If you’re after a new MacBook Pro, should you stump up cash for the M1 Pro or M1 Max? Is last year’s M1 MacBook Air still a good deal? We break down Apple’s laptop lineup with all the buying advice you need.
Check out the NEW MacBook Pros with the M1 Pro and Max chips below 👇
14 inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro:
16 inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max:
*CNET may get a commission from this offer.
Intro 0:00
The M1 Pro & M1 Max 0:19
Choosing the right one 1:29
Dan’s first impressions 2:36
Processing power? 3:06
How is the Pro vs the Max? 3:44
Increased productivity 5:45
8 cores vs. 10 cores 7:00
Who is the Max for? 8:38
Ports, old & new 9:36
How much RAM do I need? 11:08
Portability compared 12:07
The TL;DR on Pro vs Max 13:14
Outro 15:10
Subscribe to CNET:
Like us on Facebook:
Follow us on Twitter:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on TikTok:
John Smith
October 31, 2021 at 4:36 pm
The M1 Air is best for 95% of us. Only Serious video editors need a Pro or Max. I have the Air, and the one thing I’d like is a brighter screen. However, that’s nitpicking, considering everything it can do (and how well it can do it) for $1k. I have the 8gb/512storage version, and 8gb is just fine if you are doing mainly media consumption. Jump to 16gb only if really need it (application/task dependent).
Amel Desain
October 31, 2021 at 5:06 pm
can make video compare battery life test between m1pro 8 core and m1pro 10 core on 14 macbook pro??
Eduardo Lopez
October 31, 2021 at 5:27 pm
It would be nice if they redesigned the air with the thinner bezels, HDR display, brought back the ports and started with 512 GB of storage. Oh wait, I just described the 14” MacBook Pro. Decision made.
Eduardo Lopez
October 31, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Apple is bringing back the old ports and charging for them like they discovered them 🤦
Hasan Johanes 楊富翔
October 31, 2021 at 6:01 pm
MacBook Air M1 16G
Christy
October 31, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Can you do a size comparison between your old MBA to the new 14 and 16” pros? That’s my upgrade decision.
CoachSarfo
October 31, 2021 at 6:20 pm
How are students going to Carry this heavy MacBooks around on daily bases and the prices too 🤔
TechMishMosh Adeel
October 31, 2021 at 6:31 pm
M1 Pro 10core 16gpu !! 32gb 1tb
HowlBeast
October 31, 2021 at 7:00 pm
My question is not answered… what about for a graphic Designer who doesn’t use video editor
Personalized Tech-Help
October 31, 2021 at 7:12 pm
Ahh yes, the Touch Bar. It was moved to the top of the screen, shrunk down a bit, and disabled the touch and display function. :/
lenso010
October 31, 2021 at 7:41 pm
I watched over 30 reviews plus amateur unboxing videos in a week and I still can’t choose which one I should buy. 14 or 16? Killing me softly.
heartofmyangel
October 31, 2021 at 9:15 pm
Can you see them in person?
lenso010
October 31, 2021 at 7:50 pm
It is very awkward moment for us that we are getting adjusting ourself to new thick design as “better and different” while they sold us thin and light is better all these years. I’m also wondering how the other manufacturer will response to this new marketing approach. As you know apple removed the charger from iphone and others responded it instantly with copying.
Roozs
October 31, 2021 at 8:31 pm
Got the cheapest 14 inch one, the screen alone is worth it over the air.
Filiponio
October 31, 2021 at 8:35 pm
My macbook is mid 2012…
otis
October 31, 2021 at 8:37 pm
i’ve been saying this, choice is actually quite horrible
Verne Arase
October 31, 2021 at 9:43 pm
16″ MacBook Pro,. M1 Max w/32 GPU cores, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD.
This thing is cheaper than a top speced 2019 16″ MacBook Pro and delivers waaaayyy more. I know, I owned one.
They’re powerful machines – not radioactive. I don’t recall _anyone_ warning users off of the 2019 model – these things are just so powerful that a lot of reviewers are emphasizing that you don’t need ’em – but most people didn’t need a top speced 2019 either.
The mini-LED screen is beautiful and great for content creation _and_ consumption, and the battery life and performance far exceeds anything in its class. The Max comes with 400 GB/sec memory access, and doubles up the hardware video encoders and ProRes encode engines in the media engine. The 32 GPU cores will handle just about anything you can throw at them, and will just get better as more and more software becomes optimized for Apple Silicon and Metal.
Dan’s point about Magsafe charging is another one of those talking head points – you don’t _need_ to charge using Magsafe even for the 16″ model – it just allows you to fast charge in half-an-hour. If you feel the need to charge through USB-C you can do that too, though current standards only allow you 100 watts through USB-C.
Jay
October 31, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Go with Air .
midnightalchemist2
October 31, 2021 at 10:24 pm
Probably the best video that has been put out – this is a really good framework for reviews …the interview style with someone in the know. Nice work CNET
achicheezay
October 31, 2021 at 10:34 pm
get the max lady you wont regret it
Tim Brown
October 31, 2021 at 11:41 pm
The M1 Air is so much faster than the 2019 Air. I don’t know what this dude is talking about. lol.
Michael San Roque
November 1, 2021 at 12:29 am
I thought the most important question is as to How are you going to pay for these new macbooks.
Bruno Wong
November 1, 2021 at 12:56 am
You can still charge the new MacBook Pro with USB C. Dan is the only one I know complaining about the return of the MagSafe. Nonsense.
JR Richards
November 1, 2021 at 1:24 am
Really? The web cam is the first thing you notice?
Terry Quinalty
November 1, 2021 at 3:20 am
Don’t hate me… I bought a max’d out 16″ M1 Max… just because my wife said I could. 😎
J
November 1, 2021 at 3:23 am
💻
Valentino MC
November 1, 2021 at 4:02 am
I got my M1 Pro with 16bg, ram, it is more and what I need very fast.
Naaish
November 1, 2021 at 6:06 am
You can also charge via the type C slots as well.
MarkR
November 1, 2021 at 7:01 am
Claire, thank you for such a wonderfully entertaining and informative video. You (and Dan) made it much easier for me to choose the right MacBook to buy. You are also a very good interviewer. Keep up the great work.
Claire Reilly
November 1, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Thanks for watching Mark 🙂 This one started when I was about to ping Dan with all my questions and realized everyone else would probably have the same questions about buying a new Mac!
Mr G
November 1, 2021 at 7:43 am
Most people don’t need a Macbook M1 Pro or Max. There is absolutely nothing the previous devices can’t do that the new one could. It is actually the other way around. x86 architecture can easily handle virtualization, whereas M1 series have difficuly doing so. The only reason why you would upgrade to M1 Max or Pro from previous Mac is if time saved from encoding / decoding media or compiling iOS code will earn you or your company significant amount of money or value. If you build an app for release once every 4 weeks, saving 7 minutes, for an example, will absolutely not justify the purchase.
Bada Bing888
November 1, 2021 at 7:58 am
None of them are right for me. The M1 MBA is right for my needs.
Mariusz Kreft
November 1, 2021 at 10:41 am
As long as apple is using the notch, I am not buying
Forester P
November 1, 2021 at 11:35 am
NEVER “Future proof tech”, with higher resell value or trade in with apple, 2-3 years is the targeted upgrading cycle. if you don’t see you use those high performance in 2 years why pay for it now. Whatever you “future proofed” now, would be like relic in 2 -3 years.
Colin Sydney
November 1, 2021 at 12:15 pm
I am a first time Macbook user. Love the hardware, hate the software.
mikaela waye
November 1, 2021 at 12:32 pm
this was great. really breaks it down for the average person
Grach2020
November 1, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I have the M1 Macbook Pro and I gotta say it is an amazing machine, I see no reason to upgrade for some time. I will say this is a big improvement however for many if they have an M1 air or pro there is nothing wrong with them still very fast and capable. But of course, this depends on what the person needs and uses are as well.
Cosmic Jerry
November 1, 2021 at 3:01 pm
🧙♂️ 💻 How Do You Turn This Thing On ❓
John Forde
November 1, 2021 at 3:55 pm
These laptops have the best of both worlds for charging. Mag-safe is best for home, but if you need to, you can charge with a standard USB-C cable, so I don’t get his point in this area.
John Ekow
November 1, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Buying Macs are for rich people lol. We the broke just watch reviews.
CNET
November 1, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Thinking about upgrading your current MacBook Pro? Check out the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pros with M1 Pro and Max chips here 👇
14 inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro:
16 inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max:
*CNET may get a commission from this offer.
Claire Reilly
November 1, 2021 at 5:56 pm
It’s been great reading your comments about which MacBook you’d choose. I’ve decided to go into the Apple store and actually lift the 14″ Pro — for me, portability is huge, so if it passes the test, that’s the one I’m going for! (Unrelated question: can anyone lend me $2500? 😉)
Danny Kojongian
November 2, 2021 at 4:54 am
Great choice, Claire … I still love my 2020 M1 MBP. I used to have 2015 MBA with MagSafe, when the charging cable started to broke, I had to buy the entire charger set (expensive & rare in my country) vs only replacing the USB-C cable.
Andre Da Costa
November 1, 2021 at 6:14 pm
But she said she has a MacBook Air, but she’s talking to Dan on a MacBook Pro and its a recent Intel model too.
David Nelson
November 1, 2021 at 9:02 pm
Enjoyed the video , I opted for the 16 Pro Max 1 Tb 32 gb future proof hopefully as i certainly don’t intend to upgrade again for quite a while , i’m typing this on the M1 Air . that I use as a back up device ,
Florent S.
November 1, 2021 at 9:12 pm
I may not need the power but would like the 14 inch screen and related screen features. Can we hope for a 14” M1?
Daniel C
November 1, 2021 at 10:58 pm
“I would never dare to join a web meeting from a regular MacBook webcam” 💀 me joining every meeting on my 2019 MacBook Air
Llewellyn Brown
November 2, 2021 at 12:24 am
I just ordered the base model 14 inch M1 MacBook Pro , can’t hardly wait for it to arrive. I’m upgrading from a 2012 13 inch MacBook Pro with 500 gab ssd and 16 gig.ram in new condition . I will keeping for a while as it has all the ports including Ethernet and usb 3 ports
Kevin Kinver
November 2, 2021 at 12:59 am
I went with a top spec max 1TB to future proof my Mac book for longer.
Nxet
November 2, 2021 at 7:25 am
What would you recommend for someone that keeps their laptops for 8 plus year or until it shuts down it’s own? For programming n video editing? I want the 16” I’m not focus on the now I’m focused on future my 2015 died I did not future proof it it started to lag freeze etc not enough storage
Tony Burzio
November 2, 2021 at 8:35 am
If you buy a PC, the average user will be cheated. PC users think it’s funny. Imagine a company that makes the machine you expect, every time.
Apple. The better way.
Brandon Surber
November 2, 2021 at 1:36 pm
I am stuck between getting the air, 13” and 14” pro… just everyday internet surfing, Adobe illustrator designs, and web design. That is pretty much it.. and storing photos files from the websites. Any feedback?
Joseph Lee
November 2, 2021 at 3:41 pm
if i need to do a video editing for a 2-hour long duration video once a week, what is your advice? Should i get 13” M1 MBA or 14” binned model or 16” binned model? TQ
A1 KV
November 2, 2021 at 3:53 pm
The Video is more confusing make a clear Video …Guide the buyers properly … Past is past M14 what configuration are better is the extra add on beneficial that would do…
Adam R
November 2, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Question: With the 14” base model is better to upgrade from 8 cores to 10 or go from 16 gb to 32 gb of ram? I’m not a “Pro” user but once a 13” is upgraded to match the 14” (including dongles) the price difference is small. I want to keep the price under $2,500 US.
My goal is use the machine until it dies (hopefully 8-10 years). What are your thoughts.
juan2049
November 2, 2021 at 9:14 pm
I just got the M1 Max with AppleCare+ for $3300 total. I think I got a good deal!
Jason Gooden
November 2, 2021 at 10:34 pm
Quick answer. 99 percent of people should get the M1. Pros get the Pro, those who do 3D animation get at least the Max or something faster.
Jason Gooden
November 2, 2021 at 10:42 pm
They should have just gave you a magnetic breakaway USB C cable instead of MagSafe
Jason Gooden
November 2, 2021 at 10:48 pm
Future proof doesn’t exist. The next Apple Silicon might be based on ARM 9
Nino Santiago
November 3, 2021 at 12:59 am
The Magsafe charger on Macbook Air 2015 I handed down to my son has saved it from falling a few times. Magnetic chargers should be the standard for laptops without sacrificing any port.