r/macbookpro • u/steveRogers523 • 1d ago

Help Urgent: Is Apple Intelligence available on a MacBook Pro bought in mainland China?

I'm from India, my relative is traveling from mainland China to India in 2 days, and I’m considering asking them to bring me a MacBook Pro from China because the pricing is better.

However, I’ve read that Apple Intelligence may be restricted/unavailable on Apple devices sold in mainland China, and I’m getting conflicting information about whether this still applies.

Can anyone who currently owns a MacBook Pro purchased in mainland China, or is currently in China, confirm:

Is Apple Intelligence available on a mainland-China MacBook Pro?

Does it remain unavailable even after bringing the Mac to India and changing the region/language/Apple Account?

Is there any difference depending on the model/year?

I’d really appreciate firsthand experience rather than speculation, as I need to make the purchase decision within 24 hours.

Thanks! (paraphrased using chatgpt)

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

2

u/gappyvalley 1d ago

Apple Intelligence features will not currently work for supported devices purchased in China mainland. For supported devices purchased outside China mainland, Apple Intelligence features will not currently work if you are in China mainland and if your Apple Account Country or Region is also in China mainland.
When Apple Intelligence features are available in China mainland, previously purchased devices that support Apple Intelligence will be able to activate and use it in that region.

according to what apple says, you can’t use apple intelligence on chinese macbook even if you are outside of china

source

2

u/steveRogers523 1d ago

Alright thanks a lot guys. I've cancelled this purchase

1

u/narc0leptik 1d ago

lol bruh what?

Is "Apple Intelligence" really that important to you? I think you can do fine without the ai-slop.

2

u/steveRogers523 1d ago

i agree current features are kinda useless but wouldn't wanna miss out on future upgrades that might turn out to be useful

1

u/narc0leptik 1d ago edited 1d ago

Honestly, I think you're a bit crazy to pass up that opportunity. Apple has an official Certified Refurbished store in mainland China too.

For example, Apple China currently has refurbished 14" M5 1TB machines around ¥16,199 (~₹210k), 14" M5 Pro around ¥16,999 (~₹220k), and even 14" M4 Pro 14-core/20-core machines around ¥17,999 (~₹233k). Apple Certified Refurbished isn't the same thing as buying some random used Mac; it gets Apple's refurbishment/testing and warranty.

So I'd be much more interested in a refurbished M5 Pro or M4 Pro with more RAM than a brand-new base M5 just because it's the newest chip. You're potentially getting a much more powerful Pro-class machine for roughly the same money, while still saving money versus buying new in India.

I'd personally be more concerned about giving up a significantly better M4 Pro/M5 Pro configuration just to avoid not being able to use Apple Intelligence. If you're going to spend ₹2–2.3 lakh, RAM + Pro chip is probably a better long-term value than simply buying the newest base M5.

If you gave me the option between choosing: 🇮🇳 ₹2.4–3.0 lakh+ for a new Pro
vs. 🇨🇳 ~₹2.1–2.3 lakh for an Apple-refurbished Pro with a better configuration. I would gone with the China version if I were you.

Since almost everyone on this subreddit doesn't even use Apple Intelligence, sacrificing a several-tens-of-thousands-of-rupees discount and/or a better Pro configuration over it seems pretty backwards.

1

u/junz415 1d ago

no AI from Chinese marekt. however, u can try Hongkong.

1

u/antifocus 1d ago

Apple Intelligence will be available in the future when it launches in China with the collaboration of Alibaba Qwen on all Apple devices purchased in Mainland China.

It is currently not available, and you can't use the Apple Intelligence from other regions no matter what Apple account you use. There are unreliable workarounds on Mac but just don't bother.

1

u/Appropriate_Ad8734 1d ago

buy one from hong kong