How much heat & noise does the 16" M1 Max produce vs the M1 Pro?

[Mity]

I'm on the 2019 Intel 16" with 64GB of RAM and I love my machine. I have never, ever used any swap memory and I love that I can keep 25 windows open and work in Python and SQL with no issues at all.

So, I'm thinking about upgrading to the new M1 16" and I hate that Apple is forcing me to upgrade to the M1 Max to get that much RAM, especially when the CPU power of the M1 Pro is all I need. I watched a few reviews that mentioned that the M1 Max does run hotter due to the extra GPU cores. The various reviewers run the usual benchmarks and then give test scores. However, I don't game or video edit - the most taxing thing I do is scripting in Python.

I don't hear the fans of my Intel 16" when I code unless I get on a Zoom or Teams call. I do use my computer for 10-13 hours a day (plugged in). If I'm set on getting the 16" M1 Max with 64GB of RAM, how much heat and fan noise can I expect?

 

[singularity0993]

A lot less than 2019 16”, that’s for sure.

 

[jav6454]

An Intel Mac? Way more than any M-series Mac.

 

[xraydoc]

The M1 Max, so I've read and watched, does quite well in the 16" form factor. Unless you're taxing it, there will be essentially no fan noise (particularly if you're using the 24 GPU core version over the 32 GPU core version).

In the 14" model, the M1 Max does run hot. The 16" has bigger fans (moves more air, so can run slower) and bigger heat pipes.

 

[Alex W.]

M1 Max fan is on often, you will hear it if you game or do anything intensive.
M1 Pro is fanless in essence, no matter what you do.

If you suffered with the intel, get the m1 pro you'll be in heaven.

 

[Geohord]

Maybe wait for the Mac Pro (desktop) and you could do a silent PC setup.

 

[alFR]

I don't game or video edit - the most taxing thing I do is scripting in Python.

I don't hear the fans of my Intel 16" when I code unless I get on a Zoom or Teams call. I do use my computer for 10-13 hours a day (plugged in). If I'm set on getting the 16" M1 Max with 64GB of RAM, how much heat and fan noise can I expect?

For your use? Zero. I have never heard the fans on mine, even when doing video exports etc.

 

[callihan_44]

ive never heard the fan on my 14 m1 and the laptop body generally feels cold for the first 20 min of use but I am not doing heavy loads on it

 

[ilikewhey]

it CAN run hot but not out of control like intel macs, so far the only time i hear the m1max in my 14 pushing hard is when i'm doing encoding while playing a game, which is a feat that cannot be replicated on intel mac.

 

[Geohord]

Running Cinebench multicore I assure you that the fan will blow.

 

[Traverse]

If it’s any help, I have the M1 Max 14” MacBook Pro (so hottest chip in the worst cooling case). Whether as a laptop or in clamshell connected to a Studio Display it isn’t audible and the fans are off much of the time. In my normal uses I’ve only gotten the fans to kick on to 2,200 RPM and even then I couldn’t hear it.

 

[wingennis]

I saw that you love your machine. Is there an absolute need to get a new one?