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MacBook Pro (2021) Review

• MacBook Pro (2021)

Table of Contents

What Is the MacBook Pro?

Macbook pro review, macbook pro: the bottom line.

The 2021 MacBook Pro places No. 1 in our rating of the Best Laptops of 2022. The newest MacBook Pro from Apple, available in a 14-inch or 16-inch model, has a fast processor and battery life of up to 21 hours. Though it has a hefty price tag that starts at $1,999, the quality of the machine could make it a great pick for those in creative fields.

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Apple M1 processors are faster than Apple’s previous M1

Battery life up to 21 hours

1080p webcam

Price can run upwards of $6,000 with more storage and M1 Max processor

No USB-A port

Professional reviewers say Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro (in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes) is the fastest, brightest, best-reviewed laptop that the company has ever created. The MacBook Pro uses faster Apple M1 chips (the M1 Pro and M1 Max) and has a battery life up to 21 hours, which means you can take it on the go really easily. Apple also made the screen bezels smaller around the Liquid Retina XDR display. The touch bar at the top of the keyboard is gone on this model, replaced with full-height buttons. The new MacBooks have more USB-C and other ports as well, addressing a primary complaint about older, Intel-based, 13-inch MacBooks. Like many of their rivals, the new MacBook Pros can be configured with 16 or 32 GB RAM.

Professional reviewers say that while the MacBook Pro's graphics and performance are top-notch, it's not necessarily the best laptop on the market for gaming, as dedicated gaming laptops still outperformed it in tests. However, the new Apple M1 processors are excellent overall performers. That means you can use the MacBook Pro for many games, especially if you have the M1 Max processor that supports higher frame rates. For photo and video editing, the MacBook Pro is a great option, thanks to the processor speed and Liquid Retina XDR display.

Like many Apple products, these laptops come with a high price tag, starting at $1,999. A top-spec MacBook Pro can top $6,000. Colors include space gray and platinum silver.

The 2021 MacBook is Apple’s best laptop yet. It's user-friendly and performs faster and better than any other Apple laptop. The MacBook Pro is an ideal choice for creatives who edit photos, videos, and music. While the price is relatively high, it’s a great investment for anyone who intends to use it for these purposes.

However, if you’re looking for a laptop for gaming or one for casual use, this may not be the best choice. It’s not quite powerful enough for intense gaming, but you can find alternative options in our rating of the Best Gaming Laptops of 2022 . It’s also probably a little too fancy for someone who just wants to surf the internet and stream TV shows, but you can find budget-friendly options in our rating of the Best Cheap Laptops of 2022 .

MacBook Pro: Price

If you’re buying directly from Apple, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999. This model includes an 8-core central processing unit (CPU), a 14-core graphics processing unit (GPU), 16 gigabytes unified memory, and 512 GB solid state drive (SSD) storage. For $2,499, you can get the 14-inch Pro with a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16 GB unified memory, and 1 terabyte SSD storage. You can also configure your laptop with the M1 Max processor for an added fee.

The 16-inch MacBook comes at three different price points. The base model is $2,499 and includes a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16 GB unified memory, and 512 GB SSD storage. For $2,699 you get a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16 GB unified memory, and 1 TB SSD storage. The top-line model is $3,499 and includes a 10-core CPU, a 32-core GPU, 32 GB unified memory, and 1 TB SSD storage.

All models use an Apple M1 processor. They start with the M1 Pro and can be upgraded to the M1 Max, which costs a bit more depending on how you configure the memory. You can also upgrade the SSD to a max of 8 TB. A fully optioned MacBook Pro can top $6,000. If ordering from Apple’s website, options are more limited than what you may find at your nearest Apple store.

MacBook Pro: Design

Professional reviews of the 2021 MacBook Pro note how much the design of the laptop changed from Apple’s 2020 13-inch model. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro have thinner bezels, allowing the Liquid Retina XDR display to take up more space on the screen. Older-model MacBooks have up to a 0.5-inch bezel, whereas the bezel on the new laptops is only about 0.1 inches. The drawback is that there's a notch at the top of the screen where the webcam sits, which can be distracting for some users and even block certain aspects of the screen.

As usual, MacBook Pros are available in a platinum silver color, as well as Apple’s signature space gray. The 14-inch model weighs 3.5 pounds, and the 16-inch MacBook can weigh up to 4.8 pounds.

The 14-inch model measures 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches, and the 16-inch MacBook measures 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches. The newest MacBook Pros don’t have the touch bar at the top of the keyboard like previous models. They are equipped with Wi-Fi 6, three Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C ports), the latest version of Wi-Fi that offers the fastest speeds.

MacBook Pro: Performance

Professional reviewers praise the performance of both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M1 Pro or M1 Max. In particular, they say these laptops are faster than previous MacBooks overall and are well-suited for graphics-intensive uses like photo and video editing. The 2021 MacBook Pro routinely outperforms the 2020 MacBook Air and many Windows laptops in speed and performance tests. For example, when testing video editing, photo editing, and general speed, the 2021 MacBook Pro surpassed similar laptops for creative use like the Asus ProArt StudioBook 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio .

The MacBook Pro starts with a 512 GB SSD, that can be upgraded to up to 8 TB SSD, which gives you up to 7.4 GB per second (Gbps) read speeds. Even with the smaller and slower hard drive, professional reviews note that this MacBook already outperforms the 13-inch model as well as the Razer Blade 14 and the Dell XPS 13 in speed tests.

MacBook Pro: Displays

The 2021 MacBook Pro comes with either a 14-inch or 16-inch display. These are just a bit bigger than the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 13.3-inch display from 2020. The 14-inch MacBook has an aspect ratio of 3024 x 1964 with 254 ppi. The 16-inch MacBook also has 254 ppi but with an aspect ratio of 3456 x 2234. These MacBooks also come equipped with the new Liquid Retina XDR display — Extreme Dynamic Range. The display uses mini-LED, which provides a higher LED density than past models.

When viewing UHD or HDR content on the 2021 MacBook Pro, you will get the display brightness up to 1,600 nits at peak brightness with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The 14-inch model with Liquid Retina XDR display starts at $1,999, and the 16-inch MacBook starts at $2,499.

MacBook Pro: Ports and Audio

Courtesy of Apple

MacBook Pros start at $2,000.

Apple finally brought back the ports that users had been missing from the last few MacBooks. The 2021 MacBook Pro includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C ports), an HDMI port, an SD card port, a headphone jack, and the MagSafe 3 port for power — but no USB-A port. This is a big difference from previous models that only had Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, requiring users to purchase an adapter to be able to plug in an HDMI cord or to use an SD card to upload content.

For audio, Apple made these laptops with high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with "force-cancelling" woofers that are said to provide better bass performance. You also get spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using your AirPods. Professional reviews say the bass is clearer and that the speakers are higher quality overall than on previous iterations of the MacBook Pro. In addition, there's support for Dolby Atmos, and there are three studio-quality built-in microphones.

MacBook Pro: Keyboard, Touchpad, and Webcam

Apple returned to the basics, so to speak, with the keyboard on the 2021 MacBook Pro. The backlit Magic Keyboard is simple and functional, and the touch pad at the top is gone. Professional reviewers say the keyboard is comfortable and easy to use. The touchpad is Apple’s Force Touch trackpad, which is made of glass. There's no touch bar like in previous models.

The webcam has a 1080p resolution. The lens has a wide aperture, letting in more light than previous models, plus an improved image sensor. This provides better low-light performance over previous MacBooks. And because the laptops are equipped with three studio-quality microphones and a six-speaker sound system, the sound quality on videos is better than ever. Professional reviewers have been able to see a marked difference in the picture quality with this new camera, calling out how timely it is with many people taking meetings virtually and using a webcam more than ever.

MacBook Pro: Security 

The MacBook Pro comes equipped with Touch ID – a button on the upper right-hand corner of the keyboard that allows you to use your fingerprint to unlock the laptop, access your passwords, or use Apple Pay. This Touch ID is an updated button from older models that has a tactile ring to make it easier to use.

MacBook Pro: Battery Life

While Apple claims the 16-inch MacBook's battery can last up to 14 hours of web browsing and 21 hours of video playback, professional reviewers found it could go even longer than that. The 14-inch model maxes out at around 11 hours of web browsing and 17 hours of video playback.

MacBook Pro  vs. the Competition

Macbook pro 13-inch (2020) ».

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MacBook Pro (2021) vs. MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)

On the outside, the 2021 MacBook Pro looks pretty similar to the 2020 MacBook Pro, but these two computers are significantly different. For one thing, the 2020 model is much cheaper. Starting at $1,299, the 2020 MacBook Pro is a slightly smaller model – at 13 inches – but also has a slower processor and less battery life. It’s running the original M1 chip, which doesn’t perform as fast as the 2021 model’s M1 Pro and M1 Max options. The older model is still a solid option at a lower price point if you don’t need the somewhat higher-quality graphics or longer battery life.

Learn more in our MacBook Pro 13-inch review .

MacBook Air M1 (2020) »

MacBook Pro  vs. MacBook Air M1 

The 2020 MacBook Air also comes at a lower price point than the updated MacBook Pros. It starts at just $999, but that also means it has a slightly slower processor (the M1, rather than the updated M1 Pro or Max). Where the MacBook Air shines is with its battery life. The Macbook Air battery can handle up to 15 hours of web surfing, compared to 11 hours on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 14 hours on the 16-inch MacBook. It's also much lighter weight, at 2.8 pounds, making it easier to haul around if you’re always on the go. You can upgrade the storage on the MacBook Air to be competitive with the MacBook Pro, but without the higher-grade processor, it probably won’t function quite as seamlessly.

Learn more in our MacBook Air M1 review .

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MacBook Pro  FAQ

How do i buy the macbook pro, macbook pro (2021) ».

You can purchase a 2021 MacBook Pro directly from Apple, either online or in the store. Their size and storage space can be customized on Apple’s website. You can pay for them outright or finance them and make monthly payments. Ordering online also gives you the option to go to a store and pick it up rather than have it shipped.

You can also order these laptops online from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and B&H. You may be able to find them in stores, like at Best Buy or Walmart, but your best bet is to call ahead to check first.

What is the MacBook Pro warranty?

Apple offers a limited one-year warranty on all of its products. It covers manufacturer defects to your MacBook and accessories that came with it (like the cord), but doesn't cover owner-caused damage or any modifications you’ve made. To take advantage of the warranty, you must provide proof of purchase and surrender the product for repair.

What screen options are available for the MacBook Pro?

The 2021 MacBook Pro comes in two screen options. You can opt for the smaller 14-inch model with a 14.2-inch screen or go for the larger option, the 16-inch MacBook with the 16.2-inch screen. These are both bigger than the previous MacBook Pro, which was a 13-inch model.

What processor options are available for the MacBook Pro?

The 2021 MacBook Pros have either the M1 Pro processor or the M1 Max processor. The M1 Pro is the default processor, but for a slightly higher price, you can get the M1 Max. Both the M1 Pro and the M1 Max offer more processing power than Apple’s previous MacBooks with the M1 processor.

What memory options are available for the MacBook Pro?

You can get anywhere from 16 GB of memory to 64 GB of RAM in your MacBook Pro. The M1 Pro processor offers up to 32 GB of RAM, but if you opt for the M1 Max processor, you can get up to 64 GB of memory. The M1 Pro also offers up to 200 Gbps memory bandwidth, whereas the M1 Max offers up to 400 Gbps memory bandwidth.

What software is bundled with the MacBook Pro?

The MacBook Pro comes with the macOS Monterey already installed, which is the operating system following Big Sur. Professional reviews of Monterey are very positive, calling it a stable system to work on. Your MacBook Pro also comes with included apps like iMovie, FaceTime, Photo Booth, Keynote, and more.

Is the MacBook Pro good for business use?

With its superb display and excellent battery life, the MacBook Pro would be a fine choice for business use . The M1 Max processor works at an incredibly fast speed, which can be useful while working. Apple gives you the option to upgrade your SSD storage to 8 TB, meaning you have quite a bit of space and speed for all your work, and the 14-inch model is only 3.5 pounds. If you want something lighter to carry around for work, consider a Dell XPS 13 , Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio , Acer Swift 3 , or Lenovo Yoga 9i .

Is the MacBook Pro  good for gaming?

MacBooks Pros aren’t designed for gaming , but the updated processor means you can play games more seamlessly on the 2021 version than on previous MacBooks. Professional reviews for gaming on the M1 Max processor say that the graphics are greatly improved. That being said, if you’re searching for a laptop specifically for intense gaming, you’re better off finding one designed for that, like an Acer Nitro 5 or Razer Blade 14 .

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Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) review: new chip, old threads

Apple has put a 2022 cpu in a 2016 computer.

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales

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I don’t really care what the M2 MacBook Pro gets on benchmarks. 

I know that sounds like an odd statement coming from someone who runs benchmarks for a living, but this is not a device where they matter all that much because, if you’re the kind of person running benchmarks or the kind of person to whom benchmark scores are at all relevant, I’m going to tell you right at the top that you shouldn’t be buying this. 

Let us explore the current MacBook market. This MacBook Pro has the exact same chassis as the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro that was released in 2020 (which itself used a design that dates back to 2016 ). It’s the same 2560 x 1600 screen, the same Magic Keyboard, the same two Thunderbolt ports, the same Touch Bar, and the same slightly tapered sides. Remember all those cool new (technically old) design features, like HDMI ports, SDXC slots, and MagSafe charging Apple put on the MacBook Pro models it released in late 2021? Yeah, none of those are here. Neither is the fancy Mini LED display or upgraded 1080p webcam.

There has, basically, only been one change made to the MacBook Pro from 2020: it has a new processor. (Okay, so Apple’s also added a 24GB memory option, the speakers now support Spatial Audio, the jack has “ advanced support for high-impedance headphones ,” and the adapter is a whole six watts more powerful... but the processor is the main thing.) Like the M1, the M2 uses Apple’s custom Arm silicon. It has more transistors than the M1, more memory bandwidth, and an updated media engine as well as additional GPU cores (10 to the M1’s eight). It’s a new chip in what is, at this point, a dated chassis. 

The 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro starts at $1,299 . For that base price, you get an eight-core CPU with a 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. (You might very well want to avoid that model entirely as reports show the SSD inside is actually slower than the M1 MacBook Pro’s .) The very cheapest model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with an M1 Pro processor (eight-core CPU, 14-core GPU) but with 16GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. That model would cost $1,999. Now, Apple sent me an M2 model that’s a step up from the base; this one has 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage. It costs $1,899 on Apple’s website, while a 14-inch M1 Pro model with those RAM and storage specs would be $2,199. 

Basically, the MacBook Pro with M2 is floating consistently around several hundred dollars under its more powerful and modern-looking 14-inch sibling. But those several hundred dollars buy you a heck of a lot of perks that will be of particular benefit to professional users, including a bigger screen, MagSafe, more ports, and all the extra cores. The M1 Pro CPU also has more performance-oriented cores, while the M2 has more efficiency cores aimed at extending battery life.

• Apple MacBook Pro 14 and 16 review: return to form
• Apple MacBook Pro with M1 review: flexing Arm
• My journey to drain the M2 MacBook Pro’s battery

We’re going to talk about benchmarks later on, but I’ll spoil the surprise right now: as everyone expected, the M1 Pro smokes the M2 in most cases. It’s close to doubling its scores on some of our usual benchmark tests — it’s performing more than twice as well on others. It is easily $300 better for professional work.

For this reason, the target audience for this M2 MacBook Pro is not folks who will be exporting things in Premiere all day. The target audience is, as far as I can tell, people like me. I spend most of my day in Google Docs, spreadsheets, and Slack — the 14-inch MacBook Pro is overkill for what I need, and it costs more than I want to spend. But I do occasionally need to do things in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Audition. I (very) occasionally like to game, and I want something that can sustain those loads. 

This would be the perfect device for someone like me — if it weren’t for the new MacBook Air . This new MacBook Air, also powered by the M2, is coming very soon. It will be, as far as I can tell from Apple’s website , the same price as the M2 MacBook Pro for the same specs in most cases (they level out at the $1,499 mark). But, unlike the MacBook Pro, the M2 MacBook Air did get a big redesign, and it includes all kinds of new features — including new colors, a larger display, a 1080p webcam, and, especially, MagSafe — that this device doesn’t have. 

Everything that was excellent and groundbreaking about the M1 is still excellent and groundbreaking about the M2

Apple hasn’t sent this device to us yet, and it’s not up for preorder at this time, either. But it very well may be a much better choice for my use case. And that puts the 2022 MacBook Pro — and this review — in a bit of a bizarre spot.

The question of whether you should buy this MacBook Pro is, frankly, not one I can answer until we know exactly how good this forthcoming MacBook Air is. What I can speak to right now is how well the M2 performs and what kind of gains it’s made over the M1. 

In summary: the M2 is fast and efficient. The M1 was also fast and efficient.

The 2022 MacBook Pro can sustain heavy loads for long periods of time. Its 30-minute Cinebench score was actually a bit higher than its 10-minute Cinebench score, which is not something we see all the time. Results were also the same regardless of whether the device was on power or battery, which we very rarely see with Windows laptops. And though the existence of an active cooling system (read: a fan) is what traditionally differentiates the MacBook Pro from the MacBook Air, I never heard the fan on this M2 device — not even when I was running games. 

We said all this about the M1 MacBook Pro as well. This is just to say that those qualities remain. 

How did this thing do on benchmarks? In CPU results — Geekbench, Cinebench, the Xcode benchmark, etc. — the results we’re seeing are somewhat better than the M1. In GPU tests, including some games, the results are substantially better. That means gaming is much better, as I’ll discuss later on.

The M2 did edge out the pricier M1 Pro in the single-core benchmarks I ran. That’s impressive in itself. (It indicates that though the M1 Pro has more power cores than the M2 does, those cores aren’t as strong as the M2’s power cores on an individual level.) But it also bodes well for the M2 Pro, Max, and Ultra variants that we’ll presumably see down the line; they’ll likely display single-core speed improvements over their M1-based predecessors, rather than just loading on more cores.

MacBook Pro 13 (2022)

Macbook pro 13 (2020), apple macbook pro 14 (2021).

So, checkmark: technological progress has been made. However, the delta between the M1 Pro and the M2 is significantly larger than the delta between the M2 and the M1 in every test here, which underscores how much of a better buy the M1 Pro is for users who will regularly be stressing the system. To repeat: this is not unexpected; it’s just meant to demonstrate that $300 can buy you quite a lot more performance.

What’s more important for the Me demographic is how the M2 performs on the types of tasks that the M1 Pro is overkill for. So, I put the M2 MacBook Pro and the M1 MacBook Pro side by side and did a bunch of my daily work on both of them. 

The M2 did, in some cases, lead to a technically faster experience. One of these cases was in Google Docs. The M2 was actually noticeably faster, by a few seconds, to open up a 350-page Google Doc. My spreadsheets with hundreds of rows were also noticeably faster to scroll through on the M2, and the newer MacBook was quicker to swap between tabs and run calculations. 

The 2022 MacBook was also better at gaming (though I will stress that this benchmark is just meant to showcase the graphic improvements that Apple has made — don’t buy a MacBook to play games). The previous MacBook ran the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark at an average of 20fps, while the M2 device averaged 29fps, which is close to a 50 percent increase. That is the sort of difference I can see with my eyes while watching the benchmarks run (and is almost actually playable). 

I saw some other small improvements here and there. When I was playing around in Swift Playgrounds 4, the M2 was a smidge faster to load some of the interfaces and animations. I used Audition to add some CPU-heavy effects to an audio clip, and the M2 was just slightly faster to complete them. I don’t think either of these would really make a difference in my life if I hadn’t been using the computers side by side, but I suppose it’s time that would add up over long periods. 

And there were some cases where I couldn’t see differences, even when I was actively looking. The experience in Photoshop, where I desaturated some images and added some basic filters, was basically identical. Lightroom was the same deal. Most of what you might do in Audition, like playback and hopping through projects, was also the same. 

Results in Premiere Pro were mixed. The M2 did beat the M1 on the Puget Systems benchmark for Premiere Pro, which tests live playback as well as export performance. I didn’t actually see a sizeable difference in export time when I put the two laptops next to each other, though — the M1 actually finished first in most cases because the M2 kept getting caught on certain graphics. I don’t want to read too much into that because Premiere can be finicky with that kind of stuff, so it’s always hard to know exactly what’s going on. But it’s worth remembering that how well a computer does on some workloads isn’t always in its manufacturer’s control. 

Now, there is one way in which the MacBook Pro with M2 does have a significant advantage over the more expensive machines: battery life. This M2 MacBook Pro does not die. I have never said this about a laptop before: I was not able to fully run it down during my testing period. I can tell you that I’ve been able to run it well past 10 and a half hours, which is when the 14-inch M1 Pro device was dying when I reviewed that last year with this same workload. 

I was also, frankly, pushing this much harder than I pushed the 14-incher during that testing period, in part because I was having so much trouble getting the battery to run down — I threw Premiere, Audition, coding, and even some battery gaming at the M2 during these trial runs. I was still consistently seeing over half of the battery left after eight to nine hours of constant use. From the results I am getting, I would expect it to last 17 and a half to 18 hours.  

I’m not gonna lie: that does make this MacBook a tempting purchase for me, someone who spends a lot of time using my laptop in various places out and about. For me, battery is a more important consideration than raw performance. But, as I am continuing to remind myself and as you should as well if you’re in my camp — the Air is coming. The Air has the same processor. It could very well have a similar lifespan, though Apple claims the Air will get “up to 18 hours” of use versus the Pro’s claimed 20 hours. I’ll just have to see when I’m able to review the new Air.

Tech journalists often complain that chip bumps are boring, and I think in many cases they’re being unfair. I’m writing this review right now on an Intel MacBook Pro that only lasts four hours on battery, has fans that can constantly be heard around the office, takes multiple minutes to boot, and slows down if I have over 12 tabs open. New chips redefine what people can do; they make better work possible, and they make more work possible.

The M2, though, is not quite doing that. It is an impressive chip, and it is faster than the M1. And it’s certainly helping the MacBook keep up as the Intels and AMDs of the world get better. But I’d be surprised if it will let anyone run a program or apply a filter or use a tool that they haven’t been able to before. The primary advantage it has over the M1 Pro (apart from its lower price and slight edge in single-core tasks) is battery life. And that’s a huge benefit but also something I want to avoid celebrating too much until I have a MacBook Air in my hands. 

This chip isn’t going to result in a dramatically different experience from the M1

Which leads me to the second question: should you buy it? If you must have an order in today, then yes. If you’re currently on an Intel MacBook (which I assume you are if you’re already looking to upgrade), the jump to the M2 will be huge. (I don’t even have to run benchmarks against older Intel systems — this machine is faster.) You’ll get all the benefits of the M1 that we raved about in 2020 plus some extra performance and extra battery life. And the caveats that the MacBook carried in 2020 with Rosetta performance penalties and various programs being incompatible have largely been ironed out in the two years since.

But, if you’re not on a deadline, then the MacBook Air is coming. And, well, that’s a whole thing we’re going to have to sort out. It’s going to bring a number of benefits that the Pro doesn’t have. It may also have some drawbacks — but we don’t know yet what those are. I can see this being a good purchase for some people if the MacBook Air’s cards fall in a few very specific ways. But I need to see the cards. So watch this space. 

Update, Monday, June 27th, 2022, 9AM ET: Added information about the base model’s SSD speed performance.

Agree to Continue: Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.

In order to get past the setup and actually use the MacBook Pro, you are required to agree to:

• The macOS software license agreement, which includes Apple’s warranty agreement and the Game Center terms and conditions

These agreements are nonnegotiable, and you cannot use the laptop at all if you don’t agree to them.

There are also several optional agreements, including:

• Location services
• Using an iCloud account adds iCloud Terms and Conditions and Find My location services
• Sending crash and usage data to Apple to help app developers
• Allowing Apple to use your Siri transcripts to improve voice recognition
• Apple Pay Terms and Conditions

That’s three mandatory agreements and six optional ones.

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• MacBook Pro 14 (2021)

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) Laptop Review

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is a premium laptop available with Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs (System on a Chip). It looks nearly identical to its bigger brother, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) , and it feels equally well-built with a full aluminum chassis. Its sharp Mini LED display can ramp up the refresh rate adaptively up to 120Hz to make motion appear smoother, and it can produce deep blacks and bright highlights to deliver a fantastic HDR experience. It also has a wide color gamut, making it suitable for content creators. The keyboard feels comfortable and doesn't cause fatigue over time, its haptic touchpad is large and responsive, and the webcam's video quality is outstanding. Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs can handle demanding workloads like video editing and 3D animation, and thanks to their incredible power efficiency, the battery lasts over 12 hours of light productivity and 9 hours of video playback. Unfortunately, the only user-replaceable part is the battery, so there's no way to upgrade any components later on.

Our Apple MacBook Pro 14 has an M1 Pro SoC with 8 CPU cores and 14 GPU cores, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. In terms of CPU performance, upgrading to an M1 Pro or M1 Max with 10 CPU cores will only increase multi-thread performance slightly. However, graphical performance will increase significantly if you go up to an M1 Max with 24 or 32 GPU cores. The M1 Max chip also has more media encoders to improve performance in applications that can benefit from hardware acceleration, like video editing software. You can upgrade the memory up to 32GB or 64GB, but the latter is only available on M1 Max models.

Our Verdict

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is excellent for school use. It's a well-built and portable laptop with a battery that lasts easily through a typical school day of light productivity. The screen is sharp and bright, the keyboard doesn't cause fatigue over time, and the touchpad is large and responsive. Its M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs can handle nearly every type of workload, including demanding tasks like 3D animation or graphic design. The port selection is excellent, but it lacks USB-A ports, so you'll likely need dongles for your wired peripherals.

• Aluminum chassis feels exceptionally well-built.
• Easy to carry around.
• Battery lasts over 12 hours of light productivity.
• M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs can handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D animation.
• Keyboard feels comfortable to type on, and touchpad is large and responsive.
• Outstanding webcam for video calls.
• Keyboard gets hot under load.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has the hardware to run graphically intensive games, especially the top-end M1 Max model with 32 GPU cores. However, the gaming experience can vary significantly depending on whether the game runs natively or through Rosetta 2. Also, the display has a slow response time, which isn't ideal for fast-moving games.

• 120Hz display.
• Fast storage drive.
• Minimal throttling under load.
• Few games optimized for Apple silicon.
• Display has a slow response time.
• Memory and storage aren't user-replaceable.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is great for media consumption. It's a very portable device with a battery that lasts well over 9 hours of video playback, enough time to get you through a couple of full-length movies. It has a sharp Mini LED display that produces deep blacks and gets incredibly bright to deliver a true HDR experience. Also, the display's color accuracy is superb out of the box, so you get an accurate and natural-looking image. The speakers sound well-balanced and full, but they don't get very loud.

• Battery lasts over 9 hours of video playback.
• Mini LED display produces deep blacks.
• Display gets bright enough for a true HDR experience.
• Wide color gamut support.
• Superb color accuracy out of the box.
• 16:10 aspect ratio results in black bars at top and bottom of display in most content.
• Display doesn't support touch input.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is great as a workstation. Its M1 Pro and M1 Max SoC can handle nearly every type of workload, including demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. There's minimal throttling under load, and while the keyboard can get a little uncomfortable due to heat, the fans don't get very loud. The storage drive is fast, making large file transfers a breeze, and the port selection is excellent as it includes a full-size HDMI, SD card reader, and USB-Cs with Thunderbolt 4 support. Unfortunately, you can't replace any components other than the battery.

• Wide port selection includes full-size HDMI and USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 support.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is great for business use. It's an exceptionally well-built laptop that's also easy to carry around, and its battery lasts over 12 hours of light productivity. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, the touchpad is large and responsive, and the webcam captures a detailed image for video calls. Its M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs are more than capable of handling productivity tasks like web browsing, text formatting, and spreadsheets. It has a full-size HDMI port if you need to connect to an external display for presentations, but it lacks USB-A ports, so you'll likely need dongles for your wired peripherals.

• 8.3 Multimedia
• 8.4 Workstation
• 8.4 Business
• Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2 .
• Updated Nov 08, 2023: We've corrected a mistake in the Flicker section. We've changed the Flicker-free comparison from 'Yes' to 'No' since the display technically flickers. The score remains unchanged.
• Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1 .
• Updated Aug 16, 2023: Added mention of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) as an alternative with HDMI 2.1 in the Ports section.
• Updated Apr 21, 2022: We've updated the speaker section as many users have reported hearing crackling and popping sounds when playing back media. There isn't an official fix from Apple yet, though there are some user-suggested workarounds. The score remains unchanged.
• Updated Feb 18, 2022: Review published.
• Updated Feb 11, 2022: Early access published.
• Updated Jan 31, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
• Updated Jan 26, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
• Updated Jan 25, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
• Updated Jan 23, 2022: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with an M1 Pro SoC (8 CPU cores, 14 GPU cores), 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The SoC, memory, and storage are configurable; you can see the available options in the table below. This review only applies to the 14 inch model; there's a separate review for the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) .

Our display and performance results are only valid for the configuration we tested. If you come across a different configuration option not listed above, or you have a similar Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch that doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update it. Some tests, like black uniformity and color accuracy, may vary between individual units.

You can see our unit's label  here .

Compared To Other Laptops

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 is a premium laptop that stands out for its exceptional build quality, high performance, and long battery life. It has one of the best displays on the market, and it still sets the standard when it comes to the touchpad. However, it's considerably more expensive than similarly-performing Windows laptops, and its poor serviceability makes it hard to repair and impossible to upgrade.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) is a newer version of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021). The M3 model is better overall; it has a slightly brighter display, louder speakers, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 6E. It also has more configuration options, including a base M3 chip and up to 128GB of RAM. The M3 SoCs are faster and bring new features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AV1 decoding.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M2, 2023) is a newer version of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021). The 2023 model is slightly better due to some upgrades, including newer and faster M2 SoCs, increased memory support (up to 96GB), and HDMI 2.1. The M2 chips perform better overall but consume more power, leading to slightly shorter battery life on the newer model.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is much better than the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020) ; however, they don't target the same audience. The MacBook Air is a thin and light ultraportable designed for light to moderately intensive workloads, while the MacBook Pro is a much more powerful mobile workstation designed for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. The MacBook Pro 14 has a much better display as it's larger, brighter, and sharper. It also has Mini LED backlighting to provide local dimming, and it supports ProMotion, which makes fast motion appear smoother and helps extend battery life. The MacBook Pro has a higher-resolution webcam, wider port selection, and a faster storage drive. The MacBook Air's battery lasts longer for light productivity, but its battery life for video playback is shorter than the MacBook Pro's.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is better than the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022) . The MacBook Pro 14 has a brighter Mini LED display with a higher refresh rate, a wider port selection, a better webcam, and better-sounding speakers. If you need to perform demanding tasks like video editing or 3D rendering for work, it's best to go with the MacBook Pro 14 because its M1 Pro and Max SoCs perform better and maintain higher performance over time. The MacBook Air's M2 SoC can handle some light photo and video editing, but it throttles significantly under load due to the lack of active cooling.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is much better than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019) . The MacBook Pro 14 has a much better Mini LED display with ProMotion support, its keyboard feels more comfortable to type on for extended periods, and its webcam captures a more detailed image for video calls. The MacBook Pro 14 also has a wider port selection that includes a full-size HDMI and USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. The MacBook Pro 14's M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs perform much better than the MacBook Pro 16's Intel CPU and AMD Radeon GPU, and they're more power-efficient, which leads to longer battery life.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is a smaller variant of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) . They're nearly identical in many aspects, but there are a few differences. The MacBook Pro 16's display is larger, giving you more screen space for multitasking. Its bigger chassis allows for a larger touchpad, better-sounding speakers, and more effective cooling on the SoC, leading to better performance over time. That said, it's more cumbersome to carry around. The MacBook Pro 16 has longer battery life for productivity, but it doesn't last as long for video playback. As for the configurations, the MacBook Pro 14 has a lower-end M1 Pro option with 8 CPU cores and 14 GPU cores that isn't available on the 16 inch model.

Although the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are very different devices, there's some overlap as the G14 has the processing power to be an excellent Windows workstation alternative to the MacBook Pro 14. The MacBook Pro 14 is a more premium device that offers a better user experience, as it has better-sounding speakers, a Mini LED display that produces deeper blacks, and a much better webcam. The MacBook Pro 14 also has a longer battery life and doesn't get as hot or loud under load. For gaming, though, it's best to go with the G14 because there aren't many games optimized for macOS running on Apple silicon, and the MacBook Pro 14's display has a slow response time.

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are very different laptops. The Lenovo is a Windows 2-in-1 convertible designed for light to moderately demanding workloads, while the Apple is a macOS mobile workstation with much more powerful graphics for intensive tasks like video editing. The Apple has a brighter and more colorful screen with a Mini LED backlight to provide much deeper blacks, making it better for viewing HDR content. Its webcam captures a better image for video calls, and its gigantic haptic touchpad has better tracking. On the other hand, the Lenovo laptop's speakers sound better and louder, and it doesn't get as hot or loud under load. As for the battery life, the Apple lasts much longer, with over 3 hours more of light productivity or nearly 4 hours more of video playback.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is much better than the HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8 (2021) . The MacBook Pro provides a better user experience, with a larger and more responsive touchpad, a better webcam and microphone array, more ports, and longer battery life. The MacBook Pro's display has a Mini LED backlight to provide better contrast and a 120Hz refresh rate to make the system feel more responsive. It also has full DCI P3 coverage for viewing and producing HDR content, while the HP model only has full coverage of the sRGB color space. Performance-wise, the MacBook Pro comes out ahead as its M1 Pro and Max SoCs are significantly faster and can handle more demanding tasks.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both mobile workstations designed for demanding production workloads. However, they're quite different. The Apple is a more premium and portable device that offers a better user experience than the Lenovo. The performance will depend largely on which configuration you get and which applications you use. The Lenovo's higher configurations may score better in some benchmarks than the Apple, but keep in mind that it's the dedicated media engines that do most of the heavy lifting on the Apple, so the benchmark scores aren't always indicative of performance. The Lenovo's advantage is that it's more versatile because you can also use it for gaming. You can game on the Apple, but there aren't many games optimized for its M1 SoC.

The ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both premium mobile workstations that can handle demanding production workloads like video editing and CADs. The choice comes down to the size, your personal operating system preference, and the applications you use, as some apps will run better or are only available on a specific platform. The ASUS is more user-upgradeable and a better choice for gaming, as there's a wider selection of games on Windows than on macOS with Apple silicon.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is better than the Dell Precision 5560 (2021) . The MacBook Pro 14 is a more compact and portable device with a sturdier build. It has a wider port selection, a better webcam, and a Mini LED display with a better contrast ratio, a faster refresh rate, and higher peak brightness. The MacBook Pro's M1 Pro and Max SoCs perform better than Intel's 11th Gen processors, and they're more power efficient, leading to longer battery life. However, the Precision 5560 is more serviceable as its memory and storage drive are user-replaceable, and its speakers get significantly louder.

Although the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both mobile workstations, there are a lot of differences between them. The ThinkPad is a 16 inch Windows laptop, while the MacBook Pro is a 14 inch macOS laptop. The MacBook Pro has a sturdier build, a much better touchpad and webcam, longer battery life, and doesn't get as hot or loud under load. It also has a 120Hz Mini LED display that produces deeper blacks and provides better responsiveness. The MacBook Pro's M1 SoCs perform better than the ThinkPad's Intel 11th Gen processors, but the ThinkPad has higher-end GPU options that provide better graphical performance. The ThinkPad has more ports, and its memory and storage are user-upgradeable, which you can't do on the MacBook Pro.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (2021) are both very different laptops. The MacBook is a mobile workstation aimed towards content creators with heavy workloads, whereas the Surface is a tablet meant for productivity use. The MacBook's M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are significantly better at handling heavy tasks like video editing and 3D rendering than the Surface's Intel chips. Additionally, the MacBook's display, touchpad, and speakers are significantly better, and it has a more flexible port selection and a much longer battery life. On the other hand, the Surface's slightly taller 3:2 aspect ratio means you have to scroll less when reading articles or formatting text, and since it's lighter and more compact, it's easier to bring around. Also, you can easily replace its M.2 drive.

The Dell Precision 5570 (2022) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both premium mobile workstations. The MacBook Pro 14 provides a better user experience overall because it has a better Mini LED display, a much better webcam, more ports, and longer battery life. However, the Precision 5570 is more serviceable because it uses replaceable parts, so you can upgrade the memory and storage later on. Performance-wise, it will depend on which configuration you get and the applications you use. If you want to game on the side, the Precision 5570 is better because there are more games optimized for Windows than for macOS running on Apple silicon.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is better than the Dell XPS 13 (2021) in most aspects; however, they're also very different. The XPS 13 is an ultraportable laptop designed for light productivity tasks like text formatting and web browsing, while the MacBook Pro 14 is a mobile workstation designed for demanding workloads, like video editing. The MacBook Pro 14 has a sharper and more colorful screen, a better touchpad and webcam, and a much wider port selection. Apple's M1 SoC performs better than any of the XPS 13's Intel 11th Gen. processors, and it's more power-efficient, giving the MacBook Pro 14 longer battery life.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Dell Alienware m15 R3 (2020) are very different laptops. The MacBook Pro 14 is a productivity-focused mobile workstation that runs macOS, whereas the Alienware m15 R3 is a gaming laptop that runs Windows. If you only plan on using the laptop for work, the MacBook Pro is a better choice because it has longer battery life, it's more portable, and its M1 SoC is better for tasks like video editing due to its specialized media encoders. The MacBook Pro also has a sharper display with wide gamut support, making it suitable for content creators. However, the Alienware m15 R3 is a better option for gaming because you can configure it with a more powerful GPU, and there are more games optimized for Windows on an x86 platform than for macOS running on an ARM-based chip. Also, you can configure the Alienware m15 R3 with a much faster 300Hz display, giving you a significantly smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

The MSI WS76 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both premium mobile workstations. The WS76 has a larger display, so you get more room for multitasking, but it's harder to carry around as it's a larger, bulkier, and heavier device. The MacBook Pro 14 provides a better user experience overall because it has a more comfortable keyboard, a much larger touchpad, and a better webcam. The MacBook Pro 14's battery lasts a lot longer if you only perform light productivity tasks, but for demanding workloads like video editing, the battery life is very similar between both devices. The WS76's port selection is better as it has USB-A ports for peripherals, whereas the MacBook Pro 14 only has USB-Cs.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the HP ENVY x360 13 (2020) are very different laptops. The MacBook Pro is a mobile workstation designed for demanding tasks like photo and video editing, while the ENVY x360 is a 2-in-1 convertible designed for lighter workloads like text formatting, web browsing, and spreadsheets. The MacBook Pro is better in nearly every aspect, but it's also significantly more expensive.

The Framework Laptop 13 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both productivity laptops. However, the Framework runs Windows, while the MacBook Pro runs macOS. The MacBook Pro has a much better display as it's brighter, sharper, and more colorful, and thanks to its Mini LED backlight, it can display much deeper blacks. The MacBook Pro's keyboard feels more comfortable to type on, its touchpad is larger and tracks better, and its webcam captures a cleaner image for video calls. The MacBook Pro's M1 SoC can handle heavier workloads like video editing, and its battery lasts longer. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop is more portable, and it's easier to service and upgrade after purchase. It also has a unique modular I/O system that lets you swap out the ports on the fly.

Test Results

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 has a sleek and premium design. It looks nearly identical to the larger Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) but with smaller speaker grills on each side of the keyboard. There's a notch at the top of the display to house the camera, but it isn't noticeable if you have a dark background. There are vents on the bottom along the sides and at the back. It's available in two color schemes: Space Gray or Silver.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 feels exceptionally well built. It has a sturdy aluminum chassis with no gaps in the construction and virtually no flex in the display and keyboard deck. The hinges and the glass touchpad also feel solid.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has an outstanding hinge. It feels smooth when opening and closing, and it's very stable, with almost no play at all. The screen doesn't wobble even when typing aggressively.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 and its included power adapter are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry around.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch has poor serviceability. To access the internals, you have to remove eight P5 screws, pull the panel towards the bottom of the laptop, and then upwards to remove it completely. You can only replace the batteries, and even then, it requires a lot of effort to get them out. If you want a workstation with user-replaceable memory and storage, check out the Dell Precision 5560 (2021) . Opening the laptop and changing the hardware may void the manufacturer's warranty.

• Apple MacBook Pro 14 laptop
• 67W power adapter
• Apple MagSafe cable (2m)
• Documentation
• Apple stickers

Note: The M1 Pro with 10 CPU cores and M1 Max models have a 96W power adapter.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 displays very sharp images and text thanks to its high pixel density. It's slightly taller than standard 16:9 screens, giving you more vertical space so that you don't have to scroll as much when viewing documents or websites. However, this means you'll almost always have black bars at the top and bottom when watching videos. The notch doesn't cut into the 16:10 display; instead, you get some extra space on each side of the notch where the menu bar now resides.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 supports ProMotion, meaning it can adjust the refresh rate according to the task or content, up to 120Hz. It makes motion appear smoother when navigating around or scrolling through documents and helps extend battery life when the on-screen content is inactive. The response time is slow as there's visible ghosting behind moving objects, which you can also see in this Blur Buster UFO photo . The image does look noticeably clearer at 120Hz, though; you can see the difference in this 60Hz photo . ProMotion works similarly to other variable refresh rate technologies; however, the application needs to support it to work. There are a few options in the settings to set a fixed refresh rate below 60Hz, but you can't set it to a fixed 120Hz as there's only a 'ProMotion' setting for any refresh rate above 60Hz.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch has a superb contrast ratio. Although it uses an IPS panel, it can achieve much higher contrast thanks to its Mini LED backlight providing local dimming, resulting in deep blacks. The contrast ratio is even higher when displaying a full black and full white screen in HDR at 100,050:1. The contrast ratio can vary slightly between individual units, but it usually isn't enough to be noticeable.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 gets bright enough to combat glare, even in a sunny environment. Its brightness is also very consistent across different content, with only a slight dip in the 2% windows, which is barely noticeable. There's more brightness variation in HDR, but even the dimmest windows are well over 1100 cd/m², more than bright enough for a true HDR experience. It gets very dim at the lowest brightness setting, providing a more comfortable dark room viewing experience as it causes less eye strain.

SDR Brightness:

• 2% Peak: 443.0 cd/m²
• 2% Sustained: 441.9 cd/m²
• 10% Peak: 500.4 cd/m²
• 10% Sustained: 500.1 cd/m²
• 25% Peak: 501.6 cd/m²
• 25% Sustained: 500.3 cd/m²
• 50% Peak: 502.1 cd/m²
• 50% Sustained: 501.5 cd/m²
• 100% Peak: 502.0 cd/m²
• 100% Sustained: 501.1 cd/m²

HDR Brightness:

• 2% Peak: 1385.5 cd/m²
• 2% Sustained: 1374.9 cd/m²
• 10% Peak: 1621.8 cd/m²
• 10% Sustained: 1611.2 cd/m²
• 25% Peak: 1634.3 cd/m²
• 25% Sustained: 1612.3 cd/m²
• 50% Peak: 1596.6 cd/m²
• 50% Sustained: 1572.4 cd/m²
• 100% Peak: 1175.5 cd/m²
• 100% Sustained: 1170.8 cd/m²

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has excellent reflection handling. It only struggles with direct reflections, so it's best to avoid having bright lights right behind you shining at the screen.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's black uniformity is superb. Aside from a tiny amount of blooming around the test cross, the rest of the screen is perfect due to local dimming provided by its Mini LED backlight.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has adequate horizontal viewing angles. Image quality is good enough from the side for sharing content casually, but it's best to view the screen close to straight on if you need perfect accuracy for work.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has okay vertical viewing angles. The image remains accurate until you reach a moderately steep angle from above or below, meaning you have some leeway to tilt the screen before image quality degrades, which comes in handy when you need to use the laptop in a tight space, like on a bus or an airplane.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has superb color accuracy out of the box. The color and white balance inaccuracies are extremely minor and aren't visible to the naked eye. The color temperature is slightly cooler than the standard 6500K, not enough to make much difference visually. The gamma follows the sRGB curve most of the time, but it sticks to a 2.2 gamma in dark scenes, making them look darker than intended. Color accuracy varies between individual units; however, it's usually by such a small amount that it isn't visually noticeable.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has an outstanding color gamut, nearly identical to the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) . It has full sRGB coverage, meaning it can display all the colors used in most online content. Its Adobe RGB coverage is excellent, but it might not be wide enough for professional photo editing as it can't display the saturated greens that define Adobe RGB. It has full DCI P3 coverage, and its Rec. 2020 coverage is adequate, making it suitable for viewing and producing HDR content.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch's backlight technically flickers, but it isn't visible because the frequency is extremely high.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a great keyboard. The layout is the same as all other Apple Magic Keyboards, except it now has full-size function keys. The keys are slightly smaller than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) 's, and the spacing is tighter, but it's still spacious enough to type comfortably. The keys are stable and don't require an excessive amount of force to actuate; however, their travel distance is very short, which some people might not like as it can feel like you're constantly bottoming out. You can adjust the backlight brightness, but only through macOS' control panel or settings.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has an outstanding touchpad. It's large but not to the point of causing problems with unintentional triggers from the palms when typing, and it tracks all movements and gestures exceptionally well. It uses haptic feedback to simulate the click mechanism, so you can click anywhere on the touchpad, making actions like dragging and dropping much easier.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch has great speakers. They sound full and well-balanced, with a lot more bass than most laptop speakers. However, they aren't as good as the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) 's as they distort more at high volume levels. Unfortunately, they also don't get very loud.

There are many reports of users experiencing crackling and popping sounds when playing back media. It's likely a software bug as some users have found workarounds, like leaving QuickTime open in the background or changing the audio sample rate to 44.1KHz. Apple will likely resolve this through a firmware update; we'll update the review when it's available.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's webcam video quality is outstanding. The image is detailed and well exposed, and the colors look natural. Its three-mic array sounds loud and clear, with practically no background noise.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's port selection is excellent. The three USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gbps data transfer rate), USB4 (up to 40Gbps), charging, and video output via DisplayPort. The M1 Pro models support up to two 6k @ 60Hz displays, while the M1 Max models support up to three 6K @ 60Hz and one 4k @ 60Hz external displays. Unfortunately, there aren't any USB-A ports, so you'll likely need adapters for your wired peripherals. If you need HDMI 2.1 support, check out the newer Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M2, 2023) .

We can't confirm which wireless adapter the Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch uses.

You can configure the Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch with an M1 Pro or M1 Max SoC. The M1 Pro has two variants, one with an 8-core CPU (6 performance/2 efficiency) and another with a 10-core CPU (8 performance/2 efficiency). On the other hand, the M1 Max has only a single 10-core CPU configuration (8 performance/2 efficiency). Aside from the core count, the M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs differ in their GPU configuration, memory bandwidth, and specialized video encoders and decoders. The M1 Pro has a 200GB/s memory bandwidth, one video decoding engine, one video encoding engine, and one ProRes encoding and decoding engine. The M1 Max has a 400GB/s memory bandwidth, one video decoding engine, two video encoding engines, and two ProRes encoding and decoding engines.

The M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs can handle nearly every type of workload, from simple web browsing to demanding video editing tasks. Single-thread performance is the same no matter which SoC you choose; however, multi-thread performance will be better on the 10-core CPU options. Choosing between an M1 Pro and M1 Max depends on your workload and whether the applications that you use can take advantage of the wider memory bandwidth and specialized video encoders and decoders.

Our Apple MacBook Pro 14 has the base M1 Pro SoC with 8 CPU cores and 14 GPU cores. If you need better graphical performance, you can upgrade to an M1 Pro chip with 10 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores or an M1 Max chip with 24 or 32 GPU cores. The GPU shares the same memory pool as the CPU, but unlike most integrated graphics, it can use as much of the shared memory as it needs. That said, the system likely reserves some memory for basic functions.

Choosing between the various M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs depends on your workload. The base configuration can handle demanding tasks like video editing, but it'll struggle a bit if you work with high-resolution material, like 8k footage. More GPU cores will result in a smoother experience with fewer frame drops and faster render times. In regards to gaming, the M1 Pro with 14 GPU cores can handle some moderately demanding titles, but you'll almost certainly have to play at 1080p with low graphical settings to achieve playable frame rates. The top-end M1 Max with 32 GPU cores can run more demanding games, but you'll still have to play at 1080p to get smooth gameplay. Gaming performance can vary significantly depending on whether the game runs natively on the M1 chip or through Rosetta 2, as the latter can cause a drop in performance or graphical glitches. Games included in Apple's Arcade subscription service will run well because they're mobile games designed for ARM-based SoCs.

The M1 Pro models of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 are available with 16GB or 32GB of memory, while the M1 Max models are available with 32GB or 64GB. The CPU and GPU share the same memory pool, so it might be worth getting more if you work with VRAM-heavy applications.

You can configure the Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch with 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB of storage space. To get the 512GB storage option on an M1 Pro or M1 Max model with 10 CPU cores on Apple's website, you have to select the 8-core CPU option first and then manually upgrade the SoC.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 with a base M1 Pro scores exceptionally well in Geekbench 5. It has remarkable single- and multi-thread performance, similar to the top-end M1 Max in the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) but with a slightly lower multi-thread score. The GPU compute score is decent, in the same ballpark as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 in the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15 (2021) .

Overall, the scores indicate that the base M1 Pro SoC can handle nearly every type of productivity workload. Upgrading to the M1 Pro or M1 Max with 10 CPU cores will only increase multi-thread performance by roughly 27%. However, GPU performance will increase significantly on the M1 Max with 24 or 32 GPU cores, with the 32-core GPU performing about 77% better than the base M1 Pro in GPU compute tasks. The M1 Max's additional media encoders will also improve performance significantly in applications that can benefit from hardware acceleration.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 scores exceptionally well in Cinebench R23's CPU rendering test. Like the Geekbench 5 benchmarks, the base M1 Pro with 8 CPU cores has the same single-thread performance as the M1 Pro and M1 Max with 10 CPU cores, but its multi-thread performance is about 30% behind. That said, the base M1 Pro is still more than adequate for rendering and other related tasks.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's performance in Blender is decent. The M1 Pro with 8 CPU cores renders the bmw27 scene relatively quickly, but it might still be too slow for professionals working on a deadline. The M1 Pro and M1 Max with 10 CPU cores will be faster, completing the render in just over four minutes. Blender doesn't support GPU rendering on Apple Silicon at the time of writing.

The Apple MacBook Pro with a 14-core GPU M1 Pro has great performance in the Basemark GPU benchmark. It scores surprisingly high compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) , which has an M1 Max with more than double the number of GPU cores. That said, real-world gaming performance will vary significantly depending on how well the game runs through Rosetta 2, as there are few titles optimized for Apple silicon. You'll have to play at 1080p with medium or low graphical settings in most graphically-intensive games to get smooth gameplay, even on a top-end M1 Max model with 32 GPU cores.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's 512GB storage drive performance is exceptional. It has particularly fast sequential read and write speeds, meaning it can quickly access and copy large files. It isn't as fast as the advertised speeds; however, the numbers Apple quotes are from an 8TB drive test, and larger SSDs tend to perform better.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch has outstanding battery life. It lasts easily through a typical 8-hour day of light productivity like web browsing and text formatting. Video playback drains the battery faster, but it still lasts long enough to get through multiple full-length movies, and you'll likely get even longer battery life when using a native app like Apple TV. The battery life for gaming is short but still better than most laptops with a dedicated GPU, and it's similar to what you can expect when performing demanding tasks that push the CPU and CPU to their maximum capacity, like video editing. The M1 Pro (with 10 CPU cores) and M1 Max models will have shorter battery life due to their increased CPU and GPU core count. Battery life varies greatly depending on usage.

Borderlands 3 runs poorly on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with a 14-core GPU M1 Pro. The gameplay is choppy even at 1080p with low graphical settings. The average frame rate isn't much worse than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) with a 32 GPU core M1 Max, but the frame times are more inconsistent.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's performance in Civilization VI is middling. Although the average frame rate doesn't reach 60fps, even at the lowest graphical settings, the game is relatively smooth, good enough for a turn-based game. An M1 Max with 24 or 32 GPU cores will get you over 60fps, provided that you turn a few settings down. The average turn time is long, and it doesn't get much better with the 10-core CPU variants.

CS:GO runs smoothly on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with a base M1 Pro SoC. The average frame rate is high and surprisingly close to the M1 Max with 32 GPU cores in the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) . The software used to log the 1% and 0.1% lows doesn't work on macOS; however, the game looks smooth visually.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs reasonably well on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch. You can get a smooth gaming experience if you turn the graphical settings down to near minimum. The game benchmark registers significantly more consistent frame times than on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) with a top-end M1 Max, though it's worth noting that there weren't any visual stutters on the MacBook Pro 16 despite what the benchmark showed. The large frame time spikes are scene changes and aren't representative of the laptop's performance.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has good thermal and noise handling. The keyboard deck is cool when idle; however, it gets toasty under load and can cause some discomfort as the hottest spot is right in the middle of the keyboard. The fans remain relatively quiet under load, quieter than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) , and they ramp down very quickly once the CPU or GPU no longer need to run at near maximum capacity.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14's performance over time is exceptional. The CPU throttles under load, but it regains its full performance as soon as the fans kick in and bring the temperature down. The GPU throttles slightly at times, though the average performance loss is negligible. The M1 Pro and M1 Max models with more CPU and GPU cores will likely throttle more often as they consume more power, but they'll still perform better overall and complete jobs faster.

The software used to measure the CPU and GPU temperatures doesn't work on Macs with Apple silicon. Here are the temperatures (average of three runs) recorded through TG Pro:

• CPU: 98°C (208.4°F)
• GPU: 88°C (190.4°F)

We aren't posting the numbers as official results because the methodology is different from other laptop reviews, and the results aren't fully comparable.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch doesn't have any pre-installed applications aside from those that typically come with macOS. If you prefer working on a Windows laptop, check out the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 (2021) .

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 inch has a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, allowing you to log in quickly, make purchases in the Apple App Store, use Apple Pay, and authorize password auto-filling on supported websites.

Article updated on October 28, 2021 at 9:43 AM PDT

MacBook Pro 2021 16-inch review: Apple's M1 Max chip meets retro ports

It's the best of the old and new in this long-awaited, professional-grade Apple silicon MacBook.

Our Experts

• Author of the award-winning, NY Times-reviewed nonfiction book The Tetris Effect; Longtime consumer technology expert for CBS Mornings

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M1 Max

• HDMI and SD card ports return
• MagSafe power connection is back
• Bigger, better, brighter screen with slimmer bezels
• New great-looking 1080p webcam
• Huge leap in graphics performance over earlier M1 systems
• Function keys replace the Touch Bar
• Higher-end configs quickly drive up the price
• Screen has a notch for the webcam

A very specific audience of video editors, 3D designers and other creative professionals have been waiting for a new post-Intel , graphics-heavy Mac. Apple's two new super-powered MacBook Pro laptops are clearly aimed at that audience, with an emphasis on graphics processing and connectivity. Now, these power users will have to decide if the expensive new versions are pro enough for their needs. Our early hands-on experience so far says yes. 

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are remarkably similar in design and component options. Both add the same resurrected ports , new Mini-LED display and improved webcam . Both are available with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip , with a few small differences in the specific CPU configurations. Both also ditch the drive towards ever-thinner designs, with a chunky, almost retro-inspired look. 

Read more: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 Pro review

As the 16-inch version is the more buzz-worthy of the two new laptops, I'll focus on it here as a true desktop replacement and a worthy heir to the late, great 17-inch MacBook Pro , last seen in 2012. In a separate review of the 14-inch MacBook Pro , I break down some of the differences between the two sizes, and who the audience for each might be. 

Big and bold  

The first thing you notice about the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is its build is slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor. And unlike some earlier MacBooks, this version doesn't try as hard to hide its size with curves and tapers. It's proudly angular, with thicker sides for more ports and chunky rubber feet on the bottom. It's also about a half-pound heavier, which ain't peanuts. It embraces an almost retro style on the outside, while offering something new on the inside. 

With so many changes, I'm hard-pressed to say which side of that coin is the most important. To be sure, the new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are precisely what a slice of the creative pro market has been waiting for. These new chips replace the need for both an Intel CPU and discrete AMD graphics , a combo previously found in only a few high-end Macs. In other words, after a long wait, professional video editors and 3D modelers have a new MacBook aimed squarely at them.

And with prices that start at $2,500 for the 16-inch model and $2,000 for the 14-inch, it's probably a good idea to have the business justification for such a hefty purchase all lined up -- even if someone else (like your employer) is paying for it. 

Current MacBook lineup

Playing the greatest hits .

If everything comes back in style eventually, it must be time for HDMI ports and SD card slots to return. I'm as shocked as anyone by the return of not only these classic-but-useful ports, but also the long-dead MagSafe power connector. 

If you've followed Apple evolution as long as I have, you know nothing is permanent when it comes to ports. (I mean, Apple would never take the headphone jack out of the iPhone, right?)

It's as if Apple designers decided to go through all the feedback they've gotten for years and cherry pick everyone's top handful of wishlist requests (with apologies to whoever wanted mini-DisplayPort or DVI to return). 

I recall the very first MacBook Pro from 2006 , which I reviewed as well. The original Pro cost a similar $2,800 and included three USB 2.0 ports; FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports; an ExpressCard slot; and a DVI port. It wasn't until the first Retina screen MacBook Pro, which I reviewed in 2012 , that HDMI first made its way to a MacBook. But it disappeared a few years after that, when Apple moved toward USB-C  starting with the 12-inch MacBook . The SD card slot similarly came and went over the years. 

HDMI is something people have been asking to get back. It's great to be future-forward, but HDMI remains immensely useful, even if it's transitioning into being more of a legacy port. That's also why we had laptops with VGA ports for so many years after they should have vanished. People have older or legacy devices, like printers, projectors and displays, and they want to be able to plug into those immediately, with a cable common enough that you might luck out and find one buried in the back of a desk drawer. In a pinch, I can probably dig up an HDMI cable from somewhere, or steal one from a game console. You're less likely to run across a USB-C-to-HDMI dongle by sheer luck. 

A look at the new 14-inch and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro

Magnetic attraction 

The MagSafe connection, a clever power plug design that stayed in place but popped away harmlessly if you tripped over it, was also phased out years ago in favor of USB-C. I loved MagSafe, and was sorry to see it go. But there was also a greater social good that came from everyone using the same kind of USB-C plug, so I was skeptical to hear it was making a comeback . 

Here's my logic, which you are free to disagree with. For the past several years, if someone shouts out -- in a classroom, coffee shop or socially distanced office -- "Does anyone have a MacBook charger," everyone knows you're talking about a power brick with a USB-C cable. I could charge my Nintnedo Switch with my MacBook charger and charge my MacBook with my Nintendo Switch charger. I've used Lenovo chargers on Macs, Dell chargers on Lenovos and so on. 

You can still charge this new MacBook with almost any USB-C charger, by using one of the three USB-C ports. I tried it with a 65-watt Lenovo charger, a 39-watt Switch charger and an older 61-watt MacBook charger. All worked, some much faster than others. The 16-inch Pro comes with a massive new 140-watt MagSafe 3 charger , while the 14-inch Pro has a 96-watt MagSafe 3 charger. 

The MagSafe cable that starts with USB-C on one end and terminates in the MagSafe plug on the other end has a woven covering, much like the cables for the 24-inch M1 iMac . It's a much nicer feel than plain rubbery cables than last year's M1 MacBooks included. 

In practice, MagSafe is just as good as I remember it; the magnetic plug end, which looks very similar to the older models, snaps right on easily and stays in place unless you give it a good tug. Microsoft also has a version of this, with a small magnetic fin that slots into a power port on Surface Pro tablets . But in that case, the magnetic head never stays seated and always routes the cable somewhere awkward, so it's good you can use regular USB-C to charge those as well. 

In the end, I'm glad MagSafe is back, even though I'll have to think more about which cables I bring when I take a trip or head out to work at a local coffee shop.

How well the notch blends in depends on your desktop background color. 

Notch your average laptop screen 

We've hit peak screen bezel. Or maybe peak non-bezel. The border around the display here has gotten so thin that there's not even room for a webcam any longer. I've seen this happen on other laptops as well. In those cases, the camera gets moved somewhere awkward, or it's reduced to a tiny pinhole camera with poor image quality. 

Here the camera gets slotted into an iPhone-like notch at the top of the display. Yes, just like an iPhone. And like the iPhone, it's annoying and too obvious at first. You can't stop seeing it cutting into your screen real estate. Then, in a few hours or days, it blends into the background and you forget about it. 

The notch implementation in MacOS is especially clever, as the menu bar for whatever app you have open moves up to sit right beside the camera notch. It's much better than just having dead space there and frees up the rest of the screen for better things. As far as design compromises go, it's a pretty good one. 

Shot seconds apart, the new 1080p MacBook webcam versus last year's 720p MacBook webcam. 

The camera will also spoil you quickly if you're used to the lower-res 720p cameras in other Macs (and most Windows laptops as well). In our era of nonstop web meetings and remote conferences, your webcam matters. These new laptops join the 27-inch (Intel) iMac and M1 24-inch iMac, as well as some other computers like the Surface Pro 8 , in adding a full-HD camera, with 1,080 lines of horizontal resolution. Once you start using a better camera for web meetings, it's impossible to go back . 

The Mini-LED display (Apple calls it a Liquid Retina XDR display) is similar to the screen in the larger iPad Pro model , and also can go up to a 120Hz refresh rate. Like the iPad Pro and other mini LED devices, the actual refresh rate is variable, which can save on battery life. It's also brighter, hitting a sustained brightness of 1,000 nits, versus 500 nits (it's a measurement of brightness, explained here ) for previous models. 

The border around the MacBook's screen is now much thinner, compared to last year's MacBook Pro. 

In practice, it's OLED-like, by which I mean it combines near-total blacks with extreme brightness, perfect for high dynamic range content -- not very surprising, since it's essentially the same screen technology in the company's Pro Display XDR . I'll admit, I took Apple's suggestion and opened up a 4K episode of Foundation on Apple TV Plus , and it looked great. Almost more importantly, it sounded great with excellent wide spatial separation from the six-speaker system. (However, I still have no idea what's going on in Foundation.)

The Apple Touch Bar (2016-2021)

I'm surprised the Touch Bar lasted as long as it did . The idea of a second display, especially a touch one, is a good idea on paper. Some phones and laptops are even adding secondary displays today. But in this case, it never really caught on. So with barely a mention, it's gone and been replaced with good, old-fashioned function keys. 

Welcome back, Function keys! 

The best part of the Touch Bar survives beyond its official cancellation, though. The Touch ID fingerprint reader has been broken out into its own component and is found now in the MacBook Air, the Pro and the 24-inch iMac's keyboard. 

I won't go as far as defending the Touch Bar, but I already miss riding the fader on brightness and volume instead of tapping the function keys over and over again. 

Pro or Max?

The big question is, are these new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips powerful enough to make the MacBook Pro feel truly pro? These two chip options, both available in either screen size, have been explained in great detail by several of my colleagues. 

As my CPU-expert colleague Lori Grunin explains , "There are two versions of the M1 Pro, one with eight CPU cores and 14 GPU cores and one with 10 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores." The M1 Max also has 10 CPU cores, but your choice of 24 or 32 GPU cores. Lori says, "The M1 Max and M1 Pro clearly differ in terms of peak performance, with the M1 Max doubling some important contributors to theoretical performance, notably the number of hardware ProRes accelerators, which is extremely important for pro video editing." The new MacOS Monterey will also purportedly add a high-power mode, like a Windows PC's high-performance mode, for 16-inch systems with the M1 Max chip. 

I've only been using these new MacBooks for a few days so far. In my first wave of testing, both the M1 Pro (in the 14-inch) and the M1 Max (in the 16-inch) scored higher on benchmark tests than either the first wave of M1 Macs or comparable Intel-powered PCs. 

MacBook Pro M1 Pro and M1 Max performance

Since video editing is such a big part of the Mac ecosystem, and a big selling point for M1 Pro and M1 Max, I tried that, too. In Adobe Premiere, I cut together a few short 8K video clips shot by one of our video producers. Then I threw a whole bunch of random things at the project -- different color correction on every clip, transitions, digital effects and floating titles. My resulting video was about 50 seconds long, and I exported it as an 8K H.264 file at a constant 50Mbps bit rate. 

As shown in the chart below, the new Macs completed that task more than twice as fast as either a standard M1-powered Mac or a 2019 MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i7 CPU and AMD Radeon 5300M graphics. With this quick initial test, I didn't see much daylight between the Pro and Max versions of the chip, but I'm going to continue to test with more intense workloads and will update these charts as needed. 

Premiere video export test

The 2020 Air and 13-inch Pro, along with the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch Pro. 

Is this for you?

That's the million-dollar question -- or at least the $2,500-and-up question. Every video editor and creative pro I've spoken to is either excited to get or has already preordered one. For that audience, the decision comes down more to screen size and a small, medium or large number of GPU cores. 

If you're not specifically going to use these new hardware capabilities and just want the latest, coolest MacBook, know that you're making what is essentially a vanity purchase. The plain old $999 MacBook Air, with its own M1 Chip, is still the most universally useful laptop most people can buy. You do, however, lose out on the new 1080p webcam, which is frankly fantastic. 

We will continue to update this review with additional test scores and analysis, including battery test scores (my initial video streaming battery test ran for 16.5 hours), in the coming weeks.

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Brenda Stolyar

Review: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2022)

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on a scale of one to 10 (one being least excited), I’d say I was at level two when I unboxed the new MacBook Pro 2022 . It’s hard to get excited about a machine that’s quite literally a processor update and nothing more. 

This 13-inch laptop, which once felt like a powerhouse despite its small size, now feels aimless. Apple didn’t give it the upgrades it introduced in last year’s high-end MacBook Pro models , such as a sleeker redesign, 1080p webcam, slimmer bezels around the display, and a MagSafe charger. Weirdly, many of these changes made it to the brand-new and cheaper MacBook Air , which is also powered by the same M2 processor inside the 13-inch MacBook Pro. What’s up with that?

It’s a perplexing addition to the MacBook lineup. Yes, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro works just fine. Its performance is great and battery life is reliable; the Butterfly keys that caused so many problems are long gone. It’s the only MacBook in the entire lineup that keeps the Touch Bar (er, if you like that). But for $1,299, I think it’s fair to expect more from Apple.  

The running joke on the internet is that Apple had too many MacBook Pro 2020 models lying around, so it swapped out the M1 processor for the newer M2 chip and called it a day. I … would not be surprised if this was actually the case. The two are almost identical .

It has the exact same chassis, complete with a 13-inch LCD display, a 720p webcam, a Touch ID sensor, the infamous Touch Bar , two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. Just about the only difference is the added support for high-impedance headphones in the audio jack, so you can get a bit more fidelity if you plug in nice cans .

The biggest upgrade isn’t visible to the naked eye: the M2 chip . A successor to the M1, the M2 comes with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU—two more than its predecessor, giving it a boost in graphics performance. Apple also increased its memory capacity to 24 gigabytes, up from 16. This will cost you an extra $400, but if you’re buying the 13-inch Pro, you may as well bump the RAM up to the max. 

Here’s the thing. If you don’t upgrade the MacBook Pro, you can get similar performance with the upcoming MacBook Air for less money. (Plus all those perks, like a 1080p webcam and quad speakers.) If you max out the MacBook Pro’s RAM, it’ll cost $1,699. Spend $300 more and you can get the base 14-inch MacBook Pro plus all of its upgrades, like the richer variety of ports. 

The M2 might sound like it’s better, but it’s a base-level chip next to the M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra powering the $2,000+ MacBook Pro models. It’s easy to be swayed by Apple’s stats, which boast that the M2 processor has a 35 percent more powerful GPU, 18 percent faster CPU, and 40 percent faster neural engine compared to the M1. But it’s not quite enough for most professionals, who require more computing power. (The M2, just like the M1, still only supports one external monitor, unlike the M1 Pro and up.)

The M2 performed well. Most of the time, I didn’t run into any hiccups. On busier days, when I had about 20 tabs open on Google Chrome and multiple apps running in the background simultaneously, it felt a bit sluggish; there was some lag when switching between tabs and windows, and I managed to trigger the dreaded rainbow wheel a few times. 

I uploaded 4K Pro Res files shot on the iPhone 13 Pro to Final Cut Pro and edited one stream on the timeline. I applied a light color grade, along with a few other built-in effects and saw some stuttering throughout. I didn’t really alter the footage that much, but this MacBook Pro struggled with even the slightest of color adjustments (and the rainbow wheel made a few appearances). 

Editing photos with apps like Pixelmator and Adobe Photoshop felt a lot smoother. The Mac stuttered here and there while I adjusted sliders, added slight bits of rotation, and made minor changes to color. But it still managed to power through a multitude of layers and effects to achieve the desired look—without the fans ever kicking in. 

That’s the main difference in power between this MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air—it has a fan. When the fan kicks in, the MacBook Pro can draw a little more power over sustained periods. It also has slightly better battery life. I usually had to plug in after eight hours on workdays. 

All of this isn’t to say the 13-inch MacBook Pro is completely unusable for heavy-duty tasks, but it likely won’t be enough for anyone who regularly deals with processor-intensive workloads. If that’s you, I think it’s worth saving your cash and going for the base version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro instead. 

If you just need a good, new laptop, wait for the upcoming MacBook Air . You get a slightly larger, more modern-looking screen, a better webcam, nicer speakers, and a fast-charging support, all in an overall lighter package (and fun colors!). This MacBook Pro remains an awkward middle child and doesn’t bring nearly enough to the table to be worth your while. 

Best MacBook Pro of 2024

Find the best MacBook Pro across the Apple laptop range

• How to choose
• How we test
• ▶ Best overall
• ▶ Best budget
• ▶ Best premium
• ▶Best M2
• ▶ Best premium M2
• ▶ Best Clearance

1. Quick list 2. FAQs 3. How to choose 4. How we test 5. Top picks in depth ▶ Best overall ▶ Best budget ▶ Best premium ▶ Best M2 ▶ Best premium M2 ▶ Best clearance

Finding the best MacBook Pro for your specific requirements can feel like navigating a labyrinth, given Apple 's rich assortment of models. 

Take our top pick, the MacBook Pro 14-inch with Apple M3-series chips. It offers outstanding performance across a range of price points, making it the best model for most people. But it's hardly the only one. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 chip is a fantastic performer that you can get for pretty cheap, making it a great option for creative pros on a budget.

There are also older MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models available at various retailers, and they remain some of the best laptop options for creative professionals who need all-day battery life, brilliant displays, and top-tier performance. We've reviewed all the best MacBook models over the last decade, so we know our MacBook Pros, and we've rounded up our top picks to help you find the best MacBook Pro for your needs and budget.

The Quick List

The best MacBook Pro overall The MacBook Pro 14-inch with the latest M3-series chips offers outstanding, best-in-class performance while getting fantastic battery life and features the best display of any MacBook ever.

Read more below  

The best budget MacBook Pro While the 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2022 might not be as powerful as the 14-inch or 16-inch models, it still packs a good performance punch, especially for its price and size.

Read more below

The best premium MacBook Pro Looking for the most power, most feature-rich, and largest MacBook Pro on the market? This is it. Its incredible performance and gorgeous display come at a premium though.

The best MacBook Pro with M2 chip The early-2023 MacBook Pro 14-inch isn't as powerful as the M3-series models released later that same year, but it's still a fantastic performer that you'll likely find on sale.

The best premium M2 MacBook Pro This beast of a MacBook Pro comes in just behind its successor as the best premium MacBook Pro, and its M2-series chips are more than powerful enough for the most demanding workloads.

The best MacBook Pro on clearance The MacBook Pro 14-inch with M1 Pro might be harder to find than newer models, but if you can find this powerhouse on clearance, it'll be well worth the effort.

The best MacBook Pro: FAQs

Which one is better macbook pro or air.

While the MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop, it is not really geared for creative professionals, so it might not have the memory, storage, and processing power you'll need for professional use. If you need to do serious creative content work, the MacBook Pro is the way to go. If this is the case, pair with the best monitors for MacBook Pro for the absolute in color fidelity. 

What MacBook Pro model year is the best?

This isn't as straightforward a question as it might seem, honestly. The MacBook Pro 14-inch with an M3-series chip is our top pick, but an M2 Max MacBook Pro is going to outperform an M3 or M3 Pro chip, even though these were released more recently. It all depends on your performance needs and your budget, since older models might be cheaper than current models while still giving you the level of performance you need.

How to choose the best MacBook Pro for you

The two key factors to keep in mind when choosing a MacBook Pro is price and performance, since the designs and displays of each MacBook Pro on our list are similar enough that you won't find much difference there.

Older models will be cheaper, as will smaller sizes, so if you're on a more restricted budget, the M2-series MacBook Pros in 13-inch and 14-inch are great, and you can get up to an M2 Max in a 14-inch MacBook Pro. If you've got a lot of room in your budget, a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max is going to be the best you can get and will last you much longer than other models might, which is great for future-proofing. 

For memory and storage, unless you're doing substantial video editing work with very large source files at high resolutions, you shouldn't need more than 24GB or 32GB of memory, and 2TB storage is going to be more than enough for most users. Video pros will definitely need a minimum of 32GB and 2TB, and higher memory and storage configurations are recommended.  

How we tested our best MacBook Pro picks

We put all the MacBook Pro models we review through our standard battery of benchmark tests to score their processing power, both in absolute synthetic terms but also with workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and others. Traditionally, MacBooks are some of the best laptops for photo editing , best video editing laptops , and best laptops for graphic design - so we're always keen to see how the latest models perform in the creative arena. We also conduct extensive battery testing to measure its real world longevity.

We measure these scores against their predecessors to determine if it's worth the upgrade to the latest models, or if the previous model offers a better value of price for its performance.

The best MacBook Pro: Our Top Picks

The best macbook pro of 2024.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best MacBook Pro models on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. 

The best MacBook Pro overall

1. MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The new MacBook Pro 14, powered by Apple's M3 chip, particularly the high-end M3 Max processor, is more than just a new laptop; it's a testament to the chip's raw power. The highest-end configurations showcase superior performance due to their additional CPU and GPU cores and larger memory capacity (64GB). While the base M3 model still offers advanced features like hardware-based ray tracing, mesh shading, and a fast neural network, it has fewer cores and less memory.

This MacBook Pro stands out for its design, including an option for a fingerprint-resistant Space Black finish, a highly praised keyboard, and the macOS Sonoma platform, offering versatility for various activities. It's considered the best MacBook to date.

However, it's not an affordable option. For those with less demanding needs, like working on standard files or less intensive gaming, the MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 (included below). The complete MacBook Pro 14 M3 series, from the base model to the M3 Pro and M3 Max, rank among the top laptops available, not just the best Mac devices, with the M3 Max configuration also a contender for the best gaming laptop list.

Read the full MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023) review

The best budget MacBook Pro

2. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022)

If you're looking for an affordable MacBook Pro that delivers impressive performance and power, then the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) is a brilliant option. It keeps the same price as the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch while touting Apple’s brand-new M2 chip that certainly makes up for the fact that Apple hasn't given its design and look a proper refresh. That makes this the best budget MacBook Pro to get right now if you don't want older internals.

Although this new model may look and feel a bit redundant to M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch owners, they'll appreciate that noticeable boost in performance. In our tests, it achieved better performance in both single and multi-core CPU tests, which means it's much better at multitasking than its predecessor and around twice as powerful as the Intel Core i7-1185G7-powered Surface Laptop 4. It's even more power-efficient as well, giving us two more hours of juice than the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch in our battery life test. 

Read our in-depth MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) review

The best premium MacBook Pro

3. MacBook Pro 16-inch (late 2023)

Apple's October reveal of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3) range was a surprising and risky move, coming just 10 months after the M2-based model. This swift update may frustrate recent buyers of the M2 Max model, who expected their high-end laptops to remain top-of-the-line for longer. The quick transition to the M3 series, including the M3 Pro and M3 Max, also casts the M2 generation in a somewhat unfavorable light, especially with the introduction of new iMac models that bypass the M2 chip entirely.

Despite potential customer grievances, the M3 series starts at the same price as the previous generation, offering significant performance upgrades. The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3) retains its exceptional 16.2-inch display with Liquid Retina XDR technology, 1,600 nits peak brightness, and 120Hz ProMotion tech, ensuring a vivid and responsive visual experience. It also features a range of ports for enhanced connectivity.

The new MacBook Pro is a powerhouse in performance, handling intensive tasks like editing 4K footage effortlessly and even proving capable of running the latest games. This versatility marks a shift in Apple's 'Pro' range, offering both work and play capabilities. However, due to its high cost and lack of a more affordable base M3 option, this model is recommended only for those with the necessary budget and need for such a powerful machine.

Read the full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) review

The best last-gen MacBook Pro

4. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)

It seems that every year, Apple is making the MacBook Pro 14-inch a lot more power than you'd expect. Its 2021 predecessor may have been an almost perfect laptop, but this one blows it out of the water in terms of power, cementing the line's status as a mobile workstation that's reserved for users who can maximize its sheer performance.

However, even though it launched in January 2023, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) is no longer the latest model - it's just been superseded by the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max), which can be found higher up on this list. That might be annoying for people who just bought the M2-era model, but it's still a great laptop, and with the new M3 models out, you may be able to find the M2 models for cheaper - though not from Apple, which has now stopped selling those (slightly) older 14-inch MacBook Pros. 

Read our full in-depth Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) review

The best premium M2 MacBook Pro

5. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch

If you’re looking for the best laptop for photo editing, the MacBook Pro 16in M2 model offers outstanding performance, wrapped up in that always-sleek Apple aesthetic 

We don’t hesitate in calling this “the best screen on a laptop” in our review. Its gorgeous 16in, 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR display providing a broad canvas for any photo editing project. 

Driving the Apple Macbook Pro is the powerful M2 chip that we found more than capable of handling hardware-intensive creative apps. Benchmarking the machine, it hit a PugentBench Photoshop score of 1,060; Premier Pro scored 1,095; Blender, 123.97. The base configuration comes with 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16GB memory, and 512GB SSD storage. However, photographers and editors will be better off with the 32GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration.

It’s not the lightest photo editing laptop, and its larger screen makes it less portable. But the Macbook Pro is a great choice if you’re on the go, working at home, in the office, the studio, the coffee shop. Whether running plugged in or off the battery, there were next to no differences in performance during our tests. 

Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) review  

The best MacBook Pro on clearance

6. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021)

The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is a standout choice for creative professionals on a more restricted budget thanks to it being two model generations behind the current lineup, but it's still a powerful performer that will satisfy the needs of any creative pro out there.

This model remains a compelling device, especially for those who may find it on clearance. It is powered by Apple's M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which outperform the newer Apple M2 found in the MacBook Pro 13-inch. The device features a comprehensive array of ports, addressing a common grievance among users of previous generations by eliminating the dependency on dongles and hubs for peripheral connections. 

With three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, and MagSafe 3 for charging, it caters adeptly to the needs of professionals requiring a robust mobile workstation for a more modest investment than newer models demand.

This MacBook Pro not only boasts superior internal hardware but also introduces an upgraded Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology, akin to that in the latest iPad Pro, offering an impressive 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz. This ensures stunning visual quality, whether for editing HDR content, scrolling through websites, or engaging in any task that benefits from vibrant colors and fluid motion.

Additionally, the battery life extends to 17 hours, a notable feat for a workstation of this caliber, allowing it to maintain performance without throttling to conserve power. 

Despite its premium pricing at launch, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) remains an unrivaled option for professionals needing exceptional performance and functionality. Its blend of power, design, and utility makes it an excellent investment, particularly if available at a reduced price, underscoring its status as not just an older model, but a timeless piece of technology offering outstanding value.

Read our full Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) review  

We tested the best video editing Macs and MacBooks - and here's what made the final cut

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The Best MacBooks

By Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a writer covering monitors, laptops, and tablets. He is a certified display calibrator through the Imaging Science Foundation.

The best Mac laptop for most people is the 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M2 processor.

The 13-inch Air is fantastic for browsing the web, working on documents, coding, and light photo and video editing. If you’re seeking a large screen, better speakers, and slightly improved thermal performance, we recommend the 15-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s latest processor, the M3, as our upgrade pick.

We still recommend the M1 MacBook Air as a budget MacBook pick. This fast, reliable laptop now has a reduced price of $700, which makes it the most affordable MacBook.

Everything we recommend

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch)

A sleek design and a nice webcam.

The M2 MacBook Air has a bright screen, a good webcam, and a MagSafe port.

Buying Options

You save $150 (15%)

Budget pick

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Performance for a great price.

The M1 MacBook Air has a comfortable keyboard, good performance, and a reasonable amount of storage—things that haven’t always been true of previous MacBook Air models.

You save $50 (7%)

Upgrade pick

Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch)

Bigger screen, better speakers.

The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air has a larger screen and better speakers, and it can power two external displays with the lid closed.

Recommended configuration

The Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch) offers a few meaningful updates over the older M1 model that make the computer more pleasant to use. The M2 MacBook Air has a brighter display that lets you see the screen more clearly outside on a sunny day, and it has a higher-resolution webcam that makes you look a bit more clear on video calls. Apple also added a MagSafe port, which allows a magnetic charging cable to securely stick to the MacBook Air and harmlessly detach if, say, a passerby’s foot catches it in a coffee shop.

Apple has a newer 13-inch MacBook Air as well, with the updated M3 processor, but we think the less expensive M2-based version is the better buy. Unless you want to use two monitors with your MacBook, one of the standout new features of the latest-generation model, you have little reason to upgrade.

If you’re on a tighter budget, we recommend the basic version of the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) , which has enough speed, memory, and storage for most day-to-day computer tasks. And unlike previous MacBook Air models, the M1 version doesn’t require a cooling fan, which keeps it dead silent even when you’re maxing out the processor by exporting a video or playing a game.

This version of the Air includes only two USB-C ports (which support Thunderbolt 3) plus a headphone jack, but Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs and adapters are common enough and inexpensive enough that this limitation isn’t as big of a problem as it used to be.

The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) adds a significantly larger screen and better speakers to the already-great MacBook Air lineup. The bigger display allows for larger windows and less clutter on the screen, especially when you’re multitasking. Thanks to the M3 chip, the laptop can now connect to two external displays, though only with the lid closed. The 15-inch MacBook Air’s speakers get louder than those on its 13-inch counterpart, and the audio sounds richer and more full due to the upgraded speaker system.

This laptop is better for editing audio or video than the 13-inch version: In addition to its upgraded screen, its larger size helps the system run slightly cooler during processor-intensive tasks such as exporting large files.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, our pick: apple macbook air (m2, 2022, 13-inch), the most affordable mac laptop: apple macbook air (m1, 2020), upgrade pick: apple macbook air (m3, 2024, 15-inch), other good macbooks, the competition.

Senior staff writer Dave Gershgorn has reviewed and covered technology since 2015 at publications such as Popular Science, Quartz, Medium, and now Wirecutter. He has also built, repaired, and largely avoided frying his own computers since 2006. At Wirecutter, he tests laptops, monitors, and tablets.

The best reason to buy a MacBook is that you need macOS or prefer it to Windows, or you favor the physical design of Apple’s laptops. The operating system is stable and easy to use, but more important, it integrates well with iPhones and iPads—for example, iMessages sent from your Mac also appear on your iPhone and vice versa, and features such as AirDrop and iCloud make it easy to share notes, pictures, videos, reminders, contacts, passwords, bookmarks, and other data between your devices.

Macs are also a good choice if you want great support. Apple’s tech support is routinely rated above that of most, if not all, other PC and phone makers, and Apple Stores and Apple authorized service providers offer accessible in-person tech support and repairs in many locations.

Apple has moved away from Intel CPUs to its own custom-designed processors for MacBooks, and the results are superior to what most Windows laptops can provide, in some key ways. Apple’s processors offer much better performance and faster integrated graphics, and the laptops have stellar battery life; their batteries are also less prone to draining quickly when you’re using an energy-hogging app like Zoom or Google Chrome.

A Mac isn’t a great choice if you want to run high-end games, or if you want to be able to make upgrades or repairs yourself. Windows ultrabooks provide decent performance and more kinds of ports at or below the price that Apple charges for a MacBook Air. Budget Chrome OS or Windows laptops are a better choice if you have only $500 to spend, while business laptops make it easier to fix and upgrade components over time. And Windows gaming notebooks and pro laptops , while typically large and bulky, usually have newer and faster dedicated graphics processors than Apple’s laptops do, and you can buy some of them for less than half of what a 16-inch MacBook Pro costs.

At this writing, Apple offers eight different laptops in multiple configurations. We considered the following criteria when deciding which ones to recommend:

• Performance: Any MacBook with an Apple processor, namely the M1 or higher, will be more than speedy enough for day-to-day browsing and communicating as well as heavy multitasking or compiling code. All MacBooks include at least 8 GB of RAM, which is plenty for everyday tasks, but you should consider upgrading to 16 GB or 32 GB if you edit a lot of large files or want to run Windows apps in a virtual machine . If you need the highest file-transfer speeds or frequently create gigabyte-scale files, upgrading an M2 MacBook to 512 GB of storage is worth the investment; the 256 GB versions of the M2 models are reported to have lower speeds, the most noticeable difference being slightly longer processing or transfer times when they’re working with gigabyte-size files. Our tests have validated these reports as well.
• Display: A high-resolution IPS display is a must on any laptop priced at or above $1,000. All of Apple’s current Retina displays are sharp, color-accurate, and capable of displaying nearly 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts.
• Ports: The USB-C ports on Apple computers, also referred to as Thunderbolt ports, are all capable of transmitting power, video, and data at the same time. The MacBook Air line and the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro have Thunderbolt 3 ports; the larger, 14- and 16-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models have faster Thunderbolt 4 ports. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, which we don’t recommend, has Thunderbolt 3 ports as well. All MacBooks include at least two of these ports, so you can charge the laptop and connect a second device at the same time. We have picks for both Thunderbolt docks and USB-C docks , as well as for USB-C monitors , plus USB-C data cables and video cables , spare or replacement USB-C chargers , and other accessories that will help you connect all of your old stuff to these new ports.
• Keyboard and Touch ID: Our picks all have scissor-switch keyboards, which shouldn’t be as susceptible to dust and dirt as the keyboards on older models. All current MacBooks also include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
• Size and weight: All of Apple’s laptops are relatively thin and light compared with similar laptops from other manufacturers, but the 13-inch models tend to offer the best combination of size, weight, and performance.
• Price: Macs cost a lot, but most people don’t need to buy the most expensive versions. Our recommended configurations balance performance, storage, and price—we especially recommend relying on cloud storage or external storage , if you can, instead of buying a larger internal solid-state drive, since Apple’s expensive storage upgrades add hundreds of dollars to the price of its laptops.
• Battery life: When you’re performing basic computing tasks such as browsing or emailing, any of Apple’s laptops should be able to get you through most of an eight-hour workday on a single charge. And Macs with Apple processors last for hours longer than that, with less battery drain when you’re using common energy-draining apps like Zoom or Google Chrome.

The Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch) is still the best MacBook for most people, especially at its new lower price of $1,000. This MacBook has a bright, vibrant screen, a processor that’s fast enough for nearly anything besides gaming, and a MagSafe charging cable that easily detaches if snagged by an errant foot.

It has a terrific display. Details look sharp, colors are vibrant and accurate, and the screen gets bright enough for use on a sunny day. In our color-accuracy tests, the M2 Air met Apple’s claims of 500 nits of brightness, and it reproduced colors well enough for professional creative work.

The M2 processor is perfect for everyday tasks like browsing the web and using apps. The M2 chip is powerful and energy efficient, and it easily handles about two dozen tabs, plus software such as Discord, Slack, Spotify, and productivity apps. If you’re mostly using your laptop to run your web browser or some of those aforementioned apps, 8 GB of RAM should be enough. But if you’re coding or editing any kind of media, or if you think of yourself as a power user, you should upgrade to 16 GB of RAM.

It has an especially thin, slab-like design. When closed, the M2 MacBook Air is a thin metal slab with four rubberized feet measuring less than half an inch tall, an update from the previous wedge design of older MacBooks. This uniformly slim design makes the M2 MacBook Air feel great to carry around while it’s closed, because its flat top rests against your palm, while your fingers rest around its curved edge. It’s also an easy shape to slip into a backpack or bag.

It has just enough ports. The M2 MacBook Air has a MagSafe charging port, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. The MagSafe cable attaches magnetically to the charging port, so if it gets snagged on something as you’re moving your laptop, or if someone walks by and catches it on their foot, the cable safely detaches instead of pulling on your laptop. Apple has also added fast charging in this model, so it will charge to 50% battery in just 30 minutes on a charger with at least 67 W of power . The USB-C ports are capable of Thunderbolt speeds, up to 40 gigabits per second, and can also serve to charge the laptop.

The notched webcam is good for video calls. At the top of the display, you’ll find a notch for the webcam, much like the notch in iPhones and larger MacBook Pro models. Apple has upgraded this webcam to 1080p resolution, a welcome change after the 720p webcams of previous MacBook Air models. In our tests, the 1080p camera was sharp and made me look a bit less washed-out on video calls.

We’ve tested it for a year. We recommend the base model of this machine, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. After I initially tested the M2 MacBook Air, I bought one with 8 GB of RAM, and in regular use I haven’t run into any issues due to insufficient RAM. I slice 3D-print files, record music, do some light coding, and use the machine for general web browsing. However, if you edit photos or videos professionally, deal with large datasets, compile code, or regularly perform other intensive tasks that bog down your computer’s memory, you should upgrade to 16 GB of RAM. As for the storage, generally we think that Apple’s storage offerings are overpriced, and we’ve found that between cloud storage and external hard drives, upgrading the storage isn’t entirely necessary. Again, the value of doing so might vary depending on your specific situation; if you always run out of space on your storage drives, upgrading might be a worthwhile decision.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It can run hot. During any kind of video exporting, photo processing, or other media creation, the M2 MacBook Air gets uncomfortably hot after just a few minutes of work. The processor radiates heat from the keyboard and the bottom of the device, with external temperatures up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

It can also run slow. The M2 MacBook Air with 256 GB of storage has a slower storage drive than M1 MacBook Air models and M2 versions with 512 GB of storage. While the 512 GB version’s storage can be up to 50% faster , you would likely notice a difference only while transferring or creating large, gigabyte-size files. Apple has reportedly fixed this problem with the M3 MacBook Air, so if you’re constantly transferring large files, upgrading to the M3 version is worth considering.

The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) was released in 2020, and it remains a fantastic laptop for the price. Apple comes out with new machines multiple times a year, but just because there are newer laptops, that doesn’t make this one any worse. The M1 MacBook Air is more than fast enough for browsing the web, working on documents, and making light photo and video edits, and it has an excellent high-resolution screen, a great trackpad, and a totally silent fanless design. Its battery life is excellent, long enough to survive through a full day of work or classes and then some.

The newer versions of the MacBook Air, with Apple’s M2 and M3 processors, don’t offer a major difference in day-to-day tasks, so if your needs are basic, you can save a few hundred dollars with the older but still fantastic M1 model.

It’s much cheaper than any other MacBook. Apple no longer sells the M1 Air, but the company is making the older model available at Walmart for $700, which is $300 less than the base price of our top pick, the M2 MacBook Air. If you’re just looking to get a Mac, and you don’t care about a magnetic charger or a sharper webcam, the M1 Air is your best option.

It has a great display. Apple traditionally makes fantastic displays, and the M1 Air’s screen is no different. Boasting a 2560×1600 resolution, it’s far sharper than the 1080p displays found on other budget laptops. It reaches 400 nits of brightness, which is bright enough for most office environments, except on really sunny days. The display supports both the sRGB color gamut and the wider DCI-P3 color gamut , which can show more shades of certain colors, though this feature isn’t hugely important unless you’re doing high-end film or photography work. The screen also supports Apple’s True Tone feature, which subtly changes the color temperature to match the ambient lighting in the room.

It uses USB-C instead of MagSafe for charging. The M1 Air has a headphone jack on its right side plus two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports on its left side for connectivity and charging, so you need adapters or new cables to connect your other devices. Each port supports charging, 40-gigabits-per-second data transfers, one external display, and basic USB peripherals such as flash drives, printers, and mice. Having only two ports for both charging and connecting peripherals is a bit limiting, but only if you’re frequently connecting flash drives or other things to your laptop.

Its battery lasts beyond a full day of work or school. The M1 MacBook Air has great battery life—in our test that simulates browsing the web and watching videos on YouTube, it lasted longer than 14 hours. We also found that the battery didn’t drain as quickly as those of competitors when we used video-chatting apps like Zoom, which are typically pretty hard on a laptop’s battery.

This older Air’s webcam isn’t as good as the one in newer models. The feed from this machine’s 720p webcam looks outdated in video calls, especially in comparison with the 1080p camera in the M2 and M3 Air models.

The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 15-inch) is a worthy upgrade over any 13-inch MacBook if you’re looking for a larger screen, better sound, and slightly cooler temperatures when you’re stressing the processor. It has the same general design as the smaller version, as well as the same ports, webcam, and keyboard. This laptop makes the most sense for people who watch movies or TV on their laptops, those who feel cramped using 13-inch laptops, or media editors who don’t have the inclination or budget to shell out for a MacBook Pro.

Its larger display is an excellent reason to upgrade. The 15.3-inch screen is the centerpiece of this M3 MacBook Air, and it makes the laptop feel roomier and more comfortable to work on than its 13-inch sibling. To match its larger size, the screen has a 2880×1864 resolution, higher than that of the 13-inch version. We’ve come to hold Apple’s displays to a high standard when testing for color accuracy, contrast, and brightness, after years of the company’s consistency in making high-quality laptop screens. The M3 15-inch MacBook Air has an impressively accurate display that makes media look great. Its color imperfections are so slight that they’re invisible to the naked eye, so this laptop could serve you well for color-accurate print work.

It has Apple’s new M3 processor. The M3 chip adds a few AI tricks for developers to integrate into software, but for everyone else it delivers a solid increase in speed—in benchmarks that we’ve run, it has been about 20% faster than older models. The processor can also power two external displays, as long as the Mac’s display is closed; previous MacBooks could power only one external display, with the laptop still open. (However, if you’re planning to keep your laptop’s display closed and use two monitors, it would be better to buy the cheaper 13-inch model with a smaller screen or even to buy a Mac mini instead.)

Its ports are the same as those of previous-generation MacBook models. The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air matches its 13-inch M2 cousin in this regard, offering the same selection of two Thunderbolt USB-C ports capable of 40 gigabits per second, a MagSafe 3 port, and a headphone jack. It also has the same 1080p webcam, which looks very sharp.

But it has noticeably better speakers. We were surprised to hear a noticeable difference between the speakers of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook models. This 15-inch version has two additional speakers, for a total of six; this setup produces a wider soundstage and generally increases the volume and fidelity of the audio played.

If you need to use two external monitors: The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024, 13-inch) is a great laptop with a fast new processor, but for now the cheaper M2 MacBook Air is enough for most people. The M3 model is about 20% faster and brings a suite of enhancements to the chip’s GPU and AI processing power, but we don’t think that improvement makes a meaningful difference in day-to-day use of the laptop. When Apple stops selling the M2 version, the M3 model will be our new pick, but for now you can save the $100 difference.

Apple’s MacBook Pro (M3) is appealing because it harkens back to a time when Apple laptops with Intel processors were underpowered enough that people with more mainstream needs had to buy “Pro” machines to get their work done. But that’s no longer the case. If you aren’t editing HDR video or handling color-critical workflows, you don’t need this MacBook Pro’s XDR display, the biggest differentiator between the models. Even in our video-editing tests, we’ve seen a major difference between Apple’s Pro and non-Pro processors only when editing 4K video. Unlike the versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, the base-model M3 MacBook Pro lacks a third USB-C port on its right side. The MacBook Air models we recommend are about a pound lighter and less expensive, and they offer nearly identical performance for most people.

Apple’s other M3 MacBook Pro models, with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips in 14-inch and 16-inch varieties, are impressively fast and capable machines, but they go far beyond most people’s needs. If you’re a photo or video editor, if you work in 3D design, or if you compile huge chunks of code, check out our guide to the best laptops for photo and video editing . Otherwise, you’d be better served by a MacBook Air.

Apple’s Certified Refurbished store is usually a good place to save money on a like-new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Laptops based on the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are still extremely competitive, but you’d get diminishing returns for your money on M1 machines, which Apple still prices quite high.

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Arthur Gies.

Meet your guide

Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He’s been covering consumer and enterprise technology since 2015, and he just can’t stop buying computers. If this weren’t his job, it would likely be a problem.

Further reading

The Best Laptops

by Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

The Best Laptops for Video and Photo Editing

by Dave Gershgorn

Photographers and video editors on the go need a powerful laptop with good battery life, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro is almost always the best tool for the job.

Apple’s New MacBook Air Is $200 More—and Probably Worth It

Apple announced new M2-equipped MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models at its 2022 WWDC keynote presentation.

Which MacBook Should I Buy?

Can’t decide which of Apple’s laptops is the best for your needs? For most people, the M2 MacBook Air is the one to buy.

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Benchmarks show the M4 iPad Pro is faster and smarter than an M3 MacBook Pro

The M4 chip is here, ushering in new state-of-the-art performance in AI with its fastest-ever Neural Engine, according to Apple. That’s fine and dandy, but what we’re really wondering is, how fast is the M4’s CPU versus the M3 chip it’s replacing?

We now have some early benchmarks that give us an idea. Geekbench 6 results have appeared in the Geekbench Browser and @VadimYuryev of Max Tech spotted them and posted the results on X. The numbers show that the M4’s CPU offers a 22 percent improvement over the M3 in single-core performance and a 25 percent boost in multi-core speed.

BREAKING: The FIRST M4 iPad Pro benchmarks have LEAKED! M4 chip: Single-core: 3,767 Multi-core: 14,677 M3 chip: Single-core: 3,087 Multi-core: 11,702 M4 is 22% faster in terms of single-core and 25% faster in multi-core. M4 is faster than the 11-core M3 Pro in the 14" MBP!! pic.twitter.com/Jkl929eTqd — Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev) May 8, 2024

We usually see a 15 to 20 percent CPU improvement from one chip generation to the next, so these results are slightly better than the typical boost. @VadimYuryev also points out that the base M4 is faster than an M3 Pro, but since Apple started its M-series chips, we often see that the base chip of the new generation is as fast or a bit faster than the previous Pro chip.

Early Geekbench ML results: Testing AI

But back to the AI stuff. The Geekbench Browser is great because it hosts the results files of tested chips, which means you can find all kinds of results–including results for the Geekbench ML test , which is used to gauge machine learning performance. (Geekbench says its ML test, “Includes machine learning workloads that model real-world AI tasks and applications.”)

If you look in the Browser, you’ll find ML test results for the M4 iPad Air, which is identified in the Browser as “iPad16.6.”. At the time of this writing, two Geekbench ML results have been filed for the M4’s Neural Engine. We then ran the Geekbench ML test on an M3 MacBook Air and an M3 Max MacBook Pro, and here’s how the numbers compare (our MacBook scores are an average of three test results):

• M4 iPad Pro (16GB RAM): 8867/9004
• M3 MacBook Air (16GB RAM): 8013
• M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro (48GB RAM): 10934

These early results show that the M4 is about 12 percent faster in Neural Engine performance than the base M3. It also seems to be impacted by the amount of RAM in the system. We need to do more testing and analysis to better understand the scores, which is what we plan to do when we review the new M4 iPad Pro.

We don’t know when Apple plans to bring the M4 to the Mac, but one thing is true—if you recently bought an M3 MacBook, you’re feeling a little FOMO right now.

Author: Roman Loyola , Senior Editor

Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.

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iPad Air vs. iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 30+ Differences Compared

The iPad Air is now available in two size options, just like the iPad Pro . Yet after a significant update to the ‌iPad Pro‌ that introduces a thinner design and OLED displays, how different are the two product lines and which should you buy?

Should you consider purchasing the ‌iPad Air‌ to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the ‌iPad Pro‌? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.

Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $400+ needed to buy the ‌iPad Pro‌ is not justified to get the likes of ‌Face ID‌, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.

Some ‌iPad Pro‌ features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity are only practically useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end capabilities. Many features such as Audio zoom and stereo audio recording may not be meaningfully utilized by many users.

Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from buying the ‌iPad Pro‌. That being said, "prosumer"-style customers who simply want the best ‌iPad‌ will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not necessary.

Beyond these individual circumstances, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best value for money and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the ‌iPad Air‌, users can get a modern all-screen design, the ‌M2‌ chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories for a price well below that of the ‌iPad Pro‌.

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Top Rated Comments

I'm not a Pro user - I don't edit videos or do graphic design, for example. But I highly value a great display, and would love to watch videos and movies on the new OLED display. Struggling to decide if it's worth the additional cost.

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iPad Pro with M4 chip boasts impressive performance jump compared to just-released M3 MacBook Air

The M4 is looking like a very strong generation for Apple Silicon. According to leaked Geekbench scores likely posted by reviewers who already got their hands on the new iPad ahead of next week’s embargo, the new iPad Pro with the M4 chip scores about 3700 in single-core CPU benchmark, and around 14500 in multi-core.

That compares to ~3100 and ~12000 for the M3 MacBook Air , which Apple only just shipped in March. The new iPad Pro bests the Air by about 20%, an impressive generational jump, at least in these benchmark results.

On raw performance might, the M4 really does live up to Apple’s promises, should deliver. Single core is up about 20% compared to all M3 chips and more than 40% compared to M2. The generational computational leap from the previous M2 iPad Pro is at least a 42% jump on single-core and multi-core.

In fact, its performance rivals the higher-end M3 Pro Mac chip on multi-core benchmark results, which you have to shell out at least $2199 for to get that chip in the current 14-inch MacBook Pro. But on the iPad, you are getting faster single-core and comparable multi-core for as low as $999.

Note though, that Apple is binning the chips on the iPad Pro this year so the full speed ten core CPU models are only available with 1 TB or 2 TB storage. The 256 GB and 512 GB configurations have a 9-core CPU, with one less performance core. On these models, the Geekbench single-core score would be the same but the multi-core score will probably be about 15% less.

Apple says the M4 chip is built on a second-generation 3-nanometer process, believed to be TSMC’s N3E fabrication, rather than the ‘N3B’ process which Apple is quickly transitioning away from with expected short lifetimes of the A17 Pro and all M3 Mac models. ‘N3E’ is easier to make with much better production yields which benefits Apple, and it also makes more efficient chips which benefits the end customer.

The M4 compute performance is achieved through a combination of these process improvements and architectural changes to the CPU cores themselves. Apple says these next-generation cores improve branch prediction, and tout wider execution engines across both the performance and high-efficiency cores. They also have upgraded ML accelerators for machine learning tasks.

The M4’s Neural Engine is also significantly upgraded compared to M3, with Apple claiming up to 38 trillion operations per second, more than double the M3. This will inevitably tie into Apple’s future on-device AI plans.

We don’t have benchmarks for the GPU yet, but it will likely be comparable to the GPU performance of the M3, perhaps with a slight boost thanks to improved efficiency of the 3nm process and improved thermal design of the new iPad Pro. The actual architecture of the ten GPU cores is not believed to have changed much, if at all, compared to what you see in the MacBook Air, for instance.

On paper, the M4 will represent a huge leap for Apple Silicon, especially when it comes to raw CPU power. We can’t wait to see what the higher-end members of the family will look like; we are expecting M4 Pro and M4 Max to launch in new MacBook Pros by the end of the year.

However, when it comes to the iPad, of course synthetic benchmark scores do not portray the full story of how powerful the device is in practice. The limits of iPadOS and the apps and software available on the platform remain a significant roadblock.

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Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 (2024)

Key Differences

• Higher screen refresh rate: 120 versus 60 Hz
• Easier to carry: weighs 370 grams less (around 0.82 lbs)
• Thinner bezels and 3% higher screen-to-body ratio
• Display has support for touch input
• 18% sharper screen – 266 versus 225 pixels per inch (PPI)
• Provides 20% higher max. screen brightness: 600 vs 500 nits
• Smaller footprint: 8% more compact case (92.8 vs 101.4 square inches)
• MacBook with the Apple M3 chip maintains its performance even when running on battery power.
• Around 24% better multi-core CPU performance in the Cinebench R23 test
• Features a a little bigger (~10%) battery – 52.6 against 48 watt-hours

Value for money

Tests and specifications, graphics card, connectivity, cast your vote, related comparisons.

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): Which Apple tablet is best for you?

Apple this week announced two new iPad models, two size options each, and a bundle of revamped accessories during its "Let Loose" event . With the iPad Pro , both the 11- and 13-inch sizes now come with "Tandem OLED" displays that get surprisingly bright with better contrast for visual applications. There's also a new M4 chipset on them, while the more affordable iPad Air line gets bumped up to the M2 processor. 

Oh, and Apple unveiled the Apple Pencil Pro, which works with both the Air and Pro iPads.

Also: I've used every iPad since the original. Here's my buying advice for the new 2024 models

That's all to say the iPad lineup is more convoluted than ever, and choosing the right one for you may not be as straightforward as you think. To help, I've rounded up the key buying reasons for the iPad Air and iPad Pro so you can best decide which of the two is ideal for your needs, use cases, and budget.

Specifications

You should buy the ipad pro (2024) if..., 1. you want the best-looking, most useful display available.

Apple made it very clear during its half-hour keynote that the iPad Pro now touts the company's best display on a tablet ever, with a Tandem-OLED panel that the company calls Ultra Retina XDR Display. By stacking the OLED panels underneath the glass, Apple says it's solved one of the biggest pain points with the organic light-emitting diode technology: lack of brightness.

Also:  Everything Apple announced at its iPad event: iPad Pro, Air, Pencil, and more

Thanks to the enhanced luminance, contrast, and dynamic range that comes with the new OLED display, the iPad Pro is better purposed for consumers watching content, editing photos and videos, and handling other use cases that involve attention to visual detail.

Compared to the LCD display found on the iPad Air, Apple also offers the Pro the option to apply a layer of nano-texture glass, further reducing glare and other light reflections. That'll come at a cost, an extra $100 to be exact, but should be worth the investment for users who work in brighter environments or are often outdoors.

2. The M4 processor inspires you

In what was one of the more surprising announcements during the iPad keynote, Apple unveiled the company's next-gen M4 chipset, succeeding the M3 that had only just made its way onto the MacBook Air line a few months ago. In the context of the iPad Pro, the new processor is a major leap from the 2022 model's M2 chip, delivering up to 1.5x faster CPU performance and up to four times faster pro rendering performance, according to Apple.

Also: Apple nears deal with OpenAI to power upcoming iPhone features with ChatGPT, says Bloomberg

In practice, the spec bump should be most noticeable when tasking the iPad Pro (2024) with graphics-intensive apps like Final Cut and LumaFusion. The M4 also comes bundled with a dedicated Neural Engine, benefitting AI and machine-learning tasks such as Live Captions, Visual Look Up, identifying objects in photos and videos, and more.

If you could see yourself leveraging the performance gains from the M4 chip, you'll want to opt for the iPad Pro versus the less-capable iPad Air. And if you want the most powerful configuration of the iPad Pro, go with the 1TB or 2TB storage sizes, which come with twice the RAM (16GB instead of 8GB) and one extra CPU core (10 instead of nine) as the 256GB and 512GB variants.

Buy the iPad Pro (2024)

You should buy the ipad air (2024) if..., 1. you're shopping on a budget (and don't need the pro features).

There are several differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro this year, but lightness and portability are not on the list. Instead, iPad shoppers should consider the lower cost of entry and essential features that the Air model provides. At $599 , $400 less than the base model of the iPad Pro, the Air provides all the Apple tablet fundamentals like Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil support (including the new Pencil Pro), the same Landscape FaceTime camera as the iPad Pro for video calls, a reliable M2 chip for work and play, and more.

Also: iPad Air 6: These 4 best new features make for one tempting tablet

There are also improved landscape stereo speakers on the iPad Air this year, supporting Spatial Audio playback. That should make the Air just as enticing for media lovers and entertainment buffs.

Buy the iPad Air (2024)

Alternatives to consider, featured reviews, ipad pro (2024) vs. ipad pro (2022): which flagship apple tablet should you buy, apple ipad air (2024) vs. ipad air (2022): which ipad is right for you, why the ipad mini is still the best ipad for me in 2024 (and not the air or pro).

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Apple's new iPad Pro benchmarks demonstrate impressive tablet AI performance

Apple's new iPad Pro

A new benchmark for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M4 and 10 cores has been posted to GeekBench overnight. In it, the assorted artificial intelligence workloads have perhaps been measured for the first time — but we're skeptical, considering that the benchmark appears to have been run on iOS 18.

If accurate, the score of 9234 on the "Core ML Neural Engine Inference" for iPad Pro is decent. It is not the best from an Apple Product.

The inference result comes in at about 10% faster than the fan-cooled M3 MacBook Pro. However, the M3 Max version of the 16-inch MacBook Pro run a 16-core configuration comes in at about 11,080. The 14-core 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max comes in at about 9200 at a very similar price point to the 10-core iPad Pro.

Apple's M3 MacBook Air isn't fan-cooled, and hits a inference score of about 6800.

Going back to the iPad Pro lineup, the M2 12.9-inch iPad Pro came in at about 7400. The M1 12.9-inch iPad is much further behind at about 3400.

As we mentioned, the provenance of the data isn't clear, and there does not appear to be an accompanying CPU performance benchmark yet.

Apple's iOS 18 hasn't escaped into the wild which could be an indication of a fake. If the benchmark is legit, it may actually be lower than it could be. Apple's internal iOS versions in use the month before WWDC generally have lots of telemetry bogging down system performance, and aren't fully stable.

Regardless, time will tell soon enough. Customers who ordered early will start getting machines on May 15. Early reviews are expected on May 13.

What users want to know is, does this mean Apple's dictation will no longer be terrible? That it will finally output that makes sense grammatically and contextually? Or does this just mean it will produce more garbage dictation but much faster than before?

globby said: What users want to know is, does this mean Apple's dictation will no longer be terrible? That it will finally output that makes sense grammatically and contextually? Or does this just mean it will produce more garbage dictation but much faster than before? I suppose if you and one other person want to know this then it's technically "users" but you make it sound like that's the key concern with everyone. Personally, as someone that uses diction often, I can't say that I've ever had an issue with it worth remembering. I even still use the original setup of the double tapping of the fn key to initiate dictation  despite macOS and my Mac having a dedicated key on the top row as the default.

Using my iPhone, I find the dictation quite good, with words, grammar, and punctuation. Speaking at a reasonable rate and clearly, obviously, makes a difference, as with any dictation input method. I have very few problems with Siri dictation. 

Xed said: globby said: What users want to know is, does this mean Apple's dictation will no longer be terrible? That it will finally output that makes sense grammatically and contextually? Or does this just mean it will produce more garbage dictation but much faster than before?

Wow you seem to be the rare breed since I do not use it either since it makes so many errors.  I expect Siri to be able to accurately record commands and words at a low error rate of 1-2% but my experience is that’s it’s about 10x higher than that and that makes it slightly better than worthless.   It’s very disappointing that after all these years Siri is still not very good, seems like it was a project Apple lost interest in which is a shame since they had a large lead at one point.   Hopefully with Apple’s new committed to AI Siri may finally become what it could have been all along and even better. 

libertyandfree said: Xed said: globby said: What users want to know is, does this mean Apple's dictation will no longer be terrible? That it will finally output that makes sense grammatically and contextually? Or does this just mean it will produce more garbage dictation but much faster than before?

On a iPhone 11 Pro and a iPad Pro third generation no problem with dictation 90% of the time.

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The new Huawei MateBook X Pro is the MacBook Air killer I always wanted — but it’s missing one thing

When the matebook x pro hits, it hits right.

Early Verdict

The new MateBook X Pro keeps that same alluringly minimalist design and pitch-perfect ergonomics, while seriously upgrading the display and internals. Outside of this laptop yearning for Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Huawei has potentially killed the MacBook Air.

Visually alluring, durable design

OLED display is mesmerizing

Touchpad and keyboard are best in class

Speakers are surprisingly great

Powerful Intel Core Ultra performance...

...but please, give me Qualcomm

Expensive at (potentially) £1,799

No 3.5mm headphone jack

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

• Cheat sheet

The Huawei MateBook X Pro has been an underrated ultraportable over the past couple of years. In fact, last year’s model is my favorite laptop of the year (which most of you can’t buy because of the US ban).

Now, the big H is back, and on the team’s three-year mission to kill the MacBook Air , they might have just done it against the M3 model with this insanely good piece of hardware. Remember when Apple called the Air “strikingly” light? Well at 2.2 pounds, the X Pro embarrasses the Cupertino crew.

We also talk about how the display on the super thin MacBook is “bright and colorful,” but the 14.2-inch flexible OLED panel here is simply jaw-dropping from every angle. Chalk that down as another check in Huawei’s column.

The keyboard feels better to type on, the trackpad is arguably the best I’ve ever used with its elegant surface and software trickery. The Morandi Blue magnesium alloy is head and shoulders above the MacBook Air — both in terms of eye-catching color and its resistance to fingerprints.

But, as I say in the headline, it’s missing one thing. Don’t get me wrong, the use of a fully-fledged Intel Core Ultra 9 185H over the weaker U-series chips is great. However, I’ve never looked at a laptop and said “This thing needs a Snapdragon X Elite ” more than I have while going hands-on with this.

Not a deal breaker (and it is still faster in multi-core performance than the Air), but Intel’s chip is indeed a little hungrier on the power draw from that 70 Wh battery, and it does spin up quite a storm under heavy loads.

And yes, while I don’t have price information, I expect it to stay at the rather steep £1,799. But taking into account its specs, luxurious design, impressive usability and screen? If you’re able to buy it, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better Windows 11 laptop than this.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024): Cheat sheet

• What is it? A powerful, thin and light Windows notebook
• Who is it for? For the hard workers on the go — needing something ultraportable to get intense creative work done, while needing a good screen for watching videos during long trips.
• What does it cost? Huawei has officially announced the MateBook X Pro will start from €1,999. Since this is the same as previous generations I wouldn’t be surprised if it sticks at that rather steep £1,799 (roughly $2,250).
• What do we like? At 2.2 pounds, it’s the lightest laptop I’ve ever used — but it doesn’t skip on the power with an Intel Core Ultra 9 and 32GB DDR5 RAM. This all keeps images superfluid on that drop-dead gorgeous OLED touchscreen display, and the attention paid to the delicate keyboard and gigantic touchpad is unmatched.
• What don’t we like? Expect this to be expensive. On top of that, the 40W TDP of the Intel chip (while good for performance) does mean the battery takes a little bit of a hit.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024): Specs

Huawei matebook x pro (2024): the ups.

As my favorite Windows laptop, the MateBook X Pro does a lot right — almost nullifying its negative aspects.

Ridiculously good looking

I mean come on. Just look at it. To take a common Britishism, the MateBook X Pro is “fit af” (that would be “a smokeshow” to my compatriots across the Atlantic). On the aesthetic face of it, not much has changed, but why would you switch up a good thing?

The same magnesium alloy shell returns (something that Huawei calls the “skin-soothing metallic body”) — carved into this curved, utilitarian shape that looks unmistakably luxurious from every angle. And this new lighter blue finish adds an alluring dash of personality to the otherwise minimalist elegance.

On top of that, this thing is durable. I’m not saying it’s like those ultra-rugged systems that you see people drop from great heights (please don’t do that), but the rough-yet-smooth surface covering the laptop has undergone a Micro-arc oxidation process to improve water resistance. What this translates into is a laptop that’s impressively resistant to fingerprints and stains.

Funny story: the reviewer’s guide every journalist received with a new product they’re testing suggested that I spill coffee on the surface, which immediately terrified me. But the photos you are looking at here were taken after I did indeed spill some prime Costa Rican dark coffee on the lid and wiped it off. Not a single bit of staining, and no fingerprints even when I was eating some Monster Munch (ask your British mates).

Plus, we can’t go any further without talking about that weight. I expected a little heft — like the 2.7-pound MacBook Air is by no means heavy, but you can feel its weight. At 2.2 pounds, this CNC Unibody is lightweight unlike anything I’ve felt before.

It’s no slouch

Let’s get technical. The MateBook X Pro packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (a nice change of pace in a sea of thin and lights like this), alongside 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD. Make no mistake about it — this is one powerful laptop.

There are for sure places where the sheer might of Apple’s M3 will peep ahead, but given what this system with a 40 W TDP is capable of, you won’t notice any of a difference. In fact, you may see certain things being a touch faster, such as opening apps, exporting 4K video, or processing more intensive tasks when under a multitasking load.

You’ll find yourself in that same level of Apple bamboozlement when people bought the M1 MacBook Air — asking yourself “How is this thing so light, yet so damn fast?”

The MateBook X Pro fuels a bunch of Huawei’s AI smarts — because of course it does since every company is using AI to improve elements of the UI. Here specifically, you’re getting an enhanced 1080p webcam picture, including eye correction to maintain eye contact. Just make sure you turn off the Beauty Mode — it makes you look rather artificial.

On top of that, you’ve got three mic noise canceling modes boosted by AI, which do a great job of eliminating background distractions during calls. And the cherry on top, the AI search works like a better version of Apple’s Spotlight search across files, apps, the web, and even data on your phone (the latter being if you have a Huawei phone).

Unmatched ergonomics

It’s not just about the tools. It’s about how you use them, and the Huawei MateBook X Pro is a key example of that — offering arguably the best typing and clicking experience I’ve ever used on a Windows laptop.

The subtle dish of every key paired with 1.5mm of travel and a soft-yet-tactile landing of each key leads to a delightful typing experience, which matches the ergonomic greatness of the MacBook Air/Pro.

But let’s talk about the massive touchpad that goes all the way up to the bottom edge like an infinity pool. Following in Apple’s footsteps, there’s no actual mechanical click, as it’s all a solid-state construction. The haptic motor mimics clicks with a strong crispness, which gives you a gorgeous response to every interaction.

However, the real beauty comes in what else Huawei pulls off with the touchpad hardware. It’s an old story from my days of testing the first iteration of this design at Laptop Mag , but I’ll retell it. When my fingers grazed the side of the touchpad, I was honestly scared I’d broken it because there was a clicking sensation.

Instead, it’s edge controls! The left edge controls screen brightness, the right changes the volume, and moving across the top will scrub back and forth through videos. Once you experience it, you’ll find it hard to go back to any other laptop — it’s kind of a “why doesn’t everybody do this” kind of innovation that I love.

You’ve also got other gesture controls, such as knocking to take a screenshot or start a recording, but I’ll cut to the chase. This continues to be the best touchpad/keyboard combination I’ve ever used on a laptop.

A true feast for the eyes and ears

The older X Pro models were already a joy to watch movies and listen to songs on, but Huawei has gone a step further with four simple letters: OLED. Put simply, this 14.2-inch display is a masterpiece to the eyes.

Pairing a super sharp 3.1K resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 120Hz refresh rate, this tall, crispy screen is a color-accurate joy to work on with up to a 1000-nit peak brightness. In all the lighting conditions I threw at this, including the rare glimpse of British summer this week in the park, I could clearly see what I was working on.

And my word what a sight it is. The vibrant colors melt off the screen and the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio adds real depth to my time watching 3 Body Problem . But probably most surprising is the six-speaker setup here.

Whenever I see a laptop this skinny, tinny audio is sort of assumed of it. However, with impressive bass and a great, surrounding soundstage of well-balanced highs and mids, these speakers can overwhelm any time the fans kick up nicely.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024): The downs

There’s a lot to love, but there are a couple of self-owns here. One that I’m scratching my head about, and another that just seems to be a situation of the ever changing circumstances in the great silicon wars of 2024.

The limited port array gets even more limited

Sure, I expect the number of ports to be low on something this thin and light. But removing the 3.5mm headphone jack is a little silly to say the least. Sure, I appreciate the two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the implementation of a hard webcam switch on the right, next to the USB-C. But a wired audio connection is still important in the laptop space.

I know Huawei didn’t start this trend — that’s something Dell has to answer for with its XPS 13 Plus. But come on! Would it kill companies to not snatch away the common sockets that we need and expect?

This needs Snapdragon X Elite

Intel Core Ultra chips have proven themselves to be pretty decent. In this situation, the MateBook X Pro works pretty great with its 40 W TDP. But one key thing that Intel hasn’t quite cracked yet is stamina.

The battery life doesn't quite hit the lofty heights of the MacBook Air, and that was evident in my time using the X Pro. Cracking on with my standard workload of several Chrome windows/tabs, regular Photoshop use, and Apple Music playing in the background, the 70 Wh cell in here dropped from 100% to around 25% in roughly six hours.

I’m sure I could’ve gotten more out of it under less pressure like just binge-watching episodes of Ted Lasso , but the key reason behind this is that Core Ultra has quite the power draw. This is where I drop the fact that the Snapdragon X Elite manages to beat Intel’s chipsets while drawing 65% less power at the same time.

And when you think of the 5 laptops that are set to launch with Qualcomm’s chipset — all in the ultraportable category — it’s almost as if the slender frame of the X Pro is crying out for this Arm CPU. If there is a chance for Huawei to change course (hell, you could even call it the MateBook X Elite), now’s the time to do so.

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024): Verdict

If you come at the king, you best not miss, and Huawei has come correct with the MateBook X Pro — putting the M3 MacBook Air on notice. Matching its performance, while being lighter, packing a gorgeous OLED panel, and the best keyboard/touchpad combo I’ve used on a Windows laptop, Apple is clearly in its sights and the shot’s been taken.

It’s not perfect, though, with the omission of a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the Snapdragon X Elite being what’s needed for Huawei to jump that final hurdle and challenge Cupertino on battery life. But for what this pricey device is, if you have the money (and you don’t live in the US), this is my favorite Windows laptop.

Jason brings a decade of tech and gaming journalism experience to his role as a Managing Editor of Computing at Tom's Guide. He has previously written for Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Kotaku, Stuff and BBC Science Focus. In his spare time, you'll find Jason looking for good dogs to pet or thinking about eating pizza if he isn't already.

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