Apple is getting stronger

Apple introduced the next MacBook Pro equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Ahead of Friday’s arrival, here’s a look at the new beasts of competition, packed with power.

Expected in late 2022, the MacBook Pro with the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips will finally arrive on Friday, January 27. Few changes compared to its predecessors, but the main thing is under the chassis with an engine ready for all possibilities.

We were able to test the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip. A review of the newcomer, which has seen a price hike compared to the 2021 model with the M1 chip (from €2,399 to €2,249). Is the growth worth the investment?

The editorial staff of BFMTV conducted this test independently. There is a possibility that BFMTV will receive compensation when one of our readers makes a purchase through the links contained in this article.

Strong points

Apple introduced two powerful new chips for MacBook Pro, M2 Pro and M2 Max, with 20-30% more performance than the previous generation (they have more CPU and GPU cores). They are also capable of insane energy performance to save on operation. Our test model benefits from the M2 Pro chip with 16GB of storage. This is more than enough for any job.

So we were able to run multiple software programs at the same time, like Final Cut Pro for editing and Origin for playing sims While watching and launching a video on YouTube. MacBook Pro never wobbles, freezes, or makes noise. It perfectly controls the activity disorder. While the fans do a nice job of reducing the effects, if you max it out it will get loud. Add a super-fast SSD (up to 8 TB of storage) with industry-leading read-write to quickly tackle any task.

It supports H.264, HEVC or ProRes codecs, Apple’s video format. It can handle edits of up to 23 4K streams and five 8K streams shot in ProRes, as well as easily dozens of standard 4K streams. The time saved in the final render compared to the competition is extremely impressive.

Photo editing enthusiasts will be amazed at the fluidity of element management in Adobe Photoshop. Elements are perfectly defined, isolated, retouched one after the other without time to peel or analyze. For visual creativity, renderings in 3D also mean more time-saving. First of all, the good news: on battery or sector, the MacBook Pro shows the same performance.

In standard use (browsing, email, video conferencing, some streaming, games, and listening to music), the MacBook Pro lasts a very good day of use (between 3 and 6 p.m.). If you start using more demanding software (photo, video, etc.), it will decrease a bit, but nothing to worry about. The device knows how to perfectly manage its resources to optimize them.

Apple provides a 65W adapter, but also offers 96W chargers for the 14″ MacBook Pro and 140W chargers for the 16″ MacBook Pro. All have fast charging to restore almost 50% autonomy in 30 minutes with the most powerful models.

The design is extremely high-quality with an aluminum chassis, which is certainly thicker than the MacBook Air, but everything is not too heavy (2.15 kg). The trackpad is particularly large and pleasant to use, while the keyboard offers fluid typing and fast operation.

The screen offered in 14.2 or 16.2 inch diagonal is one of the highlights of the device. Apple uses the Liquid Retina XDR panel in the mini-LED, that is, a very high-end LCD with impressive brightness (up to 1600 nits), well-marked contrasts, bright colors, HDR compatibility and, above all, ProMotion, 120Hz screen refresh technology choosed. this makes browsing and reading smooth while matching the refresh rate to the on-screen activity. It’s enough to make a very good calibration and reference screen for professionals, and it’s also extremely pleasant to use, which also supports 8K content.

In addition, the MacBook Pro benefits from WiFi 6E, runs on macOS Ventura with all its new additions: Stage Manager to display several applications on the screen or Freeform, a whiteboard-style work tool that lets creativity and organization speak.

In order to maximize the diagonal of the screen and minimize the edges, Apple moved the notch from the iPhone to the MacBook to serve as a webcam. It may surprise you at first, but eventually you forget about it. The FaceTime HD 1080p camera is very effective in low light to improve our presence thanks to image correction and a good job of onboard intelligence. It’s a shame that Apple still doesn’t use it as a facial recognition camera to unlock and strengthen the computer’s security, in addition to the very useful fingerprint reader on the keyboard.

Six speakers are available and deliver very high-quality sound, certainly one of the best on a laptop. The three available studio-grade microphones also allow for better audio reception with effective attenuation of background noise.

Apple has designed its product to appeal to professionals. So give them everything they need. So the MacBook Pro has 3 USB-Type C/Thunderbolt 4 slots to take advantage of the very fast connection of peripherals (hard drive, camera, etc.), an SDXC card reader, especially an HDMI port to support 8K. screens (up to 60 Hz) or 4K/240 Hz. For charging, the MagSafe 3 port marks its return with a magnetic clip, which allows you not to yank the plug when you go through the wire. device via one of the USB-C slots if necessary.

Our reserves

The choice between the M2 Pro chip or the M2 Max will depend on needs, but in any case, the possibilities with the MacBook Pro will be huge, if not disproportionate for most users. But it’s also a bet on the future and a guarantee that it won’t technically become obsolete for a while. So these are also options that can make a difference, with the option to install up to 8TB of storage, up to 96GB of storage on the M2 Max chip with twice the bandwidth (and the price is flying too).

The price is going up again and it’s a shame, but ultimately it’s not surprising between the situation (lack of components, the rise of the dollar against the euro) and the technological development. R&D is paid for even in-house chips, and Apple still isn’t going to lower prices under the pretext of making the design of its elements more and more internal. Now you need to calculate from 2399 euros for the 14-inch model, and 2999 euros for the 16-inch version.

The 2023 MacBook Pro is a competitive beast. It excels in all areas, offering a high level of autonomy for a fairly compact and fairly light format. But it also shows a fairly high price (logical) that immediately identifies the target: professionals. A standard-use user doesn’t have to go his own way, but he’ll find himself there with a machine he’s risking using only 5% of its capabilities. For others (creators, developers, musicians, photographers…) it’s simply a godsend because it makes things easier in all sectors and over the long term. If your software is compatible with M2 chips, but this is becoming more and more common.

Users who require graphics power for 3D rendering or animations will opt for the M2 Max chip with a more powerful GPU. If you’re looking to use it for photo editing, music creation, or simple video editing, the MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip will be more than enough.

Pre-orders for the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip open on Tuesday, January 24. The devices will go on sale on Friday, January 27, 2023.