Apple has revealed the main benefits of two new MacBook Pro models that run on more powerful in-house chips and not on Intel.
The retail price of MacBook Pro’s 14-inch and 16-inch models start at $1,999 and range up to $6,099 in their most expensive variations.
Apple is using its own chips called the M1 Pro and M1 Max in order to ensure MacBook Pro models are running better as compared with PCs based on Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
14-inch MacBook Pro
Up to 3.7x faster project builds using Xcode.
Up to 3x more Amp Designer plug-ins in Logic Pro.
Up to 2.8x faster computational fluid dynamics performance in NASA TetrUSS.
Up to 9.2x faster 4K render in Final Cut Pro with M1 Pro, and up to 13.4x faster with M1 Max.
Up to 5.6x faster combined vector and raster GPU performance in Affinity Photo with M1 Pro, and up to 8.5x faster with M1 Max.
Up to 3.6x faster effect render in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio with M1 Pro, and up to 5x faster with M1 Max.
Both M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are supercharged with a 16-core Neural Engine, allowing users to enjoy faster ML tasks, including:
Up to 8.7x faster object tracking performance in Final Cut Pro with M1 Pro, and up to 11.5x faster with M1 Max.
Up to 7.2x faster scene edit detection in 1080p ProRes 422 video in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Up to 2.6x faster performance when selecting subjects in images in Adobe Photoshop.
Apple is laying out a path for what Apple’s computers will look like when it completes its two-year transition away from Intel chips next year. The chips have helped propel Mac sales, which were up 32 percent to $26 billion in the first nine months of Apple’s fiscal 2021, Reuters reported.
Johny Srouji, Apple’s chip chief, said the M1 Max chip uses up to 100 watts less power than other high-end laptop chips, which translates to better battery life. “It’s the most powerful chip we’ve ever built,” Srouji said of the M1 Max.
Apple said the 14-inch model will start at $1,999 and the 16-inch model will start at $2,499. Both computers will start shipping next week, Apple said.
Apple introduced a third generation of its AirPods wireless ear buds. Apple’s new AirPods are sweat- and water-resistant for use with workouts and will have some sound features previously found in the higher-end AirPods Pro, Apple said during the launch event. Apple said the new AirPods will cost $179 and start shipping next week.
Add-on devices like AirPods tend to be large sellers during holiday shopping seasons and have become one of Apple’s fastest-growing categories, with its home and accessories segment growing 25 percent to $30.6 billion in Apple’s fiscal 2020.
