Why I cancelled my MacBook Pro 13" M1 Order

[DeanL]

Hello everyone! Just thought I would share the reasons why I cancelled my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro order.

I ordered it as soon as the store opened after the keynote, but as I read the documents, I discovered many little things that annoyed me to the point of making me wait for the next iteration:

• The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.
• There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, versus the four on my current Mac. I'm concerned they might have bandwidth issue as well (since Apple only included 2 instead of the four on my current MacBook Pro.
• Windows ARM virtualization is still unclear. I'm not ready yet to make the jump not knowing if/when it will arrive.

Did anyone end up cancelling their order?

 

[cmaier]

Hello everyone! Just thought I would share the reasons why I cancelled my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro order.

I ordered it as soon as the store opened after the keynote, but as I read the documents, I discovered many little things that annoyed me to the point of making me wait for the next iteration:

• The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.
• There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, versus the four on my current Mac. I'm concerned they might have bandwidth issue as well (since Apple only included 2 instead of the four on my current MacBook Pro.
• Windows ARM virtualization is still unclear. I'm not ready yet to make the jump not knowing if/when it will arrive.

Did anyone end up cancelling their order?

What would you be running on Windows Arm?

Bandwidth on those 2 ports should be fine. Each port is almost certainly fully up to spec. If you need more than 2 ports, of course, then these won’t work for you. I just realized I can’t remember ever using more than 2 ports on my MBP since 2016, though I, too, will hold out for a machine with 4 ports.

 

[ADGrant]

Hello everyone! Just thought I would share the reasons why I cancelled my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro order.

I ordered it as soon as the store opened after the keynote, but as I read the documents, I discovered many little things that annoyed me to the point of making me wait for the next iteration:

• The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.
• There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, versus the four on my current Mac. I'm concerned they might have bandwidth issue as well (since Apple only included 2 instead of the four on my current MacBook Pro.
• Windows ARM virtualization is still unclear. I'm not ready yet to make the jump not knowing if/when it will arrive.

Did anyone end up cancelling their order?

Why do need Windows ARM virtualization? What are you hoping to run on ARM Windows?

 

[Sanpete]

Same ports as the base 13" it replaced, so that shouldn't be a shock.

You'll have to wait till next year if you want to run two monitors plus the built-in screen, but you may be able to run two externals in clamshell.

 

[GiantKiwi]

Hello everyone! Just thought I would share the reasons why I cancelled my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro order.

I ordered it as soon as the store opened after the keynote, but as I read the documents, I discovered many little things that annoyed me to the point of making me wait for the next iteration:

• The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.
• There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, versus the four on my current Mac. I'm concerned they might have bandwidth issue as well (since Apple only included 2 instead of the four on my current MacBook Pro.
• Windows ARM virtualization is still unclear. I'm not ready yet to make the jump not knowing if/when it will arrive.

Did anyone end up cancelling their order?

All seem to be rather tenuous verging on superfluous issues, why pray tell did you order it in the first place when all of that was pretty damn clear in the materials supplied?

 

[burgerrecords]

The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.

That's a bummer. If the computer is faster than a current macbook pro and has all these other benefits, i would want to use it uncompromised when i'm at my desk.

 

[JMacHack]

Why do need Windows ARM virtualization? What are you hoping to run on ARM Windows?

What would you be running on Windows Arm?

Does it matter? If it's important to him, it's important to him.

 

[burgerrecords]

All seem to be rather tenuous verging on superfluous issues, why pray tell did you order it in the first place when all of that was pretty damn clear in the materials supplied?

Why wouldn't he order it right away to ensure he got in first delivery batch and then research a bit further after the fact? And maybe he was busier yesterday than today?

 

[KPOM]

Does it matter? If it's important to him, it's important to him.

If it is one specific application, then perhaps there are other solutions. Codeweavers Crossover 20 supports Apple Silicon Macs and runs many Windows applications, albeit not as smoothly as BootCamp or a virtual machine.

 

[cmaier]

Does it matter? If it's important to him, it's important to him.

So I’m not allowed to ask? Who made you the forum cops?

 

[ADGrant]

Does it matter? If it's important to him, it's important to him.

Because maybe whatever he wants to run doesn't actually run on Windows on ARM.

 

[_Forever]

I cancelled mine as well just because of the 1 external monitor. Shame too, I was really looking forward to Apple Silicon.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Sounds like you purchased on impulse. Never a good idea. People should have researched first, instead of trying to be the first on MR with the new M1.

 

[MisterAndrew]

Because maybe whatever he wants to run doesn't actually run on Windows on ARM.

Microsoft is adding x86-64 emulation to Windows on ARM soon, so it should run any Windows app, theoretically.

 

[DeanL]

Same ports as the base 13" it replaced, so that shouldn't be a shock.

You'll have to wait till next year if you want to run two monitors plus the built-in screen, but you may be able to run two externals in clamshell.

I hope so but I doubt it. Apple would have said so if it were possible.

 

[DeanL]

Why wouldn't he order it right away to ensure he got in first delivery batch and then research a bit further after the fact? And maybe he was busier yesterday than today?

That’s exactly what happened. Windows ARM, I might have been able to suck it up but only one external monitor? Can’t deal with that.

 

[DeanL]

People should have researched first

right, because when you buy a more recent Mac, it’s top of your mind that it might regress on how many external screens are supported? 😟

 

[DeanL]

The 4K one was only updated quite recently, and the 5K saw an update in 2019 - both the first changes to the Ultrafine models in 3-4 years. I’d say an update again this soon is quite unlikely, but not impossible. The long delivery dates are probably indicative of these being a fairly low-volume product, plus some possible supply chain and logisitics issues due to the pandemic.

Also be aware that the current Ultrafine 4K display is not technically retina PPI as it is 23.7”. The article you link above is referring to the old, 21” 4K Ultrafine. If that is important to you, either look at the 5K model, or a second-hand/refurbished 21” 4K.

For what it’s worth, I use an Ultrafine 5K with my Mac and am very happy. I also live in a typical British house, so it lives on a desk in my bedroom and don’t think it is too offensive looking!

What would you be running on Windows Arm?

Bandwidth on those 2 ports should be fine. Each port is almost certainly fully up to spec. If you need more than 2 ports, of course, then these won’t work for you. I just realized I can’t remember ever using more than 2 ports on my MBP since 2016, though I, too, will hold out for a machine with 4 ports.

Why do need Windows ARM virtualization? What are you hoping to run on ARM Windows?

Does it matter? If it's important to him, it's important to him.

Microsoft is adding x86-64 emulation to Windows on ARM soon, so it should run any Windows app, theoretically.

Some in house apps for work (that work on emulation) and Access.

 

[cmaier]

Some in house apps for work (that work on emulation) and Access.

So you’d be looking to run Windows on Arm and relying on its ability to emulate x86? Could be awhile before Microsoft lets that happen.

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

Apple should drop the "pro" from their pro line, they are barely inline with a MacBook. No "pro" machine should be running the same processor as an air or mac mini, and still have integrated graphics. The I/O is a joke, just form over function.

 

[Zazoh]

Better than two monitors, one big one, for me.

 

[DeanL]

So you’d be looking to run Windows on Arm and relying on its ability to emulate x86? Could be awhile before Microsoft lets that happen.

It already can. Windows ARM can emulate x86 apps and x64 apps soon.

 

[cmaier]

It already can. Windows ARM can emulate x86 apps and x64 apps soon.

Yes, but it isn’t licensed for use on any computers made by anyone other than Microsoft.

 

[unchecked]

Hello everyone! Just thought I would share the reasons why I cancelled my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro order.

I ordered it as soon as the store opened after the keynote, but as I read the documents, I discovered many little things that annoyed me to the point of making me wait for the next iteration:

• The MacBook Pro M1 only supports 1 external screen using Thunderbolt. That's a huge turn off, especially during pandemic because I was just thinking of getting another UltraFine 4K.
• There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, versus the four on my current Mac. I'm concerned they might have bandwidth issue as well (since Apple only included 2 instead of the four on my current MacBook Pro.
• Windows ARM virtualization is still unclear. I'm not ready yet to make the jump not knowing if/when it will arrive.

Did anyone end up cancelling their order?

If you want a Pro, you should wait for the four-port Pro. If not, the Air makes more sense now.

 

[DeanL]

Yes, but it isn’t licensed for use on any computers made by anyone other than Microsoft.

Why is why I wrote what I wrote on my first post.