MacBook Pro · Apple Silicon · 2021
MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max)
The big Pro with M1 Max could chew through 8K video on battery, all day. For many creatives it was the most capable laptop ever made at launch.
Longest battery life ever in a Mac laptop at launch (21 hours video).
MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) (2023)
MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max): key facts
When was the MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) released?
The MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) arrived on October 26, 2021. Apple discontinued it in January 2023.
How much did the MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) cost?
The MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) launched at $2,499 in 2021, about $2,899 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple M1 Pro / M1 Max at 3.20 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB storage, 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED, 3456×2234, ProMotion display.
Why does the MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) matter?
Longest battery life ever in a Mac laptop at launch (21 hours video).
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple M1 Pro / M1 Max · 3.20 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 10 |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB (up to 64 GB) |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Display | 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED, 3456×2234, ProMotion |
| GPU | Apple up to 32-core GPU |
| Ports | 3× Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SD, MagSafe 3 |
| Weight | 2.1 kg |
| Dimensions | Boxy unibody with notch |
| Operating system | macOS 12 Monterey |
| Released | October 26, 2021 |
| Discontinued | January 2023 |
| Launch price | $2,499 |
How the MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 1.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 3.20 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.0× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 131,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $2,499 in 2021, about $2,899 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
The M1 Max moved memory bandwidth into territory previously reserved for workstations.
Related MacBook Pro models
Open the MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro/Max) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11