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

5 star

4 star

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2 star

1 star

ibizzet

213

over 8 years ago

This thing hates me. I put it through so much, yet it continues chugging along.

I got my Macbook without the intent of producing music. But after I started using Ableton, it has been through a lot. This little guy is my life, all of my passion, inspiration, and dreams are taking place on it. I'll eventually upgrade, but I love every inch of it.

Roles:

Music Producer DJ Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Dubstep Trip hop

jordanjfroggatt

almost 13 years ago

Reliable high-spec workstation for on-the-go use

I use this as a workstation away from home, high spec so it never fails on CPU or RAM.

bandanban

105

13 years ago almost 13 years ago

ram is great. super fast

jgooch

about 10 years ago

Surprised!!!

I've been using my late 2011 for some time. Having used windows for years, and still do as needed, can honestly say it is one of the best Laptops I've ever had! I actually refereed one of friends to buy a used 2012 15" Macbook pro and he loves it! Though I'm currently concerned about what the next major update to the MacBook Pro will be, and as of May 2016 still referring people to the 2012 model, hoping for the best from WWDC this summer or something better this fall.

djfriendzone

303

over 12 years ago

My baby

Here's the deal: even though the DAW I use is Windows only and there are a lot more VSTs and free stuff for Windows, you can run Widows on the Mac, plus the integrated soundcards keep the hastle of internal audio routing to a minimum; no need for a ton of complicated, conflicting drivers.

mixedresults

165

about 6 years ago

Frikin Awesome computer

These things are tiny power houses. They have no equal.

amillimonster

over 9 years ago

Works great with Logic

I use this to run Logic Pro X and it's safe that this is the best computer I've owned. I owned an early generation macbook pro paired with garageband that had constant glitch/latency issues, but I haven't experienced any problems with my new mac. Should be working great for years to come!

chrislvck

over 6 years ago

FUCKIN Amazing

if you are traveling or knowing you are going to be out and bout and your a producer this is the one for you 16gb of ram does you good but the least you could do is 8gb the minimum

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Hip Hop Dance music

captainsniper

almost 13 years ago

Good and friendly for producing and/or djing.

Good and friendly for producing and/or djing. Saves our lives with Logic!

apeqs0504

over 6 years ago

Best laptop ever!

Gotta love Apple! My Macbook Pro 13" (Mid-2012) is STILL going strong here in 2020! Take care of your products and they'll take care of you!

meridian_koi

175

over 7 years ago

I don't need to review this

I rebuilt an old macbook pro 1278 mid 2012 to use as a DJ laptop and it hosts the scripts and home of my resident sonic architekt and half of Meridian Koi..... KOI! lol. It's gonna eventually be replaced or retired to home use once I can properly upgrade.