In just an 18-minute video and website update, Apple announced its latest silicon to power the next generation of its devices, the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The 2023 Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max specifications are nearly identical to the earlier M1 models.
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Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max
The new MacBook Pros with M2 Pro or M2 Max are the latest versions of Apple’s MacBook Pro line of laptops. They feature new versions of Apple’s M2 chip, a custom-designed, ARM-based system-on-a-chip that combines the functions of a central processing unit, graphics processing unit (GPU), memory controller, and other components into a single chip.
These chips, Apple says, will offer faster performance and improved energy efficiency compared to the M1 chip. The MacBook Pro will also boast new features such as faster storage and improved graphics.
However, when Apple releases new products outside of one of its main events, livestreamed from Apple Park, it often means only a modest improvement rather than anything to really shout about.
Features //Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max
Although any new Apple device is a welcome one, the latest 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro models have just one significant upgrade to the previously powered M1 models, the new Apple M2 Pro/M2 Max chip.
Anyone with a current MacBook Air M2, 13″ MacBook Pro M2, or 14/16″ MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max will struggle to find a reason to upgrade. Comparing the 2021 14/16″ M1 Pro or M1 Max MacBook Pro to the new M2 versions is easy.
The new M2 Pro/M2 Max has the same Liquid Retina XDR display with True Tone and ProMotion technologies and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Even the case dimensions and weight match the legacy models while delivering the same three Thunderbolt 4 ports and a single HDMI option.
An upgrade apart from the new chip is the move to Bluetooth version 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. This version of Bluetooth offers lower power consumption and connects with less interference, delivering a more stable and secure connection between the MacBook Pro and Bluetooth-enabled devices.
MacBook Pro with Apple silicon has been a game changer, empowering pros to push the limits of their workflows while on the go and do things they never thought possible on a laptop.
Apple
All About the Chip
So what is new?
The M2 Pro/M2 Max comes with a 10- or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores and a much larger GPU featuring up to 38 cores. Power will not be an issue, no matter how demanding the application.
Historically, more power-hungry hardware has resulted in higher battery consumption which means more time plugged into a wall socket.
Apple says the new MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″ models buck this trend and not only deliver longer battery performance over their predecessor but “maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.”
Specifications //Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max
| 14″ MacBook Pro M2 | 16″ MacBook Pro M2 | |
| 1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12cm | Dimensions | 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81cm |
| 1.6kg M2 Pro 1.63 M2 Max | Weight | 2.15kg M2 Pro 2.16 M2 Max |
| Silver Space Grey | Colour Options | Silver Space Grey |
| 14.2″ Mini-LED backlit Liquid Retina XDR up to 120Hz refresh rate | Display | 16.2″ Mini-LED backlit Liquid Retina XDR up to 120Hz refresh rate |
| M2 Pro M2 Max up to 12-core cpu up to 38-core gpu | Power | M2 Pro M2 Max up to 12-core up to 38-core gpu |
| 512GB 1TB 2TB 4TB 8tb | Storage | 512GB 1TB 2TB 4TB 8tb |
| 16GB 32GB 64GB (M2 Max only) 96GB (M2 Max +38-core GPU only) | Memory | 16GB 32GB 64GB (M2 Max only) 96GB (M2 Max +38-core GPU only) |
| 6 | Speakers | 6 |
| 3 | Microphones | 3 |
| 1080p FaceTime HD | Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 3x Thunderbolt 4 1x HDMI SDXC Card 3.5mm port | Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 3x Thunderbolt 4 1x HDMI SDXC Card 3.5mm port |
| up to 18 hours 67W USB-C adapter (M2 Pro 10-core) 96W USB-C adapter | Battery | up to 22 hours 140W USB-C adapter |
| Fast Charging Apple Pay Touch ID Backlit Magic Keyboard Two ProRes encode and decode engines | Features | Fast Charging Apple Pay Touch ID Backlit Magic Keyboard Two ProRes encode and decode engines |
| apple.com | Website | apple.com |
Pricing //Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max
There are multiple configurations available for the new MacBook Pro, with prices starting at $1,999/£2,149 for the 14″ M2 Pro and rising up to $6,499/£6,749 for the top-spec 16″ M2 Max.
Pre-orders are open now on apple.com, with shipping due to start from the last week in January into early February.