Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch Review
Apple has been the go-to option for people who need stylish and advanced gadgets. Similarly, they have an array of laptops available to help with your work. In 2021, Apple launched MacBook Pro 16-inch. The space grey colour caught the attention while the M1 Pro chip has set the highest performance mark. However, many people don’t like the notch, but you will forget about it after reading about its features.
So, if you need to upgrade your laptop, we are reviewing this beast of a laptop.
Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch – The Brief Overview
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This Apple laptop has an XDR display with liquid retina technology, promising a stunning display. Also, there is a 1080p web camera, so you look the best on video calls. In addition, the laptop has exceptional speakers, an ergonomic keyboard, and over 21 hours of battery life. This is one of the best MacBooks available on the market; let us see what is under the hood.
Specifications
Display
16-inch XDR Display with liquid retina
CPU
10-core
GPU
16-core
RAM
1GB
SSD
512GB
Battery life
Over 21 hours
Webcam
1080p
Ports
Charging port, SDXC card reader, USB 4.0 sockets, Thunderbolt port, and HDMI
Design
It has a better design than the older model, and the chassis is smartly done. It only weighs 4.7 pounds, so carrying it around won’t be a problem. The chassis is made from aluminium, which promises a nice surface (it “looks” expensive). The vents are added on both sides so the laptop doesn’t heat up. Moreover, there is a six-speaker system for good sound quality.
The bezels on the screen are around 60% thinner on the top and have a top bezel that houses the webcam. Only a few people liked the notch because they thought it was too big. However, you won’t feel the same way after a few days. The menu bar is placed in the screen’s extra space. Initially, the notch covered some elements in the menu bar, but Apple fixed it with an update.
Also, the touch bar has been replaced with a row of function keys. This will be more functional because the touch bar was previously difficult to use.
Hardware
The laptop has an array of ports to ensure you don’t need to purchase third-party accessories. The laptop has USB 4.0 sockets, HDMI, and Thunderbolt port. In addition, there is an SDXC card reader so you can use the UHS-II cards. On the other side, there is a MagSafe 3 charging port, two additional USB 4.0 ports, and a headphone jack.
Display
This laptop has a 16.2-inch display screen, and it’s one of the best ones. It has a liquid retina XDR display, which promises bright pictures. It has a refresh rate of around 120Hz, which promises an efficient response. This display is great for watching UHD and HDR content. In addition, the display has a brightness of over 520 nits, which is pretty good.
Regarding the colours, it has an RGB colour accuracy of 109.3%, which is exceptional. The colours are bright and rich.
Performance
This laptop comes with choices when it comes down to the chip. You can choose between M1 Max or M1 Pro chip. However, the former is more powerful even though the M1 Pro chip is used in the base model. It can be used to edit and transcode the 4K videos without overheating. On the other hand, you can choose the M1 Max chip to get a better frame rate.
While we are talking about webcams, let’s talk about the webcam as well. Most laptops have a 720p webcam, but Apple has added a 1080p webcam. It can capture the details quickly, both in videos and pictures. Also, there are no grains in the picture quality. Also, it doesn’t matter how long you use the laptop; it won’t heat up. Also, the laptop won’t heat up even using the high-power mode.
Audio
Apple has six speakers in the laptop. The speakers are by Dolby Atmos, and you get the spatial audio. In addition, they are using the triple-microphone, promising better sound reception. The speakers support the vocals and treble of every kind, promising a sound audio quality. In addition, the bass is exceptional for a laptop.
Touchpad & Keyboard
No one likes a cramped keyboard, and Apple knows it. That’s because they have replaced the touch bar with function keys. The keyboard is comfortable, and the keys are ergonomically spaced, so you don’t make writing mistakes. The function keys are incredibly intuitive. Also, a touch ID sensor in the top-right key promises secure logins (they didn’t add face ID).
The trackpad is huge, promising practical and easy use. It is incredibly accurate and can pick the commands pretty quickly.
Software
This laptop came with macOS Monterey, a significant upgrade from the Big Sur. The software is high-speed and stable, promising zero bugs. However, it doesn’t have Universal Control support, so you cannot use the keyboard and mouse with multiple devices. According to Apple, they will add this feature later. In addition, you need to wait for SharePlay.
Apple will also promise an overhaul in Safari, and they will launch the Shortcuts app as well. Soon, they will also add the Live Text feature, so the users can select the text from videos and pictures and copy it to the documents.
Battery life
This laptop promises to be with you for over 21 hours with one charge. However, you will get 16 hours of continuous surfing at maximum brightness. Even if Apple upsold the laptop, it’s needless to say that the battery life is impressive. Also, the laptop can be fully charged in an hour with MagSafe 3 port.
Pros
- Liquid retina display
- Efficient and fast performance
- Exceptional battery life
- A sufficient number of ports
- 1080p webcam
- Crisp and loudspeakers
- No overheating
Cons
- No 4K display
- Expensive
The Bottom Line
MacBook Pro 16-Inch 2021 is one of the best laptops by Apple, and it’s a significant improvement. It has an exceptional battery, a bright, crisp display, and efficient speed. In addition, if you don’t mind spending some money, choosing the laptop with an M1 Max chip will promise even better performance. It suits your creative and regular work (yes, heavy-duty editing).