Expert review Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021)
Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021)
- The sharp and bright Liquid Retina XDR display shows vibrant colors.
- The Apple M1 Pro Chip doesn't slow down during multitasking and demanding programs.
- This model has more connectors than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2019)
- Because of the 2.1kg weight, I can't take this model with me easily.
- If you take your MacBook on the go daily, we recommend a 14-inch model.
First impression of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021)
I take the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021) out of the box and I see that Apple chose a slightly larger casing for this model. It's a bit thicker and heavier than its predecessor, but is also has more connectors. When I open it, I notice that the bezels are more narrow right away. I'm curious about the performance of the Apple M1 Max chip, so I quickly get started.
Maximum graphic performances
For this review, I test the model with the Apple M1 Max chip and 32GB RAM. That's more power than I need, so I ask my colleague to edit some 8K video footage. This model does that noticeably more smoothly without slowing down as much as its predecessor. I test it with and without a power cord. I notice that the performance stays the same. That's impressive, but it does impact the battery life.
Lager, nicer, and more colors
You need al that graphic power to create the nicest creations on your screen. I'm happy that the screen of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches got a big upgrade. You mainly notice that when you work with HDR content. I'm impressed with the deep black levels and bright vibrant colors. Thanks to ProMotion, fast-moving images look more smoothly. You'll notice that when you watch action movies, or when you scroll through webpages.
More than only Thunderbolt
On my own Apple MacBook, I have 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. In most cases, that's find, but I need a converter for many accessories. This latest model has 3 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, an HDMI connector, a memory card reader, an AUX connector, and a MagSafe charging port. I'd liked to have seen a USB-A port, but Apple compensates that with the return of MagSafe. The charging cable attaches to the connector magnetically and it disconnects automatically when someone trips over my cable.
New but familiar design
The new design of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021) is a bit thicker than its predecessor. This way, it looks a bit like previous Apple MacBook Pro models. The bezels are thinner and the webcam is built into a notch above the screen. The notch doesn't distract me, because it's hidden in the menu bar. This way, I have a bit more screen space. In addition, the Touch Bar is replaces by a row of physical keys.
Conclusion
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 inches (2021) is an upgrade to its predecessor in all aspects. I was pleasantly surprised, especially by the performances of the Apple M1 Max chip and the quality of the Liquid Retina XDR display. In addition to the new functions, Apple returned familiar features like the function keys and MagSafe with this model. That makes this model the ideal Apple MacBook for creative professionals.
