Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
Apple

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)

The MacBook Pro reboot that brought ports and silicon back

Laptops
—/10What the pros sayPendingExpert consensusSee score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Buy the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro if you want the generation that fixed the Touch Bar era: Mini-LED, MagSafe, HDMI, SD and M1 Pro/Max. Reviewers called it a creative-pro landmark. Skip it only for newer M3/M4 Pros if you need longer software runway.

Full verdict ↓
Lowest new price · 512GBCheck price0 retailers
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
Key specs
Panel type
Liquid Retina XDR display
Battery
Up to 17 hours Apple TV app movie playback, Up to 11 hours wireless web
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Size
14.2" (361 mm)
Refresh
120 Hz
Brightness
1000 nits
Performance
Processor
Apple M1 Pro
GPU
14-core GPU
RAM
16 GB
Storage
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
Body
Weight
3.53 lb (1.6 kg)
Dimensions
height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm); width: 12.31 inches (31.26 cm); depth: 8.71 inches (22.12 cm)
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display14.2" (361 mm) · 120 Hz
ChipsetApple M1 Pro16 GB RAM · 14-core GPU
RAM / storage16 GB · 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
Weight3.53 lb (1.6 kg)height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm); width: 12.31 inches (31.26 cm); depth: 8.71 inches (22.12 cm)
26 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

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Available in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro if you want the generation that fixed the Touch Bar era: Mini-LED, MagSafe, HDMI, SD and M1 Pro/Max. Reviewers called it a creative-pro landmark. Skip it only for newer M3/M4 Pros if you need longer software runway.

Best for

Creators still on Intel Macs who want a proven Pro

Not for

Buyers who only need Air-class work

Main strengthLiquid Retina XDR Mini-LED debut on MacBook
Main weaknessOlder than M3/M4 Pros for longevity
Reasons to buy
Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED debut on MacBook
Ports return: HDMI, SD, MagSafe
M1 Pro/Max still crush creative workloads
Outstanding battery for the class
Reasons to avoid
Older than M3/M4 Pros for longevity
Notch debut was polarizing
Max configs get expensive fast
Measured view—/10What the pros say.
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
This deviceMacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
VS
AlternativeMacBook Pro 14-inch (M4, 2024)
Display
14.2"14.2"
Chipset
M1 ProM4: 10-core CPU (4P+6E), 10-core GPU, hardware ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s
Full comparison
Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
This deviceMacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
VS
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M6)
AlternativeMacBook Pro 14-inch (M6)
Display
14.2"14.2"
Chipset
M1 ProM6: 12-core CPU (2 super, 4 performance, 6 efficiency cores), 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and hardware ray tracing, Dual 16-core Neural Engine, u
Full comparison
Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
This deviceMacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
VS
AlternativeMacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro / M4 Max, 2024)
Display
14.2"14.2"
Chipset
M1 ProM4 Pro: 12-core CPU (8P+4E) / 16-core GPU or 14-core CPU (10P+4E) / 20-core GPU, 273GB/s; M4 Max: 14-core CPU / 32-core GPU (410GB/s) or 16-core CPU / 40-core G
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All laptops →
—
AppleMacBook Pro 14-inch (M4, 2024)14.2" (361 mm) · M4: 10-core CPU (4P+6E), 10-core GPU, hardware ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s · 16 GB
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M6)—
AppleMacBook Pro 14-inch (M6)14.2" (361 mm) · M6: 12-core CPU (2 super, 4 performance, 6 efficiency cores), 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and hardware ray tracing, Dual 16-core Neural Engine, u · 16 GB
—
AppleMacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro / M4 Max, 2024)14.2" (361 mm) · M4 Pro: 12-core CPU (8P+4E) / 16-core GPU or 14-core CPU (10P+4E) / 20-core GPU, 273GB/s; M4 Max: 14-core CPU / 32-core GPU (410GB/s) or 16-core CPU / 40-core G · 24 GB
MacBook Pro 14-inch with PROLED XDR Display—
AppleMacBook Pro 14-inch with PROLED XDR Display14.2" (361 mm) · M5 Pro (15-core CPU/16-core GPU or 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 307GB/s) or M5 Max (18-core CPU with 32-core GPU at 460GB/s or 40-core GPU at 614GB/s); 16-core Neur · 24 GB
Product data

Full specifications

26 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Panel type
Liquid Retina XDR display
Brightness
1000
HDR
XDR / HDR

Performance

CPU cores
8-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores

Battery

Battery
Up to 17 hours Apple TV app movie playback, Up to 11 hours wireless web

Connectivity

Wireless
Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking; Bluetooth 5.0
Ports
  • Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB-C) ports with support for:
  • HDMI port
  • MagSafe 3 port
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • SDXC card slot
Webcam
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera - Advanced image signal processor with computational video

Body

Dimensions
16 x 313 x 221 mm
Vote & discuss

Community says

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Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) Specs | Gadget Clash