MacBook Pro 16-Inch, M1 Max, 2021

The Apple MacBook Pro "M1 Max" 10-Core CPU/32-Core GPU 16-Inch (2021) 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 a 1 TB onboard 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 16.2" widescreen 3456x2234 (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 14-21 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 16" "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 16-inch MacBook Pro configured with the M1 Max chip and its full 32-core GPU was the undisputed king of mobile creative workstations upon its release. This machine offered unparalleled performance, with the M1 Max's graphics capabilities proving to be a game-changer for video editing, 3D rendering, and other GPU-intensive tasks. The larger 16-inch chassis allowed the powerful chip to run without thermal constraints, delivering its full potential consistently. Reviewers were universally impressed by the stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, the return of vital ports like HDMI and SDXC, and the exceptional battery life, which defied the machine's immense power. It was hailed as a triumphant return to form for Apple, a device that listened to professional users' needs and delivered a near-flawless tool for the most demanding workflows.