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At the WWDC event last June, Apple unveiled the Macbook Pro M2. The tech community has mixed opinions about it, as the Macbook Pro M2 2022 seems to have been upgraded only in terms of hardware, while its appearance remains unchanged from the Macbook Pro M1 2020. Does the Macbook Pro M2 bring any other upgrades besides the M2 chip compared to the Macbook Pro M1? Let's find out in this comparison between the MacBook Pro M2 and MacBook Pro M1!
Note: This article references content and images from Macworld.
Read more:
- Hands-on with Macbook Pro M2 2022: Familiar Design, Significantly Improved Performance
- Review of Macbook Pro M2 2022: Superior Performance with Apple M2 Chip
- Performance Evaluation of Macbook Pro M2 2022: Slight Upgrades Compared to Previous Generation
- What's New with Macbook Pro 14 inch 2022: Featuring Powerful Apple M2 Pro
Comparison of Design between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
You'll hardly distinguish between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022 just by looking at their appearance. The two machines are virtually identical with no discernible differences. They both feature the familiar, premium, and elegant aluminum unibody design. However, in 2022, this design is becoming somewhat outdated and contrasting when compared to the Macbook Pro 14-inch/16-inch models introduced in 2021.
You won't be able to tell the difference between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022 just by their exterior. Source: Macworld.It's precisely due to this familiar design that has left many users torn between Macbook Pro M2 2022 and Macbook Air M2 - the latter completely revamped with the design language of the Macbook Pro 14-inch/16-inch lineup.
The old design has left many users undecided between Macbook Pro M2 2022 and Macbook Air M2. Source: Tech Crunch.Placing Macbook Pro M2 2022 next to the newer Macbook models, you'll easily notice that the screen bezels are quite thick, resulting in a less immersive display experience. However, there's still one small advantage - Macbook Pro M2 2022 is the only 13-inch Macbook Pro currently available that lacks the notch design.
Macbook Pro M2 2022 stands out as the only 13-inch Macbook Pro available at present without the notch design. Source: Andres Vidoza.You can also check out our hands-on review of the MacBook Pro M2 we conducted earlier to get a more detailed look at the new MacBook Pro's design!
Comparing TouchBar between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
On the Macbook Pro 13 inch, there's a unique detail that later MacBook models have not been equipped with, and that's the TouchBar. This hardware feature Apple introduced on its MacBook Pro lineup since 2016 was removed in 2021 when Apple launched two new MacBook Pro models, the Macbook Pro 14-inch/16-inch.
The TouchBar now only appears on the Macbook Pro 13 inch. Source: Engadget.The TouchBar on the Macbook Pro M2 2022 may handle functions better when users adjust photos in software like Lightroom, Photoshop, or quickly skim through clips in Final Cut Pro. The absence of the Touch Bar on other MacBook models indicates that in the near future, Apple will permanently remove this TouchBar strip, and perhaps the Macbook Pro M2 2022 will be the last machine with a TouchBar that you can buy.
The Macbook Pro M2 2022 might be the last machine with a TouchBar that you can buy. Source: Engadget.
Comparing the display between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
The screen size of the Macbook Pro 13 inch has not changed since the Macbook Pro 13 inch 2009. In fact, the size is slightly larger at 13.3 inches. With Apple having increased the screen size of the Macbook Air to 13.6 inches, the Macbook Pro M2 2022 is the smallest MacBook with a screen size that Apple currently sells.
The Macbook Pro M2 2022 is the MacBook with the smallest screen size that Apple currently sells. Source: Apple Insider.The display technology has been greatly improved compared to the 2009 version, but when compared to its predecessor, the Macbook Pro M1 2020, the Macbook Pro M2 2022 shows no difference. It still boasts a good quality screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, brightness reaching 500 nits, support for the P3 color gamut, and finally, it is equipped with True Tone technology (automatically adjusts color and brightness based on the surrounding environment).
The screen on the Macbook Pro M2 2022 has good quality with a brightness of 500 nits, support for the P3 color gamut, and features True Tone. Source: Engadget.Comparing the specifications between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
When it comes to the configuration specs, you'll easily notice the difference between the two generations of Macbook Pro. Here are the configuration options for the Macbook Pro M2 2022:
- 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 24GB), 256GB SSD (up to 2TB) priced at $1,299 (around 30.4 million VND) in the US market.
- 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 24GB), 512GB SSD (up to 2TB) priced at $1,499 (around 35.1 million VND) in the US market.
The Macbook Pro M1 2020 is also available in various basic configuration options:
- 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 16GB), 256GB SSD (up to 2TB) priced at $1,299 (around 30.4 million VND) in the US market.
- 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory (up to 24GB), 512GB SSD (up to 2TB) priced at $1,499 (around 35.1 million VND) in the US market.
The configuration options of Macbook Pro M2 2022 and Macbook Pro M1 2020 are quite similar, differing only in the number of GPU cores. Source: Engadget.So, the Apple M2 brings some advantages, including adding 2 GPU cores to make it 10 GPU cores, and allowing users to choose up to 24GB of RAM. The upgrade of Apple M2 could be convincing enough for users to opt for Macbook Pro M2 2022 instead of Macbook Pro M1 2020. Moreover, Apple M2 also enhances performance and power efficiency to make the CPU and GPU more powerful. The Neural Engine on the new Apple M2 is 40% faster than the Apple M1 generation, and the memory bandwidth has also increased by 50%.
Macbook Pro M2 2022 has an advantage with 10 GPU cores. Source: Macworld.In the comparison table below, you can see the Geekbench scores on Macbook Pro M2 2022 show improvement compared to Macbook Pro M1 2020, all thanks to the performance of the Apple M2 chip. However, despite the higher scores than the previous generation, Apple M2 still cannot achieve the performance when compared to larger Macbooks like Macbook Pro 14 inch/16 inch.
Comparison of Geekbench scores (single-core) between Apple M1 and Apple M2 on Macbook Pro 13 inch. Source: Macworld.
Comparison of Geekbench scores (multi-core) between Apple M1 and Apple M2 on Macbook Pro 13 inch. Source: Macworld.The author also tested the performance of the 10-core GPU on Macbook Pro M2 2022 using Geekbench 5, with results similar to CPU testing. The CPU and GPU performance on Apple M2 have improved, but still cannot match higher-end chips like the Apple M1 Pro.
The GPU performance of Apple M2 has improved but still cannot match higher-end chips like Apple M1 Pro. Source: Macworld.An 'hidden' upgrade on Macbook Pro M2 2022 is its ability to support Spatial Audio even with only 2 speakers. This feature also includes Spatial Audio with head tracking for users using Airpod 3, Airpod Pro, and Airpod Max devices.
Macbook Pro M2 2022 also supports Spatial Audio. Source: TheRelaxingEnd.For a more specific insight into the performance of the M2 chip, you can check out our review of the MacBook Pro M2 performance we conducted earlier!
Comparison of battery life between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
According to Apple's announcement, the battery life of Macbook Pro M2 2022 is 20 hours, equivalent to its predecessor. Although the Apple M2 chip has been improved to be more energy efficient, it still seems to consume quite a lot of power in reality.
The battery life of Macbook Pro M2 2022 is announced to be 20 hours, equivalent to its predecessor. Source: Engadget.In Macworld's test, the battery life of Macbook Pro M2 2022 reached 16 hours, while the Macbook Pro M1 2020 achieved up to 18 hours. Although it has decreased slightly, this battery life still surpasses that of Macbooks using Intel chips.
Macbook Pro M2 2022 has slightly lower actual battery life compared to Macbook Pro M1 2020 but still far exceeds Macbooks using Intel chips. Source: Apple Insider.Comparison of connectivity ports between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
While the Macbook Air M2 2022 introduces a MagSafe charging port, the number of connectivity ports on the Macbook Pro M2 2022 remains unchanged. Specifically, the Macbook Pro M2 2022 features 2 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports similar to the Macbook Pro M1 2020.
Macbook Pro M2 2022 still only has 2 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports similar to the Macbook Pro M1 2020. Source: Engadget.There's a slight upgrade to the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Macbook Pro M2 2022, now capable of driving high-impedance headphones. Another minor upgrade is the charging power on the Macbook Pro M2 2022, which has increased to 67W compared to 61W on the Macbook Pro M1 2020. In theory, higher charging power should facilitate faster battery charging, although users may not perceive a noticeable difference since Apple does not support fast charging on the 13-inch Macbook Pro.
The Macbook Pro M2 2022 is now capable of driving high-impedance headphones. Source: The Relaxing End.Price comparison between Macbook Pro M1 2020 and Macbook Pro M2 2022
Although the prices for the MacBook Pro 13-inch 2022 remain unchanged in the US, in some other regions, there are fluctuations in prices, as follows:
- The MacBook Pro M2 starts from 1,299 USD / 1,349 British Pounds. The previous generation was priced at 1,299 USD / 1,299 British Pounds.
- The MacBook Pro M2 with 512 GB SSD starts from 1,299 USD / 1,349 British Pounds. The previous generation was priced at 1,299 USD / 1,299 British Pounds.
The price of the Macbook Pro M2 2022 upon its release in the US remains unchanged compared to the Macbook Pro M1 2020. Source: Apple Insider.Conclusion
When compared to the MacBook Pro M1, there are many advantages that the MacBook Pro M2 possesses, such as improved performance, filling the gap between the MacBook Pro M1 and higher-end MacBook Pro models. Additionally, the MacBook Pro M2 is the only MacBook equipped with TouchBar and lacks the 'notch' screen. However, for many users, the MacBook Air M2 2022 with its new design may be more attractive compared to the MacBook Pro M2.
Despite its many advantages over its predecessor, the MacBook Pro M2 may be less appealing than the MacBook Air M2.What are your thoughts and evaluations on the MacBook Pro M2? Leave your comments below for me and everyone to know! Thank you for your interest and following my article.
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