Which 2021 MacBook Pro Configuration Should I Buy? [Flow Chart]

At its ‘Unleashed’ event last month, Apple unveiled new 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro models powered by next-generation M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Both the 14″ and the 16″ 2021 MacBook Pro can be configured with an M1 Pro or an M1 Max System on a Chip (SoC), and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Working your way down the spec list from there, you have different options for number of CPU cores, number of GPU cores, amount of RAM, and even the kind of power brick you get with the notebook. Decisions, decisions…

The folks at Podfeet Podcasts did the math (so you don’t have to), and there are a whopping 18 different configuration possibilities with the 2021 MacBook Pro when you account for choice in size, choice in chip, CPU cores, GPU cores, RAM, and power brick. They also organized all of those possibilities into a handy flow chart:

Image: Podfeet Podcasts

If your head’s spinning trying to make sense of that diagram, here’s a linear table that lists down each possible configuration with all of its specifications:

Chip Size CPU GPU RAM Power Adapter
M1 Pro 14″ 8-core 14-core 16GB 67W
M1 Pro 14″ 8-core 14-core 32GB 67W
M1 Pro 14″ 8-core 14-core 16GB 96W
M1 Pro 14″ 8-core 14-core 32GB 96W
M1 Pro 14″ 10-core 14-core 16GB 96W
M1 Pro 14″ 10-core 14-core 32GB 96W
M1 Pro 14″ 10-core 16-core 16GB 96W
M1 Pro 14″ 10-core 14-core 32GB 96W
M1 Pro 16″ 10-core 16-core 16GB 140W
M1 Pro 16″ 10-core 16-core 32GB 140W
M1 Max 14″ 10-core 24-core 32GB 96W
M1 Max 14″ 10-core 24-core 64GB 96W
M1 Max 16″ 10-core 24-core 32GB 140W
M1 Max 16″ 10-core 24-core 64GB 140W
M1 Max 14″ 10-core 32-core 32GB 96W
M1 Max 14″ 10-core 32-core 64GB 96W
M1 Max 16″ 10-core 32-core 32GB 140W
M1 Max 16″ 10-core 32-core 64GB 140W

The data above doesn’t even take into account storage options, though. The 2021 MacBook Pro is available with a 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB internal SSD, which would bring the total of possible configurations all the way up to 90.

But wait, there’s more — the new MacBook Pro comes in two colour variants as well, Space Grey and Silver. Take those into account, and the possibilities double to 180. Damn, Apple!

Whether you get it in Space Grey or Silver, the 2021 MacBook Pro tops out at a ridiculous $7,649 CAD for a fully decked-out unit.

Sales for both the 14″ and 16″ 2021 MacBook Pro launched in Canada last week — click here to get yours today from Apple.ca.

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