apple a lot here, but companies paying for them are not buying into the M1/M1x systems, yet. Might be very different in a 6-12 months from now.

There are a lot more user scenarios than you have described. Many pros will find this to far exceed their workflows.

 

[tmoerel]

play boot camp gamesss. m1 can do canoooot

Who cares....these are machines for professionals. Gaming is irrelevant!

 

[Freida]

Lol! You must be joking

So sad my 2023 14” M2 Max 3nm MacBook Pro will run circles around the M1 Max that needs a Turbo Boost to achieve what the M2 Max can do in low power mode.