The M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro is the greatest laptop of all-time.

[SkyRom]

I’m not typically one for hyperbole. I’m not even one to post online, period. My standards are very high. I can be as cynical as the next consumer. And I have been extremely critical of Apple for the last 5-10 years. The loss of ports. The Freakin' TouchBar. The thin-at-all-costs design. Butterfly kisses gumming up our keyboards. Battery issues. The prices. Global supply chains and chip shortages. Lack of innovation. The poor stability of Big Sur. AirPods desyncing or only charging one Pod, leaving me hanging on my runs.

When things are trending down, we have a tendency as a society to focus on the negative and assume they’ll stay that way. We take the good times for granted, only realizing how good we had it when they’re over.

As I browse the forums, I’m seeing comments saying it costs too much, still no old school USB port, hoping the Jony Ive era is finally over, complaints about The Notch, no touchscreen option, too chunky/heavy, battery life questions, not user upgradeable, there’s not enough on Apple TV, Apple relies on add-on services too much, complaints it isn’t innovative, complaints the leather sleeve isn’t out, the FPS for gaming isn’t as high as an Intel machine with an nVidia 3080 RTX. Microsoft has a zany new laptop out. Asus has screens in their TouchPads. Dell has smaller bezels, no notch, and higher resolution for cheaper prices. Samsung and LG are doing great things. Lenovo has great Yoga products. Windows 11 is out, and it’s great.

And you know? All of that might even be true. But we’ve completely buried the lead; I’m here to let you know in case you’re on the fence in an uncertain world full of inflation, drama, and holidays on the horizon still in a pandemic:

Friends, these are the good times. The M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro is the greatest laptop of all-time.

I went all-in for once: ordered a maxed out 16” MacBook Pro M1 Max 32-core GPU 64 GB 8 TB behemoth. I thought for sure I would return it. I had buyer’s remorse as soon as I saw the invoice. Over $6,300 with AppleCare+ even with a Veteran’s discount?! I’ve bought 3 cars that were less than that! Two weeks later, I’m typing this on it, and it ain’t going back. Let me hit some highlights for you:

• It’s the fastest laptop I’ve ever used, and I own a 2021 Asus G15 Ryzen 3080
• It has the best keyboard I’ve ever used. At worst, it’s tied with the 2015 Retina MBP. I couldn’t pick a winner between that lovable marshmallow and this. It’s like a desktop Magic keyboard with more forgiveness and precision. I can’t overstate how quiet it is.
• Monterey is the best OS I’ve ever used. I finally feel like the OS is moving at the speed of my thoughts on this laptop.
• It’s the best laptop screen I’ve ever had. Resolution and refresh rate are both up. They aren’t the highest specs on the market, but you must consider the whole experience, color, transition, motion, video. Sometimes I swipe up and down into Mission Control just to watch the windows move.
• It’s the best battery life I’ve ever had. I don’t even measure how much I’m getting anymore; I just use the laptop as much as I want for two days and sometimes charge it.
• It has the best laptop speakers I’ve ever heard, and it isn’t even close.
• It has all the ports a Professional needs in 2021. Do I wish it had one old school USB 3.1… sure. Is it a dealbreaker? Nope.
• The Notch doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I enjoy moving the cursor behind it for fun.
• TouchID is bigger and faster than ever, remains amazing, and is my preferred login and buying method.
• Zero application compatibility issues with the M1 Max or Monterey for me.
• The ‘feet’ on the bottom fit perfectly in my lap for use as an actual laptop.
• And welcome back MagSafe, HDMI, & SD Cards! You were missed.

Let me address the gaming FPS thing. You have no reason to know this, but I was a professional gamer. I won four championships once upon a time. I’m in a Hall of Fame. Pro gamers … don’t play on laptops lol. For everyone else, this is great: very playable, with solid framerates between 60-180 for nearly any game you can install on Mac OS.

When I think back to the price, I saved $300 or so with the Veteran’s discount. I got about $200 in rewards from AppleCash. I got over $1,100 for my MacBook Pro TouchBar trade-in. I’m covered for any accidents with AppleCare+. Like every Mac, I don’t have to buy OS upgrades or rebuy Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro or the other great apps. I can probably keep this thing for 5-7 years or more. And I got it up and running as my main office laptop in under an hour. I love Windows, but a comparable experience would have cost me $7,000 and 2 business days of installing drivers, app licenses, and transferring files.

TL;DR: You can't go wrong with any spec of the 14.2” or 16.2”. Think about your budget, how long you want to keep it, save up if you have to, and go for it. Haters gonna hate. Nothing is ever finished. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of great. And kudos Apple, you did it. The M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro is the greatest laptop of all-time. Let the good times roll.

 

[bsamcash]

Happy to hear a positive experiences. I bought the base 16" and I can pretty much parrot all of your praise. Apple really hit a home run this time.

 

[Jára Tyky]

Do u think base 16 M1 Pro with 1TB will last for 6-7 years? I do not want to buy new laptop earlier.

 

[ry-guy]

Do u think base 16 M1 Pro with 1TB will last for 6-7 years? I do not want to buy new laptop earlier.

I think it could. With Trade-in, you can upgrade more often maybe.
But, I have a 2014 MacBook Pro, and its only worth like $200 trade-in. So you won't be able to keep it that long if you want to upgrade again. 3-4 years seems better maybe.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I really do not want to buy new MacBook Pro in 3-4 years.

 

[ajcgn]

I’m coming from a 2011 15” MBP high res matte screen and after getting my 2021 16” MBP M1 Pro, I am beginning to appreciate how good the old laptop was. While pretty much everything is better on the new laptop (can’t disagree with the OP other than the lack of USB A), the 2011 was a very good machine for me. I easily could have continued using it for a couple of more years, but I only live once that I know of, so I decided to treat myself.
And I am quickly getting used to new toy

 

[The_Joker13]

I really do not want to buy new MacBook Pro in 3-4 years.

Then don’t?

 

[aqua77002]

I rarely post in these forums, but I came in to echo the OP's post.

I've gone back and forth on platforms in my life. I started as a Windows kid with 3.1 and 95 all the way through Vista on several custom-built desktops and then a couple of laptops (including an early convertible PC from Gateway running Windows XP - yeesh!). I switched to Mac in 2009 with a 17" unibody. I bought it with the intention of installing Windows on it because I loved the build of the aluminum unibody. I later purchased a 2012 15" MBP and loved it.

However, with the major issues coming from the 2016 era MBPs, Windows reeled me back in with the introduction of the Surface Book, and I eventually pre-ordered a Surface Book 2. It's been great for me, but I never gave up my love of Mac, visiting MR every day and wanting a reason to come back. As the rumors swirled on this release, I convinced myself that if everything came through that was rumored, I'd buy one. All the rumors came true and I preordered myself and my wife Space Gray 16" M1 Max 1TB/32GB machines.

They arrived Monday, and I feel like I'm home again. The build quality is great. The screen is UNBELIEVABLE - especially compared to the Surface Book 2's. The speakers are night and day. And one crazy thing - the internet is actually faster. I've got 400 Mb service and could hardly ever break 200. I routinely get 325-350 from the same server on my new MBP.

I was also anxious about software compatibility as I have several programs that are expensive upgrades (I'm a band director) that are several versions old. They all installed just fine and even through Rosetta, they seem to run better than they did on the SB2. Only one piece of software that I use still requires Windows, and it won't run through virtualization. However, I've found a remote access application that works very well for me with low enough latency that I don't mind spending the money on it.

As for the notch, I downloaded TopNotch to turn the menu bar black. Truthfully, I like the menu bar being black and would've wanted to tweak it that way anyway instead of it blending with the background. Hiding the notch isn't a big deal to me as it really doesn't interfere with the windows at all.

All-in-all, I'm ecstatic that I decided to return to Mac with this computer and hope that it lasts me several years, which I know it will.

 

[Jára Tyky]

Then don’t?

I hate this advices “you will buy new macbook 2-3 years later”. I went for new Macbook Pro M1 Max because I do not want to change Macbook often.

In our country Macbook Pro 16” costs 3500 USD for the lowest config. Max is 4500 USD what I think is not such difference.

I really do not want to spend another 3500 USD three years later again!

 

[Bandaman]

I hate this advices “you will buy new macbook 2-3 years later”. I went for new Macbook Pro M1 Max because I do not want to change Macbook often.

In our country Macbook Pro 16” costs another 3500 USD for the lowest config. Max is 4500 USD what I think is not such difference.

I really do not want to spend 3500 USD three years later again!

That’s not advice it’s just nonsense you can completely ignore.

 

[mattdeezy]

OP is correct. Apple nailed this laptop. I have the 14" 10 CPU core M1Pro model with 1TB. It's the most impressed I have been with a laptop ever.

 

[arvinsim]

I hate this advices “you will buy new macbook 2-3 years later”. I went for new Macbook Pro M1 Max because I do not want to change Macbook often.

In our country Macbook Pro 16” costs another 3500 USD for the lowest config. Max is 4500 USD what I think is not such difference.

I really do not want to spend 3500 USD three years later again!

Keep in mind that Apple laptops have great resale value.

What people actually do is to sell their current laptops to offset the cost of the new one.

You also don't take into account new features that you might want on the new laptops like FaceID.

Personally, I got burned by getting a maxed out 2019 16" MBP to keep for 5 years. Never again.

From now on, I will buy what I need in the moment and upgrade every 2-3 years.

 

[shenfrey]

I bought the 16" Pro but regret not opting for 32GB because someone told me that it gives you double performance. I am not a professional mind you, I bought this laptop because my old one had bit the dust and I just loved the giant screen and beautiful design. I mainly use it for web browsing/email/The odd Apple Arcade game/YouTube/Netflix/AppleTV etc.

 

[ruka.snow]

The lack of a 4th TB4 port and/or CF Express B slot makes it a pain in the butt for professional photography. Especially as in the new year we are moving to CF Express 2.0 with 4 GB/s cards. The three present TB4 ports are all quite capable but the inclusion of a SD slot (that isn't even reverse compatible with CF Express A) in 2021 is still mind boggling.

 

[SpotOnT]

The lack of a 4th TB4 port and/or CF Express B slot makes it a pain in the butt for professional photography. Especially as in the new year we are moving to CF Express 2.0 with 4 GB/s cards. The three present TB4 ports are all quite capable but the inclusion of a SD slot (that isn't even reverse compatible with CF Express A) in 2021 is still mind boggling.

Absolutely agree on CF Express.
As for the 4th TB port though, I don't feel the loss. Before one TB port was taken up for charging anyway...and if you are at a desk where you can charge from the display, than you can just add a dock to your MBP if you need more physical port connections. Also, this MBP now has 3 dedicated TB lanes, whereas the 2019 MBP only had 2. So you are still getting way more capacity. All you need is a dongle/dock to add a 4th TB port.

 

[chengengaun]

I bought the 16" Pro but regret not opting for 32GB because someone told me that it gives you double performance at no extra cost. I am not a professional mind you, I bought this laptop because my old one had bit the dust and I just loved the giant screen and beautiful design. I mainly use it for web browsing/email/The odd Apple Arcade game/YouTube/Netflix/AppleTV etc.

Double the RAM does not necessarily double the performance, especially so for your use case - I think you’ll be very happy with it.

 

[darthbane2k]

Absolute hyperbole.

At best it’s the greatest laptop ..until next year.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

It's a great laptop without a doubt!

 

[1Mark]

I completely agree with the premise of this thread. I am using a 14" Max and it is just great in everything:
- battery life
- sound
- screen
- speed
- charging speed

My former laptop was a late 2013 15" rMBP and that one was also really great for the 8 years that I used it. I replaced the battery last year and passed it on to my parents last week.

Is there an inbox somewhere at apple to express my appreciation of these feature-packed new laptops?

 

[waquzy]

I agree with the OP, I have owned many MacBooks and windows laptops over the years and the newest 14” is truly next level. I really like the design, it’s my favourite design of all time to be honest.

£1900 well spent! It will last me for a good 4-5 years…

 

[10 Gauge]

I bought the 16" Pro but regret not opting for 32GB because someone told me that it gives you double performance at no extra cost. I am not a professional mind you, I bought this laptop because my old one had bit the dust and I just loved the giant screen and beautiful design. I mainly use it for web browsing/email/The odd Apple Arcade game/YouTube/Netflix/AppleTV etc.

At no extra cost? Please explain.

 

[shenfrey]

At no extra cost? Please explain.

fixed.

 

[waquzy]

I bought the 16" Pro but regret not opting for 32GB because someone told me that it gives you double performance at no extra cost. I am not a professional mind you, I bought this laptop because my old one had bit the dust and I just loved the giant screen and beautiful design. I mainly use it for web browsing/email/The odd Apple Arcade game/YouTube/Netflix/AppleTV etc.

You don’t even need 16GB for those apps, 8GB would even be enough!

 

[TracerAnalog]

Do u think base 16 M1 Pro with 1TB will last for 6-7 years? I do not want to buy new laptop earlier.

I own a maxed out iMac from 2012. Still works flawlessly, runs Logic, Final Cut, Photoshop, etc. Yes, comparing it in speed to modern computers makes your eyes water, but the interface remains buttery smooth. These machines can last you a long time…

 

[shenfrey]

Do u think base 16 M1 Pro with 1TB will last for 6-7 years? I do not want to buy new laptop earlier.

I own a maxed out iMac from 2012. Still works flawlessly, runs Logic, Final Cut, Photoshop, etc. Yes, comparing it in speed to modern computers makes your eyes water, but the interface remains buttery smooth. These machines can last you a long time…

I personally think at the rate that Apple is improving their own silicon, and the huge leaps in performance, I think that whilst you won't need to upgrade in 2-3 years time, you'll definitely want to.