After many M1 processors, Apple is now bringing the first M2 chip to the people. No, not a new top model, but a new entry-level chip. And it ends up in the smallest professional notebook from Apple, the MacBook Pro 13 inch. The MacBook Air M2 will follow in July 2022.
A little more Pro
So far there have been four M1 variants: M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M1 Ultra. The M2 adopts some technology that was previously reserved for the more expensive chips (Pro, Max and Ultra). For example, the graphics unit in the processor gets two additional cores. In addition, Apple is now also building hardware support for the playback and saving (encoding) of videos into the M2, for example for the in-house professional video format ProRes. Like the chip in the M1, the processor in the M2 has eight cores – four particularly powerful and four particularly efficient. But Apple has revised it again – it runs at a higher speed.
Significantly more speed
Faster memory
From silent to (somewhat) loud
An important difference between the MacBook Pro and the smaller Air models: the processor in the Pro is cooled by a complex fan system (picture above), the newer Air models “only” have a heat sink. The advantage of active ventilation: The processor in the MacBook Pro runs longer at maximum performance. This is noticeable when cutting longer videos, for example, when you save the finished clip. This is faster with Pro models. The price for this: If the processor sweats longer, the fans turn up slightly. With 3.5 sone under full load the noise level remains tolerable. And more important for most users: In normal operation, the MacBook Pro works silently – then the fans cannot be heard.
Tempo with office programs / in video editing
Game speed (display resolution / 1920 x 1200 pixels)
Image quality (contrast / color fidelity / extended DCI-P3 color space)
Battery life video / charging time
Operating noise ( video / games)
Heat development after 30 minutes of full load (rear)
RAM (built-in / expandable)
Memory: usable size, type
Biometric access locks
Still a top display
Apple has not changed the case including the screen, keyboard and touchpad. This is a good choice for the built-in display, because it is still great: very high-contrast, with crisp, but very accurate color reproduction and a very large color space. And with maximum 533 candelas per square meter also bright enough to work outside on a nice summer day. The MacBook Pro 13 inch also comes with the touch bar (picture above) in the M2 variant. It always adapts to the program that is currently running and, for example, shows buttons for volume and screen brightness in the Finder. However, the bar met with little approval from many Apple users. That’s why it’s missing on the other Pro models. The touchpad sits under the easy-to-use keyboard. Nice and big, very precise, with a great gesture control and a simulated click (the touchpad cannot be pressed down).
Test conclusion: Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch M2
A lot of speed, a top screen and an extremely long battery life: That MacBook Pro 13 inch M2 (Test score 1.6) is a great notebook for working on the go and playing games in between. It’s easy to get over the fact that Apple hasn’t redesigned the case. Another point of criticism: Upgrading after purchase is not possible, the surcharges for memory are hefty again.
Tag: macbook issue, macbook pro, macbook release, macbook macos