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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published November 20, 2023
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What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro?
There were no custom processors available for any 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models, but custom processor options are -- or were -- offered at the time of purchase for some 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro)
Discontinued 14" & 16" MacBook Pro Models
These default 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models could be upgraded with the following processor/graphics processor options at the time of initial system purchase:
Standard M1 MacBook Pro |
Processor Upgrade Options |
M1 Pro 10-Core CPU |
|
M1 Max 10-Core CPU/24-Core GPU |
|
M1 Max 10-Core CPU/24-Core GPU |
Standard M2 MacBook Pro |
Processor Upgrade Options |
M2 Pro 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU |
|
M2 Max 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU |
|
M2 Max 12-Core CPU/38-Core GPU |
|
M2 Max 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU |
Current 14" & 16" MacBook Pro Models
Likewise, these default 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models can be upgraded with the following processor/graphics processor options at the time of initial system purchase:
Standard M3 MacBook Pro |
Processor Upgrade Options |
M3 Pro 12-Core CPU/18-Core GPU |
|
M3 Max 14-Core CPU/30-Core GPU |
|
M3 Max 16-Core CPU/40-Core GPU |
|
M3 Max 14-Core CPU/30-Core GPU |
|
M3 Max 16-Core CPU/40-Core GPU |
No Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models have processors or graphics processors that can be upgraded after the initial system purchase.
What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro use? Can it be upgraded?
All Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models have "unified" RAM that is integrated with the SoC. At the time of system purchase, and only at the time of system purchase, RAM can be -- or could be -- configured accordingly:
Apple Silicon MacBook Pro |
Std. RAM |
Max RAM |
Upg. Price |
8 GB |
16 GB |
US$200 |
|
8 GB |
16 GB |
US$200 |
|
|
|
|
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
8 GB |
16 GB |
US$200 |
|
18 GB |
36 GB |
US$400
|
|
18 GB |
36 GB |
US$400
|
|
36 GB |
96 GB |
US$800
|
|
48 GB |
64 GB |
US$200 |
|
|
|
|
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
32 GB |
64 GB |
US$400 |
|
18 GB |
18 GB |
N/A |
|
36 GB |
96 GB |
US$800 |
|
48 GB |
64 GB |
US$200 |
Note that models equipped with a "M1 Pro" or "M2 Pro" processor also are configured with 16 GB of RAM by default and can, or could, be upgraded to 32 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase. Models equipped with an "M1 Max" processor are automatically configured with 32 GB of RAM by default and could be upgraded to 64 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase.
Finally, models equipped with an "M2 Max" processor are automatically configured with 32 GB of RAM by default and can be upgraded to at least 64 GB of RAM, and as much as 96 GB of RAM, at the time of system purchase.
To reiterate, the RAM cannot be upgraded after system purchase in any Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models.
What type of internal storage does the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
All Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models have onboard storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase. At the time of system purchase, they can be configured with larger capacity onboard storage, though.
By default, the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models have either as 256 GB or 512 GB of onboard SSD storage. They could be custom configured with 1 TB or 2 TB of onboard storage.
The 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models are -- or were -- configured by default with 512 GB or 1 TB of onboard SSD storage. They can, or could, be custom configured with 2 TB, 4 TB, or 8 TB of onboard storage.
Also see: What external storage options are available for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro? Which is the best?
What are the custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro?
For the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models, Apple only offered the option of additional RAM and/or SSD storage at the time of purchase:
13" Custom Configuration Options
| MacBook Pro | RAM | SSD | Processor |
| 2020, M1 | 16 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
None |
| 2022, M2 | 16 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
None |
The 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models all have -- or had -- RAM, SSD, and processor upgrade options at the time of initial system purchase:
14" Custom Configuration Options
| MacBook Pro | RAM | SSD | Processor |
| 14" 2021 | 32 GB 64 GB |
2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
M1 Pro 10-Core CPU M1 Max 10-Core CPU/24-Core GPU M1 Max 10-Core CPU/32-Core GPU |
| 14" Early 2023 | 32 GB 64 GB 96 GB |
2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
M2 Pro 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU M2 Max 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU M2 Max 12-Core CPU/38-Core GPU |
| 14" Late 2023 | 16 GB 24 GB 36 GB 64 GB 96 GB 128 GB |
1 TB |
M3 Pro 12-Core CPU/18-Core GPU M3 Max 14-Core CPU/30-Core GPU M3 Max 16-Core CPU/40-Core GPU |
16" Custom Configuration Options
| MacBook Pro | RAM | SSD | Processor |
| 16" 2021 | 32 GB 64 GB |
2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
M1 Max 10-Core CPU/24-Core GPU |
| 16" Early 2023 | 32 GB 64 GB 96 GB |
2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
M2 Max 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU M2 Max 12-Core CPU/38-Core GPU |
| 16" Late 2023 | 64 GB 96 GB 128 GB |
1 TB 2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
M3 Max 14-Core CPU/30-Core GPU M3 Max 16-Core CPU/40-Core GPU |
There are no other custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro. Once more, these upgrades cannot be made after the initial purchase of the notebook, either.
Where can I buy a Apple Silicon MacBook Pro?
In the US, you always can buy a new Mac directly from Apple, but you often can get a better deal by buying your new Apple Silicon MacBook Pro from an Apple Authorized Reseller like site sponsor Adorama. Adorama commonly has deep discounts on recently discontinued models, too. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells a good selection of used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City has a variety of used MacBook Pro models at low prices with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Who designed the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro?
Of course, all of Apple's Macs have been designed by hundreds of hardworking employees, but the company's industrial design for many years has been performed entirely in-house by Apple's Industrial Design Group.
For the "guts" of the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, Apple's "Hardware Technologies" group also deserves a great deal of credit, too.
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