Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The new 14 - inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro is a truly satisfying laptop computer , and it can now have on the crown of the professional ’s choice without indisposition .
Best Prices Today: 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Let ’s go back to the fall of 2020 . recollect that thundering “ boom ” that shake up the tech industry ? That was Apple’sM1making its debut . It explode on the scene and amazed the Mac and PC human beings with its stupefying performance .
After the M1 ’s debut , the interrogation was , how can Apple come after up such a successful launch ? Well , it ’s now a year subsequently , and Apple has present another roar “ manna from heaven ” that is agitate up the tech industry , this one possibly even bigger . This time it ’s two System - on - Chips , the M1 Pro and M1 Max , and they blow away the M1 . After spending some time with the 14 - inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro , it ’s clean that Apple is on a peal with its atomic number 14 . The M1 Pro is simply an unbelievable chip shot .
If this were just about the central processing unit like last class , the newfangled MacBook Pro would be a with child story . But there ’s a lot more to this laptop computer from the interior and out , and the result is a MacBook Pro that is truly built for professionals who make the high demands of their hardware .
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available in Silver or Space Gray.
The 14 - in MacBook Pro is usable in Silver or Space Gray .
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The 14 - in MacBook Pro I tested has the undermentioned specifications :
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available in Silver or Space Gray.
This laptop is a custom configuration of the $ 2,499 mannikin with 32 GB of RAM or else of 16 GB , which increases the toll to $ 2,899 . ( You ca n’t upgrade the RAM after purchase , since it ’s built into the SoC. While Apple silicon computers aremuch well at handling RAMthan their Intel predecessor , you should still get the most you could afford when you put your order . )
14-inch MacBook Pro: Design and enclosure
After open up the box and demand the wrapping off the MacBook Pro , “ luxurious . ” is the first tidings that came to mind as I support the laptop in my hands . The 100 pct recycled aluminium fount has a smoothness that feel like it has a silky coating ( it ’s not a coating ) . When it ’s closed , you notice that the edge are labialise so the laptop does n’t dig into your hand . It ’s a arrant contrast to the previous design , and it conveys a sense that Apple paid attending to the fiddling particular .
Apple made sure to post the MacBook Pro by stamping it on the bottom .
The 14 - in MacBook Pro measure 12.31 by 8.71 by 0.61 inches , and weighs 3.5 pounds . It ’s in reality the same height as the 13 - inch M1 MacBook Pro while being about 0.34 column inch encompassing , 0.35 inches deeper , and half a lbf. heavy . However , the 14 - inch model feel much more firm than the 13 - inch model . compare to the quondam 15 - column inch MacBook Pro , the 14 - in simulation is a set smaller .
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available in Silver or Space Gray.
The new 14 - in MacBook Pro sit on the quondam 15 - inch MacBook Pro that was cease in 2019 .
14-inch MacBook Pro: Display
Apple ’s laptop have lagged behind the residuum of the industry with the displays , but that finally exchange with the MacBook Pro . It utilise a lot of engineering science that throw it stand out , starting with ProMotion , a feature that varies the refresh pace based on what ’s happening on CRT screen . It can dial it up to a maximum of 120Hz ( versus 60Hz on every other laptop computer Apple take a leak ) and when it does , it ’s oh - so - satisfying . Scrolling is buttery tranquil , and on - screen motion is very runny . And the low refresh charge per unit sound off in when there ’s less happening on screen , helping save battery .
Then there ’s the splendid colour and double tone . The Liquid Retina XDR show expend mini - LED technology , and it ’s open of 1,600 nits of brightness at its blossom and 1,000 nits of free burning luminousness when viewing HDR subject matter . Standard substance is the same as the Intel - based MacBook Pros and the 13 - inch M1 MacBook Pro with 500 nit of brightness , but the contingent is incredible , peculiarly in shadows and highlight , and the inflammation depend even throughout the exhibit . This is the unspoiled ever display on a MacBook , by a broad margin .
The 14.2 - inch Liquid Retina XDR presentation has a 3024 - by-1964 native resoluteness at 254 pixels per in .
Apple made sure to brand the MacBook Pro by stamping it on the bottom.
14-inch MacBook Pro: The notch
The MacBook Pro has a notable new feature that stands out when you open up the laptop computer : a pass , like the one you find on the iPhone . Apple made the bezels on the laptop super thinly in an crusade to supply the user as much cover space as potential . But there is a module that cuts into the CRT screen to house the 1080p FaceTime camera , thus the nick . It ’s crucial to point out that the snick does n’t conflict on the screen region — you still get a 16 - by-10 screen below the nick , so the notch domain is “ extra ” covert space compared to the former MacBook Pro .
The macOS menu saloon runs through the snick by default , but there is an option to make the carte du jour bar seat under the nick when in full - screen style . It ’s a per - app context in the Get Info box called , “ Scale to fit below built - in camera ” and if the app developer has not defined what mood to use in their app , you ’ll encounter this option . When trigger off , the infinite around the notch is blacked out , making the bezel wait something like it does on the 13 - inch MacBook Pro . ( We have aseparate articlewith a little more contingent on this . )
With the notch in sport , app card will persist in on the other side of the notch if necessary , but at the cost of your menu block icons on the correct side — they’ll be temporarily polish off from the menu bar and replaced when there ’s blank space make by switching or drop by the wayside an app . This does n’t just happen with apps that have a lot of menu ; if you expend a lower screen resolution ( such as the Larger Text setting in the Displays system taste ) , you ’ll well see how the menu listing run into the notch and continues after it . And menu cake icons on the right disappear .
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro sitting on the older 15-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued in 2019.
This behavior was always the case in macOS , but it rarely was an way out since there are n’t many apps with menu items that stretch that far . But now that the nick use up up treasured menu saloon blank space , it will probably happen more frequently .
This dead makes Control Center a more worthful menu streak item . Apple ’s macOS Control Center can be used to get at some of the options that may become unavailable in a crowded fare Browning automatic rifle , such as Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , and Volume . However , the notch magnifies Control Center ’s big flaw , its limited customization choice — not all options are available , and you ca n’t add third - party apps . ready those problem will make Control Center more utilitarian and provide a workaround for a crowd menu bar on a notch - equipped MacBook Pro .
Before Apple bring forth around to that , there are utilities that help organize your carte relegate such asBartender 4 , which we recently review as one of our Mac Gems . These eccentric of utility have been around for a while , but I suspect they could suddenly become very popular again . Apple also offers the alternative to course apps in full - sieve mode with the “ Scale to fit below make - in camera ” turned on . Then the fare bar can use the space that the pass would normally take .
The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display has a 3024-by-1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch.
All this is to say the snick does stand out . Since I ’m so used to the iPhone mountain pass , line up to the MacBook Pro ’s snick was not an issue . I barely noticed it while using the laptop computer every 24-hour interval , and it does n’t encroach on the workspace below , so nothing is really lost . However , overcrowded menu stripe and drawn-out menu items are extend to be a braggart issue for a lot of users .
Despite having a pass as wide as the one on the iPhone , the MacBook Pro does n’t have confront ID . I thought that the M1 iMac would be the first Mac with Face ID , but that did n’t happen . I hoped that these higher - end MacBook Pros would have look ID , but that did n’t happen , either . peradventure it ’ll make it in theupcoming replacement for the 27 - inch Intel iMac . For now , the MacBook Pro has the M1 iMac ’s new Touch ID sensor and it exercise well .
14-inch MacBook Pro: FaceTime camera
MacBook Pros have long had an outdated 720p tv camera that produced mediocre look-alike quality . On the MacBook Pro , the front tv camera has in the end been advance , and it nonplus the same 1080p photographic camera find out in the24 - in iMac , which has a new four - element lens , a wider aperture , and a new image sensor . It ’s a welcome change and produces much better image tone than the 13 - inch MacBook Pro .
But it ’s still not a photographic camera worthy of a pro laptop . With prices begin at $ 1,999 , buyers should get more than a bare - minimum camera , and Apple has one : the iPad ’s 12MP Ultra Wide FaceTime HD photographic camera that has a 122 - degree field of study of view , an ƒ/2.4 aperture , HDR for photos , 1080p HD video transcription , and most importantly , support for Center Stage , Apple ’s technology that keep you in the center of the frame if you move .
This is the one major miss for the new MacBook Pro . People are participating in virtual merging and gatherings more than ever , and putting the 12MP FaceTime tv camera on the MacBook Pro would give pro user a top - notch video - conferencing experience . The 1080p camera is n’t a deal - circuit breaker and is certainly well than the 720p camera it replaces , but it could absolutely be better .
The menu bar runs through the notch, and menu listings will continue after the notch if necessary.
14-inch MacBook Pro: Performance benchmarks
When I reviewed the13 - in M1 MacBook Prolast yr , I pen that the operation leave me “ awestruck . ” After that review , the construct of just how much good the public presentation can get was beyond my inclusion . Perhaps I ’m just a wearied old - timekeeper , but I ’m so used to seeing gain of 15 , maybe 20 percentage between rise of Intel - based laptop computer , and it clouded my sense of what is possible . I need to convert my mentation because I was wonderstruck after my experience with the 10 - gist M1 Pro in the 14 - in MacBook Pro .
The laptop I test has a 10 - center M1 Pro processor , a 16 - core GPU , a 16 - core Neural Engine , 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM , and 200GBps storage bandwidth . With a 1 TB SSD , the 14 - inch MacBook Pro I review is $ 2,899 . For this followup , we also include results from the following Macs :
We have a separate article that explain thedifferences between the M1 Pro and the M1 Maxif you are concerned in learn more .
The 1080p FaceTime camera in the notch isn’t the camera that professionals deserve.
WithGeekbench 5 , the new M1 Pro go forth everything in its rubble . In the multi - core CPU trial , the M1 Pro present an improvement of about 65 percent over the M1 Macs in our test group . That ’s not far from the 70 percent that Apple tout . And the M1 Pro is 70 pct faster than the 2019 16 - inch MacBook Pro with an Intel 2.4GHz 8 - core Core i9 CPU — the fast central processing unit Apple offer . It was overnice knowing you , Intel .
Geekbench 5 ’s individual - core processor trial did n’t reveal anything surprising , with the M1 Pro and M1 post the same results . The M1 Pro ( and M1 ) bluster a 39 percent betterment over the 2.4GHz Core i9 CPU by Intel .
We see more muscle - flexing from the M1 Pro in ourCinebench R23results , which demo a 60 percent melioration over the M1 in the multi - core mental test . The Cinebench single - substance results , like the Geekbench individual - core mainframe results , were basically the same across the Apple silicon Macs we tested .
A MagSafe 3 port (left) is on the left side of the MacBook Pro, along with a couple of Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack.
Apple touter 7.4GBps read speed with the SSD in the new MacBook Pro , which is more than twice the 3.3GBps that they lay claim with the SSDs in M1 Macs . We did n’t get those numbers when testing with Blackmagic’sDisk Speed Testwith the 1 TB SSD in our eval unit , but we did see an improvement of more than 100 percent over the M1 Pro while perform reads — the M1 Pro ’s SSD was 126 per centum quicker than the SSD in the 2019 16 - column inch Intel MacBook Pro .
We also ran theAmorphousDiskMarkbenchmark on the M1 and M1 Pro . In this trial , the M1 Pro get nigher to Apple ’s spec , with a read of 6.77GBps . The M1 station a read rating of 2.4GBps . Using another SSD bench mark tool , Stibium , the M1 Pro had a 7.05GBps rating , while the M1 ’s read was 2.06GBps .
This mental test need converting a 4 G video to 1080p . When using the H.265 x265 setting , the M1 Pro show a 155 percent speed improvement over the M1 and a 91 percent melioration over the 2019 16 - inch Intel MacBook Pro . When using the H.265 VideoToolbox place , the improvements of the M1 Pro over the M1 were fringy , while it posted a 14 percentage boost over the Intel MacBook Pro .
The right side of the MacBook Pro houses the SDXC Card slot, a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port, and an HDMI 2.0 port.
Another mental testing we ran involvedTopaz Labs Gigapixel AI . This app utilise “ bass learning ” to produce enhanced detail on persona . Using a 41 MB satellite photo , the M1 Pro was 161 per centum faster than the M1 . Gigapixel AI is not a aboriginal app ; it was created for Intel CPUs , so the app go under Rosetta on Apple silicon . See test data and functioning chart .
13-inch MacBook Pro M1: Graphics performance
The M1 Pro take computer graphic performance much more gravely than the M1 . The GPU in our evaluation social unit has a 16 - core GPU , twice that of the M1 . During my testing of the original M1 , I found that it provides a enceinte betterment in graphics performance . permit ’s see what happen when you double the number of GPU cores .
Rise of the Tomb RaiderandCivilization VIare older game compose for Intel , but the M1 Pro still drastically improves upon the graphics amphetamine of the M1 — there ’s no reasonableness to utilize crushed graphics options . you’re able to go with high-pitched background and enjoy the games the way they were meant to be run .
liken to the discrete 8 GB AMD Radeon Pro 5500 M GPU in the 16 - in Intel MacBook Pro , the M1 Pro ’s GPU either beat or keep pace with it . That ’s telling and it ’s thelow endof Apple ’s newest scrap . The other new SoC that Apple introduce , the M1 Max , is available with a 24- or 32 - heart GPU , which is up to 4 time faster than the M1 . We ’ll be testing it as shortly as we can get one in , but we expect it to run roach around the M1 Pro .
Toodle-loo, Touch Bar. Apple replaced it with full-sized Function keys.
We also used the Compute benchmark in Geekbench 5 , which benchmarks the GPU performance using OpenCL or Metal genus Apis . Since the M1 Pro has duplicate the GPU cores as the M1 , we get wind double the performance . compare to the 8 GB AMD Radeon Pro 5500 M GPU in the 16 - in Intel MacBook Pro , the M1 Pro ’s 16 - kernel GPU allow a 69 percentage betterment in Metal and a 15 percent betterment in OpenCL .
In addition to the beforementioned mental test , we ran a few other graphics benchmarks that compare the M1 and M1 Pro . Predictably , the M1 Pro sped past the M1 , though it is interesting to see by how much . A sum-up of the effect is listed below , and you could click the link to read more about each bench mark . Except when noted , these bench mark are not M1 native andrun using Rosetta .
14-inch MacBook Pro: Power adapter and battery
MagSafe makes a welcome return to the MacBook Pro after four years . It ’s a connector that magnetically attach to the laptop ’s force adapter port , and it stop away if you give it a full tug . It ’s a great safety feature that I really missed , especially as someone who has tripped over the stop up - in cable and send the laptop get onto to the story more than a few times .
Another nice mite is that the let in USB - C to MagSafe cable is braided , so it ’s a bit more durable than the even vinyl it uses on its other cables . Try not to lose that MagSafe cable length , though — a refilling overseas telegram is a whopping$49 at the Apple Store . If you do n’t want to utilize MagSafe , you’re able to expend a more sanely priced$19 USB - C charge cableand charge through one of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 port .
A MagSafe 3 interface ( leave ) is on the left side of the MacBook Pro , along with a couple of Thunderbolt / USB 4 port and a headphone jack .
Both the 14- and 16 - in MacBook Pros plump for a raw fast - charging feature , where a battery can go from zero to 50 per centum shelling life in 30 minutes . However , degenerate charging on the 14 - inch model requires the 96W power adapter , which is include in the $ 2,499 standard shape , but not the $ 1,999 model — you have to pay an special $ 20 to advance . For the 14 - inch laptop ( which has a 69.6 watt - hour battery ) , fast charging can be done through MagSafe or a Thunderbolt embrasure , but on the 16 - inch model , you must expend MagSafe .
That sound like a stack of conditions , but if you have the right adaptor and cable , profligate charging will work as advertised . With the 14 - inch MacBook Pro barrage out of a care , it filled up on the dot to 50 percent at the 30 - minute of arc brand using either the bundled 96W power adapter and MagSafe or a USB - C embrasure . I also tried charge the battery at 27 pct bombardment lifespan for 30 minute and reached 72 per centum — not quite a 50 per centum advance , but close . Charging starts to slow down after a sure point to help hold the battery ’s overall wellness .
While we ’re on the theme of battery biography , Apple claims 17 hours of bombardment sprightliness while watching a 1080p telecasting in the Apple TV app . That ’s on the button what I start out while looping a full - screenland telecasting until the barrage fire incline out . For general use , you ’ll have no problem making it through the mean solar day on just the battery . Even people who do more intensive work — video or graphics rendering or compiling computer code — will be able to go for a very long time without needing to punch in .
14-inch MacBook Pro: Ports
Apple has added Thunderbolt / USB 4 to the MacBook Pro , but the identification number of embrasure the company contribute you seems puzzling . Both the 14- and 16 - inch models let in three ports , which , for the 14 - in model , is one more than the 13 - column inch M1 MacBook Pro . But a large share of the audience this laptop is intended for are professional in the graphic and TV fields , and those tribe are using multiple display and other gear . Those port will be quickly occupy , which means you ’ll necessitate to resort to a Thunderbolt hub . We ’re never die to see a laptop computer with as many as six Thunderbolt / USB - C ports , but four would ’ve been more practical , even with MagSafe as a appoint option .
The right-hand side of the MacBook Pro house the SDXC Card slot , a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port wine , and an HDMI 2.0 interface .
The SDXC slot is another important feature for content pro who need a hassle - spare way to channelise work from their gear . High - end cameras , audio recorders , and more use SDXC cards , and it ’s convenient to pop the card out of the equipment and plug it into the MacBook Pro .
Apple is now providing a full - sized HDMI 2.0 port , which may seem odd for mellow - end professional study , but this interface is of import for people who often make presentations . you’re able to plug in a orotund extraneous showing without needing an adapter , and that ’s one less thing to concern about when you ’re on the road . HDMI 2.1 would be expert for future - proofing , but it ’ll likely be a match of year before mellow - goal 4 K , 120Hz displays are affordable enough to be shopworn .
Apple also include a headphone jack , and in keeping with the musical theme of ease up pros what they demand , the company upgrade the jack so it can bear high - electric resistance earphone . prissy . One larboard we were hoping to get is an ethernet shit on the superpower adaptor , like the one found on the 24 - column inch iMac . That did n’t happen , unfortunately , so it stays on the wish list .
14-inch MacBook Pro: No Touch Bar
Apple replaced the Touch Bar with full - sized Function samara , not the half - height keys you find on the MacBook Air . get full - sized mapping paint is a boon for pro users who expend those keys in their apps . With the Touch Bar , you were able to flip-flop it to Function key mode , but its on - projection screen Function clit were n’t tangible and the lack of feedback was n’t satisfying . Physical Function keys provide a much - desired usableness discriminative stimulus .
Toodle - loo , Touch Bar . Apple replaced it with full - sized Function Florida key .
The Touch Bar is n’t totally go from Apple ’s card , though . It ’s still part of the 13 - in M1 MacBook Pro , so if your veneration to the Touch Bar supersedes everything else about the MacBook Pro , you may seize one of those before they function out . Apple has n’t made any proclamation but do n’t be surprised if the 13 - inch MacBook Pro finally operate aside .
Bottom line
The MacBook Pro ’s reputation as a top - performing laptop of status lost some of its its luster over the yr . late updates were incremental and even the newest 16 - inch model was in dire motivation of a redesign . That ’s no longer an issue .
According to anApple hardware engine driver , this new MacBook Pro has been in the works since 2019 , and by the look and finger of it , a lot of thrifty thought has been put into this laptop computer . It starts with the exterior design , with its stylish look , sturdiness , and princely flavour . Open it up , and you ca n’t take your eyes off the glorious display , and the keyboard brings out your exploit intuition . And when you get to work , the MacBook Pro responds without reluctance , as if it knows what you desire to do and how fast you need to do it .
All of this is more than enough for the MacBook Pro to overcome its few defect , which hopefully will be addressed in brusk clock time . But make no mistake , the newfangled MacBook Pro is a truly satisfying laptop , and it can now wear the treetop of the professional ’s choice without indisposition .
