My Review - MacBook Pro 14" M1 Max-24 (will be updated periodically)

[project_2501]

This is a mini-review, or observations, about my move from a 2015 MacBook Pro 15" to a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Max with 24-gpu cores.

This post will be periodically updated as I find new observations or thoughts - as I start to use my MacBook more, and for the different kinds of use that I don't do every day.

Setup:

• External 4K displayport display
• Clamshell mode with external Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad
• Caldigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock with only one cable to the MacBook - display connected to dock via displayport
• DSLR via Elgato Camlink 4K connected to TS4 dock - but camera usually powered off - USB-A 3.
• Wacom Intuos Pro Small connected to TS4 dock - occasionally, not permanently connected. USB-A
• Not yet tested - Rode NT1-A USB microphone, used for recording tutorials.
• Bose QC35-II bluetooth headphones+microphones.

Thoughts / Observations:

• The laptop is lighter than my 2015 MBP but it is bulky and heavy, it is not like a MB Air.
• I have so far not noticed fans turn on for tasks that would have turned them on really high for my 2015:
  • YouTube on an external display
  • web-based video calls
  • audio based zoom call (not tested audio+video yet)
  • light use of webgl elements in web pages
  • other scenarios not tested yet - eg Wacom pen
• Notch for me is "invisible" in everyday use.
• Laptop keyboard is a "thin and weak feeling" and unsatisfying compared to the classic 2015 laptop keyboards
• Haven't had the laptop sleep yet to test the wake problems people have with TB dock displays - but on first power-up the external display flickers and sometimes goes blank and needs keypresses to wake up. Did have one "restart due to a problem".
• TB4 bandwidth over the single cable seems to be sufficient to run a 4k display and also route USB Wacom pen data, and on occasion external USB disk file copies.
• The new Apple Magic Keyboard is not as nice to use as the 2015 (Magic 1?). They keyboard feel thin and weak and the inclination is too low. The new white trackpad is also not as nice as the classic silver one from 2015, the accuracy feels worse, and the plastic look not as nice and not congruent with the silver keyboard, the inclination is also too low.
• The lack of a "t-shaped arrow key arrangement" is bad because previously I could use the arrow keys without looking, purely by feel. This is a backward step.
• The Caldigit TS4 dock seems to work without the many issues that some people have with docks. My only issue was the screen blanking or not turning at first power up (start of day).. but this is cured by pressing keys. Minor annoyance.
• The Caldigit TS4 isn't big - the online PR photos make it look massive!
• Normal day to day working doesn't feel much faster than the 2015 because the bottleneck was the web, not the laptop. I will test the benefits of the M1 Max when doing eg iMove. I have noticed that the webgl based creative coding can go further (more elements per scene) before slowing down, but it isn't a dramatic difference - this might be because Safari isn't optimised for webgl.
• Laptop turns on when you open it. I don't like this - I want the choice to turn it on or not.
• The smaller size of the 14" is much much more pleasant to hold and move than the bulky 15" - I like this. I don't notice the smaller screen estate when using the laptop directly, it didn't feel cramped (I use the "more details" screen scaling) .. noting that I do most of my work in clamshell with a 4k 24" display.
• I'm trying to only use Apple Silicon software, and avoiding Rosetta where possible. Firefox, Chrome, VLC, Zoom have arm64 builds. Sadly the Xerox printer driver is Intel. I will check if sublime text has arm64 builds.

I will continue to update this with further scenarios, eg iMovie exports.


UPDATES

• The 2015 MBP muted sound when in clamshell mode. That is, no speaker was available and the volume up/down did nothing except show the mute symbol. The 2021 MBP M1 sadly does allow sound when in clamshell. I think this is a bug. I now have the extra step of checking alternative audio headphones are connected before using sound to avoid disturbing others.
• I have found the Bluetooth headphone range seems to be better. The same Bose QC35-II would cut out as I went down the stairs or to the bathroom. With this laptop they still cut out but the distance is slightly better - but not much. If the sound source is my Google Pixel 4a smartphone, the bluetooth range seems much much better .. I can go down to the kitchen with unbroken sound.... maybe MacBooks have poor bluetooth?
• SDCard slot on Caldigit TS4 works fast enough. I'm not benchmarking it - it doesn't seem slow.
• Video conferencing via a web browser (Firefox) works well - unlike the 2015 MBP, the fans don't turn on.

MORE UPDATES

• I'm noticing the new Magic Trackpad doesn't seem as accurate and sensitive to clicks and double clicks compared to my old Trackpad 1 (2010?). I will talk to Apple support in case it is a dud.
• I am now getting a replacement Magic Trackpad from Apple as this one is definitely not as accurate as the old 2010 one for tracking movement, picking up clicks and double clicks. I'll share if a replacement fixes this, or whether this a worse design.

KERNEL PANICS!

• I am starting to see kernel panics on first power up of each day. The only change that I can think of is the installation of the Black Magic drivers for their UltraStudio Recorder 3G.
• The UltraStudeio Recorder 3G is a HDMI->TB3 capture device replacing the Elgato CamLink 4K which was freezing constantly (worked fine on my 2015 MBP). This one doesn't freeze and works smoothly over the single-cable between the MBP and the TS4 dock.

UPDATE

• The external wireless Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad definitely take longer to connect with this M1 than my 2015 MBP. It takes about 3-5 seconds before I can type my login password. With the 2015 MBP it was much quicker and I didn't notice any delay.

UPDATE

• Replacement Magic Trackpad is much better than the original one. If you buy Apple kit and it doesn't feel right, chase it up - in my experience Apple kit is amazing, but also has a high failure/fault rate out of the factory.

 

[project_2501]

post your questions, and if I can answer them I will.

 

[exoticSpice]

How's the battery life?

How is the screen and speakers?

The 2015 Magic Keyboard is the same as the 2021 Magic Keyboard but its more rounded. The 2015 also lacked the inverted T shape.

Use Firefox or Edge as a browser and test. Test 4K video with HDR on FireFox or edge.

The new keyboards on the MBP from 2019 have 1mm key travel unlike the 2015 MBP which have more travel.
But these are MUCH better than the butterfly keyboard.

Also how is the MBP trackpad?

 

[exoticSpice]

The new white trackpad is also not as nice as the classic silver one from 2015, the accuracy feels worse, and the plastic look not as nice and not congruent with the silver keyboard, the inclination is also too low.

Magic Trackpad - Apple (AU)

The new 2021 Magic Trackpad also is sliver on the side unless I am not understanding what you mean?

2021:

2015:

 

[jdb8167]

• The new Apple Magic Keyboard is not as nice to use as the 2015 (Magic 1?). They keyboard feel thin and weak and the inclination is too low. ….
• The lack of a "t-shaped arrow key arrangement" is bad because previously I could use the arrow keys without looking, purely by feel. This is a backward step.

The lack of the t-shaped cursor keys is why I ended up buying the new larger Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad even though that wasn’t ideal from my perspective. I have no real use for the number pad and the keyboard is much larger. But the inverted T on the keyboard trumped the size and the price. I hate the non-inverted T cursor keys.

 

[project_2501]

Magic Trackpad - Apple (AU)

The new 2021 Magic Trackpad also is sliver on the side unless I am not understanding what you mean?

I had the Trackpad 1 model A1339

 

[project_2501]

The lack of the t-shaped cursor keys is why I ended up buying the new larger Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad even though that wasn’t ideal from my perspective. I have no real use for the number pad and the keyboard is much larger. But the inverted T on the keyboard trumped the size and the price. I hate the non-inverted T cursor keys.

Some people might think it is a smaller matter - but several times an hour I am having to pause to find the correct arrow key.

I wish Apple gave more power to its human design functions again - they used to be so good at it ... 20 years ago!

 

[project_2501]

How's the battery life?

How is the screen and speakers?

The 2015 Magic Keyboard is the same as the 2021 Magic Keyboard but its more rounded. The 2015 also lacked the inverted T shape.

Use Firefox or Edge as a browser and test. Test 4K video with HDR on FireFox or edge.

The new keyboards on the MBP from 2019 have 1mm key travel unlike the 2015 MBP which have more travel.
But these are MUCH better than the butterfly keyboard.

Also how is the MBP trackpad?

I have not managed to run our of batter life yet in my normal usage. With my 2015, I would take it away from the clamshell plugged-in configuration after the day job and use it on batter in the evening. It would last about 3-5 hours on battery. With this 2021 14" the same light workload has hardly hit the battery - the icon shows almost full. This isn't a scientific measurement - just a real world observation.

The screen is good. I don't use it to watch HDR and would honestly be happy without it. Anyone doing serious colour work will have a professional display. The colour goes funny sometimes as it tries to adjust the colour "True Tone?" which I will turn off, same as "automatically adjust brightness". For me the most important things are resolution, and broadly good colour gamut and accuracy... but as I say, I have an NEC colour accurate display for proper work.

Below is the picture of my 2015 keyboard - see the inverted T shape.

Firefox works great watching YouTube and iPlayer HD content including on full screen on the external display. The 2015 MBP would have fans going full and very loud. I haven't yet had the opportunity to try 4k or HDR as it isn't something I normally do. I will try 4k content (2160p) via Quicktime and VLC later.

The MBP trackpad is excellent as expected. For some reason the wireless trackpad feels less accurate than the previous one... not sure why?

 

[exoticSpice]

I have not managed to run our of batter life yet in my normal usage. With my 2015, I would take it away from the clamshell plugged-in configuration after the day job and use it on batter in the evening. It would last about 3-5 hours on battery. With this 2021 14" the same light workload has hardly hit the battery - the icon shows almost full. This isn't a scientific measurement - just a real world observation.

The screen is good. I don't use it to watch HDR and would honestly be happy without it. Anyone doing serious colour work will have a professional display. The colour goes funny sometimes as it tries to adjust the colour "True Tone?" which I will turn off, same as "automatically adjust brightness". For me the most important things are resolution, and broadly good colour gamut and accuracy... but as I say, I have an NEC colour accurate display for proper work.

Below is the picture of my 2015 keyboard - see the inverted T shape.

Firefox works great watching YouTube and iPlayer HD content including on full screen on the external display. The 2015 MBP would have fans going full and very loud. I haven't yet had the opportunity to try 4k or HDR as it isn't something I normally do. I will try 4k content (2160p) via Quicktime and VLC later.

The MBP trackpad is excellent as expected. For some reason the wireless trackpad feels less accurate than the previous one... not sure why?


View attachment 1964299

That is the 2010 Magic Keyboard. The 2015 and 2021 Magic Keyboard are completely different and they don't have the inverted T shape.

 

[cp1160]

This is a mini-review, or observations, about my move from a 2015 MacBook Pro 15" to a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" M1 Max with 24-gpu cores.

This post will be periodically updated as I find new observations or thoughts - as I start to use my MacBook more, and for the different kinds of use that I don't do every day.

Setup:

• External 4K displayport display
• Clamshell mode with external Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad
• Caldigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock with only one cable to the MacBook - display connected to dock via displayport
• DSLR via Elgato Camlink 4K connected to TS4 dock - but camera usually powered off - USB-A 3.
• Wacom Intuos Pro Small connected to TS4 dock - occasionally, not permanently connected. USB-A
• Not yet tested - Rode NT1-A USB microphone, used for recording tutorials.
• Bose QC35-II bluetooth headphones+microphones.

Thoughts / Observations:

• The laptop is lighter than my 2015 MBP but it is bulky and heavy, it is not like a MB Air.
• I have so far not noticed fans turn on for tasks that would have turned them on really high for my 2015:
  • YouTube on an external display
  • web-based video calls
  • audio based zoom call (not tested audio+video yet)
  • light use of webgl elements in web pages
  • other scenarios not tested yet - eg Wacom pen
• Notch for me is "invisible" in everyday use.
• Laptop keyboard is a "thin and weak feeling" and unsatisfying compared to the classic 2015 laptop keyboards
• Haven't had the laptop sleep yet to test the wake problems people have with TB dock displays - but on first power-up the external display flickers and sometimes goes blank and needs keypresses to wake up. Did have one "restart due to a problem".
• TB4 bandwidth over the single cable seems to be sufficient to run a 4k display and also route USB Wacom pen data, and on occasion external USB disk file copies.
• The new Apple Magic Keyboard is not as nice to use as the 2015 (Magic 1?). They keyboard feel thin and weak and the inclination is too low. The new white trackpad is also not as nice as the classic silver one from 2015, the accuracy feels worse, and the plastic look not as nice and not congruent with the silver keyboard, the inclination is also too low.
• The lack of a "t-shaped arrow key arrangement" is bad because previously I could use the arrow keys without looking, purely by feel. This is a backward step.
• The Caldigit TS4 dock seems to work without the many issues that some people have with docks. My only issue was the screen blanking or not turning at first power up (start of day).. but this is cured by pressing keys. Minor annoyance.
• The Caldigit TS4 isn't big - the online PR photos make it look massive!
• Normal day to day working doesn't feel much faster than the 2015 because the bottleneck was the web, not the laptop. I will test the benefits of the M1 Max when doing eg iMove. I have noticed that the webgl based creative coding can go further (more elements per scene) before slowing down, but it isn't a dramatic difference - this might be because Safari isn't optimised for webgl.
• Laptop turns on when you open it. I don't like this - I want the choice to turn it on or not.
• The smaller size of the 14" is much much more pleasant to hold and move than the bulky 15" - I like this. I don't notice the smaller screen estate when using the laptop directly, it didn't feel cramped (I use the "more details" screen scaling) .. noting that I do most of my work in clamshell with a 4k 24" display.
• I'm trying to only use Apple Silicon software, and avoiding Rosetta where possible. Firefox, Chrome, VLC, Zoom have arm64 builds. Sadly the Xerox printer driver is Intel. I will check if sublime text has arm64 builds.

I will continue to update this with further scenarios, eg iMovie exports.


UPDATES

• The 2015 MBP muted sound when in clamshell mode. That is, no speaker was available and the volume up/down did nothing except show the mute symbol. The 2021 MBP M1 sadly does allow sound when in clamshell. I think this is a bug. I now have the extra step of checking alternative audio headphones are connected before using sound to avoid disturbing others.

I am a bit confused on some of your comments. For reference, I have the following on my desk to check.

- 2009 MacBook Pro 17" (best keyboard ever on a Mac laptop IMHO)
- 2012 15" MacBook Pro Retina (dreamy keyboard)
- 2015 15" MacBook Pro Retina
- 2016 15" MacBook Pro (uffffffff, No longer with me thank goodness)
- 2015 MacBook Air
- 2018 13" MacBook Pro (worst keyboard ever)
- 2019 16" MacBook Pro
- 2021 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max

I have a lot of laptops...mostly retired but all working and kept as updated as they can get.

Your comment that MacBook Pro 14 M1 Max is bulky is a "no kidding". If you compared my 13" MacBook Pro to my MacBook Air you would say it is bulky. But you bought the MacBook Pro M1 Max to get a lot of power. Is that really a valid review comment?

Your comment that the keyboard on the M1 Max is thin and weak compared to the 2015 MBP does not play out in my comparison. I don't agree the 2015 MBP keyboard was good, it was horrible compared to the 2012 MBP for example. But nothing compared to the MacBook Pro 17". But I do not find the MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max keyboard to be thin and weak. The keyboard on the 14 and 16 2021 MBPs are the same. I can feel the difference, but so close. Type on my 2018 13" MBP and experience what I would say is weak and thin. However, I am typing this comment on it lol.

I am confused by this comment "The lack of a "t-shaped arrow key arrangement" is bad because previously I could use the arrow keys without looking, purely by feel. This is a backward step."

The 2015 MBP Pro has an Invert T set of arrow keys, the 2016 MBP did NOT have inverted T-shaped arrow keys, the 2019 MBP Pro 16 and the 2021 MBP Pro M1 Max 16 have inverted T arrow keys. I am looking at them.

You talk about keyboard inclination. None of these laptops have any inclination except the MacBook Air. Perhaps I do not understand your issue.

The laptop turns on when you open it. AGREE! Hate it. Has anyone tried sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00.? I have seen comments it cannot be turned off. Let us decide, please. Maybe I like it that way lol.

 

[project_2501]

I am a bit confused on some of your comments. For reference, I have the following on my desk to check.

- 2009 MacBook Pro 17" (best keyboard ever on a Mac laptop IMHO)
- 2012 15" MacBook Pro Retina (dreamy keyboard)
- 2015 15" MacBook Pro Retina
- 2016 15" MacBook Pro (uffffffff, No longer with me thank goodness)
- 2015 MacBook Air
- 2018 13" MacBook Pro (worst keyboard ever)
- 2019 16" MacBook Pro
- 2021 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max

I have a lot of laptops...mostly retired but all working and kept as updated as they can get.

Your comment that MacBook Pro 14 M1 Max is bulky is a "no kidding". If you compared my 13" MacBook Pro to my MacBook Air you would say it is bulky. But you bought the MacBook Pro M1 Max to get a lot of power. Is that really a valid review comment?

Your comment that the keyboard on the M1 Max is thin and weak compared to the 2015 MBP does not play out in my comparison. I don't agree the 2015 MBP keyboard was good, it was horrible compared to the 2012 MBP for example. But nothing compared to the MacBook Pro 17". But I do not find the MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max keyboard to be thin and weak. The keyboard on the 14 and 16 2021 MBPs are the same. I can feel the difference, but so close. Type on my 2018 13" MBP and experience what I would say is weak and thin. However, I am typing this comment on it lol.

I am confused by this comment "The lack of a "t-shaped arrow key arrangement" is bad because previously I could use the arrow keys without looking, purely by feel. This is a backward step."

The 2015 MBP Pro has an Invert T set of arrow keys, the 2016 MBP did NOT have inverted T-shaped arrow keys, the 2019 MBP Pro 16 and the 2021 MBP Pro M1 Max 16 have inverted T arrow keys. I am looking at them.

You talk about keyboard inclination. None of these laptops have any inclination except the MacBook Air. Perhaps I do not understand your issue.

The laptop turns on when you open it. AGREE! Hate it. Has anyone tried sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00.? I have seen comments it cannot be turned off. Let us decide, please. Maybe I like it that way lol.

hi @cp1160 - my comments about inclination and no T-shaped arrow keys are regarding the external 2021 wireless Magic Keyboard.

 

[project_2501]

added an update about bluetooth audio range

 

[wonderings]

The laptop turns on when you open it. AGREE! Hate it. Has anyone tried sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00.? I have seen comments it cannot be turned off. Let us decide, please. Maybe I like it that way lol.

I just received my 14" M1 Max.

Love the keyboard, but I am moving from a 2017 and that was like others say horrible! I am not sure why you hate that it auto turns on when you open it up. Why would you open it up if you did not want it to turn on?

I love the bulkiness of it, and it really only feels bulky because of how stupid thin they made the previous MacBook Pros all while sacrificing ports and power. So feels huge but still fits in all the same places my thin 13" MacBook Pro does, packs nice and small and I prefer the more substantial feel. Have not used it enough to give a serious review, but so far I like it better in every way.

 

[project_2501]

update with SDCard test and Firefox web-based video conferencing

 

[cp1160]

hi @cp1160 - my comments about inclination and no T-shaped arrow keys are regarding the external 2021 wireless Magic Keyboard.

Can you provide a bit fro feedback, I need one but I did not fall in love with it at the store.

 

[project_2501]

Can you provide a bit fro feedback, I need one but I did not fall in love with it at the store.

hi what info would you like?

 

[project_2501]

added updated on Magic Trackpad which seems worse than the old one (2010 Magic Trackpad 1?)

 

[coolguy4747]

added updated on Magic Trackpad which seems worse than the old one (2010 Magic Trackpad 1?)

I haven't really done any direct comparisons, but I've had a 2010 MBP, 2015 MBP, 2021 MBP, and two Magic Trackpads (both 2015 versions) and I haven't noticed any difference in usability between them (except the 2010 MBP battery swelled a bit so the physical click didn't work so well after that point, but not an issue with Force Touch trackpads). Granted, I never used a 2010 Magic Trackpad but I'd imagine it was similar to the 2010 MBP.

 

[project_2501]

update - spoke to Apple and will be getting a replacement Magic Trackpad. This one is definitely not as good as my old 2010 for (1) movement accuracy, (2) picking up clicks and double-clicks.

I hope it isn't a design issue. We had enough of that with the butterfly keyboard.

 

[project_2501]

update - kernel panics at the start of each day. only change was installation of Ultrstudio Recorder 3G driver from BlackMagic.

 

[MajorFubar]

I'm using the current magic trackpad, can't say I've noticed it is any worse than the original, maybe you got a Friday afternoon duffer or maybe your expectations are different to mine. I only got rid of the original because I wanted a trackpad I could leave permanently plugged in so it never goes flat. Can't abide wireless computer peripherals; what with BT falling off randomly and the darn things going flat at inopportune times, I've had my fill of them for the last ten years. No more wireless cr-p for me.

 

[project_2501]

UPDATE - wireless Magic keyboard and trackpad take longer to connect than the 2015 MBP and its older keybaord+wireless.

 

[MajorFubar]

is there anything you like about it lol

 

[project_2501]

is there anything you like about it lol

lol - I'm just reporting what I find. Overall I'm pleased but if we don't point out the issues, things don't improve. I remember when loads of apple fanbois told us there was nothing wrong with the apple butterfly keyboard and that we should shut up about it ....

 

[ahurst]

How long have you been using the new MBP? When I switched to the 14” Pro from my ThinkPad X220 (widely regarded as having one of the best laptop keyboards in recent history), it took me around 2 months to adjust my typing muscle memory to the new key travel and press force. For the first few weeks my fingers would get sore from typing because I was so used to pressing deeper! Now that I’ve adjusted though, I find it really nice to type on: probably my favorite chiclet-style keyboard I’ve ever used (the X220’s non-chiclet layout is still nicer though, but it feels a little weird to use now).

Although I never had one of the 2008-2015 Unibody MBPs, whenever I used a friends’ I always thought the keyboard had a bit too much side-to-side key wiggle to feel sturdy. No such issue with the 14” MBP. That’s obviously a matter of personal taste, though.