The last-generation MacBook Pro was a good machine, but it had very distinct flaws that frustrated many users. From the Touch Bar and the lack of ports to the flawed keyboard design, it didn’t quite deliver the elevated experience that users expected. The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 14 and 16 changes that.
That’s right, we’ve got a pair of redesigned MacBook Pros that, in some ways, feel like fan service. That much-maligned Touch Bar that nobody used? Taken out. The lack of ports that literally turned Apple into a dongle accessory company? Not an issue anymore, with many ports taken out of the last generation making a return on this one. Suffice to say, it’s the kind of laptop Apple’s diehard users deserve.
The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 14 and 16 boast more power under the chassis, with processing muscle provided with your choice of an M1 Pro or M1 Max system-on-a-chip. The M1 Pro is a 10-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and two efficiency cores, as well as 16 graphics cores, which combine to give it an overall performance that’s 70 percent faster than the old M1. The M1Max, on the other hand, gets the same 10-core CPU, but gets 32 graphics cores and support for up to 64GB of RAM. Suffice to say, either one is a lot more powerful than the processing chips on the old MacBook Pros.
Instead of the lone USB-C port on the old laptop, this new one gets three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI socket, and even an SD card slot, making it possible to use various peripherals on the laptop without forking out cash for another dongle. It also implements a new version of the MagSafe connector, although it will require a new charger to use (it’s different from the old version). Naturally, charging over USB-C is still an option if you don’t need the convenience of a charger that snaps off cleanly when the cable is tripped.
The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 3,024 x 1,964 resolution, while the MacBook Pro 16 gets a 16.2-inch panel with 3,456 x 2,234 resolution. Both have the outfit’s ProMotion adaptive frame rate technology, complete with a 120Hz option, all while using the same mini LED technology used on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. According to the outfit, the 14-inch model will run for 17 hours while playing video while the 16-incher can do the same for up to 21 hours. Both support fast-charging, too, with the ability to refill 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes.
The onboard webcam boasts computational video that captures 1080p resolution footage using an f/2.0 four-element lens, while a studio-quality mic array allows you to sound your best during those ever-increasing video meetings. The laptops also get a six-speaker sound system, with tweeters that are nearly two times larger than before, with the ability to support up to four external displays if you choose the M1 Max (only two external displays supported on the M1 Pro).
The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 14 and 16 hits stores next week, priced starting at $1,999 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch laptop.