Buzz
At the Unleashed event held on the early morning of October 19th, Apple unveiled the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) with many highlights. Alongside the slimmer design and ProMotion 120 Hz Mini-LED display, the MacBook Pro 2021 features powerful upgrades with the Apple M1 Pro and M1 Max chips at a relatively attractive price point. Let's dive deeper into this MacBook through the first impressive review of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) below!
Design of MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021): Slimmer Profile, 120 Hz Mini-LED Display
One of the most noticeable changes on the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) is its design. Personally, I find the design of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) to be more angular compared to its predecessor, and its slim and lightweight build is also very impressive (with a thickness of 16.8 mm and a weight of about 2.13 kg). In terms of materials, Apple has used 100% recycled aluminum to better protect the environment.
The design of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) is impressively slim and lightweight. Source: Apple.However, I do feel a bit disappointed that the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) this year lacks color variety like other recent Apple products such as the iMac 2021, iPad mini 6, iPhone 13 Series, etc. Instead, the new MacBook Pro only comes in 2 basic color options: Silver and Space Gray.
Color options for the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). Source: Apple.As expected by many users, Apple has finally brought back the function keys (F-key row) to the keyboard area of the new MacBook Pro and the Touch Bar has been removed. The MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) also features an improved studio-quality microphone and speakers that support Spatial Audio, with a system of up to six speakers on the 16-inch model.
The keyboard of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) has brought back the familiar function keys and removed the Touch Bar. Source: Apple.Another impressive aspect of the design is the Mini-LED display (housing a 1080p webcam with a wide aperture), something previous generations of MacBooks did not have. The thinness of the bezels around this display is also remarkable, at just 3.5 mm (the side bezels are 24% thinner and the top bezel is 60% thinner than the predecessor).
The thinness of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) display. Source: Apple.In particular, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) display features a Liquid Retina XDR panel with mini-LED technology for excellent display quality, a maximum brightness of up to 1,600 nits, and a contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1. Additionally, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) display supports ProMotion 120 Hz technology for a smoother user experience.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) display supports mini-LED technology. Source: Apple.Not stopping there, the return of the old connectivity ports is also a noteworthy highlight on the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021), and I'll discuss that in the next section below.
The Trio of MagSafe 3 Ports – HDMI and SD Card Reader Make a Comeback
During the unveiling of the new MacBook lineup, users also noticed the comeback of the trio of legendary connectivity ports. These include the MagSafe 3 charging port, HDMI port, and finally, the convenient SD card reader.
The connectivity ports on the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) are truly impressive. Source: Apple.MagSafe 3 can be described as an incredibly convenient feature, making charging easier with its renowned magnetic attachment mechanism. In real-life scenarios like placing the MacBook on a study desk, work desk, or in bustling environments like cafes, accidental bumps and tugs on the charging cable are quite common. With MagSafe, the chances of your MacBook accidentally falling due to an unintentional tug on the charging port decrease significantly. Undoubtedly, the return of MagSafe will be much more welcomed by users compared to the less user-friendly Type-C charging port.
The comeback of MagSafe ports will enhance the user experience significantly. Source: Apple.Additionally, the HDMI port for video data transmission will be extremely convenient for presentations requiring projector use or easy external monitor connectivity. Especially with the handy SD card reader port, users won't need to rely heavily on Type-C adapter accessories anymore. I'm using the MacBook 16-inch, and every time I need to transfer data from the camera to the MacBook for photo editing, it used to involve multiple steps. Now, everything is much more streamlined thanks to the integrated SD card reader port.
The powerhouse MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) with M1 Pro/M1 Max chipsets
The detailed specifications of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) are as follows:
- Display: 16.2-inch size, Liquid Retina XDR panel, 3,456 x 2,234 pixels resolution, supporting mini-LED technology, Pro Motion 120 Hz.
- CPU: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max 10-core (8 high-performance cores, 2 power-efficient cores).
- GPU: 16 cores.
- RAM: 16 GB or 32 GB (supporting upgradable options up to 64 GB).
- SSD Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB (supporting upgrades to 2 TB, 4 TB, and the highest 8 TB).
A summary of the standout features of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). Source: Apple.As you've seen in the specifications above, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) has been upgraded with two new Apple silicon chips. Specifically, the M1 Pro processor is an upgrade from the M1 chip, featuring a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, improved Media Engine performance, and support for up to 32 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the M1 Max chip shares the same 10-core CPU as the M1 Pro but elevates to a 32-core GPU and supports up to 64 GB of RAM. Below are some key details about the new chip duo Apple unveiled at the event.
Apple's M1 Pro sees significant upgrades, delivering superior performance compared to the Apple M1. Source: Apple.
Apple's M1 Pro, as announced by Apple, boasts CPU performance 1.7 times faster than standard 8-core chips on PCs/laptops. Source: Apple.
Apple's M1 Pro, as announced by Apple, offers GPU performance 7 times stronger than standard PC/laptop chips. Source: Apple.
The Apple M1 Max will be approximately 70% faster than the Apple M1, providing you with incredible processing speed. Source: Apple.
The Apple M1 Max features a large 32-core GPU for graphics performance 4 times faster than the M1. Source: Apple.
The power consumption of the CPU cluster in the M1 Max will be 70% lower than that of an 8-core chip in PCs/laptops. Source: Apple.How much does the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) cost?
The specific prices of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) are as follows:
- M1 Pro variant, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD priced at 2,499 USD (approximately 56.8 million VND).
- M1 Pro variant, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD priced at 2,699 USD (approximately 61.4 million VND).
- M1 Max variant, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD priced at 3,499 USD (approximately 79.6 million VND).
The prices of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) on Apple's website. Source: Apple.Conclusion
Recently, I shared my first impressions of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). Personally, I believe this year's MacBook Pro has seen significant upgrades in design and performance. Hopefully, in the near future, I'll have the machine in hand to provide a detailed review for you all. What are your thoughts on the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021)? Leave your comments below to share with me and everyone else! Thank you for your interest and for following my articles.
Explore more:
- Apple unveils M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, doubling the performance of M1, 70% battery saving
- Impressive MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021): New design, powerful M1 Pro chip
- Impressive MacBook Pro 16-inch: 120 Hz rabbit ear display, M1 Pro/Max chip
- What is Apple M1 Pro? The next generation of M1, boasting superior power
- Hands-on with MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021): Powerful M1 Max, rabbit ear design
