Should I Get An M1 Macbook Pro NOW Or After New 2021 Models Are Announced

[MichaelMidnight]

I acquired the late 2019 16-inch Macbook Pro when they were announced and got it in the nice combo of 32GB ram and 1TB hard drive. While I do enjoy the extra screen real estate, the larger Macbook Pro does get extremely hot in my lap most of the time (and that's when I'm only using Chrome, Spotify, and some apps) and the 16-inch is heavier when lugging it around.

So now I'm stuck in that three-way dead lock fight of: do I get the year-old but proven M1 Macbook Pro NOW, wait for the newer 2021 models (whenever they drop), or just stick with what I got.

What do you all think?

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is no real reason to wait, unless you know for sure you want the larger M series MacBook Pro.

 

[Falhófnir]

As you don't sound in desperate need I'd wait and see what comes in the second half of the year. There's the 14" Apple Silicon MBP on the horizon which will be a fresh design and probably have a 32GB RAM option if needed? (absent on the M1 machines). And if not there's a pretty good chance of the MBA/MBP 13" getting an M2 refresh in October/November.

 

[Beau10]

There is no real reason to wait, unless you know for sure you want the larger M series MacBook Pro.

There's a huge reason to wait - we're about to get 1) a redesign 2) 14" screen for the smaller pro 3) mini-led 4) a much faster M2 or M1x processor.

And possibly 5) > 16 gb RAM option.

I'm in the same boat, maxxed out 16". Absolutely wait. Even if you have to wait 6 months.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There's a huge reason to wait - we're about to get 1) a redesign 2) in the case of the smaller pro, a 14" screen 3) mini-led 4) a much faster M2 or M1x processor.

And possibly 5) a more than 16 gb RAM option.

I'm in the same boat, maxxed out 16". Absolutely wait. Even if you have to wait 6 months.

If he really doesn't need a large screen and all the extras, there is no need to wait. Not everyone has a need or compulsion to wait for the next tech, which will only be new for a year.

 

[Beau10]

If he really doesn't need a large screen and all the extras, there is no need to wait. Not everyone has a need or compulsion to wait for the next tech, which will only be new for a year.

Those aren't 'extras', those are MASSIVE changes. Like holy heck dude.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Those aren't 'extras', those are MASSIVE changes. Like holy heck dude.

Yes, I know but not everyone needs the latest and greatest tech. That is my point. Too many people here spend their life chasing tech and for what? A few months of bragging rights?

If the OP doesn't need a bunch of ports or a fancy new screen for casual use, what is the point of spending more than he really needs?

The OP knows better than any of us what he really needs. I doubt what he needs is blindly following others who chase tech for the sake of having the latest.

 

[Beau10]

Yes, I know but not everyone needs the latest and greatest tech. That is my point. Too many people here spend their life chasing tech and for what? A few months of bragging rights?

If the OP doesn't need a bunch of ports or a fancy new screen for casual use, what is the point of spending more than he really needs?

The OP knows better than any of us what he really needs. I doubt what he needs is blindly following others who chase tech for the sake of having the latest.

WOW. The guy has a 2 year old nearly maxxed out 16". He doesn't like the size and heat. This is not someone with a 7 year old machine that is on its last legs and needs something now. He's here asking for advice based on what's coming down the pike, which is the largest set of changes for the smaller MBP since the last redesign in 2016.

As someone in literally the exact same situation, I'm giving that advice. Not some lame herp derp platitudes. I'm out.

 

[Apple_Robert]

WOW. The guy has a 2 year old nearly maxxed out 16". He doesn't like the size and heat. This is not someone with a 7 year old machine that is on its last legs and needs something now. He's here asking for advice based on what's coming down the pike, which is the largest set of changes for the smaller MBP since the last redesign in 2016.

As someone in literally the exact same situation, I'm giving that advice. Not some lame herp derp platitudes. I'm out.

Give all the advice you want. I gave mine. You disagreed and it's not a big deal. You are taking it personal I disagreed and stood my ground. If you want to leave where others agree with you no matter what, have at it.

 

[DHagan4755]

I got my 16" MacBook Pro in November 2019 when they came out. I got the i7 model. My love of this computer has slowly turned to disappointment. The heat while doing light tasks, like having a few Safari tabs open, is annoying. If I use it on my lap, my legs feel sunburned after. Not good. The battery life is mediocre doing light tasks as well, maybe 4-5 hours. CoconutBattery says 84.7% design capacity with only 178 charge cycles. I have the space grey model & the space gray is fading in the areas where I rest my hands & palms. There's 2 brighter silver spots on both sides of the trackpad. And finally, when watching or listening to certain things, that annoying popping noise is back. When I got this computer I was very excited for it & thought I'd have it for 5 years like my last 15" MacBook Pro. Soooooo I'm now VERY interested in getting an Apple M1 or M2 MacBook & I'm starting to get impatient.

 

[profcutter]

If you don’t need it now, there’s no reason not to wait. If you need it now, then go ahead and get one - I was in that situation with the IPad Pro: i suspected something big was coming, but I needed it for teaching. If I could have waited I would have. The longer you wait, the more impressive the new machine will be in contrast to what you have. I know there are limitations to the machine you have now, but I suspect you’ll kick yourself when the new machines come out if you don’t wait.

 

[MBAir2010]

TIM COOK-BBC ARTICLE on upcoming shortage
buy something now, because tech industries around the world are struggling to meet a surge in demand for products such as cars, high-tech gadgets and smartphones. the prices now are still normal but watch out for crooks like best buys charging over $200 US for a Dell laptop, which is good about  because their products' prices dont suffer price gouging.

 

[profcutter]

We’re already in the chip shortage. It’s what’s slowing down new releases, as far as I can figure. No need to get something that doesn’t do what you need it to due to fear mongering.

 

[UltimateSyn]

If I were in your shoes I would probably wait for the 14” MBP. They’re probably coming sooner than we think.

 

[Maconplasma]

As you don't sound in desperate need I'd wait and see what comes in the second half of the year. There's the 14" Apple Silicon MBP on the horizon....

No, there MAY BE a 14". There's been no official announcement or confirmation from Apple of a 14".

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, here’s hoping the rumors are true, but at this point, it’s vapor like the PowerBook g5.

 

[mackcat]

I currently have a 2018 11" iPad Pro, which I would absolutely hold on to, but I was an idiot when I bought it and decided on the 64 GB in an effort to save a few (hundred) bucks. I currently have around 3 GB of free space, which is a royal pain. I preordered the 256 GB M1 12.9" iPad Pro, mainly because of the draw of the XDR display. I should receive it within the first week of release.

I went to Best Buy to compare the sizes, though, and I'm a bit hesitant after seeing just how big the 12.9" one is. I have a 27" iMac and an M1 MacBook Air, so I don't really need the extra screen size, and the 11" one fits perfectly in my hands. I use it mainly for casual web browsing and media consumption, so I won't be using it at a desk with a keyboard. I feel like I made the wrong decision and will want to go with the 11" in the end. I've thought about cancelling my order, but I feel like I'd regret it. I'd rather sell it to someone who wants one, since the delivery dates are so far away now.

 

[Jorbanead]

If you can, wait for the Apple silicon update to the 16” because while the other products will offer better thermals, you’d probably be kicking yourself in 6 months wondering why you didn’t just wait for the Apple silicon 16” version.

Normally I wouldn’t say wait, but since it’s been SO long since we’ve gotten an update to the 16” and the promise of M1 is so good, this time it’s probably worth the wait.

Of course if something happens to your machine and you have no choice but to upgrade, the M1 MBP is a very fine machine.

 

[Jorbanead]

Too many people here spend their life chasing tech and for what? A few months of bragging rights?

For what? For a product that lasts for years and years and has features that we want. If I’m going to spend $2,000 on a new machine I would much rather get the latest and greatest that will keep up with demanding tasks than buy older hArdware and tech. Especially because right now we are at a crucial transition time for macs. This isn’t just a measly spec bump year. This is a massive shift in Apple computing. All the people who bought 13” MacBook Pro’s last September were kicking themselves when the M1 came out two months later. Same thing will happen with the 16” MBP.

It sounds like OP would prefer the 16” model since that’s what they have, so it would make more sense to just wait seeing as they will get updated this year (potentially within the next month).

 

[Tchakatak]

You need a Mac ? Buy the one that is currently available. You dont need it ? Then dont buy it. Theses kinds of posts are really stupid.
Theses is your money, your needs and none of us can tell you what to do.
For my own experience, i had a 15' retina 2014, and went to m1 because I really needed the refresh. And absolutely love it.

 

[Fomalhaut]

There is no real reason to wait, unless you know for sure you want the larger M series MacBook Pro.

Or if he wants a (presumably) much more powerful second generation Apple Silicon 14" or 16" MBP....which is what a lot of people (myself included) are waiting for.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I acquired the late 2019 16-inch Macbook Pro when they were announced and got it in the nice combo of 32GB ram and 1TB hard drive. While I do enjoy the extra screen real estate, the larger Macbook Pro does get extremely hot in my lap most of the time (and that's when I'm only using Chrome, Spotify, and some apps) and the 16-inch is heavier when lugging it around.

So now I'm stuck in that three-way dead lock fight of: do I get the year-old but proven M1 Macbook Pro NOW, wait for the newer 2021 models (whenever they drop), or just stick with what I got.

What do you all think?

I am in an identical position (same spec MBP 16), and agree with your sentiments.

Whilst the current M1 MBP13 is a nice computer and has great single-core performance, it falls short of the 8-core MBP16 in most other categories, and is limited in memory capacity and the number of ports.

If I knew there wouldn't be wouldn't be a better small MBP until 2022 (that significantly exceeds the current Intel MBP16), then I might be tempted by the current MBP13 as a stop-gap, or if I really needed the portability.

Personally, I am waiting to see what happens in June-September this year. If there is a second generation "M2" MBP14 with more and better CPU & GPU cores (exceeding the current AMD 5500M), and an ability to have 32GB RAM, then I would be tempted to get one. If it turns out to be an "M1X" (same M1 architecture, but more cores), I would probably wait.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

I recently bought a 13” M1 mbp knowing new ones were going to be released. I didn’t care. I needed a new laptop now, so I got one. I don’t care for having the latest in laptops. As long as I have one that I can use, I’m good.

go for what will fit your needs now.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Give all the advice you want. I gave mine. You disagreed and it's not a big deal. You are taking it personal I disagreed and stood my ground. If you want to leave where others agree with you no matter what, have at it.

Hey Rob.

Hope you're well.

You mentioned in one of my threads that you may get the 14" when it's released. Is that still the case?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hey Rob.

Hope you're well.

You mentioned in one of my threads that you may get the 14" when it's released. Is that still the case?

Hello, LF
Doing well thanks and hope you are the same. I haven’t seen you posting much lately.

As to the 14”, I am considering it although the chances are less than 50% I will buy it on release.