Vonmalcolm mcmillan
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How the new 2023 MacBook Pros improve on their predecessors
Apple just announced the newMacBook Pro 16-inch 2023, WithMacBook Pro 14 inch 2023. new packagingM2 Pro y M2 Maxchips, these laptops promise the longest battery life in a Mac, not to mention the highest performance of any Apple laptop to date.
With the new 16-inch MacBook Pro arriving on January 24, it's good to know how it differs from its predecessor.MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021. Is Apple's new silicon reason enough to upgrade from the 2021 model? Or are there other features worth upgrading to the latest MacBook Pro? Read on to find out all the differences between the 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro.
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| MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 | MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| starting price | 2.499 $ | 2.499 $ |
| Screen | 16.2-Zoll-Liquid-Retina-XDR display (3456 x 2244 pixels, 254 ppi) | 16.2-Zoll-Liquid-Retina-XDR display (3456 x 2244 pixels, 254 ppi) |
| processor | M2 Pro (12-core CPU, 19-core GPU), with optional M2 Max with up to 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU | M1 Pro (CPU de 10 core, GPU de 16 core) | M1 Max (10-core CPU, 32-core GPU) |
| battery size | 100 Wh | 100 Wh |
| Battery life (claimed) | Up to 15 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi | Up to 14 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi |
| storage | 512GB to 8TB | 512GB to 8TB |
| memory | 16 GB to 96 GB (96 GB only available on devices with a maxed out M2 Max chip) | 16GB to 64GB |
| ports | Thunderbolt 4 (x3), HDMI, MagSafe 3, headphone jack, SD memory card slot | Thunderbolt 4 (x3), HDMI, MagSafe 3, headphone jack, SD memory card slot |
| web camera | 1080p HD FaceTime Camera | 1080p HD FaceTime Camera |
| W-LAN | WLAN 802.11ax 6E | 802.11ax-WLAN 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 14 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches | 14 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 4.7 lbs (M2 Pro) - 4.8 lbs (M2 Max) | 4.7 pounds (M1 Pro) - 4.8 pounds (M1 Max) |
MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 vs 2021: price and availability
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is available in a variety of configurations, with the base model starting at $2,499 / £2,699 / AU$3,999. This version comes with an M2 Pro chip with 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. It comes with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD for storage.
But if you want a full-featured 16-inch MacBook Pro, you'll have to shell out a whopping $6,499 / £6,749 / AU$10,099. However, you definitely get what you pay for with this configuration: an M2 Max chipset with a 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, 96GB of RAM, and a massive 8TB SSD. These specs are truly amazing and only the most advanced users are likely to need them.
At launch, the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro cost $2,499, which is the same starting price as its newest version. Apple no longer lists this laptop in its store, but you can still buy it at places like Amazon and Best Buy, or even physical Apple stores if they're in stock (but that's rare). These older models are available at different prices depending on the data sheet.
MacBook Pro 16 Zoll 2023 vs. 2021: Design
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro looks essentially the same as the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro. The previous MacBook was improved across the board, so it wasn't surprising that the new version didn't feature major design changes. But that's not a bad thing either, as the current design is already great.
So it's no surprise that the dimensions and weight haven't changed from the 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro. It still weighs 4.7 pounds when equipped with the Pro chipset and 4.8 pounds when equipped with a processor Max. Both versions measure 14 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches.
Unsurprisingly, the new laptop's display is still great. The new 16-inch MacBook Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3456 x 2234 pixels and a maximum brightness of 1600 nits for HDR content. You also get Apple's ProMotion technology for a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
In terms of other design features and ports, the 2023 MacBook Pro 16-inch comes with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a six-speaker sound system, and three “studio-quality” microphones for video/voice calls. For ports, you get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 charging. The only notable upgrade here is an "enhanced HDMI output," which allows for 8K resolution output. with up to 120Hz refresh rate, or 4K resolution with up to 240Hz refresh rate.
MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 vs 2021: Specifications
The main difference between the 2023 and 2021 MacBook Pros is that you can configure the newer models with Apple's newer M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The 16-inch is no exception.
The M2 Pro chip features a 10- or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. Apple claims these cores offer 20% more performance than thatM1 professional. The new chip also has a constant memory bandwidth of 200 GB/s, which is twice the baseChip M2and can have up to 32 GB of RAM. In addition to the CPU cores, Apple says the M2 Pro's 19-core GPU can deliver up to 30% more graphics performance and the 16-core Neural Engine is 40% faster than the previous version.
However, if you want the crème de la crème, you want the M2 Max. Apple's most powerful M2 chip (so far) has a GPU with up to 38 cores. Apple says it offers up to 30% graphics performance improvement over itM1 max.. It also packs 400 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, double that of the M2 Pro. The M2 Max chip can be configured with up to 96 GB of RAM, a staggering amount. Apple claims this chip is 20% faster than the M1 Max, which is notable because we've already been amazed at the performance of the M1 Pro and M1 Max in the 2021 MacBook Pro.
That's not to say the M1 Pro and M1 Max aren't impressive in the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 2021 model features an M1 Pro with a 10-core CPU with eight performance cores and two efficiency cores and supports up to 32GB of RAM with up to 200GB/second memory bandwidth.
The M1 Max also has a 10-core CPU, but it has 57 billion transistors (more than triple that of the original M1) and supports up to 64GB of RAM with up to 400GB/s of memory bandwidth. While that lags behind the M2 Max on paper, it's still an incredibly powerful SoC chipset.
Aside from silicon, there are some additional minor performance improvements. The new MacBook Pro 2023 supportsWiFi 6E, allowing for faster network speeds. It also upgrades the onboard Bluetooth to Bluetooth 5.3 from Bluetooth 5.0, which should result in better sound quality and potentially better battery life for connected devices.
MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 vs. 2021: battery life
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro gets up to 22 hours of movie playback on Apple TV with its 70 Wh battery. That's pretty much all-day battery life, and Apple claims it's the best battery life of any Mac, ever.
We'll have to run our own battery test to see how long the new 16-inch MacBook Pro lasts. If Apple's claims are true, this laptop may well outperform the 16-inch MacBook Pro 201, which lasted 15 hours and 31 minutes.our battery test.
MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 vs. 2021: verdict
The new MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 has definitely taken the attitude that what ain't broke doesn't need to be fixed. Other than a few minor updates like Wi-Fi 6E support and an updated HDMI port, the only change was the updated M2 Pro and Max chipsets.
So whether or not it's really worth upgrading depends on how much the upgraded silicon improves on the new model, and whether that boost is important to you. Without even getting our hands on it to test it, Apple's first specs certainly point to a much-improved performance boost from the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. People looking to push their machines to the limit with video and image editing, software development, music production, and other high-intensity tasks should consider buying the new 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro, which appears to be the most powerful and Apple's longest. -durable--portable yet.
That being said, not everyone needs an ultra-powerful computer. If you are looking for a MacBook for day to day, this is yours.macbook air m2still a solid laptop from Apple, just like thatmacbook aire m1, which with a starting price of less than $1,000 is still quite capable and relatively affordable. If you want a laptop with incredibly long battery life, 202213-inch MacBook ProIt's worth considering, too, even if your design is decidedly outdated. And while Apple has discontinued the 2021 MacBook Pro 16-inch, there are still deals in our roundupThe best MacBook dealsThis gives you a powerful Mac at a great price, even if it's not the most powerful MacBook anymore.
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malcolm mcmillan
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Malcolm McMillan is a news writer for Tom's Guide and writes about the latest technology, games and entertainment with a particular focus on phones and virtual reality. Before writing for Tom's Guide, he worked many retail jobs and many Black Fridays, including a stint at Microsoft, so he knows all about finding the best prices on the latest technology. Malcolm was also a fantasy football analyst for several years prior to Tom's Guide. He has a passion for video games and sports, though both cause him to frequently yell at the television. He proudly wears many tattoos, including an Arsenal tattoo, in honor of the team that makes him scream the most on TV.
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FAQs
What is the most updated MacBook Pro? ›
Apple's new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models debuted in January 2023.
What is the difference between 2022 and 2023 MacBook Pro? ›In short, the newer 2023 MacBook Pro is larger, heavier, and more expensive. But it's also much more powerful and has a much better display, as well as more ports. The older 2022 model is great for users who don't need tons of raw power, and for those who are on a tight budget.
Will there be a new MacBook Pro in 2023? ›New 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro: Release date
The 2023 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro started shipping on January 24, 2023. Read our review of the 16in MacBook Pro with M2 Pro. You can order a new MacBook Pro on Apple's website here or to get a bargain take a look at our round up of the best MacBook Pro deals.
The MacBook Air M2 is the best laptop for most people, thanks to its blazing speed, slim design and reasonable price, while the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros provide lots of ports, more advanced displays and even more power for creative professionals.
Is there a new MacBook Pro 16-inch coming out in 2022? ›New 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are "well into development and testing" according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman initially said the notebooks could see a launch in late 2022, but he later said that Apple had decided not to introduce the new machines until 2023.
Which MacBook Pro is outdated? ›On June 30, 2020, & just after its eighth anniversary, the MacBook Pro with Retina display will officially be marked “obsolete,” ending all hardware services & repairs from Apple. Announced during WWDC 2012, the MacBook Pro with Retina Display was a “Pros” MacBook Pro.
What is the best year and model MacBook Pro? ›Depending on your budget, I'd recommend a 2014 or 2015 MacBook Pro or -- if you have the budget, a 2020 or 2021 machine with Apple's renewed M1 chipset. Avoid 2016 to 2018 machines, which have had notorious keyboard reliability problems, and you won't save that much on a purchase.
Should I buy M1 or M2? ›If you can afford to spend $200 more, the MacBook Air M2 is the better pick. It has a separate charging port, a brighter screen, a better webcam and keyboard, significantly more battery life, and slightly more performance power. The MacBook Air M1 is the better choice for those looking to save a bit of money.
Is Apple coming out with a new MacBook in 2023? ›The 2023 MacBook Pro 16 is almost exactly the same as the 2021 MacBook Pro 16 except that there is a new chip inside. And just to get one thing out of the way: no, there is not a good reason to buy the 2023 model if you already have the 2021 model.
What will Apple release in 2023? ›Apple in January 2023 introduced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are equipped with updated M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Apple also introduced new M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini machines and a new larger-sized $299 HomePod, with all of these announcements done via press release.
How many years will a MacBook Pro last? ›
On average, your MacBook Pro is expected to last 7.2 years and a MacBook Air for 5-7 years. However, the lifespan of your MacBook depends on what tasks you use your MacBook for, how frequently it is used, and how well you care for your battery and its components.
Is M2 better than M1 Max? ›Graphics speeds climb up to 30 percent faster than M1 Max. Along with 96GB of memory, the new MacBook Pro with M2 Max can tackle graphics-intensive projects that competing systems can't even run.
Which MacBook is long lasting? ›Battery life: The 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro is the longest-lasting MacBook there is, posting a Tom's Guide battery test time of 18:20.
What is the best time of year to buy a new MacBook? ›Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the attendant deals stretching before and beyond them, remain the best time to buy most Apple devices at discounted prices. Historically, we've tracked the highest concentration of Apple deals that meet our standards in the month of November.
Which is the best time to buy MacBook? ›| Best time to buy an iPhone | September, October, Black Friday and Cyber Monday |
|---|---|
| Best time to buy a MacBook | August and Labor Day |
| Best time to buy an iMac | Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and between Christmas and New Year's Day |
In January 2023, the 14-inch and 16-inch models were updated. The new models come with the Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max, can be configured with up to 96 GB of RAM (up from 64 GB), support HDMI 2.1 that can drive an 8K external display (the 2021 models supported HDMI 2.0), and support faster Wi-Fi 6E.
Should I buy the MacBook Pro in 2022? ›Is It a Good Time to Buy? Yes. If you're a power user looking for a powerful MacBook, then this is a great time to snag a 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro, as Apple just released new versions in January. If you don't need that much power, you can opt for the 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with the M2 chip.
Is the M2 chip worth it? ›Like the new MacBook Pro M2, this new notebook features the Apple M2 chip — making it one of the most performant and overall best laptops you can buy. Despite its steep $1,199 starting price, it's arguably worth every penny due to the value it provides.
Can a MacBook Pro last more than 10 years? ›The OS released in 2029 would receive support from Apple until 2032, and most third-party tools that worked on the final version of the OS would be supported until at least 2035. This means that in general, you can expect at least 10 solid years of life from a Mac, barring any unforeseen hardware issues.
What Macs can no longer be updated? ›Mac Pro (Late 2013) (the good old “trash can”) Mac mini (2014) MacBook Air (Early 2015) (11- and 13-inch models) MacBook Air (2017)
Should I always update my MacBook Pro? ›
No matter which operating system you use, we always recommend updating it to the latest software. You get all the latest features, as well as any security patches and software fixes. Updating your Mac to the latest software keeps your system safe and secure.
Which MacBook is Best Selling? ›Apple MacBook Pro M2 MNEJ3HN/A Ultrabook (Apple M2/8 GB/512 GB SSD/macOS Monterey) The fourth MacBook on our best Apple laptop list is the Apple MacBook Pro M2 13-inch. This is a slightly upgraded version of the 2020 model. You get the latest Apple M2 chipset, which offers noticeably better performance than the M1.
Which MacBook is best for professionals? ›The best Mac laptop for most people is the 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple's M1 processor. It's more than fast enough for browsing, working on documents, and making light photo and video edits, and it has an excellent high-resolution screen, a great trackpad, a totally silent fanless design, and a reasonable price.
What is the difference between the new MacBook Pro and the old MacBook Pro? ›A major advancement with both of the new MacBook Pro notebooks is the Liquid Retina XDR Display. It features double the sustained brightness via mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion with up to 120Hz refresh rates, an increased resolution/pixel per inch density, and greatly reduced bezels.
Is M2 less powerful than M1? ›In our testing, the M2 has an 18 percent faster CPU than the M1. The new chip doesn't just mean that the new Macs can accomplish more though, they use less power doing so: Apple promises an increased CPU performance of 18 percent with the same energy consumption thanks to various optimizations.
Why is the M2 slower than the M1? ›This is being attributed to the use of fewer, higher-density NAND chips in the M2 generation unlike what we've seen before in M1.
Is M2 chip more powerful than M1? ›In June of 2022, the first second-generation Apple Silicon model was announced with the launch of the M2 chip. Using a refined version of the 5-nanometer manufacturing process used on the M1 chips, the M2 SoC houses a faster CPU, a more powerful GPU, and higher memory bandwidth.
Will there be a new MacBook in 2024? ›MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips will go into mass production in the first half of 2024, according to Kuo.
How do I get Apple student discount? ›- Click here to go to the Apple Education Store page.
- Hit 'Get Verified with UNiDAYS'
- Follow the steps to sign in to UNiDAYS, or register if you don't yet have an account.
- Enter the Education Store and reveal student prices.
- Enjoy the savings!
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is the best MacBook for students. It has enough power to face almost any academic challenge. There are other MacBooks to consider depending on your situation, as you can see below.
What is the next Mac release 2023? ›
The MacBook Pro M2 Pro and M2 Max laptops were announced by Apple on the 17th of January 2023. Both models will ship on the 24th of January, with preorders already available on the Apple website.
What new Apple products are coming out in September 2023? ›iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 (and Plus, Pro and Pro Max) is likely to arrive, like clockwork, in September 2023.
What is Apple releasing in spring 2023? ›Apple in 2023: MacBook Pro M2 Pro, new Mac mini and more
These were originally planned for the end of this year, but have now slipped into early 2023 according to Bloomberg's Gurman. As with the previous generation, these laptops will reportedly come in 14- and 16-inch sizes, and may well appear around Spring.
When do Macs become obsolete? Based on operating system support, the limit is between eight and ten years – after which time Apple will not support the software and it's probably a good time to replace your Mac.
What should I do with old MacBook? ›If you're not ready to make a purchase, you can trade in your old device online for an Apple Gift Card via email that you can apply to any future Apple purchase. And no matter how you use Apple Trade In, if your device has no trade-in value, you can always recycle it responsibly for free.
How many hours should a MacBook Pro last? ›It depends on which model you own and your usage habits. Whether you own an Intel-based Mac or one of the newer machines with Apple silicon (such as M1), you should get between 10 and 17 hours after a single charge. But what you use your Mac for and how to have it optimized will impact the charge life.
Is M1X more powerful than M2? ›The M2 chip is 1.4x faster than the M1, with an 18 percent faster CPU, a 35 percent more powerful GPU, and a 40 percent faster Neural Engine. Geekbench benchmarks have confirmed that the M2 chip is up to 20 percent faster than the M1 chip when it comes to multi-core performance.
Is M1 Pro better than i9? ›While the overall performance output of Intel Core i9 might be higher, Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max chips offer better performance-per-watt.
Will M2 chip be more powerful? ›Both M2 Pro and M2 Max include Apple's next-generation, 16-core Neural Engine, capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, and up to 40 percent faster than the previous generation.
Is MacBook Pro 2015 still good in 2022? ›The MacBook Pro 2015 is a 7-year-old Apple laptop that is still very much relevant in today's world. This is because the laptop offers a fantastic retina display, a comfortable keyboard, and an innovative trackpad. That's not all, the laptop also delivers multiple CPU options with a dedicated graphics card.
Do Apple laptops last longer than PCS? ›
However, you can generally expect a PC laptop, a MacBook Air, or a MacBook Pro to last 3 to 5 years. Similarly, a PC user and an Apple user can both anticipate their desktops will last 5 to 8 years.
Is MacBook Pro or Air better for college? ›If you will mostly be writing papers, completing online homework and doing research then the MacBook Air will fit those needs. And if you're film editing, Photoshopping or designing then the MacBook Pro will help you accomplish that. They're both fantastic laptops, so there is no wrong choice.
Is MacBook Pro 16 inch worth it? ›Live Science Verdict
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) is a powerful machine that changes course on many of Apple's design decisions over the last few years. If you can afford the price of entry, it's the best MacBook so far.
You should think about upgrading every 4-5 years — provided you can afford it. MacBooks do have the potential to last longer than this if you need to stretch it out.
Is it worth it to wait for the new MacBook? ›We still recommend that unless you're creating 3D content, making videos, writing apps, or doing other tasks that push the CPU, it's unlikely that you will notice the additional performance the 2023 MacBook Pro models will bring. But if you don't need a new Mac just yet, it sounds like you'll be rewarded for the wait.
When should I buy a new MacBook 2022? ›Apple in June 2022 announced a completely redesigned MacBook Air based on the its new M2 chip, priced starting at $1,199 and launched on July 15, 2022. The previous M1-based MacBook Air from late 2020 continues to be available starting at $999.
Does Apple have Black Friday sales? ›Does Apple do Black Friday sales? Sort of. While you can find Apple products on sale during Black Friday at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, Apple's own Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions are not major sales.
How old of a Mac should I buy? ›It's a good idea to not invest in a used Mac that is more than three years old, because Apple tends to support its computers for about six years. Also, keep in mind that Apple is moving away from Intel processors.
What's better M2 or M1 Pro? ›With its powerful CPU, M2 Pro can compile code up to 25 percent faster than M1 Pro, and up to 2.5x faster than MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i9 processor.
What is the latest MacBook Pro Operating System 2022? ›Introduced at WWDC 2022, macOS Ventura is the current version of macOS, the operating system that runs on the Mac.
Is the M1 or M2 chip better? ›
Unsurprisingly, the M2 blows the M1 out of the water with about 20 percent higher multi-core performance. For reference, Apple claimed the M2's CPU is 18 percent faster, which turns out to be true. However, compared to other chips in the M1 lineup, the M2 still doesn't stand a chance.
Is it worth it to wait for M2 MacBook Pro? ›Given that it has only been 18 months since Apple launched the M1 MacBook Pro and the M1 chip continues to be offered in the iPad Air, iPad Pro, Mac mini, and iMac, the M2 MacBook Pro will likely not be worth it coming directly from the previous model and future-proofing is unlikely to be an important factor at ...
Is M1 more powerful than Mac Pro? ›As for straight Geekbench numbers, the MacBook Pro with M1 Max earned a single-core score of 1781 and a multi-core score of 12785, while the MacBook Pro with base M1 Pro chip earned a single-core score of 1666 and a multi-core score of 9924. Metal scores came in at 38138 for the M1 Pro and 64134 for the M1 Max.
What is Apple's new product 2023? ›Apple in January 2023 introduced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are equipped with updated M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Apple also introduced new M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini machines and a new larger-sized $299 HomePod, with all of these announcements done via press release.
What version of macOS is latest? ›If you are wondering what the latest version of macOS is it's Ventura, also known as macOS 13. Ventura arrived on Monday, October 25, 2022, and is currently on version 13.2.1, which arrived on February 13, 2023. For more information, read Everything you need to know about macOS Ventura.
Should you upgrade Mac to Monterey? ›Yes! Upgrading to macOS Monterey is highly recommended, especially if you have a newer Mac powered by one of the Apple silicon chips, such as the M1 or M2 processors. Not only will you get better performance, but you'll also be able to take advantage of all the new features, some of which are really helpful.
What is the latest Mac operating system update? ›macOS 13.1 arrived on December 13, 2022 and brought with it a new app called Freeform and iCloud Advanced Data Protection.
Is M2 worth it over M1? ›The M2 is better than the M1, but it's still a marginal upgrade. The M1 Pro is similarly topped by the M2 Pro, and the M2 Max beats out the M1 Max in pretty much every test.
What can beat the M1 chip? ›Benchmarks show that Intel's latest Core i9 processors received a higher score than Apple's M1 Max chip in tests, but that 4% increase in performance is offset by a marked reduction in battery life compared to Apple's chips.