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Apple MacBook Pro 16 with M1 Max touted to outperform laptops powered by Quadro RTX 6000 and RTX A5000 GPUs

The Apple MacBook Pro 16 ticks almost all boxes that pro users can think of. (Image Source: Apple)
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 ticks almost all boxes that pro users can think of. (Image Source: Apple)
Apple also introduced the 16-inch MacBook Pro alongside the 14-inch MacBook Pro variant. Both devices share largely identical specifications, though the 16-inch variant offers a direct configuration with the M1 Max in addition to two M1 Pro options. Apple claims that a fully maxed-out MacBook Pro 16 outperforms laptops powered by Quadro RTX 6000 and RTX A5000 GPUs.

Apart from the 14-inch MacBook Pro, Apple also announced the 16-inch MacBook Pro targeted at creative professionals on the go. 

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has similar specifications and design as the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the primary differences being with respect to available processing prowess. The 16-inch MacBook Pro can be had in three configuration options with two of them using the 10-core M1 Pro SoC and the third with the M1 Max.

All three options offer a 3456x2234 Liquid Retina XDR display that offers 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and 1,600 nits peak brightness along with ProMotion 120 Hz adaptive refresh rates. The 16-inch MacBook Pro's display offers a staggering 7.7 million pixels, which is the most ever in a Mac laptop. The unified memory can be configured to up to 32 GB on the M1 Pro and M1 Max configurations while the M1 Max variant can also be configured with up to 64 GB of unified memory.

Storage options for the 16-inch MacBook Pro range from 1 TB to 8 TB for the base variant while the M1 Max version starts from 2 TB.

With a "maxed-out" M1 Max configuration, Apple claims that the MacBook Pro 16 can outperform pro PC laptops even those featuring Nvidia Quadro RTX 6000 graphics with 24 GB GDDR6 VRAM and GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU with 16 GB VRAM in benchmarks such as the Octane X Demo PR11.

Apple also said that the M1 Max in the MacBook Pro 16 allows video editors to color grade 8K HDR ProRes 4444 video on battery. Apple bases this claim in comparison with PC laptops configured with an Intel Core i9 and Nvidia RTX A5000 and RTX 3080 Laptop GPU options running a pre-release version of DaVinci Resolve Studio for macOS.

Other features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera in a notch that makes good use of the M1 Pro and M1 Max's ISP, an improved bass response on the onboard speakers, and macOS Monterey that takes advantage of all the new features in the M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs.

The 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Pro SoC will be available starting from US$2,499 (₹239,900) while the M1 Max variant starts from US$3,499 (₹329,900). Pre-orders are live now for delivery starting from next week.

Buy the Apple iMac 24-inch on Amazon

The 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with an M1 Max option. (Image Source: Apple)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with an M1 Max option. (Image Source: Apple)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro offers an improved Magic Keyboard. (Image Source: Apple)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro offers an improved Magic Keyboard. (Image Source: Apple)
MagSafe 3 connector helps with charging. USB charging is available as well. (image Source: Apple)
MagSafe 3 connector helps with charging. USB charging is available as well. (image Source: Apple)
Port selection includes SDXC slot, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. (Image Source: Apple)
Port selection includes SDXC slot, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. (Image Source: Apple)
The MacBook Pro 16 can power up to four external displays. (Image Source: Apple)
The MacBook Pro 16 can power up to four external displays. (Image Source: Apple)
MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 salient features. (Image Source: Apple)
MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 salient features. (Image Source: Apple)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 10 > Apple MacBook Pro 16 with M1 Max touted to outperform laptops powered by Quadro RTX 6000 and RTX A5000 GPUs
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 2021-10-19 (Update: 2021-10-19)