Upgrading from 2020 M1 13" MBP to 2021 M1 Pro 16" MBP

[francis21]

Hi everyone! I currently have the 2020 13" M1 MBP from last year. I upgraded from my Intel machine with that. After almost a year of having it in my hands, I like the improvements it brings.

After trying out the new 2021 MBPs at my nearest Apple Store, I just love the screen and the feel of the keyboard.

I've analyzed my workflow and I do remote development work for machine learning so most of the reesources locally aren't being used.

With the nice screen quality improvement, I want to go for a 2021 16" MBP, M1 Pro 10C/16G, with 2 TB (up from 1 TB) and 32 GB RAM.

I think the screen size increase kind of answers my own question.

Besides that, I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are or have gone through this upgrade recently. Is it worth it? If so, did you trade-in your old laptop, etc.?

 

[pozemka]

I made this same upgrade as soon as the 16" came out - I also went to a M1 MBP from an intel MBP, and I adored the M1. But, it was always a stopgap until they made a 16" with the M series chips.
I really enjoy the 16". I have the Max, 32 core, 1TB. It's probably way overpowered for my needs... but that's better than the opposite! It never stutters with anything, and like you said, the screen is absolutely gorgeous. It's so much better than the M1 MBP. The extra screen real estate is especially nice, too, if you're like me and like to have a bunch of windows open all the time. I don't claustrophobic, which was a big problem on the 13" M1.
I do think it's worth the upgrade, if you have the money, and if only for the improved screen (and the fact you want a larger screen to begin with). I do occasionally miss the size of the 13", but I've never found the 16" to be super unwieldy. If anything, an iPad can fill the smaller screen niche. As far as weight and thickness - it is noticeably heavier and thicker, but, again, it's never been a problem. I take mine out with me all the time and haven't had an issue!
I sold my M1 on eBay - I did not trade in. I got $1,000 for mine (16GB 256GB SSD).
Enjoy your new 16"!

 

[oikos]

Hi everyone! I currently have the 2020 13" M1 MBP from last year. I upgraded from my Intel machine with that. After almost a year of having it in my hands, I like the improvements it brings.

After trying out the new 2021 MBPs at my nearest Apple Store, I just love the screen and the feel of the keyboard.

I've analyzed my workflow and I do remote development work for machine learning so most of the reesources locally aren't being used.

With the nice screen quality improvement, I want to go for a 2021 16" MBP, M1 Pro 10C/16G, with 2 TB (up from 1 TB) and 32 GB RAM.

I think the screen size increase kind of answers my own question.

Besides that, I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are or have gone through this upgrade recently. Is it worth it? If so, did you trade-in your old laptop, etc.?

I just made a similar upgrade (except that I skipped the M1, going from a 2017-13" i7 MBP with 1 TB & 16 GB RAM, to a 2021-16" M1Pro 10C/16G with 4TB & 32 GB RAM; just received a week ago, after ordering on Nov. 9.

I haven't migrated my files beyond iCloud-iOS stuff yet, but I've been playing with the machine on the couch (where it will get most of its use), and agree, the SCREEN IS UTTERLY FANTASTIC! (both size and quality) for web browsing and viewing online videos. What an improvement in experience!

The M1Pro's technical capabilities are more than I need for this location, but I really wanted the screen size, and extra long term storage & memory, and plan for it to be a backup for my 2019-27" iMac-3 monitor setup in case anything goes wrong with it. (The 2017-13" MBP had served quite well as my desktop for 2 years before I got the iMac.)

I aim for this to last me 7--8 years, as all of my previous machines have, so I wanted the latest processor. Meanwhile, the 2017 13" MBP will rotate to become a VERY NICE upgrade to my bedroom machine, replacing a 2014 11" MacBook Air - 12g GB/4GB RAM).

I am very happy so far. Good luck!

 

[francis21]

I made this same upgrade as soon as the 16" came out - I also went to a M1 MBP from an intel MBP, and I adored the M1. But, it was always a stopgap until they made a 16" with the M series chips.
I really enjoy the 16". I have the Max, 32 core, 1TB. It's probably way overpowered for my needs... but that's better than the opposite! It never stutters with anything, and like you said, the screen is absolutely gorgeous. It's so much better than the M1 MBP. The extra screen real estate is especially nice, too, if you're like me and like to have a bunch of windows open all the time. I don't claustrophobic, which was a big problem on the 13" M1.
I do think it's worth the upgrade, if you have the money, and if only for the improved screen (and the fact you want a larger screen to begin with). I do occasionally miss the size of the 13", but I've never found the 16" to be super unwieldy. If anything, an iPad can fill the smaller screen niche. As far as weight and thickness - it is noticeably heavier and thicker, but, again, it's never been a problem. I take mine out with me all the time and haven't had an issue!
I sold my M1 on eBay - I did not trade in. I got $1,000 for mine (16GB 256GB SSD).
Enjoy your new 16"!

Thank you for that!

I am thinking of selling my MBP privately rather than Apple's trade-in as well. So maybe I'll sell it off first and then order the 2021 MBP 16".