MBP 16" 24-core GPU Real Life Reviews, please?

[LetteIT]

Hello everyone! There are lots and lots of videos and articles reviewing 16-core MB Pros. And that was the computer I was planning to get initially (MBP 16.2", M1 Pro, 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 32GB um, 1TB SSD). But suddenly I saw another option, 16.2", M1 Max, 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 32GB um, 1TB SSD. And that's for only 100 eur more... I just can't make the decision. Please, help me choose between the two!
Maybe, somebody has already tested 16.2" 24-core MacBook or even owns it? I'd like to know not only numbers, but also your real life experiences with this laptop. What about battery life in comparison with M1 Pro? Is it really significantly different from 16-core M1 Pro? Would you recommend to get this laptop? I work with graphics, web design.
There's no that many reviews about 16.2" 24-core MacBook. I've watched few videos about 14.2" 24-core, saw some numbers, but would like to read real people opinions and about the bigger model if possible.

 

[Technerd108]

I had both the 16" base model M1 MBP and later the M1 Max 16" MBP with 24 core GPU and 32gb ram. I never pushed the GPU I either device so I really can't comment on the differences between the two on that. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable with experience can.

What I can talk about is battery life. Battery life on the base model 16" was really good for a "Pro" machine. I would say it is the best in the entire MBP 14/16" line up. I had originally pre-ordered a 14". So I have experience with all of them.

The M1 Max uses more battery at idle. It can get warm doing menial tasks. I did not experience this with the M1 Pro machines.

So if battery life is important to you and thermal management then I would suggest the base model 16" is best. Unless you really have a use case for M1 Max you are not going to notice the difference in daily use nor with the 32gb ram. So if you are encoding videos and editing multiple 6k videos then the M1 Max will be a benefit but if you are not doing those things you won't notice a difference and will have lower battery life for not much benefit.

I think the 16" with M1 Pro and 16gb ram is the sweet spot. You get a lot of power and great battery life.

 

[jav6454]

Several people with said machines have come to the conclusion that the added GPU cores in the M1 Max add little to no value.

 

[LetteIT]

I had both the 16" base model M1 MBP and later the M1 Max 16" MBP with 24 core GPU and 32gb ram. I never pushed the GPU I either device so I really can't comment on the differences between the two on that. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable with experience can.

What I can talk about is battery life. Battery life on the base model 16" was really good for a "Pro" machine. I would say it is the best in the entire MBP 14/16" line up. I had originally pre-ordered a 14". So I have experience with all of them.

The M1 Max uses more battery at idle. It can get warm doing menial tasks. I did not experience this with the M1 Pro machines.

So if battery life is important to you and thermal management then I would suggest the base model 16" is best. Unless you really have a use case for M1 Max you are not going to notice the difference in daily use nor with the 32gb ram. So if you are encoding videos and editing multiple 6k videos then the M1 Max will be a benefit but if you are not doing those things you won't notice a difference and will have lower battery life for not much benefit.

I think the 16" with M1 Pro and 16gb ram is the sweet spot. You get a lot of power and great battery life.

Several people with said machines have come to the conclusion that the added GPU cores in the M1 Max add little to no value.

Ok, but if I also expect to keep this machine for at least 5-7 years? Technologies are progressing so quickly, and newer MacBooks will have more and more cores, but mine can be left far behind.
Also, I'm planning to take 32gb of um to minimize SSD swap.

 

[Technerd108]

Delete

 

[hmorneau]

I got both the Pro 16 with 32gb and the Max 24 with 32gb. Battery was similar if not the same. Temperature was the same, I kept the Max as it wasn't much more expensive and I can plug 3 external monitor if needed. I do some gaming sometime (not a big factor) but the 24 is much better at it, but I'm not a gamer, so the pro would have been fine I guess. Overall don't sweat it. Some will swear that one or the other is better.

 

[LetteIT]

I got both the Pro 16 with 32gb and the Max 24 with 32gb. Battery was similar if not the same. Temperature was the same, I kept the Max as it wasn't much more expensive and I can plug 3 external monitor if needed. I do some gaming sometime (not a big factor) but the 24 is much better at it, but I'm not a gamer, so the pro would have been fine I guess. Overall don't sweat it. Some will swear that one or the other is better.

Thank you for sharing! Was the battery life the same/similar on heavy tasks or on lighter everyday tasks? Did you notice any difference in weight or any other factors?

 

[Technerd108]

Ok, but if I also expect to keep this machine for at least 5-7 years? Technologies are progressing so quickly, and newer MacBooks will have more and more cores, but mine can be left far behind.
Also, I'm planning to take 32gb of um to minimize SSD swap.

You can't future proof.

For a hundred dollars more I say get the max. Test it out for yourself. See if it fits your use case.

It will be more powerful in certain situations and if gpu is import you have a 50% improvement in cores and double the ram bandwidth. You will also have double the ram to use for gpu.

Less swap.

Sounds like a good choice for little extra cost.

My experience was different but I definitely noticed a difference in battery but it wasn't a deal breaker. Also Max has a high power mode when you want to push the machine which M1 Pro doesn't have. Might be useful in a few years.

 

[LetteIT]

... I definitely noticed a difference in battery...

How much (approx.) would it be in %?

You can't future proof.

I've heard it earlier. Maybe, a little bit? Why not?

 

[Technerd108]

How much (approx.) would it be in %?


I've heard it earlier. Maybe, a little bit? Why not?

I will address last first. Because as you said rate of improvement is very fast. New processor’s usually not the very next but every other generation. So not M2 but M3 have newer technology that a regular m chip like m3 not m3 Pro will have advantages that will outclass the M1 Pro, like better gpu cores so that 8 newer gpu cores will be equal to 14 and have newer tech like possibly ray tracing and other encoders M1 simply won’t have. Cpu architecture may be at a much more advanced node so you get better performance and better battery life where again a regular M series chip with 8 cores may out perform M1 with 10 both in single core and multi core and then you can just apply those advantages to a pro and get even better performance. So buying the best M1 Pro/Max now will be outclassed by the lowest M3/4 in a couple years. That is why buying a middle configuration and selling every couple/3 years is best. You have less depreciation and newest tech as often as possible and didn’t overspend in the first place and the money you spent on upgrades you are not likely to ever get back.

It is best to buy exactly what you need now and not worry about future. Don’t be tempted by too much upgrades but be realistic about your use case and what you really need now.

In my use I would say average 20-30% less at the top end and lowest differential maybe 10-20%.

I would echo Luna in that a new model is likely to be released soon might be better to wait and see your options and prices for M1 will most likely drop further but if you need it now buy now but don’t over do it.

 

[Luna Murasaki]

I'm glad I got the M1 Max. Second Life is infamous for running like garbage and now I have to run it through Rosetta 2. Seems like I have just enough oomph to make it work well enough for a usable experience. Barely. Maybe the battery life is worse than what I could have gotten with the pro but it's so awesome as it is that I don't really feel like I need it to last longer.

That said, there are rumors that the M2 Macbook Pros are coming out soon - maybe in October, which would be in line with an annual release cycle. Perhaps you should wait for that? Particularly if you want the machine to last as long as possible.

 

[darngooddesign]

Ok, but if I also expect to keep this machine for at least 5-7 years? Technologies are progressing so quickly, and newer MacBooks will have more and more cores, but mine can be left far behind.
Also, I'm planning to take 32gb of um to minimize SSD swap.

If your machine is fast enough for your needs does it matter if newer MBPs have more cores?

 

[LetteIT]

That is why buying a middle configuration and selling every couple/3 years is best.

Thank you for your opinion and in depth clarification! The problem is, I get attached to my tech very easily, and it's hard for me to replace it, even if it's obviously needed)).

In my use I would say average 20-30% less at the top end and lowest differential maybe 10-20%.

Why some people doesn't even see any difference then?

That said, there are rumors that the M2 Macbook Pros are coming out soon - maybe in October, which would be in line with an annual release cycle. Perhaps you should wait for that? Particularly if you want the machine to last as long as possible.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, I've heard that rumors. But that's only rumors, and I don't know if it's worth it to wait (no one knows for how long). Just for slightly more powerful machine?

 

[LetteIT]

If your machine is fast enough for your needs does it matter if newer MBPs have more cores?

That's also a good point, I guess.

 

[jav6454]

Ok, but if I also expect to keep this machine for at least 5-7 years? Technologies are progressing so quickly, and newer MacBooks will have more and more cores, but mine can be left far behind.
Also, I'm planning to take 32gb of um to minimize SSD swap.

By the time that happens, it’ll be the entire M1 Max that will go out, not specific core count chips. Also, M1 has an issue with high core counts where the chip and OS don’t efficiently utilize the full potential.

From readings here in the forums it seems to be a hardware issue. Not something software can fix.

 

[LetteIT]

Also, M1 has an issue with high core counts where the chip and OS don’t efficiently utilize the full potential.

Is that a common issue? I hear about it for the first time, to be honest. So, what does it mean? What's the solution?

 

[Luna Murasaki]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, I've heard that rumors. But that's only rumors, and I don't know if it's worth it to wait (no one knows for how long). Just for slightly more powerful machine?

It also likely means an additional year of support with security patches and an additional year of being able to run the latest macOS. Things seem to be supported by companies based on when they were released rather than when they were last sold. I think that’s pretty messed up personally but it is what it is. I do agree you likely won’t notice the performance increase but I think support is a very big deal.

October isn’t far away. Maybe it’s worth giving up if the October event goes by with no mention of new MacBook Pros. But this is not a small amount of money and I think you will be really kicking yourself if they do come out, which seems more likely than not given that this is the same month when the current model came out. September is already half over. Think about if you could do without the machine for just a few more weeks.

 

[LetteIT]

It also likely means an additional year of support with security patches and an additional year of being able to run the latest macOS. Things seem to be supported by companies based on when they were released rather than when they were last sold. I think that’s pretty messed up personally but it is what it is. I do agree you likely won’t notice the performance increase but I think support is a very big deal.

October isn’t far away. Maybe it’s worth giving up if the October event goes by with no mention of new MacBook Pros. But this is not a small amount of money and I think you will be really kicking yourself if they do come out, which seems more likely than not given that this is the same month when the current model came out. September is already half over. Think about if you could do without the machine for just a few more weeks.

I will think about it, thank you! The only thing, it will also take some time for me to wait for the reviews, watch/read these reviews, compare models and specifications over and over again...

 

[jav6454]

Is that a common issue? I hear about it for the first time, to be honest. So, what does it mean? What's the solution?

It's not an issue as you don't see degraded performance. It is a design hiccup that impedes the chip from achieving full computing potential.

 

[Technerd108]

I will think about it, thank you! The only thing, it will also take some time for me to wait for the reviews, watch/read these reviews, compare models and specifications over and over again...

You seem like you want to make an educated decision. You keep your tech a long time.

I think it is probably best for you to wait and see. Always sucks to start out the gate with an older device right before a new release and you spent a lot of money. Kind of why I wouldn't recommend an M1 air not because of the chip but the design.

I would expect support for M1 to be a minimum of 6-8 years since I don't see Apple going away from arm any time soon and they released the air iPad with m1 this year and I doubt that they would stop supporting it after a year or two and you have M1 MBP that came out last year and they would not stop supporting those in two years as no one would buy a MBP m series again after spending so much money for a couple years support. I think you would have a long time and in my opinion since these are Apple chips they may support them longer than intel or power pc before it.

Of course I bought a Power PC macbook and I think I got two releases of support before they stopped. That was a bad experience and I would think Intel macs might be in a similar situation?

 

[LetteIT]

You seem like you want to make an educated decision. You keep your tech a long time.

I think it is probably best for you to wait and see. Always sucks to start out the gate with an older device right before a new release and you spent a lot of money. Kind of why I wouldn't recommend an M1 air not because of the chip but the design.

I would expect support for M1 to be a minimum of 6-8 years since I don't see Apple going away from arm any time soon and they released the air iPad with m1 this year and I doubt that they would stop supporting it after a year or two and you have M1 MBP that came out last year and they would not stop supporting those in two years as no one would buy a MBP m series again after spending so much money for a couple years support. I think you would have a long time and in my opinion since these are Apple chips they may support them longer than intel or power pc before it.

Of course I bought a Power PC macbook and I think I got two releases of support before they stopped. That was a bad experience and I would think Intel macs might be in a similar situation?

I get your point. But if the new Macbook Pros won't be released this October, could it mean that there's possibility it will be released later this year? I'll probably catch myself waiting for the next event (early 2023?). And the price, I guess, will go up...

 

[LetteIT]

It's not an issue as you don't see degraded performance. It is a design hiccup that impedes the chip from achieving full computing potential.

Should I take it in account choosing between M1 Pro & M1 Max?

 

[Technerd108]

I get your point. But if the new Macbook Pros won't be released this October, could it mean that there's possibility it will be released later this year? I'll probably catch myself waiting for the next event (early 2023?). And the price will probably go up...

Most likely yes to both. Do what you need to do now. If you get a M1 MBP with M1 Max it will serve you well now and well into the future. Since it is a small price bump to help with keeping it longer I would say the M1 Max would probably be the better choice because it is not just GPU but ram bandwidth that is increased and with 32gb ram and fast bandwidth it shouldn't degrade in performance for a long time. Just for perspective that is 4 times the ram bandwidth in the new M2 MBA. Just don't come back to these forums after your purchase as people will give you all kinds of criticisms and advice as to what you should have done instead. Lol

Like I said I think the chances are the M platform and all the chips on that platform will be supported for a long time.

Good luck in your decision! I wish you the best!

 

[LetteIT]

Most likely yes to both. Do what you need to do now. If you get a M1 MBP with M1 Max it will serve you well now and well into the future. Since it is a small price bump to help with keeping it longer I would say the M1 Max would probably be the better choice because it is not just GPU but ram bandwidth that is increased and with 32gb ram and fast bandwidth it shouldn't degrade in performance for a long time. Just for perspective that is 4 times the ram bandwidth in the new M2 MBA. Just don't come back to these forums after your purchase as people will give you all kinds of criticisms and advice as to what you should have done instead. Lol

Like I said I think the chances are the M platform and all the chips on that platform will be supported for a long time.

Good luck in your decision! I wish you the best!

Thank you so much for your advice! 🤝 Very kind of you!

 

[Technerd108]

Thank you so much for your advice! 🤝 Very kind of you!

I forgot in your original post you said the M1 Max also had a 1tb ssd, 32gb ram vs M1 Pro with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd-both 16"? If it is only 100 euros difference that is a heck of a deal too. Just for the extra ram and ssd I would get it and then add M1 Max with 24 core GPU and you really score if so. I would not hesitate if it is a limited time offer. That seems like a really good deal. I don't know what the cost is on what you are comparing it too but just one of those upgrades would cost more here in terms of dollars and since you have to get the extra ram when you get M1 max that is a serious discount.

I don't want to pressure you and I want to help you make the best decision for you so at the end of the day listen to yourself and do what will serve you best.

Any time I can help it is never a problem. I am just glad my information helped in some way!!