MacBook Pro 14-Inch, M1 Max, 2021

The Apple MacBook Pro "M1 Max" 10-Core CPU/32-Core GPU 14-Inch (2021) is a custom-ordered version of the standard 14-inch "M1 Pro" models, documented separately for clarity. This custom configuration typically features a different CPU, GPU, and RAM, and potentially a different power adapter.

This model is powered by a 3.2 GHz Apple M1 Max processor with ten cores (eight performance, two efficiency), a 32-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 32 GB of onboard RAM, and either a 512 GB or 1 TB SSD. Both RAM and SSD were only upgradable at the time of purchase.

Available in silver and "Space Gray," this notebook features an integrated 1080p FaceTime HD webcam, a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, a backlit "Magic Keyboard" with a "Touch ID" sensor (but no "Touch Bar"), and a large "Force Touch" trackpad.

It also has a high-resolution 14.2" widescreen 3024x1964 (254 ppi, 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio) LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" display and a battery with an estimated 11-17 hour life.

Connectivity includes 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, three Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C), an HDMI 2.0 port, an SDXC card slot, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a "MagSafe 3" power connector.

Compared to its predecessor, the 14" "2021" MacBook Pro shares little in common, offering a superior display, a simpler keyboard, greatly expanded external connectivity, and a completely different internal architecture with faster performance.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the top-tier M1 Max chip, featuring a 32-core GPU and 64GB of RAM, was an absolute beast of a machine in a compact form factor. This configuration delivered staggering graphics performance that rivaled high-end desktop systems, making it a dream for video editors and 3D artists who valued portability. The Liquid Retina XDR display was a highlight, offering breathtaking contrast and brightness for HDR content. Despite its immense power, the machine ran remarkably cool and quiet, and the battery life remained impressive, a testament to the efficiency of Apple Silicon. This model represented the pinnacle of what was possible in a small pro laptop, proving that users no longer had to choose a larger size to get the absolute best performance.