Apple Says High Power Mode on 16-Inch MacBook Pro With M1 Max Designed for Tasks Like Color Grading 8K ProRes Video

As we previously reported, we've received confirmation from Apple that 16-inch MacBook Pro models configured with an M1 Max chip feature a new High Power Mode that is designed to maximize performance during intensive, sustained workloads.

m1 max
MacRumors has since obtained an internal Apple document that indicates users will be able to enable High Power Mode in System Preferences on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Max chip running macOS Monterey. Apple says that High Power Mode will provide users with "extreme performance" for tasks like color grading 8K ProRes video.

It's still unclear exactly how High Power Mode will function, but we should get a closer look at the feature next week when reviews of the new MacBook Pro models are shared. Based on code-level references to High Power Mode in the macOS Monterey beta found by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, we do know that the feature "will optimize performance to better support resource-intensive tasks" and "may result in louder fan noise."

Apple only confirmed High Power Mode being available on 16-inch MacBook Pro models with an M1 Max chip, so we presume the feature is not available on any 14-inch MacBook Pro models or any models configured with the M1 Pro chip.

9to5Mac's Filipe Espósito was first to discover references to High Power Mode in the macOS Monterey beta last month.

There are two configurations of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip available, including one with a 10-core CPU and a 24-core GPU and another with a 10-core CPU and a 32-core GPU. Pricing starts at $3,099 for this level of performance. The new MacBook Pro models will begin arriving to customers on Tuesday, October 26.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Sales Coach App

Apple Launching New 'Sales Coach' App

Friday February 13, 2026 2:01 pm PST by
Apple plans to launch a rebranded "Sales Coach" app on the iPhone and iPad later this month, according to a source familiar with the matter. "Sales Coach" will arrive as an update to Apple's existing "SEED" app, and it will continue to provide sales tips and training resources to Apple Store and Apple Authorized Reseller employees around the world. For example, there are articles and videos...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
macbook air prime day 2025

M5 MacBook Air: Release Date, Features, and Performance Predictions

Wednesday February 11, 2026 3:36 am PST by
The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor. Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can draw a surprisingly clear picture of what to expect by looking at Apple's silicon roadmap,...

Top Rated Comments

Mockletoy Avatar
56 months ago
This really does seem like a whole new mindset taking hold at Apple, as if they have finally remembered that these are tools for doing work, not status symbols for influencers and coffee shop posers.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
56 months ago

So are we to presume that all the benchmarks on Johny Srouji's charts were with this off?
We don't know yet; unlikely.


And does that mean that with this on it might actually surpass that most powerful PC laptop they could find?
We don't know yet.


Is it designed to be used only in short bursts?
We don't know yet.


Might it risk shortening the life of your hardware if you keep it on for extended stretches?
We don't know yet.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
56 months ago
So for high intensity task! Very nice. This is such a massive upgrade. Total pure horsepower! That’s all I see.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tmoerel Avatar
56 months ago

play boot camp gamesss. m1 can do canoooot
Who cares....these are machines for professionals. Gaming is irrelevant!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago
There was a time when Mac Pro was the only machine I could buy which was fast enough for what I do. I had 7 different models of Mac Pro/Powermac.

Then came a time when an iMac was fast enough and I didn't need a Mac Pro anymore so bought an iMac in 2017.

This week I ordered M1 Max MBP and selling my iMac because even a laptop is already fast enough for what I do. This machine will be more than twice as fast as my iMac anyway, but I realized that I won't need next years iMac update at all.

In the future I bet a Macbook Air will be fast enough for what I do or maybe an iPad will suffice.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iPhysicist Avatar
56 months ago
Turbo ('https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo_button') is BACK!!!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)