The recently released MacBook Pro M2 ushers in Apple‘s next generation of professional laptops. Powered by the all-new M2 chip, this sleek machine promises impressive performance perfect for creatives, developers, and power users.
But is the latest Pro truly a worthwhile upgrade? Does it justify its $1,299 starting price tag? This 2024 review will analyze the MacBook Pro M2‘s capabilities to help you decide.
Overview: Meet the MacBook Pro M2
Unveiled this past June 2022 alongside its more consumer-focused cousin, the MacBook Air M2, the Pro M2 sports an array of enhancements over previous models:
- The blazing fast M2 chip with 8CPU cores and 10 GPU cores
- Up to 24GB of unified memory for excellent multitasking
- 20 hours of video playback battery life on a charge
- A 13.3" Liquid Retina XDR display with extreme dynamic range (1,600 nits peak brightness)
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos six-speaker sound system
- Brings back useful ports like HDMI, SD card reader, and MagSafe charging
Despite the internal overhaul, externally the 2022 Pro M2 retains the same design as its late 2021 predecessor, aside from dropping the divisive Touch Bar. It continues featuring slim bezels, an aluminum chassis in Space Gray or Silver, backlit keyboard, Touch ID sensor, and Force Touch trackpad.
Models and Pricing
For now, Apple only offers one version of the Pro laptop with M2 silicon:
- 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 starting at $1,299
More sizes will likely arrive later this year, including speculated 14-inch and 16-inch varieties to replace their existing M1 models. Education pricing knocks the starting cost down to $1,199.
As configured at the base level, you get a respectable:
- 13-inch Retina Display
- M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
- 8GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage
Overall, the MacBook Pro M2 avoids a price hike compared to past generation equivalents. And with continuing discounts or buying used/refurbished units as more populate the market, costs to purchase should only decline over time.
Benchmark Performance Results
But this laptop‘s true value comes from sheer productivity power – exactly what professionals demand. How does Apple‘s latest silicon measure up?
Testing from popular benchmark AnandTech confirms the performance gains:
- 18% faster CPU than M1
- 35% faster GPU than M1
- Ability to sustain peak performance for longer durations before thermal throttling sets in
The efficiency cores excel for lightweight tasks like web browsing, while the performance cores crank through intensive workloads like code compiling, video production, 3D rendering, and more.
Geekbench scores tell a similar story:
- Image source: MacRumors
For context, these results surpass every other laptop utilizing mobile ARM chips. Translating synthetic testing into real-world use, creatives can edit higher resolution videos and access more advanced features in apps like Final Cut Pro compared to MacBooks with either Intel or M1 chips.
The M2 also introduces support for up to 24GB of super fast unified memory – an upgrade especially beneficial for developers, designers, animators, and other memory-hungry use cases.
What Users Are Saying
Early reviews praise the Pro M2‘s blend of portability and pro-grade power:
- "A portable workstation you can actually travel with" — Wired
- "Incredible performance paired with excellent efficiency" — iMore
- "A perfect laptop for college students" — Mashable
However, many note that average consumers don‘t need this level of capability, making the cheaper Air M2 sufficient. Tech enthusiasts or workflow power users stand to benefit greater from the improved M2 chip, active cooling system, additional memory configurations, and of course the "Pro" namesake.
Owners upgrading from M1 models will still appreciate quicker speeds, but shouldn‘t feel pressure to switch from an already capable machine. This iteration brings more compelling enhancements to user experience than raw performance alone.
What We Like
- Blazing fast M2 silicon leaves Intel/AMD chips behind
- Unified memory up to 24GB for intensive workflows
- Excellent battery efficiency while outpacing rivals
- Best-in-class speakers, mics, and overall sound
- Restored legacy ports improve connectivity
What It‘s Missing
- Design unchanged since late 2016 models
- Bezels feel dated compared to rivals
- 1080p webcam still lags behind 4K competitors
- Limited to just two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports
- Starting 256GB storage feels small given large file sizes
While Thunderbolt 4 speeds impress, I would have liked to see Apple adopt cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 support more future proofing. Another USB-C port or two would also greatly improve flexibility for connecting peripherals.
And that aging webcam badly needs an upgrade resolution to compete with excellent cameras found in some Windows laptops today providing detailed streaming quality. Support for Wi-Fi 6E remains absent as well, though the built-in Wi-Fi 6 matches most people‘s home networks currently.
Should You Buy the MacBook Pro M2?
For professional creators and power users who want outstanding performance with amazing efficiency, the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro succeeds as a superb portable workstation. M2 silicon sets a new bar for Apple silicon capabilities – a bar that will only go higher as 10nm chips advance.
Students can avail of the education pricing as a capable machine lasting through their academic career. And business users who value processing muscle for tasks like data analysis or accounting software will find the CPU/GPU combo blazes through intensive number crunching.
But everyday users without specialized workflows can save money through the equally impressive MacBook Air M2. Casual needs like web access, basic productivity, streaming media, etc don‘t require the Pro model‘s extra horsepower.
Upgraders also shouldn‘t feel pressured to jump to the M2 this soon after previous M1 variants launched. While Apple positions it as the future of Mac, slowing the rapid pace of generational turnover lets buyers maximize their initial hardware investment.
For most shoppers, snagging clearance deals on still stellar M1 machines produces better value. But if you demand peak performance today with headroom extending into the future, the latest MacBook Pro certainly fits the bill.
What Does the Future Hold for the Pro M2 Line?
While the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 delivers a capable next-generation entry point, Apple likely has further iterations in store for 2023 and beyond:
- M2 Pro/Max versions – Bringing more GPU cores and greater power efficiency perfect for creative pros
- 14-inch + 16-inch sizes – Alternatives to the compact 13-inch form factor
- New port options – Such as Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 5, or USB4 support
- Display improvements – Like brighter Mini LED screens with ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates
- Price drops – As Apple volumes scale and savings get passed down
- macOS enhancements – Continued software optimizations specifically for M2 efficiency
Collectively, upcoming changes promise boosts in performance, connectivity, visuals, battery life, and thermals. And crucially, Apple silicon ensures macOS can evolve to take full advantage of its capabilities in ways simply not possible working around Intel/AMD CPU limitations.
The next generation MacBook Pro M2 series has room to grow into an even more formidable pro platform.
In Conclusion
Apple‘s new professional laptop delivers where it counts: raw CPU/GPU speed perfect for intensive workflows, outstanding stamina away from outlets, and smart modern touches like MagSafe charging. From students tackling research projects to financial analysts crunching projections, if your daily tasks demand a laptop that flies, the latest MacBook Pro soars.
It earns a wholehearted recommendation to power users inclined to spring for a premium portable build. But hold off if hoping for more radical design changes, as outward aesthetics stay locked to older forms for now.
The transformational advance lies within – heralding a future where mobile silicon soon rivals or exceeds what desktops could offer only a few years ago. On that metric of rapid progress, the Pro M2 chips another stepping stone toward realizing Apple‘s ultimate vision for Mac.
