FCP 10.6 Export option stuck at "H.264 Faster Encode"

What happened to the "Better Quality" option?

I'm on a MBP 16 (late 2019) - is it too old, do I need a M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max to get the better quality option for exports?

The computer’s fine. Export a ProRes master and use something else to encode it, or a custom Compressor setting if you have it, or use fast encode and see if you think there is a difference from your usual exports.

I tried the faster encode on a project previously saved as an "Better Quality", mp4, 50.21 Mbit/s at 717,3MB, the new "Faster Encode" was also an mp4, 49,21 Mbit/s at 703MB. So the difference is probably quite negligible.

Is the option stuck in your FCP as well? I updated to OS X Monterey, if that could be a cause.

It's like that for everybody. The popup menu has been removed.

Apple keeps removing our options, forcing us into their dictated form of video editing.

Not sure where and when it has been removed but I can get the faster or better quality option in the 'Export File' dialogue in both publishing options of 'Apple Devices' and 'Web Hosting'. It is not available in the 'Computer' option (faster only).