This year Apple has pleased not only with a brand new 14-inch model, but also with a larger laptop – MacBook Pro 16. The device is designed for professional use, for example, for processing 4K video, programming. The novelty is equipped with a powerful M1 Pro processor, a bright 16.2-inch screen with stunning colors, a large battery, and plenty of free space on the SSD-drive. The cost of the device in the described configuration is about $ 4900.
Apple MacBook Pro M1 Pro Chip Review 2022
Specifications
| CPU: | Apple M1 Pro |
| RAM: | 32 GB LPDDR5 6400 MHz |
| Data storage: | 2048 GB SSD |
| Display: | 16.2 “3456×2234 Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED, glossy |
| Drive unit: | missing |
| Wireless connection: | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Audio: | 6 speakers |
| Interfaces: | 3хUSB Type-C / Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SD card reader, combined audio jack |
| Additionally: | 1080p webcam, Touch ID |
| Battery: | lithium polymer 99.6 Wh |
| Dimensions, weight: | 356х248х17 mm, 2.15 kg |
| Operating system: | MacOS 12 Monterey |
| Equipment: | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Z14W0007C) |
Design
The laptop is quite large and looks bulky, its weight is 2.15 kg, and its dimensions are 356x248x17 mm. The body is one-piece, made of aluminum, and feels very solid. The design is stable, during operation, there are no squeaks or other extraneous sounds, and the lid and keyboard pad do not bend. There are two body color options available: Space Gray and Silver. Both are poorly covered with fingerprints, dust and small specks on them are also invisible.
The hinge hinges are strong and hold the screen securely in the desired position. It is quite possible to lift the lid with one hand, the maximum opening angle is about 135 degrees. Around the display there are thin frames, and the working surface, on the contrary, is striking in size. The interfaces are spaced along the side faces of the case. As for the possibilities of updating the internal components, in this regard, everything is invariably sad: it is impossible to upgrade the filling. The most that can be done after removing the bottom cover is to clean the fans.
Display, sound and Webcam
The laptop uses a glossy 16.2-inch display with Liquid Retina XDR technology and a Mini-LED matrix. The display has a resolution of 3456×2234 and a pixel density of 255 ppi. The manufacturer promises a brightness of 1000 cd / m2, however, this only applies to HDR images. In other cases, the maximum brightness is about 500 cd / m2, which, in general, is also excellent.
The device has as many as 6 speakers, and they sound great. The volume reserve is sufficient, the frequencies are well balanced, there are no questions even about bass. The laptop is equipped with a 1080p webcam, which transmits a clear and vivid picture.
Keyboard and touchpad
The island-style keyboard is distinguished by the jet-black color of the keys and substrate against the background of a lighter work area. The button travel is not very deep, but the feedback is clear and responsive. The frequently pressed keys are large and easy to hit. The layout is standard, there is no digital block. In the upper right corner of the keypad is the Touch ID biometric scanner.
The touchpad is large and, traditionally for Apple laptops, very comfortable. The panel is responsive even in the corners, it quickly performs multitouch gestures.
Performance
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (Z14W0007C) runs on macOS 12 Monterey operating system. The filling of the device is represented by a 10-core Apple M1 Pro processor and 16-core graphics. The laptop is designed for multimedia tasks, copes with them smoothly and without delays. For example, you can run the latest version of Photoshop, processing multiple images at the same time, plus listening to music in the application, using a browser and instant messengers.
The amount of RAM of the laptop is 32 GB of LPDDR5-6400 MHz standard. The manufacturer offers to store content on a 2 TB SSD.
Ports and communications
The right side of the case houses an SD card reader, HDMI video output, and a USB Type-C / Thunderbolt 4 port.
Battery, heat and noise
The device has a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 99.6 Wh, so we observe excellent battery life. So, with a screen brightness of 150 cd / m2 in web surfing mode, the laptop works for almost 17 hours, with a maximum brightness for about 8 hours. We get the same results when watching streaming 1080p video.
During most everyday tasks, the laptop case remains cool, and although it heats up under load, it does not heat up enough for the user to feel discomfort (up to 40 degrees). The fans work very quietly, you can hear them only under maximum load, and even then, it will be a light, non-irritating hum.
Conclusion
Well, for a lot of money, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 definitely showed class. The laptop is beautiful, durable, and made of the finest materials. The filling of the model is suitable for everyday and multimedia applications, there are no problems with multitasking. The laptop runs quietly, barely heats up, has a decent set of basic ports, excellent RAM and plenty of SSD space.
There are not very many disadvantages, but they are still there. The first caveat is that you won’t be able to upgrade the internal components. In addition, the manufacturer’s declared screen brightness of 1000 cd / m2 is possible only for HDR images, in other scenarios it is a more mundane 500 cd / m2. Finally, the display response time is confusing, as well as the presence of PWM, which can cause discomfort for users with sensitive eyes.