At WWDC in June, Apple updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip, but nothing really has changed since the M1 version launched in 2020 (except for the price hikes in certain parts of the world, but not in the US). But when the new 13-inch MacBook Pro lacks the MacBook Air effect, which has seen a complete redesign and got a bigger screen, should you consider buying one?
You can pre-order an M2 MacBook Pro at Apple.com, Best Buy and other stores for June 24 delivery.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Design
It will be difficult for you to distinguish between M1 and M2 MacBook Pro. Nothing has changed between the two models. It’s not that the design isn’t pretty and practical, it’s just that it shows up to date with the redesigned 2022 MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro, both sharing similar design languages.
If you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro sitting next to any other Mac laptop, you’ll notice that the bezels around the edges of the display are much thicker and the screen smaller. However, there is a potential benefit depending on your perspective. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is now the only Mac laptop (except the M1 MacBook Air that is still on sale) that has no grooves.
The purpose of the notch is to hold the camera, allowing Apple to lower the upper bezel and extend the screen a little higher. Some people think that the groove spoils the design, others think that it doesn’t really result in less work space because the menu is placed on either side of the groove (although it can go into full screen mode). If you want a bigger display, you have to make a compromise
The 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro looks just like the M1 model.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Touch bar
The 13-inch MacBook Pro has another feature that sets it apart from other Macs. This is the only model that retains the Touch Bar, a feature that Apple added to the MacBook Pro in 2016 and removed from the 14-inch and 16-inch professionals in 2021.
The touch bar is a divisive feature – some find it incredibly useful, others don’t see the point. It basically replaces the function keys with an LED strip that can be automatically adjusted for the app you’re using. This is quite useful for scrubbing videos in an editor, for example, or for adding emojis or typography.
But the touch bar market has always been considered the power users of apps like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, and it turns out they don’t want it. Now that it’s gone from every other model, it seems unlikely that the Touch Bar will survive another update. So, if you are a fan, this may be the last chance to buy one.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Display
The display size of the 13-inch MacBook Pro has not changed since the 2009 13-inch MacBook Pro. It’s actually slightly larger than the 13-inch 13.3-inch diagonally measured, and the M2 MacBook Air screen is the smallest laptop Apple has sold since it was 13.6-inch.
Display technology has improved since 2009, but not so much recently. You can expect 2560 × 1600 pixels, 500 net brightness, wide color (P3) and true tone technology (which means that the color and brightness adjust to the ambient light – it makes it easier on your eyes). None of these features are different from the previous generation.
If you want a better display, you’ll find the best options from the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, where you’ll find promotion technology to increase the Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,000 nits durable full-screen, 1,600 nits peak brightness and adaptive refresh rate. From 120Hz and the MacBook Air has a liquid retina display with rounded corners and support for one billion colors.
The display of the M2 MacBook Pro has not changed.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Space
The real difference between the M1 and the M2 MacBook Pro is what’s inside. There are two standard M2 MacBook Pros:
- 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 24GB), 256GB SSD storage (up to 2TB): 1,299 / 1,349
- 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 24GB), 512GB SSD storage (up to 2TB): 1,499 / £ 1,549
The M1 MacBook Pro also had two standard models:
- 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 16GB), 256GB SSD storage (up to 2TB): 1,299 / £ 1,299
- 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 16GB), 512GB SSD storage (up to 2TB): 1,499 / 1,499
As you can see, the M2 chip offers a number of advantages, including 10-core graphics and up to 24GB of unified memory, compared to 8-core graphics and up to 16GB of memory.
The extra graphics core and the ability to support 24GB of memory may be a good reason to choose the new MacBook Pro, but it brings with it more than just the M2. M2 improves performance and efficiency for faster CPUs and more powerful GPUs. It also has a 40 percent faster neural engine and 50 percent more memory bandwidth
We hope to get the criteria for M2 soon, and we will update this article as soon as we get the comparative data. We expect a slight improvement of about 20 percent compared to the M1, but do not expect the M2 to beat the M1 Pro or other variants of the M1.
Another hidden improvement is related to the audio capabilities of this Mac laptop. Although the new M2 MacBook Pro M2 does not offer the MacBook Air’s four-speaker sound system, the new model supports spatial audio while playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on the built-in speaker. When using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro and AirPods Max it includes spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Battery life
Battery life is the same as M1 model, 20 hours. However, it is possible that some improvements to the M2 processor may improve battery life. We will update this article as soon as we get some test information.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Port and Peripheral
While the M2 MacBook Air just got an extra port in the form of MagSafe, which means you don’t have to pay for one of your USB / Thunderbolt ports to charge, the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro still only offers the same. Two Thunderbolt / USB4 ports as predecessors.
The 3.5mm headphone jack has a slight change, which now adds support for high-end headphones.
The only other difference is that the M2 MacBook Pro is shipped with a 67W power adapter instead of the old model 61W power adapter. Theoretically it could speed up charging, but it doesn’t make a huge difference as the 13-inch MacBook Pro doesn’t support fast charging.
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Price
While the price of the 2022 generation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro hasn’t changed in the United States, it does in other counties.
The M2 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at 1,299 / £ 1,349 It used to cost 1,299 / £ 1,299.
The M2 13-inch MacBook Pro with 512GB SSD costs 1,499 / £ 1,549. Equivalent models cost 1,499 / £ 1,499
It is interesting to note that the same type of M2 MacBook Air is available at the same price as the more expensive MacBook Pro. You can get an M2 MacBook Air with 512GB SSD and 10-core GPU for 1,499 / 5 1,549. If you’re torn between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, we’ve compared the differences between the two models.
When resellers sell M1 MacBook Pro you may be able to bargain for some of the following:
$ 754.48
Free
1299.99
Free
13-inch MacBook Pro M1 vs M2: Our recommendation
We’ll have more to say about the M2 MacBook Pro when we review it, but for many, the MacBook Air’s new design appeal, its bigger, better and brighter display, and the same price will make it a big one. The reason for the decision not to buy the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro. However, along with the model, performance improvements close some gaps between this and the high-priced MacBook professionals.