Notebook Review

Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) review: Upgrading the best laptop with incredible power

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  • Specifications for Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023)
  • Design and construction
  • Connectors and ports
  • Laptop screen
  • Keyboard and trackpad
  • Sound and webcam
  • Software
  • Component performance
  • Autonomy Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
  • Total
  • Should I buy
  • Notebook Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) – video
  • Apple's best laptops are even more powerful - in newApple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) uses M2 Pro and M2 Max processors. The screen size is 14 or 16 inches, so you can choose from a compact device for work, and a large laptop that surpasses almost all modern PCs in terms of speed.

    Of course, there are also familiar to Appledisadvantages: the company stubbornly refuses to add at least one USB-A connector, and the big “notch” with the front camera has not gone away, and the latter does not support face unlock. However, if you want the most powerful laptop and don't mind macOS, the MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) is the perfect option.

    Read also: Apple Mac Mini M2 (2023) review of the best desktop computer for your money

    Specifications for Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023)

    Screen

    14.2/16.2", Liquid Retina XDR, 3024x1964/3456x2234 resolution, 254 ppi pixel density, 1600 nits peak brightness, 120 Hz, 1 billion colors, True Tone

    CPU

    Apple M2 Pro: 10/12-core CPU (6/8 performance and 4 power-efficient cores), 16/19-core GPU, 16-core neural processor, 200 GB/s bandwidth

    Apple M2 Max: 12-core CPU (8 performance and 4 power-efficient cores), 30/38-core GPU, 16-core neural processor, 400 GB/s bandwidth

    RAM

    M2 Pro: 16/32 GB

    M2 Max: 32/64 GB (all), 96 GB (M2 Max with 38-core GPU)

    Inner memory

    M2 Pro: 512 GB, 1/2/4/8 TB

    M2 Max: 1/2/4/8TB

    Connectivity and connections

    802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

    operating system

    macOS Ventura

    Webcam

    1080p FaceTime HD

    Ports and connectors

    3×USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 up to 40Gb/s, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s, DisplayPort, charging), MagSafe 3, 3.5mm jack, HDMI, SDXC card reader

    Sound

    Six speakers, support for "spatial audio" and Dolby Atmos

    Battery

    Li-Po 100 Wh, charging up to 140 W via USB-C

    Dimensions

    14.2 inches: 31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55 cm

    16.2 inches: 35.57 x 24.81 x 1.68 cm

    Weight

    M2 Pro: 1.60 kg

    M2 Max: 1.63 kg

    Colors

    Silver, gray

    Price

    From 160 thousand rubles

    Design and construction

    The appearance of the new Apple MacBook Pro (2023) is notchanged, so the laptop looks almost the same as the 2021 model. It has a simple minimalistic design, a gray or silver-colored aluminum body, a black keyboard and a large trackpad underneath.

    As with Apple laptops before, the build quality is top notch and when using the MacBook Pro (2023) you immediately feel that this is a top-level device.

    I tested the 14" MacBookPro M2 Pro, although you can take the option with a 16-inch display. The thickness of the case is 1.55 cm, which is more than many top-level Windows laptops. The device weighs 1.6 kg - you can’t call it light, but it’s quite comfortable to wear it.

    Connectors and ports

    Apple has often been criticized in the past for only adding USB-C connectors to MacBooks. Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) has three USB-C USB 4, with support for Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort and charging.

    There's also a MagSafe 3 charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, full-size HDMI, and even an SDXC memory card slot.

    However, for some reason, the mostcommonly used connector is USB-A. Yes, the standard is fading away, but most peripherals are still connected via USB-A.

    Many users will have to constantly carry withis an adapter or hub. It's not just Apple that does this, although the lack of USB-A is especially annoying with the MacBook, because there's plenty of free space on the sides of the case.

    Laptop screen

    The display on the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) is excellent - you can choose between 14.2 or 16.2 inches, but in both cases, you get the highest quality screen.

    In the first case, the resolution is 3024×1964pixels, and in the second - 3456 × 2234 pixels. Brightness reaches an impressive 1600 nits and there is support for a 120Hz refresh rate. With Windows laptops, high refresh rates are typically found only on gaming laptops, and here Apple is ahead of the competition.

    Of course, there are very few games available on the MacBook,but navigating the interface is incredibly smooth and fast. Touch screens on Apple laptops have not yet appeared either, although this is not so critical, sometimes it is more convenient to select the desired item on the display or scroll the page with your finger than to do it with the mouse.

    In any case, the display of the MacBook Pro M2 (2023) is excellent - it has high contrast and rich colors.

    Here is a mini-LED LCD panel, like the latestiPad Pro tablets, and with shades she is all right. sRGB color space coverage is 100%, AdobeRGB is 87%, and DCI-P3 is 98%. In terms of hue accuracy, this is one of the best displays, second only to the screens on the Dell XPS 15 and LG Gram 16.

    Keyboard and trackpad

    Modern top-tier laptops rarely have bad keyboards, and manufacturers like Dell and Huawei are constantly improving them on their models. Everything is in order here and at Apple.

    Keys on Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023)elastic and easy to press, making typing very comfortable. Some Windows laptops have slightly better keyboards, and the speakers on the sides of the MacBook are too small.

    The power button in the upper right corner has a built-in fingerprint scanner to unlock the device and make payments using Touch ID.

    Under the space bar is a wide trackpad with a reversecommunication, this panel has been used in the company's laptops for the past few years. When you press the trackpad, there is an imitation of a click, while there is no physical movement. The only thing missing is the extra volume and brightness gestures found on Dell and Huawei laptops, otherwise the MacBook Pro M2 Pro trackpad is great.

    Sound and webcam

    The sound quality is also impressive - the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro has six speakers at once, and in terms of sound, this is probably the best laptop in existence.

    There's even support for Apple's "spatial audio" technology, which creates an amazing surround effect.

    Apple has updated the webcam on MacBooks in the pastPro, so the new model also has a 1080p sensor. Most other models use 720p cameras with terrible quality, but the MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) can expect sharp and detailed images.

    Yes, the color scheme could be more accurate, butFor a built-in webcam, the quality is excellent. However, the huge “notch” at the top of the display, in which the lens is located, is still puzzling. Yes, it's a MacBook feature, but it takes up extra screen real estate. It's odd that Apple didn't add a Face ID sensor to the cutout, even though there's plenty of room.

    Software

    The Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) runs on the macOS Ventura operating system. If you're used to Windows, switching to macOS will take some getting used to, but this OS has a lot of handy features.

    From previous versions of Ventura differs moresmart multitasking and easy interaction with other Apple gadgets. The Stage Manager feature shows all open programs on the left side of the display and you can organize them into groups. In terms of convenience, the interface has become a little closer to Windows, which makes the transition easier.

    It is also important that over the past few years, the interface of macOS and iPadOs has become approximately the same.

    Can quickly switch from tablet to laptopand vice versa. Apple has managed to create a convenient ecosystem of its devices. You will be able to easily transfer files between gadgets, broadcast the screen from one device to another, and even use your iPhone as a webcam.

    Component performance

    Major update in the new Apple MacBook Pro(2023) affected the processor - it uses the Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets. In terms of performance, no other processor can be compared with them, so the speed of the laptop is incredibly high.

    The user can choose from fourprocessor version. On sale there are assemblies with two varieties of M2 Pro: the first has a 10-core central and 16-core GPU, the second has 12 and 19 cores, respectively. As for the M2 Max, its CPU uses 12 cores, while the graphics one uses 30 or 38 cores.

    The results in performance tests are amazing,even if using a standard MacBook with the M2 Pro. On GeekBench 5, the laptop scores 15,162 in multi-core mode, which is a clear lead over any Windows competitor. The MacBook Pro M2 Pro handles the toughest tasks with ease, including graphics processing.

    Frustrates only a small number of supported games. It remains to be seen when the developers will start mass-producing games not only for Windows, but also for macOS.

    You will have at least 16 GB of RAM,however, you can choose builds with 32, 64, and even 96 GB. True, the last two options are available only when purchasing a model with an Apple M2 Max processor. As for the internal storage, its volume varies from 512 GB to 8 TB.

    Autonomy Apple MacBook Pro (2023)

    The Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro is second to none not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of battery life.

    A full laptop battery lasts for 12 hoursweb surfing or 18 hours of video playback. This means that the device may well work for two working days, which is an incredible indicator for such a powerful laptop.

    Apple sells MacBook Pro (2023) with differentChargers: Buying the 14" version with the M2 Pro will get you a 67W adapter, and with the M2 Max you will get a 96W adapter. If you take the model with the 16-inch display, you will have a 140W charger. With the 96W adapter, a full charge takes just over an hour and is faster than most competitors.

    Total

    At first glance, it seems that the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) is almost no different from the previous model, but there are changes, and they are important.

    In 2023, the MacBook Pro usesIncredibly powerful M2 Pro and M2 Max processors that no other chipset on the market can match. Even if you take the basic version with the M2 Pro, the performance is very high, the device can handle even the most demanding applications with ease.

    A little frustrating is the lack of USB-A connectors,although there is enough free space on the sides. Annoying and "bangs" with the front camera - yes, this is an Apple feature, which in practice only gets in the way. In all other respects, the MacBook Pro 2023 is perfect, although it comes at a price.

    Should I buy

    If you're looking for the most powerful laptop on the market and are willing to invest in one, the Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro is the one to go for.

    Yandex Market Laptop Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) – video

    Peacock Pandora The second name of Peacocks is Pandora.Not because it is dangerous, like a mythological box, but because of the passion for learning new and unknown. There is no topic that she would not be able to reveal, even if it brings disappointment. Why is she in TehnObzor? Here is the answer… “I have been interested not only in technology and gadgets since childhood, but also in how they change people, their way of life or interpersonal relationships.” Apple's most powerful laptop for professionals Design and ergonomics 95/100 Display and multimedia 95/100 Keyboard and input devices 95/100 Connectors and ports 90/100 Performance 99/100 Connectivity and connectivity 95/100 Battery life 98/100 Total 95.3 Apple's MacBook Pro models, which offer the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, have little to dislike. The sheer power here is hard to deny, and the battery life is second to none, but the old little things still remain, like the lack of USB-A and the notch notch. Pros/ConsBuild quality1080p webcamGreat displayVery long battery lifeUnbelievable performance Expensive No USB-A portsLarge camera cutout 5/5 (1 review)