Notebookcheck Logo

The MacBook Pro 14 arrives with unrivalled performance, more ports, endless configurability, a 120 Hz display, and a notch

The MacBook Pro 14 starts at US$1,999 with 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and no Touch Bar. (Image source: Apple)
The MacBook Pro 14 starts at US$1,999 with 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and no Touch Bar. (Image source: Apple)
Apple has lifted the lid on the long-rumoured 14-inch MacBook Pro. The new screen size coincides with an overhaul of the MacBook Pro series, with more ports, a flatter design and a mini LED display. The latter has slim bezels, 1,000-nit sustained brightness and runs at 120 Hz. It also has a notch, within which its 1080p webcam sits.
Apple ARM MacBook

Apple has revealed the MacBook Pro 14, the long-awaited entry in the MacBook Pro series. The MacBook Pro 14 launches alongside the MacBook Pro 16, with third-generation AirPods, a refreshed HomePod Mini and a cheaper Apple Music plan also showcased at today's Apple event.

The MacBook Pro 14 arrives with a 14.2-inch display that resolves at 3,024 x 1,964 pixels and peaks at 1,600 nits. It is worth noting that the display can only sustain 1,000 nits, but this remains far brighter than most laptops and external monitors manage. The 14-inch panel also operates at 120 Hz and relies on mini LED backlights, technologies that the MacBook Pro 14 shares with this year's iPad Pro 12.9.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro has a notch as well though, which sits in the menu bar. Apple claims that the notch allowed it to include a 1080p webcam, but we see plenty of unused space in the machine's relatively thick chin. Regardless, the MacBook Pro 14 sees the return of an HDMI port, an SD card reader and Magsafe charging, all missing in the MacBook Pro range since 2016. Apple has included three Thunderbolt ports, too.

The notch is not visible when using full screen apps. (Image source: Apple)
The notch is not visible when using full screen apps. (Image source: Apple)
It splits the menu bar when not in full screen mode, though. (Image source: Apple)
It splits the menu bar when not in full screen mode, though. (Image source: Apple)

Apple lists two configurations on its website separated by US$500. However, there are many more to choose from when you delve into the configurator. For example, there five processor options, ranging from the 8-core M1 Pro to the 10-core M1 Max with a 32-core GPU. The processor options are as follows:

  • M1 Pro: 8-core CPU/14-core GPU
  • M1 Pro: 10-core CPU/14-core GPU
  • M1 Pro: 10-core CPU/16-core GPU
  • M1 Max: 10-core CPU/24-core GPU
  • M1 Max: 10-core CPU/32-core GPU
The MacBook Pro 14 has more ports than the MacBook Pro 13. (Image source: Apple)
The MacBook Pro 14 has more ports than the MacBook Pro 13. (Image source: Apple)

Additionally, the MacBook Pro 14 is configurable with up to an 8 TB SSD and 32 GB of RAM regardless of the chosen processor. However, 64 GB of RAM is only available with M1 Max SKUs; you cannot configure the M1 Max with 32 GB of RAM either.

According to Apple, the MacBook Pro 14 should last up to 17 hours of 'Apple TV app movie playback' and 11 hours of browsing the web from its 70 Wh battery. Incidentally, Apple bundles a 96 W charger with all but the entry-level processor option, which receives a 67 W charger instead.

The MacBook Pro 14 is available to order starting at US$1,999 in Silver and Space Gray. Mind you, the laptop quickly becomes expensive, with M1 Max configurations starting at US$2,899. If you have money to burn, then you can configure the MacBook Pro 14 up to US$5,899, which nets you the top M1 Max, 64 GB of RAM and 8 TB of storage. 

Purchase the Apple iMac 24-inch on Amazon

(Image source: Apple)
(Image source: Apple)
(Image source: Apple)
(Image source: Apple)
(Image source: Apple)

Source(s)

Apple

Related Articles

The MacBook Pro's notch houses an array of sensors including the 1080p webcam. (Image Source: David Pogue on Twitter)
Apple MacBook Pro's notch houses more than just a 1080p camera 10/23/2021
The pricier MacBook Air could be released in mid-2022 and sport an upgraded mini LED display (Image: MacRumors)
Leak claims the new Apple MacBook Air is set for a mid-2022 release, could feature a mini LED display and MagSafe but also a higher price 10/22/2021
The Apple M1 Max is pegged to offer a great performance-to-power consumption ratio. (Image Source: Apple)
Geek discretion advised: Apple M1 Max trails behind RTX 3080 Laptop by nearly 30% in GFXBench but is about 8% faster than RTX 3060 Laptop, mileage varies depending on considered benchmarks 10/21/2021
Apple's new MacBook Pro models will feature an Intel Thunderbolt 4 controller inside. (Image: Intel)
With Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, Apple's new MacBook Pro models still likely feature Intel inside 10/20/2021
The MacBook Pro 16 can be fast charged only via the MagSafe 3 cable for now. (Image Source: Apple)
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro becomes the first device to support USB-C Extended Power Range, but 140 W fast charging is limited to MagSafe 3 for now 10/20/2021
Besides the new 2021 MacBook Pro, Apple has also launched an official polishing cloth which cleans the display of your new laptop (Image: Apple)
Apple introduces an official US$19 polishing cloth with a compatibility list that includes more devices than just the new 2021 MacBook Pro 10/19/2021
The Mac Pro refresh expected for 2022 could use multiple connected Apple M1 Max processors. (Image source: Apple - edited)
Mac Pro with 40 CPU cores and 128 GPU cores worth of Apple Silicon will erase all memories of the desktop with Intel Core and AMD Radeon parts 10/19/2021
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 ticks almost all boxes that pro users can think of. (Image Source: Apple)
Apple MacBook Pro 16 with M1 Max touted to outperform laptops powered by Quadro RTX 6000 and RTX A5000 GPUs 10/19/2021
Instead of the new MacBook Pro, viewers of a fake livestream were confronted with a crypto scam that targeted their Bitcoin assets (Image: Executium)
Bitcoin scammers created a fake livestream for Apple's MacBook Pro launch event and garnered over 30,000 views 10/18/2021
Pat Gelsinger hopes to pull Apple back into its orbit with future processors. (Image source: Apple)
Intel CEO praises the Apple M1 but hopes to win Mac business back with better processors 10/18/2021
A concept drawing of what a MacBook Pro with a notch could look like. (Image source: Weibo)
More information comes to light about the fate of notched displays in next-generation Apple MacBook Pro laptops 10/17/2021
The MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 should be arriving next week. (Image source: MacRumors)
Apple MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 tipped to feature three USB 4 ports and an SD card slot as notched display rumour emerges 10/15/2021
The MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 are expected to feature several changes from current models. (Image source: @Apple_Tomorrow)
Render images show the possible design of Apple's MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 with M1X SoCs and mini LED displays 10/14/2021
It's widely expected that Apple will reveal the 2021 MacBook Pro notebooks at its event on October 18. (Image source: Apple/@RendersbyIan - edited)
Apple M1X MacBook Pro 14 and 16 with notched display, 120 Hz refresh rate, 100 W cooling fans, and similar pricing - rumors run amok following Unleashed event announcement 10/13/2021
The M1X MacBook Pro devices are expected to be launched at the end of October. (Image source: fan-made concept by Mark W./Tech Blood)
M1X MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 launch date predictions appear as Intel-powered 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptops disappear 10/12/2021
A DVT M1X MacBook Pro may have leaked with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. (Image source: Martin Sanchez)
M1X MacBook Pro prototype leaks from Apple Park with 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM 10/08/2021
Read all 18 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 10 > The MacBook Pro 14 arrives with unrivalled performance, more ports, endless configurability, a 120 Hz display, and a notch
Alex Alderson, 2021-10-19 (Update: 2021-10-19)