Similar improvements could come to Macs, meaning it might be worth waiting another year if you’re focused on AI workflows or even 3D applications, especially given the high cost of these machines. That’s part of what makes this such an uncertain time to buy a laptop. We are at a time where these companies are reviewing the architecture of these chips due to these new workflows and we still don’t know what the final result will be.
A display monster
Here’s one thing that’s not entirely uncertain: the MacBook Pro’s screen is the best I’ve ever used on a laptop. If the screen is your main concern, this is a great time.
Apple calls it a “tandem OLED display,” meaning a panel with two emissive layers. This approach helps achieve a higher maximum brightness, but perhaps more importantly, it can reduce the risk of burn-in. Most of the time, the display will not need both layers to operate at full power. Instead, they can share the load and operate at reduced current, which helps extend the life of the panel.
The new display can reach up to 2000 nits of peak brightness in HDR highlights, but is rated for 1000 nits of sustained brightness. Overall, I also like the way Apple handles HDR for this at the OS level.
This photo doesn’t do the screen justice, but at least you can see the proportions and design here. (It is the 16-inch model).
Credit: Samuel Aoxn
This photo doesn’t do the screen justice, but at least you can see the proportions and design here. (It is the 16-inch model).
Credit: Samuel Aoxn
Brightness is important for HDR content, sure, but what really makes OLED stand out is per-pixel lighting, meaning each pixel can be turned on or off independently. This allows absolute black levels and very strong contrast. The MiniLED display on the previous MacBook Pro offered good contrast for an LCD display, but OLED has a key advantage here, and it shows.
As expected, the display offers native support for P3 and Adobe RGB color gamuts. It also has a variable refresh rate from 10 to 120 Hz, like many of Apple’s other products. As before, the MacBook Pro comes in approximately 14-inch (3024×1986 pixels) and 16-inch (3472×2226 pixels) variants. There’s also a nano-textured glass option to combat glare, though that’ll set you back another $150.
