M2 x M1 MacBook Pro: What's the difference? (2023)

Omacbook pro m2it might be the odd one out in Apple's laptop lineup, but that doesn't mean you should write it off entirely. If you like the 13-inch form factor or Apple's older design choices, the M2 upgrade might be worth your time.

The new M2 chip

The main thing that Apple has changed in this revision is the brain of the operation. He went awaythe first generation M1 chipin favor of the top-end M2 with an 8-core processorUPCand 10 coresGPU. while thecpu coreThe count remains unchanged, the GPU gaining two additional cores over last year's model, which should help things move a bit faster in graphics-intensive applications.

Apple promises a 1.4 times improvement in video editing and 1.2 times faster photo editing operationscompared to the M1 chip. That's a far cry from the huge performance jumps (around 4x) we saw when Apple released its new chips in 2020, but it's still a welcome step in the right direction (especially considering both chips use the same5nm architecture).

In addition to an improved GPU core count, the M2 features a dedicated media engine with hardware-accelerated playback for H.264,HEVC,ProResand ProRes RAW. The chip also features video decode and decode engines and a dedicated ProRes encode and decode engine for professionals shooting in this format. It is a great advance for those who use theirmacbookfor video editing.

As part of the improved M2 chip, Apple is now offering up to 24GB of RAM as an option at checkout, which should help with memory-intensive tasks like editing largeRAW photofiles or mastering audio projects with many channels and plugins. Storage options remain the same, with 256GB available on the base model and up to 2TB selectable at checkout.

The latest MacBook with a Touch Bar?

One of the reasons you might go with the 13-inch MacBook Pro is persistence.touch bar, which is absent from Apple's redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch models. The decision to ditch the physical function keys in favor of a context-sensitive OLED strip spanning the top row of the keyboard proved divisive, but fans of the feature can count their lucky stars.

This may be your last chance to buy a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, as reviewed machines ditch the feature entirely. Picking up the 2022 revision ensures that you have an ARM-based Mac that will continue to be supported well into the future. Of course, there are some compelling reasons to go with the 14-inch model, but we'll get to those later.

Look mom, no notch!

The screen of the M2 MacBook Pro is identical to that of the previous model, that is, an IPS panel that falls shortApple's "Liquid Retina" brand. reaches 500glitter nitswhich is enough to see what you're doing in most light conditions. Like all modern Macs with displays, it supports P3 wide color, True Tone, and "Retina" quality, making it difficult to distinguish individual pixels in normal use.

While the display doesn't reach the dizzying heights set by the 2021 MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models, there's no notch to speak of. If you hate Apple's decision to place the webcam module in a rectangular cutout (althoughit is not a big problemmiyou can hide it), making the 13-inch MacBook Pro the only Apple laptop with an M2 chip that doesn't have a notch.

Not even theNew MacBook Airescapes without the notch treatment.

RELATED: Apple's new MacBook Air M2 has MagSafe and a better webcam

M2 models get spatial audio

Apart from the M2, Apple only made two other real changes to the 2022 MacBook Pro 13-inch, with the addition of support for spatial audio in the built-in speakers. This is largely virtualized and won't sound as good as listeningDolby Atmos Over Head Tracking Headphones(like AirPods Pro).

The other change allows the MacBook Pro to drive high impedanceearphonesusing the built-in 3.5mm stereo output.

Everything else stays the same

It's easier to list the changes Apple made in the 2022 revision than the similarities, since most everything else remains the same. This includes the MacBook Pro's overall chassis and design, storage configurations, display, device weight,web cameraused (still 720p unfortunately) and the Magic Keyboard.

There are still only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, one of which must be used to charge the device (unfortunately neither is MagSafe). Lastly, battery life remains unchanged with 17 hours of "wireless web" light usage on alow-power browser like Safari.

RELATED: Mac users should switch from Google Chrome to Safari

What about the M1 Pro and M1 Max models?

If you want more power from your MacBook Pro, consider the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch models. They start at $1,999 and $2,499 respectively, while the MacBook Pro M2 is a budget option at $1,299.

If you're evaluating the 13-inch model, a 14-inch MacBook Pro might make more sense if you're looking to upgrade. In addition to the M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options, which provide 10-core CPU and up to 32-core GPU performance, you'll have more options when it comes to RAM (up to 64GB) and storage (up to 8TB) if he is happy to open his wallet.

There are other improvements too, including a superior display with up to 1600 nits of brightness on HDR content, ProMotion 120Hzupdate rates, better color reproduction, and more usable area (although you'll have to deal with the notch). These machines use a new form factor that feels a bit bulkier and more utilitarian, but fits the notion of a portable workstation that can handle most of the tasks you throw at it.

Other improvements in 2021M1 Pro y M1 MaxModels include slightly better battery life, MagSafe 3,fast charge(although not all 14-inch models come with a fast-charging-capable charger), a six-speaker sound system, an HDMI port, and an SDXC memory card slot.

You'll lose the Touch Bar, but you'll get a row of physical function keys back.touch IDIt's still here, too, so you can quickly authorize payments and log in with the swipe of a finger.

¿MacBook Pro M2 o MacBook Air M2?

Perhaps a more apt point of comparison is the M2 MacBook Air, which received a completely revamped design that not only looks great, but includes features like MagSafe, a Liquid Retina display (read: slightly better), a smaller size, a lighter weight. , a better webcam, and more color options (including a stunning dark "Midnight" finish).

There are downsides, of course. The MacBook Air is passively cooled, which means there is no fan inside. One of the main points of difference between the original M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models was the inclusion of a fan on the Pro. This allows the laptop to sustain a higher load for longer sooner.thermal throttlingIf you want a more performing machine, the MacBook Pro can handle higher CPU and GPU loads for longer before performance is throttled to protect the silicon.

The MacBook Air also comes with a slightly weaker 8-core GPU configuration in its base configuration, which is only $100 cheaper than the MacBook Pro M2. You'll get slightly worse battery life, no Touch Bar (but a full row of physical function keys) and a notch (but a slightly larger screen) too.

Choose between them depending on what interests you most: passive or active cooling, physical keys or Touch Bar, MagSafe orUSB-Ccharging and whether a weaker GPU and shorter battery life are worth the trade-off for a possibly more modern design.

A good time to buy a Mac

You can't buy the older M1 model in most territories from theMacbook Pro 13 inch with M2It went up for pre-order, but the M1 MacBook Air is still available as a $999 budget option. Apple Silicon has had an extremely positive effect on the macOS experience.

If you need more power, you probably should.look at the M1 Max processoron the latest-generation 2021 MacBook Pro or opt for a desktop Mac in the form of the Studio Mac, theThe most powerful desktop computer Apple has ever made.