New M1 max 16” pro motion is bad also sound isn’t as good

[Kylo83]

Just got the 16 M1 max model and the pro motion is really bad, it’s good on the ui like swiping pages but on safari it’s actually more choppy than my old 16” i9 also the speakers are not as loud as the older MacBook Pro and it doesn’t sound better if anything the highs are better on the last model, also the display is the exact same brightness than the 2019 MacBook and using 4k hdr on YouTube it’s only slightly better, so to be honest everything apple said about it is minor I expected a big change with the display but it’s just not there; anyone have any views on this

 

[Macalway]

Return it and buy the 'better' 2019 model. Save a bundle.

Personally, I don't believe (not having tested) that the highs are better on the old model. It may be an EQ thing for you. Bass has been increased, so that can effect perception.

Then again, it should be fun to compare and test with the right equipment. A lot of hoopla about the new sound system.

 

[WilliamG]

Just got the 16 M1 max model and the pro motion is really bad, it’s good on the ui like swiping pages but on safari it’s actually more choppy than my old 16” i9 also the speakers are not as loud as the older MacBook Pro and it doesn’t sound better if anything the highs are better on the last model, also the display is the exact same brightness than the 2019 MacBook and using 4k hdr on YouTube it’s only slightly better, so to be honest everything apple said about it is minor I expected a big change with the display but it’s just not there; anyone have any views on this

Agreed 100% Something's not right with ProMotion, and I have it on my iPhone and iPad, and also game at 165hz, so something is off with Safari/Chrome etc. Check Messages - it's super smooth. But Safari is borked. Hoping updating to 12.0.1 fixes it...

ProMotion is not fully working out of the box in e.g. Safari, Chrome etc.

 

[white7561]

Ya . Check Monterey forum here. People are reporting lags too in safari. Seems like an unfortunate timing to have a bug in scrolling for safari since people are getting their new ProMotion MBPs and are checking it using Safari.

 

[fa8362]

No complaints about anything here.

 

[Sanpete]

How did you determine that screen refresh rate (ProMotion) is at fault for the scrolling choppiness you see? That's more likely due to how your browser loads pages as you scroll.

 

[Kylo83]

How did you determine that screen refresh rate (ProMotion) is at fault for the scrolling choppiness you see? That's more likely due to how your browser loads pages as you scroll.

iPad Pro scrolling is butter this is worse than the older macbooks

 

[Sanpete]

That doesn't imply a fresh rate problem. It's possible that ProMotion software is choosing a slow refresh rate when you're using a browser, but it's also possible the browser is loading images or other page elements slowly, for efficiency reasons.

 

[Jára Tyky]

iPad Pro scrolling is butter this is worse than the older macbooks

I have absolutely no problem with scrolling. But I updated macos to 12.01 immediately after system starts. And I do not understand why you did not do the same because it is always best to update when you have fresh and clean system without bloat.

 

[davidako]

It looks like the ProMotion disappointment is caused by the screens having excessively large response times

 

[WilliamG]

It looks like the ProMotion disappointment is caused by the screens having excessively large response times

No it's not that (though the response time is pretty dreadful). It's some apps supporting it and others not. e.g. WhatsApp doesn't, Facebook Messenger doesn't, but Messages does. It's the lack of consistency that's maddening. And web browsing is borked on any browser.

 

[darthbane2k]

Agreed 100% Something's not right with ProMotion, and I have it on my iPhone and iPad, and also game at 165hz, so something is off with Safari/Chrome etc. Check Messages - it's super smooth. But Safari is borked. Hoping updating to 12.0.1 fixes it...

ProMotion is not fully working out of the box in e.g. Safari, Chrome etc.

Safari is borked on the M1 MBP too so the issue isn’t hardware or promotion. It’s software. more specifically it’s safari and Monterey

 

[Salty Pirate]

I have the exact 100% opposite experience. Base 16. Promotion rocks. turn it off and everything looks worse, fuzzy.

Sound system is great. Noticeably more bass. plenty loud. sounds fantastic. best I have ever heard on a laptop in my humble opinion.

 

[PhoneI]

No problems here. Scrolling in safari on my new 16in is awesome.

 

[kitt9000]

I came into this thread since I am having the same issue w/ safari. Logged into my new 14' Mac, and promotion seemed to be working when moving mouse, and messages/photos. But Safari scrolling is just like my old MacBook, which also happens to be sitting here next to me, with no promotion ability on safari on the new MacBook. I also realized that I need to update to 12.0.1 which I'm doing now. Did updating fix it for those that are experiencing this promotion issue?

 

[Kylo83]

I

I have absolutely no problem with scrolling. But I updated macos to 12.01 immediately after system starts. And I do not understand why you did not do the same because it is always best to update when you have fresh and clean system without bloat.

I did 12.0.1 is the same, safari is locked at 60hz

 

[Kylo83]

I came into this thread since I am having the same issue w/ safari. Logged into my new 14' Mac, and promotion seemed to be working when moving mouse, and messages/photos. But Safari scrolling is just like my old MacBook, which also happens to be sitting here next to me, with no promotion ability on safari on the new MacBook. I also realized that I need to update to 12.0.1 which I'm doing now. Did updating fix it for those that are experiencing this promotion issue?

No exactly the same the issue is safari is locked at 60hz

 

[kitt9000]

No exactly the same the issue is safari is locked at 60hz

Ugh, so strange. How are some seeing promotion in safari and some (including me) not. Just installing 12.0.1 so will see here as well. I did turn it off and on in display settings and did not make a difference in Safari so far.

 

[randomthoughts]

the display is the exact same brightness than the 2019 MacBook

I don't know about that. I had my 2019 MBP 16 next to the new MBP 16 and you can definitely see deeper blacks. Booted up, colors are more vibrant, better definition, and display is much much brighter. Night and day improvement with the display.

 

[Kylo83]

I don't know about that. I had my 2019 MBP 16 next to the new MBP 16 and you can definitely see deeper blacks. Booted up, colors are more vibrant, better definition, and display is much much brighter. Night and day improvement with the display.

View attachment 1880011

Not with mine yes blacks are better but watch a hdr video on YouTube with max brightness and auto brightness off and side by side they are very similar I couldn’t see a brightness increase

 

[LarrySW]

You had announced you were returning it upon its arrival a few days ago. You decided to give it a chance instead?

 

[Kylo83]

You had announced you were returning it upon its arrival a few days ago. You decided to give it a chance instead?

I have 2 weeks to play with it so yeah; got it this morning and honestly already I’m happy I can save £3300 this is not acceptable, people can try and justify this machine but it’s half baked it’s fast yes but the intel 16”
Isn’t exactly slow and more compact and the screen is a huge let down on the new one it’s promotion doesn’t even work properly

 

[randomthoughts]

No it's not that (though the response time is pretty dreadful). It's some apps supporting it and others not. e.g. WhatsApp doesn't, Facebook Messenger doesn't, but Messages does. It's the lack of consistency that's maddening. And web browsing is borked on any browser.

Seems that the response time is dynamic with ProMotion displays...at least on iPhone and iPad. I'm assuming from what's below is that everything on screen factors into the refresh rate, that an app can "hint" and what it would like, but ultimately up to the frameworks to make the decision.

 

[macfacts]

Safari is borked on the M1 MBP too so the issue isn’t hardware or promotion. It’s software. more specifically it’s safari and Monterey

That's why you should get software and hardware from the same manufacturer. For the ecosystem synergy.

 

[WilliamG]

That's why you should get software and hardware from the same manufacturer. For the ecosystem synergy.

Well that hasn’t played out here. Apple’s own system and Apple’s own browser. Not ProMotion capable (right now).