Hi there! With the latest 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models now powered by new M1 Pro or M1 Max silicon chips, you might be wondering:
"Which of these cutting-edge chips is right for me?"
It‘s an excellent question! While both deliver huge speed boosts over previous Intel-based models, they each excel in different areas.
This comprehensive yet understandable guide compares every aspect of the M1 Pro vs M1 Max to help you decide.
Here‘s what I‘ll cover:
- Key Specs Comparison
- Real-World Speed in Professional Apps
- Battery Life Benchmarks
- Pricing and Upgrade Value Analysis
Let‘s dive in!
M1 Pro vs M1 Max Specs Overview
First, let‘s quickly summarize how Apple has upgraded their lauded M1 silicon chip to create two new more powerful variants optimized for creative professionals:
M1 Pro
- 10-core CPU
- 16-core GPU
- 200GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 32GB Unified Memory
M1 Max
- 10-core CPU
- Up to 32-core GPU
- 400GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 64GB Unified Memory
As you can see, while both chips share the same 10-core CPU architecture, the Max differentiates itself with double the GPU cores, memory and bandwidth.
This table summarizes the differences:
| Specification | M1 Pro | M1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 10 | 10 |
| GPU Cores | 16 | 32 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 200GB/s | 400GB/s |
| Max. Memory | 32GB | 64GB |
So in tasks needing serious graphical or video memory horsepower, the M1 Max promises big performance gains. Keep this overview table in mind as we benchmark real apps!
Application Performance Comparison
Benchmarks from experts at Tom‘s Hardware, Linus Tech Tips and others reveal how these specs impact speed in professional creative tools:
(results edited for length)
Video Editing
-
4K Export in Final Cut Pro
- M1 Pro: 45 sec
- M1 Max: 28 sec
-
Conclusion: Faster encode engines give 37% quicker export times
3D Modeling
-
OctaneBench GPU Render Score
- M1 Pro: 298 points
- M1 Max: 588 points
-
Conclusion: Doubled GPU cores result in 2x rendering speed – massive win for 3D artists
Coding
-
Android Studio Compile Time
- M1 Pro: 197 seconds
- M1 Max: 194 seconds
-
Conclusion: Identical CPU means no difference for programmers
Gaming
-
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 1080p FPS
- M1 Pro: 43 fps
- M1 Max: 58 fps
-
Conclusion: 35% higher frame rates show improved gameplay experience
Clearly, while both deliver blazing app and browser performance thanks to their new architecture, the M1 Max justifies its cost for GPU/video intensive duties.
But does that power hit battery runtimes?
Battery Life Comparison
Reviewers unanimously found excellent 13+ hour battery life from the M1 Pro for web browsing, rivaling M1 MacBook Airs.
However under heavy loads, the M1 Max drains faster as you‘d expect. AnandTech measured a moderate 18% reduced runtime in Basemark‘s intensive Media Creation benchmark. In absolute terms, the Max still exceeded 9 hours in this test.
For lighter workflows like writing and web access, there was only a small ~5% runtime difference.
In summary, the Pro edges out the Max in mobility but not by an enormous degree. The Max remains perfectly usable away from an outlet. Trade some battery capacity for its excellent creative performance!
Price and Upgrade Value
What exactly is the cost to step up from M1 Pro to M1 Max?
Here are upgrade prices for 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models globally:
| Region | Upgrade Cost |
|---|---|
| United States | $500 |
| Canada | $720 CAD |
| UK | £450 |
| Europe | €580 |
| Australia | $750 AUD |
Spending this premium nets you:
- 2x GPU cores
- 2x video engines
- 2x the memory bandwidth
- Up to 64GB unified RAM
For video editors, 3D designers and other graphics-heavy roles, this represents excellent futureproof value. You‘ll recoup the cost through productivity gains thanks to its excellent rendering and encoding throughput.
For coders, researchers and other CPU-bound jobs, the Pro has identical performance for less.
Choose whichever chip matches your daily workflow!
Conclusion
Summing up this comprehensive comparison guide:
Both the M1 Pro and Max represent massive leaps over previous-gen Intel MacBook Pro performance.
But while the Pro excels at general tasks, light creative work and unbeatable battery life, I‘d only recommend upgrading to the Max if you need its superior graphics and video grunt.
3D modelers, animators, game devs and 8K video editors in particular will thrive with the 32-core GPU, 64GB memory ceiling and radically fast 400GB/s bandwidth.
So there you have it! Hopefully breaking down their key differences helps you pick the right chip to take your workflow to the next level. Both are incredible engineering achievements.
Have any other questions? Let me know!
