UK 14"/16" M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro (2021) Pre-release, Orders and Dispatch Thread

[PeterJP]

What are people using for external monitors? Fancying a decent thunderbolt screen for the desk now at home.

I have an ageing Dell U2711 atm. Works really nice but I find it's still not enough real estate for Logic. It's 2560x1440but HDMI is limited to HD. I'm eyeing the LG Ergo 32". I love that stand. I know I will want to try it vertically but the wifey won't like that, so a screen that can be quickly adjusted is very practical. As a bonus the LG is also a USB-C hub & PD.

 

[CD3660]

Notch?!

Edit: No Face ID according to the source. Images appear to show camera indicator light and ambient light sensor

https://twitter.com/x/status/1449378038685204481

I have to say that I’m not thrilled at the prospect of a notch (I’ve never been keen on it with the iPhone either despite its supposedly “iconic” status).

At the same time I’ll also be disappointed if FaceID is not a feature.

 

[Supersonicc]

Will be something if the 16” price is any lower than the current 16” base at £2400 (though rumours said the bases models will be 16gb/512gb combo).

Yeah I think we will be looking at the around £2500 to get the spec we want. It’s going to have to be pretty special!

 

[Supersonicc]

I have to say that I’m not thrilled at the prospect of a notch (I’ve never been keen on it with the iPhone either despite its supposedly “iconic” status).

At the same time I’ll also be disappointed if FaceID is not a feature.

I would also be disappointed if FaceID is not a feature. Let’s see what Apple give us, based on the leaks this year I’m now much more suspect of them!

 

[Jinjin]

Not long till we know for sure. Not sure I buy the whole notch rumour for the MacBook.. but with apple, you never know! Would be a major detraction from having a 14” screen if they’ve only managed to do that by adding a notch. If I’d going to be there, it needs to be for Face ID

 

[SayCheese]

I have an ageing Dell U2711 atm. Works really nice but I find it's still not enough real estate for Logic. It's 2560x1440but HDMI is limited to HD. I'm eyeing the LG Ergo 32". I love that stand. I know I will want to try it vertically but the wifey won't like that, so a screen that can be quickly adjusted is very practical. As a bonus the LG is also a USB-C hub & PD.

I've got a pair of those LG's connected to my Mac Pro.
They are pretty awesome and give a huge amount of screen real estate.

 

[Jinjin]

So more thoughts on a MacBook ‘notchgate’…

If there is a notch and it’s designed to be the same width as the menu bar, then that central part of the page is usually “wasted” space.. usually no menu items stretching they far etc, which the notch could use. I’d be happy with that if it meant ultra slim bezels all around.

On the flip side… apple would need to think very very carefully about having a notch. Having it on their newly designed PRO machines will make the whole launch be about the ‘notch’ and not the inevitable pro performance the new silicone will bring, which they’ll want to be the talking point.

 

[drygioni]

Anyone know if you can trade in your old MacBook as you’re buying a new one? I couldn’t trade mine in earlier as I have no backup.

 

[CD3660]

Anyone know if you can trade in your old MacBook as you’re buying a new one? I couldn’t trade mine in earlier as I have no backup.

Have you considered selling it to one of the recycling companies, Music Magpie for example? I’ve got a decent locked in price from them for my M1 MacBook Air and I don’t have to send it to them for a couple of weeks or more. I’ve used them several times before without a single problem.

Check out their website and get a no obligation quote. You can normally get an extra 10% by using the code HELLO10.

 

[drygioni]

Have you considered selling it to one of the recycling companies, Music Magpie for example? I’ve got a decent locked in price from them for my M1 MacBook Air and I don’t have to send it to them for a couple of weeks or more. I’ve used them several times before without a single problem.

Check out their website and get a no obligation quote. You can normally get an extra 10% by using the code HELLO10.

I wasn't sure what would happen with those as my Mac is pretty beat up. The lid didn't close properly for a while (hinge damage I think), the screen is really scuffed (to the coating, looks fine when it's on) and the rubber on the edges is peeling off, the backlit keyboard hasn't worked in years, and the bottom of the case is scratched to hell. I'd be worried they'd just send it back.

I did consider putting it on eBay or Facebook for parts but dealing with people can be hard work if what you're selling isn't perfect.

 

[CD3660]

I wasn't sure what would happen with those as my Mac is pretty beat up. The lid didn't close properly for a while (hinge damage I think), the screen is really scuffed (to the coating, looks fine when it's on) and the rubber on the edges is peeling off, the backlit keyboard hasn't worked in years, and the bottom of the case is scratched to hell. I'd be worried they'd just send it back.

I did consider putting it on eBay or Facebook for parts but dealing with people can be hard work if what you're selling isn't perfect.

That doesn’t sound too good! They do however have a section on their website for you to rate it’s condition.

 

[fivenotrump]

I have to say that I’m not thrilled at the prospect of a notch (I’ve never been keen on it with the iPhone either despite its supposedly “iconic” status).

At the same time I’ll also be disappointed if FaceID is not a feature.

I don't see the point of FaceID: very happy with TouchID on the M1 machines

 

[CD3660]

I don't see the point of FaceID: very happy with TouchID on the M1 machines

Each to their own but having the laptop unlock when you look at it is, for me, simpler than reaching across to the power button / Touch ID.

 

[mctrials23]

Each to their own but having the laptop unlock when you look at it is, for me, simpler than reaching across to the power button / Touch ID.

But you need some sort of verification input regardless. I don't want my computer auto-authenticating a request without my permission. Currently you press the touchID button which confirms for you. With faceID you would either have to click "verify" in some way or run the risk that you authenticate something you don't want to. If you have to press a button anyway to activate it then theres no real benefit over touchID.

 

[amack]

I wonder is there anything to read into the fact that the 16” MacBook Pro’s availability on the apple store is 2nd to 9th Nov and the 512gb 13” is 6 to 8 weeks whilst the 1tb ssd 13” is available 23rd October?

I wonder if the 14” will be available before the 16”? Or do those delivery dates have no bearing on future product availability?

 

[CD3660]

@mctrials23 I understand what you’re saying but the track pad (for the verification) is closer and therefore more ergonomic than the TouchID button. I find my iPad Pro with FaceID much more convenient to fire up than my MacBook Air. Perhaps I’m just bone idle.

 

[CD3660]

…I wonder if the 14” will be available before the 16”? Or do those delivery dates have no bearing on future product availability?

I suspect the latter.

 

[jonnyb]

Is it taken as read that the current 13” M1 Pros will remain as the entry level, and that the new 14’ will be just replacing the higher tier Intel 13” models (And therefore will start at around £1700)?

I’d just assumed up to this point that I’d be able to get a new 14” one for £1299, naive sweet summer child that I am.

 

[johnyslats]

Is it taken as read that the current 13” M1 Pros will remain as the entry level, and that the new 14’ will be just replacing the higher tier Intel 13” models (And therefore will start at around £1700)?

I’d just assumed up to this point that I’d be able to get a new 14” one for £1299, naive sweet summer child that I am.

Certainly looks to be that way. I imagine the base MacBook Pro will stay as is and get the M2 at some point next year

 

[PeterJP]

I've got a pair of those LG's connected to my Mac Pro.
They are pretty awesome and give a huge amount of screen real estate.

A pair sounds pretty awesome indeed. I can't even imagine. I remember getting the 27" and noticing I had to move my head left and right to take it all in!

For Logic, I'm mostly looking for more vertical real estate. Time line and editor are below each other in the main screen, then I want the mixer below that and then still more space for the plugin windows. With a 32" 4K at native resolution, vertically, I can see that happen. My 27" is fixed horizontally, though, so I lose a lot of space.

I just built myself a wooden pair of 5U racks that go on top of my desk, with a monitor shelf between them. Planning to kit both sides out with a EuroRack. The 27" is already too wide as it is and extends beyond the intended EuroRack area on both sides. If I go for 32" horizontal, it'll be even worse. Hence the Ergo and the idea of working vertically. Do you have yours horizontal, and on top of or next to each other?

Next step for me is to get a Thunderbolt hub with PD. Main question now is how much the 14" and 16" will require. For example, the Plugable TB hub delivers only 60W. So I'm waiting for the announcement tomorrow to decide on that.

 

[cambookpro]

Only got a new laptop (M1 MBP) last December, but the 8GB RAM is a bit limiting for iOS development, especially when using more SwiftUI. Regret not going for 16GB, so will probably upgrade. Hoping for a <£2,000 price point for 16GB/512GB, but am afraid these machines may have serious sticker shock.

 

[Rck1984]

Only got a new laptop (M1 MBP) last December, but the 8GB RAM is a bit limiting for iOS development, especially when using more SwiftUI. Regret not going for 16GB, so will probably upgrade. Hoping for a <£2,000 price point for 16GB/512GB, but am afraid these machines may have serious sticker shock.

Looking at the current line up, I expect the new MacBooks to stay at the current (Intel) ones. Else there would be too big of a gap between the M1's and the new M1X's:

£999.00 - MacBook Air 8/7 (M1)
£1,249.00 - 13" MacBook Air 8/8 (M1)
£1,299.00 - 13" MacBook Pro 8/7 (M1)
£1,499.00 - 13" MacBook Pro 8/8 (M1)
£1,799.00 - 13" MacBook Pro 512GB (Intel)
£1,999.00 - 13" MacBook Pro 1TB (Intel)
£2,399.00 - 16" MacBook Pro 6-core (Intel)
£2,799.00 - 16" MacBook Pro 8-core (Intel)

I expect the new 14" to sit in between £1,699.00 and £1,899.00.

 

[SayCheese]

A pair sounds pretty awesome indeed. I can't even imagine. I remember getting the 27" and noticing I had to move my head left and right to take it all in!

For Logic, I'm mostly looking for more vertical real estate. Time line and editor are below each other in the main screen, then I want the mixer below that and then still more space for the plugin windows. With a 32" 4K at native resolution, vertically, I can see that happen. My 27" is fixed horizontally, though, so I lose a lot of space.

I just built myself a wooden pair of 5U racks that go on top of my desk, with a monitor shelf between them. Planning to kit both sides out with a EuroRack. The 27" is already too wide as it is and extends beyond the intended EuroRack area on both sides. If I go for 32" horizontal, it'll be even worse. Hence the Ergo and the idea of working vertically. Do you have yours horizontal, and on top of or next to each other?

Next step for me is to get a Thunderbolt hub with PD. Main question now is how much the 14" and 16" will require. For example, the Plugable TB hub delivers only 60W. So I'm waiting for the announcement tomorrow to decide on that.

Mine are next to each other. I have to roll my desk chair from one side of the desk to the other to do any more than a quick look on each screen.

I'm a photographer. I have my admin tasks (emails, to do list and CRM) on one screen. Then my editing on another.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I’m in a similar position. Want a decent monitor (2 Thunderbolt ports) to have my personal and work MacBooks connected. (Eyeing up a Samsung CJ791 unless you know of any better options!)

I think I’m going to end up future proofing and order a 14” 32gb and 1TB machine and expecting that to hit ~£2500. Got £700 in apple vouchers trading in me 2019 13” earlier this year so that should soften the blow

I'm not yet 100% sure on what monitor I will go for - I was thinking something along the lines of a 27" 4K monitor, ideally with USB-C power, so that I can do one port docking.

haha I jumped the gun way too early and sold mine 13" 2019 in June before WWDC... in hindsight at least I got a decent price from apple!

lock in a price now as they will drop quickly, check out the likes of Music Magpie (sold them my original 12"mabcook before I bought the 13"). don't lose anything locking in now

Thanks for the tip! I have locked in a price on my 12" MacBook. I would have sold it earlier in the year, but am going away the week after next, and could not guarantee that I would have my new MBP by then, so have kept it. Will be selling as soon as I get back.

 

[SnooApples5021]

Hey everyone, like some have said it’s been another expensive year…iPhone 13 pro and Apple Watch series 7 and this MacBook upgrade has me tempted. Will sell my m1 mbp 13 inch for either a new 14 or 16 inch - haven’t decided yet lol. Very excited for the event tonight!