Introduction
The MacBook Pro is Apple‘s top-of-the-line laptop, aimed at professionals and power users. In November 2020, Apple introduced the first MacBook Pro powered by its own custom M1 silicone instead of Intel chips. The M1 brought significant performance and efficiency gains. Two years later, Apple unveiled the next-generation M2 chip and launched a new 13-inch MacBook Pro featuring this upgraded silicone in June 2022.
With two fantastic but very similar models to choose from, many consumers find themselves wondering – should I go with the tried and true M1 or shell out a bit more for the latest M2? This comprehensive feature by feature comparison aims to help you decide.
Technical Specifications
The M2 MacBook Pro retains the same compact all-metal body, 13.3-inch IPS Retina display, Touch Bar, Touch ID, speakers, webcam, keyboard, trackpad, ports, wireless capabilities and 58.2Wh battery as the M1 model. The changes are found under the hood.
Processor & Performance
The highlight difference is Apple‘s latest custom silicone – the M2 chip versus the M1. Let‘s examine the vital statistics:
M2 Chip
- 8-core CPU
- 10-core GPU
- 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- 16 billion transistors
- 5nm fabrication
M1 Chip
- 8-core CPU
- 8-core GPU
- 68GB/s memory bandwidth
- 16 billion transistors
- 5nm fabrication
While the M2 retains the excellent 8-core CPU, it ups the cores in the GPU from 8 to 10. This allows better graphics and gaming performance. The memory bandwidth gets a major upgrade from 68GB/s to a blazing fast 100GB/s. The M2 also adds a media engine and more neural engine cores for demanding creative workloads. Both chips are built on cutting edge 5nm process for power efficiency.
What do these specs translate to in real world usage? Let‘s look at some performance benchmarks:
Geekbench (CPU)
- M2 single-core: 1919 multi-core: 8928
- M1 single-core: 1710 multi-core: 7500
Cinebench (CPU)
- M2: 1598 cb
- M1: 1481 cb
Unigine Valley (GPU)
- M2: 80.3 FPS
- M1: 59.8 FPS
Adobe Premiere Pro (Video Editing)
- M2: Export in 2 mins
- M1: Export in 2.30 mins
The above tests show the M2 outperforming the M1 by between 15-25% in CPU and 25-35% in GPU intense workloads. This is impressive given they share the same compact thermal design.
In real world usage, the M2 MacBook Pro will feel snappier at complex creative workloads like video editing, 3D modeling, programming, graphics design etc. It can even do some casual gaming at modest settings.
Memory & Storage
The M2 model doubles the maximum memory capacity to 24GB from 16GB in the M1 machine. For professional work, having more headroom for multitasking across large apps and files can make a difference in productivity.
As for storage, both models can be configured with up to 2TB of superfast NVMe SSD storage. This gives exceptional launch speeds for programs and read/write speeds for files.
Battery Life & Thermals
Both models claim up to 20 hours of video playback on a full charge. Real world mixed usage gives between 10-15 hours for the average user. Efficiency improvements in the M2 silicone contribute to the stellar battery life even under increased performance.
Sustained intensive workloads do cause heating in slim metal chassis laptops. In benchmarks, the M2 ran 10-15C hotter than M1. But performance stayed consistent indicating decent thermal management. Under most real world work, overheating should not present issues for either model.
Pricing & Value
With Apple still selling older Intel-powered MacBook Pros just 3 years ago, their transition to in-house M1 and M2 silicone has been outstandingly rapid. The performance and efficiency gains over Intel combined with competitive pricing makes both M1 and M2 models great values in price-to-performance.
Let‘s examine the cost difference:
M2 MacBook Pro
- MSRP Starts from $1299
- Price as configured with 16GB RAM/512GB Storage: $1599
M1 MacBook Pro
- MSRP for base model: $1299
- Discounted retail price for 16GB/512GB model: $1499
We see the MSRP has stayed consistent from M1 to M2 generation. But real world discounted prices of discontinued M1 models are bringing the price difference down to just $100. You get 15-35% performance gains and future-proofing for just an extra 6% cost with the M2. This makes the M2 a very compelling value-for-money upgrade choice over the M1 model today.
Availability
The M1 model has been officially discontinued by Apple. Remaining retail stock is selling out fast. Being a previous generation model, the M1 MacBook Pro will become harder find.
Meanwhile as the current 2022 model, the M2 MacBook Pro is widely available both on Apple‘s website and via online and offline retailers in all configurations. It is the de facto 13-inch MacBook Pro now and for the foreseeable future.
Design & Features Comparison
Physically, both laptops are identical. The slick, durable aluminum chassis with clean aesthetics, Magic Keyboard and massive Force Touch trackpad still look modern. You don‘t get the tweaked design with slimmer bezels or notched display of newer MacBooks but arguably, the classic MacBook Pro look has aged very well.
You also get the same ports (2x Thunderbolt 4), the same 2560×1600 Retina display with P3 color gamut and True Tone technology, the same old reliable TouchBar plus Touch ID sensor, the same stereo speaker system and 720p webcam.
Enhancements in the M2 Version
Look closely and you‘ll notice a few modest but meaningful upgrades demonstrating Apple‘s constant refinements:
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The 3.5mm audio jack now supports high impedance headphones up to 1200 ohms along with spatial audio formats.
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The laptop lid and ports use more recycled aluminum. Sustainability has been improved.
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The 67W USB-C power adapter included has slightly faster charging versus the 61W version in M1 model.
But otherwise, it is remarkable how identical the external hardware and features are between the generations. The improvements are subtly present in the silicone powering it – featuring the 2nd generation Apple-designed M2 chip.
Performance Ratings
| MacBook Pro M2 | MacBook Pro M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Power | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Graphics Performance | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| SSD Storage Speed | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Display Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Audio Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Battery Life | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Value Rating | 9.5/10 | 9/10 |
In benchmarks and real-world use, the M2 MacBook Pro scores higher in processing power and graphics performance thanks to the upgraded M2 chip. It justifies its premium over the M1 model that it is replacing. For an overall rating, the M2 MacBook Pro gets 9.1/10 versus 8.8/10 for the M1 model.
Who Should Get Each Model?
MacBook Pro M2 – Get this if you value the latest and greatest silicon for future-proofing along with best-in-class performance for creative workloads today. Worth spending a bit more over M1.
MacBook Pro M1 – Still a speed demon and discounted pricing makes it very tempting. Only caveat is availability as Apple has discontinued it. If you manage to find one new at a good price, go for it over M2 only if budget is a major factor for you or you have basic needs.
In Conclusion
The MacBook Pro M2 justifies its modest price premium over the still very capable M1 with strong gains in graphics muscle, improved neural engine capabilities and more memory bandwidth.
For most professionals, power users and even serious students, the latest Apple silicone pays dividends in terms of workload performance and future-proofing. The M2 MacBook Pro does cost slightly more but brings better efficiency and power to the same slick chassis loved by MacBook users.
Unless you get lucky finding an M1 model at a bargain and have basic needs, the M2 MacBook Pro is the 13-inch pro laptop to get for Apple fans. It continues Apple‘s silicon leadership – bringing prosumers incredible performance per dollar along with battery life in a portable package. The choice between M1 and M2 comes down primarily to budget and availability otherwise, M2 is undeniably the superior pick.
