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Wednesday, December 02, 2020

MacBook Pro 2020 M1 Review

MacBook Pro 2020 M1 Review. 

Testing MacBook Pro 2020 M1, streaming to Facebook Live with inbuilt webcam, using Chrome (Safari did not recognize the webcam), Xfinity 1 GB service via 3rd Generation Gateway, hardwired with CAT 7, two ring lights, LED light for background, Audio-Technica AT2020 USB microphone. Ethernet connected via Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock.

Video: Review MacBook Pro 2020 M1

EXTERNAL MONITOR
Original Apple Thunderbolt display connects via an Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter. 

MacBook Pro 2020 M1 only supports two displays. In this configuration, that is the onboard display, and one external display.

PORTS
There are (2) USB C Thunderbolt 4 ports. Only Thunderbolt cables supporexternal monitors and expansion docks. USB C cables, although they have the same interface, will not. 

SOFTWARE
All the software that I have tried works, except for the old Apple web development software, iWeb. 

KEYBOARD
An older USB keyboard does not work. I looked online, and many people are complaining about this. 

To fix this problem, I purchased an Apple Magic Keyboard with runs on Bluetooth, and is charged using a USB C cable. 

Well, I had problems with this keyboard too, but keeping it connected via the cable allowed it to work fine. 

WEBCAM
The webcam has excellent quality, rivaling many of the webcams that I have lying around here. Better though is the MEVO camera, that now has a BETA software version that allows using is as a wired webcam. 












IMAGE: MacBook Pro 2020 M1

XFER OLD -> NEW
Apple has made transferring everything from your old Mac to new easy. You just place them beside each other, on the same WiFi network, and, if you choose, everything is transferred over. It took about 5 hours for my transfer to complete. 

FAN NOISE
There is no fan noise. So far. At all. 

CPU ACTIVITY
On my old MacBook Air 2011, I have lots of CPU activity from run away processes. Which would in turn make the fan run constantly. I do not see any run away processes anymore. 

SECURITY
There is a fingerprint security button, that will read your fingerprint to unlock the computer, and make purchases with Safari. Making a purchase using Apple Pay is seamless. 


CONCLUSION
The MacBook Pro 2020 M1 is a glimpse into the future of the Apple Mac computer line. With it's new M1 chip, it will be able to run iOS programs. 

When configuring this computer online, the ordering system advised making upgrades at order time. So when you order, I would suggest buying the most memory and disk that  you can afford, so that you don't run into problems in the future. 

The MacBook Pro 2020 M1 is revelation in speed from what I was running. I would recommend it. 

UPDATE




Testing out the Google Pixel 5 Cinematic Pan with video stabilization, which gives you a smooth pan at half speed, and mutes the audio.

TESTING %G LIVE Streaming VIDEO to FACEBOOK