When Apple unveiled the M1 Pro chip in late 2021, it was hailed as a game-changer. Designed for creative professionals, developers, and power users, the MacBook Pro M1 Pro delivered a huge leap in performance, battery life, and efficiency, building on the fine legacy of its predecessor, the revolutionary M1.
Now, in 2025, with the M2, M3 and M4 chips already on the market (and rumours of the M5 swirling), you might wonder: Is the MacBook Pro M1 Pro still worth it? The answer is a confident yes, and here’s why.
The M1 Pro chip is no slouch. Built on a 5nm architecture, it features up to a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, offering seriously fast performance for multitasking, code compilation, video editing, 3D rendering, and high-resolution audio work.
Even by 2025 standards, the M1 Pro handles most professional workflows with ease:
It’s not just fast—it’s consistently fast, without the overheating and fan noise you'd expect from equivalent Intel-based machines.
The M1 Pro MacBook Pro offers 17–21 hours of battery life, depending on usage. That’s still ahead of many 2025 laptops, especially those that rely on power-hungry discrete GPUs and x86 architecture.
If you're a freelancer, digital nomad, or student who needs to work unplugged all day, this is the kind of reliability that matters.
The Liquid Retina XDR display on the 14-inch and 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pros remains one of the best in the business:
Whether you're colour grading, illustrating, or just watching HDR content on Netflix, this screen still rivals—or outperforms—many newer machines in 2025.
One of the most appreciated changes in the M1 Pro MacBooks was Apple’s decision to bring back essential ports. You get:
In a world where many laptops still push the “dongle life,” the M1 Pro MacBook Pro stands out for its built-in flexibility.
Thanks to Apple Silicon’s efficiency, thermal management is stellar. Even under load, the M1 Pro MacBook rarely gets hot or revs up its fans unless absolutely necessary. That’s not just pleasant—it means better performance and longevity.
Running macOS Sequoia (and compatible with future macOS updates for several more years), the M1 Pro MacBook Pro continues to receive Apple’s best software features:
If you're embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the MacBook Pro M1 Pro is still a productivity dream.
Now that newer models like the M2 Pro, M3 Pro, M4 Pro and their Ultra siblings have taken the spotlight, the M1 Pro models are more affordable—especially in the refurbished or used market. You can find them at excellent prices with great specs, making them an incredible value proposition.
Compared to a new mid-range laptop in 2025, the M1 Pro still often wins on performance, display, battery life, and overall experience.
With its solid aluminium unibody chassis, durable keyboard, spacious trackpad, and vibrant display, the M1 Pro MacBook Pro is built to last at least 5–7 years of intense use. Add AppleCare or a third-party protection plan, and you’ve got peace of mind.
In 2025 and beyond, the MacBook Pro with M1 Pro remains an absolute beast for creators, developers, students, and professionals who need performance, portability, and reliability. Its combination of power, battery life, ports, and build quality makes it one of the smartest buys today—especially as prices drop.
If you’re considering it, go for it. The M1 Pro MacBook Pro is still very much a pro machine.
