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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 47 (from laksa094)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa047.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance","crawl_time":1776117159,"first_indexed_time":1638280845,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,dpreview!www,\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance s443","src_root_hash":"18102186557855286447","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro (2021) review: Back with a vengeance: DPReview | Photography News, Gear Reviews & Community","meta_descriptions":["Apple's flagship M1 Max MacBook Pro offers a combination of performance, efficiency, build quality, and screen quality that you cannot find in any PC on the market, full stop."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"All product photography by DL Cade.\nRecent Videos\nBy just about every metric you can come up with, Apple's transition to Apple Silicon on the Mac has been a success. The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every \"best entry-level creator laptop\" list on the Internet.\nBut for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste.\nWith the release of\nthe 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros\nand the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand.\nJump to:\nDesign, build and usability\n|\nminiLED Display\n|\nPerformance benchmarks\n|\nConclusion\nKey Specifications\nFor this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day.\nOn the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers.\nAs tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing $4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to $3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is $3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a \"bang-for-your-buck\" or \"entry-level\" computer.\nAs Tested\nLess Storage\nBase Model\nCPU\nM1 Max 10-core\nM1 Max 10-core\nM1 Max 10-core\nGPU\nM1 Max 32-core\nM1 Max 32-core\nM1 Max 32-core\nRAM\n64GB Unified Memory\n64GB Unified Memory\n32GB Unified Memory\nStorage\n2TB Integrated SSD\n1TB Integrated SSD\n1TB Integrated SSD\nDisplay\nLiquid Retina XDR Display\n100% Display P3\nLiquid Retina XDR Display\n100% Display P3\nLiquid Retina XDR Display\n100% Display P3\nPrice\n$4,300\n$3,900\n$3,500\nAs tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing $4,300.\nThat said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match.\nDesign, build and usability\nThe new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing.\nWe spent some time on design, build and usability in\nour first impressions\na few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes.\nFirst and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat \"retro\" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011.\nThe added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports,\neach with its own bus\n, and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes:\nOn the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot:\nThe pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models.\nThe cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time.\nAnother benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent \"Magic Keyboard\" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop.\nNeither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck.\nThe controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor.\nTwo more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers.\nThe previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17.\nAs for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market.\nFinally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in\nmy first impressions\n, but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display\nunderneath\nthe notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially\nadded\nsome room for the menu bar.\nOf course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode\non a per-app basis\n, and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely.\nBack to top\nminiLED display\nWe have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the \"Liquid Retina XDR\" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\nHDR performance\nSimilar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time.\nThe \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\nAlready we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in\nDell's UP3221Q\n– a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible.\nThis exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro.\nPhoto courtesy of Apple\nHowever, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to \"On\" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works.\nWhen you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but\nonly under the content you're viewing.\nIf you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other.\nThe only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers.\nThe combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast.\nGamut coverage and color accuracy\nThe new \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right).\nPanel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to \"Apple XDR Display\" mode in the Settings.\nPanel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E.\nHowever, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many \"P3 D65\" reference modes. And since \"Apple XDR Display\" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get.\nFortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset.\nVarious reference modes exist\n, including:\nDigital Cinema (P3 - DCI)\nDigital Cinema (P3 - D65)\nDesign & Print (P3 - D50)\nPhotography (P3 - D65)\nInternet & Web (sRGB)\nEach of these modes gives you access to a \"Fine Tune\" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K.\nApple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point.\nUsing the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under \"measured\" and the D65 CIE coordinates under \"target,\" set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves.\nIt's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space.\nOnce I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below:\nI did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying:\n98.4%\nDCI-P3\n83.9%\nAdobeRGB\n0.46\naverage Delta E\n1.39\nmaximum Delta E\n0.69\nmeasured vs target white point Delta E\nPro Motion\nThe last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet.\nEssentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources.\nIf you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it.\nPerformance benchmarks\nThe M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in.\nApple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery.\nTo test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17.\nYou can see the full specs of our three test machines below:\nMacBook Pro 16\nMSI Creator 17\nDell XPS 17\nCPU\nM1 Max\n10-core CPU\nIntel Core i9-11900H\nIntel Core i7-11800H\nGPU\nM1 Max\n32-core GPU\nNVIDIA RTX 3080\n16GB VRAM\nNVIDIA RTX 3060\n6GB VRAM\nRAM\n64GB Unified Memory\n32GB DDR4-3200MHz\n32GB DDR4-3200MHz\nStorage\n2TB Integrated SSD\n2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD\n1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD\nDisplay\nminiLED 4K LCD\n1000 nits\n100% DCI-P3\nminiLED 4K LCD\n1000 nits\n100% DCI-P3\n4K UHD+ LCD\n500 nits\n100% AdobeRGB\nPrice\n$4,300\n$3,800\n$2,800\nIn order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run.\nWe obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet.\nAdobe Lightroom Classic\nFor our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about\nthat\nin our\nLightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro\ncomparison.\nRight out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark.\nPlugged In\nCanon EOS R6 Import\nNikon Z7 II Import\nSony a7R IV Import\nFujifilm GFX 100 Import\nMacBook Pro\n1:24\n2:17\n2:23\n5:55\nMSI Creator 17\n1:23\n2:24\n2:37\n5:44\nDell XPS 17\n1:26\n2:25\n2:39\n5:51\nOn battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category.\nOn Battery\nCanon EOS R6 Import\nNikon Z7 II Import\nSony a7R IV Import\nFujifilm GFX 100 Import\nMacBook Pro\n1:23\n2:17\n2:24\n5:55\nMSI Creator 17\n1:35\n2:43\n2:49\n6:29\nDell XPS 17\n1:49\n2:55\n3:03\n6:51\nThat all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board.\nPlugged In\nCanon EOS R6 Export\nNikon Z7 II Export\nSony a7R IV Export\nFujifilm GFX 100 Export\nMacBook Pro\n2:27\n5:11\n6:39\n11:06\nMSI Creator 17\n3:34\n7:55\n10:08\n22:50\nDell XPS 17\n3:42\n8:03\n10:19\n25:45\nThis lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files.\nOn Battery\nCanon EOS R6 Export\nNikon Z7 II Export\nSony a7R IV Export\nFujifilm GFX 100 Export\nMacBook Pro\n2:26\n5:11\n6:37\n11:08\nMSI Creator 17\n4:15\n9:21\n11:52\n26:45\nDell XPS 17\n3:59\n8:42\n10:59\n35:46\nFinally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export.\nCapture One Pro\nUsing the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step:\nPlugged In\nCanon EOS R6 Import\nNikon Z7 II Import\nSony a7R IV Import\nFujifilm GFX 100 Import\nMacBook Pro\n0:43\n1:04\n1:17\n2:00\nMSI Creator 17\n0:41\n0:52\n0:59\n1:26\nDell XPS 17\n0:43\n1:08\n1:29\n2:03\nOnce we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance.\nUnlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two.\nOn Battery\nCanon EOS R6 Import\nNikon Z7 II Import\nSony a7R IV Import\nFujifilm GFX 100 Import\nMacBook Pro\n0:43\n1:04\n1:17\n2:01\nMSI Creator 17\n0:47\n1:02\n1:10\n1:40\nDell XPS 17\n1:01\n2:24\n3:17\n4:52\nOnce we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in:\nPlugged In\nCanon EOS R6 Export\nNikon Z7 II Export\nSony a7R IV Export\nFujifilm GFX 100 Export\nMacBook Pro\n0:53\n1:59\n2:23\n4:14\nMSI Creator 17\n1:30\n3:08\n3:48\n6:10\nDell XPS 17\n1:40\n3:33\n4:14\n6:54\nThis gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17.\nOn Battery\nCanon EOS R6 Export\nNikon Z7 II Export\nSony a7R IV Export\nFujifilm GFX 100 Export\nMacBook Pro\n0:53\n1:58\n2:21\n4:18\nMSI Creator 17\n1:46\n3:43\n4:22\n7:14\nDell XPS 17\n2:25\n4:58\n5:42\n9:25\nFinally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively.\nPhotoshop\nTo test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of\nPuget Systems' PugetBench benchmark\n. As we've explained\nin previous reviews\n, we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance.\nBy this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead.\nEven in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9.\nPlugged In\nOverall\nGeneral\nGPU\nFilter\nPhotoMerge\nMacBook Pro\n1253.9\n123.9\n115.9\n108.8\n161.4\nMSI Creator 17\n1019.6\n111.4\n113.8\n84.5\n117.9\nDell XPS 17\n959.9\n104.7\n102.4\n80.0\n110.4\nThis only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7.\nOn Battery\nOverall\nGeneral\nGPU\nFilter\nPhotoMerge\nMacBook Pro\n1238.1\n121.4\n115.9\n107.4\n161.4\nMSI Creator 17\n805.0\n84.7\n87.1\n62.9\n107.2\nDell XPS 17\n692.7\n73.0\n71.7\n52.9\n94.6\nThe difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity:\nPremiere Pro\nThe last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export\nthis 4K sample video\nshot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip.\nThis is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance:\nPlugged In\nRender All\nExport Master File\nExport H.264\nExport HEVC\/H.265\nWarp Stabilize\nMacBook Pro\n2:04\n00:05\n1:42\n1:42\n1:48\nMSI Creator 17\n3:45\n00:06\n3:35\n3:30\n2:32\nDell XPS 17\n4:01\n00:08\n3:56\n3:52\n2:48\nOn battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can:\nOn Battery\nRender All\nExport Master File\nExport H.264\nExport HEVC\/H.265\nWarp Stabilize\nMacBook Pro\n2:05\n00:05\n1:40\n1:43\n1:48\nMSI Creator 17\n4:24\n00:32\n4:11\n4:09\n2:54\nDell XPS 17\n5:19\n00:26\n5:23\n5:08\n4:06\nBattery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%:\nFinal Cut Pro\nOur last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks\nhere\n, but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding.\nThe only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds.\nPlugged In\nRender All\nExport Master File\nExport H.264\nExport HEVC\/H.265\nFinal Cut Stabilize\nM1 Max MBP\n2:43\n00:45\n1:15\n1:10\n00:19\nM1 iMac\n5:12\n1:24\n4:19\n1:55\n00:25\nIntel MBP\n9:57\n2:07\n6:55\n2:59\n00:55\nWe didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run.\nPerformance takeaways\nTaken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB\/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks.\nWith one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review.\nWith one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise.\nThere's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery.\nBack to top\nBest creator laptop, period.\nNo other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image\nWhat We Like\nWhat We Don't Like\nIncredible performance\nLots of ports, including SD card slot\nIndustry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display\nFull performance even on battery\nTop-shelf keyboard and trackpad\nFull HD webcam\nThicker and larger than previous models\nNo USB Type-A port\nHDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1\nCard slot is UHS-II not UHS-III\nUnnecessary display notch\nNo user-upgradable RAM or storage\nVERY expensive\nIn any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\nNo laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\nGiven what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the \"What We Don't Like\" column other than the price tag.\nAfter nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook\nPro\nis back... and it's back with a vengeance.\nBack to top","attrs_markdown":"[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dpreview) [TikTok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@dpreviewtv) [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/dpreviewcom) [Twitter](https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/dpreview) [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dpreview) [Newsletter](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/newsletter) [Submit a News Tip\\!](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/feedback?category=content-suggestion&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Freviews%2Flaptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance)\n\nReading mode: Light Dark\n\n[Login](https:\/\/signin.dpreview.com\/login?client_id=3lr6v0p5ij9ijctbt4io7o7od5&response_type=code&scope=openid+aws.cognito.signin.user.admin&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Fpost-login&state=https%253a%252f%252fwww.dpreview.com%252freviews%252flaptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance) \\| [Register](https:\/\/signin.dpreview.com\/signup?client_id=3lr6v0p5ij9ijctbt4io7o7od5&response_type=code&scope=email+openid+aws.cognito.signin.user.admin&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Fpost-login&state=https%253a%252f%252fwww.dpreview.com%252freviews%252flaptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance)\n\n[News](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/)\n\n[Blackmagic's new photo tools might be the end of your Adobe subscription](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/7333672606\/blackmagic-davinici-resolve-photo-editor)\n\n[Canon's quest for the ideal lens lineup](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/6415435262\/canon-lens-interview-cp-plus-2026)\n\n[In space, no one can hear your storage card scream](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/6416086072\/artemis-ii-camera-card-eject)\n\n[Our \"Film Photography\" photo challenge is now open for submissions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/4452986150\/april-2026-photo-challenge-is-open-for-submissions)\n\n[10,000 photos in 7 hours: The surreal views of NASA’s Artemis II mission](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/8108830485\/artemis-ii-moon-mission-in-photos)\n\n[Peak Design wants your input for its next accessory](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/1255407909\/peak-design-l-bracket-survey)\n\n[Not dead yet: how to revive a camera format](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/8870230119\/was-the-compact-film-camera-s-decline-greatly-exaggerated)\n\n[The 2026 World Press Photo winners offer a striking glimpse at tumultuous year](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/4909205427\/2026-world-press-photo-contest-winners)\n\n[Lions, giraffes and elephants, oh my - A DPReview reader's African safari](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/2724026732\/lions-giraffes-and-elephants-oh-my-a-dpreview-reader-s-african-safari)\n\n[The Nikon ZR has three Raw options. 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comments](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#comments)\n\n# Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro (2021) review: Back with a vengeance\n![](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/TC1x1S40~avatars\/1843105630\/1\/avatar.jpg)\n\nBy [DL Cade](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1843105630)\n\n[Comments (633)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#viewComments)\n\nPublished Nov 30, 2021\n\n|   |   |\n|---|---|\n| Share | [Tweet](https:\/\/twitter.com\/share) |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS4133-HDR-Edit](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS4133-HDR-Edit.jpeg) |\n\n*All product photography by DL Cade.*\n\nRecent Videos\n\nBy just about every metric you can come up with, Apple's transition to Apple Silicon on the Mac has been a success. The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every \"best entry-level creator laptop\" list on the Internet.\n\nBut for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste.\n\nWith the release of [the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/2895714205\/apple-announces-redesigned-14-16-macbook-pros-powered-by-its-new-m1-pro-m1-max-chipsets) and the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand.\n***\nJump to:\n\n[Design, build and usability](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#design) \\| [miniLED Display](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#display) \\| [Performance benchmarks](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#performance) \\| [Conclusion](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#conclusion)\n***\n### Key Specifications\nFor this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day.\n\nOn the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers.\n\nAs tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \\$4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to \\$3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is \\$3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a \"bang-for-your-buck\" or \"entry-level\" computer.\n\n|   | As Tested | Less Storage | Base Model |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| CPU | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core |\n| GPU | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core |\n| RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB Unified Memory |\n| Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD |\n| Display | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 |\n| Price | \\$4,300 | \\$3,900 | \\$3,500 |\n\n> As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \\$4,300.\n\nThat said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match.\n***\n## Design, build and usability\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3672-HDR](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3672-HDR.jpeg) |\n| The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing. |\n\nWe spent some time on design, build and usability in [our first impressions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/5725743467\/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro) a few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes.\n\nFirst and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat \"retro\" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011.\n\nThe added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, [each with its own bus](https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/68484-thunderbolt-on-the-m1-mac-mini\/), and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes:\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3618-HDR](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3618-HDR.jpeg) |\n\nOn the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot:\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![DLCS3614-HDR-2](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg) |\n\nThe pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models.\n\nThe cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time.\n\nAnother benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent \"Magic Keyboard\" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop.\n\nNeither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3576-HDR](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3576-HDR.jpeg) |\n| The controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor. |\n\nTwo more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers.\n\nThe previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17.\n\nAs for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3660-HDR](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3660-HDR.jpeg) |\n\nFinally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in [my first impressions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/5725743467\/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro), but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display *underneath* the notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially *added* some room for the menu bar.\n\nOf course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode [on a per-app basis](https:\/\/www.macworld.com\/article\/546104\/how-to-macbook-pro-macos-monterey-block-notch-menu-bar.html), and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely.\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)\n***\n## miniLED display\nWe have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the \"Liquid Retina XDR\" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\n\n### HDR performance\nSimilar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time.\n\n> The \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\n\nAlready we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in [Dell's UP3221Q](https:\/\/www.dell.com\/en-us\/work\/shop\/dell-ultrasharp-32-hdr-premiercolor-monitor-up3221q\/apd\/210-ayci\/monitors-monitor-accessories) – a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![explode endframe e8hwpkrs8sya large](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/explode_endframe__e8hwpkrs8sya_large.jpeg) |\n| This exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. *Photo courtesy of Apple* |\n\nHowever, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to \"On\" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works.\n\nWhen you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but *only under the content you're viewing.* If you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other.\n\n> The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers.\n\nThe combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast.\n\n### Gamut coverage and color accuracy\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![MBP Gamut](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/MBP_Gamut.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/MBP_Gamut.jpeg) |\n| The new \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right). |\n\nPanel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to \"Apple XDR Display\" mode in the Settings.\n\n> Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E.\n\nHowever, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many \"P3 D65\" reference modes. And since \"Apple XDR Display\" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![NativeGamut](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/NativeGamut.jpeg) |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.33.19 PM](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.33.19_PM.png) |\n\nFortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset. [Various reference modes exist](https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT210435), including:\n\n- Digital Cinema (P3 - DCI)\n- Digital Cinema (P3 - D65)\n- Design & Print (P3 - D50)\n- Photography (P3 - D65)\n- Internet & Web (sRGB)\n\nEach of these modes gives you access to a \"Fine Tune\" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![whitepoint](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/whitepoint.jpeg) |\n| Apple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point. |\n\nUsing the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under \"measured\" and the D65 CIE coordinates under \"target,\" set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves.\n\nIt's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space.\n\nOnce I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below:\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 3.30.22 PM](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_3.30.22_PM.jpeg) |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.06.58 PM](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png) |\n\nI did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying:\n\n- **98\\.4%** DCI-P3\n- **83\\.9%** AdobeRGB\n- **0\\.46** average Delta E\n- **1\\.39** maximum Delta E\n- **0\\.69** measured vs target white point Delta E\n### Pro Motion\nThe last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet.\n\nEssentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources.\n\nIf you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it.\n***\n## Performance benchmarks\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS4147-Edit-2](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS4147-Edit-2.jpeg) |\n| The M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in. |\n\nApple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery.\n\nTo test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17.\n\nYou can see the full specs of our three test machines below:\n\n|   | MacBook Pro 16 | MSI Creator 17 | Dell XPS 17 |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| CPU | M1 Max 10-core CPU | Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel Core i7-11800H |\n| GPU | M1 Max 32-core GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3080 16GB VRAM | NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM |\n| RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz |\n| Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD |\n| Display | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | 4K UHD+ LCD 500 nits 100% AdobeRGB |\n| Price | \\$4,300 | \\$3,800 | \\$2,800 |\n\nIn order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run.\n\nWe obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet.\n\n### Adobe Lightroom Classic\nFor our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about *that* in our [Lightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3278896840\/head-to-head-adobe-lightroom-classic-vs-capture-one-21\/1) comparison.\n\nRight out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark.\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1:24 | 2:17 | 2:23 | 5:55 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:23 | 2:24 | 2:37 | 5:44 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:26 | 2:25 | 2:39 | 5:51 |\n\nOn battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1:23 | 2:17 | 2:24 | 5:55 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:35 | 2:43 | 2:49 | 6:29 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:49 | 2:55 | 3:03 | 6:51 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![LRC Import Results](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Import_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Import_Results.png) |\n\nThat all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board.\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:27 | 5:11 | 6:39 | 11:06 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 3:34 | 7:55 | 10:08 | 22:50 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 3:42 | 8:03 | 10:19 | 25:45 |\n\nThis lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:26 | 5:11 | 6:37 | 11:08 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 4:15 | 9:21 | 11:52 | 26:45 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 3:59 | 8:42 | 10:59 | 35:46 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![LRC Export Results](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Export_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Export_Results.png) |\n\nFinally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![LRC Battery](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Battery.png) |\n### Capture One Pro\nUsing the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step:\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:00 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 0:41 | 0:52 | 0:59 | 1:26 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 0:43 | 1:08 | 1:29 | 2:03 |\n\nOnce we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance.\n\nUnlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:01 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 0:47 | 1:02 | 1:10 | 1:40 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:01 | 2:24 | 3:17 | 4:52 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![C1 Import Results](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Import_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Import_Results.png) |\n\nOnce we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in:\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:59 | 2:23 | 4:14 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:30 | 3:08 | 3:48 | 6:10 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:40 | 3:33 | 4:14 | 6:54 |\n\nThis gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:58 | 2:21 | 4:18 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:46 | 3:43 | 4:22 | 7:14 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 2:25 | 4:58 | 5:42 | 9:25 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![C1 Export Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Export_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Export_Results.png) |\n\nFinally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![C1 Battery](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Battery.png) |\n### Photoshop\nTo test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of [Puget Systems' PugetBench benchmark](https:\/\/www.pugetsystems.com\/labs\/articles\/PugetBench-for-Photoshop-1132\/). As we've explained [in previous reviews](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/dell-xps-17-9710-laptop-review-good-performance-excellent-design), we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance.\n\nBy this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead.\n\nEven in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9.\n\n| Plugged In | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1253\\.9 | 123\\.9 | 115\\.9 | 108\\.8 | 161\\.4 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1019\\.6 | 111\\.4 | 113\\.8 | 84\\.5 | 117\\.9 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 959\\.9 | 104\\.7 | 102\\.4 | 80\\.0 | 110\\.4 |\n\nThis only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7.\n\n| On Battery | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1238\\.1 | 121\\.4 | 115\\.9 | 107\\.4 | 161\\.4 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 805\\.0 | 84\\.7 | 87\\.1 | 62\\.9 | 107\\.2 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 692\\.7 | 73\\.0 | 71\\.7 | 52\\.9 | 94\\.6 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Puget Overall](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Overall.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Overall.png) |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Puget Category](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Category.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Category.png) |\n\nThe difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity:\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Photoshop Battery](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Photoshop_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Photoshop_Battery.png) |\n### Premiere Pro\nThe last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export [this 4K sample video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/9421763297\/all-about-the-kei-a-4k-video-from-the-sony-a1-s-8k-capture) shot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip.\n\nThis is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance:\n\n| Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Warp Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:04 | 00:05 | 1:42 | 1:42 | 1:48 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 3:45 | 00:06 | 3:35 | 3:30 | 2:32 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 4:01 | 00:08 | 3:56 | 3:52 | 2:48 |\n\nOn battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can:\n\n| On Battery | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Warp Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:05 | 00:05 | 1:40 | 1:43 | 1:48 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 4:24 | 00:32 | 4:11 | 4:09 | 2:54 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 5:19 | 00:26 | 5:23 | 5:08 | 4:06 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Premiere Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Results.png) |\n\nBattery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%:\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![Premiere Battery](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Battery.png) |\n### Final Cut Pro\nOur last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks [here](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/2021-apple-m1-imac-24-inch-review-the-best-starter-mac-for-creators), but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding.\n\nThe only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds.\n\n| Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Final Cut Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| M1 Max MBP | 2:43 | 00:45 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 00:19 |\n| M1 iMac | 5:12 | 1:24 | 4:19 | 1:55 | 00:25 |\n| Intel MBP | 9:57 | 2:07 | 6:55 | 2:59 | 00:55 |\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![FCP Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/FCP_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/FCP_Results.png) |\n\nWe didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run.\n\n### Performance takeaways\nTaken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB\/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks.\n\nWith one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review.\n\n> With one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise.\n\nThere's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery.\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)\n***\n## Best creator laptop, period.\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3588-HDR](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3588-HDR.jpeg) |\n| No other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image |\n\n| What We Like | What We Don't Like |\n|---|---|\n| Incredible performance Lots of ports, including SD card slot Industry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display Full performance even on battery Top-shelf keyboard and trackpad Full HD webcam | Thicker and larger than previous models No USB Type-A port HDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1 Card slot is UHS-II not UHS-III Unnecessary display notch No user-upgradable RAM or storage VERY expensive |\n\nIn any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\n\n> No laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\n\nGiven what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the \"What We Don't Like\" column other than the price tag.\n\nAfter nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook **Pro** is back... and it's back with a vengeance.\n\n![](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS520x0~articles\/shared\/5stars.gif?v=5791)\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)\n\nTags: [review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/review), [apple](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/apple), [instagram-feature](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/instagram-feature), [laptop-review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/laptop-review), [macbook-pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/macbook-pro)\n\nView Comments (633)\n\n## Comments\nAll (633)\n\nMost popular (15)\n\nEditors' picks (0)\n\nDPR staff (0)\n\nOldest first\n\n[657](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7605102703)\n\nI actually came across DPR because of this (old) article. I wish DPR would spend time reviewing laptops\/monitors and other devices that digital photographers rely on every day.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\n7 months ago[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3618314263)\n\n[![Sanjay Pasari]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7588504323)\n\n[Sanjay Pasari](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7588504323)\n\nApple products are LIT\\!\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nNov 16, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1423886732)\n\n[![Scottelly]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\n[Scottelly](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\nHey, I just wanted to say, \"I appreciate you writing this article, and thank you for posting this information. It's helpful to us photographers, if nothing else but to show us that there are alternatives out there, which are perfectly capable of crunching the data that we photographers need crunched.\"\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nJan 29, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6078176275)\n\n[![JFPhotography69]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\n[JFPhotography69](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\nI just bought the \"I am a windows user\" MSI Creator 17 B11UH-238 with mini LED display, needed a new laptop since my seven plus year old laptop was showing it's age. This new MSI is blazing fast for a laptop, and the screen is fantastic, which is excellent for video and photo editing. Got it on sale for \\$3,250 US, yes it's pricey but that is the going rate for a top of the line desktop replacement. It's also \\$1K less than the MacBook Pro.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 18, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8037279132)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nNice but this is an article about the MacBook. Nobody is interested in your PC.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nJan 22, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7455431407)\n\n[![JFPhotography69]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\n[JFPhotography69](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\nAn upset Apple worshipper. Maybe you don't care, but someone might find it helpful. Grow up.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3997569104)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@JFphotography69 \"An upset Apple worshipper. Maybe you don't care, but someone might find it helpful. Grow up.\"\n\nNICE! Classless and immature response. Typical, when someone's argument is failing they hurl insults. Go play with your PC....it's waiting for you. This article is about the Apple Macintosh, not \"Mac wannabes\". Nah nobody but you cares because nobody responded thanking you for forcing them to \"see the light\". But go have fun fixing the BIOS constantly and performing your Registry cleaning while installing the latest drivers that promise to FINALLY get something to work in Windows 10\/11.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9851429699)\n\n[![JFPhotography69]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\n[JFPhotography69](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7536581293)\n\nSays the person with the childish post. You where called out for the childish post, and now are upset. Grow up.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7378197474)\n\n[![Scottelly]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\n[Scottelly](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\nI'm with you John, though I acknowledge Apple made their silicon because Intel and AMD both dropped the ball, and either couldn't or didn't want to make low-power processors for laptops . . . and Apple seems to have hit a home run, with about three times the battery life (or more) vs the Intel-based Windoze computers. It looks to me like Intel is going to be playing catch-up for years now, and the Windows crowd is going to have to pay almost as much money to get computers with abysmal battery life, compared to the Apple competitors . . . and still have to deal with all the problems of Windoze 11 (because, of course, Windoze 10 support will soon be discontinued in a year or two, and most of the new programs will require the latest and greatest OS - and this is how it goes in the world of MacOS too, so I'm not just saying it's a Windoze thing).\n\nIt's a dilemma, but at least we have some real competition finally. I've been appalled at the slow progress in computers for the past few years.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 29, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3286571264)\n\n[Doofer](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8072824600)\n\nHow's the battery life on that? And hows the performance while on battery?\n\nHow are you finding the 60hz screen?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 18, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1052241560)\n\n[joslocum](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1928699722)\n\nI'm sorry, did I just see that a laptop is \\$4,300.00 dollars\\!\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nJan 11, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5471687870)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nI’m sorry. Did I just see a camera for \\$5000 without lenses who’s only purpose is photography and video shoots? Funny how you can crap on the price of a Mac which is used for many things when many people here use them and this site is about photography which is a very expensive hobby\/business.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nJan 22, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3933229179)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nJust checked Reddit threads to see if there are any issues before buying one, and woah - plenty. Loads of users with the same problems, and they're mentioned on other forums too. Definitely waiting for the next version and giving Apple time to fix all the hardware and software issues.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 31, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6166702838)\n\n[lélé](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5648134513)\n\nIt seems there is a lot of \\*software\\* issues with MacOS Monterey.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nJan 2, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1234501436)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nErm, not only software. Google for many people reporting the screen not being attached properly at the bottom edge, for one example. Seems like production is being rushed and QC corners cut. I am waiting for the next ones before paying a huge amount of money for a defective product.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 2, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1889644831)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nDropped by a Mac store today and both the M1 Pro \/ Max machines had the ill-fitting screen issue (can see gaps at the bottom and if you press it gently it is not glued down properly and flexes).\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 7, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4091386347)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nLMAO “loads of issues? “. Exaggerate much? I have this computer so I know for a fact you’re taking that too far. But you’re welcome to get a Windows 11 Dell machine. I heard that The Dell XPS and Windows 11 are 100% perfect. Lol.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 22, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3727223013)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@brighter\\_summer\\_day \"Dropped by a Mac store today....\"\n\nSpoken like a true Windows fan. Calling the Apple Store a \"Mac Store\" Your posts have been such nonsense. My screen has no gaps or fitting issues. Find a website where ALL of the posters of every non-Apple brand have 100% perfect success with zero issues. Find a website where Windows 11 is celebrated with zero issues. Sorry if this hurts you but people who post issues on the internet represent the absolute smallest percentage of owners. Apple has sold millions of these new M1 Max\/Pro computers so if they were so problematic then millions of complaints would be posted. Stop. Anyone can see you have an agenda.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 22, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3982349160)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nErm, I own several iPhones, an iPad, and have had MacBook Pros for about 15 years now. In that time I have owned one Windows machine. Windows fan? Would you prefer \"Apple\" Store to Mac store?\n\nGoogle M1 Pro \/ Max issues. You will find plenty of people with the screen gaps and other issues. I saw it myself in person (all of the ones I saw in the Apple stores had the same little gaps - so no, it's not a small issue reported by a tiny internet minority) and will wait for the next machines which hopefully won't have as many problems. I don't expect a £2000-5000 computer to not be assembled correctly.\n\nHistory has shown there are often issues with the first iterations of new Mac hardware. Better to wait for the second versions. These machines are good for photo \/ video work, but for many other things I wouldn't waste the cash. And yes, the keyboards do truly suck, and my 7 year old MacBook Pro from 2015 has a far superior one. MBP 2016-2021 were pants, so yes, MBP Max\/Pro must feel great.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7517851728)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nThere are also still plenty of software issues \/ incompatibilities. By the time the M2 chips arrive, hopefully most of the teething problems (and hardware QC issues) will be resolved. If I drop that much money on a machine I want to last for 5 years, I don't want it to have a bunch of issues. Other people might accept them, but not me. The return of the standard ports is nothing to be celebrated as they should never have been removed. For 3D graphics work, Windows laptops with a dedicated GPU can still vastly outperform the M1 machines, often for less money. So it really depends what you want. I am no fan boy, I just look at all the information and make a balanced decision based on what is best for my needs. Now I want to get into 3D work, the M1 machines do not interest me much, and Apple STILL chooses un-user friendly design, like the poor keyboard and lack of USB-A ports. Also the next ones should have FaceID and HDMI 2.1, so I will wait. Glad you are happy with yours \\$\\$\\$\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9750869788)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@brighter\\_summer\\_day \"Erm, I own several iPhones, an iPad, and have had MacBook Pros for about 15 years now.\"\n\nLMAO. This never fails. When someone gets called out for trashing Apple they immediately post the typical response of \"I have Macs, iPads, iPhones, etc\" to justify their trashing\".\n\n\"Google M1 Pro \/ Max issues. You will find plenty of people with the screen gaps and other issues\"\n\nEh I have to Google anything. I own the 16\" M1 Max and my screen is perfect along with the build quality. Do some issues happen in a factory? Sure, but don't pretend that a few that you've seen with issues represents everyone. I know you were hoping so but my machine is fine. See, the actual owner should know, right?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1473132070)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@brighter\\_summer\\_day \"\"There are also still plenty of software issues \/ incompatibilities.\"\n\nThe only software issue (which is minor) is the Apple Music which is going through a complete overhaul. Oh did you expect a new SoC architecture with RTX 3080 rivaled graphics, long battery, no fan to instantly have M1 native software? Firstly Rosetta takes care of those leftover softwares that aren't M1 native as of yet and they are a small few. Since this is a photography website all the major softwares such as Adobe CC, DaVince Resolve and Office 365 are 100% M1 native and run amazingly well.   \nWhile you're running those softwares on your PC make sure to put on headphones while your fans are blowing and don't unplug your PC laptop because the battery will drain in minutes and don't sit that PC \"laptop\" on your lap unless you want to get burned.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5509136984)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@brighter\\_summer\\_day \"I am no fan boy, I just look at all the information and make a balanced decision based on what is best for my needs. Now I want to get into 3D work, the M1 machines do not interest me much, and Apple STILL chooses un-user friendly design, like the poor keyboard and lack of USB-A ports.\"\n\nI beg your pardon. It's obvious you are an Apple hater because the keyboard on the 14\" and 16\" M1''s are amazing and have gotten rave reviews so you're making up stuff. Lack of USB-A ports. Thunderbolt 4 ports are universal but you even mentioning that as a defense against Macs is comical especially since this is a photography website filled with photographers that use adapters and dongles no matter what computer they use. Try again. Lordy you should just stop. The agenda is strong.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3668453324)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nHenry, reading your posts is painful. I suggest you pick up an English language textbook while I wait for the M2 machines. Enjoy your first-gen hardware experiment :) Man, it's going to be good to have FaceID and HDMI 2.1! (And yes, the keyboard will probably still be trash).\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 23, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7454629438)\n\n[dhollender](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/4987098877)\n\nMAJOR INCOMPATIBILITIES. I bought a 16\" M1 MacBook Pro and discovered that my other hardware is rendered obsolete.\n\n1\\) My Promise Pegasus2 R6 RAID drive will not mount. The drive shows in System Report but not in Disk Utility and it cannot be mounted. I spent hours talking with Apple Care and they had no solution. It would require Promise to offer an update to the software but they no longer support the drive at all.\n\n2\\) I cannot link to my 2014 iMac. I can establish a Thunderbolt bridge but because the newest OS the iMac can only run is Big Sur, and the M1 is running Monterey I cannot transfer files to the Documents, Desktop or Downloads folders on the M1 from the iMac. Apple Care only told me my iMac is obsolete.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 30, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1789216316)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nRealistically speaking, I wouldn't expect a new computer with a new kind of chip to be compatible with what amounts to ancient (in tech years) peripherals\/computers. I sure wouldn't' consider that \"major incompatibilities\" on Apple's part, rather you having \"major unreasonable expectations\".  \nA 2014 iMac is basically near-decade-old technology.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 31, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2668295078)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nHow is seven years nearly a decade?\n\nFiles are files. Should be able to transfer them. Apple forces you to upgrade on purpose. Incompatibility is just another way to push you towards buying new kit. Simple as that.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 31, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4446796918)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n2014 iMac: The tech is likely from at least a year out. 2013, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, where practically in 2022.... so realistically that's roughly 9 years... or as I said: \"\\*basically\\* near-decade-old technology\".\n\nLikewise, the 50mp medium format variety from Fuji, Pentax, Hasselblad... those (Sony) sensors are basically decade-old-tech.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 31, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8265263938)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nSounds like you're \"basically\" exaggerating to try to push your point \/ justify Apple's aggressive desire for their fanbase to buy the latest products instead of holding on to older ones which still work perfectly.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nJan 1, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2727690096)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nI didn't exaggerate. I used basic math. Years 2013 to 2021 is basically a decade. I also didn't advocate buying the latest product just for the sake of doing so. I highlighted the fact that one's expectations have to be realistic. It's unrealistic to think that a computer from 2014 is going to still have the same support as it did in 2014. I don't expect my 2015 MacBook to be still supported (because that would be silly), though fills my need still today like it did in 2015. So? What's that got to do with Apple or anyone else. Nothing is what.\n\nI know that my 2019 MBP is well supported for \\*my\\* needs... however I'm not foolish to think the M1 based MBP that I picked for the shop, will be supported this early on, because would be unreasonable... just like expecting manufacturers\/software companies to give a hoot about old technology is unreasonable.\n\nOne's expectations should align with reality. That isn't rocket science, it's just real life 101 stuff.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nJan 1, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5132098328)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nA significant number of the apple purchasing demographic do hold on to their older models and use PC concurrently with apple.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 1, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1899983580)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\nWhen you say that you cannot transfer files from the 2014 iMac to the 16\" MacBook Pro, over a Thunderbolt bridge,\n\n1\\. How are you trying to transfer files? By putting one of the Macs into Target Disk Mode (using it as an external Thunderbolt hard drive), or by setting up one of the Macs to do File Sharing (using System Preferences \/ Sharing)? I'm guessing the latter, given your reference to establishing a Thunderbolt bridge (i.e., configuring the Macs to use IP over Thunderbolt).\n\n2\\. Are you trying to copy files from the Finder, or using Setup \/ Migration Assistant?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 1, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6656819709)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\nTeila Day:\n\nYour maths isn’t very good - a 2014 Mac in EARLY 2022 is 8 years old, not a decade.\n\nDhollender:\n\nI’m using a 2014 MacBook Pro 15” and looking to upgrade to a new 16” Pro with an M1 Max chip. So this is good information, thank you.\n\nHave you resolved the issue?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4930922174)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nI have a 2015 MBP and from reading online it sounds like the new ones currently have too many hardware and software issues to be worth the huge \/ 5 year investment. I'm going to wait for the next iterations when hopefully software will be fully compatible and no more build quality problems. Until then, Ryzen 6000 \/ 3070 Ti laptops are looking tempting (and FAR better performance than the Max chips for 3D work).\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7121517511)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nNZ Scott: My statements are accurate; my math is counter to your seemingly lack of comprehension as if you don't know what the word \"basically\" means or as if 8 or 9 years isn't basically a decade. Before many products come to market, the technology is already a year + old; I plainly stated such and put a qualifier before decade. You missed that too? Do you honestly think the sensor in the 645z for example is 2014 tech, when it was announced around April of that year. For the love of peaches, put your thinking cap on.\n\n\"Early 2022\" isn't even remotely relevant if you actually comprehended what was written as opposed to being quick to quip.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7452397947)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\nTeila Day:\n\nYour logic is even worse than your maths - if the 2014 model had one-year-old tech, then so does the 2022 model.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 5, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8637967907)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nYou can't be serious. Now I see why the LSAT is really hard for many people. IF your premise is that 2014 tech has to equate to 2022 tech, then your conclusion could be reasonable (or what's known as a 'valid' argument). However 2022 tech wasn't part of my statement. 2014 tech was. Hence a valid argument doesn't necessarily make a sound argument. All cats are blue, Mrs. Kim has a cat so it must be blue = valid (conclusion follows premise), but not only unsound, but also false.\n\nBut since you're on it... do you honestly think that a computer (or most products for that matter) fielded this year would be based on tech from this year?\n\nI think most reasonably intelligent adults would consider 9 years to be \"basically\" a decade. Just like it's typical that \\$900k worth of damage is commonly reported as \"about a \\$1m worth of damage.\"\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2479207273)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\nSeven years, mate.\n\nSeven years.\n\nHe bought a 2021 Mac and he has a 2014 Mac.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2200070153)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nOP states the Apple said that his 2014 Mac (which likely is predominantly 2013 technology) is \"obsolete\".\n\nMy verbatim statement: \"A 2014 iMac is basically near-decade-old technology.\"\n\nLet's say that Apple used 2014 tech to make a 2014 mac (you really think that?.. ok, let's just say you're one who believes such.) all-of-2014 to December of 2021 is plainly 8 years to anyone who can count, add to the very reasonable likely hood of the technology in a 2014 mac actually being mostly 2013 tech or earlier... then that's 9 years.\n\nStill doesn't matter... 80% or 90% (8 or 9 years) of a decade is still \"basically\" a decade ((chuckle)) You guys are too cute. If your kid is in med school and s\/he has 20% schooling remaining before graduation, you can reasonably say \"s\/he is almost\/basically\/practically\/roughly done with med school\".\n\n.. and then you mention \"he bought a 2021 Mac\"... which doesn't have anything to do with a 2014 mac being considered 'obsolete' by Apple, or my statements.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 5, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7589025655)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\nBy your logic, 7 years is actually closer to 5 years than it is to 10.\n\nSo I think the OP was well within his rights to expect his two devices to be compatible with each other, given they're only 5 years apart.\n\nHe\/she certainly does not \"major unreasonable expectations\" as you trollishly claim.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 6, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4787238864)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nMy logic is 9 years is basically a decade and a 2014 mac is reasonably \"obsolete\" as far as Apple is concerned (as Apple stated per the OP). The OP is well within his rights to think that the sky is periwinkle or that water is dry. Apple and I view this issue the same way. You, I and the OP just have a difference of opinion.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 6, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0687710249)\n\n[Aberaeron](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8743566388)\n\nSurely you can download the files needed from your iCloud backup? Or from your backups on external drives?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 12, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9057847829)\n\n[DerrickRR](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5184327201)\n\nI have Apple everything and lots of them but he’s right when he says Apple forces you to upgrade. Apple Care is often unable to help and it is very common for Apple to shift blame to others for not updating their software to work with Apple’s latest version. I have 13 external drives and if a single one of them didn’t work with Apple’s latest software release or their new \\$8,000 laptop I’d be upset too. (I’m guessing a fully specified 2021 MacBook will probably be closer to \\$10,000 considering I spent \\$7,600 on my 2018 MacBook Pro.)\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 20, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7659561763)\n\n[DerrickRR](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5184327201)\n\nAnother thing, I don’t care if someone even has a 2009 MacBook or iMac. If they kept up with software releases they shouldn’t be “obsolete.” There might be fixes for these problems but it’s never simple and it almost always requires the user to figure it out their self. My first iMac was in 2009, Snow Leopard software. One or two minor bugs. So simple and easy to use. Everything worked. With each new software release the bugs have increased seemingly exponentially. The worst part about it is they NEVER fix 90% of them. I have had to create time consuming work arounds many many times. I guarantee I have lost HUNDREDS of hours coming up with my own solutions because Apple hasn’t remedied or doesn’t know how to remedy these issues.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 20, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0086127902)\n\n[Aberaeron](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8743566388)\n\nOn the other hand I have two iMacs. A 2019 27” Corei9 with 64GB RAM and a mid 2011 21” that still runs like a watch with no issues whatsoever. I migrated all files from the old to the new and eventually did a complete clean install on the 21, because it is now mainly used as a second screen for the 27”. It never put a foot wrong apart from the Windows partition \\[Bootcamp\\] crashing in the last couple of years. Didn’t use it anyway and all files are copied to the new machine’s Windows partition and work fine.\n\nMy devices are always updated as soon as possible and mostly automatically to receive the latest security and operating system updates.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 20, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5966460942)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\n@DerrickRR: RE: \"I have 13 external drives and if a single one of them didn’t work with Apple’s latest software release or their new \\$8,000 laptop I’d be upset too.\"\n\nIndividual external drives aren't the issue. USB storage devices are generic, and new Macs are capable of working with volumes created on older Macs. (The introduction of APFS did not eliminate support for HFS+.)\n\nWhat the OP had is an old RAID unit that required a driver. Promise lists the Pegasus2 R6 as an \"End of Service Life\" product for which they are \"no longer to provide support including hardware, software, bug fix and security patches.\"\n\n<https:\/\/www.promise.com\/Support\/warranty\/EOSL>\n\nA development that the OP may find interesting: There is now a \"Pegasus2 Series Driver for Mac\", dated 01\/27\/2022, that supposedly has \"support for Mac M1 and MacOS 11.0 or later.\"\n\n<https:\/\/www.promise.com\/Support\/downloadcenter\/pegasus\/Pegasus2\/R6>\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nFeb 20, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3189277080)\n\n[![M Lammerse]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6318997473)\n\n[M Lammerse](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6318997473)\n\nVengeance indeed....400 dollars more for 1TB of extra storage. Life is hard for Appleholics...\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8756244065)\n\n[lélé](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5648134513)\n\nYes, price of options is attrocious.  \nPlus, tegatding storage I think a M2 port could really have been included for storage (not system disk). Especially in the bigger 16\"...\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 2, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9877858944)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\nLife is only hard if you don’t have the money, and Apple’s demographic has never been budget users. My late 2013 specked-out MacBook Pro cost me a small fortune but is still working fine 8 years later after 16,000 hours of use - which works out at 20 cents an hour over its lifetime.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nFeb 20, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2299476456)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n\\$400 buys you a 4tb pocket SSD drive for on location editing and transporting bulk stills and video that can be stored and backed up on magnetic media which is super cheap these days. I think those complaining about Apple may be outside or at least on the fringe of Apples target market.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nFeb 21, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4096771537)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nSeems to be the majority of Windows fanboys posting.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 27, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5144445040)\n\n[![M Lammerse]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6318997473)\n\n[M Lammerse](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6318997473)\n\nUsed a Macbook Pro from 2011 till on 2016. In that time you could upgrade it's battery, memory and harddisk.\n\nIn this time ofclimate awareness and saving our planet Apple could score alot of extra goodism points when it lets you easily upgrade it's pricy hardware to some extend..\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3305309482)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nLammerse, the fact that Apple is approaching a 3 trillion dollar valuation says they don't need your pointers to make more sales. LOL.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6663704337)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nWow there are a lot of Apple haters here crapping on the best laptop on the market, and they know it which is why they can't stand that Apple's MacBook Pro M1 Max can't be touched by any other manufacturer. One person mentioned a Thinkpad X1? LOL.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 27, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9095567068)\n\n[lélé](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5648134513)\n\nJust purchased an Apple MacBook Pro 16” M1 Max 10 cores CPU \/ 32 cores GPU \/ 32GB RAM \/ 512GB SSD.\n\nThat’s a massive machine and I suggest anybody considering this 16” to go to a shop and physically compare it with the 14” version. Also the non-upgradability and outrageous prices if options (especially memory and storage) mean you really have to cherry pick-up the right configuration for your needs.\n\nApart from that, this is a fantastic machine for what I do (photo editing, including occasional stacking, as well as occasional video editing (I hope I’ll do more in a near future, hence the Max SoC).  \nThe display in particular, as well as the integration in MacOS of HDR and Wide Color Gamut is phenomenal.  \nPerformances looks extremely good in the app I use. I have to make further tests but first impression is that it at least matches the desktop I had (3700X \/ 32GB \/ RTX 2080 8GB \/ PCIe 4.0 SSD) in my use cases). I guess result may highly vary depending on the app, but perfect for me.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 24, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7833097985)\n\n[Mike921](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2277009601)\n\nLooks like a great machine, but the way Cook kowtows to the CCP, I'll give it a pass - gotta vote with my \\$\\$ on this one.\n\nAnd before I get flamed - I lived in China for 8 years.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 20, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2921191149)\n\n[write2alan](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0011180677)\n\nYou may need to explain what \"kowtows\" mean to the readers here.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 26, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3858462583)\n\n[![NZ Scott]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n[NZ Scott](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7635545214)\n\n@write2alan\n\nTry looking in a dictionary, mate - it’s common English.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nJan 5, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8226872105)\n\n[![Scottelly]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\n[Scottelly](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\nWhen you make all your products in a country, you can't exactly have public disagreements with the leader of that country, can you? He is between a rock and a hard place, and Apple should have built a production line for their new computers here in the U.S. a long time ago, so they could sell quality products to the U.S. market . . . but that still wouldn't matter, because China is the biggest market on Earth now, and Apple wants a market share there, so they can sell a billion more computers and two billion more iPhones over the next twenty years. What's Apple or any other company that wants\/needs to sell in that new and growing market supposed to do?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 29, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7643799132)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nSold my Legion 5 Pro as it was too heavy to commute with every day and walk around the city with (3.6kg with charger). Walked to the Apple Shop today to try the new MBP, and was hugely underwhelmed, at least by the design.\n\nThe 16\" is still too heavy at 2.1kg, so the 14\" seems like the better option (even though, yes, the fully-spec'd 16\" with the Max will be faster). Probably with M1 Pro, 32GB, and 2TB. £750 cheaper in Taiwan than the UK.\n\nAnyway, the keyboard is garbage compared with the Legion 5 Pro - possibly even worse than my 2015 MacBook Pro 13\". Very little travel and a bit mushy feeling, not tactile at all. Apple needs to fix this. Long-running problem. Really ruins the experience, personally, and if I bought one I would have to buy an external keyboard like a HHKB, which adds to the cost and weight.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 19, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7724571991)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nAlso, the screen, even at full brightness, did not seem that bright. I honestly couldn't say it was any brighter than my MacBook Pro 2015, even though it is on paper. I tested it a bit watching some YouTube videos and using Safari at 50% and 100% brightness. And I couldn't really notice the 120Hz ProMotion either, and scrolling through web pages looked pretty much as it always does.\n\nSo yeah, there might be power under the hood, and I like the long battery life and 1.6kg (no need to take charger with me) vs 3.6kg for the Legion, but I was expecting to be blown away, and it felt close to my 2015 MBP overall, with a worse keyboard. Even at £2450 for the specs above, not sure it's worth it right now.\n\nYouTubers gushing over these with absolutely no balance in their opinions really need to go and jump off the nearest cliff. So tired of all their half-arsed copy and paste opinions. None of them are critical or thoughtful enough.\n\nAlso, I actually enjoyed using Windows more than MacOS -\\_-\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 19, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2312708461)\n\n[![SpaghettiDealer]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2243806099)\n\n[SpaghettiDealer](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2243806099)\n\nIt seems that you really love Apple products. ;)\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 20, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2234782427)\n\n[![RamD]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7451731088)\n\n[RamD](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7451731088)\n\nJeezus, what universe are you living it \\#brighter\\_summer-day? If the screen brightness was any higher it would require sunglasses to view. And if you are a creator, for whom these are made, you'd have to lower the brightness anyway. And the keyboard is \"garbage\"? Compared to what. What laptop keyboard do you think is better. I find the keyboard to be quite nice. is it a Cherry brown? No, of course not. But for a laptop, very nice.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 21, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6495391428)\n\n[Gmon750](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1406991773)\n\n@brighter\\_summer\\_day\n\n\\*yawn\\*\n\nCan't troll somewhere else?\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 22, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4611737836)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nRam, I already answered your questions :) My 2015 13\" MBP Retina (same dimensions as the new 14\") has a better keyboard - the new machines have an average one at best , and I am not the only person who thinks so (I trust this person's reviews as they're not a fan boy \/ shill \"content creator\" surrounded by purple backlighting):\n\n<https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FmH1HgDhrWI>\n\nThe screen doesn't look or feel like 1000 \/ 1600 nits.\n\nWhat exactly is a \"creator\"? You mean video \/ photo editors? Because 3D artists might still be better served elsewhere.\n\nGmon750 I'm only giving you something to read while you sit outside the Apple store waiting for the iPhone 14 :)\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 23, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5819498446)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nThe problem with most Mac users is they won't even bother trying anything else as they can't fathom that anything that doesn't come out of Tim's toy box isn't the absolute best product available in every possible way. Go into a store and try a Legion 5 Pro keyboard - night and day difference to the MBP. Personally I just ordered a HHKB Snow so I'll have that option anyway, but still nice not to have to carry an external keyboard if the laptop has a great one already.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 23, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8058383320)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nSpaghettiDealer - At least make an effort with your replies :)\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 23, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1119178777)\n\n[![Scottelly]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\n[Scottelly](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1973718589)\n\n\"brighter\\_summer\\_day\n\nRam, I already answered your questions :) My 2015 13\" MBP Retina (same dimensions as the new 14\") has a better keyboard - the new machines have an average one at best , and I am not the only person who thinks so (I trust this person's reviews as they're not a fan boy \/ shill \"content creator\" surrounded by purple backlighting):\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FmH1HgDhrWI\" . . .\n\nHey, thanks for the link to that video.\n\n\". . . It runs on unicorn farts . . .\" LOL\n\nI still think I'll wait. I'm not really impressed with the battery life. I thought they would have their computers up to 20 hours of battery life by now, with those crazy-low-power chips, and all the new battery chemistry technology coming available over the past few years. I mean didn't the MacBook Air have a 12 hour battery like ten years ago? And that's a skinny little MacBook Air! I'm also wondering why they need 140 watts. I mean my 17\" MacBook Pro only had an 85 watt power supply fifteen years ago\\!\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 29, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2057099268)\n\n[TheTomx](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2251911596)\n\nIm not happy with M1 MAX - full of bugs and memory leaks issues.\n\nsorry but the SW is really bad.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 17, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0930041545)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nWow quite a bit of trolling here. Calm it down. You're very obvious. There are way too many reviews from actual home users who are blown away by this laptop including myself who uses this for Final Cut Pro X. It's the best laptop on the market and nothing compares to it.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 27, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5799518445)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nHaha it’s sad that Windows fanboys have to hate on this new Mac with trashy replies in order to make themselves feel good since there’s virtually nothing in the Windows universe in the same class that can compete.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8667282266)\n\n[Gmon750](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1406991773)\n\n@TheTomX - right... some random Internet user providing zero detail.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 4, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2242149582)\n\n[TheTomx](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2251911596)\n\n@HenryDJP Sorry have it, many bugs and software comptability issues.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 17, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0440708257)\n\n[jimread](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8925679186)\n\nHmmmmm  \nBuild your own PC to a better spec for £800  \n<https:\/\/www.cclonline.com\/>  \nAnd ...... you can update it yourself,  \nCheers\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 16, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8365263708)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nIf what you’re saying is true about building your own PC the. You wouldn’t be here posting on this article. Lol.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9012323319)\n\n[jimread](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8925679186)\n\nHenryDJP has not uploaded any photos to their gallery yet.\n\nTypical lol\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 1, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6964299943)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@jimread Uh I've been a member on DPR for many years. I don't have to post pics on this site. But perhaps you can quit your childish ignorance and remain on the topic of discussion which is the MacBook Pro. Your only response to me inviting you to move to an article that Mac-hating Windows PC fanboys enjoy when it comes to looking at Windows machines inferior to M1 Macs (which is all of them lol) instead of staying here trolling is to mention my lack of uploaded photos. LMAO.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 1, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0086314008)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nApple degraded its products and insulted its customers with disgraceful and defective keyboards for FIVE YEARS, compounding that insult with the embarrassing emoji bar that inexplicably plagued only its \"pro\" computers.\n\nThe new keyboards are mediocre compared to the ones Apple was making 10 years ago, but are LIFE-CHANGING compared to the Jony Ive trash they finally abandoned.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 14, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5208122784)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\nI bought a MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB memory and and 1 TB hard drive. This is a was a compromise because the M1 Max with 64 GB was not available. I returned it becasue, I could not run Virtual Machines and many many of the windows programs that I use on my 2016 Intel MBPro. Also, I could not use dual monitors. From photographers prospective, M1 Line up might be a very good computers. But for my line of work I think Apple created a vacuum; it will be a while before I can get a usefull Mac.\n\nI ended up purchasing Thinkpads a P1 Gen 2 I9-11950h 64 GB,   \nand an X1 Yoga I7-11657 Gen 6 32GB. The X1 is what iPad Pro should have been.  \nThe X1 Extreme with I9-11950h 64 GB is £2399 - after discount; a very capable laptop possibly very comparable to X1 Max 64 GB.\n\nThe main advantage is that Apple has brought competition to the PCs so that we can get better computers. At least the P1's and X1's price is nearly half the money of its original price; closer to Apple's prices.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 12, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0703063350)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\nIf your definition of \"a useful Mac\" is a machine on which you can create an Intel VM, you'll be waiting a while. VMs have the same basic architecture as the host CPU.\n\nAs for dual monitor support, M1-Pro-based MBPs support using \"up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz at over a billion colors\" at the same time as the built-in display.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 12, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1175875691)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nWhy could you not use dual monitors? I'm typing this on an M1 Pro MBP, which handles secondary monitors just fine.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 14, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8511583503)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nVaggelis,\n\nI was also a bit underwhelmed with my purchase of the M1 iPad Pro, but I have come to peace with that the iPad range will never be a laptop replacement - as Apple makes to much money from selling both lines to the same customers.\n\nI still think that iPad has its place and usecase: For me its a media \\*consumption\\* unit (books) and a touch friendly device for mind maps with the Apple pencil.\n\nBut when its time for \"real work\" I always use my Windows and Mac machines.\n\nI think that with a changed perspectiv, that the iPad is a complimentary product and not a \"do it all\" product, more people will also be satisfied with what the iPad is, and what the iPad is not.\n\nBR Strobist\n\nPs. Congrats on the P1 and X1 purchases - great hardware, great usabilty.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 14, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8125427699)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@Tom\\_N, @DaGurney  \nI am sorry guys it just does not support 2 displays; I tried to connect 2 displays various ways and hacks . Why it does not support two displays ask Apple. But you can verify this here are the specs: <https:\/\/www.apple.com\/uk\/macbook-pro-13\/specs\/>\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 16, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4621910810)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\nVeggie – Sorry, my mistake. I was reading too quickly, and thought that you had bought one of the 14\" or 16\" MacBook Pros that had the M1 Pro processor, because models with a M1 Max processor weren't available.\n\nThe M1 in the 13\" MBP is a lower-end SoC than either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max. That MBP supports only a single external display. There are third-party products that you can use to drive multiple external displays – probably at a performance cost. But support for more monitors is one of the differences between the M1 processor used in the 13\" notebooks, and the M1 Pro \/ Max processors used in the more recent 14\" and 16\" ones.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 16, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2007791982)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\nStrobist\n\nI do not dislike or disagree with all of what you are saying. But an iPadPro with a keyboard and a trackpad is as close to a small laptop as it gets.It is quiet powerful, but does not have the \"laptop\" capability.\n\nX1 Yoga is a laptop that has the iPad Pro capability but is larger. If iPadPro would have the laptop capability then it would be the perfect computer for me.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 16, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7564513881)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@Tom\\_N\n\nFYI: A viable solution would be to use a suitable 5K or 6K monitor. With the supply chain crisis though, It is just not easy to find a 5K or 6K monitor.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 16, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6758526308)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@VaggelisPhoto What a silly post. You bought a Mac when you have \"many many\" Windows programs you need to run? And you bought a machine without checking out how many external displays it can run? Then you say you bought a Thinkpad instead when it's best designed for office use because X1 Extreme gets hot and the fans blow on that crap of a machine. Even extreme Thinkpad fanboys know the X1 Extreme sucks as a mainstream computer. Thinkpads belong in offices. So obvious you never bought a Mac M1 in the first place because on DPR I would expect the photography crowd here to check out the hardware they are buying before laying down cash. That's when I know your post is disingenuous. LOL\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 17, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6171741528)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@HenryDJP Your opinion is a little off the usage of the intel Macbook. I had bought an intel Macbook Pro because of its flexibility. You can run Linux, Windows and MacOS. Apple had provided a very stable environment.\n\nThe M1 simply is not as usable yet, and might never be as usable. Who is going to develop anything when these laptops do not exist anymore? Effectively, Apple has ditched\/bricked the intel macbooks.\n\nContinuing to the next reply...\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 18, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6968141327)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@HenryDJP continuing from previous reply...\n\nThis means that if you want to do what you could do with the intel Apple look elsewhere, you do not have to use Apple. There free OS options that can run on X1 Extreme, P1 Gen2, P15, P17, Spectre X360, Firefly, Fury G8, ZBook Create... the list is quiet long. In addition the 12th generation Intel processors are coming and more likely will be as fast or faster than M1.\n\nFortunately, X1 and Spectre X360 can be a 2-1 solution, no need for iPad and a Macbook. I still love and like my Macbook; it is just cannot be a reliable solution for the future; Apple might ditch your computer as they did now.\n\nI hope you find this useful, no harm is intended. At the end is your choice...\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 18, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0385943517)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@VaggelisPhoto You honesty need to speak for yourself because your needs aren't everyone else's needs. And don't speak to me as if I'm new to Mac. I've been Mac-exclusive for the past 24 years. I've been to 9 Macworlds since if I live in the SF Bay Area in California. I've been through every growing pain in terms of limited software. My last MacBook Pro was the 16\" Intel Core i9 with 32GB Ram. My work involves making professional videos so I'm deeply involved with Final Cut Pro X. I got tired of the usual overheating Intel processors (that now only Windows users have to deal with) so I traded mine in with Apple and bought the new 16\" M1 Max with 64GB Ram and 2TB SSD. I make money with my Macs. If this machine was so limited with software I wouldn't be able to make money. I use a great deal of non-Apple software as well including Lightroom. My work is far easier now. Not sure why would any sane person install Linux on a Mac. That makes no sense. That's in a Windows world.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 18, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0367413612)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\n@VaggelisPhoto - Apple's record with CPU family transitions is much better than Microsoft's. Apple provided transition aids for 68K -\\> PowerPC, for PowerPC -\\> Intel, and now is providing them for Intel -\\> Apple Silicon.\n\nMicrosoft didn't provide the ability to run Win32 binaries on NT\/RISC PCs. Years later, they didn't provide the ability to run off-the-shelf Wintel applications on the ARM-based Surface RT Windows tablet. Only recently have they started to build support for Wintel emulation into ARM-based versions of Windows.\n\nBTW, Mac users have followed Apple through every CPU architecture transition, including the in-progress Intel -\\> Apple Silicon one. Windows users did not adopt NT\/(MIPS, PowerPC, Alpha) in large enough numbers to make those RISC-based versions of Windows mainstream. Once people realized that the Surface RT could not run Wintel binaries, it sank like a stone. (As for Windows 11 for ARM, the jury is still out.)\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 18, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6953482398)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@HenryDJP there is no argument that there are many M1 Programs that a lot of people work with it and make a living.\n\nBut there are a lot of people that used Intel Apple computers for flexibility, durability and capable to work with other OSes. If this is the use of the Mac then we are ditched from Apple. Obviously this must be a smaller market.\n\nToday is impossible, for a large number of people to use M1 and make money, maybe in the future this will change.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 22, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7545937563)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@Tom\\_N a kind of all the references do not matter today, this is past.\n\nToday, for many uses is impossible to use M1 because does not work with Linux or Windows binaries. Tomorrow this might change. But today M1 has many, many limitations and for many people the possibility to use for work is slim to none.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with the M1 processor computers. They are not for everyone yet. This is unfortunate.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 22, 2022\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1794079177)\n\n[Tom\\_N](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1980066454)\n\n@VaggielisPhoto – You can run Linux in a virtual machine on an Apple-Silicon-based Mac. There are ARM distributions of Linux. Most software in the Linux world is either Free Software or Open Source, which allows just about anyone to download source code and build ARM binaries even if there are not ready-made ARM binaries on the distribution site.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 22, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6058987923)\n\n[VaggelisPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6532462483)\n\n@Tom\\_N Many thanks for the tip; Hopefully, by the end of the year more and more linux distributions and applications will be available. Is not just the OS, but all the needed software for a person to do a job. Many vendors, claim that their software was working with M1, but at the end they are not fully deployed or simply might not work yet.\n\nAfter some time the gap will narrow down and more application will run in M1 type processors. But the issue stills remains today. So still today, for many, many people Apple M1 are not useful.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nJan 23, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2865964462)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\nWhat isn't considered in these numbers is the fact that most of the software used for the benchmarks isn't even fully optimized for Mac silicon yet. I haven't used a Mac since the 90s but that will change sometime in January 2022 when my fully spec'd MacBook Pro finally arrives and I retire a pretty high end HP workstation. There is no question that this MacBook Pro represents a major step forward in computing design. Intel's Alder Lake chips and Nvidia's next gen graphics cards may catch up in some aspects of computing power—at least temporarily—but they will not be able to match the combination of power and power efficiency that the M1 SOCs offer. I know there will be some unanticipated frustrations with the move to macOS. Apple's software hasn't advanced at the rate of the hardware, and Windows has matured into an excellent OS. Hopefully, I don't encounter anything too significant.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6048617424)\n\n[TheTomx](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2251911596)\n\ndude, the M1 have tons of SW issues and memory leaks.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 17, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7156868992)\n\n[WickedMaPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6287752949)\n\nSoftware gets patched.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 28, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3952936198)\n\n[![Rambow]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8594851696)\n\n[Rambow](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8594851696)\n\nGreat advertisement.... Uh i mean review\\!\n\nNobody paid anyone any money for this totally fair assessment of a \\$4000 laptop that cannot be fixed or upgraded. \"Well worth the money\", like DPR says.\n\nBut seriously, how much cash did they(DPR) get? If Apple paid me some money, i'd be totally be on board with these \"reviews\":  \n\"The very modestly priced \\$4000 Macbook is by far the best laptop on the market and the best computer ever made, actually. The benchmarks don't lie. Buy yours today while stocks last, and forget about trying other machines- seriously, don't look at other machines. Only macbooks come with the totally virus safe MacOS, which is so easy to use a cimpanzee could do it(we ran tests).  \nGet your fault free Macbook today! \".\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2122628164)\n\n[![Ellis Vener]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n[Ellis Vener](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\nThanks, Mr. Grumpy\\!  \nAre you upset because you just don't like Apple or do you find fault with any of the objectively measured benchmarks? If by \"not fixable\" you mean - \"I can't gut it on my work bench\" I'm okay with that. I get my creative kicks by making photos not rebuilding computers.\n\nAfter doing a lot of research, the 16\" Apple M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32Gb RAM, and 1TB SSD I'm planning on buying tops out at \\$3,500.00. Every working photographer and videographer I've spoken with says that will be plenty of computational power to carry me through the next five years, or in other words \\$700.00 per year amortization rate. Based on what I hear from friends who use Windows-based computers they seem to need to be replaced more often than that.\n\nBut it's horses for courses. You run on your track and I'll run on mine.\n\nLike\n\n9\n\nDec 8, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0577385259)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nEllis,\n\nBuy the Apple care also - it don't mount to much split up on the 3 years warranty you get.\n\nI usually do not buy Apple care for iPhones and iPads, for (my) track-record is not a single broken iPhone or iPad over the years, so I might have been lucky, but thats why I skip Apple Care for iOS devices.\n\nComputer thou, thats another animal - and here the extra cost of AppleCare is what might help stretch your computer to 5 years of use, in case something breaks within the 36 month Apple Care mark.\n\nBR Strobist.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9665587416)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\nHmmm. Rambow seems threatened by Apple's new hardware. I've decided to embrace it. It's not like these results haven't been duplicated ad nauseam on YouTube. For anyone interested in an even more in-depth look at how the new MacBook Pro models compare to each other and older Intel-based Macs, ArtIsRight (YouTube channel) offers an excellent series of tests and comparisons to help interested viewers select the best configuration for their particular needs.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9277997094)\n\n[![Ellis Vener]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n[Ellis Vener](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n@Strobist: I always get AppleCare. Better to be safe than sorry.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6513159859)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\n\"Not fixable\" means when the SSD goes bad (and it will), you get to just throw the computer out.\n\nApple's soldered-in RAM and SSDs are a regression.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 14, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9473040753)\n\n[![Ellis Vener]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n[Ellis Vener](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\nWhen was the last time you saw high quality RAM go bad? When was the last time you had to replace an SSD in a laptop, besides to add more capacity?\n\nI admit it is possible for those components to fail, I would be foolish not to. But I think I am a moderately heavy computer user and the only internal component I have had fail on a laptop in recent years is the battery.\n\nAnd if they do fail in the new MBP what will get replaced is the entire motherboard - pricey if not covered by AppleCare (or the Dell or Sony equivalent of AppleCare. The rest of the computer won’t be going into the trash.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 14, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7176382214)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nI had RAM go bad in two MacBook Pros, probably 2008ish vintage. And I have a flaky SSD on hand right now.\n\n\"And if they do fail in the new MBP what will get replaced is the entire motherboard... The rest of the computer won’t be going into the trash.\"\n\nIt's sad that you and others consider this acceptable. And whether the computer goes \"into the trash\" (AKA onto eBay for parts) or not depends on the price of the motherboard and how old the computer is.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 15, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4742124364)\n\n[4sofnature](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7928288885)\n\nAll in on M1X chip and farewell to Windows laptop.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3518364548)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nI kid you not, yesterday I spent 3 hours on a pc motherboard on a high performance rig that where not functioning properly.\n\nThere is a saying that goes \"Linux is only free if you don't value your time\"  \n\\- I would say that the same is true for windows\\!\n\nSo I have admitted to myself that even that both windows and Linux can be great on their own, for \\*my usercases\\* I just lose time outside MacOS.\n\nWill not buy this years edition (already have to many mac mini's and older mac laptops) Will go for the 2022 iMac, if next years macbook pro refresh still don't support 256GB RAM.\n\nThe future will tell, all I know for now, is that MacOS saves me from some hedaches that I get on Windows and Linux.\n\nBR Strobist\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5936870519)\n\n[Olyinaz](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9525780238)\n\nI have the 16\" version and my unit has the malfunctioning MagSafe charging system. Will not charge. USB-C charging is fine, so I'm not dead in the water but after having this problem I have discovered online that it's common. That SUCKS Apple. I know they'll fix or replace it, but what a PITA and not what you'd expect out of a new \\$2600 laptop.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 6, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0291723652)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nSad to hear that :-(\n\nAfter watching some youtube reviewers, it seems the new model has a slew of problems.\n\nLets hope they fix that by software updates and warranty repairs, or I see a class lawsuit against Apple again.\n\nWhy Apple, Why do you keep doing this over and over?? :-(\n\nBR Strobist\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 6, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7603483235)\n\n[![Rambow]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8594851696)\n\n[Rambow](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8594851696)\n\nThe reviewer said these are the best laptops and totally worth the money, so you are wrong.\n\nThat being said, this DPR \"review\" is a paid advertisment so everything they say about the machine is null.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0614971429)\n\n[![Ellis Vener]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n[Ellis Vener](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\nAlthough you do not specify how your MagSafe charging system is malfunctioning, if it is related to not charging when closed, the problem now appears to be resolved.\n\n<https:\/\/www.macrumors.com\/2021\/12\/07\/macos-monterey-12-1-bug-fixes\/>\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2701863048)\n\n[Olyinaz](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9525780238)\n\nThanks for the comments. I will say that despite it being harder than it should be to figure out how to get ahold of Apple support by phone, I did do so and they kindly send a new power brick and MagSafe cable and that has solved the problem. As I said I knew they'd solve the issue, I'm just glad it did not involve trading for a new machine after spending a lot of time setting this one up.\n\nOne thing I'd like to report: This machine runs cool! SO nice after my old Macbook Pro was like a furnace. Love it.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6767639427)\n\n[![Ellis Vener]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\n[Ellis Vener](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6899259659)\n\nHow to reach Apple support (at least in the USA): 1-800- MYA-PPLE. It works every time. It also helps to have at the ready a clear description of the problem you are having.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5458863337)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nWell, this machine almost had made me regret buying a PC Laptop in March 2021 after using Apple for decades, my entire life actually.\n\nThe performance for sure is a beast and the energy management of any Mac is much better than that of my HP Z-Book. But, with my PC Notebook I can add M2 SSDs later as I wish. So I bought it with the 1TB option and saved 2200\\$. Now 1TB is by far not enough but I had an 2TB SSD from my old laptop that I just installed in the new machine and when I need more I can buy it for a few 100 bucks years later.\n\nThe memory upgrade from 16 to 32 GB did cost me 90\\$ and I still have 2 free RAM slots so I can upgrade later to 64GB for 180\\$, totalling 270\\$ instead of the 800\\$ Apple is charging. If I need it. With Apple I don't have the luxury to see how much I actually need, I need to decide that when buying.\n\nI get the integrated chipset and soldered memory for speed. But adding 2 M2 slots for SSDs should not have been an issue.\n\nLike\n\n7\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1507636073)\n\n[Photodog2](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1958640690)\n\nHow much of a hit would it take for an external M2 SSD?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 6, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5568437459)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nJust not acceptable at all, it kills portability and convenience, adds stress to the workflow, is either an security risk on location or creates extra work in the file management.  \nIf I already spend 4000\\$ on a Notebook it has to be a professional device and not some \"stick it together with duct tape\" solution, especially when the device is so limited on ports already anyway.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 7, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1792040348)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\nI had a spare Samsung 512GB M2 drive which I just put in a USB-C case and now using with my new M1 Air 16\/512.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1405902554)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nAnd if you constantly have to take that USB-C case + cable with you whenever you take your notebook to a different location that would be totally acceptable for you when buying a 4000\\$ Laptop? We are not talking about some 500\\$ low end \"I need to save money\" investment here.\n\nAnd it's another device using up desktop space, it's another port less, so a thunderbolt hub has to be bought and maybe carried around as well, that all is totally fine for a 4000\\$ Notebook... well no it is not! Not for me at least and I dare to say not a single human being on this planet truly believes this is an advantage over having 1-2 additional M2 slots on the mainboard.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8762598199)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n(Please delete this comment! Wrong thread haha)\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2993620528)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\nYou're certainly correct, Lauma, that your Z-Book is more configurable after the fact. But, as you acknowledge, the new MacBook Pro models will blow it out of the water in terms of computing power and efficiency. It's all a matter of tradeoffs. It sounds like you made the best ones for your use case.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3451758050)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\n@tlinn One thing is for sure: they are the most energy efficient laptop on the market right now. Which is not surprising they use the latest 5nm technology while AMD ist still at 7nm with both brands having their chips produced by TSMC.\n\nWith computing power it's a bit more complicated: thanks to the integrated chipset design Apple has much less lag which makes it incredible fast for some task, like loading the pictures in a RAW converter and for some this is the most important task. However when it comes to raw computing power, their CPU is still excellent but the GPU just can't keep up with a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU, Apples marketing WAY overpromised there.\n\nYes I'm happy with my Z-Book and am confident I made the right decision there is so much I love about it, but weather it's PC or Mac, both world have their pros and cons and there also some things I really dislike about the Z-Book compared to a MacBook. It's about choosing what priorities are more important for one.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 10, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2597037709)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nLimited on ports? The new MBP has plenty. They even put the HDMI port back on.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 14, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4923543875)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nDaGurney Seriously? It didn't get HDMI back on but HDMI replaced one full Thunderbolt Port and HDMI is worthless for Pro usage as these Displays use DisplayPort. So there are 3 Ports for universal connectivity left and that you call plenty?  \nIn contrast my HP has:  \n2x Thunderbolt  \n2x USB 3  \n1x RJ45  \n1x mini DisplayPort  \n1x HDMI\n\nSo after I plugged in 2 Displays and the Network connection I still have 4 free ports, the MacBook at that point has one free Port.\n\nNow there is a Keyboard, card Reader, input Device like the Loupdeck and a Tablet still to connect. Ok let's only connect one screen, still not working out for the Apple. Yes there are Thunderbolt hups which are expensive or bluetooth keyboards and mouses which again cost money. But well, I like the hardware I have and don't want to change my expensive peripherals to low quality bluetooth ones.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 14, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1189171629)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nI would never recommend Bluetooth as a solution to anything. But Thunderbolt can be daisy-chained, and HDMI is very useful in an environment involving video equipment other than computer monitors (unfortunately, since everything should now be DisplayPort). I enjoy not having to use a TB-to-HDMI dongle for it.\n\nHey, I'm not against more ports. Sadly I guess Apple has lowered my expectations so much that I'm \"satisfied\" with a barely-adequate collection, after their ridiculous cutbacks of late.\n\nOh, and I just noticed that Apple repeated their idiotic blunder of putting their USB-C ports so close together that you can't plug two adapters in at once. ẈTF, leave it to Apple to make this brain-dead mistake once and then double down on it after being called out. Truly incredible.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 15, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0851479544)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nHehe, don't worry about Apple putting those USB-C ports too close togeter, HP does the same. On the other hand you get 2 USB-A Ports there. I think the distance between USB-C ports is kind of an industry standard, but yes, if you need an adapter it doesn't fit, same goes for USB Sticks.\n\nI used daisy-chaining a lot when I had my FireWire 800 peripherals, even my Lexar Card-Reader could daisy-chain back then. Today I don't know of a card reader that can do that. The Problem is that a full speced Thunderbolt port is wasted on a keyboard, one on the card reader, one on the display... don't even have space for an Thunderbolt to RJ-45 adapter anymore (I know I'm a dinosaur ;) )  \nBut yes, for Apple standards this is quite good, and honestly, if I could have added 2 M2 SSDs in this machine I'd be tempted to give it a try, max specs with 1TB storage it would cost a bit more than my HP, then again looking at the 5 cables connected to my Notebook right now and still having 2 ports free... nah :D\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 16, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2875497445)\n\n[WickedMaPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6287752949)\n\n@lauma I think you're not understanding the significance of apple silicon just from the fact that you mention soldered ram or having slots for SSDs. The big revolutionary design and engineering here is that the whole thing is actually one single fabbed piece of silicon. The SSD, the RAM, the CPU, it's all one piece. That's part of why it's so fast and energy efficient. There's no ram \"soldered on\".\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 28, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9623987237)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\n@WickedMaPhoto I understand the advantages and disadvantages of an integrated chipset very well. It's not some magical new thing, Apple is just the only one pushing it to that level and no surprise: we see it's advantages and it's limitations.  \nAs said: i get the soldered on RAM (yes even Apple is soldering it's chips into a chipset, they don't work with magic but with good old engineering).\n\nBut there is no excuse for not giving the option to have additional M2 slots, there is no need for that fast data transfer on a high capacity storage volume especially when it's slower over Thunderbolt anyway. And I guess that's exactly the problem: Apple couldn't push the IO any further, which is also the reason for the very limited number and performance of the ports.\n\nThe energy efficiency also comes from the fact that it is a 5nm design, and that's mainly not Apples but TSMCs achievement. Although yes, Apple has excellent power management in it's laptops. Better than the competition.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2239408990)\n\n[WickedMaPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6287752949)\n\nYou apparently don't understand because they're not soldering anything - the M1 SoC is a single piece of silicon, with RAM, GPU, SSD etc integrated.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2010828856)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nWell, see the 2 RAM chips right next to the chip with the CPU and GPU here:  \n<https:\/\/bgr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/apple-silicon-macbook-event-14.jpg?quality=70&strip=all&w=834>\n\nIt's still a SoC even when the memory or SSD or Wifi \/ modem is not on the SoC but next to it with an integrated circuit. And that is exactly what Apple did. To be fair I haven't seen the M1 MAX yet so maybe they changed something there. The SSD chips however you can see on the Apple homepage soldered on the Motherboard. Again, except for the limited IO of the design there is no reason not to include M2 slots... except Apple never did that because they don't want their customers to be able to upgrade for cheap money.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7916489687)\n\n[WickedMaPhoto](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6287752949)\n\nI mean come on dude the label for the T2 chip should be enough for you to realize this is an Intel board you're looking at.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 30, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6406554735)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nTrue that, thank you for pointinig it out. I am not that familiar with the latest Apple models anymore and that is what google gave me.\n\nThis is the M1:  \n[https:\/\/images.anandtech.com\/doci\/16226\/2020-11-10%2019\\_08\\_48.jpg](https:\/\/images.anandtech.com\/doci\/16226\/2020-11-10%2019_08_48.jpg)\n\nAnd somebody even managed to replace the RAM from an M1, it is soldered:  \n<https:\/\/twitter.com\/duanrui1205\/status\/1378721039086067714>\n\nAlthough I'm sceptical as to my knowledge the T2 chip should prevent that from working, point is: you can see the RAM chips being soldered off on that very picture.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 30, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3717360847)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nAwesome metrics and review! I have been using a 14 MBP M1 Max and plan to keep it for 5 or more years. The fact fans never spin up is great and a strange benefit is running iOS or iPadOS apps on it. There are some very good apps focused on editing which are not available on desktops. Anyways, Apple murdered Intel\/Nvidia for creatives at least.\n\nAlso, in Tech developers are saving significant amounts of money because these machines compile far faster. I was arguing with a naysayer somewhere about these machines and the cost absolutely is justified.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4078853607)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nAgree,\n\nApart from the outlier cases (that I stated just below) about 95% of the users will be more than happy with the new m1 mac's.\n\nIts kind of sad that intel has had such a massive chokehold on the computerworld for the last 10 years. (without AMD it would have been even worse)\n\nOne good thing that will force Apple to keep deveoping the new platform is the release of the Nvidia 4000 series in 2022 - this will tip the (performance) scale in the favour of the Linux and windows machines running software that use graphic card acceleration.\n\nNo matter cameras or computers, we should be very thankful that healthy competition drive companies to innovate rather than rest on their laurels.\n\nThe last 10 year of intel reign, shows just how bad it is for the end users ( consumers) when one player get to dominant in the industry.\n\nFor now, the M1 reigns, and we (the consumers) should be very happy that for the first time in a decade, we have actual competition in the cpu\/gpu market again.\n\nLike\n\n8\n\nDec 4, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0931378046)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nWell the fact that the fans never spin up actually is terrible and the by far biggest flaw Apple refuses to fix. For almost 2 decades now Apple is sacrificing component life for low noise. Meaning: they allow their computers to reach beyond 100°C which causes chips and boards to wear fast. With most Mac users this is no issue as they never actually use their products computing power but for those who do that means shorter life. I lost 3 MacBooks due to that, single chips could be resoldered but when the copper lanes in the mainboard disintegrate it's game over.  \nYes my PC Notebook now is noisier, but it can cool away 100 watts and still stay under 85°C at the Hot Spots. It's a pitty Apple never designed good cooling solutions and has zero interest in addressing that issue. Just let the components fry and don't use the fans so people get the false impression it is better than the PC competition.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 5, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8221801683)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n@lauma - You don't understand. The reason they don't spin up is because they don't need to, haha. They do spin up when needed, but I can use this laptop all day (on my lap) without it overheating for my photo processing and other needs. It runs on less power for the performance, so this all makes sense.\n\nSo, it's a good thing.\n\n\"they allow their computers to reach beyond 100°C which causes chips and boards to wear fast.\"\n\nHave any evidence of this? Even 1 site with data on this?\n\nI don't know, but I call shenanigans. When were the 3 MacBook models from?\n\nAlso, given the exotic architecture of the M1 chips and shared memory, I'm not sure you can say how it works by comparing it to other designs.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1703088400)\n\n[lawny13](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0686389977)\n\n@lauma… but you are assuming here. Did they actually state temperature figures in this review? The power draw is also an indication of less heat being created. We would have to see the temp to fan spin up figures before making any assumptions.\n\nThe chassis being bigger would also help with thermal performance. We used to criticize apple a lot for sacrificing thermal performance just to get their laptops a few mm thinner. I am curious to know how warm these get on one’s lap while exporting.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7100336062)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nNot going to argue on that level, it's basic physics and over the decades working with Apple I've seen enough people who believe that Apple can ignore physical laws but works with magic. If you guys want to believe that fine, be happy.  \nI know how much air volume has to be moved to cool away 30 or up to the 60 watts and I know the design limitation of cooling solutions.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3060676182)\n\n[lawny13](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0686389977)\n\n@lauma\n\nI am not trying to ignore physics nor am I naive about apple’s track record. But unless you actually compare how one of these heats up compared to the competition all you are doing is conjecture. My iPad Pro doesn’t hit 100 degrees, it has no fans, and apple thermally throttles it.\n\nBesides. There are third party software you can install and just have the fans kick in sooner if that is what one desires. Either way you would end up with a more power efficient device which would still likely be quitters than the competition, running at hot if not cooler to boot. Credit is due where it is due.\n\nMy issue with these machines is the lack of bootcamp. Unless it can be shown that you can run windows programs and games at the same speeds as running native, on these things.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3833849684)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nThere is first data: <https:\/\/youtu.be\/i4CuZqXA4BM?t=610>\n\n90°C is way to hot. Yes I used manual fan control with my MacBooks but first the device should cool itself to a temperature at which it doesn't damage the hardware without manual user intervention because most users do not know second at 6000rpm which is the max the coolers manage, loud as a jet engine, they still hit 101°C at a power draw of 70 Watts on the power outlet. As you can see Apple still uses the same cooling solution and these devices are supposed to consume up to 60 watts. Either they are loud as a jet or overheating - and per default they do overheat.\n\nThe Macs are definitely quieter for idyle tasks like typing, e-mails and that I do miss. But under load the HP Z-Book is so much more quite while still maintaining a healthy temperature while drawing significantly more power than the Apple. So obviously the HP cooling solution is way ahead of Apple.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4408088210)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nI entirely doubt that your analysis is right on the temperatures. Apple is pretty good track record wise. But, enjoy your HP Z-book. I'll trust Apple's engineers over a YouTube channel and your conjectures. :)\n\nTime will tell, but I'm confident this laptop, with a far higher efficiency for performance to power and a company which owned designing and engineering of everything including the SoC and hardware design.\n\nIf reports come out saying their computers are dying due to the fan not spinning up enough or thermal issues, then I'll admit I'm wrong. Your conclusions are iffy at best about why \"it's bad that fans don't spin up\".\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6975344448)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nAs I said, you are allowed to believe whatever you want and I will not argue against your religious believes as they seem to make you happy, so enjoy :)\n\nYou might find better chat partners in Mac forums tough.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8177954785)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nI highly doubt you lost 3 laptops due to the fan. You still didn’t answer what years and models they were from. Anywho, enjoy your HP laptop and photography\\!\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6430747400)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nHere’s a very detailed review of the chips and laptops. No one echoes your YouTube link or fan and temp concerns. <https:\/\/www.anandtech.com\/show\/17024\/apple-m1-max-performance-review>\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7413317870)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nI'll gladly answer your questions:\n\nI didn't lose any laptops because of the fan, that worked perfectly fine. The fan itself is actually of very good quality.\n\nI lost a 2006, 2012 and 2017 model always 15\" top configuration.\n\nYoutube is a platform where anybody, including dpreview and AnandTech, can and do upload videos to. Just like the Internet is a technology where anybody can host a homepage.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1000970812)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\nI've been critical of lauma regarding other posts but, in fairness, tests do seem to show that Apple allows their CPUs to run warmer than a typical Windows laptop. Don't know the rationale behind this. It wouldn't shock me if Apple made a decision that a quieter laptop with a shorter lifespan is preferable to the alternative. That said, it does seem that Apple has come up with a better thermal design than what they used in older MacBooks, and included an SoC that runs cooler than previous Intel-based chips. Hopefully, Apple knows what they're doing. I'm betting \\$6K on it.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1830658587)\n\n[Jonas Palm](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7901487730)\n\nWhether the life span of the machine is effectively affected by the internal temperature is impossible to say at this point in time for anyone outside Apple engineering.   \nI strongly doubt that SoC failure due to temperature related aging will be a problem. We don’t even know the specifics of how those readings are taken on the SoC, so comparisons between manufacturers or even SoCs\/CPUs from the same manufacturer is impossible.\n\nIt’s nothing an end user needs to care about, they should only care if there is a significant CHANGE in temperatures, indicating clogged or defective fans.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 10, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7768798437)\n\n[lawny13](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0686389977)\n\nWhen it comes to the argument about life span… I think it is a little funny. I have had 3 macbooks over the years, two of which I gifted to relatives or friends. My partner has a MacBook Air. Except for my latest one (2016) all of them are 7+ years and still running. The 2 I owned previously were used pretty hard since I am in to gaming, editing, and running computationally heavy stuff like FEM.\n\nI am not saying that heat can’t decrease the life if you machine, but in my book anything that will go for 8 years + has pretty much reached its expected life expectancy or exceeded it. As software and OSes tend to get more demanding over time most of the time you won’t want an 8 year old + machine unless you basically just do the base browsing and emailing tasks anyway.\n\nI personally do prefer a machine that runs more on the cool side, cause in the summer it is definitely more comfortabele.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 11, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4130503582)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nWARNING\\!  \nFor any of you that are using software that are heavy on the RAM side, the dinky 64GB maxed out ram on Apples so called macbook \"pro\" model, is not even close to get the job done.\n\nI.e for composing, the Vienna virtual sample library \\*alone\\* (nothing else active) clocks in just north of 140GB in active state (not purged\/frozen).\n\nThere are still great alternatives from Apple for these types of tasks, the iMac can be configured with 256GB memory, and this is sufficient for performance productions.\n\nI honestly feel that limiting storage at 64GB is both way and far to little in the year 2021 for a \"pro\" model.\n\nAnd for you that say \"just use diskswap\", clearly you have never worked with virtual instruments.\n\nProbably the 2022 version of Macbook pro vill adress this glaring major flaw, and be able to be configured with 256\/512GB of Ram, making it a \\*real\\* pro 2022 model.\n\nBR Strobist.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 4, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4274494240)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nI honestly feel that limiting \\*RAM\\* at 64GB is both way and far to little in the year 2021 for a \"pro\" model.\n\nTypo-error, sorry for that.\n\nBR Strobist\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4361608535)\n\n[RobertoAvanzi](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2457317027)\n\nWhere can you find a laptop with 128, 256, or 512GB of \\*RAM\\* ?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1375127250)\n\n[![Strobist]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\n[Strobist](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6334754664)\n\nRoberto,\n\n<https:\/\/www.reinisfischer.com\/top-10-laptops-128gb-ram-mobile-workstations>\n\nYou'r welcome :-)\n\nBR Strobist\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2811751765)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nActually up to 128GB RAM is the standard with professional workstation Notebooks almost every brand is offering models.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1724976051)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nStrobist - Do you have any data to back your claim? I'm pretty sure the RAM will be fine lol.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6122120619)\n\n[![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\n[TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0996090351)\n\nAlso @Strobist The M1 pro and max actually are unmatched in performance for power: <https:\/\/www.anandtech.com\/show\/17024\/apple-m1-max-performance-review>\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5639074109)\n\n[SCC322](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8166210235)\n\nSurely Apple never took into account how much RAM \"pro\" users would need. After all, it's not like they have any sales data or customer feedback from \"pro\" users. Since they've obviously missed the boat, perhaps you should reach out to them and offer your consulting services?\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2137982478)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\n@SCC322 yes, that is exactly what Apple did in the past decade: completely ignoring the demands of the Pro market. To understand this one has to look at the story behind the success of Apple: as a brand for Pros while they had almost a monopoly on video cutting, movie production and audio, were the brand for graphic works they barely survived. The success came with the iPod who laid the foundation for the iPhone that skyrocketed Apple into what it is today. But the company didn't have the resources to provide for both: Pro and Consumer market, developers don't grow on trees. So Apple focused 100% on the big bucks bringing consumer market and left the Pros to die. But they needed the image of being a Pro brand for their marketing that's why they keep that image up to this day although there is nothing Pro about Apple anymore. Well some Pros buy their stuff and some even are happy with it but their core market are consumers and all their products are 100% developed for & aimed at those.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 10, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4892999766)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\nApple has been stingy\/pricey with RAM as long as I can remember, even in the older iMacs.\n\nThe \"Pro\" with Apple isn't about RAM for a lot of pro users rather the whole system + Apple products, software and OS. What a lot of the professional Apple user demographic deems important isn't what a lot of you may deem important. The MacBook Pro is definitely a pro platform to me, though I concede that when it comes to processing power, traditionally one could get more for less with another brand. However for those choosing to rely on Apple's software, OS, etc., in a professionally critical way - to them, Apple easily fits the requirement over other systems for their professional endeavor.\n\nNo different why some will choose Canon over Nikon, etc., for many, one company offers at least one decisive professional advantage over the other.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 31, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2832579116)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\nI have been using Macs since 1989, I think I pretty well know how Apple works.\n\nWhat has changed is that back then Apple pushed for Pros, it was their main income. Now consumers are their main income and all their hardware is 100% consumer oriented. Now for some Pros it's still the best choice because of the OS and they are so used to it. But even the OS gets pushed more and more to be consumer only and many pro features only exist because they were there a decade ago already and since then got more and more disabled.  \nBoth systems are bad and completely ignoring the need of the end user:\n\nWhile Windows is a horribly overengineered system forcing the user into counter-intuitive micro management.  \nmacOS is a inflexible design focused system that puts priority on the needs of Apples own marketing department striking the user with a never seen inflexibility and limitations.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 1, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3280553808)\n\n[![Teila Day]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n[Teila Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3922200638)\n\n\"I have been using Macs since 1989, I think I pretty well know how Apple works.\"  \nDebatable, but we all have our opinions. From where I sit as an Apple user\/owner (before \"Mac\") and PC user, Apple beyond several decent pieces of business oriented software, didn't remotely compete or seriously stick its foot in the business sphere. Until the Mac, apple was a mess but I loved the Apple III (the Commodore Amiga even more years later).\n\nMain income? No kidding - because practically every computer sold or used back then wasn't for typical home use\/enjoyment because for most people there were just too expensive. The computer + peripherals could run you the price of a GFX100S today, back in 1983. Several years later, a 1200baud Hayes model costs what... \\$700 USD? obviously typical families weren't buying computers then.\n\nApple captured the 'tween' market. The same market it has today. families\/persons who can afford apple and \"the arts\" pros.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nJan 4, 2022[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3271297056)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nFor DxO PhotoLab 5 Elite users, it's worth noting that the heaviest lift - batch exporting with DeepPRIME noise reduction applied - leverages the M1's 16-core Neural Engine rather than the CPU or GPU, cranking out 42MP JPEGs from a7RIII RAWs in 10 seconds each, which is 3x-4x faster than PhotoLab 4. Interestingly, the M1 Pro and Max have essentially the same 16-core Neural Engine, and the M1 Pro's 16-core GPU just keeps pace with it if you select GPU for DeepPRIME processing in PhotoLab's preferences. Even the M1 Max' 32-core GPU is reportedly faster by less than 100%. This makes the base M1 a fantastic bargain for PhotoLab users.\n\nI use a \\$1099 M1 Mac mini to batch export 300-600 event images at a time, and what used to be an overnight process is now a dinnertime process, letting me deliver to my clients 12 hours earlier.\n\nLike\n\n12\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5392038585)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\nThat's great to know! I just have my new M1 Air delivered 16\/512, which has same chipset as Mac MIni M1 and it is great to know that Neural Engine is so good.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7704308618)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\nExcellent insights. Hopefully, DxO continues to optimize all aspects of PhotoLab and their other software for Mac silicon.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0343630384)\n\n[Discombobulated](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1932401026)\n\nI spent 1\/3 of the cost to buy a G15\/3080. The only thing missing is the thunderbolt but software compatibility is more than 3 folds. The savings I can do many upgrades and still have a ton of changes.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3134053357)\n\n[DaGurney](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9579948959)\n\nEnjoy dealing with the steaming pile of excrement that Windows has become.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 16, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1599648748)\n\n[ozuidema](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/4896936600)\n\nI bought the 16\" version at release and I can confirm everything said here. This laptop is a beast, setting the standards for everything else. Blazingly fast, super screen, super speakers, super stable, great battery life, MagSafe, lots of ports (finally!), quiet as a mouse. The only thing that crashes sometimes are Office programs - of course...\n\nLike\n\n12\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9836870097)\n\n[Phily](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1121314435)\n\nNot a pro photographer or videographer and so my 1 year old 16\" i9 MBP is fast enough and stable too.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 7, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3076858130)\n\n[![h2videoNL]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6478435433)\n\n[h2videoNL](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6478435433)\n\nGood article and review. Ordered my 16 inch m1max 32gb 1 Tb one our after launch and when it arrived I did some tests. One important test was to run a standard off the shelf motion vfx template animation with a duration of 30 seconds and render it to a masterfile at 4k50p. This took 35 minutes on my intel 2019 macbook and only 8 minutes on the m1max.\n\nThese animation renders depend heavily on the gpu: at 80-90% with cpu almost nothing. So it benetifs from the complete new infrastructure.\n\nSaving time on animation renders leave more time to improve on details. And that’s why I need speed.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8209232110)\n\n[adengappasami](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2926136214)\n\nJeez. How are people defending a pc against this performance. I hate mac but for video editing and rendering I cannot see beyond this machine and I after 2005 powerbook want to move to a Mac for the first time in 16 years.\n\nLike\n\n12\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5812476647)\n\n[kociasek](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1179186009)\n\nIf you don't need to edit those videos in the field, just buy a well-specced PC desktop. You will get similar performance for half the money.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6511763957)\n\n[photography-lover](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0252743656)\n\nTrue. And if you don’t to fly a car will work just as well as an helicopter most of the time and be thousands of times cheaper.\n\nLike\n\n9\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1394781542)\n\n[Banderras](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7047870307)\n\n@kociasek not with the current gpu prices you can't.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4143909721)\n\n[![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n[The Point and Shoot Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n@banderras, Yes you can. Just buy a pre built with video card included.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9642741637)\n\n[Suntan](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0068859469)\n\nI don't think \"defending\" is the right word. Just making different choices. I like to hobby in photography and video editing, but I also like to play video games, so this laptop is a non-starter for me.\n\nAlso, I don't need to edit everything \"in the field\" (read: a coffee shop) so battery performance isn't that important to me. And if it takes an extra minute or two to finish rendering, that's a tradeoff I'm fine making to save \\$2+k.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2945433211)\n\n[![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n[The Point and Shoot Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n@suntan, You won't be waiting any extra time with a current i7 based notebook either. The only benefit of the Mjesus chip is battery life and thats over exaggerated by the marketing. The M chips get maybe 30 min extra against an current gen intel as well.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6166877637)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n@kociasek You're not paying attention if you think that a well-spec'd desktop can keep up with these new MacBook Pros for less money.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1158954770)\n\n[![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n[The Point and Shoot Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\nYou are blind if you think they can.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6296979975)\n\n[lauma](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2374995855)\n\n\"How are people defending a pc against this performance\"\n\nOh that is very easy: by looking at benchmarks. The M1 Chips have their clear advantages, but so do the AMD it depends on what you need.\n\nWhen it comes to GPU however there is nothing Apple has to compete at the moment, they get eaten alive by the current top NVIDIA or AMD GPUs.\n\nWhen a Desktop is an option it always wins there is just no way that a notebook can deliver equal performance. Even the best mobile cooling systems reach their limit at 100-130 watts. With a Desktop you can go up to a 1000 watts and still get it cooled. Apple isn't 20-30 years ahead of the competition to compensate the thermal advantage a desktop has. Unless of course we are talking about latency and latency only, there the M1 always wins simply because it is a integrated chipset.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 11, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5817874850)\n\n[photography-lover](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0252743656)\n\nSince when is it relevant to compare desktop performance to laptop performance?\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 11, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4317510849)\n\n[![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n[The Point and Shoot Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1963032948)\n\n@lauma. No good trying to use logic and facts when it comes to an apple fan. You can post all the concrete data and tests you want, they will scream, but M1.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 11, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4940592299)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\n@Suntan \"I don't think \"defending\" is the right word...\"\n\nYou're right. Shilling is more the proper term for all these salty Windows fanboys defending crappy Windows machines when they know nothing beats the M1 Apple system. Sorry if the truth hurts to hear.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 27, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4812830393)\n\n[Suntan](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0068859469)\n\n@Henry - I hope you have more in your life than defending the honor of consumer electronics devices.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 29, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0363634932)\n\n[junk1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7543202114)\n\nI'd be VERY tempted to get an apple laptop due to the speed, screen quality, and fair pricing if apple stopped tying my hands. And can they be upgraded - add more RAM?   \nAnother likely issue will be less 3rd party compatible hardware & software. Want to convert old analog and DV (FireWire interface I believe) so need devices to do so...  \nI've never liked Apple's tendency to the hands of owners. Loathed each time my kids wanted me to load music onto iPods via iTunes. Had to do it manually - why would I want the auto option which would download all of my music onto my kids devices? Very hidden screwball GUI for manually doing it, and they changed it, so my old notes no longer worked.  \nIn 2019 I bought an iPad instead of a Windows laptop and for drone usage because they worked better than Android. So annoying to lack windows (and DOS and unix) simple clear file structure. To find a file, name a file (or see filenames) and folders is crazy difficult.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1746944504)\n\n[Richmondthefish](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8309722092)\n\n\"And can they be upgraded - add more RAM?\"\n\nAdd RAM in this ARM system on chip design? No.\n\nEither have to pony up \\$400 for 64GB or sell your 32GB machine quicker. There are pros and cons of the ecosystem so you need to decide if pros outweigh the cons. One Pro is you can actually sell your Macbook for a decent chunk of change in the future. Obviously many cons as well but I wouldn't let the RAM upgrade factor be your reason for getting into the ecosystem.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7799428909)\n\n[![jaberg]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6843681516)\n\n[jaberg](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6843681516)\n\nThe hierarchal file structure of Mac OS \\*is\\* UNIX — and every bit as “clear” as that of DOS\/Windows.\n\nLike\n\n7\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7920132967)\n\n[monashee](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9855630061)\n\n@jaberg: I think OP is referring to their iPad when they mentioned the file system.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3213330778)\n\n[![jaberg]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6843681516)\n\n[jaberg](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6843681516)\n\n@monashee: You’re right. I missed the change in focus of the rant.\n\nLike\n\n5\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2741960457)\n\n[![tlinn]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n[tlinn](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6549390123)\n\n@junk1 As Richmondthefish points out, the SoC-design that plays such an integral role in the high performance of these laptops precludes adding additional RAM after the fact. It's a trade off.\n\nIncidentally, the best way to deal with your iTunes situation is to create a playlist(s) with all the music you want on each device and auto-sync that. It's far easier than managing things manually. And, yes, iOS's file system is frustrating in its limitations compared to a true desktop OS. The only good thing I can say is that it is better than no file system, which is what was available until a few years ago.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5564247655)\n\n[junk1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7543202114)\n\nThe 2020 M1 laptop with 8gb is a bargain on sale if 8gb is enough. The mini6 is impressive too - watched a video in which it exported a video 90-95% as fast as a M1 tablet or laptop. I could use mini6 with my drone and use as a desktop - connect to external display via Display Port.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 13, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6598723825)\n\n[Greg Ohio](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3496366359)\n\nThe bang-for-your-buck option is the M1 MacBook Air. Try getting a display like that on a budget Windows machine.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7641442863)\n\n[junk1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7543202114)\n\nThere's a \\$650 OLED laptop listed on techbargains. Probably i5 cpu.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8402515755)\n\n[Digital Icnivad](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6309973984)\n\nBut how well does it perform running Hello Kitty Island Adventure?! The gaming world would like to know 😋\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0453637466)\n\n[LoSPt1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5155806041)\n\nHey DPReview, I have one question: Did you guys enable CUDA acceleration for these comparisons where possible?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7063917762)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\nnot possible\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6045084073)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nSo after a 10 year absence they brought back the sd card slot. All the fruit company apologists are jumping for joy...\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1488418762)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\ni am a mac user and I am not jumping. I don't use those cards.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8206533837)\n\n[Cupotea](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3807170765)\n\nYep. All about the SD Card. The fact it brings huge performance increases whilst lowering power usage is totally irrelevant. I'm not an Apple fan but it's enough to get me to move away from a life of Windows usage even when my profession has been MS based for the last 23 years. Don't like it? Don't buy it. It's really that simple.\n\nLike\n\n10\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9413465353)\n\n[photography-lover](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0252743656)\n\nIt's a convenience that I am pleased about, although most of my cameras use CFExpress B cards that are much faster.\n\nBut this is really a minor reason among many others to be impressed by these machines. In fact there are very few things not to like about these. The only people unhappy\/in denial are those disliking Apple or stuck in the Windows environment because of some speciality software not available for OSX.\n\nWe see the same among camera owners. Where some Canon shooters are unhappy about the Z9 because they are not able to use their existing lenses on it. I do understand the frustration.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 3, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5762330353)\n\n[![Stanchung]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n[Stanchung](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\nSD card slot is great! Although I wish it was UHS III.   \nFor the times you need to do a dirty transfer in the field and you're too lazy to pull out the 10X dongle. Feels like a luxury that has been reinstated\\!\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5343204719)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@OP - I think people are \"jumping for joy\" due to the amazing performance across the board combined with small size and best in class battery life.\n\nLike\n\n8\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8579786418)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nI couldn't care less about the SD slot, as I travel with a tiny \\$25 hub that provides 3x USB3.1 Gen 2 ports, a UHS-II SD slot, Power Delivery, and an HDMI port. And, for my M1 Mac mini, I have two dual-slot SD readers that let me download from four cards at once.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6409005587)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nFantastic hardware but I absolutely hate MacOS.  \nI can't stomach it. Just connecting a new external hdd is a headache as it's not plug and play. And the UI makes no sense to someone coming from Windows.  \nI have an M1 iPad though. I like it a lot. Just not MacOS.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4032755374)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\nit is plug and play. And Windows UI was stolen from Macs and Microsoft had to settle the issue out of the court by investing in Apple undisclosed sum in 1995. So it makes perfect sense.\n\nLike\n\n8\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5184051218)\n\n[![pwilly]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3564193171)\n\n[pwilly](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3564193171)\n\n@Stonejack You are not correct. Jobs and Woz stole the GUI from PARC. Microsoft produced the logbook showing how they created LISA from STAR.  \nThe suit was dismissed.   \nMicrosoft was concerned with anti-trust and convinced a Canadian bank to loan Apple \\$200 Million because if Apple went belly up Microsoft would probably have been broken up.  \nM\\$ basically cosigned a \\$200m loan.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2038296962)\n\n[aruky](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6527911426)\n\nThey did not steal it. Jobs had a understanding with Xerox that for a purchase of Apple stock at preferred price he would get a tour of PARC. So it was quid pro quo.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3647613757)\n\n[Daniel Bliss](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8385707334)\n\nIt is plug-and-play, though still pushes back aggressively against disconnecting an SSD even. So you're wrong there. But the UI point is well taken. While it's logical enough in apps -- the typography is far nicer and more legible, the desktop is more configurable and I think you'll soon come to appreciate the fixed menu bar, for example, now that they deal properly with multiple monitor support -- the Finder and the Dock and what they do to everything from application window selection to window resizing are terrible, long standing blots that spoil an otherwise strong user experience, and I say that as a 30 year Mac user.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1609600590)\n\n[photography-lover](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0252743656)\n\nWindow resizing is identical on OSX as it in Windows isn’t?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4442238185)\n\n[beag](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7596190000)\n\nApple may have gotten inspiration from Xerox, but they created and delivered a fully realized vision that defined what is meant by UI. Windows users hate Mac just like Mac users hate Windows. I have always suspected that this is due to a deliberate intention by Microsoft to make Windows as different as possible from Macintosh to avoid patent and copyright infringement. Apple spent the next two decades giving us things we didn't even know we needed. Then they spent almost as long taking away things we know we need. Maybe after this sd card slot, they will restore the vertical scroll bar, the Save As command, and support for legacy video formats. They might add a Finder app to ios and put a micro-sd card slot in every iPhone.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3935718875)\n\n[![Stanchung]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n[Stanchung](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n@beag yeah. I really do hate the Windows UI, saying as one that has used both for 30 years. I like the fact I don't have to attend to every HD is plug in, it just appears on the desktop. The only niggling thing is you have to get something like Tuxera NTFS to edit\/read NTFS HDDs.  \nMost people who hate Mac usually don't know or haven't discovered how to configure finder and mission control. Once you discovered that, it would save you at least one or two clicks to do anything. (i still hate that the menus auto flip up)\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 3, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8948828100)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nNot plug & play??? What are you doing? Using string instead of a cable?  \nAs for hating OSes, last time I had to use Windows 10, I slapped my forehead every time I had to go to the Start menu to...shut it down. Also, the non-anti-aliased text looked like something from the Galaga era. Bleah.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1817620349)\n\n[Terrano](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/4930580421)\n\nYep and people used to Mac abhor working with PC's\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 6, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6904302027)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nConnected my external HDD to gfs Mac, didn't work. Had to do some tricks to get it to show.  \nWorks fine on my Windows PC. In fact I have 6-7 external HDDs connected to my stationary pc (and 4 internal) and they all work like a clock.  \nCan't say that for a Mac.  \nMaybe she has some weird security activated, but as it was her private laptop and she was quite clueless herself, I don't understand how that can be the case.  \nSo no thanks, I'll pass on Macs. In my experience it's trash.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 6, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0764661945)\n\n[StoneJack](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3207916095)\n\nI think your hard drive is trash, to be honest.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 6, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6501747457)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nNebell,  \nYou know there are various formats, right? Try connecting an HFS+ or APFS-formatted drive to your Windows PC and you'll find the latter \"trash\".\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1717500268)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nNah I have all from 60gb to 12tb drives. Mechanical HDDs, regular SSDs, m.2 SSDs that have transfer rate at above 7gb\/s.  \nFanboys will always be fanboys.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7416356064)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nThat's not what I mean by \"formats\". The fact that you don't understand this indicates why you have such difficulties.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 10, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0272107619)\n\n[DeathArrow](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5530992056)\n\nFor half the price of the Mac you can build an Alder Lake desktop with greater performance. Unless you absolutely have to use a laptop, that is the best way to do it.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2608887135)\n\n[Francis85](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2614215841)\n\nGood luck doing just that for half the price...  \nPlus this is a laptop with the performance of a high end desktop.\n\nLike\n\n15\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5763723304)\n\n[LoSPt1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5155806041)\n\n@DeathArrow, if you greatly compromise the display quality (which is crucial for photo\/video editing) then you can probably built an Alder Lake powered desktop at half the price. But you WON'T necessarily get greater performance out of it, especially when using the apps DPReview did in this review.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2671569614)\n\n[Tom\\_A](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7584512935)\n\nWhy is that relevant in the least?  \nThis is a laptop and that’s it. Not a desktop that will literally consume 7 times more energy.  \nLet’s see when an m1 max variant becomes part of desktops in a few months.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6874721116)\n\n[McArchive](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5604245370)\n\nFor \\$17\\* you can get a can of Billy Beer, already made.\n\n\\*Shipping and handling charges not included; offer void where prohibited\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7637131585)\n\n[Richmondthefish](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8309722092)\n\nFor half the price of the pickup you can buy a compact car with greater speed. Unless you absolutely have to use a pickup, that is the best way to do it.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4888155862)\n\n[Banderras](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7047870307)\n\nDesktops used to be cheaper for same performance. Not anymore with the current 3-4x inflation of the GPU prices. And gpus make the largest difference between pc desktops and laptops.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7968613316)\n\n[![Stanchung]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n[Stanchung](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\nI don't think you can get anything close as a package as others have pointed out. You also have to add in the cost of a monitor.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8596896573)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\nShow me a \\$699 Wintel box that can export a 42MP JPEG from an a7RIII RAW using DxO PhotoLab 5 Elite and applying DeepPRIME noise reduction in just 10 seconds. An M1 Mac mini can do this, thanks to the 16-core Neural Engine.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9964311538)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nYep and your fans will blow. That laptop will get hot. Battery won't last 5 minutes. You won't explode by giving Apple the applause they deserve for this new M1 series of laptops.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 27, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4599615433)\n\n[tjbates](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/6676924766)\n\nAll I want to know- will it smoothly play 4K GoPro files straight off the sd card?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0308379567)\n\n[waldoh](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9246198308)\n\nAs long as the SD card transfer speed doesn’t cause an issue with playback, but why would you play directly off the sd card?\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6470632383)\n\n[Terrano](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/4930580421)\n\nA friend was telling me even the M1 Macbook Air plays those 4K Gopro files perfectly\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 6, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5248230330)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nOh and PPS: I am currently in Taiwan, and a 16\" M1 Max with 64GB and 4TB is £3950, compared with £4700 in the UK. Granted, no stock here right now, but still. If you want one of these it might be worth shopping around internationally to avoid tax (especially if you live in the UK). Even the base model 14\" M1 Pro is about £230 cheaper here.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0160805920)\n\n[![Yidahoo]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9888108353)\n\n[Yidahoo](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9888108353)\n\nYou would still have to pay the tax when the product is shipped. Customs will not clear it for delivery until tax and VAT are paid on it.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4082270631)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nI meant if people are visiting other countries in the near future, not to have the machines shipped from elsewhere. Just to put it in perspective: You could fly to somewhere like Taiwan from the UK (return for about £500), get the £750 saving, and still have change left over. Exact same spec apart from two buttons on the keyboard. Only giving people options and ideas for how to save a large amount of cash. UK prices for Macs are insane.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4272050891)\n\n[![Yidahoo]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9888108353)\n\n[Yidahoo](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9888108353)\n\nHonestly does not make sense to me. Yes £500 airfare, BUT, factor in Covid tests and quarantines, certainly to return to the UK, then jet lag, you are not going to get off the plane, buy the laptop, then get on the plane, you will need a hotel for a night or two. Then add in food and local travel costs the £750 saving is gone. Plus you return to the UK double jet lagged and unless you have removed the laptop from it's box and used it, still at risk of getting done by customs. Then there is the matter of the guarantee, will Apple repair a Taiwan bought Macbook in the UK?   \nThe only way this works is if you have to be in Taiwan on a different matter.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0577830816)\n\n[![Stanchung]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n[Stanchung](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\nGood if you're on holiday to Taiwan \/ Hong Kong or even Singapore.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4242886235)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nYep. Anyway, these are obviously massively expensive, so saving £250-750 is not bad at all.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 7, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0953550103)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nAlso obviously these are very impressive new machines, but why on earth would you compare the 64GB version with 32GB RAM laptops? If this is a serious comparison that makes no sense. Any serious Windows laptop can be upgraded to 64GB RAM, so why not do it for these comparisons to make them more fair? The prices would still be well under the 64GB Max.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2331220121)\n\n[miketala](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5497496648)\n\nIt’s probably just what they had.   \nAnd the differences are likely nonexistent.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7677114579)\n\n[Richmondthefish](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8309722092)\n\nWhat tests did the 32GB RAM impact the results in Windows?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6549423179)\n\n[RanchoMike](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7116287673)\n\nRight off the top of my head, the Lightroom exports. The review even called this out. I too wonder how it would change with like\/like memory configurations.\n\n\"Once we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role...\"\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9429342246)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n@RanchoMike  \nThe quoted comment probably refers to the extreme SPEED of the M1's unified memory, not the quantity.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7242609869)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nThe Dock gap though. Still burns my eyes every day. I am fine with the Notch but the Dock gap needs to be fixed.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9948253625)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nI have nothing at all against Apple, but I am more or less forced to use Windows because a lot of specialised software I use for work won't run on Apple, even if I install a Windows VM.\n\nThis performance upgrade is very welcome, but seems largely due to it's well architected use of an ARM processor, which has pros and cons. For Photoshop and Premiere, it's clearly a bonus. For gaming and some other apps, not so much.\n\nBut Windows 11 will support ARM 64 bit, which should make apps port fairly seamlessly. Once MS fix the many serious bugs in W11 and vendors start producing ARM laptops.\n\nSeems we are about to enter an ARM race... Sorry ;-)\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0219993896)\n\n(unknown member)\n\nOther apps also benefit. Gaming also benefits - it’s not inherent to the arm architecture. If developers don’t port the games to it that’s a consideration but for reference I can run word of Warcraft which is m1 in the later expansions with near all top settings near 4K at 60fps\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5886457981)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@Raist3d\n\nSure, but most games are more dependent on the GPU, not the CPU. I have seen several tests with Intel and AMD gaming PCs scoring higher benchmarks than M1, but we are still talking about good performance in both cases.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1670360658)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nNo, because these are not ARM processors. They don't even have discreet processors. The CPU, RAM, GPU, and other items are all on one die. And that is what makes these SOCs so good.\n\nApple licenses the ARM instruction set. They do not use ARM processors.\n\nIt also seems NVIDIA is planning to do the same thing because this is apparently the future of computing for more companies than just Apple. The question is, can they pull it off? Apple started hiring the best engineers in the field back in 2007 once they decided to mark their own silicon and not buy it from others. Other companies are following Apple and NVIDIA as well.\n\nAs for gaming, M1 Max and Pro are in no way not good for gaming. And it looks like some developers are already converting their games to Apple's Metal to compete with Microsoft's similar tech that has a strangle hold on game developers for decades.  \nThe next decade should be very interesting.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9228998039)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@ewelch\n\nAny processor based on arm architecture is by definition an arm chip, just like any chip based on x86 architecture is an x86 chip.\n\nIntel and AMD both make x86 chips. Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, Nvidea and others make arm chips.\n\nAnd putting GPU and CPU on the same die is not unusual, but the GPU does not currently match the top end discrete mobile GPUs.\n\nThe CPU is however very efficient with high memory bandwidth which is why it runs CPU intensive jobs, like video rendering, very fast at low power.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3059009333)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@57 \"Sure, but most games are more dependent on the GPU, not the CPU. \"  \nYes, but my point is that the included GPU is very good. There's two reasons why we are not seeing better perf. across the boards from games  \n1\\) They running emulated x86- this includes the often quoted Shadow of the Tomb Raider  \n2\\) Games ported from PC aren't really optimized for Mac  \n3\\) On top of that, much less optimized for the M1 GPU tiled architecture- which has new optimizations over classic powerVR- including as I mentioned ability to pass results of a compute or other type of shader to another shader using tiled memory without having to incur in a DRAM performance penalty.\n\nNote that World Of Warcraft does run M1 native.\n\nThis is why in GPU assisted apps we see a big perf improvement (DXO PhotoLab deepPrime when not using the ANE for example) or Capture One, but we don't see the same perf increase in games across the board.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4613620878)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@57 - basically meaning that the GPU is actually pretty powerful, though bottom line I will agree it would be of a consideration for a pro gamer.\n\nThis may change more (slowly) as more Macs are sold, which they are selling now in record numbers. But basically, the hardware is ready to go for them.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4426801830)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@57 - the GPU is giving Nvidia 3060 class to 3080 class performance (on the M1 Max) on some hardware acceleration and GPU benchmarks. So it is indeed matching some (not all) discrete mobile class GPU's.\n\nMy point being- it's a pretty decent GPU, with the advantage of full 64GB ram accessibility and unified memory with the CPU. And once again, there's the internal embedded tile cache ram which can re-use shaders with results - something a lot of GPU's out there don't do today.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1767654490)\n\n[Nikonbilly53](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8236421038)\n\nBang on 57even. Somewhere apple software has to catch up. I’m a web developer and can’t afford Adobe. I’d like to think I’m a regular Joe Six pack consumer. I photograph all images for 3 non profits and build their websites. I have the Affinity package, but sadly lack a good web development program. Sometimes I even shoot jpeg for my windows machine.   \nFor the cost of this laptop I could get air conditioning in my home. Way out of range for the average consumer. As they say, nice to look at.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7557592057)\n\n(unknown member)\n\n@Nikon- you get what you pay for. You can still get a Mac mini M1 which is quite fast anyway for much cheaper. Or a MacBook Air.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 9, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1607247685)\n\n[nunatak](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/4705636321)\n\nTo me, the most interesting part came after the author's blind homage to Apple's press release, and after wiping away all the superlative drool from the described performance improvements to the Adobe Suite and FCP.\n\nMy own (paid for out of pocket) specimen arrived a couple of weeks ago. while not the finely tuned souped up 'prop' Apple gifted the team @ DPreview, it's still probably the most significant performance enhancement to any MacBook I've seen since 2015, and in my case has already improved my overall workflow dramatically. Kudos to Apple for getting it right — but not so sure about all the contrived \"what we didn't like\". no UHS-III? really — why not whine about no CFexpress?\n\nJMO & YMMV.\n\nLike\n\n6\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7972994747)\n\n[![higheronymous]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3081970172)\n\n[higheronymous](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/3081970172)\n\nFor that amount of money, I'd expect the latest and greatest technology across the board. This machine can never be upgraded though so the thought process is probably that as soon as the owner is \"done with it\", they'll sell it on eBay and buy a new one that has UHS-III.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7364335045)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nYeah, higheronymous, a buyer of these devices do indeed have to know what they want to get, because you don't add RAM to these machines. And you know what? Nothing wrong with that. Anyone who is going to buy such a computer pretty much is savvy enough to know how much to get in the first place.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4925791695)\n\n[miketala](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5497496648)\n\nThese are pretty minor quibbles.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5208154435)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n@higheronymous  \nThose funny little holes on the side of the laptop can be used to plug in doohickeys such as UHS-III card readers. Also, if you really need to download that much data that fast, what on earth are you doing relying on a single slot? Most folks with that need will have several cards to download, in which case a pair of dual-slot UHS-II readers makes a much better solution than feeding several cards, one after another, into a single UHS-III slot.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3768101217)\n\n[![Jagganatha]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\n[Jagganatha](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\nIt is a good time to hope that the identical technology tested in the review will shortly become available in a Mac Mini, and an iMac. A possibly pocketable Mac Mini you can take everywhere with you and plug into anything to work on certainly will attract people unlikely to need another Macbook Pro.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3356367751)\n\n[Sardonic G](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9135439521)\n\nI'm still wrestling with the quirks the MacAirbook M1 vs Windows. Seems that the Mac OS is less flexible at times, but as I said, I'm still getting used to it\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4431426161)\n\n[![vett93]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\n[vett93](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\nI wonder why picking lower spec Windows laptops to compete against the max version of Mac laptop? Wouldn't it be more interesting if these Windows laptops have 64GB RAM as well? For XPS 17, picking an i7 processor instead of i9 is even more questionable.\n\nComparing import\/export times is probably the easiest thing to do. But I am not sure that I would wait for these tasks in my work flow. In other words, this type of comparison is easy but not useful. If the \"reviewer\" can spend time understanding the bottleneck in the real-time workflow and use it as the benchmark metric, it would be much more useful.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8252748481)\n\n[Francis85](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2614215841)\n\nThere are plenty of reviews on Youtube that confirm the power of these MacBook Pro's and that are actually set 1 to 1 with higher tier Windows laptops as in memory and to NVIDIA RTX 3080. They all got beaten with ease too by this Apple silicon. Intel and AMD just look years behind when compared. Even when compared to laptops in the same price range there is currently no match.\n\nLike\n\n13\n\nDec 1, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4723741200)\n\n[![vett93]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\n[vett93](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\nThese \"reviewers\" tend to hype latest products up by matching some important details (e.g., RAM size, PCIe Gen 3 vs 4 SSD, etc.) Gen 4 SSD is only about 1 year old. New computers with Gen 4 SSDs will be faster in IO tests, as compared to computer designs prior. Have you ever seen them commenting on this? What is the point of doing import\/export tests against PCs with Gen 3 SSDs?\n\nSome of them even claimed that these new M1 Max MBPs are faster than desktops, only by comparing to Apple's Mac Pro 7,1. Has any of them compared it to a Windows PC?\n\nFrom my photo edit workflow, the slowest part is using Topaz Sharpen AI to enhance the images from Lightroom. I started threads in PC Talk and Mac Talk forums: 8 images of various sizes for processing. The results showed:\n\n1\\. M1 Max\/32GB is only slightly faster than my M1 13\" MBP. (216 vs. 262 seconds)  \n2\\. Windows desktop PCs slaughter M1 Max. (70 vs. 216 seconds).  \n3\\. No fully loaded M1 Max owners were brave enough to participate. :-)\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9415525028)\n\n[zemikele](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7403512733)\n\n@vett93 :\n\nWell, what you write is probably true but your comparison isn't fair : since Topaz is optimized \\*only\\* for CUDA API - an Nvidia exclusive - only machines with an Nvidia video card are benefiting from Topaz labs optimizations. It's obviously not the case with Apple machines, and that for years, not sure why ! But even comparing PCs with AMD top video cards would show a terrible difference.\n\nI appreciate YOUR workflow is based on Topaz Labs apps - so is mine for my analog photo workflow - but your comparison is nonetheless biased and quite meaningless for most people. And I deeply regret that Topaz devs have not yet harnessed the Metal API but this is almost certainly due to a regretable company management choice.\n\nFTR, I currently own licenses to the latest versions of \"Sharpen AI\", \"DeNoise AI\", \"Gigapixel AI\", \"Video Enhance AI\" and some more... not sure this will last \\!\n\n( to be continued )\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5071529895)\n\n[zemikele](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7403512733)\n\n( continued )\n\nOn the other hand, DxO PhotoLab 4 (we're now at 5) brought significant performance gains by finally leveraging the Radeon Pro VEGA 64 of my iMac Pro, despite its 10 cores \/ 20 enduring threads Xeon processor, through proper use of the Metal API. But they have yet to produce a M1-native version of their flagship app even though Metal is already used today in the clever Rosetta 2 emulation.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2931621150)\n\n[![Stanchung]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\n[Stanchung](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7424467566)\n\nWas wondering why Topaz is so slow on my 2018 mac. LOL  \nTime to email them to keep up\\!\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 3, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3532038761)\n\n[![vett93]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\n[vett93](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\nYour information is skewed. These OpenCL, Metal, and CUDA are APIs. The performance is related to the implementation underneath the APIs. Additionally, Nvidia is a pioneer in the AI industry. Their GPUs are the preferred choice for AI developers. Using their API will give you performance advantages for AI-related processing. Why is this unfair?\n\nIf you still think it is unfair, feel free to find a common software that uses CPU\/GPU for processing (i.e., not hardware), and we can do another benchmark thread.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7667487580)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n@zemikele  \nI keep seeing this \"PhotoLab isn't a universal app\" complaints, and I have to wonder what motivates them. PL5 is 3x-4x faster on M1 than PL4, and it runs great. What more do you want? On my \\$999 M1 MacBook Air it cranks out a 42MP JPEG with DeepPRIME applied from an a7RIII RAW in 10 seconds. How fast is your iMac Pro at this task?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4974277497)\n\n[![vett93]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\n[vett93](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8629410138)\n\nCan PL5 be configured as a benchmark tool? In other words, can it show the elapsed times of pre-defined processing? If yes, let's start a benchmark thread on Open Talk.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6076244359)\n\n[Francis85](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2614215841)\n\nWho cares if they are API's or not. Fact is that these machines beat any laptop in comparison and even beats NVIDIA's own RTX3080. It says all about the potential Apple Silicon has. NVIDIA fears Apple and that's why they wanted to buy ARM. Because NIVIDIA already knows they can't compete and so wanted to play the joker by buying ARM to stop competition.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4660294633)\n\n[![Jacques Cornell]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n[Jacques Cornell](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/9915661959)\n\n@vett93  \nThere's already an active benchmarking effort going on among PhotoLab users on DxO's user forum.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 4, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7406927751)\n\n[HenryDJP](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/5792880138)\n\nIt wouldn't matter. The M1 Max has been compared to top spec'd PC desktops and still beat them. More ram in a Windows laptop isn't going to help. lol\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 28, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6410346991)\n\n[![Chris Jacobs]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1454032664)\n\n[Chris Jacobs](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1454032664)\n\nWould love to see how the M1 Pro stacks up\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4756085152)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nFrom what I'm seeing, there is no real difference between the M1 Pro and M1 Max with software that doesn't utilize the GPU (Premier Pro for one, though that's looking like it might change). When software seriously uses the GPU, and the Max clearly takes the lead.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9862441380)\n\n[![Nukunukoo]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0951885432)\n\n[Nukunukoo](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0951885432)\n\nAs an Alienware M15 (i9\/RTX 3070) and MBP M1 Max user, I can say that I am totally impressed with the M1’s DaVinci Resolve performance as I literally am saving hours of my 6K and 8K footages. As more apps become Apple Silicon optimised, things will only get better with time! Wish Adobe gets cracking with After Effects\\!\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9853806343)\n\n[Jorge33](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/7734321546)\n\nHi, I have heard that it gest slower with time.....I only need it to run common programs like the one at this site for finantial information <https:\/\/retatuslimites.com\/ingresos-y-gastos-excel\/> Is the M1 a good choice for this?\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7528555367)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nYes, for more pedestrian software, the M1 from last year is very fast. In fact, Photoshop screams on the older M1, as does Capture One Pro 21. But might as well go with the Pro if you're buying now to future-proof it and make it last longer.\n\nLike\n\n1\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3403590440)\n\n[Sprintmedley](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/8251797585)\n\nImpressive machine - ABSURD PRICE!!\\!\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8557340877)\n\n[dmanthree](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2888267225)\n\nYou get what you pay for. This seems painfully obvious after reading this review.\n\nLike\n\n12\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1732270426)\n\n[Gmon750](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1406991773)\n\nAll this means is your time has little to no value. For everyone else, this is a no-brainer.\n\nLike\n\n10\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8716575136)\n\n[Film\\_enthusiast](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0390044126)\n\nGmon750  \nNo brainer if you live in the USA  \nSadly, in most parts of the world Apple products cost an arm and a leg.  \nRegards\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 1, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9970225192)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nA computer with the best screen on a laptop ever, that costs about the same as the best GPU you can buy for PCs (~\\$6000) and you think the price is absurd? If you need, for example, one of the lower-end models, you're not going to find a PC laptop at any price that can compete.\n\nLike\n\n3\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5732549620)\n\n[dmanthree](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2888267225)\n\nNot to mention performance and life on batteries. I had no idea the PC laptops took such a hit when running on battery. That alone is killer. Apple really leapfrogged the Intel world on this one. Can't wait to see what they do with the M1 version of the Mac Pro desktop. Clearly, SoC is the wave of the future.\n\nLike\n\n2\n\nDec 2, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0701611357)\n\n[Gmon750](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/1406991773)\n\nFor similar-equipped Wintel machines, it's already been shown way too many times that the price for these new MBP's are +\/- \\$100. So it can't be an \"absurd\" price.\n\nOne can get an M1 MacBook Air for much less, that will still outperform many laptops that cost much more.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 8, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9158517220)\n\n[![Jagganatha]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\n[Jagganatha](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\nI am really bothered by what you had to do to get ARGB anywhere near correct. Yes, there's this great bright screen, but as EVERYTHING you do on it is dependent in the quality of its output on colour accuracy regardless of whether the user is colour blind or not, the screens of laptops ought to be 100% accurate when you get them, and stay that way, or someone in the future will have to redo all the work to get the color right on every single file.  \n AND when outputting to a big accurate screen, what happens exactly? If you set the color on the Max to Adobe & put your work on a screen that IS 100% Adobe RGB (or P3 or sRGB etc)?  \n And when the Max iMac comes, what then if its display with the same tec is as fundamentally inaccurate as Apple dont care to create accurate screens now? (the odd colors of the new M1 iMacs are a warning, maybe!?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6701575965)\n\n[dmanthree](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2888267225)\n\nAre there any laptops with a 100% ARGB screen?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6753053650)\n\n[![Jagganatha]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\n[Jagganatha](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\nIf not, why not?\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 1, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9570162957)\n\n[ewelch](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/0888409880)\n\nWhy not? Because it's physically impossible to do what you ask. I have been involved in color correction in publishing for over 20 years at a very high level for a scientific journal. And I will simply say what you ask is simply not possible.\n\nAnother point is that there is nothing wrong with what Apple is doing here, and many other manufacturers. They have to weigh the price of the technology they choose to use and balance that against the desire by people to have as accurate screens as possible.\n\nAnd expecting screens to be 100 percent accurate and to never change is simply not possible. Anyone involved in professional color correction knows they have to calibrate their screens on a regular basis because of basic wear and tear that comes with the age of the screen.\n\nLike\n\n4\n\nDec 2, 2021\\*[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7463926709)\n\n[![Jagganatha]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\n[Jagganatha](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/members\/2914068392)\n\nChill! Think!! It is mere months since M processors became available, and less since M1 Maxbooks. A year ago I might have agreed with you completely, but a year ago we were still in Intel Processor Land.  \nNow check out the excellent Z9 review video posted by Nigel Danson on youtube:  \n<https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PCpPHjZpEEY>  \nWhat you can see was impossible a few months ago. Really impossible.\n\nAt the rate tech is progressing I am certain the next great shock will be a calibrated accurate screen that automatically refreshes itself and recalibrates itself (like a pixel-mapping sensor, kind of...)\n\nAs I did not wait but bought a most certainly slower machine without the Z9s abilities, I am stuck with tec that had I waited, I could have afforded a Z9 to really revolutionize my world.\n\nAS 8K is the new normal even on phones, soon, surely my screen will materialize, so much as I fancy El Max Mac ProBook, I shall wait.\n\nLike\n\n0\n\nDec 3, 2021[permalink](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9207071321)\n\n|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| Total: 105, showing: 1 – 50 |   |   |   |   |   |   |\n|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |\n| [« First](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=1) | [‹ Previous](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=1) | [1](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=1) | [2](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=2) | [3](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=3) | [Next ›](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=2) | [Last »](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comments=3) |\n\n## You may also like\n|   |   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| [![Panasonic Lumix DC-S9 in-depth review]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/panasonic-s9-in-depth-review) | [![Apple announces M4-powered MacBook Pros, adds matte display option]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/5708875369\/apple-m4-macbook-pro-max-nano-texture) | [![Apple is acquiring a popular Photoshop alternative]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/3715985386\/apple-pixelmator-pro-ios-photo-editing) | [![The MacBook Air now comes standard with 16GB of RAM – with no price increase]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/7108603350\/apple-macbook-air-16-gb-ram) |\n| [Panasonic Lumix DC-S9 in-depth review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/panasonic-s9-in-depth-review) Nov 12, 2024 | [Apple announces M4-powered MacBook Pros, adds matte display option](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/5708875369\/apple-m4-macbook-pro-max-nano-texture) Oct 30, 2024 | [Apple is acquiring a popular Photoshop alternative](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/3715985386\/apple-pixelmator-pro-ios-photo-editing) Nov 1, 2024 | [The MacBook Air now comes standard with 16GB of RAM – with no price increase](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/7108603350\/apple-macbook-air-16-gb-ram) Oct 30, 2024 |\n\n## Latest sample galleries\n[![]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/5036758223\/community-secret-photography-places\/2534661221)  [Community secret photography places](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/5036758223\/community-secret-photography-places\/2534661221)\n\n[![]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/6984305061\/artemis-ii-mission-gallery\/3855934667)  [Artemis II mission gallery](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/6984305061\/artemis-ii-mission-gallery\/3855934667)\n\n[![]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/4772005133\/viltrox-af-16mm-f1p8-l-sample-gallery\/5150474259)  [Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 L sample gallery](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/4772005133\/viltrox-af-16mm-f1p8-l-sample-gallery\/5150474259)\n\n[![]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/5653884153\/tamron-35-100mm-f2p8-sample-gallery\/6758404104)  [Tamron 35-100mm F2.8 Di III VXD sample gallery](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries\/5653884153\/tamron-35-100mm-f2p8-sample-gallery\/6758404104)\n\n[See more galleries](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/sample-galleries) »\n\n## Latest in-depth reviews\n[![Ricoh GR IV Monochrome review: further into the niche]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/ricoh-gr-iv-monochrome-review)\n\n[625](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/ricoh-gr-iv-monochrome-review#comments)\n\n[Ricoh GR IV Monochrome review: further into the niche](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/ricoh-gr-iv-monochrome-review)\n\n[review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/review)3 weeks ago\n\nHow does the well-honed GR formula work without color?\n\n[![Sony a7 V review: E-mount users 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processor and dial ethos.\n\n[![High-res hybrid: Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII review]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/panasonic-lumix-dc-s1rii-review)\n\n[572](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/panasonic-lumix-dc-s1rii-review#comments)\n\n[High-res hybrid: Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/panasonic-lumix-dc-s1rii-review)\n\n[review](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/review)Jan 30, 2026\n\nOur in-depth look at the S1RII, updated to discuss its video capabilities.\n\n[![Do photographers need the fastest external SSD? We tested three to find out]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/usb-4-thunderbolt-5-ssd-owc-sandisk-speeds-roundup)\n\n[107](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/usb-4-thunderbolt-5-ssd-owc-sandisk-speeds-roundup#comments)\n\n[Do photographers need the fastest external SSD? We tested three to find out](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/usb-4-thunderbolt-5-ssd-owc-sandisk-speeds-roundup)\n\nJan 17, 2026\n\nWe put a USB 3.2, USB4 and Thunderbolt 5 drive head-to-head to see if photographers would benefit from upgrading their external storage.\n\n[Read more reviews](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews) »\n\n## Latest buying guides\n[![The 9 Best mirrorless cameras in 2026]()](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/buying-guide-best-mirrorless-cameras)\n\n[The 9 Best mirrorless cameras in 2026](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/buying-guide-best-mirrorless-cameras)\n\n1 month ago\n\n'What's the best mirrorless camera?' 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Go inside the biggest camera event of the year with DPReview\n\n[![DPReview Discussions: Live from CP+](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/w\/TC16x9S280x157?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FyWp-lJCeaIM%2Fsddefault.jpg&signature=mavRiCXvCxe%2FSp7B875nxKyXAac%3D&v=5791)](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yWp-lJCeaIM)\n\nDPReview Discussions: Live from CP+\n\nFinished challenges\n\n|   |   |   |   |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| [![Honey, I' m home , are you ready?](https:\/\/g2.img-dpreview.com\/3040E2F70B1A45B09D41A8C1A48D72CB.jpg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/challenges\/Entry.aspx?ID=1268510) | [![Ahead of the Curve](https:\/\/g4.img-dpreview.com\/07A4550BF87349D8BCE819CC87941343.jpg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/challenges\/Entry.aspx?ID=1268503) | [![Hovering Honey Bee](https:\/\/g2.img-dpreview.com\/2FE35822DD124665B6DB7EC87B693BEF.jpg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/challenges\/Entry.aspx?ID=1268393) | [![Boardwalk at sunset.](https:\/\/g3.img-dpreview.com\/56BBEED12ED644AEA1017AB3B1E7C309.jpg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/challenges\/Entry.aspx?ID=1268458) |\n| Honey, I' m home , are you ready? by dv312 from A Big Year 2026 | Ahead of the Curve by Nilesh Trivedi from Inspiring Architecture | Hovering Honey Bee by SpartanWarrior from Flying Insects in nature | Boardwalk at sunset. by ElenaGreen from Fortnight 72: My Best Non-bird Photo Shot after 2026-03-09 |\n\n[Discover more challenges](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/challenges\/) »\n\nLatest articles\n\n![Blackmagic's new photo tools might be the end of your Adobe subscription]()\n\n[Blackmagic's new photo tools might be the end of your Adobe subscription](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/7333672606\/blackmagic-davinici-resolve-photo-editor)\n\nDavinci Resolve has added a photos mode that seems to turn it into a full-blown Lightroom competitor.\n\nApr 13, 2026[8](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/7333672606\/blackmagic-davinici-resolve-photo-editor#comments)\n\n![Canon's quest for the ideal lens lineup]()\n\n[Canon's quest for the ideal lens lineup](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/6415435262\/canon-lens-interview-cp-plus-2026)\n\nWe caught up with some of Canon's lens engineers at CP+ 2026 to talk about how the company decides which optics to make, and how it develops them.\n\nApr 13, 2026[13](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/6415435262\/canon-lens-interview-cp-plus-2026#comments)\n\n![In space, no one can hear your storage card scream]()\n\n[In space, no one can hear your storage card scream](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/6416086072\/artemis-ii-camera-card-eject)\n\nSometimes, astronauts have the same problems photographers on Earth do.\n\nApr 12, 2026[22](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/6416086072\/artemis-ii-camera-card-eject#comments)\n\n![Our \"Film Photography\" photo challenge is now open for submissions]()\n\n[Our \"Film Photography\" photo challenge is now open for submissions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/4452986150\/april-2026-photo-challenge-is-open-for-submissions)\n\nOur April photo challenge is open for submissions until April 18th. 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Here's how to choose the right one.]()\n\n[The Nikon ZR has three Raw options. Here's how to choose the right one.](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/9420428700\/nikon-zr-r3d-ne-versus-n-raw-format-comparison)\n\nThe new R3D NE format has some key differences compared to N-Raw, despite being having a lot in common, under the hood.\n\nApr 9, 2026[21](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/9420428700\/nikon-zr-r3d-ne-versus-n-raw-format-comparison#comments)[video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/video)\n\n![Viltrox quietly teased a wave of upcoming offerings for a popular mount]()\n\n[Viltrox quietly teased a wave of upcoming offerings for a popular mount](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/0521772232\/l-mount-alliance-s-newest-member-quietly-dropped-a-vague-teaser)\n\nViltrox is teasing new releases ahead of the NAB show.\n\nApr 8, 2026[22](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/0521772232\/l-mount-alliance-s-newest-member-quietly-dropped-a-vague-teaser#comments)\n\n![10 enchanting photo spots you'll want to keep secret]()\n\n[10 enchanting photo spots you'll want to keep secret](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/4597265609\/10-enchanting-photo-spots-you-ll-want-to-keep-secret)\n\nOur latest Question of the week asked readers what secret photography spots they were willing to share with the community. Here are their 10 top reveals.\n\nApr 8, 2026[17](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/4597265609\/10-enchanting-photo-spots-you-ll-want-to-keep-secret#comments)\n\n![Why Sigma is less optimistic about the camera market]()\n\n[Why Sigma is less optimistic about the camera market](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/4320697227\/sigma-cpplus-2026-interview)\n\nWe sat down with Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki at CP+ this year to learn more about his views on what the camera market needs to move forward.\n\nApr 8, 2026[156](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/4320697227\/sigma-cpplus-2026-interview#comments)\n\n![NASA has recreated its most iconic photo]()\n\n[NASA has recreated its most iconic photo](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/7117300423\/nasa-has-recreated-its-most-iconic-photo)\n\nMore images from Artemis II's historic mission are in, and they are amazing.\n\nApr 7, 2026[95](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/7117300423\/nasa-has-recreated-its-most-iconic-photo#comments)\n\n![Canon says people buy compacts for some surprising reasons]()\n\n[Canon says people buy compacts for some surprising reasons](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/5615138412\/canon-cpplus-interview-2026)\n\nWe spoke with Canon executives about compact cameras, the affordability of gear, and whether we can expect any changes to its licensing approach for the RF mount.\n\nApr 7, 2026[165](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/5615138412\/canon-cpplus-interview-2026#comments)\n\n![The Nikon ZR has a few video quality surprises]()\n\n[The Nikon ZR has a few video quality surprises](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/1905025151\/nikon-zr-studio-scene-raw)\n\nThe studio scene reveals that its video is very similar to the Z6III's in some ways... but not in others.\n\nApr 6, 2026[64](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/1905025151\/nikon-zr-studio-scene-raw#comments)[video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/video)\n\n![Analog April: The challenge your film camera has been waiting for]()\n\n[Analog April: The challenge your film camera has been waiting for](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3312378465\/april-2026-editors-photo-challenge-announced)\n\nThis month, we're returning to the analog roots of photography: film.\n\nApr 5, 2026[11](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3312378465\/april-2026-editors-photo-challenge-announced#comments)\n\n![Why niche cameras are the future of photography]()\n\n[Why niche cameras are the future of photography](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/videos\/6974383313\/why-niche-cameras-are-the-future-of-photography)\n\nMitchell, Abby and Richard look at industry trends and what they mean for the future of cameras.\n\nApr 4, 2026[61](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/videos\/6974383313\/why-niche-cameras-are-the-future-of-photography#comments)[video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/video)\n\n![The first images from the Artemis II crew are utterly stunning]()\n\n[The first images from the Artemis II crew are utterly stunning](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/8323099020\/the-first-photos-from-artemis-ii-are-here-and-they-are-stunning)\n\nThe training from National Geographic is already paying off.\n\nApr 3, 2026[227](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/8323099020\/the-first-photos-from-artemis-ii-are-here-and-they-are-stunning#comments)\n\n![OM System just gained more control over its future]()\n\n[OM System just gained more control over its future](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/6271783688\/om-system-ownership-change)\n\nThe company's CEO is now the principal shareholder and has \"full responsibility\" for it.\n\nApr 3, 2026[114](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/6271783688\/om-system-ownership-change#comments)\n\n![Lumix Lab: The 5 things every Panasonic camera owner should know]()\n\n[Lumix Lab: The 5 things every Panasonic camera owner should know](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/2989823531\/panasonic-companion-app-walkthrough)\n\nHere’s a look at Panasonic’s companion app and what it has to offer Lumix users.\n\nApr 3, 2026[27](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/2989823531\/panasonic-companion-app-walkthrough#comments)\n\n![This photographer spent 45 years chasing birds – here's the gear he swears by]()\n\n[This photographer spent 45 years chasing birds – here's the gear he swears by](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3889625510\/this-photographer-spent-45-years-chasing-birds-here-s-the-gear-he-swears-by)\n\nFrom the local bird hides of Australia to the remote shores of Lord Howe Island, DPReview reader Lance Blackburn shares an incredible photography journey that started in the early 1980s with a Pentax ME Super SLR.\n\nApr 2, 2026[116](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3889625510\/this-photographer-spent-45-years-chasing-birds-here-s-the-gear-he-swears-by#comments)\n\n![Is Fujifilm finally ready to upgrade the brand's most iconic feature?]()\n\n[Is Fujifilm finally ready to upgrade the brand's most iconic feature?](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/6250655191\/fujifilm-cpplus-2026-interview)\n\nWe sat down with Fujifilm at CP+ this year to learn more about its lineup and how it plans to attract the next generation.\n\nApr 2, 2026[89](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/interviews\/6250655191\/fujifilm-cpplus-2026-interview#comments)\n\n![They went to Nat Geo film school, now they're flying to the moon]()\n\n[They went to Nat Geo film school, now they're flying to the moon](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/3176772970\/heres-how-nasas-capturing-its-first-moonshot-in-decades-artemis-ii)\n\nNASA is sending at least 28 cameras up with the astronauts, and had National Geographic give the crew a mini film school\n\nApr 1, 2026[71](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/3176772970\/heres-how-nasas-capturing-its-first-moonshot-in-decades-artemis-ii#comments)\n\n![Let's talk about your quirky camera gear on this April Fools' Day]()\n\n[Let's talk about your quirky camera gear on this April Fools' Day](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/forums\/threads\/lets-talk-about-your-quirky-camera-gear-on-this-april-fools-day.4832997\/)\n\nIt's April Fools' Day! In this edition of our Question of the week series, we ask DPReview readers what strange and quirky camera gear they've ever bought.\n\nApr 1, 2026\n\n![Remember the Canon computer designed by the Macintosh's creator?]()\n\n[Remember the Canon computer designed by the Macintosh's creator?](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/2866040200\/canon-cat-retro-computer-throwback)\n\nA trip far down memory lane to look at the Canon Cat.\n\nApr 1, 2026[82](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/2866040200\/canon-cat-retro-computer-throwback#comments)\n\n![Win a free trip to Iceland by proving that you're a terrible photographer]()\n\n[Win a free trip to Iceland by proving that you're a terrible photographer](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/0728074900\/icelandair-bad-photographer-contest)\n\nIcelandair wants to prove that even bad photographers can take good photos of Iceland.\n\nMar 31, 2026[38](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/0728074900\/icelandair-bad-photographer-contest#comments)\n\n![Could this company challenge Sony's mobile sensor dominance?]()\n\n[Could this company challenge Sony's mobile sensor dominance?](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/9847575554\/smartsens-lofic-hdr-sensor-sc5a6xs)\n\nA new player is putting out chips competitive with the established companies, and they're already showing up in phones.\n\nMar 31, 2026[41](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/9847575554\/smartsens-lofic-hdr-sensor-sc5a6xs#comments)\n\n![This is the secret sauce behind one of the NFL's most watched moments]()\n\n[This is the secret sauce behind one of the NFL's most watched moments](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/7509120791\/daniel-balton-jib-operator-interview)\n\nWe spoke with a jib operator who has worked on eight Super Bowl Halftime Shows to find out what the process is like.\n\nMar 31, 2026[8](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/7509120791\/daniel-balton-jib-operator-interview#comments)\n\n![Sony a7 V review video: is better than before good enough?]()\n\n[Sony a7 V review video: is better than before good enough?](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/videos\/5245356958\/sony-a7v-review-video)\n\nThe Sony a7 V promises much but faces some impressive rivals. Based on our extensive testing and real-world use of the camera, we discuss what it offer.\n\nMar 30, 2026[33](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/videos\/5245356958\/sony-a7v-review-video#comments)[video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/tag\/video)\n\nTips or suggestions? 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The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every \"best entry-level creator laptop\" list on the Internet.\n\nBut for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste.\n\nWith the release of [the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/news\/2895714205\/apple-announces-redesigned-14-16-macbook-pros-powered-by-its-new-m1-pro-m1-max-chipsets) and the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand.\n***\nJump to:\n\n[Design, build and usability](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#design) \\| [miniLED Display](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#display) \\| [Performance benchmarks](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#performance) \\| [Conclusion](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#conclusion)\n***\n### Key Specifications\nFor this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day.\n\nOn the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers.\n\nAs tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \\$4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to \\$3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is \\$3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a \"bang-for-your-buck\" or \"entry-level\" computer.\n\n|   | As Tested | Less Storage | Base Model |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| CPU | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core |\n| GPU | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core |\n| RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB Unified Memory |\n| Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD |\n| Display | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 |\n| Price | \\$4,300 | \\$3,900 | \\$3,500 |\n\n> As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \\$4,300.\n\nThat said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match.\n***\n## Design, build and usability\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3672-HDR](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3672-HDR.jpeg) |\n| The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing. |\n\nWe spent some time on design, build and usability in [our first impressions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/5725743467\/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro) a few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes.\n\nFirst and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat \"retro\" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011.\n\nThe added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, [each with its own bus](https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/68484-thunderbolt-on-the-m1-mac-mini\/), and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes:\n\n![DLCS3618-HDR](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3618-HDR.jpeg)\n\nOn the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot:\n\n[![DLCS3614-HDR-2](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg)\n\nThe pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models.\n\nThe cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time.\n\nAnother benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent \"Magic Keyboard\" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop.\n\nNeither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3576-HDR](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3576-HDR.jpeg) |\n| The controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor. |\n\nTwo more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers.\n\nThe previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17.\n\nAs for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market.\n\n![DLCS3660-HDR](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3660-HDR.jpeg)\n\nFinally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in [my first impressions](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/5725743467\/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro), but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display *underneath* the notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially *added* some room for the menu bar.\n\nOf course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode [on a per-app basis](https:\/\/www.macworld.com\/article\/546104\/how-to-macbook-pro-macos-monterey-block-notch-menu-bar.html), and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely.\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)\n***\n## miniLED display\nWe have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the \"Liquid Retina XDR\" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\n\n### HDR performance\nSimilar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time.\n\n> The \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows.\n\nAlready we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in [Dell's UP3221Q](https:\/\/www.dell.com\/en-us\/work\/shop\/dell-ultrasharp-32-hdr-premiercolor-monitor-up3221q\/apd\/210-ayci\/monitors-monitor-accessories) – a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![explode endframe e8hwpkrs8sya large](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/explode_endframe__e8hwpkrs8sya_large.jpeg) |\n| This exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. *Photo courtesy of Apple* |\n\nHowever, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to \"On\" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works.\n\nWhen you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but *only under the content you're viewing.* If you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other.\n\n> The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers.\n\nThe combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast.\n\n### Gamut coverage and color accuracy\n|   |\n|---|\n| [![MBP Gamut](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/MBP_Gamut.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/MBP_Gamut.jpeg) |\n| The new \"Liquid Retina XDR\" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right). |\n\nPanel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to \"Apple XDR Display\" mode in the Settings.\n\n> Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E.\n\nHowever, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many \"P3 D65\" reference modes. And since \"Apple XDR Display\" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get.\n\n![NativeGamut](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/NativeGamut.jpeg)\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.33.19 PM](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.33.19_PM.png)\n\nFortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset. [Various reference modes exist](https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT210435), including:\n\n- Digital Cinema (P3 - DCI)\n- Digital Cinema (P3 - D65)\n- Design & Print (P3 - D50)\n- Photography (P3 - D65)\n- Internet & Web (sRGB)\n\nEach of these modes gives you access to a \"Fine Tune\" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K.\n\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![whitepoint](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/whitepoint.jpeg) |\n| Apple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point. |\n\nUsing the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under \"measured\" and the D65 CIE coordinates under \"target,\" set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves.\n\nIt's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space.\n\nOnce I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below:\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 3.30.22 PM](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_3.30.22_PM.jpeg)\n\n[![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.06.58 PM](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png)\n\nI did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying:\n\n- **98\\.4%** DCI-P3\n- **83\\.9%** AdobeRGB\n- **0\\.46** average Delta E\n- **1\\.39** maximum Delta E\n- **0\\.69** measured vs target white point Delta E\n### Pro Motion\nThe last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet.\n\nEssentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources.\n\nIf you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it.\n***\n## Performance benchmarks\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS4147-Edit-2](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS4147-Edit-2.jpeg) |\n| The M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in. |\n\nApple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery.\n\nTo test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17.\n\nYou can see the full specs of our three test machines below:\n\n|   | MacBook Pro 16 | MSI Creator 17 | Dell XPS 17 |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| CPU | M1 Max 10-core CPU | Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel Core i7-11800H |\n| GPU | M1 Max 32-core GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3080 16GB VRAM | NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM |\n| RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz |\n| Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD |\n| Display | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | 4K UHD+ LCD 500 nits 100% AdobeRGB |\n| Price | \\$4,300 | \\$3,800 | \\$2,800 |\n\nIn order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run.\n\nWe obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet.\n\n### Adobe Lightroom Classic\nFor our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about *that* in our [Lightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/3278896840\/head-to-head-adobe-lightroom-classic-vs-capture-one-21\/1) comparison.\n\nRight out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark.\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1:24 | 2:17 | 2:23 | 5:55 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:23 | 2:24 | 2:37 | 5:44 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:26 | 2:25 | 2:39 | 5:51 |\n\nOn battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1:23 | 2:17 | 2:24 | 5:55 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:35 | 2:43 | 2:49 | 6:29 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:49 | 2:55 | 3:03 | 6:51 |\n\n[![LRC Import Results](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Import_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Import_Results.png)\n\nThat all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board.\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:27 | 5:11 | 6:39 | 11:06 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 3:34 | 7:55 | 10:08 | 22:50 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 3:42 | 8:03 | 10:19 | 25:45 |\n\nThis lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:26 | 5:11 | 6:37 | 11:08 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 4:15 | 9:21 | 11:52 | 26:45 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 3:59 | 8:42 | 10:59 | 35:46 |\n\n[![LRC Export Results](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Export_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Export_Results.png)\n\nFinally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export.\n\n[![LRC Battery](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/LRC_Battery.png)\n\n### Capture One Pro\nUsing the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step:\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:00 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 0:41 | 0:52 | 0:59 | 1:26 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 0:43 | 1:08 | 1:29 | 2:03 |\n\nOnce we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance.\n\nUnlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:01 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 0:47 | 1:02 | 1:10 | 1:40 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:01 | 2:24 | 3:17 | 4:52 |\n\n[![C1 Import Results](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Import_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Import_Results.png)\n\nOnce we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in:\n\n| Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:59 | 2:23 | 4:14 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:30 | 3:08 | 3:48 | 6:10 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 1:40 | 3:33 | 4:14 | 6:54 |\n\nThis gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17.\n\n| On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export |\n|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:58 | 2:21 | 4:18 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1:46 | 3:43 | 4:22 | 7:14 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 2:25 | 4:58 | 5:42 | 9:25 |\n\n[![C1 Export Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Export_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Export_Results.png)\n\nFinally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively.\n\n[![C1 Battery](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/C1_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/C1_Battery.png)\n\n### Photoshop\nTo test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of [Puget Systems' PugetBench benchmark](https:\/\/www.pugetsystems.com\/labs\/articles\/PugetBench-for-Photoshop-1132\/). As we've explained [in previous reviews](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/dell-xps-17-9710-laptop-review-good-performance-excellent-design), we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance.\n\nBy this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead.\n\nEven in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9.\n\n| Plugged In | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1253\\.9 | 123\\.9 | 115\\.9 | 108\\.8 | 161\\.4 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 1019\\.6 | 111\\.4 | 113\\.8 | 84\\.5 | 117\\.9 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 959\\.9 | 104\\.7 | 102\\.4 | 80\\.0 | 110\\.4 |\n\nThis only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7.\n\n| On Battery | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 1238\\.1 | 121\\.4 | 115\\.9 | 107\\.4 | 161\\.4 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 805\\.0 | 84\\.7 | 87\\.1 | 62\\.9 | 107\\.2 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 692\\.7 | 73\\.0 | 71\\.7 | 52\\.9 | 94\\.6 |\n\n[![Puget Overall](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Overall.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Overall.png)\n\n[![Puget Category](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Category.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Puget_Category.png)\n\nThe difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity:\n\n[![Photoshop Battery](https:\/\/2.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Photoshop_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Photoshop_Battery.png)\n\n### Premiere Pro\nThe last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export [this 4K sample video](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/articles\/9421763297\/all-about-the-kei-a-4k-video-from-the-sony-a1-s-8k-capture) shot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip.\n\nThis is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance:\n\n| Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Warp Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:04 | 00:05 | 1:42 | 1:42 | 1:48 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 3:45 | 00:06 | 3:35 | 3:30 | 2:32 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 4:01 | 00:08 | 3:56 | 3:52 | 2:48 |\n\nOn battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can:\n\n| On Battery | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Warp Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| MacBook Pro | 2:05 | 00:05 | 1:40 | 1:43 | 1:48 |\n| MSI Creator 17 | 4:24 | 00:32 | 4:11 | 4:09 | 2:54 |\n| Dell XPS 17 | 5:19 | 00:26 | 5:23 | 5:08 | 4:06 |\n\n[![Premiere Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Results.png)\n\nBattery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%:\n\n[![Premiere Battery](https:\/\/3.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Battery.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/Premiere_Battery.png)\n\n### Final Cut Pro\nOur last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks [here](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/2021-apple-m1-imac-24-inch-review-the-best-starter-mac-for-creators), but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding.\n\nThe only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds.\n\n| Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC\/H.265 | Final Cut Stabilize |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| M1 Max MBP | 2:43 | 00:45 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 00:19 |\n| M1 iMac | 5:12 | 1:24 | 4:19 | 1:55 | 00:25 |\n| Intel MBP | 9:57 | 2:07 | 6:55 | 2:59 | 00:55 |\n\n[![FCP Results](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/FCP_Results.png)](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/files\/p\/articles\/4387111381\/FCP_Results.png)\n\nWe didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run.\n\n### Performance takeaways\nTaken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB\/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks.\n\nWith one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review.\n\n> With one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise.\n\nThere's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery.\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)\n***\n## Best creator laptop, period.\n|   |\n|---|\n| ![DLCS3588-HDR](https:\/\/4.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS590x0~articles\/4387111381\/DLCS3588-HDR.jpeg) |\n| No other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image |\n\n| What We Like | What We Don't Like |\n|---|---|\n| Incredible performance Lots of ports, including SD card slot Industry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display Full performance even on battery Top-shelf keyboard and trackpad Full HD webcam | Thicker and larger than previous models No USB Type-A port HDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1 Card slot is UHS-II not UHS-III Unnecessary display notch No user-upgradable RAM or storage VERY expensive |\n\nIn any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\n\n> No laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board.\n\nGiven what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the \"What We Don't Like\" column other than the price tag.\n\nAfter nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook **Pro** is back... and it's back with a vengeance.\n\n![](https:\/\/1.img-dpreview.com\/files\/p\/E~TS520x0~articles\/shared\/5stars.gif?v=5791)\n\n[**Back to top**](https:\/\/www.dpreview.com\/reviews\/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Computers_and_Electronics\":993,\"\/Computers_and_Electronics\/Computer_Hardware\":987,\"\/Computers_and_Electronics\/Computer_Hardware\/Laptops_and_Notebooks\":986}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":998,\"\/Article\/Product_or_Brand_Review\":993}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":921,\"Commercial\":222}","meta_language":null,"attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":0,"attrs_original_publish_time":1638280845,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"29699","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"5275","body_ext_links_number":37,"body_int_links_number":1034,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":0,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":340,"download_ttfb_msec":330,"download_size":107341}

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All product photography by DL Cade. Recent Videos By just about every metric you can come up with, Apple's transition to Apple Silicon on the Mac has been a success. The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every "best entry-level creator laptop" list on the Internet. But for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste. With the release of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros and the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand. Jump to: Design, build and usability | miniLED Display | Performance benchmarks | Conclusion Key Specifications For this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day. On the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers. As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing $4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to $3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is $3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a "bang-for-your-buck" or "entry-level" computer. As Tested Less Storage Base Model CPU M1 Max 10-core M1 Max 10-core M1 Max 10-core GPU M1 Max 32-core M1 Max 32-core M1 Max 32-core RAM 64GB Unified Memory 64GB Unified Memory 32GB Unified Memory Storage 2TB Integrated SSD 1TB Integrated SSD 1TB Integrated SSD Display Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 Price $4,300 $3,900 $3,500 As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing $4,300. That said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match. Design, build and usability The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing. We spent some time on design, build and usability in our first impressions a few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes. First and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat "retro" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011. The added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, each with its own bus , and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes: On the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot: The pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models. The cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time. Another benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent "Magic Keyboard" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop. Neither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck. The controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor. Two more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers. The previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17. As for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market. Finally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in my first impressions , but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display underneath the notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially added some room for the menu bar. Of course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode on a per-app basis , and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely. Back to top miniLED display We have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the "Liquid Retina XDR" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows. HDR performance Similar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time. The "Liquid Retina XDR" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows. Already we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in Dell's UP3221Q – a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible. This exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Photo courtesy of Apple However, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to "On" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works. When you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but only under the content you're viewing. If you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers. The combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast. Gamut coverage and color accuracy The new "Liquid Retina XDR" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right). Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to "Apple XDR Display" mode in the Settings. Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. However, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many "P3 D65" reference modes. And since "Apple XDR Display" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get. Fortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset. Various reference modes exist , including: Digital Cinema (P3 - DCI) Digital Cinema (P3 - D65) Design & Print (P3 - D50) Photography (P3 - D65) Internet & Web (sRGB) Each of these modes gives you access to a "Fine Tune" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K. Apple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point. Using the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under "measured" and the D65 CIE coordinates under "target," set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves. It's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space. Once I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below: I did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying: 98.4% DCI-P3 83.9% AdobeRGB 0.46 average Delta E 1.39 maximum Delta E 0.69 measured vs target white point Delta E Pro Motion The last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet. Essentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources. If you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it. Performance benchmarks The M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in. Apple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery. To test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17. You can see the full specs of our three test machines below: MacBook Pro 16 MSI Creator 17 Dell XPS 17 CPU M1 Max 10-core CPU Intel Core i9-11900H Intel Core i7-11800H GPU M1 Max 32-core GPU NVIDIA RTX 3080 16GB VRAM NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM RAM 64GB Unified Memory 32GB DDR4-3200MHz 32GB DDR4-3200MHz Storage 2TB Integrated SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD Display miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 4K UHD+ LCD 500 nits 100% AdobeRGB Price $4,300 $3,800 $2,800 In order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run. We obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet. Adobe Lightroom Classic For our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about that in our Lightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro comparison. Right out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark. Plugged In Canon EOS R6 Import Nikon Z7 II Import Sony a7R IV Import Fujifilm GFX 100 Import MacBook Pro 1:24 2:17 2:23 5:55 MSI Creator 17 1:23 2:24 2:37 5:44 Dell XPS 17 1:26 2:25 2:39 5:51 On battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category. On Battery Canon EOS R6 Import Nikon Z7 II Import Sony a7R IV Import Fujifilm GFX 100 Import MacBook Pro 1:23 2:17 2:24 5:55 MSI Creator 17 1:35 2:43 2:49 6:29 Dell XPS 17 1:49 2:55 3:03 6:51 That all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board. Plugged In Canon EOS R6 Export Nikon Z7 II Export Sony a7R IV Export Fujifilm GFX 100 Export MacBook Pro 2:27 5:11 6:39 11:06 MSI Creator 17 3:34 7:55 10:08 22:50 Dell XPS 17 3:42 8:03 10:19 25:45 This lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files. On Battery Canon EOS R6 Export Nikon Z7 II Export Sony a7R IV Export Fujifilm GFX 100 Export MacBook Pro 2:26 5:11 6:37 11:08 MSI Creator 17 4:15 9:21 11:52 26:45 Dell XPS 17 3:59 8:42 10:59 35:46 Finally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export. Capture One Pro Using the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step: Plugged In Canon EOS R6 Import Nikon Z7 II Import Sony a7R IV Import Fujifilm GFX 100 Import MacBook Pro 0:43 1:04 1:17 2:00 MSI Creator 17 0:41 0:52 0:59 1:26 Dell XPS 17 0:43 1:08 1:29 2:03 Once we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance. Unlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two. On Battery Canon EOS R6 Import Nikon Z7 II Import Sony a7R IV Import Fujifilm GFX 100 Import MacBook Pro 0:43 1:04 1:17 2:01 MSI Creator 17 0:47 1:02 1:10 1:40 Dell XPS 17 1:01 2:24 3:17 4:52 Once we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in: Plugged In Canon EOS R6 Export Nikon Z7 II Export Sony a7R IV Export Fujifilm GFX 100 Export MacBook Pro 0:53 1:59 2:23 4:14 MSI Creator 17 1:30 3:08 3:48 6:10 Dell XPS 17 1:40 3:33 4:14 6:54 This gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17. On Battery Canon EOS R6 Export Nikon Z7 II Export Sony a7R IV Export Fujifilm GFX 100 Export MacBook Pro 0:53 1:58 2:21 4:18 MSI Creator 17 1:46 3:43 4:22 7:14 Dell XPS 17 2:25 4:58 5:42 9:25 Finally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively. Photoshop To test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of Puget Systems' PugetBench benchmark . As we've explained in previous reviews , we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance. By this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead. Even in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9. Plugged In Overall General GPU Filter PhotoMerge MacBook Pro 1253.9 123.9 115.9 108.8 161.4 MSI Creator 17 1019.6 111.4 113.8 84.5 117.9 Dell XPS 17 959.9 104.7 102.4 80.0 110.4 This only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7. On Battery Overall General GPU Filter PhotoMerge MacBook Pro 1238.1 121.4 115.9 107.4 161.4 MSI Creator 17 805.0 84.7 87.1 62.9 107.2 Dell XPS 17 692.7 73.0 71.7 52.9 94.6 The difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity: Premiere Pro The last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export this 4K sample video shot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip. This is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance: Plugged In Render All Export Master File Export H.264 Export HEVC/H.265 Warp Stabilize MacBook Pro 2:04 00:05 1:42 1:42 1:48 MSI Creator 17 3:45 00:06 3:35 3:30 2:32 Dell XPS 17 4:01 00:08 3:56 3:52 2:48 On battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can: On Battery Render All Export Master File Export H.264 Export HEVC/H.265 Warp Stabilize MacBook Pro 2:05 00:05 1:40 1:43 1:48 MSI Creator 17 4:24 00:32 4:11 4:09 2:54 Dell XPS 17 5:19 00:26 5:23 5:08 4:06 Battery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%: Final Cut Pro Our last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks here , but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding. The only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds. Plugged In Render All Export Master File Export H.264 Export HEVC/H.265 Final Cut Stabilize M1 Max MBP 2:43 00:45 1:15 1:10 00:19 M1 iMac 5:12 1:24 4:19 1:55 00:25 Intel MBP 9:57 2:07 6:55 2:59 00:55 We didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run. Performance takeaways Taken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks. With one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review. With one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise. There's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery. Back to top Best creator laptop, period. No other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image What We Like What We Don't Like Incredible performance Lots of ports, including SD card slot Industry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display Full performance even on battery Top-shelf keyboard and trackpad Full HD webcam Thicker and larger than previous models No USB Type-A port HDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1 Card slot is UHS-II not UHS-III Unnecessary display notch No user-upgradable RAM or storage VERY expensive In any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. No laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. Given what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the "What We Don't Like" column other than the price tag. After nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook Pro is back... and it's back with a vengeance. Back to top

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[![](https://4.img-dpreview.com/resources/images/logo-v3.png?v=5791)](https://www.dpreview.com/) Now reading: [Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro (2021) review: Back with a vengeance](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance) [633 comments](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#comments) # Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro (2021) review: Back with a vengeance ![](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/TC1x1S40~avatars/1843105630/1/avatar.jpg) By [DL Cade](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1843105630) [Comments (633)](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#viewComments) Published Nov 30, 2021 | | | |---|---| | Share | [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) | | | |---| | ![DLCS4133-HDR-Edit](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS4133-HDR-Edit.jpeg) | *All product photography by DL Cade.* Recent Videos By just about every metric you can come up with, Apple's transition to Apple Silicon on the Mac has been a success. The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every "best entry-level creator laptop" list on the Internet. But for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste. With the release of [the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros](https://www.dpreview.com/news/2895714205/apple-announces-redesigned-14-16-macbook-pros-powered-by-its-new-m1-pro-m1-max-chipsets) and the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand. *** Jump to: [Design, build and usability](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#design) \| [miniLED Display](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#display) \| [Performance benchmarks](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#performance) \| [Conclusion](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#conclusion) *** ### Key Specifications For this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day. On the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers. As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \$4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to \$3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is \$3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a "bang-for-your-buck" or "entry-level" computer. | | As Tested | Less Storage | Base Model | |---|---|---|---| | CPU | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | | GPU | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | | RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB Unified Memory | | Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | | Display | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | | Price | \$4,300 | \$3,900 | \$3,500 | > As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \$4,300. That said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match. *** ## Design, build and usability | | |---| | ![DLCS3672-HDR](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3672-HDR.jpeg) | | The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing. | We spent some time on design, build and usability in [our first impressions](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5725743467/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro) a few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes. First and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat "retro" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011. The added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, [each with its own bus](https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/68484-thunderbolt-on-the-m1-mac-mini/), and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes: | | |---| | ![DLCS3618-HDR](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3618-HDR.jpeg) | On the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot: | | |---| | [![DLCS3614-HDR-2](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg) | The pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models. The cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time. Another benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent "Magic Keyboard" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop. Neither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck. | | |---| | ![DLCS3576-HDR](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3576-HDR.jpeg) | | The controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor. | Two more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers. The previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17. As for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market. | | |---| | ![DLCS3660-HDR](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3660-HDR.jpeg) | Finally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in [my first impressions](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5725743467/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro), but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display *underneath* the notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially *added* some room for the menu bar. Of course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode [on a per-app basis](https://www.macworld.com/article/546104/how-to-macbook-pro-macos-monterey-block-notch-menu-bar.html), and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely. [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index) *** ## miniLED display We have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the "Liquid Retina XDR" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows. ### HDR performance Similar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time. > The "Liquid Retina XDR" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows. Already we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in [Dell's UP3221Q](https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-hdr-premiercolor-monitor-up3221q/apd/210-ayci/monitors-monitor-accessories) – a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible. | | |---| | ![explode endframe e8hwpkrs8sya large](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/explode_endframe__e8hwpkrs8sya_large.jpeg) | | This exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. *Photo courtesy of Apple* | However, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to "On" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works. When you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but *only under the content you're viewing.* If you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other. > The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers. The combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast. ### Gamut coverage and color accuracy | | |---| | [![MBP Gamut](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/MBP_Gamut.jpeg)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/MBP_Gamut.jpeg) | | The new "Liquid Retina XDR" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right). | Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to "Apple XDR Display" mode in the Settings. > Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. However, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many "P3 D65" reference modes. And since "Apple XDR Display" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get. | | |---| | ![NativeGamut](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/NativeGamut.jpeg) | | | |---| | ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.33.19 PM](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.33.19_PM.png) | Fortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset. [Various reference modes exist](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210435), including: - Digital Cinema (P3 - DCI) - Digital Cinema (P3 - D65) - Design & Print (P3 - D50) - Photography (P3 - D65) - Internet & Web (sRGB) Each of these modes gives you access to a "Fine Tune" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K. | | |---| | ![whitepoint](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/whitepoint.jpeg) | | Apple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point. | Using the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under "measured" and the D65 CIE coordinates under "target," set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves. It's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space. Once I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below: | | |---| | ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 3.30.22 PM](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_3.30.22_PM.jpeg) | | | |---| | [![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.06.58 PM](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png) | I did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying: - **98\.4%** DCI-P3 - **83\.9%** AdobeRGB - **0\.46** average Delta E - **1\.39** maximum Delta E - **0\.69** measured vs target white point Delta E ### Pro Motion The last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet. Essentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources. If you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it. *** ## Performance benchmarks | | |---| | ![DLCS4147-Edit-2](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS4147-Edit-2.jpeg) | | The M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in. | Apple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery. To test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17. You can see the full specs of our three test machines below: | | MacBook Pro 16 | MSI Creator 17 | Dell XPS 17 | |---|---|---|---| | CPU | M1 Max 10-core CPU | Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel Core i7-11800H | | GPU | M1 Max 32-core GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3080 16GB VRAM | NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM | | RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | | Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | | Display | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | 4K UHD+ LCD 500 nits 100% AdobeRGB | | Price | \$4,300 | \$3,800 | \$2,800 | In order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run. We obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet. ### Adobe Lightroom Classic For our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about *that* in our [Lightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3278896840/head-to-head-adobe-lightroom-classic-vs-capture-one-21/1) comparison. Right out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark. | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1:24 | 2:17 | 2:23 | 5:55 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:23 | 2:24 | 2:37 | 5:44 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:26 | 2:25 | 2:39 | 5:51 | On battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1:23 | 2:17 | 2:24 | 5:55 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:35 | 2:43 | 2:49 | 6:29 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:49 | 2:55 | 3:03 | 6:51 | | | |---| | [![LRC Import Results](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Import_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Import_Results.png) | That all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board. | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:27 | 5:11 | 6:39 | 11:06 | | MSI Creator 17 | 3:34 | 7:55 | 10:08 | 22:50 | | Dell XPS 17 | 3:42 | 8:03 | 10:19 | 25:45 | This lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:26 | 5:11 | 6:37 | 11:08 | | MSI Creator 17 | 4:15 | 9:21 | 11:52 | 26:45 | | Dell XPS 17 | 3:59 | 8:42 | 10:59 | 35:46 | | | |---| | [![LRC Export Results](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Export_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Export_Results.png) | Finally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export. | | |---| | [![LRC Battery](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Battery.png) | ### Capture One Pro Using the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step: | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:00 | | MSI Creator 17 | 0:41 | 0:52 | 0:59 | 1:26 | | Dell XPS 17 | 0:43 | 1:08 | 1:29 | 2:03 | Once we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance. Unlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:01 | | MSI Creator 17 | 0:47 | 1:02 | 1:10 | 1:40 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:01 | 2:24 | 3:17 | 4:52 | | | |---| | [![C1 Import Results](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Import_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Import_Results.png) | Once we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in: | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:59 | 2:23 | 4:14 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:30 | 3:08 | 3:48 | 6:10 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:40 | 3:33 | 4:14 | 6:54 | This gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:58 | 2:21 | 4:18 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:46 | 3:43 | 4:22 | 7:14 | | Dell XPS 17 | 2:25 | 4:58 | 5:42 | 9:25 | | | |---| | [![C1 Export Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Export_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Export_Results.png) | Finally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively. | | |---| | [![C1 Battery](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Battery.png) | ### Photoshop To test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of [Puget Systems' PugetBench benchmark](https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/PugetBench-for-Photoshop-1132/). As we've explained [in previous reviews](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/dell-xps-17-9710-laptop-review-good-performance-excellent-design), we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance. By this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead. Even in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9. | Plugged In | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1253\.9 | 123\.9 | 115\.9 | 108\.8 | 161\.4 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1019\.6 | 111\.4 | 113\.8 | 84\.5 | 117\.9 | | Dell XPS 17 | 959\.9 | 104\.7 | 102\.4 | 80\.0 | 110\.4 | This only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7. | On Battery | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1238\.1 | 121\.4 | 115\.9 | 107\.4 | 161\.4 | | MSI Creator 17 | 805\.0 | 84\.7 | 87\.1 | 62\.9 | 107\.2 | | Dell XPS 17 | 692\.7 | 73\.0 | 71\.7 | 52\.9 | 94\.6 | | | |---| | [![Puget Overall](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Puget_Overall.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Puget_Overall.png) | | | |---| | [![Puget Category](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Puget_Category.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Puget_Category.png) | The difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity: | | |---| | [![Photoshop Battery](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Photoshop_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Photoshop_Battery.png) | ### Premiere Pro The last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export [this 4K sample video](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/9421763297/all-about-the-kei-a-4k-video-from-the-sony-a1-s-8k-capture) shot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip. This is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance: | Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Warp Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:04 | 00:05 | 1:42 | 1:42 | 1:48 | | MSI Creator 17 | 3:45 | 00:06 | 3:35 | 3:30 | 2:32 | | Dell XPS 17 | 4:01 | 00:08 | 3:56 | 3:52 | 2:48 | On battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can: | On Battery | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Warp Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:05 | 00:05 | 1:40 | 1:43 | 1:48 | | MSI Creator 17 | 4:24 | 00:32 | 4:11 | 4:09 | 2:54 | | Dell XPS 17 | 5:19 | 00:26 | 5:23 | 5:08 | 4:06 | | | |---| | [![Premiere Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Premiere_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Premiere_Results.png) | Battery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%: | | |---| | [![Premiere Battery](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Premiere_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Premiere_Battery.png) | ### Final Cut Pro Our last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks [here](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2021-apple-m1-imac-24-inch-review-the-best-starter-mac-for-creators), but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding. The only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds. | Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Final Cut Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | M1 Max MBP | 2:43 | 00:45 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 00:19 | | M1 iMac | 5:12 | 1:24 | 4:19 | 1:55 | 00:25 | | Intel MBP | 9:57 | 2:07 | 6:55 | 2:59 | 00:55 | | | |---| | [![FCP Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/FCP_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/FCP_Results.png) | We didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run. ### Performance takeaways Taken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks. With one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review. > With one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise. There's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery. [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index) *** ## Best creator laptop, period. | | |---| | ![DLCS3588-HDR](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3588-HDR.jpeg) | | No other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image | | What We Like | What We Don't Like | |---|---| | Incredible performance Lots of ports, including SD card slot Industry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display Full performance even on battery Top-shelf keyboard and trackpad Full HD webcam | Thicker and larger than previous models No USB Type-A port HDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1 Card slot is UHS-II not UHS-III Unnecessary display notch No user-upgradable RAM or storage VERY expensive | In any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. > No laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. Given what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the "What We Don't Like" column other than the price tag. After nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook **Pro** is back... and it's back with a vengeance. ![](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x0~articles/shared/5stars.gif?v=5791) [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index) Tags: [review](https://www.dpreview.com/tag/review), [apple](https://www.dpreview.com/tag/apple), [instagram-feature](https://www.dpreview.com/tag/instagram-feature), [laptop-review](https://www.dpreview.com/tag/laptop-review), [macbook-pro](https://www.dpreview.com/tag/macbook-pro) View Comments (633) ## Comments All (633) Most popular (15) Editors' picks (0) DPR staff (0) Oldest first [657](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7605102703) I actually came across DPR because of this (old) article. I wish DPR would spend time reviewing laptops/monitors and other devices that digital photographers rely on every day. Like 0 7 months ago[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3618314263) [![Sanjay Pasari]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7588504323) [Sanjay Pasari](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7588504323) Apple products are LIT\! Like 0 Nov 16, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1423886732) [![Scottelly]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) [Scottelly](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) Hey, I just wanted to say, "I appreciate you writing this article, and thank you for posting this information. It's helpful to us photographers, if nothing else but to show us that there are alternatives out there, which are perfectly capable of crunching the data that we photographers need crunched." Like 2 Jan 29, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6078176275) [![JFPhotography69]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) [JFPhotography69](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) I just bought the "I am a windows user" MSI Creator 17 B11UH-238 with mini LED display, needed a new laptop since my seven plus year old laptop was showing it's age. This new MSI is blazing fast for a laptop, and the screen is fantastic, which is excellent for video and photo editing. Got it on sale for \$3,250 US, yes it's pricey but that is the going rate for a top of the line desktop replacement. It's also \$1K less than the MacBook Pro. Like 1 Jan 18, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8037279132) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Nice but this is an article about the MacBook. Nobody is interested in your PC. Like 4 Jan 22, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7455431407) [![JFPhotography69]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) [JFPhotography69](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) An upset Apple worshipper. Maybe you don't care, but someone might find it helpful. Grow up. Like 6 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3997569104) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @JFphotography69 "An upset Apple worshipper. Maybe you don't care, but someone might find it helpful. Grow up." NICE! Classless and immature response. Typical, when someone's argument is failing they hurl insults. Go play with your PC....it's waiting for you. This article is about the Apple Macintosh, not "Mac wannabes". Nah nobody but you cares because nobody responded thanking you for forcing them to "see the light". But go have fun fixing the BIOS constantly and performing your Registry cleaning while installing the latest drivers that promise to FINALLY get something to work in Windows 10/11. Like 0 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9851429699) [![JFPhotography69]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) [JFPhotography69](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7536581293) Says the person with the childish post. You where called out for the childish post, and now are upset. Grow up. Like 3 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7378197474) [![Scottelly]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) [Scottelly](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) I'm with you John, though I acknowledge Apple made their silicon because Intel and AMD both dropped the ball, and either couldn't or didn't want to make low-power processors for laptops . . . and Apple seems to have hit a home run, with about three times the battery life (or more) vs the Intel-based Windoze computers. It looks to me like Intel is going to be playing catch-up for years now, and the Windows crowd is going to have to pay almost as much money to get computers with abysmal battery life, compared to the Apple competitors . . . and still have to deal with all the problems of Windoze 11 (because, of course, Windoze 10 support will soon be discontinued in a year or two, and most of the new programs will require the latest and greatest OS - and this is how it goes in the world of MacOS too, so I'm not just saying it's a Windoze thing). It's a dilemma, but at least we have some real competition finally. I've been appalled at the slow progress in computers for the past few years. Like 1 Jan 29, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3286571264) [Doofer](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8072824600) How's the battery life on that? And hows the performance while on battery? How are you finding the 60hz screen? Like 0 Feb 18, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1052241560) [joslocum](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1928699722) I'm sorry, did I just see that a laptop is \$4,300.00 dollars\! Like 4 Jan 11, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5471687870) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) I’m sorry. Did I just see a camera for \$5000 without lenses who’s only purpose is photography and video shoots? Funny how you can crap on the price of a Mac which is used for many things when many people here use them and this site is about photography which is a very expensive hobby/business. Like 3 Jan 22, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3933229179) (unknown member) Just checked Reddit threads to see if there are any issues before buying one, and woah - plenty. Loads of users with the same problems, and they're mentioned on other forums too. Definitely waiting for the next version and giving Apple time to fix all the hardware and software issues. Like 1 Dec 31, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6166702838) [lélé](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5648134513) It seems there is a lot of \*software\* issues with MacOS Monterey. Like 2 Jan 2, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1234501436) (unknown member) Erm, not only software. Google for many people reporting the screen not being attached properly at the bottom edge, for one example. Seems like production is being rushed and QC corners cut. I am waiting for the next ones before paying a huge amount of money for a defective product. Like 1 Jan 2, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1889644831) (unknown member) Dropped by a Mac store today and both the M1 Pro / Max machines had the ill-fitting screen issue (can see gaps at the bottom and if you press it gently it is not glued down properly and flexes). Like 1 Jan 7, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4091386347) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) LMAO “loads of issues? “. Exaggerate much? I have this computer so I know for a fact you’re taking that too far. But you’re welcome to get a Windows 11 Dell machine. I heard that The Dell XPS and Windows 11 are 100% perfect. Lol. Like 1 Jan 22, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3727223013) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @brighter\_summer\_day "Dropped by a Mac store today...." Spoken like a true Windows fan. Calling the Apple Store a "Mac Store" Your posts have been such nonsense. My screen has no gaps or fitting issues. Find a website where ALL of the posters of every non-Apple brand have 100% perfect success with zero issues. Find a website where Windows 11 is celebrated with zero issues. Sorry if this hurts you but people who post issues on the internet represent the absolute smallest percentage of owners. Apple has sold millions of these new M1 Max/Pro computers so if they were so problematic then millions of complaints would be posted. Stop. Anyone can see you have an agenda. Like 1 Jan 22, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3982349160) (unknown member) Erm, I own several iPhones, an iPad, and have had MacBook Pros for about 15 years now. In that time I have owned one Windows machine. Windows fan? Would you prefer "Apple" Store to Mac store? Google M1 Pro / Max issues. You will find plenty of people with the screen gaps and other issues. I saw it myself in person (all of the ones I saw in the Apple stores had the same little gaps - so no, it's not a small issue reported by a tiny internet minority) and will wait for the next machines which hopefully won't have as many problems. I don't expect a £2000-5000 computer to not be assembled correctly. History has shown there are often issues with the first iterations of new Mac hardware. Better to wait for the second versions. These machines are good for photo / video work, but for many other things I wouldn't waste the cash. And yes, the keyboards do truly suck, and my 7 year old MacBook Pro from 2015 has a far superior one. MBP 2016-2021 were pants, so yes, MBP Max/Pro must feel great. Like 1 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7517851728) (unknown member) There are also still plenty of software issues / incompatibilities. By the time the M2 chips arrive, hopefully most of the teething problems (and hardware QC issues) will be resolved. If I drop that much money on a machine I want to last for 5 years, I don't want it to have a bunch of issues. Other people might accept them, but not me. The return of the standard ports is nothing to be celebrated as they should never have been removed. For 3D graphics work, Windows laptops with a dedicated GPU can still vastly outperform the M1 machines, often for less money. So it really depends what you want. I am no fan boy, I just look at all the information and make a balanced decision based on what is best for my needs. Now I want to get into 3D work, the M1 machines do not interest me much, and Apple STILL chooses un-user friendly design, like the poor keyboard and lack of USB-A ports. Also the next ones should have FaceID and HDMI 2.1, so I will wait. Glad you are happy with yours \$\$\$ Like 0 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9750869788) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @brighter\_summer\_day "Erm, I own several iPhones, an iPad, and have had MacBook Pros for about 15 years now." LMAO. This never fails. When someone gets called out for trashing Apple they immediately post the typical response of "I have Macs, iPads, iPhones, etc" to justify their trashing". "Google M1 Pro / Max issues. You will find plenty of people with the screen gaps and other issues" Eh I have to Google anything. I own the 16" M1 Max and my screen is perfect along with the build quality. Do some issues happen in a factory? Sure, but don't pretend that a few that you've seen with issues represents everyone. I know you were hoping so but my machine is fine. See, the actual owner should know, right? Like 0 Jan 23, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1473132070) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @brighter\_summer\_day ""There are also still plenty of software issues / incompatibilities." The only software issue (which is minor) is the Apple Music which is going through a complete overhaul. Oh did you expect a new SoC architecture with RTX 3080 rivaled graphics, long battery, no fan to instantly have M1 native software? Firstly Rosetta takes care of those leftover softwares that aren't M1 native as of yet and they are a small few. Since this is a photography website all the major softwares such as Adobe CC, DaVince Resolve and Office 365 are 100% M1 native and run amazingly well. While you're running those softwares on your PC make sure to put on headphones while your fans are blowing and don't unplug your PC laptop because the battery will drain in minutes and don't sit that PC "laptop" on your lap unless you want to get burned. Like 0 Jan 23, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5509136984) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @brighter\_summer\_day "I am no fan boy, I just look at all the information and make a balanced decision based on what is best for my needs. Now I want to get into 3D work, the M1 machines do not interest me much, and Apple STILL chooses un-user friendly design, like the poor keyboard and lack of USB-A ports." I beg your pardon. It's obvious you are an Apple hater because the keyboard on the 14" and 16" M1''s are amazing and have gotten rave reviews so you're making up stuff. Lack of USB-A ports. Thunderbolt 4 ports are universal but you even mentioning that as a defense against Macs is comical especially since this is a photography website filled with photographers that use adapters and dongles no matter what computer they use. Try again. Lordy you should just stop. The agenda is strong. Like 0 Jan 23, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3668453324) (unknown member) Henry, reading your posts is painful. I suggest you pick up an English language textbook while I wait for the M2 machines. Enjoy your first-gen hardware experiment :) Man, it's going to be good to have FaceID and HDMI 2.1! (And yes, the keyboard will probably still be trash). Like 0 Jan 23, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7454629438) [dhollender](https://www.dpreview.com/members/4987098877) MAJOR INCOMPATIBILITIES. I bought a 16" M1 MacBook Pro and discovered that my other hardware is rendered obsolete. 1\) My Promise Pegasus2 R6 RAID drive will not mount. The drive shows in System Report but not in Disk Utility and it cannot be mounted. I spent hours talking with Apple Care and they had no solution. It would require Promise to offer an update to the software but they no longer support the drive at all. 2\) I cannot link to my 2014 iMac. I can establish a Thunderbolt bridge but because the newest OS the iMac can only run is Big Sur, and the M1 is running Monterey I cannot transfer files to the Documents, Desktop or Downloads folders on the M1 from the iMac. Apple Care only told me my iMac is obsolete. Like 2 Dec 30, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1789216316) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) Realistically speaking, I wouldn't expect a new computer with a new kind of chip to be compatible with what amounts to ancient (in tech years) peripherals/computers. I sure wouldn't' consider that "major incompatibilities" on Apple's part, rather you having "major unreasonable expectations". A 2014 iMac is basically near-decade-old technology. Like 1 Dec 31, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2668295078) (unknown member) How is seven years nearly a decade? Files are files. Should be able to transfer them. Apple forces you to upgrade on purpose. Incompatibility is just another way to push you towards buying new kit. Simple as that. Like 1 Dec 31, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4446796918) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) 2014 iMac: The tech is likely from at least a year out. 2013, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, where practically in 2022.... so realistically that's roughly 9 years... or as I said: "\*basically\* near-decade-old technology". Likewise, the 50mp medium format variety from Fuji, Pentax, Hasselblad... those (Sony) sensors are basically decade-old-tech. Like 0 Dec 31, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8265263938) (unknown member) Sounds like you're "basically" exaggerating to try to push your point / justify Apple's aggressive desire for their fanbase to buy the latest products instead of holding on to older ones which still work perfectly. Like 2 Jan 1, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2727690096) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) I didn't exaggerate. I used basic math. Years 2013 to 2021 is basically a decade. I also didn't advocate buying the latest product just for the sake of doing so. I highlighted the fact that one's expectations have to be realistic. It's unrealistic to think that a computer from 2014 is going to still have the same support as it did in 2014. I don't expect my 2015 MacBook to be still supported (because that would be silly), though fills my need still today like it did in 2015. So? What's that got to do with Apple or anyone else. Nothing is what. I know that my 2019 MBP is well supported for \*my\* needs... however I'm not foolish to think the M1 based MBP that I picked for the shop, will be supported this early on, because would be unreasonable... just like expecting manufacturers/software companies to give a hoot about old technology is unreasonable. One's expectations should align with reality. That isn't rocket science, it's just real life 101 stuff. Like 2 Jan 1, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5132098328) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) A significant number of the apple purchasing demographic do hold on to their older models and use PC concurrently with apple. Like 0 Jan 1, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1899983580) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) When you say that you cannot transfer files from the 2014 iMac to the 16" MacBook Pro, over a Thunderbolt bridge, 1\. How are you trying to transfer files? By putting one of the Macs into Target Disk Mode (using it as an external Thunderbolt hard drive), or by setting up one of the Macs to do File Sharing (using System Preferences / Sharing)? I'm guessing the latter, given your reference to establishing a Thunderbolt bridge (i.e., configuring the Macs to use IP over Thunderbolt). 2\. Are you trying to copy files from the Finder, or using Setup / Migration Assistant? Like 0 Jan 1, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6656819709) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) Teila Day: Your maths isn’t very good - a 2014 Mac in EARLY 2022 is 8 years old, not a decade. Dhollender: I’m using a 2014 MacBook Pro 15” and looking to upgrade to a new 16” Pro with an M1 Max chip. So this is good information, thank you. Have you resolved the issue? Like 0 Jan 5, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4930922174) (unknown member) I have a 2015 MBP and from reading online it sounds like the new ones currently have too many hardware and software issues to be worth the huge / 5 year investment. I'm going to wait for the next iterations when hopefully software will be fully compatible and no more build quality problems. Until then, Ryzen 6000 / 3070 Ti laptops are looking tempting (and FAR better performance than the Max chips for 3D work). Like 0 Jan 5, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7121517511) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) NZ Scott: My statements are accurate; my math is counter to your seemingly lack of comprehension as if you don't know what the word "basically" means or as if 8 or 9 years isn't basically a decade. Before many products come to market, the technology is already a year + old; I plainly stated such and put a qualifier before decade. You missed that too? Do you honestly think the sensor in the 645z for example is 2014 tech, when it was announced around April of that year. For the love of peaches, put your thinking cap on. "Early 2022" isn't even remotely relevant if you actually comprehended what was written as opposed to being quick to quip. Like 0 Jan 5, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7452397947) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) Teila Day: Your logic is even worse than your maths - if the 2014 model had one-year-old tech, then so does the 2022 model. Like 1 Jan 5, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8637967907) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) You can't be serious. Now I see why the LSAT is really hard for many people. IF your premise is that 2014 tech has to equate to 2022 tech, then your conclusion could be reasonable (or what's known as a 'valid' argument). However 2022 tech wasn't part of my statement. 2014 tech was. Hence a valid argument doesn't necessarily make a sound argument. All cats are blue, Mrs. Kim has a cat so it must be blue = valid (conclusion follows premise), but not only unsound, but also false. But since you're on it... do you honestly think that a computer (or most products for that matter) fielded this year would be based on tech from this year? I think most reasonably intelligent adults would consider 9 years to be "basically" a decade. Just like it's typical that \$900k worth of damage is commonly reported as "about a \$1m worth of damage." Like 0 Jan 5, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2479207273) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) Seven years, mate. Seven years. He bought a 2021 Mac and he has a 2014 Mac. Like 0 Jan 5, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2200070153) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) OP states the Apple said that his 2014 Mac (which likely is predominantly 2013 technology) is "obsolete". My verbatim statement: "A 2014 iMac is basically near-decade-old technology." Let's say that Apple used 2014 tech to make a 2014 mac (you really think that?.. ok, let's just say you're one who believes such.) all-of-2014 to December of 2021 is plainly 8 years to anyone who can count, add to the very reasonable likely hood of the technology in a 2014 mac actually being mostly 2013 tech or earlier... then that's 9 years. Still doesn't matter... 80% or 90% (8 or 9 years) of a decade is still "basically" a decade ((chuckle)) You guys are too cute. If your kid is in med school and s/he has 20% schooling remaining before graduation, you can reasonably say "s/he is almost/basically/practically/roughly done with med school". .. and then you mention "he bought a 2021 Mac"... which doesn't have anything to do with a 2014 mac being considered 'obsolete' by Apple, or my statements. Like 0 Jan 5, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7589025655) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) By your logic, 7 years is actually closer to 5 years than it is to 10. So I think the OP was well within his rights to expect his two devices to be compatible with each other, given they're only 5 years apart. He/she certainly does not "major unreasonable expectations" as you trollishly claim. Like 0 Jan 6, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4787238864) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) My logic is 9 years is basically a decade and a 2014 mac is reasonably "obsolete" as far as Apple is concerned (as Apple stated per the OP). The OP is well within his rights to think that the sky is periwinkle or that water is dry. Apple and I view this issue the same way. You, I and the OP just have a difference of opinion. Like 0 Jan 6, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0687710249) [Aberaeron](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8743566388) Surely you can download the files needed from your iCloud backup? Or from your backups on external drives? Like 0 Feb 12, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9057847829) [DerrickRR](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5184327201) I have Apple everything and lots of them but he’s right when he says Apple forces you to upgrade. Apple Care is often unable to help and it is very common for Apple to shift blame to others for not updating their software to work with Apple’s latest version. I have 13 external drives and if a single one of them didn’t work with Apple’s latest software release or their new \$8,000 laptop I’d be upset too. (I’m guessing a fully specified 2021 MacBook will probably be closer to \$10,000 considering I spent \$7,600 on my 2018 MacBook Pro.) Like 0 Feb 20, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7659561763) [DerrickRR](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5184327201) Another thing, I don’t care if someone even has a 2009 MacBook or iMac. If they kept up with software releases they shouldn’t be “obsolete.” There might be fixes for these problems but it’s never simple and it almost always requires the user to figure it out their self. My first iMac was in 2009, Snow Leopard software. One or two minor bugs. So simple and easy to use. Everything worked. With each new software release the bugs have increased seemingly exponentially. The worst part about it is they NEVER fix 90% of them. I have had to create time consuming work arounds many many times. I guarantee I have lost HUNDREDS of hours coming up with my own solutions because Apple hasn’t remedied or doesn’t know how to remedy these issues. Like 0 Feb 20, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0086127902) [Aberaeron](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8743566388) On the other hand I have two iMacs. A 2019 27” Corei9 with 64GB RAM and a mid 2011 21” that still runs like a watch with no issues whatsoever. I migrated all files from the old to the new and eventually did a complete clean install on the 21, because it is now mainly used as a second screen for the 27”. It never put a foot wrong apart from the Windows partition \[Bootcamp\] crashing in the last couple of years. Didn’t use it anyway and all files are copied to the new machine’s Windows partition and work fine. My devices are always updated as soon as possible and mostly automatically to receive the latest security and operating system updates. Like 0 Feb 20, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5966460942) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) @DerrickRR: RE: "I have 13 external drives and if a single one of them didn’t work with Apple’s latest software release or their new \$8,000 laptop I’d be upset too." Individual external drives aren't the issue. USB storage devices are generic, and new Macs are capable of working with volumes created on older Macs. (The introduction of APFS did not eliminate support for HFS+.) What the OP had is an old RAID unit that required a driver. Promise lists the Pegasus2 R6 as an "End of Service Life" product for which they are "no longer to provide support including hardware, software, bug fix and security patches." <https://www.promise.com/Support/warranty/EOSL> A development that the OP may find interesting: There is now a "Pegasus2 Series Driver for Mac", dated 01/27/2022, that supposedly has "support for Mac M1 and MacOS 11.0 or later." <https://www.promise.com/Support/downloadcenter/pegasus/Pegasus2/R6> Like 1 Feb 20, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3189277080) [![M Lammerse]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6318997473) [M Lammerse](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6318997473) Vengeance indeed....400 dollars more for 1TB of extra storage. Life is hard for Appleholics... Like 2 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8756244065) [lélé](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5648134513) Yes, price of options is attrocious. Plus, tegatding storage I think a M2 port could really have been included for storage (not system disk). Especially in the bigger 16"... Like 1 Jan 2, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9877858944) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) Life is only hard if you don’t have the money, and Apple’s demographic has never been budget users. My late 2013 specked-out MacBook Pro cost me a small fortune but is still working fine 8 years later after 16,000 hours of use - which works out at 20 cents an hour over its lifetime. Like 2 Feb 20, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2299476456) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) \$400 buys you a 4tb pocket SSD drive for on location editing and transporting bulk stills and video that can be stored and backed up on magnetic media which is super cheap these days. I think those complaining about Apple may be outside or at least on the fringe of Apples target market. Like 0 Feb 21, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4096771537) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Seems to be the majority of Windows fanboys posting. Like 1 Dec 27, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5144445040) [![M Lammerse]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6318997473) [M Lammerse](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6318997473) Used a Macbook Pro from 2011 till on 2016. In that time you could upgrade it's battery, memory and harddisk. In this time ofclimate awareness and saving our planet Apple could score alot of extra goodism points when it lets you easily upgrade it's pricy hardware to some extend.. Like 1 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3305309482) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Lammerse, the fact that Apple is approaching a 3 trillion dollar valuation says they don't need your pointers to make more sales. LOL. Like 2 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6663704337) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Wow there are a lot of Apple haters here crapping on the best laptop on the market, and they know it which is why they can't stand that Apple's MacBook Pro M1 Max can't be touched by any other manufacturer. One person mentioned a Thinkpad X1? LOL. Like 3 Dec 27, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9095567068) [lélé](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5648134513) Just purchased an Apple MacBook Pro 16” M1 Max 10 cores CPU / 32 cores GPU / 32GB RAM / 512GB SSD. That’s a massive machine and I suggest anybody considering this 16” to go to a shop and physically compare it with the 14” version. Also the non-upgradability and outrageous prices if options (especially memory and storage) mean you really have to cherry pick-up the right configuration for your needs. Apart from that, this is a fantastic machine for what I do (photo editing, including occasional stacking, as well as occasional video editing (I hope I’ll do more in a near future, hence the Max SoC). The display in particular, as well as the integration in MacOS of HDR and Wide Color Gamut is phenomenal. Performances looks extremely good in the app I use. I have to make further tests but first impression is that it at least matches the desktop I had (3700X / 32GB / RTX 2080 8GB / PCIe 4.0 SSD) in my use cases). I guess result may highly vary depending on the app, but perfect for me. Like 0 Dec 24, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7833097985) [Mike921](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2277009601) Looks like a great machine, but the way Cook kowtows to the CCP, I'll give it a pass - gotta vote with my \$\$ on this one. And before I get flamed - I lived in China for 8 years. Like 4 Dec 20, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2921191149) [write2alan](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0011180677) You may need to explain what "kowtows" mean to the readers here. Like 1 Dec 26, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3858462583) [![NZ Scott]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) [NZ Scott](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7635545214) @write2alan Try looking in a dictionary, mate - it’s common English. Like 4 Jan 5, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8226872105) [![Scottelly]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) [Scottelly](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) When you make all your products in a country, you can't exactly have public disagreements with the leader of that country, can you? He is between a rock and a hard place, and Apple should have built a production line for their new computers here in the U.S. a long time ago, so they could sell quality products to the U.S. market . . . but that still wouldn't matter, because China is the biggest market on Earth now, and Apple wants a market share there, so they can sell a billion more computers and two billion more iPhones over the next twenty years. What's Apple or any other company that wants/needs to sell in that new and growing market supposed to do? Like 0 Jan 29, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7643799132) (unknown member) Sold my Legion 5 Pro as it was too heavy to commute with every day and walk around the city with (3.6kg with charger). Walked to the Apple Shop today to try the new MBP, and was hugely underwhelmed, at least by the design. The 16" is still too heavy at 2.1kg, so the 14" seems like the better option (even though, yes, the fully-spec'd 16" with the Max will be faster). Probably with M1 Pro, 32GB, and 2TB. £750 cheaper in Taiwan than the UK. Anyway, the keyboard is garbage compared with the Legion 5 Pro - possibly even worse than my 2015 MacBook Pro 13". Very little travel and a bit mushy feeling, not tactile at all. Apple needs to fix this. Long-running problem. Really ruins the experience, personally, and if I bought one I would have to buy an external keyboard like a HHKB, which adds to the cost and weight. Like 1 Dec 19, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7724571991) (unknown member) Also, the screen, even at full brightness, did not seem that bright. I honestly couldn't say it was any brighter than my MacBook Pro 2015, even though it is on paper. I tested it a bit watching some YouTube videos and using Safari at 50% and 100% brightness. And I couldn't really notice the 120Hz ProMotion either, and scrolling through web pages looked pretty much as it always does. So yeah, there might be power under the hood, and I like the long battery life and 1.6kg (no need to take charger with me) vs 3.6kg for the Legion, but I was expecting to be blown away, and it felt close to my 2015 MBP overall, with a worse keyboard. Even at £2450 for the specs above, not sure it's worth it right now. YouTubers gushing over these with absolutely no balance in their opinions really need to go and jump off the nearest cliff. So tired of all their half-arsed copy and paste opinions. None of them are critical or thoughtful enough. Also, I actually enjoyed using Windows more than MacOS -\_- Like 1 Dec 19, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2312708461) [![SpaghettiDealer]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2243806099) [SpaghettiDealer](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2243806099) It seems that you really love Apple products. ;) Like 2 Dec 20, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2234782427) [![RamD]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7451731088) [RamD](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7451731088) Jeezus, what universe are you living it \#brighter\_summer-day? If the screen brightness was any higher it would require sunglasses to view. And if you are a creator, for whom these are made, you'd have to lower the brightness anyway. And the keyboard is "garbage"? Compared to what. What laptop keyboard do you think is better. I find the keyboard to be quite nice. is it a Cherry brown? No, of course not. But for a laptop, very nice. Like 2 Dec 21, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6495391428) [Gmon750](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1406991773) @brighter\_summer\_day \*yawn\* Can't troll somewhere else? Like 2 Dec 22, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4611737836) (unknown member) Ram, I already answered your questions :) My 2015 13" MBP Retina (same dimensions as the new 14") has a better keyboard - the new machines have an average one at best , and I am not the only person who thinks so (I trust this person's reviews as they're not a fan boy / shill "content creator" surrounded by purple backlighting): <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmH1HgDhrWI> The screen doesn't look or feel like 1000 / 1600 nits. What exactly is a "creator"? You mean video / photo editors? Because 3D artists might still be better served elsewhere. Gmon750 I'm only giving you something to read while you sit outside the Apple store waiting for the iPhone 14 :) Like 1 Dec 23, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5819498446) (unknown member) The problem with most Mac users is they won't even bother trying anything else as they can't fathom that anything that doesn't come out of Tim's toy box isn't the absolute best product available in every possible way. Go into a store and try a Legion 5 Pro keyboard - night and day difference to the MBP. Personally I just ordered a HHKB Snow so I'll have that option anyway, but still nice not to have to carry an external keyboard if the laptop has a great one already. Like 0 Dec 23, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8058383320) (unknown member) SpaghettiDealer - At least make an effort with your replies :) Like 0 Dec 23, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1119178777) [![Scottelly]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) [Scottelly](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1973718589) "brighter\_summer\_day Ram, I already answered your questions :) My 2015 13" MBP Retina (same dimensions as the new 14") has a better keyboard - the new machines have an average one at best , and I am not the only person who thinks so (I trust this person's reviews as they're not a fan boy / shill "content creator" surrounded by purple backlighting): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmH1HgDhrWI" . . . Hey, thanks for the link to that video. ". . . It runs on unicorn farts . . ." LOL I still think I'll wait. I'm not really impressed with the battery life. I thought they would have their computers up to 20 hours of battery life by now, with those crazy-low-power chips, and all the new battery chemistry technology coming available over the past few years. I mean didn't the MacBook Air have a 12 hour battery like ten years ago? And that's a skinny little MacBook Air! I'm also wondering why they need 140 watts. I mean my 17" MacBook Pro only had an 85 watt power supply fifteen years ago\! Like 1 Jan 29, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2057099268) [TheTomx](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2251911596) Im not happy with M1 MAX - full of bugs and memory leaks issues. sorry but the SW is really bad. Like 1 Dec 17, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0930041545) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Wow quite a bit of trolling here. Calm it down. You're very obvious. There are way too many reviews from actual home users who are blown away by this laptop including myself who uses this for Final Cut Pro X. It's the best laptop on the market and nothing compares to it. Like 2 Dec 27, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5799518445) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Haha it’s sad that Windows fanboys have to hate on this new Mac with trashy replies in order to make themselves feel good since there’s virtually nothing in the Windows universe in the same class that can compete. Like 1 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8667282266) [Gmon750](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1406991773) @TheTomX - right... some random Internet user providing zero detail. Like 0 Jan 4, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2242149582) [TheTomx](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2251911596) @HenryDJP Sorry have it, many bugs and software comptability issues. Like 0 Jan 17, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0440708257) [jimread](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8925679186) Hmmmmm Build your own PC to a better spec for £800 <https://www.cclonline.com/> And ...... you can update it yourself, Cheers Like 1 Dec 16, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8365263708) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) If what you’re saying is true about building your own PC the. You wouldn’t be here posting on this article. Lol. Like 0 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9012323319) [jimread](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8925679186) HenryDJP has not uploaded any photos to their gallery yet. Typical lol Like 0 Jan 1, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6964299943) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @jimread Uh I've been a member on DPR for many years. I don't have to post pics on this site. But perhaps you can quit your childish ignorance and remain on the topic of discussion which is the MacBook Pro. Your only response to me inviting you to move to an article that Mac-hating Windows PC fanboys enjoy when it comes to looking at Windows machines inferior to M1 Macs (which is all of them lol) instead of staying here trolling is to mention my lack of uploaded photos. LMAO. Like 1 Jan 1, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0086314008) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) Apple degraded its products and insulted its customers with disgraceful and defective keyboards for FIVE YEARS, compounding that insult with the embarrassing emoji bar that inexplicably plagued only its "pro" computers. The new keyboards are mediocre compared to the ones Apple was making 10 years ago, but are LIFE-CHANGING compared to the Jony Ive trash they finally abandoned. Like 1 Dec 14, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5208122784) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) I bought a MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB memory and and 1 TB hard drive. This is a was a compromise because the M1 Max with 64 GB was not available. I returned it becasue, I could not run Virtual Machines and many many of the windows programs that I use on my 2016 Intel MBPro. Also, I could not use dual monitors. From photographers prospective, M1 Line up might be a very good computers. But for my line of work I think Apple created a vacuum; it will be a while before I can get a usefull Mac. I ended up purchasing Thinkpads a P1 Gen 2 I9-11950h 64 GB, and an X1 Yoga I7-11657 Gen 6 32GB. The X1 is what iPad Pro should have been. The X1 Extreme with I9-11950h 64 GB is £2399 - after discount; a very capable laptop possibly very comparable to X1 Max 64 GB. The main advantage is that Apple has brought competition to the PCs so that we can get better computers. At least the P1's and X1's price is nearly half the money of its original price; closer to Apple's prices. Like 2 Dec 12, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0703063350) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) If your definition of "a useful Mac" is a machine on which you can create an Intel VM, you'll be waiting a while. VMs have the same basic architecture as the host CPU. As for dual monitor support, M1-Pro-based MBPs support using "up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz at over a billion colors" at the same time as the built-in display. Like 1 Dec 12, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1175875691) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) Why could you not use dual monitors? I'm typing this on an M1 Pro MBP, which handles secondary monitors just fine. Like 0 Dec 14, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8511583503) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) Vaggelis, I was also a bit underwhelmed with my purchase of the M1 iPad Pro, but I have come to peace with that the iPad range will never be a laptop replacement - as Apple makes to much money from selling both lines to the same customers. I still think that iPad has its place and usecase: For me its a media \*consumption\* unit (books) and a touch friendly device for mind maps with the Apple pencil. But when its time for "real work" I always use my Windows and Mac machines. I think that with a changed perspectiv, that the iPad is a complimentary product and not a "do it all" product, more people will also be satisfied with what the iPad is, and what the iPad is not. BR Strobist Ps. Congrats on the P1 and X1 purchases - great hardware, great usabilty. Like 1 Dec 14, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8125427699) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @Tom\_N, @DaGurney I am sorry guys it just does not support 2 displays; I tried to connect 2 displays various ways and hacks . Why it does not support two displays ask Apple. But you can verify this here are the specs: <https://www.apple.com/uk/macbook-pro-13/specs/> Like 1 Dec 16, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4621910810) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) Veggie – Sorry, my mistake. I was reading too quickly, and thought that you had bought one of the 14" or 16" MacBook Pros that had the M1 Pro processor, because models with a M1 Max processor weren't available. The M1 in the 13" MBP is a lower-end SoC than either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max. That MBP supports only a single external display. There are third-party products that you can use to drive multiple external displays – probably at a performance cost. But support for more monitors is one of the differences between the M1 processor used in the 13" notebooks, and the M1 Pro / Max processors used in the more recent 14" and 16" ones. Like 0 Dec 16, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2007791982) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) Strobist I do not dislike or disagree with all of what you are saying. But an iPadPro with a keyboard and a trackpad is as close to a small laptop as it gets.It is quiet powerful, but does not have the "laptop" capability. X1 Yoga is a laptop that has the iPad Pro capability but is larger. If iPadPro would have the laptop capability then it would be the perfect computer for me. Like 1 Dec 16, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7564513881) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @Tom\_N FYI: A viable solution would be to use a suitable 5K or 6K monitor. With the supply chain crisis though, It is just not easy to find a 5K or 6K monitor. Like 1 Dec 16, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6758526308) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @VaggelisPhoto What a silly post. You bought a Mac when you have "many many" Windows programs you need to run? And you bought a machine without checking out how many external displays it can run? Then you say you bought a Thinkpad instead when it's best designed for office use because X1 Extreme gets hot and the fans blow on that crap of a machine. Even extreme Thinkpad fanboys know the X1 Extreme sucks as a mainstream computer. Thinkpads belong in offices. So obvious you never bought a Mac M1 in the first place because on DPR I would expect the photography crowd here to check out the hardware they are buying before laying down cash. That's when I know your post is disingenuous. LOL Like 0 Jan 17, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6171741528) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @HenryDJP Your opinion is a little off the usage of the intel Macbook. I had bought an intel Macbook Pro because of its flexibility. You can run Linux, Windows and MacOS. Apple had provided a very stable environment. The M1 simply is not as usable yet, and might never be as usable. Who is going to develop anything when these laptops do not exist anymore? Effectively, Apple has ditched/bricked the intel macbooks. Continuing to the next reply... Like 1 Jan 18, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6968141327) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @HenryDJP continuing from previous reply... This means that if you want to do what you could do with the intel Apple look elsewhere, you do not have to use Apple. There free OS options that can run on X1 Extreme, P1 Gen2, P15, P17, Spectre X360, Firefly, Fury G8, ZBook Create... the list is quiet long. In addition the 12th generation Intel processors are coming and more likely will be as fast or faster than M1. Fortunately, X1 and Spectre X360 can be a 2-1 solution, no need for iPad and a Macbook. I still love and like my Macbook; it is just cannot be a reliable solution for the future; Apple might ditch your computer as they did now. I hope you find this useful, no harm is intended. At the end is your choice... Like 1 Jan 18, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0385943517) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @VaggelisPhoto You honesty need to speak for yourself because your needs aren't everyone else's needs. And don't speak to me as if I'm new to Mac. I've been Mac-exclusive for the past 24 years. I've been to 9 Macworlds since if I live in the SF Bay Area in California. I've been through every growing pain in terms of limited software. My last MacBook Pro was the 16" Intel Core i9 with 32GB Ram. My work involves making professional videos so I'm deeply involved with Final Cut Pro X. I got tired of the usual overheating Intel processors (that now only Windows users have to deal with) so I traded mine in with Apple and bought the new 16" M1 Max with 64GB Ram and 2TB SSD. I make money with my Macs. If this machine was so limited with software I wouldn't be able to make money. I use a great deal of non-Apple software as well including Lightroom. My work is far easier now. Not sure why would any sane person install Linux on a Mac. That makes no sense. That's in a Windows world. Like 0 Jan 18, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0367413612) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) @VaggelisPhoto - Apple's record with CPU family transitions is much better than Microsoft's. Apple provided transition aids for 68K -\> PowerPC, for PowerPC -\> Intel, and now is providing them for Intel -\> Apple Silicon. Microsoft didn't provide the ability to run Win32 binaries on NT/RISC PCs. Years later, they didn't provide the ability to run off-the-shelf Wintel applications on the ARM-based Surface RT Windows tablet. Only recently have they started to build support for Wintel emulation into ARM-based versions of Windows. BTW, Mac users have followed Apple through every CPU architecture transition, including the in-progress Intel -\> Apple Silicon one. Windows users did not adopt NT/(MIPS, PowerPC, Alpha) in large enough numbers to make those RISC-based versions of Windows mainstream. Once people realized that the Surface RT could not run Wintel binaries, it sank like a stone. (As for Windows 11 for ARM, the jury is still out.) Like 1 Jan 18, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6953482398) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @HenryDJP there is no argument that there are many M1 Programs that a lot of people work with it and make a living. But there are a lot of people that used Intel Apple computers for flexibility, durability and capable to work with other OSes. If this is the use of the Mac then we are ditched from Apple. Obviously this must be a smaller market. Today is impossible, for a large number of people to use M1 and make money, maybe in the future this will change. Like 1 Jan 22, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7545937563) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @Tom\_N a kind of all the references do not matter today, this is past. Today, for many uses is impossible to use M1 because does not work with Linux or Windows binaries. Tomorrow this might change. But today M1 has many, many limitations and for many people the possibility to use for work is slim to none. There is nothing wrong with the M1 processor computers. They are not for everyone yet. This is unfortunate. Like 1 Jan 22, 2022\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1794079177) [Tom\_N](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1980066454) @VaggielisPhoto – You can run Linux in a virtual machine on an Apple-Silicon-based Mac. There are ARM distributions of Linux. Most software in the Linux world is either Free Software or Open Source, which allows just about anyone to download source code and build ARM binaries even if there are not ready-made ARM binaries on the distribution site. Like 0 Jan 22, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6058987923) [VaggelisPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6532462483) @Tom\_N Many thanks for the tip; Hopefully, by the end of the year more and more linux distributions and applications will be available. Is not just the OS, but all the needed software for a person to do a job. Many vendors, claim that their software was working with M1, but at the end they are not fully deployed or simply might not work yet. After some time the gap will narrow down and more application will run in M1 type processors. But the issue stills remains today. So still today, for many, many people Apple M1 are not useful. Like 1 Jan 23, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2865964462) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) What isn't considered in these numbers is the fact that most of the software used for the benchmarks isn't even fully optimized for Mac silicon yet. I haven't used a Mac since the 90s but that will change sometime in January 2022 when my fully spec'd MacBook Pro finally arrives and I retire a pretty high end HP workstation. There is no question that this MacBook Pro represents a major step forward in computing design. Intel's Alder Lake chips and Nvidia's next gen graphics cards may catch up in some aspects of computing power—at least temporarily—but they will not be able to match the combination of power and power efficiency that the M1 SOCs offer. I know there will be some unanticipated frustrations with the move to macOS. Apple's software hasn't advanced at the rate of the hardware, and Windows has matured into an excellent OS. Hopefully, I don't encounter anything too significant. Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6048617424) [TheTomx](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2251911596) dude, the M1 have tons of SW issues and memory leaks. Like 0 Dec 17, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7156868992) [WickedMaPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6287752949) Software gets patched. Like 0 Dec 28, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3952936198) [![Rambow]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8594851696) [Rambow](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8594851696) Great advertisement.... Uh i mean review\! Nobody paid anyone any money for this totally fair assessment of a \$4000 laptop that cannot be fixed or upgraded. "Well worth the money", like DPR says. But seriously, how much cash did they(DPR) get? If Apple paid me some money, i'd be totally be on board with these "reviews": "The very modestly priced \$4000 Macbook is by far the best laptop on the market and the best computer ever made, actually. The benchmarks don't lie. Buy yours today while stocks last, and forget about trying other machines- seriously, don't look at other machines. Only macbooks come with the totally virus safe MacOS, which is so easy to use a cimpanzee could do it(we ran tests). Get your fault free Macbook today! ". Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2122628164) [![Ellis Vener]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) [Ellis Vener](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) Thanks, Mr. Grumpy\! Are you upset because you just don't like Apple or do you find fault with any of the objectively measured benchmarks? If by "not fixable" you mean - "I can't gut it on my work bench" I'm okay with that. I get my creative kicks by making photos not rebuilding computers. After doing a lot of research, the 16" Apple M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32Gb RAM, and 1TB SSD I'm planning on buying tops out at \$3,500.00. Every working photographer and videographer I've spoken with says that will be plenty of computational power to carry me through the next five years, or in other words \$700.00 per year amortization rate. Based on what I hear from friends who use Windows-based computers they seem to need to be replaced more often than that. But it's horses for courses. You run on your track and I'll run on mine. Like 9 Dec 8, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0577385259) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) Ellis, Buy the Apple care also - it don't mount to much split up on the 3 years warranty you get. I usually do not buy Apple care for iPhones and iPads, for (my) track-record is not a single broken iPhone or iPad over the years, so I might have been lucky, but thats why I skip Apple Care for iOS devices. Computer thou, thats another animal - and here the extra cost of AppleCare is what might help stretch your computer to 5 years of use, in case something breaks within the 36 month Apple Care mark. BR Strobist. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9665587416) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) Hmmm. Rambow seems threatened by Apple's new hardware. I've decided to embrace it. It's not like these results haven't been duplicated ad nauseam on YouTube. For anyone interested in an even more in-depth look at how the new MacBook Pro models compare to each other and older Intel-based Macs, ArtIsRight (YouTube channel) offers an excellent series of tests and comparisons to help interested viewers select the best configuration for their particular needs. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9277997094) [![Ellis Vener]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) [Ellis Vener](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) @Strobist: I always get AppleCare. Better to be safe than sorry. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6513159859) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) "Not fixable" means when the SSD goes bad (and it will), you get to just throw the computer out. Apple's soldered-in RAM and SSDs are a regression. Like 2 Dec 14, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9473040753) [![Ellis Vener]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) [Ellis Vener](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) When was the last time you saw high quality RAM go bad? When was the last time you had to replace an SSD in a laptop, besides to add more capacity? I admit it is possible for those components to fail, I would be foolish not to. But I think I am a moderately heavy computer user and the only internal component I have had fail on a laptop in recent years is the battery. And if they do fail in the new MBP what will get replaced is the entire motherboard - pricey if not covered by AppleCare (or the Dell or Sony equivalent of AppleCare. The rest of the computer won’t be going into the trash. Like 2 Dec 14, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7176382214) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) I had RAM go bad in two MacBook Pros, probably 2008ish vintage. And I have a flaky SSD on hand right now. "And if they do fail in the new MBP what will get replaced is the entire motherboard... The rest of the computer won’t be going into the trash." It's sad that you and others consider this acceptable. And whether the computer goes "into the trash" (AKA onto eBay for parts) or not depends on the price of the motherboard and how old the computer is. Like 1 Dec 15, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4742124364) [4sofnature](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7928288885) All in on M1X chip and farewell to Windows laptop. Like 3 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3518364548) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) I kid you not, yesterday I spent 3 hours on a pc motherboard on a high performance rig that where not functioning properly. There is a saying that goes "Linux is only free if you don't value your time" \- I would say that the same is true for windows\! So I have admitted to myself that even that both windows and Linux can be great on their own, for \*my usercases\* I just lose time outside MacOS. Will not buy this years edition (already have to many mac mini's and older mac laptops) Will go for the 2022 iMac, if next years macbook pro refresh still don't support 256GB RAM. The future will tell, all I know for now, is that MacOS saves me from some hedaches that I get on Windows and Linux. BR Strobist Like 2 Dec 8, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5936870519) [Olyinaz](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9525780238) I have the 16" version and my unit has the malfunctioning MagSafe charging system. Will not charge. USB-C charging is fine, so I'm not dead in the water but after having this problem I have discovered online that it's common. That SUCKS Apple. I know they'll fix or replace it, but what a PITA and not what you'd expect out of a new \$2600 laptop. Like 3 Dec 6, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0291723652) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) Sad to hear that :-( After watching some youtube reviewers, it seems the new model has a slew of problems. Lets hope they fix that by software updates and warranty repairs, or I see a class lawsuit against Apple again. Why Apple, Why do you keep doing this over and over?? :-( BR Strobist Like 2 Dec 6, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7603483235) [![Rambow]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8594851696) [Rambow](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8594851696) The reviewer said these are the best laptops and totally worth the money, so you are wrong. That being said, this DPR "review" is a paid advertisment so everything they say about the machine is null. Like 1 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0614971429) [![Ellis Vener]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) [Ellis Vener](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) Although you do not specify how your MagSafe charging system is malfunctioning, if it is related to not charging when closed, the problem now appears to be resolved. <https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/07/macos-monterey-12-1-bug-fixes/> Like 2 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2701863048) [Olyinaz](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9525780238) Thanks for the comments. I will say that despite it being harder than it should be to figure out how to get ahold of Apple support by phone, I did do so and they kindly send a new power brick and MagSafe cable and that has solved the problem. As I said I knew they'd solve the issue, I'm just glad it did not involve trading for a new machine after spending a lot of time setting this one up. One thing I'd like to report: This machine runs cool! SO nice after my old Macbook Pro was like a furnace. Love it. Like 3 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6767639427) [![Ellis Vener]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) [Ellis Vener](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6899259659) How to reach Apple support (at least in the USA): 1-800- MYA-PPLE. It works every time. It also helps to have at the ready a clear description of the problem you are having. Like 3 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5458863337) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Well, this machine almost had made me regret buying a PC Laptop in March 2021 after using Apple for decades, my entire life actually. The performance for sure is a beast and the energy management of any Mac is much better than that of my HP Z-Book. But, with my PC Notebook I can add M2 SSDs later as I wish. So I bought it with the 1TB option and saved 2200\$. Now 1TB is by far not enough but I had an 2TB SSD from my old laptop that I just installed in the new machine and when I need more I can buy it for a few 100 bucks years later. The memory upgrade from 16 to 32 GB did cost me 90\$ and I still have 2 free RAM slots so I can upgrade later to 64GB for 180\$, totalling 270\$ instead of the 800\$ Apple is charging. If I need it. With Apple I don't have the luxury to see how much I actually need, I need to decide that when buying. I get the integrated chipset and soldered memory for speed. But adding 2 M2 slots for SSDs should not have been an issue. Like 7 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1507636073) [Photodog2](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1958640690) How much of a hit would it take for an external M2 SSD? Like 0 Dec 6, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5568437459) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Just not acceptable at all, it kills portability and convenience, adds stress to the workflow, is either an security risk on location or creates extra work in the file management. If I already spend 4000\$ on a Notebook it has to be a professional device and not some "stick it together with duct tape" solution, especially when the device is so limited on ports already anyway. Like 1 Dec 7, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1792040348) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) I had a spare Samsung 512GB M2 drive which I just put in a USB-C case and now using with my new M1 Air 16/512. Like 2 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1405902554) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) And if you constantly have to take that USB-C case + cable with you whenever you take your notebook to a different location that would be totally acceptable for you when buying a 4000\$ Laptop? We are not talking about some 500\$ low end "I need to save money" investment here. And it's another device using up desktop space, it's another port less, so a thunderbolt hub has to be bought and maybe carried around as well, that all is totally fine for a 4000\$ Notebook... well no it is not! Not for me at least and I dare to say not a single human being on this planet truly believes this is an advantage over having 1-2 additional M2 slots on the mainboard. Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8762598199) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) (Please delete this comment! Wrong thread haha) Like 0 Dec 9, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2993620528) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) You're certainly correct, Lauma, that your Z-Book is more configurable after the fact. But, as you acknowledge, the new MacBook Pro models will blow it out of the water in terms of computing power and efficiency. It's all a matter of tradeoffs. It sounds like you made the best ones for your use case. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3451758050) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) @tlinn One thing is for sure: they are the most energy efficient laptop on the market right now. Which is not surprising they use the latest 5nm technology while AMD ist still at 7nm with both brands having their chips produced by TSMC. With computing power it's a bit more complicated: thanks to the integrated chipset design Apple has much less lag which makes it incredible fast for some task, like loading the pictures in a RAW converter and for some this is the most important task. However when it comes to raw computing power, their CPU is still excellent but the GPU just can't keep up with a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU, Apples marketing WAY overpromised there. Yes I'm happy with my Z-Book and am confident I made the right decision there is so much I love about it, but weather it's PC or Mac, both world have their pros and cons and there also some things I really dislike about the Z-Book compared to a MacBook. It's about choosing what priorities are more important for one. Like 1 Dec 10, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2597037709) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) Limited on ports? The new MBP has plenty. They even put the HDMI port back on. Like 0 Dec 14, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4923543875) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) DaGurney Seriously? It didn't get HDMI back on but HDMI replaced one full Thunderbolt Port and HDMI is worthless for Pro usage as these Displays use DisplayPort. So there are 3 Ports for universal connectivity left and that you call plenty? In contrast my HP has: 2x Thunderbolt 2x USB 3 1x RJ45 1x mini DisplayPort 1x HDMI So after I plugged in 2 Displays and the Network connection I still have 4 free ports, the MacBook at that point has one free Port. Now there is a Keyboard, card Reader, input Device like the Loupdeck and a Tablet still to connect. Ok let's only connect one screen, still not working out for the Apple. Yes there are Thunderbolt hups which are expensive or bluetooth keyboards and mouses which again cost money. But well, I like the hardware I have and don't want to change my expensive peripherals to low quality bluetooth ones. Like 1 Dec 14, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1189171629) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) I would never recommend Bluetooth as a solution to anything. But Thunderbolt can be daisy-chained, and HDMI is very useful in an environment involving video equipment other than computer monitors (unfortunately, since everything should now be DisplayPort). I enjoy not having to use a TB-to-HDMI dongle for it. Hey, I'm not against more ports. Sadly I guess Apple has lowered my expectations so much that I'm "satisfied" with a barely-adequate collection, after their ridiculous cutbacks of late. Oh, and I just noticed that Apple repeated their idiotic blunder of putting their USB-C ports so close together that you can't plug two adapters in at once. ẈTF, leave it to Apple to make this brain-dead mistake once and then double down on it after being called out. Truly incredible. Like 0 Dec 15, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0851479544) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Hehe, don't worry about Apple putting those USB-C ports too close togeter, HP does the same. On the other hand you get 2 USB-A Ports there. I think the distance between USB-C ports is kind of an industry standard, but yes, if you need an adapter it doesn't fit, same goes for USB Sticks. I used daisy-chaining a lot when I had my FireWire 800 peripherals, even my Lexar Card-Reader could daisy-chain back then. Today I don't know of a card reader that can do that. The Problem is that a full speced Thunderbolt port is wasted on a keyboard, one on the card reader, one on the display... don't even have space for an Thunderbolt to RJ-45 adapter anymore (I know I'm a dinosaur ;) ) But yes, for Apple standards this is quite good, and honestly, if I could have added 2 M2 SSDs in this machine I'd be tempted to give it a try, max specs with 1TB storage it would cost a bit more than my HP, then again looking at the 5 cables connected to my Notebook right now and still having 2 ports free... nah :D Like 1 Dec 16, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2875497445) [WickedMaPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6287752949) @lauma I think you're not understanding the significance of apple silicon just from the fact that you mention soldered ram or having slots for SSDs. The big revolutionary design and engineering here is that the whole thing is actually one single fabbed piece of silicon. The SSD, the RAM, the CPU, it's all one piece. That's part of why it's so fast and energy efficient. There's no ram "soldered on". Like 0 Dec 28, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9623987237) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) @WickedMaPhoto I understand the advantages and disadvantages of an integrated chipset very well. It's not some magical new thing, Apple is just the only one pushing it to that level and no surprise: we see it's advantages and it's limitations. As said: i get the soldered on RAM (yes even Apple is soldering it's chips into a chipset, they don't work with magic but with good old engineering). But there is no excuse for not giving the option to have additional M2 slots, there is no need for that fast data transfer on a high capacity storage volume especially when it's slower over Thunderbolt anyway. And I guess that's exactly the problem: Apple couldn't push the IO any further, which is also the reason for the very limited number and performance of the ports. The energy efficiency also comes from the fact that it is a 5nm design, and that's mainly not Apples but TSMCs achievement. Although yes, Apple has excellent power management in it's laptops. Better than the competition. Like 1 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2239408990) [WickedMaPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6287752949) You apparently don't understand because they're not soldering anything - the M1 SoC is a single piece of silicon, with RAM, GPU, SSD etc integrated. Like 0 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2010828856) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Well, see the 2 RAM chips right next to the chip with the CPU and GPU here: <https://bgr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/apple-silicon-macbook-event-14.jpg?quality=70&strip=all&w=834> It's still a SoC even when the memory or SSD or Wifi / modem is not on the SoC but next to it with an integrated circuit. And that is exactly what Apple did. To be fair I haven't seen the M1 MAX yet so maybe they changed something there. The SSD chips however you can see on the Apple homepage soldered on the Motherboard. Again, except for the limited IO of the design there is no reason not to include M2 slots... except Apple never did that because they don't want their customers to be able to upgrade for cheap money. Like 1 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7916489687) [WickedMaPhoto](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6287752949) I mean come on dude the label for the T2 chip should be enough for you to realize this is an Intel board you're looking at. Like 1 Dec 30, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6406554735) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) True that, thank you for pointinig it out. I am not that familiar with the latest Apple models anymore and that is what google gave me. This is the M1: [https://images.anandtech.com/doci/16226/2020-11-10%2019\_08\_48.jpg](https://images.anandtech.com/doci/16226/2020-11-10%2019_08_48.jpg) And somebody even managed to replace the RAM from an M1, it is soldered: <https://twitter.com/duanrui1205/status/1378721039086067714> Although I'm sceptical as to my knowledge the T2 chip should prevent that from working, point is: you can see the RAM chips being soldered off on that very picture. Like 0 Dec 30, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3717360847) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) Awesome metrics and review! I have been using a 14 MBP M1 Max and plan to keep it for 5 or more years. The fact fans never spin up is great and a strange benefit is running iOS or iPadOS apps on it. There are some very good apps focused on editing which are not available on desktops. Anyways, Apple murdered Intel/Nvidia for creatives at least. Also, in Tech developers are saving significant amounts of money because these machines compile far faster. I was arguing with a naysayer somewhere about these machines and the cost absolutely is justified. Like 6 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4078853607) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) Agree, Apart from the outlier cases (that I stated just below) about 95% of the users will be more than happy with the new m1 mac's. Its kind of sad that intel has had such a massive chokehold on the computerworld for the last 10 years. (without AMD it would have been even worse) One good thing that will force Apple to keep deveoping the new platform is the release of the Nvidia 4000 series in 2022 - this will tip the (performance) scale in the favour of the Linux and windows machines running software that use graphic card acceleration. No matter cameras or computers, we should be very thankful that healthy competition drive companies to innovate rather than rest on their laurels. The last 10 year of intel reign, shows just how bad it is for the end users ( consumers) when one player get to dominant in the industry. For now, the M1 reigns, and we (the consumers) should be very happy that for the first time in a decade, we have actual competition in the cpu/gpu market again. Like 8 Dec 4, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0931378046) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Well the fact that the fans never spin up actually is terrible and the by far biggest flaw Apple refuses to fix. For almost 2 decades now Apple is sacrificing component life for low noise. Meaning: they allow their computers to reach beyond 100°C which causes chips and boards to wear fast. With most Mac users this is no issue as they never actually use their products computing power but for those who do that means shorter life. I lost 3 MacBooks due to that, single chips could be resoldered but when the copper lanes in the mainboard disintegrate it's game over. Yes my PC Notebook now is noisier, but it can cool away 100 watts and still stay under 85°C at the Hot Spots. It's a pitty Apple never designed good cooling solutions and has zero interest in addressing that issue. Just let the components fry and don't use the fans so people get the false impression it is better than the PC competition. Like 4 Dec 5, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8221801683) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) @lauma - You don't understand. The reason they don't spin up is because they don't need to, haha. They do spin up when needed, but I can use this laptop all day (on my lap) without it overheating for my photo processing and other needs. It runs on less power for the performance, so this all makes sense. So, it's a good thing. "they allow their computers to reach beyond 100°C which causes chips and boards to wear fast." Have any evidence of this? Even 1 site with data on this? I don't know, but I call shenanigans. When were the 3 MacBook models from? Also, given the exotic architecture of the M1 chips and shared memory, I'm not sure you can say how it works by comparing it to other designs. Like 2 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1703088400) [lawny13](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0686389977) @lauma… but you are assuming here. Did they actually state temperature figures in this review? The power draw is also an indication of less heat being created. We would have to see the temp to fan spin up figures before making any assumptions. The chassis being bigger would also help with thermal performance. We used to criticize apple a lot for sacrificing thermal performance just to get their laptops a few mm thinner. I am curious to know how warm these get on one’s lap while exporting. Like 2 Dec 8, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7100336062) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Not going to argue on that level, it's basic physics and over the decades working with Apple I've seen enough people who believe that Apple can ignore physical laws but works with magic. If you guys want to believe that fine, be happy. I know how much air volume has to be moved to cool away 30 or up to the 60 watts and I know the design limitation of cooling solutions. Like 1 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3060676182) [lawny13](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0686389977) @lauma I am not trying to ignore physics nor am I naive about apple’s track record. But unless you actually compare how one of these heats up compared to the competition all you are doing is conjecture. My iPad Pro doesn’t hit 100 degrees, it has no fans, and apple thermally throttles it. Besides. There are third party software you can install and just have the fans kick in sooner if that is what one desires. Either way you would end up with a more power efficient device which would still likely be quitters than the competition, running at hot if not cooler to boot. Credit is due where it is due. My issue with these machines is the lack of bootcamp. Unless it can be shown that you can run windows programs and games at the same speeds as running native, on these things. Like 3 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3833849684) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) There is first data: <https://youtu.be/i4CuZqXA4BM?t=610> 90°C is way to hot. Yes I used manual fan control with my MacBooks but first the device should cool itself to a temperature at which it doesn't damage the hardware without manual user intervention because most users do not know second at 6000rpm which is the max the coolers manage, loud as a jet engine, they still hit 101°C at a power draw of 70 Watts on the power outlet. As you can see Apple still uses the same cooling solution and these devices are supposed to consume up to 60 watts. Either they are loud as a jet or overheating - and per default they do overheat. The Macs are definitely quieter for idyle tasks like typing, e-mails and that I do miss. But under load the HP Z-Book is so much more quite while still maintaining a healthy temperature while drawing significantly more power than the Apple. So obviously the HP cooling solution is way ahead of Apple. Like 3 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4408088210) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) I entirely doubt that your analysis is right on the temperatures. Apple is pretty good track record wise. But, enjoy your HP Z-book. I'll trust Apple's engineers over a YouTube channel and your conjectures. :) Time will tell, but I'm confident this laptop, with a far higher efficiency for performance to power and a company which owned designing and engineering of everything including the SoC and hardware design. If reports come out saying their computers are dying due to the fan not spinning up enough or thermal issues, then I'll admit I'm wrong. Your conclusions are iffy at best about why "it's bad that fans don't spin up". Like 2 Dec 8, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6975344448) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) As I said, you are allowed to believe whatever you want and I will not argue against your religious believes as they seem to make you happy, so enjoy :) You might find better chat partners in Mac forums tough. Like 1 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8177954785) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) I highly doubt you lost 3 laptops due to the fan. You still didn’t answer what years and models they were from. Anywho, enjoy your HP laptop and photography\! Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6430747400) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) Here’s a very detailed review of the chips and laptops. No one echoes your YouTube link or fan and temp concerns. <https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performance-review> Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7413317870) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) I'll gladly answer your questions: I didn't lose any laptops because of the fan, that worked perfectly fine. The fan itself is actually of very good quality. I lost a 2006, 2012 and 2017 model always 15" top configuration. Youtube is a platform where anybody, including dpreview and AnandTech, can and do upload videos to. Just like the Internet is a technology where anybody can host a homepage. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1000970812) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) I've been critical of lauma regarding other posts but, in fairness, tests do seem to show that Apple allows their CPUs to run warmer than a typical Windows laptop. Don't know the rationale behind this. It wouldn't shock me if Apple made a decision that a quieter laptop with a shorter lifespan is preferable to the alternative. That said, it does seem that Apple has come up with a better thermal design than what they used in older MacBooks, and included an SoC that runs cooler than previous Intel-based chips. Hopefully, Apple knows what they're doing. I'm betting \$6K on it. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1830658587) [Jonas Palm](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7901487730) Whether the life span of the machine is effectively affected by the internal temperature is impossible to say at this point in time for anyone outside Apple engineering. I strongly doubt that SoC failure due to temperature related aging will be a problem. We don’t even know the specifics of how those readings are taken on the SoC, so comparisons between manufacturers or even SoCs/CPUs from the same manufacturer is impossible. It’s nothing an end user needs to care about, they should only care if there is a significant CHANGE in temperatures, indicating clogged or defective fans. Like 0 Dec 10, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7768798437) [lawny13](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0686389977) When it comes to the argument about life span… I think it is a little funny. I have had 3 macbooks over the years, two of which I gifted to relatives or friends. My partner has a MacBook Air. Except for my latest one (2016) all of them are 7+ years and still running. The 2 I owned previously were used pretty hard since I am in to gaming, editing, and running computationally heavy stuff like FEM. I am not saying that heat can’t decrease the life if you machine, but in my book anything that will go for 8 years + has pretty much reached its expected life expectancy or exceeded it. As software and OSes tend to get more demanding over time most of the time you won’t want an 8 year old + machine unless you basically just do the base browsing and emailing tasks anyway. I personally do prefer a machine that runs more on the cool side, cause in the summer it is definitely more comfortabele. Like 2 Dec 11, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4130503582) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) WARNING\! For any of you that are using software that are heavy on the RAM side, the dinky 64GB maxed out ram on Apples so called macbook "pro" model, is not even close to get the job done. I.e for composing, the Vienna virtual sample library \*alone\* (nothing else active) clocks in just north of 140GB in active state (not purged/frozen). There are still great alternatives from Apple for these types of tasks, the iMac can be configured with 256GB memory, and this is sufficient for performance productions. I honestly feel that limiting storage at 64GB is both way and far to little in the year 2021 for a "pro" model. And for you that say "just use diskswap", clearly you have never worked with virtual instruments. Probably the 2022 version of Macbook pro vill adress this glaring major flaw, and be able to be configured with 256/512GB of Ram, making it a \*real\* pro 2022 model. BR Strobist. Like 2 Dec 4, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4274494240) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) I honestly feel that limiting \*RAM\* at 64GB is both way and far to little in the year 2021 for a "pro" model. Typo-error, sorry for that. BR Strobist Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4361608535) [RobertoAvanzi](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2457317027) Where can you find a laptop with 128, 256, or 512GB of \*RAM\* ? Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1375127250) [![Strobist]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) [Strobist](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6334754664) Roberto, <https://www.reinisfischer.com/top-10-laptops-128gb-ram-mobile-workstations> You'r welcome :-) BR Strobist Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2811751765) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) Actually up to 128GB RAM is the standard with professional workstation Notebooks almost every brand is offering models. Like 2 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1724976051) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) Strobist - Do you have any data to back your claim? I'm pretty sure the RAM will be fine lol. Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6122120619) [![TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) [TheBestCameraIsTheOneYouActuallyShoot](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0996090351) Also @Strobist The M1 pro and max actually are unmatched in performance for power: <https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performance-review> Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5639074109) [SCC322](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8166210235) Surely Apple never took into account how much RAM "pro" users would need. After all, it's not like they have any sales data or customer feedback from "pro" users. Since they've obviously missed the boat, perhaps you should reach out to them and offer your consulting services? Like 3 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2137982478) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) @SCC322 yes, that is exactly what Apple did in the past decade: completely ignoring the demands of the Pro market. To understand this one has to look at the story behind the success of Apple: as a brand for Pros while they had almost a monopoly on video cutting, movie production and audio, were the brand for graphic works they barely survived. The success came with the iPod who laid the foundation for the iPhone that skyrocketed Apple into what it is today. But the company didn't have the resources to provide for both: Pro and Consumer market, developers don't grow on trees. So Apple focused 100% on the big bucks bringing consumer market and left the Pros to die. But they needed the image of being a Pro brand for their marketing that's why they keep that image up to this day although there is nothing Pro about Apple anymore. Well some Pros buy their stuff and some even are happy with it but their core market are consumers and all their products are 100% developed for & aimed at those. Like 2 Dec 10, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4892999766) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) Apple has been stingy/pricey with RAM as long as I can remember, even in the older iMacs. The "Pro" with Apple isn't about RAM for a lot of pro users rather the whole system + Apple products, software and OS. What a lot of the professional Apple user demographic deems important isn't what a lot of you may deem important. The MacBook Pro is definitely a pro platform to me, though I concede that when it comes to processing power, traditionally one could get more for less with another brand. However for those choosing to rely on Apple's software, OS, etc., in a professionally critical way - to them, Apple easily fits the requirement over other systems for their professional endeavor. No different why some will choose Canon over Nikon, etc., for many, one company offers at least one decisive professional advantage over the other. Like 0 Dec 31, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2832579116) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) I have been using Macs since 1989, I think I pretty well know how Apple works. What has changed is that back then Apple pushed for Pros, it was their main income. Now consumers are their main income and all their hardware is 100% consumer oriented. Now for some Pros it's still the best choice because of the OS and they are so used to it. But even the OS gets pushed more and more to be consumer only and many pro features only exist because they were there a decade ago already and since then got more and more disabled. Both systems are bad and completely ignoring the need of the end user: While Windows is a horribly overengineered system forcing the user into counter-intuitive micro management. macOS is a inflexible design focused system that puts priority on the needs of Apples own marketing department striking the user with a never seen inflexibility and limitations. Like 0 Jan 1, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3280553808) [![Teila Day]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) [Teila Day](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3922200638) "I have been using Macs since 1989, I think I pretty well know how Apple works." Debatable, but we all have our opinions. From where I sit as an Apple user/owner (before "Mac") and PC user, Apple beyond several decent pieces of business oriented software, didn't remotely compete or seriously stick its foot in the business sphere. Until the Mac, apple was a mess but I loved the Apple III (the Commodore Amiga even more years later). Main income? No kidding - because practically every computer sold or used back then wasn't for typical home use/enjoyment because for most people there were just too expensive. The computer + peripherals could run you the price of a GFX100S today, back in 1983. Several years later, a 1200baud Hayes model costs what... \$700 USD? obviously typical families weren't buying computers then. Apple captured the 'tween' market. The same market it has today. families/persons who can afford apple and "the arts" pros. Like 0 Jan 4, 2022[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3271297056) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) For DxO PhotoLab 5 Elite users, it's worth noting that the heaviest lift - batch exporting with DeepPRIME noise reduction applied - leverages the M1's 16-core Neural Engine rather than the CPU or GPU, cranking out 42MP JPEGs from a7RIII RAWs in 10 seconds each, which is 3x-4x faster than PhotoLab 4. Interestingly, the M1 Pro and Max have essentially the same 16-core Neural Engine, and the M1 Pro's 16-core GPU just keeps pace with it if you select GPU for DeepPRIME processing in PhotoLab's preferences. Even the M1 Max' 32-core GPU is reportedly faster by less than 100%. This makes the base M1 a fantastic bargain for PhotoLab users. I use a \$1099 M1 Mac mini to batch export 300-600 event images at a time, and what used to be an overnight process is now a dinnertime process, letting me deliver to my clients 12 hours earlier. Like 12 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5392038585) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) That's great to know! I just have my new M1 Air delivered 16/512, which has same chipset as Mac MIni M1 and it is great to know that Neural Engine is so good. Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7704308618) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) Excellent insights. Hopefully, DxO continues to optimize all aspects of PhotoLab and their other software for Mac silicon. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0343630384) [Discombobulated](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1932401026) I spent 1/3 of the cost to buy a G15/3080. The only thing missing is the thunderbolt but software compatibility is more than 3 folds. The savings I can do many upgrades and still have a ton of changes. Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3134053357) [DaGurney](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9579948959) Enjoy dealing with the steaming pile of excrement that Windows has become. Like 2 Dec 16, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1599648748) [ozuidema](https://www.dpreview.com/members/4896936600) I bought the 16" version at release and I can confirm everything said here. This laptop is a beast, setting the standards for everything else. Blazingly fast, super screen, super speakers, super stable, great battery life, MagSafe, lots of ports (finally!), quiet as a mouse. The only thing that crashes sometimes are Office programs - of course... Like 12 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9836870097) [Phily](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1121314435) Not a pro photographer or videographer and so my 1 year old 16" i9 MBP is fast enough and stable too. Like 0 Dec 7, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3076858130) [![h2videoNL]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6478435433) [h2videoNL](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6478435433) Good article and review. Ordered my 16 inch m1max 32gb 1 Tb one our after launch and when it arrived I did some tests. One important test was to run a standard off the shelf motion vfx template animation with a duration of 30 seconds and render it to a masterfile at 4k50p. This took 35 minutes on my intel 2019 macbook and only 8 minutes on the m1max. These animation renders depend heavily on the gpu: at 80-90% with cpu almost nothing. So it benetifs from the complete new infrastructure. Saving time on animation renders leave more time to improve on details. And that’s why I need speed. Like 6 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8209232110) [adengappasami](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2926136214) Jeez. How are people defending a pc against this performance. I hate mac but for video editing and rendering I cannot see beyond this machine and I after 2005 powerbook want to move to a Mac for the first time in 16 years. Like 12 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5812476647) [kociasek](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1179186009) If you don't need to edit those videos in the field, just buy a well-specced PC desktop. You will get similar performance for half the money. Like 4 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6511763957) [photography-lover](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0252743656) True. And if you don’t to fly a car will work just as well as an helicopter most of the time and be thousands of times cheaper. Like 9 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1394781542) [Banderras](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7047870307) @kociasek not with the current gpu prices you can't. Like 6 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4143909721) [![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) [The Point and Shoot Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) @banderras, Yes you can. Just buy a pre built with video card included. Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9642741637) [Suntan](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0068859469) I don't think "defending" is the right word. Just making different choices. I like to hobby in photography and video editing, but I also like to play video games, so this laptop is a non-starter for me. Also, I don't need to edit everything "in the field" (read: a coffee shop) so battery performance isn't that important to me. And if it takes an extra minute or two to finish rendering, that's a tradeoff I'm fine making to save \$2+k. Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2945433211) [![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) [The Point and Shoot Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) @suntan, You won't be waiting any extra time with a current i7 based notebook either. The only benefit of the Mjesus chip is battery life and thats over exaggerated by the marketing. The M chips get maybe 30 min extra against an current gen intel as well. Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6166877637) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) @kociasek You're not paying attention if you think that a well-spec'd desktop can keep up with these new MacBook Pros for less money. Like 1 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1158954770) [![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) [The Point and Shoot Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) You are blind if you think they can. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6296979975) [lauma](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2374995855) "How are people defending a pc against this performance" Oh that is very easy: by looking at benchmarks. The M1 Chips have their clear advantages, but so do the AMD it depends on what you need. When it comes to GPU however there is nothing Apple has to compete at the moment, they get eaten alive by the current top NVIDIA or AMD GPUs. When a Desktop is an option it always wins there is just no way that a notebook can deliver equal performance. Even the best mobile cooling systems reach their limit at 100-130 watts. With a Desktop you can go up to a 1000 watts and still get it cooled. Apple isn't 20-30 years ahead of the competition to compensate the thermal advantage a desktop has. Unless of course we are talking about latency and latency only, there the M1 always wins simply because it is a integrated chipset. Like 2 Dec 11, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5817874850) [photography-lover](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0252743656) Since when is it relevant to compare desktop performance to laptop performance? Like 1 Dec 11, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4317510849) [![The Point and Shoot Pro]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) [The Point and Shoot Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1963032948) @lauma. No good trying to use logic and facts when it comes to an apple fan. You can post all the concrete data and tests you want, they will scream, but M1. Like 0 Dec 11, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4940592299) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) @Suntan "I don't think "defending" is the right word..." You're right. Shilling is more the proper term for all these salty Windows fanboys defending crappy Windows machines when they know nothing beats the M1 Apple system. Sorry if the truth hurts to hear. Like 0 Dec 27, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4812830393) [Suntan](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0068859469) @Henry - I hope you have more in your life than defending the honor of consumer electronics devices. Like 0 Dec 29, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0363634932) [junk1](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7543202114) I'd be VERY tempted to get an apple laptop due to the speed, screen quality, and fair pricing if apple stopped tying my hands. And can they be upgraded - add more RAM? Another likely issue will be less 3rd party compatible hardware & software. Want to convert old analog and DV (FireWire interface I believe) so need devices to do so... I've never liked Apple's tendency to the hands of owners. Loathed each time my kids wanted me to load music onto iPods via iTunes. Had to do it manually - why would I want the auto option which would download all of my music onto my kids devices? Very hidden screwball GUI for manually doing it, and they changed it, so my old notes no longer worked. In 2019 I bought an iPad instead of a Windows laptop and for drone usage because they worked better than Android. So annoying to lack windows (and DOS and unix) simple clear file structure. To find a file, name a file (or see filenames) and folders is crazy difficult. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1746944504) [Richmondthefish](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8309722092) "And can they be upgraded - add more RAM?" Add RAM in this ARM system on chip design? No. Either have to pony up \$400 for 64GB or sell your 32GB machine quicker. There are pros and cons of the ecosystem so you need to decide if pros outweigh the cons. One Pro is you can actually sell your Macbook for a decent chunk of change in the future. Obviously many cons as well but I wouldn't let the RAM upgrade factor be your reason for getting into the ecosystem. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7799428909) [![jaberg]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6843681516) [jaberg](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6843681516) The hierarchal file structure of Mac OS \*is\* UNIX — and every bit as “clear” as that of DOS/Windows. Like 7 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7920132967) [monashee](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9855630061) @jaberg: I think OP is referring to their iPad when they mentioned the file system. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3213330778) [![jaberg]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6843681516) [jaberg](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6843681516) @monashee: You’re right. I missed the change in focus of the rant. Like 5 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2741960457) [![tlinn]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) [tlinn](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6549390123) @junk1 As Richmondthefish points out, the SoC-design that plays such an integral role in the high performance of these laptops precludes adding additional RAM after the fact. It's a trade off. Incidentally, the best way to deal with your iTunes situation is to create a playlist(s) with all the music you want on each device and auto-sync that. It's far easier than managing things manually. And, yes, iOS's file system is frustrating in its limitations compared to a true desktop OS. The only good thing I can say is that it is better than no file system, which is what was available until a few years ago. Like 2 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5564247655) [junk1](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7543202114) The 2020 M1 laptop with 8gb is a bargain on sale if 8gb is enough. The mini6 is impressive too - watched a video in which it exported a video 90-95% as fast as a M1 tablet or laptop. I could use mini6 with my drone and use as a desktop - connect to external display via Display Port. Like 0 Dec 13, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6598723825) [Greg Ohio](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3496366359) The bang-for-your-buck option is the M1 MacBook Air. Try getting a display like that on a budget Windows machine. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7641442863) [junk1](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7543202114) There's a \$650 OLED laptop listed on techbargains. Probably i5 cpu. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8402515755) [Digital Icnivad](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6309973984) But how well does it perform running Hello Kitty Island Adventure?! The gaming world would like to know 😋 Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0453637466) [LoSPt1](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5155806041) Hey DPReview, I have one question: Did you guys enable CUDA acceleration for these comparisons where possible? Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7063917762) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) not possible Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6045084073) (unknown member) So after a 10 year absence they brought back the sd card slot. All the fruit company apologists are jumping for joy... Like 2 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1488418762) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) i am a mac user and I am not jumping. I don't use those cards. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8206533837) [Cupotea](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3807170765) Yep. All about the SD Card. The fact it brings huge performance increases whilst lowering power usage is totally irrelevant. I'm not an Apple fan but it's enough to get me to move away from a life of Windows usage even when my profession has been MS based for the last 23 years. Don't like it? Don't buy it. It's really that simple. Like 10 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9413465353) [photography-lover](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0252743656) It's a convenience that I am pleased about, although most of my cameras use CFExpress B cards that are much faster. But this is really a minor reason among many others to be impressed by these machines. In fact there are very few things not to like about these. The only people unhappy/in denial are those disliking Apple or stuck in the Windows environment because of some speciality software not available for OSX. We see the same among camera owners. Where some Canon shooters are unhappy about the Z9 because they are not able to use their existing lenses on it. I do understand the frustration. Like 2 Dec 3, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5762330353) [![Stanchung]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) [Stanchung](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) SD card slot is great! Although I wish it was UHS III. For the times you need to do a dirty transfer in the field and you're too lazy to pull out the 10X dongle. Feels like a luxury that has been reinstated\! Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5343204719) (unknown member) @OP - I think people are "jumping for joy" due to the amazing performance across the board combined with small size and best in class battery life. Like 8 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8579786418) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) I couldn't care less about the SD slot, as I travel with a tiny \$25 hub that provides 3x USB3.1 Gen 2 ports, a UHS-II SD slot, Power Delivery, and an HDMI port. And, for my M1 Mac mini, I have two dual-slot SD readers that let me download from four cards at once. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6409005587) (unknown member) Fantastic hardware but I absolutely hate MacOS. I can't stomach it. Just connecting a new external hdd is a headache as it's not plug and play. And the UI makes no sense to someone coming from Windows. I have an M1 iPad though. I like it a lot. Just not MacOS. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4032755374) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) it is plug and play. And Windows UI was stolen from Macs and Microsoft had to settle the issue out of the court by investing in Apple undisclosed sum in 1995. So it makes perfect sense. Like 8 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5184051218) [![pwilly]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3564193171) [pwilly](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3564193171) @Stonejack You are not correct. Jobs and Woz stole the GUI from PARC. Microsoft produced the logbook showing how they created LISA from STAR. The suit was dismissed. Microsoft was concerned with anti-trust and convinced a Canadian bank to loan Apple \$200 Million because if Apple went belly up Microsoft would probably have been broken up. M\$ basically cosigned a \$200m loan. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2038296962) [aruky](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6527911426) They did not steal it. Jobs had a understanding with Xerox that for a purchase of Apple stock at preferred price he would get a tour of PARC. So it was quid pro quo. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3647613757) [Daniel Bliss](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8385707334) It is plug-and-play, though still pushes back aggressively against disconnecting an SSD even. So you're wrong there. But the UI point is well taken. While it's logical enough in apps -- the typography is far nicer and more legible, the desktop is more configurable and I think you'll soon come to appreciate the fixed menu bar, for example, now that they deal properly with multiple monitor support -- the Finder and the Dock and what they do to everything from application window selection to window resizing are terrible, long standing blots that spoil an otherwise strong user experience, and I say that as a 30 year Mac user. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1609600590) [photography-lover](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0252743656) Window resizing is identical on OSX as it in Windows isn’t? Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4442238185) [beag](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7596190000) Apple may have gotten inspiration from Xerox, but they created and delivered a fully realized vision that defined what is meant by UI. Windows users hate Mac just like Mac users hate Windows. I have always suspected that this is due to a deliberate intention by Microsoft to make Windows as different as possible from Macintosh to avoid patent and copyright infringement. Apple spent the next two decades giving us things we didn't even know we needed. Then they spent almost as long taking away things we know we need. Maybe after this sd card slot, they will restore the vertical scroll bar, the Save As command, and support for legacy video formats. They might add a Finder app to ios and put a micro-sd card slot in every iPhone. Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3935718875) [![Stanchung]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) [Stanchung](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) @beag yeah. I really do hate the Windows UI, saying as one that has used both for 30 years. I like the fact I don't have to attend to every HD is plug in, it just appears on the desktop. The only niggling thing is you have to get something like Tuxera NTFS to edit/read NTFS HDDs. Most people who hate Mac usually don't know or haven't discovered how to configure finder and mission control. Once you discovered that, it would save you at least one or two clicks to do anything. (i still hate that the menus auto flip up) Like 0 Dec 3, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8948828100) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) Not plug & play??? What are you doing? Using string instead of a cable? As for hating OSes, last time I had to use Windows 10, I slapped my forehead every time I had to go to the Start menu to...shut it down. Also, the non-anti-aliased text looked like something from the Galaga era. Bleah. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1817620349) [Terrano](https://www.dpreview.com/members/4930580421) Yep and people used to Mac abhor working with PC's Like 0 Dec 6, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6904302027) (unknown member) Connected my external HDD to gfs Mac, didn't work. Had to do some tricks to get it to show. Works fine on my Windows PC. In fact I have 6-7 external HDDs connected to my stationary pc (and 4 internal) and they all work like a clock. Can't say that for a Mac. Maybe she has some weird security activated, but as it was her private laptop and she was quite clueless herself, I don't understand how that can be the case. So no thanks, I'll pass on Macs. In my experience it's trash. Like 0 Dec 6, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0764661945) [StoneJack](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3207916095) I think your hard drive is trash, to be honest. Like 1 Dec 6, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6501747457) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) Nebell, You know there are various formats, right? Try connecting an HFS+ or APFS-formatted drive to your Windows PC and you'll find the latter "trash". Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1717500268) (unknown member) Nah I have all from 60gb to 12tb drives. Mechanical HDDs, regular SSDs, m.2 SSDs that have transfer rate at above 7gb/s. Fanboys will always be fanboys. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7416356064) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) That's not what I mean by "formats". The fact that you don't understand this indicates why you have such difficulties. Like 1 Dec 10, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0272107619) [DeathArrow](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5530992056) For half the price of the Mac you can build an Alder Lake desktop with greater performance. Unless you absolutely have to use a laptop, that is the best way to do it. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2608887135) [Francis85](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2614215841) Good luck doing just that for half the price... Plus this is a laptop with the performance of a high end desktop. Like 15 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5763723304) [LoSPt1](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5155806041) @DeathArrow, if you greatly compromise the display quality (which is crucial for photo/video editing) then you can probably built an Alder Lake powered desktop at half the price. But you WON'T necessarily get greater performance out of it, especially when using the apps DPReview did in this review. Like 4 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2671569614) [Tom\_A](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7584512935) Why is that relevant in the least? This is a laptop and that’s it. Not a desktop that will literally consume 7 times more energy. Let’s see when an m1 max variant becomes part of desktops in a few months. Like 4 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6874721116) [McArchive](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5604245370) For \$17\* you can get a can of Billy Beer, already made. \*Shipping and handling charges not included; offer void where prohibited Like 4 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7637131585) [Richmondthefish](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8309722092) For half the price of the pickup you can buy a compact car with greater speed. Unless you absolutely have to use a pickup, that is the best way to do it. Like 6 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4888155862) [Banderras](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7047870307) Desktops used to be cheaper for same performance. Not anymore with the current 3-4x inflation of the GPU prices. And gpus make the largest difference between pc desktops and laptops. Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7968613316) [![Stanchung]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) [Stanchung](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) I don't think you can get anything close as a package as others have pointed out. You also have to add in the cost of a monitor. Like 0 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8596896573) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) Show me a \$699 Wintel box that can export a 42MP JPEG from an a7RIII RAW using DxO PhotoLab 5 Elite and applying DeepPRIME noise reduction in just 10 seconds. An M1 Mac mini can do this, thanks to the 16-core Neural Engine. Like 3 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9964311538) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) Yep and your fans will blow. That laptop will get hot. Battery won't last 5 minutes. You won't explode by giving Apple the applause they deserve for this new M1 series of laptops. Like 0 Dec 27, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4599615433) [tjbates](https://www.dpreview.com/members/6676924766) All I want to know- will it smoothly play 4K GoPro files straight off the sd card? Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0308379567) [waldoh](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9246198308) As long as the SD card transfer speed doesn’t cause an issue with playback, but why would you play directly off the sd card? Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6470632383) [Terrano](https://www.dpreview.com/members/4930580421) A friend was telling me even the M1 Macbook Air plays those 4K Gopro files perfectly Like 0 Dec 6, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5248230330) (unknown member) Oh and PPS: I am currently in Taiwan, and a 16" M1 Max with 64GB and 4TB is £3950, compared with £4700 in the UK. Granted, no stock here right now, but still. If you want one of these it might be worth shopping around internationally to avoid tax (especially if you live in the UK). Even the base model 14" M1 Pro is about £230 cheaper here. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0160805920) [![Yidahoo]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9888108353) [Yidahoo](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9888108353) You would still have to pay the tax when the product is shipped. Customs will not clear it for delivery until tax and VAT are paid on it. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4082270631) (unknown member) I meant if people are visiting other countries in the near future, not to have the machines shipped from elsewhere. Just to put it in perspective: You could fly to somewhere like Taiwan from the UK (return for about £500), get the £750 saving, and still have change left over. Exact same spec apart from two buttons on the keyboard. Only giving people options and ideas for how to save a large amount of cash. UK prices for Macs are insane. Like 4 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4272050891) [![Yidahoo]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9888108353) [Yidahoo](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9888108353) Honestly does not make sense to me. Yes £500 airfare, BUT, factor in Covid tests and quarantines, certainly to return to the UK, then jet lag, you are not going to get off the plane, buy the laptop, then get on the plane, you will need a hotel for a night or two. Then add in food and local travel costs the £750 saving is gone. Plus you return to the UK double jet lagged and unless you have removed the laptop from it's box and used it, still at risk of getting done by customs. Then there is the matter of the guarantee, will Apple repair a Taiwan bought Macbook in the UK? The only way this works is if you have to be in Taiwan on a different matter. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0577830816) [![Stanchung]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) [Stanchung](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) Good if you're on holiday to Taiwan / Hong Kong or even Singapore. Like 1 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4242886235) (unknown member) Yep. Anyway, these are obviously massively expensive, so saving £250-750 is not bad at all. Like 0 Dec 7, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0953550103) (unknown member) Also obviously these are very impressive new machines, but why on earth would you compare the 64GB version with 32GB RAM laptops? If this is a serious comparison that makes no sense. Any serious Windows laptop can be upgraded to 64GB RAM, so why not do it for these comparisons to make them more fair? The prices would still be well under the 64GB Max. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2331220121) [miketala](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5497496648) It’s probably just what they had. And the differences are likely nonexistent. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7677114579) [Richmondthefish](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8309722092) What tests did the 32GB RAM impact the results in Windows? Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6549423179) [RanchoMike](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7116287673) Right off the top of my head, the Lightroom exports. The review even called this out. I too wonder how it would change with like/like memory configurations. "Once we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role..." Like 0 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9429342246) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) @RanchoMike The quoted comment probably refers to the extreme SPEED of the M1's unified memory, not the quantity. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7242609869) (unknown member) The Dock gap though. Still burns my eyes every day. I am fine with the Notch but the Dock gap needs to be fixed. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9948253625) (unknown member) I have nothing at all against Apple, but I am more or less forced to use Windows because a lot of specialised software I use for work won't run on Apple, even if I install a Windows VM. This performance upgrade is very welcome, but seems largely due to it's well architected use of an ARM processor, which has pros and cons. For Photoshop and Premiere, it's clearly a bonus. For gaming and some other apps, not so much. But Windows 11 will support ARM 64 bit, which should make apps port fairly seamlessly. Once MS fix the many serious bugs in W11 and vendors start producing ARM laptops. Seems we are about to enter an ARM race... Sorry ;-) Like 4 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0219993896) (unknown member) Other apps also benefit. Gaming also benefits - it’s not inherent to the arm architecture. If developers don’t port the games to it that’s a consideration but for reference I can run word of Warcraft which is m1 in the later expansions with near all top settings near 4K at 60fps Like 3 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5886457981) (unknown member) @Raist3d Sure, but most games are more dependent on the GPU, not the CPU. I have seen several tests with Intel and AMD gaming PCs scoring higher benchmarks than M1, but we are still talking about good performance in both cases. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1670360658) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) No, because these are not ARM processors. They don't even have discreet processors. The CPU, RAM, GPU, and other items are all on one die. And that is what makes these SOCs so good. Apple licenses the ARM instruction set. They do not use ARM processors. It also seems NVIDIA is planning to do the same thing because this is apparently the future of computing for more companies than just Apple. The question is, can they pull it off? Apple started hiring the best engineers in the field back in 2007 once they decided to mark their own silicon and not buy it from others. Other companies are following Apple and NVIDIA as well. As for gaming, M1 Max and Pro are in no way not good for gaming. And it looks like some developers are already converting their games to Apple's Metal to compete with Microsoft's similar tech that has a strangle hold on game developers for decades. The next decade should be very interesting. Like 2 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9228998039) (unknown member) @ewelch Any processor based on arm architecture is by definition an arm chip, just like any chip based on x86 architecture is an x86 chip. Intel and AMD both make x86 chips. Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, Nvidea and others make arm chips. And putting GPU and CPU on the same die is not unusual, but the GPU does not currently match the top end discrete mobile GPUs. The CPU is however very efficient with high memory bandwidth which is why it runs CPU intensive jobs, like video rendering, very fast at low power. Like 6 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3059009333) (unknown member) @57 "Sure, but most games are more dependent on the GPU, not the CPU. " Yes, but my point is that the included GPU is very good. There's two reasons why we are not seeing better perf. across the boards from games 1\) They running emulated x86- this includes the often quoted Shadow of the Tomb Raider 2\) Games ported from PC aren't really optimized for Mac 3\) On top of that, much less optimized for the M1 GPU tiled architecture- which has new optimizations over classic powerVR- including as I mentioned ability to pass results of a compute or other type of shader to another shader using tiled memory without having to incur in a DRAM performance penalty. Note that World Of Warcraft does run M1 native. This is why in GPU assisted apps we see a big perf improvement (DXO PhotoLab deepPrime when not using the ANE for example) or Capture One, but we don't see the same perf increase in games across the board. Like 6 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4613620878) (unknown member) @57 - basically meaning that the GPU is actually pretty powerful, though bottom line I will agree it would be of a consideration for a pro gamer. This may change more (slowly) as more Macs are sold, which they are selling now in record numbers. But basically, the hardware is ready to go for them. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4426801830) (unknown member) @57 - the GPU is giving Nvidia 3060 class to 3080 class performance (on the M1 Max) on some hardware acceleration and GPU benchmarks. So it is indeed matching some (not all) discrete mobile class GPU's. My point being- it's a pretty decent GPU, with the advantage of full 64GB ram accessibility and unified memory with the CPU. And once again, there's the internal embedded tile cache ram which can re-use shaders with results - something a lot of GPU's out there don't do today. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1767654490) [Nikonbilly53](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8236421038) Bang on 57even. Somewhere apple software has to catch up. I’m a web developer and can’t afford Adobe. I’d like to think I’m a regular Joe Six pack consumer. I photograph all images for 3 non profits and build their websites. I have the Affinity package, but sadly lack a good web development program. Sometimes I even shoot jpeg for my windows machine. For the cost of this laptop I could get air conditioning in my home. Way out of range for the average consumer. As they say, nice to look at. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7557592057) (unknown member) @Nikon- you get what you pay for. You can still get a Mac mini M1 which is quite fast anyway for much cheaper. Or a MacBook Air. Like 0 Dec 9, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1607247685) [nunatak](https://www.dpreview.com/members/4705636321) To me, the most interesting part came after the author's blind homage to Apple's press release, and after wiping away all the superlative drool from the described performance improvements to the Adobe Suite and FCP. My own (paid for out of pocket) specimen arrived a couple of weeks ago. while not the finely tuned souped up 'prop' Apple gifted the team @ DPreview, it's still probably the most significant performance enhancement to any MacBook I've seen since 2015, and in my case has already improved my overall workflow dramatically. Kudos to Apple for getting it right — but not so sure about all the contrived "what we didn't like". no UHS-III? really — why not whine about no CFexpress? JMO & YMMV. Like 6 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7972994747) [![higheronymous]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3081970172) [higheronymous](https://www.dpreview.com/members/3081970172) For that amount of money, I'd expect the latest and greatest technology across the board. This machine can never be upgraded though so the thought process is probably that as soon as the owner is "done with it", they'll sell it on eBay and buy a new one that has UHS-III. Like 3 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7364335045) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) Yeah, higheronymous, a buyer of these devices do indeed have to know what they want to get, because you don't add RAM to these machines. And you know what? Nothing wrong with that. Anyone who is going to buy such a computer pretty much is savvy enough to know how much to get in the first place. Like 0 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4925791695) [miketala](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5497496648) These are pretty minor quibbles. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5208154435) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) @higheronymous Those funny little holes on the side of the laptop can be used to plug in doohickeys such as UHS-III card readers. Also, if you really need to download that much data that fast, what on earth are you doing relying on a single slot? Most folks with that need will have several cards to download, in which case a pair of dual-slot UHS-II readers makes a much better solution than feeding several cards, one after another, into a single UHS-III slot. Like 2 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3768101217) [![Jagganatha]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) [Jagganatha](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) It is a good time to hope that the identical technology tested in the review will shortly become available in a Mac Mini, and an iMac. A possibly pocketable Mac Mini you can take everywhere with you and plug into anything to work on certainly will attract people unlikely to need another Macbook Pro. Like 1 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3356367751) [Sardonic G](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9135439521) I'm still wrestling with the quirks the MacAirbook M1 vs Windows. Seems that the Mac OS is less flexible at times, but as I said, I'm still getting used to it Like 0 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4431426161) [![vett93]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) [vett93](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) I wonder why picking lower spec Windows laptops to compete against the max version of Mac laptop? Wouldn't it be more interesting if these Windows laptops have 64GB RAM as well? For XPS 17, picking an i7 processor instead of i9 is even more questionable. Comparing import/export times is probably the easiest thing to do. But I am not sure that I would wait for these tasks in my work flow. In other words, this type of comparison is easy but not useful. If the "reviewer" can spend time understanding the bottleneck in the real-time workflow and use it as the benchmark metric, it would be much more useful. Like 1 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8252748481) [Francis85](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2614215841) There are plenty of reviews on Youtube that confirm the power of these MacBook Pro's and that are actually set 1 to 1 with higher tier Windows laptops as in memory and to NVIDIA RTX 3080. They all got beaten with ease too by this Apple silicon. Intel and AMD just look years behind when compared. Even when compared to laptops in the same price range there is currently no match. Like 13 Dec 1, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4723741200) [![vett93]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) [vett93](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) These "reviewers" tend to hype latest products up by matching some important details (e.g., RAM size, PCIe Gen 3 vs 4 SSD, etc.) Gen 4 SSD is only about 1 year old. New computers with Gen 4 SSDs will be faster in IO tests, as compared to computer designs prior. Have you ever seen them commenting on this? What is the point of doing import/export tests against PCs with Gen 3 SSDs? Some of them even claimed that these new M1 Max MBPs are faster than desktops, only by comparing to Apple's Mac Pro 7,1. Has any of them compared it to a Windows PC? From my photo edit workflow, the slowest part is using Topaz Sharpen AI to enhance the images from Lightroom. I started threads in PC Talk and Mac Talk forums: 8 images of various sizes for processing. The results showed: 1\. M1 Max/32GB is only slightly faster than my M1 13" MBP. (216 vs. 262 seconds) 2\. Windows desktop PCs slaughter M1 Max. (70 vs. 216 seconds). 3\. No fully loaded M1 Max owners were brave enough to participate. :-) Like 2 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9415525028) [zemikele](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7403512733) @vett93 : Well, what you write is probably true but your comparison isn't fair : since Topaz is optimized \*only\* for CUDA API - an Nvidia exclusive - only machines with an Nvidia video card are benefiting from Topaz labs optimizations. It's obviously not the case with Apple machines, and that for years, not sure why ! But even comparing PCs with AMD top video cards would show a terrible difference. I appreciate YOUR workflow is based on Topaz Labs apps - so is mine for my analog photo workflow - but your comparison is nonetheless biased and quite meaningless for most people. And I deeply regret that Topaz devs have not yet harnessed the Metal API but this is almost certainly due to a regretable company management choice. FTR, I currently own licenses to the latest versions of "Sharpen AI", "DeNoise AI", "Gigapixel AI", "Video Enhance AI" and some more... not sure this will last \! ( to be continued ) Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5071529895) [zemikele](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7403512733) ( continued ) On the other hand, DxO PhotoLab 4 (we're now at 5) brought significant performance gains by finally leveraging the Radeon Pro VEGA 64 of my iMac Pro, despite its 10 cores / 20 enduring threads Xeon processor, through proper use of the Metal API. But they have yet to produce a M1-native version of their flagship app even though Metal is already used today in the clever Rosetta 2 emulation. Like 2 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=2931621150) [![Stanchung]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) [Stanchung](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7424467566) Was wondering why Topaz is so slow on my 2018 mac. LOL Time to email them to keep up\! Like 1 Dec 3, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3532038761) [![vett93]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) [vett93](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) Your information is skewed. These OpenCL, Metal, and CUDA are APIs. The performance is related to the implementation underneath the APIs. Additionally, Nvidia is a pioneer in the AI industry. Their GPUs are the preferred choice for AI developers. Using their API will give you performance advantages for AI-related processing. Why is this unfair? If you still think it is unfair, feel free to find a common software that uses CPU/GPU for processing (i.e., not hardware), and we can do another benchmark thread. Like 0 Dec 3, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7667487580) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) @zemikele I keep seeing this "PhotoLab isn't a universal app" complaints, and I have to wonder what motivates them. PL5 is 3x-4x faster on M1 than PL4, and it runs great. What more do you want? On my \$999 M1 MacBook Air it cranks out a 42MP JPEG with DeepPRIME applied from an a7RIII RAW in 10 seconds. How fast is your iMac Pro at this task? Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4974277497) [![vett93]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) [vett93](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8629410138) Can PL5 be configured as a benchmark tool? In other words, can it show the elapsed times of pre-defined processing? If yes, let's start a benchmark thread on Open Talk. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6076244359) [Francis85](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2614215841) Who cares if they are API's or not. Fact is that these machines beat any laptop in comparison and even beats NVIDIA's own RTX3080. It says all about the potential Apple Silicon has. NVIDIA fears Apple and that's why they wanted to buy ARM. Because NIVIDIA already knows they can't compete and so wanted to play the joker by buying ARM to stop competition. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4660294633) [![Jacques Cornell]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) [Jacques Cornell](https://www.dpreview.com/members/9915661959) @vett93 There's already an active benchmarking effort going on among PhotoLab users on DxO's user forum. Like 0 Dec 4, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7406927751) [HenryDJP](https://www.dpreview.com/members/5792880138) It wouldn't matter. The M1 Max has been compared to top spec'd PC desktops and still beat them. More ram in a Windows laptop isn't going to help. lol Like 0 Dec 28, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6410346991) [![Chris Jacobs]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1454032664) [Chris Jacobs](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1454032664) Would love to see how the M1 Pro stacks up Like 0 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=4756085152) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) From what I'm seeing, there is no real difference between the M1 Pro and M1 Max with software that doesn't utilize the GPU (Premier Pro for one, though that's looking like it might change). When software seriously uses the GPU, and the Max clearly takes the lead. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9862441380) [![Nukunukoo]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0951885432) [Nukunukoo](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0951885432) As an Alienware M15 (i9/RTX 3070) and MBP M1 Max user, I can say that I am totally impressed with the M1’s DaVinci Resolve performance as I literally am saving hours of my 6K and 8K footages. As more apps become Apple Silicon optimised, things will only get better with time! Wish Adobe gets cracking with After Effects\! Like 4 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9853806343) [Jorge33](https://www.dpreview.com/members/7734321546) Hi, I have heard that it gest slower with time.....I only need it to run common programs like the one at this site for finantial information <https://retatuslimites.com/ingresos-y-gastos-excel/> Is the M1 a good choice for this? Like 1 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7528555367) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) Yes, for more pedestrian software, the M1 from last year is very fast. In fact, Photoshop screams on the older M1, as does Capture One Pro 21. But might as well go with the Pro if you're buying now to future-proof it and make it last longer. Like 1 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=3403590440) [Sprintmedley](https://www.dpreview.com/members/8251797585) Impressive machine - ABSURD PRICE!!\! Like 3 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8557340877) [dmanthree](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2888267225) You get what you pay for. This seems painfully obvious after reading this review. Like 12 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=1732270426) [Gmon750](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1406991773) All this means is your time has little to no value. For everyone else, this is a no-brainer. Like 10 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=8716575136) [Film\_enthusiast](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0390044126) Gmon750 No brainer if you live in the USA Sadly, in most parts of the world Apple products cost an arm and a leg. Regards Like 2 Dec 1, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9970225192) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) A computer with the best screen on a laptop ever, that costs about the same as the best GPU you can buy for PCs (~\$6000) and you think the price is absurd? If you need, for example, one of the lower-end models, you're not going to find a PC laptop at any price that can compete. Like 3 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=5732549620) [dmanthree](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2888267225) Not to mention performance and life on batteries. I had no idea the PC laptops took such a hit when running on battery. That alone is killer. Apple really leapfrogged the Intel world on this one. Can't wait to see what they do with the M1 version of the Mac Pro desktop. Clearly, SoC is the wave of the future. Like 2 Dec 2, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=0701611357) [Gmon750](https://www.dpreview.com/members/1406991773) For similar-equipped Wintel machines, it's already been shown way too many times that the price for these new MBP's are +/- \$100. So it can't be an "absurd" price. One can get an M1 MacBook Air for much less, that will still outperform many laptops that cost much more. Like 0 Dec 8, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9158517220) [![Jagganatha]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) [Jagganatha](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) I am really bothered by what you had to do to get ARGB anywhere near correct. Yes, there's this great bright screen, but as EVERYTHING you do on it is dependent in the quality of its output on colour accuracy regardless of whether the user is colour blind or not, the screens of laptops ought to be 100% accurate when you get them, and stay that way, or someone in the future will have to redo all the work to get the color right on every single file. AND when outputting to a big accurate screen, what happens exactly? If you set the color on the Max to Adobe & put your work on a screen that IS 100% Adobe RGB (or P3 or sRGB etc)? And when the Max iMac comes, what then if its display with the same tec is as fundamentally inaccurate as Apple dont care to create accurate screens now? (the odd colors of the new M1 iMacs are a warning, maybe!? Like 0 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6701575965) [dmanthree](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2888267225) Are there any laptops with a 100% ARGB screen? Like 0 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=6753053650) [![Jagganatha]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) [Jagganatha](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) If not, why not? Like 0 Dec 1, 2021[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=9570162957) [ewelch](https://www.dpreview.com/members/0888409880) Why not? Because it's physically impossible to do what you ask. I have been involved in color correction in publishing for over 20 years at a very high level for a scientific journal. And I will simply say what you ask is simply not possible. Another point is that there is nothing wrong with what Apple is doing here, and many other manufacturers. They have to weigh the price of the technology they choose to use and balance that against the desire by people to have as accurate screens as possible. And expecting screens to be 100 percent accurate and to never change is simply not possible. Anyone involved in professional color correction knows they have to calibrate their screens on a regular basis because of basic wear and tear that comes with the age of the screen. Like 4 Dec 2, 2021\*[permalink](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance?comment=7463926709) [![Jagganatha]()](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) [Jagganatha](https://www.dpreview.com/members/2914068392) Chill! Think!! It is mere months since M processors became available, and less since M1 Maxbooks. A year ago I might have agreed with you completely, but a year ago we were still in Intel Processor Land. Now check out the excellent Z9 review video posted by Nigel Danson on youtube: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCpPHjZpEEY> What you can see was impossible a few months ago. Really impossible. At the rate tech is progressing I am certain the next great shock will be a calibrated accurate screen that automatically refreshes itself and recalibrates itself (like a pixel-mapping sensor, kind of...) As I did not wait but bought a most certainly slower machine without the Z9s abilities, I am stuck with tec that had I waited, I could have afforded a Z9 to really revolutionize my world. AS 8K is the new normal even on phones, soon, surely my screen will materialize, so much as I fancy El Max Mac ProBook, I shall wait. 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Readable Markdown

![DLCS4133-HDR-Edit](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS4133-HDR-Edit.jpeg) *All product photography by DL Cade.* Recent Videos By just about every metric you can come up with, Apple's transition to Apple Silicon on the Mac has been a success. The M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro put up performance and efficiency numbers that were hard to believe, at a price point that instantly placed Apple at the top of every "best entry-level creator laptop" list on the Internet. But for many of the professional creatives in the audience – people whose livelihood depends on the performance and reliability of their computer – the M1 was just a taste. With the release of [the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros](https://www.dpreview.com/news/2895714205/apple-announces-redesigned-14-16-macbook-pros-powered-by-its-new-m1-pro-m1-max-chipsets) and the M1 Pro and M1 Max SOCs at their core, Apple has finally addressed our audience's needs by moving in two directions simultaneously: the company has undone the unpopular design decision that have plagued the MacBook Pro since 2016, while sending performance-per-watt into the stratosphere. We've been testing and benchmarking the M1 Max MacBook Pro for over a month, and all I have to say is buckle up: The superlatives in this review are about to get completely out of hand. *** Jump to: [Design, build and usability](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#design) \| [miniLED Display](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#display) \| [Performance benchmarks](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#performance) \| [Conclusion](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#conclusion) *** ### Key Specifications For this first review of the new Apple Silicon Macs, we're testing out the flagship M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro – the most powerful laptop in Apple's current lineup. We hope to test some of the M1 Pro models in the coming months, but for now, this is what Apple sent over on launch day. On the bright side, this gives us a chance to test the high water mark for performance for an Apple laptop. Any other Mac on the market should, in theory, perform worse than the computer we're testing today. On the not-so-bright side, this is one of the most expensive laptops money can buy, putting it out of reach for many prospective buyers. As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \$4,300. If you downgrade to 1TB of storage you can cut that down to \$3,900, and the base model M1 Max with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is \$3,500, but no matter how you slice it this isn't a "bang-for-your-buck" or "entry-level" computer. | | As Tested | Less Storage | Base Model | |---|---|---|---| | CPU | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | M1 Max 10-core | | GPU | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | M1 Max 32-core | | RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB Unified Memory | | Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | 1TB Integrated SSD | | Display | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | Liquid Retina XDR Display 100% Display P3 | | Price | \$4,300 | \$3,900 | \$3,500 | > As tested, our review unit with an M1 Max, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage will set you back a wallet-searing \$4,300. That said, after running all of our benchmarks both on- and off-battery, and comparing the MacBook Pro against two of its closest competitors in both price and specifications, there is no question about it: you are getting what you paid for. The price is, dare I say it, justified. Not because there's an Apple logo on the back of the lid, but because this laptop can do things that no PC on the market can match. *** ## Design, build and usability | | |---| | ![DLCS3672-HDR](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3672-HDR.jpeg) | | The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model... and that's a good thing. | We spent some time on design, build and usability in [our first impressions](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5725743467/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro) a few weeks ago, but let's recap some of the major changes. First and foremost, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is noticeably thicker than the last Intel model. It's also somewhat "retro" looking, replacing the sharp edges of the past few models with rounded corners for an aesthetic that harkens back to the old plastic MacBooks or the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was discontinued after 2011. The added thickness also makes room for two of the most important upgrades on this machine: the miniLED display and the return of several ports that Apple removed in 2016. The left side of the device contains a headphone jack that can power high-impedance headphones, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, [each with its own bus](https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/68484-thunderbolt-on-the-m1-mac-mini/), and a shallow MagSafe 3 port that can fast-charge the laptop to 50% in just 30 minutes: ![DLCS3618-HDR](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3618-HDR.jpeg) On the right, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, one more independent Thunderbolt 4 port, and an SD card slot: [![DLCS3614-HDR-2](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/DLCS3614-HDR-2.jpeg) The pros are obvious. We get HDMI and an SD card slot back while giving up only one Thunderbolt port compared to last year's Intel models. The cons are less obvious: the HDMI port is only HDMI 2.0 and not the newer HDMI 2.1 standard, and the SD card slot is only UHS-II, not the faster UHS-III we've seen on some high-end laptops. The lack of a single USB Type-A port is also a downside for some, but personally, I see it as the better of two options. If it's a choice between two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-A, or three Thunderbolt 4 ports, I'll choose the latter every time. Another benefit of the larger size is the larger keyboard, which trades the Touch Bar for a row of full-height function keys and a full-sized Touch ID button. Not much else to say about the keyboard – it's otherwise identical to the excellent "Magic Keyboard" on all the most recent MacBooks. The same goes for the massive glass trackpad, which is still among the best on the market in any laptop. Neither of these has changed over the past few years, and they really don't need to. The only noticeable change is the black keyboard deck. | | |---| | ![DLCS3576-HDR](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3576-HDR.jpeg) | | The controversial Touch Bar has been replaced by a full-height function row and a full-sized TouchID sensor. | Two more important design and usability touches worth mentioning are the Full HD camera and the exceptional speakers. The previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had arguably the best sounding speakers of any laptop on the market, and this model only improves on that. Whatever Apple's engineers are doing to get such a full sound profile out of laptop speakers, it's light years ahead of the competition. Every other set of laptop speakers sound tinny and small next to the MacBook Pro, including otherwise excellent speakers like the ones in the Dell XPS 17. As for the camera, Apple combines Full HD resolution with some AI trickery to produce surprisingly good image quality for your Zoom meetings. It's not quite ready to replace your dedicated 4K webcam, and Apple's AI algorithms do a bit more skin smoothing than I personally prefer, but it's a huge step up from the 720p cameras in the vast majority of laptops on the market. ![DLCS3660-HDR](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3660-HDR.jpeg) Finally, we can't talk about the camera without at least mentioning the notch. I addressed this in [my first impressions](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5725743467/apple-m1-max-first-impressions-a-macbook-pro-that-s-actually-pro), but I don't find the notch to be a very big deal. Weird early software quirks have mostly been fixed, and I appreciate the fact that there's a full 16:10 display *underneath* the notch. If Apple had chopped off a bit of my 16:10 display, I'd be annoyed. As it stands, they essentially *added* some room for the menu bar. Of course, your mileage (and level of annoyance) may vary, so if it really bothers you there are a couple of solutions. Apple already lets you display the menu underneath the notch in full-screen mode [on a per-app basis](https://www.macworld.com/article/546104/how-to-macbook-pro-macos-monterey-block-notch-menu-bar.html), and if you want to get rid of it all the time there are free utilities like Top Notch that will essentially extend the bezel down to the bottom of the notch, sacrificing that little bit of screen in order to hide it entirely. [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index) *** ## miniLED display We have a lot of ground to cover with this display, but here's the TL;DR: this display's combination of 120Hz refresh rate, exceptional HDR performance, phenomenal color accuracy, and brilliant integration of all of the above into a seamless user experience makes the "Liquid Retina XDR" technology inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros the best option on the market for anyone who regularly switches between HDR and SDR workflows. ### HDR performance Similar to the display used in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the monitor in the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is made up of a color-accurate IPS LCD panel that sits in front of a special backlight made up of 10,000+ miniLEDs arranged into over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This allows the screen to hit an incredibly bright 1000 nits typical brightness across the whole display and 1600 nits peak brightness on smaller patches for a limited time. > The "Liquid Retina XDR" display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros is the best display on the market for anyone who switches between HDR and SDR workflows. Already we're in uncharted territory. Before this display, the most dimming zones we'd seen in any computer monitor was the 2,000 miniLEDs in [Dell's UP3221Q](https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-hdr-premiercolor-monitor-up3221q/apd/210-ayci/monitors-monitor-accessories) – a 2.5-inch thick 32-inch desktop display. The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones. Apple had to invent a whole new breed of miniLED backlight in order to make this display possible. | | |---| | ![explode endframe e8hwpkrs8sya large](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/explode_endframe__e8hwpkrs8sya_large.jpeg) | | This exploded view shows the miniLED backlight, diffusion layers, and LCD panel that make up the Liquid Retina XDR display inside the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. *Photo courtesy of Apple* | However, it's not just the technology that makes this display so impressive. What really puts it over the top is how seamlessly Apple has managed to integrate HDR performance into the standard SDR experience you get when viewing most content. Unlike using an external HDR display in either Mac or Windows, there's no need to check an HDR box or turn an HDR switch to "On" in the Display settings. HDR content simply... works. When you pull up HDR content, the backlight automatically brightens to DisplayHDR 1000 levels, but *only under the content you're viewing.* If you have a video up on only part of the screen, the rest of your desktop remains locked at the SDR maximum brightness of 500 nits. The result is a seamless integration of HDR into an SDR experience, which finally makes HDR usable for day-to-day content viewing because you don't have to pick one or the other. > The only other laptop with a miniLED display, the MSI Creator 17, has a paltry 250 dimming zones – one tenth what Apple offers. The combination of industry-leading HDR performance and seamless integration makes the laptop a no-brainer for anyone who spends time working on HDR content. Nothing in a laptop even comes close, and I'm including OLED displays simply because they can't get bright enough. You will get some very slight blooming around sharp-edged bright objects, but with so many dimming zones and such an intense max brightness I'd still pick this display over an OLED with pixel-perfect contrast. ### Gamut coverage and color accuracy | | |---| | [![MBP Gamut](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/MBP_Gamut.jpeg)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/MBP_Gamut.jpeg) | | The new "Liquid Retina XDR" display covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut (left) and 85% of AdobeRGB (right). | Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. In our testing, we measured 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 85% coverage of AdobeRGB with a maximum Delta E 2000 of 1.85 when the MacBook Pro was set to "Apple XDR Display" mode in the Settings. > Panel gamut is good, but not industry-leading. The latest OLED displays and LCD panels used by some of Apple's competitors offer better AdobeRGB coverage with equal or better Delta E. However, as you can see below, there is a substantial Delta E of over 4.0 between the measured and target white point in this mode. The white point is a little colder than D65, even when the laptop is set into to one of its many "P3 D65" reference modes. And since "Apple XDR Display" mode is not fine-tunable in settings, what you see is what you get. ![NativeGamut](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/NativeGamut.jpeg) ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.33.19 PM](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.33.19_PM.png) Fortunately, Apple allows you to take a lot more control over your display primaries if you switch out of the XDR Display mode by selecting a different preset, fine-tuning that preset, or even creating a custom preset. [Various reference modes exist](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210435), including: - Digital Cinema (P3 - DCI) - Digital Cinema (P3 - D65) - Design & Print (P3 - D50) - Photography (P3 - D65) - Internet & Web (sRGB) Each of these modes gives you access to a "Fine Tune" option that allows you to input the measured white point and luminance of your display and change them to a target white point and luminance that you'd prefer. As measured, the white point of the Photography (P3-D65) reference mode was still a little bit off – too much blue and not enough red, pulling the color temperature of the white point over to 6600K. | | |---| | ![whitepoint](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/whitepoint.jpeg) | | Apple gives you the option to fine-tune your preferred reference mode of the built-in XDR display, allowing creatives to dial in the perfect luminance and white point. | Using the fine-tune feature, I simply input the un-calibrated white point coordinates from my colorimeter under "measured" and the D65 CIE coordinates under "target," set my target luminance to 150 nits, and instantly the primaries and luminance of the reference mode both corrected themselves. It's great to have this kind of control over a laptop display. Most PC laptop's I've tested don't give you any such control, and if they do it requires fiddling with RGB gains inside of a proprietary piece of display software until you hit the appropriate chromaticity coordinates – a daunting prospect for anyone who isn't already familiar with color space. Once I got the white point fixed to my liking, I re-calibrated and got the results below: ![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 3.30.22 PM](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_3.30.22_PM.jpeg) [![Screen Shot 2021-11-21 at 6.06.58 PM](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Screen_Shot_2021-11-21_at_6.06.58_PM.png) I did have to give up a little bit of gamut coverage to hit my target white point, but it's a worthwhile trade-off in my opinion. The final numbers were much more satisfying: - **98\.4%** DCI-P3 - **83\.9%** AdobeRGB - **0\.46** average Delta E - **1\.39** maximum Delta E - **0\.69** measured vs target white point Delta E ### Pro Motion The last impressive bit of tech inside the Liquid Retina XDR display is Apple's ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology. Microsoft is working on something similar, but nothing on the Windows side is close to matching this kind of seamless experience... at least not yet. Essentially, the display can turn the refresh rate all the way up to 120Hz, but it only does so adaptively when something is moving quickly across the screen. If you're playing a game or scrolling quickly through an article, the higher refresh rate kicks in; otherwise, the display will slow down to save battery and GPU resources. If you're editing video and need to turn this off, you have the option to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz, 59.94Hz, 50Hz, 48Hz, or 47.95Hz. For everyone else, it gives you the benefits of a high refresh-rate display without the battery drain that usually accompanies it. *** ## Performance benchmarks | | |---| | ![DLCS4147-Edit-2](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS4147-Edit-2.jpeg) | | The M1 Max MacBook Pro is the fastest creator laptop we've ever tested, and it's just as fast on battery as it is plugged in. | Apple made some pretty big claims about the performance of the M1 Max SOC at their keynote, with some impressive (but vague) charts comparing this chip against the most powerful Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs you can get inside a PC laptop. According to Apple, the M1 Max can just about match the performance of these components while consuming a fraction of the power, allowing the new MacBook Pros to run at full speed even on battery. To test this claim, we put the M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 up against two of the computers it's actively competing against in the PC space: the MSI Creator 17 and the Dell XPS 17. You can see the full specs of our three test machines below: | | MacBook Pro 16 | MSI Creator 17 | Dell XPS 17 | |---|---|---|---| | CPU | M1 Max 10-core CPU | Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel Core i7-11800H | | GPU | M1 Max 32-core GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3080 16GB VRAM | NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM | | RAM | 64GB Unified Memory | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | 32GB DDR4-3200MHz | | Storage | 2TB Integrated SSD | 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | 1TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD | | Display | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | miniLED 4K LCD 1000 nits 100% DCI-P3 | 4K UHD+ LCD 500 nits 100% AdobeRGB | | Price | \$4,300 | \$3,800 | \$2,800 | In order to test Apple's efficiency claims, we actually ran all of our usual benchmarks twice: once while the computers were plugged in and fully charged, and then again while all three computers were running on battery. In order to keep the battery test as fair as possible, all three laptops were charged to 100% and unplugged moments before we started each run. We obviously wanted to know how much performance dropped (or didn't) when the computer were on battery, but we also kept track of how much battery each benchmark chewed through from start to finish. This should give us a sense of how realistic it is to use any of these machines on battery – if importing, editing, and exporting 100 high-resolution Raw files demolishes a full charge, you probably won't ever wander very far from an AC outlet. ### Adobe Lightroom Classic For our Lightroom benchmark, we import 100 copies of the studio scene image from the 20MP Canon EOS R6, the 47MP Nikon Z7 II, the 61MP Sony a7R IV, and the 100MP Fujifilm GFX 100. This benchmark always takes the longest, simply because Lightroom is the most poorly optimized. You can learn more about *that* in our [Lightroom Classic vs Capture One Pro](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3278896840/head-to-head-adobe-lightroom-classic-vs-capture-one-21/1) comparison. Right out of the gate, the import test – which relies mostly on CPU performance – shows that the M1 Max is about on par with Intel's 11th generation Core i9-11900H, one of the most powerful x86 processors on the market. As a result, the MacBook Pro and the MSI Creator 17 traded blows on this benchmark. | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1:24 | 2:17 | 2:23 | 5:55 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:23 | 2:24 | 2:37 | 5:44 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:26 | 2:25 | 2:39 | 5:51 | On battery, the MacBook Pro's performance stayed rock solid, never changing more than one or two seconds in either direction. That's well within a reasonable margin of error. By comparison, both the Dell and the MSI saw noticeable dips in performance, allowing the Mac to take the lead in every category. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1:23 | 2:17 | 2:24 | 5:55 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:35 | 2:43 | 2:49 | 6:29 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:49 | 2:55 | 3:03 | 6:51 | [![LRC Import Results](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Import_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Import_Results.png) That all changes at export. Thanks to the Mac's 64GB of blazing fast unified memory, it makes minced meat of both PCs, cutting export times in half across the board. | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:27 | 5:11 | 6:39 | 11:06 | | MSI Creator 17 | 3:34 | 7:55 | 10:08 | 22:50 | | Dell XPS 17 | 3:42 | 8:03 | 10:19 | 25:45 | This lead only gets larger on battery. Again, the Mac stayed rock solid, only changing performance by a second or two in both directions. The MSI and Dell, on the other hand, had their performance tank. The Dell in particular suffered badly on the longest export run, adding 10 full minutes to the time it takes to export the edited Fujifilm GFX 100 raw files. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:26 | 5:11 | 6:37 | 11:08 | | MSI Creator 17 | 4:15 | 9:21 | 11:52 | 26:45 | | Dell XPS 17 | 3:59 | 8:42 | 10:59 | 35:46 | [![LRC Export Results](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Export_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Export_Results.png) Finally, let's talk battery drain. A full Lightroom Classic export run on the MacBook Pro drained 23% of the battery, while the same run on the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17 soaked up a whopping 83% and 81%, respectively. It's safe to say the PC's are essentially unusable for anything more than a quick edit session in LRC before you seriously risk killing your battery mid-export. [![LRC Battery](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/LRC_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/LRC_Battery.png) ### Capture One Pro Using the same benchmarks from Lightroom Classic in Capture One Pro 21, at import, the MSI pulls ahead of the MacBook Pro. The Creator 17's Intel Core i9 CPU paired with some hardware acceleration from the NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU consistently posts faster numbers than the Mac, while the Dell just about matches the Apple laptop step-for-step: | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:00 | | MSI Creator 17 | 0:41 | 0:52 | 0:59 | 1:26 | | Dell XPS 17 | 0:43 | 1:08 | 1:29 | 2:03 | Once we unplug, the Mac mostly closes the gap with the MSI, while the Dell sees a very noticeable drops in performance. Unlike just about every other benchmark we ran, the Creator 17 managed to stay ahead of the Mac in three of four import tests while on battery, only losing 10 or so seconds of performance depending on file size. The Dell, however, nearly doubles its export time on every run, losing out badly to the other two. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Import | Nikon Z7 II Import | Sony a7R IV Import | Fujifilm GFX 100 Import | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:43 | 1:04 | 1:17 | 2:01 | | MSI Creator 17 | 0:47 | 1:02 | 1:10 | 1:40 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:01 | 2:24 | 3:17 | 4:52 | [![C1 Import Results](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Import_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Import_Results.png) Once we move on to exports, where RAM once again plays a major role, there is absolutely no contest. The M1 Max MacBook Pro pulls way ahead of the competition, consistently exporting fully edited variants 1-2 minutes faster than either the Dell or MSI laptops, even when plugged in: | Plugged In | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:59 | 2:23 | 4:14 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:30 | 3:08 | 3:48 | 6:10 | | Dell XPS 17 | 1:40 | 3:33 | 4:14 | 6:54 | This gap only widens on battery, where the MSI slows down by a little bit and the Dell slows down by a lot. By the time we get to the GFX 100 export, the Mac's lead jumps to 4 minutes over the MSI Creator 17, and a full 5 minutes over the Dell XPS 17. | On Battery | Canon EOS R6 Export | Nikon Z7 II Export | Sony a7R IV Export | Fujifilm GFX 100 Export | |---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 0:53 | 1:58 | 2:21 | 4:18 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1:46 | 3:43 | 4:22 | 7:14 | | Dell XPS 17 | 2:25 | 4:58 | 5:42 | 9:25 | [![C1 Export Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Export_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Export_Results.png) Finally, battery drain is a lot kinder than Lightroom, but we see the same pattern. The Mac makes it through all of our imports, edits, and exports for a full run with only 4% battery drain, while the Dell and MSI laptops lost 36% and 38%, respectively. [![C1 Battery](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/C1_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/C1_Battery.png) ### Photoshop To test Photoshop performance, we use version 0.8 of [Puget Systems' PugetBench benchmark](https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/PugetBench-for-Photoshop-1132/). As we've explained [in previous reviews](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/dell-xps-17-9710-laptop-review-good-performance-excellent-design), we use v0.8 because this the last version that included a photo merge test, and the results are split into helpful category scores that are well correlated with CPU, GPU, and RAM performance. By this point in the review, you can probably predict what's coming. The Mac posts the best performance of the group in in every Category score, logging the highest Overall score we've ever seen at 1253.9. Admittedly, some of the MacBook's impressive Overall score is due to the insane PhotoMerge score, but there isn't a single category where the MSI or Dell are able to pull ahead. Even in the GPU score, where the RTX 3080 should outperform the M1 Max's 32-core GPU, the MSI Creator 17 falls just shy of beating the MacBook Pro with a score of 113.8 compared to the Mac's 115.9. | Plugged In | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1253\.9 | 123\.9 | 115\.9 | 108\.8 | 161\.4 | | MSI Creator 17 | 1019\.6 | 111\.4 | 113\.8 | 84\.5 | 117\.9 | | Dell XPS 17 | 959\.9 | 104\.7 | 102\.4 | 80\.0 | 110\.4 | This only gets worse on battery, where the Mac experiences an ever-so-slight drop in General and Filter category scores but otherwise posts identical numbers. The MSI and Dell laptops, meanwhile, both see a significant drop, with the XPS 17 once again suffering the bigger drop. Every category suffers, and the Dell's Overall score drops from 959.9 to a paltry 692.7. | On Battery | Overall | General | GPU | Filter | PhotoMerge | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 1238\.1 | 121\.4 | 115\.9 | 107\.4 | 161\.4 | | MSI Creator 17 | 805\.0 | 84\.7 | 87\.1 | 62\.9 | 107\.2 | | Dell XPS 17 | 692\.7 | 73\.0 | 71\.7 | 52\.9 | 94\.6 | [![Puget Overall](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Puget_Overall.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Puget_Overall.png) [![Puget Category](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Puget_Category.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Puget_Category.png) The difference in battery drain was also more drastic in this test, perhaps because the load is split more equally between the CPU, GPU, and RAM. While the Dell and MSI saw battery losses of 34% and 40%, respectively, the Mac was still at 100% battery after a full run of PugetBench. For the sake of putting a bar on this graph, let's assume the MacBook Pro lost a full 1% of its battery capacity: [![Photoshop Battery](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Photoshop_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Photoshop_Battery.png) ### Premiere Pro The last of our Mac vs PC benchmarks shifts from photo to video editing. To test Premiere Pro performance, we render and export [this 4K sample video](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/9421763297/all-about-the-kei-a-4k-video-from-the-sony-a1-s-8k-capture) shot and edited by DPReview's own Richard Butler using 8K footage shot on the Sony a1. We render the full timeline, export the master file using previews, export an H.264 file, and export an HEVC H.265 file. To wrap things up, we also test how long it takes Premiere Pro to Warp Stabilize a 15-second clip. This is, perhaps, the most impressive performance of all for the Mac. It absolutely makes mincemeat of both the Dell XPS 17 and the MSI Creator 17, cutting render and export times nearly in half. Whatever Apple is doing with the new H.264 and HEVC encoders on the M1 Max SOC, it's working. That, combined with the speed of the unified memory, makes for startling performance: | Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Warp Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:04 | 00:05 | 1:42 | 1:42 | 1:48 | | MSI Creator 17 | 3:45 | 00:06 | 3:35 | 3:30 | 2:32 | | Dell XPS 17 | 4:01 | 00:08 | 3:56 | 3:52 | 2:48 | On battery, the difference only gets more drastic. The Mac experiences no performance drop whatsoever while the MSI, and especially the Dell, add 30 seconds to 2 minutes to each of their times. The table and graph below tell the story better than I can: | On Battery | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Warp Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro | 2:05 | 00:05 | 1:40 | 1:43 | 1:48 | | MSI Creator 17 | 4:24 | 00:32 | 4:11 | 4:09 | 2:54 | | Dell XPS 17 | 5:19 | 00:26 | 5:23 | 5:08 | 4:06 | [![Premiere Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Premiere_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Premiere_Results.png) Battery drain performance ends up looking a lot like PugetBench. A full run of all these tests, one right after the other, drains the MSI and Dell batteries by 36% and 37%, respectively, while the Mac loses just 3%: [![Premiere Battery](https://3.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/Premiere_Battery.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/Premiere_Battery.png) ### Final Cut Pro Our last benchmark is a Mac exclusive, comparing the M1 Max MacBook Pro against the M1 iMac and a fully loaded 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro with a Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can learn more about our Final Cut benchmarks [here](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2021-apple-m1-imac-24-inch-review-the-best-starter-mac-for-creators), but long story short: the M1 Max cuts rendering and H.264 export times in half, and does almost as much for HEVC encoding. The only benchmark that doesn't move quite so much is Final Cut Stabilize, which was already blazing fast on the original M1. Still, the M1 Max posts a 6-second improvement over the M1, stabilizing a 15-second clip in just 19 seconds. | Plugged In | Render All | Export Master File | Export H.264 | Export HEVC/H.265 | Final Cut Stabilize | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | M1 Max MBP | 2:43 | 00:45 | 1:15 | 1:10 | 00:19 | | M1 iMac | 5:12 | 1:24 | 4:19 | 1:55 | 00:25 | | Intel MBP | 9:57 | 2:07 | 6:55 | 2:59 | 00:55 | [![FCP Results](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/FCP_Results.png)](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/4387111381/FCP_Results.png) We didn't do a battery comparison here, but we can confirm that Final Cut Pro on the M1 Max MacBook Pro runs at full speed whether or not you're plugged in to an AC outlet. And since this is the fastest and most efficient benchmark of all, you won't be surprised to hear that the M1 Max MacBook Pro was still at 100% at the end of a full run. ### Performance takeaways Taken individually, the CPU cores and GPU cores of the M1 Max can't quite keep up with the best that Intel and AMD can currently offer. But no computing task exists in a vacuum, and the combination of CPU speed, GPU speed, and unified memory with 400GB/s bandwidth that is fully accessible by both the CPU and GPU makes the M1 Max the fastest laptop we've ever tested on the vast majority of creative tasks. With one or two minor exceptions, it outperformed the competition by a huge margin while draining far less battery and making far less noise. The fans barely ever spin up, and even when they do they make almost no noise. Meanwhile, both the MSI and Dell sounded like they were trying to take off from the desk during every export run, and you saw the battery drain figures for yourself, earlier in this review. > With one or two minor exceptions, the M1 Max MacBook Pro outperformed the competition by far, while draining far less battery and making far less noise. There's no two ways about it, the M1 Max is the performance champ we expected it to be. It can legitimately cut your rendering and export times in half compared to the largest, most powerful, and heaviest PC laptops on the market... and it can do it on battery. [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index) *** ## Best creator laptop, period. | | |---| | ![DLCS3588-HDR](https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/4387111381/DLCS3588-HDR.jpeg) | | No other laptop on the market can compete with the new MacBook Pro's combination of power, efficiency, design and build quality. Select a different image | | What We Like | What We Don't Like | |---|---| | Incredible performance Lots of ports, including SD card slot Industry-leading high refresh-rate HDR display Full performance even on battery Top-shelf keyboard and trackpad Full HD webcam | Thicker and larger than previous models No USB Type-A port HDMI port is 2.0, not 2.1 Card slot is UHS-II not UHS-III Unnecessary display notch No user-upgradable RAM or storage VERY expensive | In any single category, you can find a PC that can match or exceed the M1 Max MacBook Pro for less money. There are more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the latest 4K OLED displays cover a wider color gamut, and Apple's own M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are far more efficient than the M1 Max. But no laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. > No laptop currently in existence can match the M1 Max MacBook Pro step-for-step in more than one or two categories, much less across the board. Given what we saw from the M1, we expected great performance. We still didn't expect to see render times cut in half compared to one of the most powerful Windows PC laptops on the market. When you combine that with the ground-breaking display, the return of the ports, and the end of the Touch Bar, I genuinely had a hard time finding anything really significant to put in the "What We Don't Like" column other than the price tag. After nearly six years of MacBook Pros that infuriated many professional users with a litany of design choices that ranged from mildly inconvenient to outright disruptive, we can confidently declare that the MacBook **Pro** is back... and it's back with a vengeance. ![](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS520x0~articles/shared/5stars.gif?v=5791) [**Back to top**](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/laptop-review-m1-max-macbook-pro-2021-back-with-a-vengeance#index)

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