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2021 MacBook Pro - fan noise whilst driving XDR displays?

S

Shadow Puppets

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 28, 2016
153
79
I am a music producer and filmmaker, currently using a Mac Pro in my home studio / editing room.

I’m looking at potentially getting a MacBook Pro 16” (either M1 Pro or M1 Max) to hook up to my 2 XDR displays to make my setup moving forward completely mobile.

However, with recording audio being a major element of my work, I’m looking for opinions of whether M1 Pro or M1 Max MBPs are capable of driving two displays, running sizeable Logic / Pro Tools sessions, and remaining silent whilst doing it?

Would love feedback from people with similar use cases. Hope you’re well.
 
I have a 14" M1 Pro connected to two Apple Studio Displays. The computer is 100% silent.

Granted, I'm not running Pro Tools at a constant 100% CPU, so I can't speak to that. But if you're concerned about fan noise, the M1 Pro reportedly produces less heat than the M1 Max, and the 16" has better thermals than the 14". So the 16" M1 Pro should be the quietest of the bunch as long as it'll satisfy your workflow.

However, wait a few weeks -- supposedly the M2 Pro/Max will be out.
 
xraydoc said:
I have a 14" M1 Pro connected to two Apple Studio Displays. The computer is 100% silent.

Granted, I'm not running Pro Tools at a constant 100% CPU, so I can't speak to that. But if you're concerned about fan noise, the M1 Pro reportedly produces less heat than the M1 Max, and the 16" has better thermals than the 14". So the 16" M1 Pro should be the quietest of the bunch as long as it'll satisfy your workflow.

However, wait a few weeks -- supposedly the M2 Pro/Max will be out.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I didn’t realise new machines were coming soon.
 
Shadow Puppets said:
Interesting. I didn’t realise new machines were coming soon.
Click to expand...
the new m2 pro/max isn't much of a jump, still same 5nm and architecture. you might as well buy a discounted m1 pro/max right now.

as for the XDR, my office just acquired two and my allocation is coming in the coming month, so far from my usage i haven't really notice any fans kicking on from my m1 max 14inch.
 
"Interesting. I didn’t realise new machines were coming soon."

Then consider yourself as "having been duly warned".
It looks like a release sometime in November, not sure exactly when.
Probably won't be an "Apple event" -- just a press release.
 
Had a MBP 15 2019 hooked up to a Apple Studio Display and the fans were constantly running at 2200 rpm and quickly went to 3000 or higher.

After switching to a MBP 16 M1, the fans are at 0 rpm. I was able to push the fans to 2500 rpm but they quickly went back to 0rpm.
 
@Fishrrman

Interesting for me as well... I am thinking to replace my MBP mid 2015 by a 16" MBP and looking for a "best-buy" one...
My "problem" is that I have to pay for the 16" MBP absolutely in 2022 - so:

Are you sure that there are new 16" M2 machines coming in 2022 ? If yes, I will wait until then and get one of the new ones or a price-reduced "old" one (like a Max 64 GB/32 GPU with 2 TB) ...

Q: Do you think it could be better to wait for sell-out of the "old" 16" M1 MBP regarding price/performance relations?
Thank you for your answer!
 
I'd never buy a MacBook Pro for anything remotely audio-related until random popping sound software/hardware design defect is solved. Have a look at a proper Windows laptop or at a non-portable Mac Studio if you absolutely need Crapple software.
 
tinygoblin said:
I'd never buy a MacBook Pro for anything remotely audio-related until random popping sound software/hardware design defect is solved. Have a look at a proper Windows laptop or at a non-portable Mac Studio if you absolutely need Crapple software.
Click to expand...
Doesn’t appear to be a problem if you’re plugging into audio interfaces, which I am 100% of the time. I never use just the speakers for producing.
 
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