Decision dilemma about 13.3” M1 MacBook Pro

[Shirasaki]

Hello guys. I want to hear some alternative opinions regarding my issue as I think I am stuck in a weird dilemma.

A bit of background for me: I never buy any launch day new Apple devices and usually wait until next half of the product cycle so early production issue might be ironed out while I get the chance to watch reviews and read discussions to better understand how things going.

Recently, I briefly got my hands on M1 MacBook Pro and got blown away by how good that M1 MacBook Pro was. I had to return it since that was not mine but I was wishing to get one of these soon.

I have read enough rumours about upcoming MacBook Pro redesign coming in just 3 months. But the current 13.3” MacBook Pro will likely be the last one that has Touch Bar and scissor keyboard. I never had a chance to use any MacBook Pro that has Touch Bar back then so really want to give it a shot, plus I don’t need to worry about keyboard issues. I know only having two ports is going to be tough, but I need dongle anyways so a bit less of a concern.

What do you guys think? If you were me, would you wait for the 14” refresh coming in 3 months or jumping the gun, especially if you never truly used Touch Bar before?

 

[clarencek]

If you don’t need a machine and can wait six months. I would wait it out.

 

[Shirasaki]

If you don’t need a machine and can wait six months. I would wait it out.

I recently found out I might be able to use both a Mac and a PC together to change workflow. And waiting for half a year is kind of a stretch for me.

Still struggling to make proper decisions.

 

[jdb8167]

Hello guys. I want to hear some alternative opinions regarding my issue as I think I am stuck in a weird dilemma.

A bit of background for me: I never buy any launch day new Apple devices and usually wait until next half of the product cycle so early production issue might be ironed out while I get the chance to watch reviews and read discussions to better understand how things going.

Recently, I briefly got my hands on M1 MacBook Pro and got blown away by how good that M1 MacBook Pro was. I had to return it since that was not mine but I was wishing to get one of these soon.

I have read enough rumours about upcoming MacBook Pro redesign coming in just 3 months. But the current 13.3” MacBook Pro will likely be the last one that has Touch Bar and scissor keyboard. I never had a chance to use any MacBook Pro that has Touch Bar back then so really want to give it a shot, plus I don’t need to worry about keyboard issues. I know only having two ports is going to be tough, but I need dongle anyways so a bit less of a concern.

What do you guys think? If you were me, would you wait for the 14” refresh coming in 3 months or jumping the gun, especially if you never truly used Touch Bar before?

If you aren't especially interested in more RAM and more CPU & GPU cores, then there really isn't much reason to wait. The M1 MacBook Pro will be supported by Apple for years and the M1 speed will be fine for most uses for years to come.

 

[nph]

As an owner of M1 PB I can say it is the best Mac laptop ever. Although the small 2017 last Macbook 12 is a close second due to how small it is.
But power wise, battery life and dependability it is outstanding. I bought it right at launch and it has been so stable.
I really like the Touch Bar, another reason I bought it since the new versions won't have it.
Now I would expect the 14" and 16" to be quite expensive so that is another reason I am happy with what I have.

I would buy one now, maybe pickup one with 16 gig although I haven't seen any issues having the 8/512 model I have.

 

[Queen6]

I bought the M1 MBP as I don't want to have any surprises. I've learnt that opting for Apple's 1st Gen redesigns doesn't always pan out as expected, if there's are no issues the 2nd/3rd Gen are always that bit more refined.

The M1 MBP is admittedly a 1st Gen device, equally has a tried and proven chassis. Last time Apple refreshed the MBP it didn't workout so well for the users, although I do think that Apple will be more careful with the design of their portables as they've likely had more than enough backlash...

Q-6

 

[tommiy]

I had a M1 and returned it due to the fact that I needed the 2 external displays. Displaylink on the M1 really only works at 1920x1080 even on 4k monitors. If you need multiple external monitors definitely wait it out.

 

[Falhófnir]

I'd suggest if you have any doubts, at the very least wait a couple of months and see if you like the 14" better? Though bear in mind it's likely to at least equal the $1,799 price tag of the 13" Intel model it will replace, so it's going to be significantly more expensive than the existing M1 13" if that's a factor to you. Other reported elements you may or may not also want wait for: mini LED display, MagSafe charging, HDMI, SD card slot, 3x Thunderbolt ports.

 

[deeddawg]

Apple has traditionally had two tiers of Macbook Pro models - one tier with two ports, and and upper tier with four ports.

Unless you must buy now, I'd suggest you wait and see.

If the brand new system ends up being the better choice, buy it.
If the M1 MBP two port model ends up being the better choice, buy it instead.
- on the off chance they change/discontinue the two port M1 MBP, they'll still be available on the used market or Apple refurb store (which is as good as buying new in my experience).

 

[Argon_]

Apple has traditionally had two tiers of Macbook Pro models - one tier with two ports, and and upper tier with four ports.

Unless you must buy now, I'd suggest you wait and see.

If the brand new system ends up being the better choice, buy it.
If the M1 MBP two port model ends up being the better choice, buy it instead.
- on the off chance they change/discontinue the two port M1 MBP, they'll still be available on the used market or Apple refurb store (which is as good as buying new in my experience).

One argument in favor of the current model is the proven chassis and supporting technology. The cooling system also has excellent headroom for someone who intends to use it heavily.

 

[deeddawg]

One argument in favor of the current model is the proven chassis and supporting technology. The cooling system also has excellent headroom for someone who intends to use it heavily.

Indeed.

I've been very happy with my M1 MBP, it's been rock solid -- and also completely silent but for the one time I actively tried to make the fan audible.

... but it also has only two ports - which I'm perfectly fine with, but others may not be.

IMHO screen size is likely to be immaterial unless Apple goes closer to 15" than 14.0". I use a 14.0" windows laptop for work and don't discern any difference from my 13.3" MBP unless I'm breaking out the ruler.

In any event the main point was unless there's a need to do something now then best to wait until the full landscape is visible and choose the best-fit-to-needs/preferences at that time. I doubt the current M1 MBP / MBA systems will suddenly evaporate into thin air.

 

[Queen6]

One argument in favor of the current model is the proven chassis and supporting technology. The cooling system also has excellent headroom for someone who intends to use it heavily.

Indeed.

I've been very happy with my M1 MBP, it's been rock solid -- and also completely silent but for the one time I actively tried to make the fan audible.

... but it also has only two ports - which I'm perfectly fine with, but others may not be.

IMHO screen size is likely to be immaterial unless Apple goes closer to 15" than 14.0". I use a 14.0" windows laptop for work and don't discern any difference from my 13.3" MBP unless I'm breaking out the ruler.

In any event the main point was unless there's a need to do something now then best to wait until the full landscape is visible and choose the best-fit-to-needs/preferences at that time. I doubt the current M1 MBP / MBA systems will suddenly evaporate into thin air.

No doubts on the cooling; M1 13" MBP 8GB base model, macOS 11.5.1, Cinebench R23; consecutive 30 minute runs, ambient temp 26C, max temp 92C, max fan 4.5K RPM, max battery temp 32C, scored 7814 pts. Temperature/fan monitored by Macs Fan Control, fan set to Apple default auto setting.

The M1 MBP active cooling maintains full CPU speed with negligible impact from ambient temperature. Looks to me that Apple's want's to keep core temperature no more than 90C with the cooling system as quiet as possible. What appeals is that the M1 MBP is dead silent in typical productivity usage yet can sustain full load with ease without throttling or becoming excessively hot to the touch. Far as I can see the M1 MBP will hold 100% performance as long as you need, with the TDP of the cooling system IMO exceeding the TDP of the SOC

Somewhat cautious that Apple will once again be tempted to push the envelope too much, resulting in reduced performance due to inadequate cooling for the sake of the aesthetic. As ever time will tell, equally by the time I look to an M1X/M2 they will be settled or be known to avoided such as the 2011 15" MBP & 2016 MBP...

Q-6

 

[Argon_]

No doubts on the cooling; M1 13" MBP 8GB base model, macOS 11.5.1, Cinebench R23; consecutive 30 minute runs, ambient temp 26C, max temp 92C, max fan 4.5K RPM, max battery temp 32C, scored 7814 pts. Temperature/fan monitored by Macs Fan Control, fan set to Apple default auto setting.

View attachment 1818381

The M1 MBP active cooling maintains full CPU speed with negligible impact from ambient temperature. Looks to me that Apple's want's to keep core temperature no more than 90C with the cooling system as quiet as possible. What appeals is that the M1 MBP is dead silent in typical productivity usage yet can sustain full load with ease without throttling or becoming excessively hot to the touch. Far as I can see the M1 MBP will hold 100% performance as long as you need, with the TDP of the cooling system IMO exceeding the TDP of the SOC

Somewhat cautious that Apple will once again be tempted to push the envelope too much, resulting in reduced performance due to inadequate cooling for the sake of the aesthetic. As ever time will tell, equally by the time I look to an M1X/M2 they will be settled or be known to avoided such as the 2011 15" MBP & 2016 MBP...

Q-6

If you wanted to specify a fan curve with ramp up at 70C and max at 90, I bet you could exceed that number. Even just as a matter of curiosity, given the convenience of silent operation.

 

[Queen6]

If you wanted to specify a fan curve with ramp up at 70C and max at 90, I bet you could exceed that number. Even just as a matter of curiosity, given the convenience of silent operation.

Maximum fan RPM is 7K so there's plenty of head room although I suspect that a Cinebench R23 score just passing 7800 is the upper limit for the M1 SOC. The good is that during base productivity workflows the M1 MBP is silent as the fan is shutdown and under heavy workloads in high ambient temps performance is not degraded due to thermal throttling like the M1 Air or Intel Mac's.

Overall very impressed with the M1 MBP's performance as it easily lives (computationally) with my fast W10 17" hex core notebook. The M1 isn't as versatile as the 17" equally it's truly a portable powerhouse

Q-6

 

[M3Stang]

I was waiting but then Best Buy had the pro for $1100 and it was tax free weekend here in Florida so that was all I paid so it just worked out for me. Made it totally worth it.

 

[Shirasaki]

Thanks for everyone’s reply. I end up going for M1 MBP with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Somehow I love the idea of having a Touch Bar MBP with scissor keyboard, a weird combo for sure. I really want to give Touch Bar a fair chance and see how it goes, while avoiding butterfly keyboard at all costs (I don’t like typing on it, cause finger fatigue too fast). It’s quite pricey at AU$2800 ($1900), but it should serve me well in the coming years. Worst case scenario, I sell it after M1X Mac releases so I could go for that one instead.

 

[darngooddesign]

Pick up a refurb MBP and save a little money.

 

[xraydoc]

If you're in the market for a MacBook Pro, at this point I'd just wait for the new machines to come out. I doubt it'll be 6 months. I would think likely in the November timeframe.
Touchbar isn't all that great. Nifty, but you can live without. And we don't actually know for sure if Apple is dropping the Touchbar or not.

If you were looking at the MacBook Air, I'd say go for the current model. The new models are still rumored to be a longer wait.

 

[VaruLV]

I would wait out till new ones are released.

Sorry for following long'ish rant:

Not exactly Pro, but the same guts, less or more and the same two ports - Im returning M1 Air(base config) tomorrow only after one day of playing with it.
Too expensive over here for what it is, around 1250$ for one is just way too much, 16/512 for that money would be much better offer regardless what Apple fans want to sell me/you/us, it just wouldnt cut it in the long run, arguably there are better, much better value out there in my local market for the money.
Oh and also - I just couldnt ignore those BIG bezels, especially on top of the screen, just yuck, somehow even bigger bezels on our Surface Book 13 dont look as repulsing !

 

[amack]

I need to replace a 2009 MacBook Pro and am very tempted to buy a 16gb MacBook Air to replace it. But I think I’ll try and wait till Oct/nov.

Do we think they’ll drop the current 13” MacBook Pro M1 once they release the 14”, as it has the Touch Bar and will they sell low end 14” to fill the gap? Just wondering, as I don’t want to spend more than £1800.

 

[VaruLV]

Not gonna speculate about low end 14" since how low can miniLED equipped Pro Macbook get ?
I do think, however, that either directly or through resellers current M1 Macbooks should get price cut, that would make sense to me, since they are old design and about to get outgunned in specs department as well.

 

[darngooddesign]

Do we think they’ll drop the current 13” MacBook Pro M1 once they release the 14”, as it has the Touch Bar and will they sell low end 14” to fill the gap? Just wondering, as I don’t want to spend more than £1800.

IMO, due to how capable the MBA is I don't see Apple keeping the 13" MBP around.

 

[jdb8167]

IMO, due to how capable the MBA is I don't see Apple keeping the 13" MBP around.

I'd say it is 50-50. Do they want a lower-end MacBook Pro or as you say, does the M1 MacBook Air cover that market segment. I wouldn't be surprised if they leave the 2-port 13" MacBook Pro in the lineup until the next round of MacBook updates after the rumored 14" & 16" MacBook Pros.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

What do you guys think? If you were me, would you wait for the 14” refresh coming in 3 months or jumping the gun, especially if you never truly used Touch Bar before?

I would go ahead and try out the 13" M1. If you like it, keep it. Otherwise sell it and get the new 14". Macs retain most of their value over time, so you won't be losing much money by selling the M1 with Touch Bar in favour of the 14" model.

 

[mbp17forever]

What do you guys think? If you were me, would you wait for the 14” refresh coming in 3 months or jumping the gun, especially if you never truly used Touch Bar before?

Well, I would wait only if I wanted the "more" ports and MagSafe of the 2021 models, or a really bigger screen (16" M1X MBP)