M1 MacBook Pro — 3 Years Later! Honest Long-Term Review

I bought an M1 14 inch MBP with 16gb RAM and 512 storage about 3 years ago. Yesterday I bought a 15 inch M3 MBA with 16gb RAM and 512 storage. My M1 is fine, it's still chugging along pretty well, but it does struggle with some of the heavier use I put it through, think 100mb+ spreadsheets, pretty intensive programs. I haven't put the M3 Air through it yet, but it's got comparable or better performance, with the added benefit of 6-10 hours more battery life and what feels like 1/2 the weight, and significantly larger screen real estate. My toss up was between a 16 inch MBP and a 15 inch air, and I'd be considered a power user for probably 70% of the use of my laptop, and the Air honestly is plenty for the vast majority of people, even "creators" who seem to think they need to max machines every year. Upside being, I'll also be able to sell the MBP for over 1/2 what I bought it for.

And here I was upset why I got my MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14 inch base model, a month ago now that M4s are out.

I don’t do heavy rendering, I’m just a Chrome tab junkie and do occasional light video editing.

I couldn't disagree more with you. Any m4 Mac is way better value than any comparable M1, M2 or M3. The 14-core M4 pro has more powerful CPU than the M2 ultra.

More productive to keep your M1 MacBook Pro and maybe purchase a M4 Mac Mini.

the Macbook Air starts at 16gb ram too, now all Macs starts at 16gb ram minimum!

Other Ms don’t make much sense after M4. Unless you get M1/M2 dirty cheap.

This video stopped me in my tracks on buying an M3 Air. I've found an M1 Pro 16" 16GB RAM/512GB storage MBP deal that's a bit cheaper than the M3 Air of the same RAM and SSD config, even with the student discount applied. But I'm concerned about the support window closing fast on a 3+ yrs old machine. Oh, and it's 16" hefty. If I can get over those gripes, I'm pulling the trigger.

I have the 14" M1 Pro with upgraded CPU/GPU (10 and 16 cores), and boy has this machine been a dream! I got the 16gb memory and 1tb SSD, and have not needed for more of either yet. This thing has been on many trips overseas where I need the battery to last for 24 hours of travel, and I don't think it's ever died on me. Usually when I get to the hotel/bnb it's still at 25% and I just keep on using it without needing to dig out the EU plug converters. The screen is gorgeous and the speakers are a real shock. Dolby Atmos works SO well when watching movies on it while laying in bed or sitting at a table.

I can see myself having this for another few years at least. I might only need to get a new battery.

the biggest change is the transition from the intel gen not between the M series

M1 is still banger :) I love it! (Music productions and graphic design )

My M1 Pro 16" is still going strong! Absolutely loving the machine to this day.

I regularly walk into Starbucks with my 2015 15" MBP and no one gives a shit!

So, should we get the M1 and replace it next year? Or maybe we should get the M4 so we can enjoy 10 years of bragging about how amazing it is! I’m not buying a computer just for Starbucks bro !

bro did the god work, just today my 4 year m1 mba just bricked, apple leave me 500 bucks to repair it or 1500 to get a m4 mbp😅

It's time for common sense on buying all macbooks and desktops.
Than you.

Russian engraving on your Mac or is it footage from internet?

Just got this for 960 from Best Buy, your video really helped me out!

I still have this and I'm a programmer and its absolutely great

Yes its totally a workhorse. Thats why the first argument is "in a Starbucks you will still look fresh". Useless review!

My M1 Air 16gb still has rocking.
Heavy Developer but don’t do any video editing.

do i have to worry about the service or lemme say support from apple??

I purchased the 3 year apple care on mine..since I spent a fortune on the loaded max. Came in handy for the battery issues.....2 years 11 months in it dropped below 80% and I got a free replacement. Took the option to renew AppleCare+ for 99 a year. Great to know I can just get the thing fixed if my not so gentle treatment causes issues!

LV bags are heavily copied, and small cute bags with funny handles are not practical everyday bags, the kislux bag would be much more practical. Thanks again for the informative video.

I got iPad Pro 12.9 m1 and couldn’t be happier

Do u think MacBook pro m1 laptops are better than MacBook Air m1 for the price right now?

M4 is the holy grail for folks like me who've been using Windows for dev n creative works forever n are finally making the switch to Mac.

Because of update support most should get the m3 air of m4 base MacBook Pro.

Because when I walk into a cafe, the first thing I really worry about is whether other people are judging what laptop I'm using? I'm going for a coffee and to get work done.

I was lookin for laptop I need - 16b ram, 512 b storage what would be better

Options I am considering -

M1 pro : Second Hand (Black Market) - $866
M1 pro (New) - $1,124.00
M3 Air (New 16gb 512gb) - 1099

I am a Data science student and 16 gb ram is must for me.

I just bought this one. Thanks for the comparison

I want to buy the M1 Pro 2020, does it handle 4k editing?

Asshole, now they're all gone

Hi guys

YOU DO NOT NEED

ANYTHING AFTER AN M1

there

In all honesty people are too focus on the latest technology for no reason at all. M1 is solid laptop for whatever you doing.

great job! 👍👍👍

is M1 MacBook Pro 13 13inch same spec basic M1 and 16gb ram and 2tb ?

Will this be able to handle OBS. I want to record my gameplay with my Elgato hd60x.

I think the kislux bag and shoes should be the best replicas in the world

I've been eyeing to buy a Mac Mini M4 base model but it looks like they wont be in stock in my local electronic store in my country until 2024. The 24gb 512g model will be available in 1-3 weeks and will cost me around 1400USD. That's a bit too steep for me right now. I might be able to order it through a mobile/electronic store that is apple certified and is able to order macs from apple, but that will be 5-10% more expensive than the normal electronic store. I can probably sell my base Macbook Air m1 for around 920USD since it cost 1400USD new(macs are always way more expensive here than other places so the resell value is also quite high compared to the US). If I go the mac mini rout, I can either order the base model and pay that 5-10% that it will cost to ship, taxes and other stuff or wait and buy the more expensive 24gb/512gb model. HOWEVER. I also see that my local electronic store has big 50%+ sales on older M1 Pro models(some even like 77% off). Like 16' M1 Pro with 1tb SSD for around 1200USD or 14' M1 Pro with 1tb SSD for around 1400USD. How the 16' is cheaper is still a mystery to me. They also sell a 16' M1 Pro with 512gb SSD for also 1200USD but why pay the same for around 500gb less storage.
I do own a monitor, keyboard and mouse that are mac compatible but I like using multiple screens, don't mind being portable and do love the fact that the 16inch has 1tb of storage.
If I go for the base model Mac Mini m4, I will have to buy a 2tb SSD for around 200USD(that has less speed than internal storage) AND I lose a keyboard, touchpad, webcam and a screen since I can only afford it if I sell my Macbook Air. I can sell it for around the same price I can buy the base model Mac Mini M4 so I would be getting a newly released mac + SSD for a net spend of minus 300-350 USD which is still very tempting. So I am in a bit torn between what to choose. I need something that can last 2-4 years within music production. The reason for the "must" update is because I get a hizz sound when I use my audio interface and when my MacBook Air is charging or is displaying for an external monitor. It's no fun producing when you have to be unplugged from power and/or you're unable to use your monitor while producing music. As far as I know, the 16' M1 Pro doesn't have any hizzing issue and neither will the Mac Mini m4. I could try to find a used base model Mac Mini M1/M2 for 300-400USD but I feel like they would be "outdated" for my use quite soon and you would look at the Mac Mini m4 and be jealous of the since and RAM, hehe.

The is one program called Brightintosh which could boost the brightness of previous MacBook Pro 14/16 to 1000 nits. After installing that program, there is no reason for updating.

Not possible to get M1 pro in Asia.
M2 and M3 is possible. But 100$ cheaper than M4. So doesn't make any sense outside US

Are you Russian?
Russian keyboard on your macbook
Video from Wylsacom’s video

Holding onto my16" m1 pro, but the m4s are the first to have me tempted! Ultimately, I'm gonna ride this out for another gen. But my next buy, I'll pay for more ram. 16gb isn't enough anymore. 24 in the m4 sounds great, but then I'll be in the same spot in 3 years. Next go? I'm paying for that 48gb ram for sure. The rest of the machine is still smoking fast.

Naw. you are wrong. M4 smokes it. IF you are getting an M1 you need to get the M1 Max. You should only get either an M1 Macbook Air or a M1 Max Macbook Pro nothing in between

Just bought used 14 inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro:)

Just bought a 1tb with 32gb ram for $1000 off eBay.

I bought a used MacBook Pro M1 14 inch in great condition today to replace my MBA M2 base model. I am so happy with it and the weight increase is negligible. Cheers!