New MacBook Pros With M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips

Apple announced two new high-end MacBook Pro models today. These contain new processor chips, the M1 Pro and M1 Max, which are more powerful than the initial M1 Apple Silicon chips. The models also feature new displays with a camera notch, no Touch Bar and a new camera. Apple also announced the new 3rd-generation AirPods and the release date for macOS Monterey (Oct 25).

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Video Transcript: Hi, this is Gary with MacMost.com. Apple announced new MacBooks and new AirPods today. Let's take a look. 
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So today was Apple's second event in a few weeks. They announced some new products, specifically MacBook Pros. Now these new MacBooks are the higher end of MacBook Pros. Previously we had the lower end MacBook Pro, the one with just two thunderbolt ports. Now we've got them that have more ports and, of course, one model has a larger screen size. So now all of the previous MacBook models have been replaced with new versions using Apple Silicone. Now more Intel chips. 
So there are two new MacBook models. A 14" and a 16" model. Both of them feature a better display with a 120 Hz ProMotion but they also have a notch, like some rumor sites predicted at the last minute. So the notch takes up a little bit of space at the top center part of the screen and that's where the camera is located. The Menu Bar will then fit to either side of that.  But when you're viewing content the  content is most likely going to be below the line of the notch. They also have the same ports. There are more ports on this model than the lower end MacBook Pros or the old generation. There are going to be three thunderbolt 4 ports, a HDMI port, a SD card slot, the headphone jack, and a MagSafe adaptor. 
So these new MacBook Pro models are going back to using MagSafe Power Adaptors. So when you plug your Mac in it's going to use magnets to hold the power cable there. So if someone trips over the cable then they don't bring the whole MacBook off the table with it.  
The camera is the improved 1080p model and there are also new mics and new speaker system in these MacBook Pros. Another thing some rumor sites got right is the keyboard doesn't have a touch bar. So it looks like that's gone. There are the regular function keys back like before. So what people are really interested in is what's inside these MacBook Pros. 
Apple has come out with two new chips. So previously they had the M1 chip. Now they also have a M1 Pro and a M1 Max chip. You get the new M1 Pro chip in both of these MacBook Pro models. It's got 10 CPU's, 16 GPU's so can power two external 5K displays. It can also handle up to 32GB of RAM. The 16" MacBook Pro can come configured with a M1 Max Chip in it. This is even bigger with 32 GPU's and can handle 3 external 5K displays plus an additional HDMI display. It can go up to 64GB of RAM.  
Prices at the 14" model start at $2000 and the 16" model starts at $2500. You can order these today and they will be available next week. Note that the 16" MacBook Pro with the M1 Max processor, that one starts at $3500. 
Apple also announced new AirPods. So these are regular AirPods, not AirPods Pro. So they don't have the soft tips on them that allow you to have noise cancelling. They don't have noise cancelling but they do have spatial audio and they do have longer battery life and the case supports wireless and MagSafe charging. They are $179 and you can order them today and they start shipping next week. 
In addition Apple also announced that the HomePod Mini will now be coming in colors.  
So what about the new operating system, macOS Monterey, that's in the final stages of beta testing and Apple has announced that it will be released next week on October 25. So probably at the same time that the first MacBook Pro models start to arrive in people's hands.
So those are the things Apple announced today. Let me know what you think. Are you going to get one of those new MacBook Pros. Leave your comment below.

Comments: 10 Responses to “New MacBook Pros With M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips”

Debra Calie

3 years ago

Hi Gary, ordered my new 16" MacBook Pro a couple hours ago. It’s is due to ship in 4 weeks.
In 2015 I restored from last BU to move data to my then new machine, but it also moved problems/glitches over too.
Don’t want to make the same mistake, so I’m planning a manual transfer this time. Searched your videos and see nothing relating to this. Will do more research, but want to ask - do you have any important tips to keep in mind as I go?
Thank you SO much. I love everything you post!

Gary Rosenzweig

Debra: Using migration assistant should mostly move your data files over. I don't think you'd run into any problems like that with it. But otherwise, you can do it any way you want. For those that use iCloud for everything, it is almost as easy as just turning on iCloud.

GazzaDownUnder

@Debra Don’t restore from a backup etc. For a clean, “no crud” system, utilise iCloud as much as you can for files and the photos.app
Install new apps from 3rd party vendors (if not in App Store), but establish registration details with vendor will work first. If you have an app (or plug-in etc) that won’t run on the new system, replace it with something that will. (Or keep old Mac for just that purpose).
Files not in iCloud, copy from old Mac to new Mac via sneakernet or Ethernet.

Trudy Young

Gary, have ordered 16" Macbook Pro as well. my old Macbook Pro runs Mojave and I do not want to update it because of iTunes. what is my best option to transfer to new Macbook Pro?

Trudy: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350

Paul Hixson

Gary, I just ordered the 14" with the M1 Max Chip. I mention this because you along with a number of other commentators have implied that a customer had to go with the 16" model to get the M1 Max. While it is true, that Apple kind of implied that in their announcement, it's not the case. When you select the 14" model on their ordering website, you are given a choice of apple silicon inside & can choose whether you want the M1 Pro or M1Max. Can't wait for it to be delivered in about 4 weeks.

Mitchell Kennedy

Is the mag safe connector identical to the original? I’m presently using the 27” Thunderbolt Display with my 2013 MacBook Pro and would like to still be able to use it on the 16” pro max I just ordered. Thanks

Mitchell: I'm pretty sure it is not. Note that the old Thunderbolt Display is only 2560×1440. Compare that to a cheap ($300) 4K display you can get now that is 3840x1920. And probably brighter, higher quality and more energy efficient (less heat too). So while it is tempting to use that old display, you may want to pair your new state-of-the-art MacBook Pro with something better.

Ellen Lerner

Hi Gary, I don’t understand why would they get rid of the Touch Bar? That’s the one thing I love about my computer right now. My big issue is a flat keyboard I hate it. Did Apple change this in new MBP so it’s not so flat? I don’t understand what a notch is! Every time they make these changes I feel like changing to a different brand of computer. After being with Apple all these years new innovations Maybe or not with some of us want.

Ellen: If you read a lot of online discussion boards, you know that while some people like the Touch Bar, others didn't. In fact, many hated it and begged Apple to bring back regular function keys. The keyboard is new, but still flat. Simply no room in a modern laptop for anything else. The notch is the part in the middle of the screen at the top where there is no screen because the camera is there. Like on the iPhone. The Windows laptops change over time too.

Comments Closed.

New MacBook Pros With M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips

Comments: 10 Responses to “New MacBook Pros With M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips”

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