MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch (2021)

MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch (2021) are professional notebook computers developed and released by Apple Inc. in October 2021. They represented a major redesign of the MacBook Pro line, marking a decisive shift to the company's own Apple silicon system-on-a-chip architecture and reintroducing several ports and features favored by professional users. The launch was a significant event for Apple's developer community and the broader creative professional market, signaling a new era of performance and capability for the Macintosh platform.

Design and hardware

The chassis was completely redesigned, featuring a more squared-off aesthetic reminiscent of the iPhone 12 and flat edges. The aluminum unibody construction returned but with a slightly thicker profile to accommodate enhanced thermal systems and a larger battery. A major physical change was the removal of the controversial Touch Bar, reverting to a row of full-height physical function keys, a decision welcomed by many users of applications like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. The keyboard utilized an updated scissor-switch mechanism, and the Force Touch trackpad remained large and responsive. The MagSafe charging connector, absent since 2016, made a triumphant return with a new magnetic design and support for fast charging.

Apple silicon processors

These models were powered by the new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, representing the second generation of Apple silicon following the M1. Fabricated using a 5 nm process by TSMC, these SoCs featured a unified memory architecture and dramatically increased core counts over their predecessor. The M1 Pro offered up to a 10-core CPU and a 16-core GPU, while the top-tier M1 Max scaled to a 32-core GPU and featured a vastly more powerful media engine. This architectural shift delivered breakthrough performance per watt, challenging competitors like Intel and AMD in the mobile workstation segment and enabling new workflows for software from Adobe Creative Cloud.

Display and audio

The notebooks introduced a new Liquid Retina XDR display, incorporating mini-LED backlighting technology for exceptional contrast and brightness. The screens supported ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz, a technology first seen on the iPad Pro. With high pixel density, support for the P3 color space, and reference modes for color-critical work in industries like Hollywood post-production, the display was widely praised. The audio system was equally advanced, featuring a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers and support for spatial audio when playing content from services like Apple Music or Apple TV+.

Connectivity and ports

Addressing years of criticism, Apple Inc. restored a selection of pro-oriented ports, moving away from a sole reliance on USB-C. The left side featured a return of the HDMI port and a full-size SD card slot, greatly simplifying workflows for photographers and videographers. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (on the M1 Pro model) or three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus an additional high-speed port on the M1 Max model provided versatile high-speed data and display connectivity. The 3.5 mm headphone jack was upgraded to support high-impedance headphones, catering to audio professionals.

Software and features

The laptops launched with macOS Monterey, which included features like Universal Control and Shortcuts to enhance productivity. The Secure Enclave and other security features inherent to Apple silicon provided robust system integrity. Advanced capabilities like hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, and ProRes video encoding and decoding on the M1 Max were directly leveraged by professional applications from Blackmagic Design and Avid Technology. The integration of the Neural Engine also accelerated machine learning tasks within apps.

Reception and impact

The release was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews from publications like The Verge and Ars Technica, with many calling it the most significant MacBook Pro update in nearly a decade. Critics at CNET and Engadget highlighted the exceptional battery life and raw performance that rivaled many Windows-based workstations. The successful adoption of Apple silicon in these high-end models solidified Apple Inc.'s strategic independence from Intel and reshaped competitive dynamics in the laptop market, influencing the roadmaps of companies like Microsoft with its Surface Laptop Studio. The models quickly became essential tools in industries ranging from music production to scientific computing.

Category:MacBook Pro Category:Apple Inc. hardware Category:2021 in technology