October 18th 2021 Apple Event: M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros

[xtreem.p]

ill keep my M1 for now, maybe wait a year or two before upgrading

im so spoiled with my 5950X with 16 cores 32 threads that the 10 core minus the 2 efficiency cores doesnt impress me ...

 

[trs96]

the 10 core minus the 2 efficiency cores doesnt impress me ...

It all depends on what software you are using. The 10 Core M1 Pro or Max when combined with FCP X or Logic Pro will perform better than any 16 core AMD cpu. It's due to optimization that Apple does now that they make their own chips for the Mac.

 

[trs96]

they also list a lone 2.3GHz dual-core Intel 21.5" model too, tucked away. Perhaps they have too many left in stock because no-one wanted one?

Comparing that old 2017 era Intel i3 iMac to a new M1 iMac is like comparing a horse and buggy to an Indy 500 car.

 

[bombardier10]

I think that it is a crazy. All very expensive components like memory , SSD , CPU , GPU integrated in ONE chip. So after warranty if any macbook pro was broken that is one solution - to throw in the trash . For example 4 TB storage for 1200$ or 64 GB memory for 800$ . All to trash. So it is not professional hardware. It is like smartphone which we replace after two years for a new. MacPro like a smartphone next year ? Yes it is possible.

 

[CaseySJ]

I think that it is a crazy. All very expensive components like memory , SSD , CPU , GPU integrated in ONE chip. So after warranty if any macbook pro was broken that is one solution - to throw in the trash . For example 4 TB storage for 1200$ or 64 GB memory for 800$ . All to trash. So it is not professional hardware. It is like smartphone which we replace after two years for a new. MacPro like a smartphone next year ? Yes it is possible.

Yes, but it's been like that for at least the past 6 years with Apple's laptops.

 

[CaseySJ]

Can I ask what the sticker price is for that config ?

I canceled the first order and placed a new one about an hour ago. No change to delivery date (Nov 5 to Nov 10). Details:

• 14" Space Gray
• M1 Pro with 24-core GPU (10-core CPU)
• 32GB memory
• 2TB SSD
• Decided to accept Apple's trade-in for my 2020 13" MacBook Pro ($780)
  • Reasons:
    • These new models could sour the resale value of previous generation
    • Battery life is around 5 hours in my real-world use cases
    • No discrete GPU
    • When the 14" model arrives I don't think I'll use the old laptop again (even if I do, it will be very rarely used)
    • Other trade-in sites such as "Decluttr" offered less than Apple

So the cost breakdown:

• $3499 for the new system plus sales tax minus 3% Apple Card rebate
• $5 regulatory / recycle fee
• $780 trade-in credit
• Net Price: A bit over $2724 (add tax and subtract 3% card rebate)

 

[trs96]

I canceled the first order and placed a new one about an hour ago.

Looks like you made some good changes. If you don't need 64GB of ram why go with M1 Max ?
With your trade in to Apple it makes the total price much more reasonable for a Pro laptop.

 

[CaseySJ]

Looks like you made some good changes. If you don't need 64GB of ram why go with M1 Max ?
With your trade in it makes the total price much more reasonable for a Pro laptop.

The M1 Max has these advantages over M1 Pro:

• 24-core and 32-core GPU options. M1 Pro is limited to 16-core GPU.
• 400GB/s memory bandwidth versus 200GB/s on M1 Pro.
• Support for more external displays compared to M1 Pro.
• And the biggest reason...it looks way more bada$$!

 

[djlild7hina]

I'm having second thoughts and canceled my order for now. I originally got the 32 Core GPU with 64GB of memory since I use a lot of VMs but I'm thinking I can probably get by with a 24 Core GPU and 32GB memory.

Main reason for getting a Max compared to the Pro is I have 3 4K monitors and a 4K TV. I really wish they released a new Mini today but it'll be nice to going back having everything in a laptop.

I might just make a Linux box and move the majority of VMs there since not everything is compatible with Windows/Linux ARM64 yet.

 

[trs96]

The M1 Max has these advantages over M1 Pro:

True, the main question to ask is: Do I need to pay that much extra for memory bandwidth, graphics / GPU cores that I might possibly not even use ? The M1 Pro choice should work for the majority of people.