As you must have heard by now, Apple’s new MacBook Pro models are finally here – and they’re already available for pre-order. Naturally, you’re wondering whether it’s worth buying the new MacBook Pro 14- or 16-inch, which is a challenging question to answer. However, we’ll help you get closer to the best possible answer based on your needs, so let’s jump right in.
How Do the Newly Introduced 2021 MacBook Pro Models Compare?Â
First, it’s essential to understand the differences between the newly announced MacBook Pro 14- and 16-inch models, as their differences run deep. With that said, make sure to check out the following table first.Â
14-inch MacBook Pro
16-inch MacBook Pro
CPU
M1 Pro or M1 Max
M1 Pro or M1 Max
GPU Cores
Up to 32
Up to 32
Screen Size
14.2-inch
16.2-inch
Screen Resolution
3024 x 1964 pixels
3456 x 2234 pixels
Starting Storage
512 GB
512 GB
Starting RAM
16 GB
16 GB
Webcam
1080p
1080p
Networking
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
Connections
Thunderbolt x3 HDMI SDXC Card MagSafe 3
Thunderbolt x3 HDMI SDXC Card MagSafe 3
Battery life
Up to 17 hours
Up to 21 hours
Weight
3.5 lbs
4.7 lbs
Starting Price
$1,999
$2,499
As you can see, the newly introduced MacBook Pro models have many similarities – which means that both of them are powerful machines. Even though they’re highly configurable, the 16-inch model can go beyond what’s capable with the 14-inch model.Â
On top of that’s previously said, you need to consider the components that can’t be upgraded later on, which applies to the notebook’s display and battery capacity. That makes it crucial to think about your future needs as well, as you'll want to future-proof your decision.Â
What Do You Get with the New MacBook Pro 2021 Models?Â
In general, you get plenty of power – that’s for sure. However, you’ll want a more in-depth overview of the most prominent features of the newly introduced MacBook Pros. So, here’s precisely what you’ll get:Â
All-New M-Branded Processors: No matter if you go for the M1 Pro or M1 Max, you can be sure that Apple’s ARM architecture will most certainly deliver. The new chips are a huge leap forward in comparison to what was available on Intel-based MacBook Pros. So, even if you have a custom Intel MacBook Pro, the chances are that you’ll be amazed by the new notebooks’ performance.
More RAM and Storage: Compared to the M1-powered MacBook Pro, you now get up to 64GB of RAM if you opt for the M1 Max chip. And also, you can count on up to 8TB of storage. And if you currently have the latest Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro, you’ll continue to use the same RAM and storage specs.Â
Bigger & Brighter Displays:Â The newly introduced MacBooks come with a Liquid Retina XDR display (ranging from 14.2 to 16.2 inches). They have more pixels than any previous MacBook Pro, and they produce up to 1,000 nits of brightness (which goes up to 1,600 nits for peak brightness).Â
Better I/O Connectivity:Â Previous MacBook Pro generations came with limited I/O connectivity. However, the latest generation includes an HDMI port and SDXC card slot alongside a MagSafe 3 port for charging.
Better Webcam: Tired of using a 720p webcam? Well, you’ll be happy to know that the 2021 MacBook Pro models come with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, featuring advanced image signal processing with computational video.Â
Longer Battery Life:Â The previous Intel-based MacBook Pro generation was limited by its 11-hour battery life. The newest MacBook Pros offer up to 21 hours of use.Â
In The End - Is It Worth Buying the New MacBook Pro 14- or 16-Inch Model?Â
We’d say that yes – it’s definitely worth buying any of the newly introduced (2021) MacBook Pro models. They’re both incredibly powerful machines, ready for pro users.Â
Finally, our recommendation is to carefully consider which configuration works for you. These new MacBook Pros are truly made for pros, and they’re expensive machines. So, make sure that you’re investing your money in the long term.Â
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