I could really need some advice regarding what MBP'21-configuration to get.

[orthorim]

Want to save money and get a blazing fast, super quiet computer - go with the MacBook Air M1 or the 13" Pro M1.

get 16GB RAM in these, and you're good to go.

M1 Pro and Max are overkill except in extreme cases.

And if money is an issue, you get almost the same performance - like 90% - for half the price

I am in love with my 13" MBA, which I am keeping despted having just taken delivery of a brand new 16" 2021 MBP M1 Pro.

It's only $1000. It's blazing fast. It's whisper quiet. It handles all development work I throw at it without getting more than a little warm. It lasts forever on battery. 13" screen is the only problem - it's so small. A 15" would be the ideal machine, for all these reasons.

So yeah I would go with one of the M1 machines. It's good enough (faster than any pre-Silicon Macbooks!).

Check out the CPU scores of the M1 vs M1 Pro - same single thread, so they didn't improve that at all. Other measurements of course the M1 Pro is a solid update over the M1, but it's also using way more power ( = more heat).

So for the budget / noise / heat conscious - M1 for the win.

 

[throAU]

I’ve had

15” pro classic
13” pro retina
13” air retina
14” pro

For me the 14 is the perfect compromise.

Almost the same form factor as a 13 (in terms of space required to use it) with almost a 15” screen.

There’s little performance difference between the 14 and 16 in day to day use other than battery life. Both are genuine desktop replacements.

Think more how you use it and how often you use it away from a desk.

 

[throAU]

So watch some videos on the baseline M1 and then imagine twice that performance! Is that good enough for you?

Uh

Video playback uses maybe 1% of the processing power in the regular m1 so… don’t decide based on that.

 

[CosmoPilot]

Uh

Video playback uses maybe 1% of the processing power in the regular m1 so… don’t decide based on that.

I think you mis-understood me. I mentioned to him to watch YouTube videos of the M1 performance. There are many YouTube videos of the M1 doing all kinds of CPU intensive tasks. Then based upon watching those videos, he could make a decision on whether the M1Pro/M1Max would be beneficial or powerful enough.

I did not suggest he analyze video playback performance.

 

[throAU]

I think you mis-understood me. I mentioned to him to watch YouTube videos of the M1 performance. There are many YouTube videos of the M1 doing all kinds of CPU intensive tasks. Then based upon watching those videos, he could make a decision on whether the M1Pro/M1Max would be beneficial or powerful enough.

I did not suggest he analyze video playback performance.

Ah... that makes more sense

Fair enough, Play on!

And in that case, agreed.

 

[Paratriplel]

Yes it’s fantastic but I haven’t pushed it yet or I’ve tried Fusion 360 and it was actually not so much faster than my 15” from 2015 (which is finally on battery replacement!) but it might have to do with the trackpad rather than the specs I realize or I should have gone for the 24c as well but I don’t think I needed that and couldn’t really afford it I felt.

Congratulations to receiving it!

 

[Alameda]

I actually changed my mind and cancelled the 16" and got the 14" M1 Max w/24-core GPU/32GB Ram/1TB SSD. It arrived last week. It's an amazing machine.

I have an external monitor so really didn't need the 16" as bad as I thought. What sealed the deal for me...I went to an Apple Store to actually look at them...I fell in love with the 14" so had to get it.

I agree with you; I think that 16” is enormous. It is heavier, and it’s power supply is heavier. I get that people love it, but if you carry it around a lot and use an external monitor at home and office, the MBA or the 14” Pro are probably better choices.

 

[Paratriplel]

Speaking of external display… (my other thread didn’t get that much action) what to consider when purchasing a budget (less than $500) 32-34” for the MBP 16” with M1 Pro?

I know very little about displays and it seems that you can’t look at the specs to see if it’s any good so could really need some advice on it… or even some tips on a good (no need for it to do wonders) display or a couple of displays that gives the most bang for the buck (non graphics or video work to be done on it but rather music production and looking at text quite a bit).