Why does the MacBook Pro 16in weigh so much

There was definite weight gain with the switch to Apple Silicon. Plus some weight gain before that when Apple went from 15" Intel-based MBPs to 16" Intel-based MBPs.

Looks like about 0.4 – 0.5 pounds of weight gain for models with Apple Silicon processors, plus 0.3 pounds for the 15" to 16" change.

High-end 13"/14" models

Intel-based

• 3.1 pounds (MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports))

Apple-Silicon-based

• 3.5 pounds (MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)) (M1 Pro and Max)
• 3.5 or 3.6 pounds (MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Pro or M4 Max, 2024)) (M4 Pro and Max)

15"/16" models

Intel-based

• 4.02 pounds (MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019))
• 4.3 pounds (MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019))

Apple-Silicon-based

• 4.7 or 4.8 pounds (MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)) (M1 Pro and Max)
• 4.7 pounds (MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024)) (M4 Pro and Max)

Because it large, has a large screen and other components that add to its weight including the CPU and larger battery yes.

16" MacBook Pro Weight:

• Weight (M4): 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg)9
• Weight (M4 Pro): 3.5 pounds (1.60 kg)9
• Weight (M4 Max): 3.6 pounds (1.62 kg)9

if you bought direct from Apple, NOT through a Reseller of any description, you have 14 days from receipt to return for a full-value refund/exchange.

VikingOSX wrote:

Apple's site shows 4.7 lbs (without user) for the M4 MBP Pro and Max

Ahh, yes, forgot to click on the 16" button at the top.

MacBook Pro - Tech Specs - Apple

Those are weights for the 14".

The 16" model weighs almost the same for both CPUs.

• Weight (M4 Pro): 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg)9
• Weight (M4 Max): 4.7 pounds (2.15 kg)9

<< Ahh, yes, forgot to click on the 16" button at the top.

MacBook Pro - Tech Specs - Apple. >>

Maybe you have stumbled on the answer to the original Author's query.

neuroanatomist wrote:

I was going to blame gravity. 😏

Good observation. Objects with more mass have more gravity (weight).

Of course gravity (weight) can be lessened by by using the computer in space.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

Of course gravity (weight) can be lessened by using the computer in space.

Not as much as you'd think. A 16" MacBook Pro on the International Space Station would still weight 4.4 lbs.

Popular media often talks about the "weightlessness" of space, but that's wrong. It's the orbiting that makes things appear "weightless" in space. The ISS and everything in it is falling. Since it all falls at the same rate, regardless of mass, it creates the illusion of weightlessness.

Luxury!! You don't know how good you have it.

I have a 15-inch Macbook Pro Mid/Late 2007 that weighs 5.4 pounds and couldn't compute its way out of a wet paper bag compared to any current Apple model.

The mass.

I was going to blame gravity. 😏

Apple's site shows 4.7 lbs (without user) for the M4 MBP Pro and Max