Waiting for 2021 MBP

[vseera]

I went with a silver MBA M1 after a space grey MBP 13 and quite liked it. In fact, that's what I use everyday now.

In my hurry to order the new MBP 14, I clicked through it and by default got the SG one, when I wanted Silver. Now it's due to arrive next week and if I cancel and order again, not only is it a huge hassle but I will have to wait till the first week of December to get it.

So now I am debating whether the SG is really that bad or I can live with it - I think I definitely can but I also know that it does tend to get dirtier or show dirt a bit more than the silver.

 

[Ahoy Hoy!]

Just received my 14-in MBP today, and it’s surprisingly thick! This one definitely won’t slide out of a Manila folder easily.

 

[VSMacOne]

In-Store pickup plus Apple Card = Silver 16" base config on my desk as of a few minutes ago. Coming from a 2015 15" MBP, I'm so impressed with the thing. Went back and forth between SG and Silver in the store, because the silver looks color around the screen looks more prominent due to the smaller bezels, but long term the Silver seems to stay in better condition. Now to set this thing up...

 

[vseera]

In-Store pickup plus Apple Card = Silver 16" base config on my desk as of a few minutes ago. Coming from a 2015 15" MBP, I'm so impressed with the thing. Went back and forth between SG and Silver in the store, because the silver looks color around the screen looks more prominent due to the smaller bezels, but long term the Silver seems to stay in better condition. Now to set this thing up...

Can you elaborate more on "the silver looks color around the screen looks more prominent due to the smaller bezels" please?

 

[Merkava_4]

Is there anyway to check stock at the local Apple store without having to call them on the phone?

 

[jclardy]

Got my order in minutes after the store went live. Shipment got to UPS center this morning. Then "Uncontrollable events have delayed delivery" ?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️I got the AirPods 3 from UPS today, someone just forgot to load the package on the delivery truck.

UPS reminds me of web services that promise 99.999% uptime, then when they go down they don't realize it for 6 hours, but then don't count those 6 hours as downtime...

 

[jclardy]

I've noticed a lot of people are ordering with the M1 Max. May I ask why? I know the M1 Pro is already a bit overkill of me (I'm a translator and my CAT tools aren't that demanding in general unless there are huge translation memories involved), but I hardly see anybody with a M1 Pro configuration.

Probably people just wanting to "future proof." The Pro/Max are basically the same CPU, the Max is a better GPU. If you have a graphics intensive workload, go max, but really otherwise there is no reason unless you need 64GB RAM (Which is basically a very tiny group of professionals that truly "need" it.) The reality is, the M1 (non pro/max) is going to be around for a long time as it runs circles around it's current intel counterparts, and we still have many intel Macs (iMac 27, iMac Pro, Mac Pro) that all need future software support, so the M1 Pro is going to have quite a long lifetime by itself.

 

[Think creative]

Probably people just wanting to "future proof." The Pro/Max are basically the same CPU, the Max is a better GPU. If you have a graphics intensive workload, go max, but really otherwise there is no reason unless you need 64GB RAM (Which is basically a very tiny group of professionals that truly "need" it.) The reality is, the M1 (non pro/max) is going to be around for a long time as it runs circles around it's current intel counterparts, and we still have many intel Macs (iMac 27, iMac Pro, Mac Pro) that all need future software support, so the M1 Pro is going to have quite a long lifetime by itself.

I think you've really nailed it. I honestly think most people don't get how rare true "pro's" are, and their needs. Basically, if I see someone complaining about the notch, I know it's not a pro. There are a ton of prosumers though. Until I start my youtube channel, I'd be in that category too, depending on your definition. I run my business on my macs, so I'm a "pro" but the tools I use, I could easily run on an M1 mac. Will I be buying the 14 inch anyway? probably. I want the bigger screen and more ports over an air.

But in terms of how long these last? I have a feeling Apple's going to make it so that you can easily get -5-10 years out of these as long as you pay for apple care replace battery/issues in the middle there. For most tasks (office, web browsing) we've long since hit the peek of what we need to have it work. And that's great from a pocket book/environmental standpoint. If I can spend 3 grand but keep the laptop for 7 years, I'm all for it.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Is there anyway to check stock at the local Apple store without having to call them on the phone?

You can check online, via Apple.com. You just need to set the online store to be whichever store you want to check the stock at (eg. closest one to you).

If you haven't done that before, just go to any MBP config, and then scroll down to below the blue "Select" button, where it shows Delivery options. There'll be a Deliver to XXXXX zip code first, and then a "Pick up, in store, or curbside" and below that, you can click to choose which store you want.

Then, once that store is set, you can just click through various models / customizations, and it will live-update whether there's any stock at that store, or whether it's unavailable at that store.

Given most stores have the base models, I would start with one of those (eg. the 14" M1 Pro 8core/14-core, or the 14" M1 Pro 10/16 with 16gb/512gb). Then you can try other models / configs to see if they have them in stock.

 

[VSMacOne]

Can you elaborate more on "the silver looks color around the screen looks more prominent due to the smaller bezels" please?

Let me try to clarify... the silver aluminum from the frame wraps around the display as in previous years, but this year it's closer to the actual edge of the screen because of the smaller bezels. I thought that it might end up being a distraction, but after a few hours of use, I'm pretty sure my brain has adjusted to it.

 

[heartburn]

wrong thread. ?

 

[Merkava_4]

You can check online, via Apple.com. You just need to set the online store to be whichever store you want to check the stock at (eg. closest one to you).

If you haven't done that before, just go to any MBP config, and then scroll down to below the blue "Select" button, where it shows Delivery options. There'll be a Deliver to XXXXX zip code first, and then a "Pick up, in store, or curbside" and below that, you can click to choose which store you want.

Then, once that store is set, you can just click through various models / customizations, and it will live-update whether there's any stock at that store, or whether it's unavailable at that store.

Given most stores have the base models, I would start with one of those (eg. the 14" M1 Pro 8core/14-core, or the 14" M1 Pro 10/16 with 16gb/512gb). Then you can try other models / configs to see if they have them in stock.

Thanks for that brilliant post. They're fully stocked at the Apple store in Fresno California. I'm looking at getting a base model 16 inch / silver.

 

[macintoshmac]

When I got a Late 2011 MBP, they released a much better, Retina display version just 6 months after.

When I got the 2016 MBP, they released the 2017 MBP with meaningful processor-level improvements (hardware decoding).

Yeah. I was not amused at my record.

It is the same now - 2021 - same 5 years gap - and I am thinking about getting the 16" that reminds me of my 2011 fondly.

Question: Should I be getting this computer now or do we think we may get another much better just six months in? ?

How might they better it? Internals or maybe the display resolution?

 

[gadgetfreaky]

When I got a Late 2011 MBP, they released a much better, Retina display version just 6 months after.

When I got the 2016 MBP, they released the 2017 MBP with meaningful processor-level improvements (hardware decoding).

Yeah. I was not amused at my record.

It is the same now - 2021 - same 5 years gap - and I am thinking about getting the 16" that reminds me of my 2011 fondly.

Question: Should I be getting this computer now or do we think we may get another much better just six months in? ?

How might they better it? Internals or maybe the display resolution?

The likely upgrade next year is an M2 chip. Maybe FaceID. Not sure what else next year might make you feel leapfrogged.

It is common to see some killer features launched right after a big release like this. Gets folks buying again. It works.

 

[Dembo]

For me (still limping along with a late 2013, albeit pretty maxed out, 15'') this is it.

I think as of now it is unclear weather we'll see another M1 based CPU next year for iMac Pros or even Mac Pros (probably just a Max with more cores) or wether we'll see the jump to M2. The later will be an interesting scenario because the underlying M1 design is most likely a couple of years old by now and the - significant - gains from M1 to M1 Pro / Max stem mainly from "just" adding more cores. Then again, I am totally clueless how much more single core performance Apple can milk out of the ARM architecture - probably a lot, since they wouldn't have jumped ship from Intel just to end in another dead end. But whether these gains (maybe due to a sub 5nm etching process) will be already visible in a potential M2 and if we'll see that already next year is everybody's guess.

 

[macintoshmac]

The likely upgrade next year is an M2 chip. Maybe FaceID. Not sure what else next year might make you feel leapfrogged.

It is common to see some killer features launched right after a big release like this. Gets folks buying again. It works.

True that. I’m thinking Face ID along with M2 on any new Mac (desktop/ Air). Then M2 Pro and Max with Face ID for next MBPs.

 

[PeterJP]

But I popped into the Apple store today and I don't like the space grey look which I have optioned. The silver looks retro, which seems better to my eye. (...) #1stWorldProblems

Yeah, I have the same 1st world problem. Ordered a space grey without thinking, but I like the silver better. As you say, it's more retro, particularly because of the black keyboard.

I ended up doing the opposite - had already decided on 32gb ram, and saw that going to M1 Max was only $200 more. In the end, I decided to stick with the M1 Pro 10/16-core given it's already more than enough for my needs. But I questioned that decision over the last week...

I've started to wonder now though, especially in the 14", whether the M1 Max upgrade might have a not-insignificant hit to battery life...

Yeah, me too. I hate deciding what to get, then having to wait a long time and then starting to doubt everything I decided before ?

 

[spoonie1972]

I ordered on the 19th. Still processing. Anyone here get their status to 'preparing to ship' when ordering a day late?

 

[dogegg]

When I got a Late 2011 MBP, they released a much better, Retina display version just 6 months after.

When I got the 2016 MBP, they released the 2017 MBP with meaningful processor-level improvements (hardware decoding).

Yeah. I was not amused at my record.

It is the same now - 2021 - same 5 years gap - and I am thinking about getting the 16" that reminds me of my 2011 fondly.

Question: Should I be getting this computer now or do we think we may get another much better just six months in? ?

How might they better it? Internals or maybe the display resolution?

If you listen to the latest episode of ATP, they discuss the likely roadmap and their guess was that next year is Mac Mini Pro, iMac Pro and Mac Pro with the Jade 2C and Jade 4C chips (scaled up M1 Max). Following year we go back round the M1 cycle with M2.

Obvs these are just guesses but I wouldn't expect any upgrade to the MBPs anytime soon unless a major issue is found.

 

[smoking monkey]

Think I'm gonna go off the MR MBP M1 Pro/Max forums grid for a bit. Looking at the new posts list it's full of OCD issues. I'm sure there's some truth to them, but I also think there's plenty of Chicken Littles. Enjoy your new monster machines and try not to read the click bait threads!

 

[ajcgn]

I ordered on the 19th. Still processing. Anyone here get their status to 'preparing to ship' when ordering a day late?

Not a direct answer to your question, but I ordered on the 18th and my status was changed to preparing to ship only yesterday, with the same expected arrival date of Nov 5 to Nov 10

 

[vseera]

I ordered on the 19th. Still processing. Anyone here get their status to 'preparing to ship' when ordering a day late?

I ordered an hour after the event and my dates are 6-9th November. It changed to preparing to ship today, but the expected arrival dates remain the same as 6-9th Nov.

 

[macintoshmac]

If you listen to the latest episode of ATP, they discuss the likely roadmap and their guess was that next year is Mac Mini Pro, iMac Pro and Mac Pro with the Jade 2C and Jade 4C chips (scaled up M1 Max). Following year we go back round the M1 cycle with M2.

Obvs these are just guesses but I wouldn't expect any upgrade to the MBPs anytime soon unless a major issue is found.

I am contemplating between the iMac 24" and this MBP 16". Power is not a requirement since the iMac 24" with M1 8-core would be more than sufficient and this M1 Pro will not disappoint either. It is all about the display for me - that's what it boils down to.

Content writing, web designing, graphics - I do think the XDR should be better than the iMac display? Or would the larger display be just that much better to make me forget the XDR and use that?

I am looking for side-by-size usage when writing content, research and notes on one side and my writeup on one. Would the 16" be that much more cramped in Split Screen mode for this task? Also thinking about ergonomics. Desktop will keep my neck straight and my back upright naturally. Laptop - I will have to raise this screen and get a mechanical keyboard that I want (would get it with the iMac as well, anyway).

It is all about workability with the display - how much better is side-by-side working/ split screen better on the iMac as against MBP 16" 2021?

 

[InkedandDistilled]

I cannot think about future upgrades at this point. My MBPs usually last me at least 5 years, and there will always be a new shiny thing coming. The rMBP from late 2013 is the one currently getting replaced, so I'm not particularly worried about updating or the NEXT FANTASTIC FEATURE coming up. I am upgrading after a long life of my MBP and will not upgrade again until it becomes necessary, for whatever reason. It's my way, to try and pace myself (I'd be buying every new thing if not, to the detriment of my wallet!). iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad, I update every 4 years. Laptop 5-8 years.

 

[InkedandDistilled]

I ordered an hour after the event and my dates are 6-9th November. It changed to preparing to ship today, but the expected arrival dates remain the same as 6-9th Nov.

I ordered a couple of hours later and my dates are Nov. 17 to 24. Still stuck in processing. The thing is, this machine is being sent to my US address, where I won't be until Thanksgiving. So it will be received and sit waiting for me. If it's on the announced dates, that's perfect. If it moves up, then I'm going to be salivating at the thought that it's there, waiting for me...