Waiting for 2021 MBP

[vseera]

Ordered the 14" M1 Max 32c 32gb 2TB version - totally went over my budget and beyond, but I've been wanting a small powerful machine for years now which I could get and forget about the next 3-4 years.

I really hope they have refined the basics so that this machine doesn't have any major flaws, but I also got AC+ with it just to stay protected.

 

[baummer]

I've found breaking out the cost over your expected usage lifecycle is helpful to gauge whether you use the computer enough to justify that cost. So, let's say you spec out a version just about $3500, and upgrade every 4 or 5 years, that is $875 or $700 a year. This doesn't account for accessories or potential repairs, but seeing as how these are not component upgradable like they used to be many years ago, helpful to get a sense of what this retail cost is per year.

 

[Tb87Bln]

Went for a 14" base model, which should be more then plenty for me.
Currently using a M1 Air 16GB which is great already for my type of work, more of a luxury update.

I really needed that two external display support though!

yes, that two external display support is one of the main reasons I just ordered a MacBook Pro instead of an Air actually... actually kind of crazy that much money for the option to use 2 external displays...

 

[XciteMePls]

If you’re not gonna take advantage of the GPU (I won’t be gaming), is there ANY reason to get the M1 Max over the Pro???

 

[Rck1984]

yes, that two external display support is one of the main reasons I just ordered a MacBook Pro instead of an Air actually... actually kind of crazy that much money for the option to use 2 external displays...

I agree, a lot of cash for just one extra display. Plenty of power and new features for the next years to come though.
Also traded my current M1 Air in for a discount on this one, could have gotten more on eBay or so, but didn't want all the fuss....

 

[iLorah]

Will the 14" base model be okay for two monitor usage? Or should I upgrade a little on it?

 

[Rashy]

Just awesome. So much power in those 'tiny' chips!
I gonna be more than fine with the M1 Pro, similar TFLOPS like the 27" iMac with 5500XT while staying cool and silent

 

[Rck1984]

Will the 14" base model be okay for two monitor usage? Or should I upgrade a little on it?

It's going to be fine imho.

 

[motime]

The 32gb ram upgrade over 16 is really pricy on the 16 base model, is the extra ram worth it? I am not buying one but just wondering.

 

[liriel_]

For the uses you described in your other post, you really don't need a Pro chip. You said not to recommend an Air, but honestly, that would be the smart choice for what you said you do with it..

Thank you but there appears a message saying my safari needs to be shut down because it's taking too much energy. Is it the ram's fault?
I'll buy my neon Air and go Barbie-girl mode as well.
I just waited so long for the Pro. More than a year. Good to know for you 16gb is enough. It'll be for me too.
It's a difficult decision because like you guys I can afford the most expensive option my purse is more expensive than my laptop but it seems so stupid to waste money on a "beast" for pros like you said.

 

[terryw1]

Just ordered mine. A base 14 with 1tb ssd. A little more expensive than I wanted to go, but with the military discount….palliativeable. A nov 5 ship date. Not too bad.

 

[smoking monkey]

I'm all ordered and in the waiting process and think these new machines are pretty terrific at a glance. Seems Apple have really hit it out of the park, but the design is U G L Y. In fact one of the ugliest computers Apple has produced in the past 10 years. It doesn't matter ultimately, but that's the price you pay for getting a machine that does everything it needs to instead of making it look great and gimping the insides.

 

[Rashy]

Even more good news: We have the best of both worlds, a modular Magsafe system, which is compatible with USB-C and the magnetic charger. Both can be used with the same power brick. Awesome.

 

[DesertDrummer]

I'm all ordered and in the waiting process and think these new machines are pretty terrific at a glance. Seems Apple have really hit it out of the park, but the design is U G L Y. In fact one of the ugliest computers Apple has produced in the past 10 years. It doesn't matter ultimately, but that's the price you pay for getting a machine that does everything it needs to instead of making it look great and gimping the insides.

I'm not so sure it's truly ugly, though. I'd say it looks more "utilitarian". I mean, is a backhoe "ugly" or does it just look like what it is? It would be an ugly design for a car, but it's a great design for a digging device...

 

[PeterJP]

I was a little bit shocked by how expensive the new models seem. But then I started calculating.

• In 2014, I bought a standard model 13" 8/256. It was around €2500. The new 14" is €2750 for the top base model, but it has 16/1TB. And the XDR screen, speakers, M1Pro, the works. 10% inflation isn't very much for that.
• In 2020, I bought the 16" with 64GB/2TB and 5500/8GB. It was €4050 refurb, so something like €4765 new. Grab the top spec M1Max and upgrade it to 64/2TB and you get... €4770.

I don't need any of the features of the M1Max, except double the memory bandwidth which sounds pretty future proof. I find the upgrade to M1Max risky, though, until an independent reviewer confirms to me that the memory benchmarks of the 24 core GPU is identical to the 32 core GPU one. Then again, it's only €230.

Another interesting bit is the huge power bricks. I'm wondering if a 60W USB PD hub would actually charge a 14" when not pushing the machine. It should, because the 100W is for fast charging only. But still, nothing clear about that.

So, seriously considering the 14" 32/2TB with the 24 core GPU one which is way too bleedin'spensive, but I'll make a little bit of money from the sale of this fuel powered 16" and my old 13", so what the heck

 

[smoking monkey]

I'm not so sure it's truly ugly, though. I'd say it looks more "utilitarian". I mean, is a backhoe "ugly" or does it just look like what it is? It would be an ugly design for a car, but it's a great design for a digging device...

If you're lining up all Apple products to take to the dance, these MBPs are getting picked stone cold last!

I wonder if there is a 140watt Charger available from Anker or AUkey or the like? I'd like to get another charger so I don't need to take it with me to and from work, but seems there is nothing on the market and Apple have a 1 month shipping date on the charger already.

 

[nquinn]

If you’re not gonna take advantage of the GPU (I won’t be gaming), is there ANY reason to get the M1 Max over the Pro???

I was debating the same and decided not to spend the extra $200-$400.

Reasons the gpu might help outside of games:
- machine learning applications (though could just do this cloud side, not to mention there is ML hardware now too)
- if you need > 2 monitor support (prob rare)
- some video editing software for special effects could take advantage, maybe lightroom/photoshop/etc as well

I don't really do any of those things to a big extent, but did debate HEAVILY around just spending the $180 for the 24core gpu option since I keep machines for a long time. Just decided I didn't need it.

I had $2800 worth of gift cards also that got me 20% back, and the 1tb/32gb version basically hit $3k, so would be paying full price for the gpu upgrade as well without a discount.

 

[PeterJP]

- some video editing software for special effects could take advantage, maybe lightroom/photoshop/etc as well

I'm wondering if Premiere or Avid are already optimised to use the M1/M1Pro/M1Max GPU for exports. If yes, it'd be a blast.

 

[Spanther]

Will the 14" base model be okay for two monitor usage? Or should I upgrade a little on it?

It will be 100% fine. I ordered the same thing.

 

[Paratriplel]

Hello you.

I kind of need some help deciding on which MacBook Pro to order. I understand there will probably be tons and tons of these posts and I’m so sorry for being one of them but I can’t think straight right now and would really appreciate you guys opinions about which Mac seems just right for me.


So I’ve been a MacBook Pro user for over a decade.
My first MBP was the MacBook Pro 15” from mid 2009, second one was a MacBook Pro (non-retina) 15” from mid 2012.

My current one is a MacBook Pro 15” from mid 2015 with these spec’s:
2,5 GHz Quad-Core Intel i7
16 GB RAM
500 GB SSD
AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2GB & Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

Mentioning the spec’s just to give an idea what I’m used to today.

I use my Macs for Music Production and 3D-Modeling, besides some light office work etc.

Even though I make some small money on my music production it’s still just a hobby and my Mac has nothing to do with my main source of income.

I use Logic Pro X as my DAW for my music production, though I mostly record ”real”/hardware/actual instruments rather than using Virtual Instruments but I wouldn’t mind starting to use more VI’s, if my computer can handle it without adding too much latency or fan noise.


3D-Modeling is just a hobby, mostly doing it for 3D-printing stuff, or making a drawing for something I'm building. Not doing any 3D-renderings.

I'm used to the 15" screen size but have used some 13" and they are small and a bit too small for my taste byt the 14" is almost 1" larger (I think the size went from 13.3" to 14.2"), also I'm using my computer hooked up to a monitor almost all the time these days.
Though I don't really need the portability from the 14" so I can't really see the "win in it", I move my computer maybe once or twice every half year these days, before the pandemic it was like once or twice every month.

So regarding what model and what specs do you think would be a good choice?

I feel absolutely lost here so I appreciate any help I can get.

I'm not looking to getting one of the top specced ones, I rather just want something that I'd rather buy a new computer in 2-3 years when the pandemic is over and my economy is a bit better, rather than going broke now just to keep my computer a year or two or four longer.
I just want something that gets the job done and preferably something that is price worthy (I just checked, and 32 GB of RAM costs $600 in my country and I'm not sure that kind of future proofing is worth it (I don't usually run out of memory on my current computer, I believe I'm usually at ~12 GB RAM being used but I'm also kind of neat regarding closing apps not being in use (exception being safari tabs-)

I realise it’s not entirely clear what I’m asking for here but I guess I just need some guidance, either what Macbook Pro you think will suit my needs or some help asking the right questions or such. Guess I'm extra stressed out since I know the longer I wait with the order the longer delivery will take and I'm really looking forward to getting my new computer and have kind of waited for this moment for 4 or almost 5 years.
Thanks again.

 

[richardpage]

Finally it's announced and better still they announced a faster processor as well! So ordered my fully spec'd Macbook Pro 16" M1 Max 64Gb 8Tb SSD. Long wait until delivery though! 9 December earliest. I'll treat it as an early Christmas present. Pity no Mac Mini announced as I wanted one of those as well.. Maybe when it comes it will be with an M1 Max and ability to self upgrade the SSD? Well I can dream that last wish!

Why so highly spec'd? Well because there is no ability to self upgrade or get any upgrade post purchase - last thing you want is to kick yourself in a year or two because you've run out of storage. Pity the AppleCare is only for 3 years and no option to have a 5 year plan.

!!

 

[liriel_]

I could have had it next week but by wondering I'm probably due in november.
Do you see on your website they ship by STANDARD shipping in some configurations? The base model is express shipping and mine is standard?
Ok if a 400$ dress is on my way I decided to make a slight upgrade. It's the ugliest Macbook Ever. I'll check the other thread so sorry for being messy here. Are there new and upgraded and colourful Macbook Airs already or next year?
Two important questions
1. What should I not forget to buy? (charging wise etc)
2. Did I make a mistake and should pay more for a better Apple M1 Max? I'd be grateful if you checked out what I ordered. Sorry for it being in Polish but with number it's easy to guess.

• 32 GB RAM
• Apple M1 Max z 10-rdzeniowym CPU, 24-rdzeniowym GPU, 16-rdzeniowym systemem Neural Engine
• 1 TB pamięci masowej SSD

 

[Rashy]

My current one is a MacBook Pro 15” from mid 2015 with these spec’s:
2,5 GHz Quad-Core Intel i7
16 GB RAM
500 GB SSD
AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2GB & Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

Welcome to the 2015 club, you gonna be fine with any model.
I am going for the 14" one, only taking the bigger 1TB SSD. Doing art, design, 3d (Blender) and music/dj myself.
I don't get why some people need 8TB SSD and 64GB RAM. Seems quite overkill for me. But not my $$$.

 

[PongPong]

Going for the 16" M1 Max, 64GB, but not sure if I should go for 4TB. I prefer the final price tag with the 2TB storage. Will probably stick to 2TB.

I do a lot of after effects and video, photoshop, and no 3D. What do you all think storage wise of going with 2TB? What's everyone else (content creators) getting?

 

[PongPong]

Welcome to the 2015 club, you gonna be fine with any model.
I am going for the 14" one, only taking the bigger 1TB SSD. Doing art, design, 3d (Blender) and music/dj myself.
I don't get why some people need 8TB SSD and 64GB RAM. Seems quite overkill for me. But not my $$$.

64GB would be good for heavy after effects files. My PC with 32GB of RAM chugs doing 4K renders in AE. Takes forever.