Apple Unveils Spectacular MacBook Pro 2021: Here’s What’s New
Apple has given the MacBook Pro what may be the biggest update ever. The tech giant presented the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021 during the October event. In this article we will update you on the spectacular innovations.
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MacBook Pro 2021 officially unveiled
A new design, powerful Apple Silicon processor, new screen, the return of the HDMI port and more: the MacBook Pro 2021 has changed and improved on all fronts. Again, the Pro models come in two sizes. With the smallest MacBook Pro, the screen has grown a bit: the screen diagonal now measures 14 inches. Its bigger brother again has a 16-inch display.
With the new MacBook Pro, Apple is returning to the controversial redesign of 2016. The Touch Bar is gone, the ports are back and the MagSafe charging connector is also making a comeback. In this article you can read about the innovations of the new MacBook Pros.
New design
The MacBook Pro has been redesigned – most recently in 2016. The device has a slightly flatter design, with the top and bottom flatter, as are the sides. The style is in line with the latest iPhone and iPad models and the 24-inch iMac. The new MacBook Pro is also thicker. Previously, the device was 15.6 millimeters thick; now that’s 16.8 millimeters.
It is striking that the MacBook has a notch at the top of the screen, as we already know from the iPhone. It houses a much improved 1080p webcam. The notch has allowed Apple to make the bezel at the top of the screen much narrower. The bezel is 24 percent thinner on the sides, and 60 percent smaller on the top (on either side of the notch).
Furthermore, Apple has said goodbye to the Touch Bar; the digital touch strip above the keyboard. That makes way for the traditional F keys. A decision that many MacBook Pro enthusiasts will be happy with, because the Touch Bar was not equally popular with everyone.
More ports
Another controversial choice by Apple was to equip the Pro devices with only one type of connection: USB-C. The new MacBook Pro 2021 has two more ports, because HDMI and the SD card reader are making their comeback. This means you no longer have to carry an adapter with you all the time. The MacBook Pro also has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (usb-c).
And there’s more returning as the MagSafe connector is back after five years. This is the magnetic charging connector, which keeps the charger in the right place. This makes the charger come loose when you (or your dog or cat) run into the cable, so that the MacBook doesn’t bounce right on the floor. The MagSafe charger also supports fast charging. The battery is at 50 percent within 30 minutes.
M1 Pro and M1 Max
The two MacBook Pro models have a new chip, specially developed for the Pro. They come in two versions. First up is the M1 Pro. It has a processor with ten CPU cores (two more than the M1), eight of which are performance cores and two efficiency cores. It also has sixteen graphics cores. According to Apple, the M1 Pro is no less than 70 percent faster than the Apple Silicon chip of the previous generation: the M1.
In addition, there is an M1 Max. It has the same 10-core CPU, but has no less than 32 graphics cores. The Max variant also has 64 GB of RAM instead of 32. With 57 billion transistors (70 percent more than the M1 Pro), the M1 Max is the largest chip Apple has made.
So the MacBook Pro is gaining strength considerably. For example, according to Apple, building projects in Xcode is up to 3.7 times faster than with the 13-inch MacBook Pro. And thanks to the better GPU, rendering a 4K video in Final Cut Pro is up to 9.2 times faster. With a faster M1 Max, that is even 13.4 times.
Mini LED screen and ProMotion
Partly due to the more efficient chip, the battery life improves. You can watch up to 17 hours of video on the 14-inch model, 7 hours longer than the previous model. With the 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021 that is even 21 hours; 10 hours longer than its predecessor.
The MacBook Pro’s screen has also received a major upgrade. The display has mini LED technology. With this screen technique, small LED lights are placed behind the pixels. Because the LEDs can be dimmed individually, they provide many of the same benefits as OLEDs. For example, the blacks are deeper and the contrast values higher.
The screen is also equipped with ProMotion. This means that the display can refresh much faster: up to 120Hz. Previously, the speed was still 60Hz. The faster refresh rate will make the MacBook feel much faster. The display looks smoother and your Mac responds faster to your actions. You notice this especially when scrolling and playing games.
MacBook Pro 2021: Pricing and Release
The MacBook Pro 2021 can already be pre-ordered today. You will receive the new MacBook Pro at the earliest from next week. The entry-level price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro costs 2249 euros. For the larger Pro model you pay at least 2749 euros. How much the Mac costs depends, among other things, on the storage capacity and processor you choose.
- 14-inch MacBook Pro: from 2249 euros
- 16-inch MacBook Pro: from 2749 euros
In comparison: the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro (which Apple still sells by the way) costs a starting price of 1449 euros. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has also become more expensive, because its predecessor cost 2699 euros.
