Photo of Apple MacBook Pro (General) and more gear

Photo of Apple MacBook Pro (General) and more gear in a pedalboard, studio, and guitar

Apple MacBook Pro (General)

5.0 (1868)

397 Reviews

Find out who is using Apple MacBook Pro

69 community setups

363 wishlisted

3902 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

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Description

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Represents the latest - or general, in case the model cannot easily be determined - Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer (any screen size).

Videos

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Tech & Design

How to Use MacBook Pro - New to Mac Beginners Guide 2021

Tech & Design

Windows User Switches to MacBook Pro

kwoknation

MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air (2020): How to Pick Your Next Mac

Digital Trends

Review: 16-inch MacBook Pro. The best MacBook Pro ever?

9to5Mac

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional computing power and processing capability for VSTs in DAWs
Lightweight and portable, suitable for live setups
Reliable and durable, even older models perform well
Can handle large audio and video editing tasks seamlessly
Stunning Retina display enhances visual experience
Excellent battery life for extended use
Runs Logic Pro X and Reason Studios with ease
Dual boot capability allows for both macOS and Windows
Fast and responsive, ideal for on-the-go production
Known for minimal latency and strong performance with music software

CONS

Internal SSD storage fills up quickly with large VSTs
Requires multiple adapters for older USB connections
Expensive to upgrade storage and components
Some users report GPU issues in older models
Limited ports can be inconvenient for extensive setups
Can overheat during intensive tasks or in warm environments
High price tag; premium cost for features and brand
Known issues with certain models crashing frequently
Not ideal for extremely heavy video editing tasks
Touch bar functionality is underutilized by some developers

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Apple MacBook Pro (General).

Features and functionality

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The M4 MacBook Air now supports dual monitors, allowing for a total of three displays when including the built-in screen.
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The MacBook Pro has better audio with a thicker bass and more vibrant sound compared to the Air.
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro's 120Hz refresh rate, combined with its brightness and color accuracy, significantly enhances the user experience beyond just technical specifications.
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro's 1600 nits brightness capability, when paired with apps like Vivid, offers unparalleled screen clarity even in bright environments or near windows.
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Software and compatibility

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The base model M4 Air with 16GB RAM can handle IDEs, Docker containers, and local LLMs but may struggle with gaming.
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User experience

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Users report that thermal throttling is more noticeable on the M1 Air but less so on the M4 Air.
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Owners transitioning from older models report that the display upgrade on the 16-inch MacBook Pro is akin to going from an iPhone 5 to an iPhone 7, enhancing overall visual interaction.
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Use cases and applications

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The MacBook Pro's screen is particularly appreciated in environments with glare due to its higher brightness and anti-glare options.
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro's larger screen area is favored by users who frequently work with multiple windows or require more space for applications like Lightroom.
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Comparisons

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The weight difference between the 15" Air and 14" Pro is minimal, with the Air being slightly lighter by 0.1 lbs.
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Some users find the Pro's additional ports (HDMI and SD reader) useful, reducing the need for dongles compared to the Air.
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Some users who switched from Windows to macOS chose the MacBook Pro for its superior display, citing difficulty finding a comparable Windows laptop with similar screen quality.
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Users prefer the MacBook Pro's display over high-end Windows OLED panels due to its higher brightness and lack of blooming, crucial for use in natural light.
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Build quality

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The 16-inch Pro's speakers are highly praised for their quality, providing an immersive audio experience that exceeds expectations for laptop speakers.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 397 Reviews and 1868 Ratings

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othiym23

205

about 6 years ago

has the less terrible keyboard

Mine has 16GiB RAM and the SSD has been mostly full for several years, but it also has a usable keyboard and I refuse to give it up until I can afford one of the new ones with the OK keyboards. Keyboards are important!

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Techno Dubstep

chrisasaurus

about 11 years ago

Does everything I need it for! Audio, video, and digital painting!

My MacBook pro is pretty much a beast. I utilize Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for my photography and for digital painting. I can quickly put together movies that I should with my GoPro using Final Cut Pro. Lastly, I use Logic Pro X as my DAW and my MacBook Pro runs it perfectly!

arsnl

116

about 9 years ago

Overpriced laptop

You know what you don't need to make music? An overpriced laptop. Any laptop can do. I fell for apple's marketing this time. But the next time I won't be so easily fooled.

dominikromeo

almost 5 years ago

Beautiful design and reliability

I really like how fast MacBook works. Perfect cooperation with Logic Pro X 🔥🎹

Roles:

Drummer Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Orchestra

federicovaona

424

almost 11 years ago

The Power of Mac

My centerpiece of all my work. I have the Top Turbo version with 1TB SSD internal HD and 16 GB of RAM. I run Logic and all other software synths. With Thunderbolt 2 I can connect my Apple 27" TB Cinema Displays and a big HD external screen with HDMI. Fast, powerful and easy to travel. With my Apollo Twin I have now all my studio with me. In my opinion don't use Yosemite! I still using Maverick and it works fine on everything I need.

tobymoore

almost 13 years ago

A superior laptop choice for executives and professionals

Apple makes a superior product. Their MacBook Pro beats almost any laptop in the market. I can attest to this by the fact that I went through around nine different laptops in the later stage of my business career as an executive. The MacBook is fast, simple to use, and has exceptional aesthetics. I'm an Apple convert for life.

grishamtj

1251

about 6 years ago

Great Addition For Traveling Audio Engineer

I use my Mac Book in my home studio and on the go for sessions. It's light, portable, and allows me to work a session anywhere I go.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Alternative rock Indie rock Country rock

dj_luigi_premium

173

over 8 years ago

Best choice for DJing

With Retina display I never have discomfort and pain on my eyes. I recommend 13 inch, Core i7, 2.9 GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD (512 GB is better option). With this machine you will have no problems for producing studio work or DJing, even on 64 latency rate.

gl3n

136

over 9 years ago

Quick, no moving parts, roadworthy.

They're built well, monitor looks great, they're fast and reliable performers. What I don't like is the inability to hot rod it with 3 TB of SSD like I did my 17". I also miss the Cardbus34 slot, which I used for my UAD-2 Solo card on the 17" - this allowed for complete mixing within the box.

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Funk / Soul

sequadion

about 11 years ago

Great workhorse, but somewhat pricey.

I got the top-of-the-line version with the Nvidia GPU because of a potential project, and that came at a premium. The one with the integrated Intel GPU is a much better deal, and you won't notice the difference unless you're working with 3D graphics.