2021 MacBook Pro (16.2-inch, M1 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - Space Gray

Perfect. The M1 Pro MacBook Pro is a more than capable, extremely capable machine even in 2025 due to its 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores for a total of 10 cores. There is no need to upgrade to an M4 Pro if you can find one of these in excellent condition. Mine was described as being like new, and it did indeed arrive in like new mint condition. It appears that someone opened the box and left the computer alone as all the accessories were still wrapped as new and untouched. I checked the battery cycles, it was at 1. That’s a new machine and a steal at only $900 since I was able to get it tax free. I use mine for music production and video editing. Logic Pro works extremely well, I also use Ableton, Reason and Pro Tools with zero issues. Sessions run smoothly. Battery lasts all day too! Keys feel nice, not too heavy but it is a sturdy machine. Get one!

I tend to use my laptops a LOT, and I could probably be more gentle with them, so I tend to wear them out before they would otherwise need replacement... Leading to this being my 4th MacBook Pro. (It would be helpful if Apple could make better keyboards, but that's outside what I can control.) My last one, a mid-2019 model, had the Touch Bar (which I hated) but the "improved" keyboard which worked well until it began failing one key at a time. I was finally driven to replace it when other problems began to occur. This "new" MacBook Pro is, so far, a definite improvement on its last 2 predecessors. -- KEYBOARD: It took a day or two for me to get used to the feel of the keyboard, but now I'm actually able to touch-type more easily than in the past and it's quiet enough for me to not bother anyone sitting on either side while I work. (It's also very nice to have all the keys work!) The fact that the Touch Bar has been replaced with "old fashioned" function keys is, for me, a major plus because I tended to accidentally activate commands on the Touch Bar when my fingers got too close (maybe I carry too strong an electrical charge?) without my being aware I might be touching it, so having actual physical keys that only react when I actually press them is wonderful. I miss the ability to easily adjust keyboard brightness on the keyboard (it was actually through the Touch Bar), but that's easily taken care of via the Menu Bar. -- SCREEN: The black "notch" at the top of the screen still looks a little odd, but does not affect me or my work negatively in any way; the narrow black bezel around the screen is especially welcome when watching movies or scrolling through social media in bed. Image resolution is very good and brightness is easily adjustable. -- PORTS/CONNECTIVITY: I'm a little torn about the change (from the mid-2019 model) in ports; I frequently find myself wishing I still had 2 USB-C ports on *both* sides but absolutely love the return of the original MagSafe power port (the damage protection of which I've accidentally availed myself of a couple of times already). As far as WiFi is concerned, I've had zero problems to date while connecting to devices in multiple locations. -- FORM FACTOR: After all these years I don't know why I'm always surprised at how hefty this laptop is, but the balance is good enough that it's not noticeable when resting on my knees in a doctor's waiting room. Also, although the edge of the body still seem sharp, this one doesn't seem as prone to leaving painful creases in my wrists & hands as the previous one did. -- OVERALL: I've been living inside the Mac ecosystem a long time; my first desktop unit was an SE30 and my first laptop a 1998 PowerBook G3, so I have a *lot* of Macs to compare this one to... and so far it's sitting very close to the top of my list. My only real argument is with the current version of MacOS, but that's a totally different can of worms. I know there are newer models of the MacBook Pro on the market, but (especially when looking at price) this is one I hope to be using through (at least) the 2020s.

Edit 2025: I’ve had this Mac since 2021, and it still works the day I got it, it’s beautiful, it runs hard, and it still works the way I need it to, 4k videos, Adobe, everything. Edit: To add to this review. I've noticed some people are complaining about USB ports. Please PLEASE do your research before you buy! It's all USB C ports. HDMI is great to use a Monitor, free's up a USB C port for other devices! The SDHC ports are also available, and absolutely necessary for the everyday Photographer, videographers. That don't use a C Fast memory card (Which most computers you'll need an adapter anyways, but anyone that used normal SD chips for their camera's, it's a great to use! My last windows computer didn't have one, and I ABSOLUTELY needed it, (it's all I could get at that time and luckily I had a USB Adapter) and really no cons. I'm always on this computer, always needing to edit something, and it's been great to have! Otherwise refer to my original review below this edit. It's absolutely fast. Faster than I expected it to be honest. This is my second ever Mac, coming from a renewed mod '09 MBP i got in '17. This Mac blows everything that I own out of the water. Battery lasts me ALL day. Depending on what I'm doing. If I'm editing in premiere pro, or after effects all day. It'll drain a lot faster. If i have Netlfix, YouTube, or Twitch running most of the day. It lasts quite a long time. Browsing and talking with people lasts nearly 2 days. I've had this a week now, and there are no faults with this unit. It came in great condition. No issues with the computer, no scratches and its box was in good condition. It's nice and smooth. The only thing that I don't like, is I can't tether Android. But that's Apple's fault. I can tether on El Capitan, 10.1 MacOS. But not Monterey 12.2.1. I assume it has to deal with the M1 chip though. Some programs don't work with the new M1 chip. But otherwise. No qualms with the package, and shipping was fast.

M1 Chip has amazing perfomance even after 3 years!

Good as a used item but the warranty is gone and I was concerned about keeping it

I chose this laptop over the M2 pro 16 as its SSD spend is twice as fast, is just as fast as the m2 in the real world for most things but stays cool when really pushed unlike the m2 and has a better sound. Even though I got this at a lower cost, I still would chose it over the m2 pro 16.

Purchased this unit for over $3000+, 3 MONTHS LATER WONT TURN ON, NO SUPPORT, NO SOLUTIONS. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BACKED UP IN WORKFLOW (VIDEO EDITOR) NO RESPONSES OR TECHNICAL RECTIFICATIONS. PLEASE RECONSIDER IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON A LAPTOP. (ps. No third party plugins we cracked or hacked all purchased and paid licenses) it just wont turn on and when i did get it on it kept shutting down and restarting back to this screen. It has been updated to ventura from Monterey (automatically) wont allow me to reinstall Monterey as its a downgrade so i literally have a $3000+ paper weight at the moment. Please be careful, reconsider another computer, its my last time with apple. (Tried upgrading from a 27inch 5k 32gb imac which gives me the same kernel panic situation, here I am again once more with major clients asking to be updated on their delivery dates, its heart breaking to say the least.)

Would not accept Adobe lightroom or MS Office for Mac. This laptop is of no use to me and I would have to purchase 2 expensive pieces of new software in order to benefit from this purchase. Planned obsolescence is the name of Apple’s game. I’m not playing that game any more. No more Apple products for me!!!