Apple MacBook Pro 16.2" 2021, M1 Max, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Space Gray
The M1 Max chip with its 32-core GPU delivers exceptional performance for compiling large codebases and running multiple simulators simultaneously. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display provides 1600 nits peak brightness and a 3456-by-2234 resolution, making it a strong value for developers who need screen real estate and color accuracy. This machine is best for software developers and data scientists who prioritize CPU and GPU compute over gaming or portability.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong reliability (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile) 81st
- Strong social proof (79th percentile) 79th
- Strong gpu (78th percentile) 78th
Cons
- Below average affordability (0th percentile)
- Below average portability (8th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 1 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M1 Max |
| Cores | 10 |
| Frequency | 3.2 GHz |
Graphics
| GPU | Apple M1 Max 32-core GPU |
| Type | Integrated |
| VRAM Type | System Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 16.2" |
| Panel | Mini-LED |
Connectivity
| USB-C Ports | 3 |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 4 x3 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Physical
| Weight | 2.7 kg / 6.0 lbs |
| OS | macOS |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16.2" 2021 | ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA403WW-G14.R95080 | Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US | HP OMEN Transcend | MSI Raider RAIDERGE6814247 | Alienware Aurora LAC16251-9582BLU-PUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M1 Max | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H | Intel Core i9 14900HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| RAM (GB) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 2048 | 1024 | 1024 | 2048 | 2048 |
| Screen | 16.2" | 14" 2880x1800 | 15.1" 2560x1600 | 14" 2880x1800 | 16" 3840x2160 | 16" 2560x1600 |
| GPU | Apple M1 Max 32-core GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | - | 80 | 71 | 100 | 96 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | CPU | GPU | RAM | Ports | Screen | Portability | Storage | User Sentiment | Reliability | Social Proof | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 16.2" 2021 | 73.9 | 77.5 | 72.1 | 53.4 | 62.1 | 8.4 | 65.2 | 81.2 | 98.1 | 78.7 | 0 |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA403WW-G14.R95080 Compare | 91.2 | 97.4 | 90.9 | 89.4 | 96.5 | 73.7 | 89.8 | 98.9 | 60.4 | 98.4 | 5.4 |
| Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US Compare | 94.6 | 87.4 | 86.4 | 97.3 | 94.4 | 56.4 | 79.3 | 70 | 81.8 | 89.3 | 27.3 |
| HP OMEN Transcend Compare | 90.1 | 92.6 | 89.7 | 89.4 | 96.5 | 72.3 | 65.2 | 81.2 | 33.4 | 97.3 | 8.4 |
| MSI Raider RAIDERGE6814247 Compare | 93.2 | 94.5 | 86.4 | 98.6 | 98 | 9.3 | 93.9 | 81.2 | 60.4 | 51.3 | 10.2 |
| Alienware Aurora LAC16251-9582BLU-PUS Compare | 97.2 | 92.6 | 86.4 | 83.3 | 90.7 | 12.6 | 89.8 | 90.8 | 4 | 98.4 | 14.1 |
Usage Scores
- Overall64.4
- AI/LLM54.6
- Gaming20.7
- Portability41.7
- Creator36.3
- Student54.6
- Business60.2
- Developer73.2
- Entertainment63
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
