Apple Macbook Pro 16 inch: Time to wait for an upgrade
Apple does not update its computer models at the same rate as the competition, and for only larger models of Macbook Pro at 16 inches, it may be that the latest came as early as 2019. Much because Apple can invest in its own processors. The first of these, the M1, is already in the 13-inch Macbook Pro and desktop Mac Mini that came last fall and in a new Imac that came this spring. And we expect a new version of the Apple processor in a new, stock Macbook Pro later this fall.
Rating 3 out of 5
Opinion
Macbook is almost always synonymous with quality, and this computer also has many good features. Above all, high comfort, good sound and image and a generously large ssd. But age has taken its toll. When the hardware is two generations behind the best competitors, it’s time to wait and wait for a new model.
Positively
- High-quality screen and clean sound.
- Large fast ssd.
- Well built and amenities.
Negative
- Begins to lag behind in performance.
- Uncertain future for Mac with Intel.
- No sd card reader.
- No wifi 6.
Tested product: Apple Macbook Pro 16 (MVVK2KS / A)
Award: SEK 28,990 on Netonnet.
This means that Apple just can not compete with Windows-based heavyweights and performance. The Macbook Pro features a ninth-generation Intel Core processor. In our tested model, we certainly get a really good one, the eight-core Core i9-9880H that hangs well in operation that can be used for all processor cores, such as exporting video files. But performance in some other operators is a few steps behind.
This is the basic configuration for Core i9 models, which can mean that it has 16 gigabytes of RAM and 1 terabyte ssd, as well as the powerful of two graphics options, Radeon Pro 5500M instead of Radeon Pro 5300M. This configuration costs just over SEK 35,000 in Apple’s web shop, but there are other stores for less than SEK 30,000. There is a juicy price tag for these specifications.
Graphics are another thing where the Macbook Pro cannot compete with many of the latest and greatest Windows competitors that have Geforce RTX 3060 and 3070 cards. But it is not as crucial for job performance as for games. Especially the important programs you want to use graphics performance for in Mac OS, Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite, Apple’s own programs, and more, are well optimized for the Vulcan api, which Radeon Pro is good at using.
More than performance
Another effect of it being a slightly older computer is that it only has wifi 5 support in it instead of wifi 6. This means that it does not really have the same top speed and range in a modern wifi network as, for example, the new Macbook Pro 13. In most situations you will not notice the difference, but out on the periphery of a wifi with a weak signal it can be crucial.
In addition to the outdated interior, the 16-inch Macbook Pro is another excellent quality build with high comfort, elegant design and a solid exterior in solid aluminum. This also includes an excellent monitor, with high dot density, high maximum brightness of about 500 cd / m2 full matching of dci p3 standard in color range and high color accuracy.
It is an ips panel, but one that impresses greatly in contrast, at least as long as we stay at medium brightness. Apples Truetone function, which adjusts the color temperature of the screen according to lighting in the room, is a smart extra layer of automation that ensures neutral color temperature. But it’s a bit of a matter of taste if you appreciate the end result, and it can be turned off for full manual control.
Quality in controls
Keyboards and mouse pads are of the highest class, and since Apple offers not to have different keypads in their keyboards, they do not have to compromise on space. Here we also find the characteristic Touchbar, the elongated OLED screen that the Macbook Pro has instead of function buttons at the top. This allows it to be used for anything in the program that supports it. It can be volume and media player control, extra controls for video editing, custom function buttons and so on.
It is sometimes used really well in programs, sometimes more half-heartedly. Since the Touchbar has never become standard in all Macbook models, the user base may never be stored for all developers to really add extra power to it. The latest rumors about the Touchbar are that Apple will not continue with it in future Macbook models, so how well it will utilize in future applications is uncertain.
Next to the keyboard are two upward-facing sets of speakers that deliver nicely and rent sound with good maximum volume. It lacks a bit of weight and fullness fits with other laptops, but then we are picky. It would have been welcome with an equalizer in Mac OS, but there are good third-party apps for that.
Thunderbolt for all the money
The computer has an almost slightly over-modernized set of external connections. Four Thunderbolt 3 ports and nothing else. For example, if you have slightly older external storage devices or a USB printer you want to be able to connect, you need an adapter or dock for that. But they are versatile and fast ports that you can both connect external monitor, lightning fast storage and charge the battery from.
A good thing about the Macbook Pro is its extra large batteries of 100 watt hours, where most computers in the class have around 80. It can provide extra hours of operating time, especially if you do not have to work hard on it but only surf and run office programs. Then the Macbook Pro has better battery life than most other powerful laptops. If we press the processor and maximize the screen brightness, however, it is possible to efficiently drain the battery.
This is perhaps the last Macbook model that can be run on dual boot, ie both Mac OS and Windows. So far, there is no Windows support for Apple’s own processors, which the next Macbook Pro is expected to run. If it is an important function, maybe that is why we can turn to this. There is no support for the new Mac OS version Big Sur and Apple recently updated the Bootcamp program that handles it, so it is not a company abandonment for those who still have Intel-based Macs.
Otherwise, we recommend that you wait a while and see what Apple has up its sleeve later in the year. A long-awaited update should be up and running relatively soon. That would be the least of the time.
Specifications
Product name: Apple Macbook Pro 16 (MVVK2KS / A)
Tested: August 2020, new city and updated July 2021
Manufacturer: Apple
Processor: Intel Core i9-9880H, 2.3 GHz octa-core
Graphics: Radeon Pro 5500M, 4 GB
Memory: 16 GB ddr4
Storage: 1 TB ssd
Screen: 16 inch glossy ips, 3072×1920 pixels
Webcam: 720p
Connections: 4 pcs Thunderbolt 3, headset
Wireless: Wifi 5, bluetooth 5.0
Operating system: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0
Other: TouchBar, fingerprint reader
Noise level: 29-42 dBa
Battery life: 1h (high load), 14h 30min (low load)
Size: 35.8 x 24.6 x 1.6 cm
Weight: 2 kg
Rec. Award: 35,092 kr
Current price: SEK 28,990 on Netonnet.
Performance
Cinebench R23, cpu: 9,025 points
Cinebench R23, cpu a core: 1 102 points
Geekbench 5, cpu: 6 610 points
Geekbench 5, cpu and core: 1,061 points
Geekbench 5, graphic: 34 585 points
Disk, reading: 2 702.8 MB / s
Disk, writing: 2 381.2 MB / s