Choose Wisely - M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14 inch Review 2023

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Today we’re looking at the new M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14”, the latest version of last year’s M1 Pro MacBook Pro, a Mac which I called the best Mac of all time. The new M2 Pro features the same stunning and functional design with a range of ports and excellent cooling, and that best in class 120hz ProMotion display, while adding the even more powerful M2 Pro chip, and also brings even longer battery life and other refinements. If you are thinking of buying the new M2 Pro you’ve come to the right place, in this video I will cover everything you need to know including looking at how it compares to last year’s M1 Pro! My spec: M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14”, M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, $1999 / £2149. Upgrade SSD to 2TB, $600 / £600. Silver, hold up better, less chance of colour fade compared to space grey. Lasts year M1 Pro, brought major re-design, same design here in M2 Pro. Slightly thicker design, better cooling and fans are whisper quiet. Design creates room for more ports: HDMI 2.1, SD card, headphone, 3x versatile USB-C thunderbolt and MagSafe. To me laptop is a tool and this design is built with functionality first, not thinness like older Macs. The M2 Pro now also adds Wifi 6E support. Keyboard and trackpad are best in class. Display: Liquid Retina Pro XDR display. 120hz refresh rate - super smooth (14 to 14 Pro). Bright, high contrast and colour accuracy - perfect for graphic design, video/photo editing. Biggest upgrade M2 Pro gets is M2 Pro chip. 2 more CPU cores, 2 more GPU cores. How does this compare to M1 Pro? Geekbench 5 (10%). Startup and login (20%). Lightroom Export 100 photos (8%). FCP Export 15 min 4K video (18%). Giving around a 15-20% improvement in performance overall compared to M1 Pro. Not enough reason to upgrade from M1 Pro to M2 Pro, but performance difference is not insignificant. M2 Pro battery lasts me all-day (9-11 hrs), max brightness, 10+ apps open. Speakers, webcam and mics are all great too. Apple is known for longevity, iPhone, iPads, Macs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14” easily last 5-7 years in terms of software support (1-2 years more than M1 Pro). M2 MacBook Pro 14” is for those who want maximum portability and performance. M2 Pro delivers in all key areas, high quality design, incredible display, long battery life and amazing performance! However, last years M1 Pro shares much of the same qualities. If you want 90% of the features and functionality of the M2 Pro and find a good deal on the M1 Pro, say $2-300 off, this is a good opportunity to save some cash. If you want what I believe to be the most complete and well-rounded laptop out right now, go for M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14”!

✏️ Video Chapters
00:00 My Spec
02:38 Design
06:08 Keyboard and Trackpad
06:44 Display
09:06 Performance
10:34 M2 Pro vs M1 Pro
12:08 Battery Life
12:29 Webcam, Mic, Speakers
12:47 Longevity and Repairability
14:49 Is the M2 Pro Worth It?

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Thank you for watching, let me know if you have any questions, take care.

Dion Schuddeboom

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[RecsYoln]

Today i just bought the Macbook Pro 14" M2 Pro chip 1TB 16GB [CPU 12 cores, GPU 19] . I bought it because it was really a steal deal from where i came from. its only cost around 1600$ if i converted to USD. Tomorrow my first Mac will arrive at my door step. i hope everything goes well for me and my experience.

[crisrocchi]

Perfect considerations.
I'm totally in love with the 14m2 base (10 core CPU, 16 core GPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD). I found the NEW base M2 pro for €200 more than the refurbished m1 pro (a bargain!). I was coming from an intel 2017, so I had to choose between m1 pro and m2 pro.
I was initially influenced by the various negative reviews, then i realized that which made no sense to me. The slower SSD compared to the previous model is not a tragedy, both because it is still very fast and responsive, and because the faster speed of the previous model would ONLY be noticed if you transferring a very huge amounts of data to an external SSD (or from an external SSD) that was faster than the internal SSD... which NEVER happens!
On the other hand, performances has definitely improved.
I did a final cut export test using m1 pro 14" 10 core and m2 14" 10 core. One hour and 36 minutes of video, 4K prores: masks and various effects applied. Export completed about 40 minutes with m1 pro (very good result) and 26 minutes with m2 pro (amazing result)! Honestly, I don't know why this difference, but the result is this.
Maybe even better render times.
For me nothing else is needed. The rest is just the bulls*t.

[Immanuellanwanedo.]

Although I miss the thin MacBooks, I have to admit I’m proud of them for prioritizing functionality this time around. To give consumers a better experience and improve their system overall 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[shortyyys]

Here comes the dilemma. M1 pro 14. vs M2 pro 14 - for a 300 euro difference in Europe. I don't have a super demanding workflow but I want to keep my MacBook for many years.

[zoltanzana]

Great machine, but I prefer the 16” because of its larger battery, you will get more of that stunning mini led display, better speakers, no thermal throttling. I have been using it for some time and I can assure everyone it is not heavy at all, the perfect size for pro users.

[عبدهسامي-حت]

the intro when he pulled the macbook out of his jacket just explained it all... genius 😂❤

[noboringdays]

watching your M1 pro and this m2 pro back to back makes it look like nothing really changed

[BiblicalBasics]

For me, over the last 30 years, 13 inch is too small for a laptop, 15 inch is great but no good for portability and so.... 14 inch is ideal. And then, we all need tons of performance, but we also want good battery life!! HERE is the problem that up until now has been unsolved. I have a M1 Mac Book Air base model - the performance & battery life are record breaking for a laptop!!. .. but I need equivalent performance to my desktop (iMac).... it looks like the 14" MB Pro is what I need, I will buy one this month.

[slalomie]

One thing to add is Apple raised battery replacement prices on March 1 2023 in the US. Now it costs $249 USD to get the 14 and 16 Pro batteries replaced. 3-years of AppleCare+ for the 14 Pro is $279 USD. I’m sure that’s a coincidence 😂 It could be worth it to get the extended warranty then get the battery replaced before the 3-year mark.

[TheThaiLife]

Macbooks don't need recycled at all. I don't know of anyone that gets rid of even the old ones. My old intel macbook pro 2017 is a Plex Server, my macbooks older than that are basically decorations. I'm never gettting rid of them :)

[WhiteFlowerrr]

I really like this review. Not just a sum of all the specs, but really with a focus on practical and functional features, even such as the color preference. Absolutely a joy to watch, thank you. ❤

[katseverino]

I have the unbinned M1 Pro 10/16 cores, 16 GB RAM with 1 TB SSD. I think it"s amazing. I just got it, for $500.00 off. I think I made the right decision, in passing up the M2.Its minor upgrades in WIFI, HDMI, etc. mean little for most people, at this point in time. Also, I prefer the sound of the speakers on the M1, and like that it has a larger heat sink.

[carloschisenga.]

Why the touch pad is getting bigger and the keyboard smaller

[FalkoMjeBorec]

Do you think the 16gb of RAM is enough for heavy video editing?

[Ed-jypx]

Great video Dion! You're a very
clear speaker.

[saturn]

Go for the M1 Pro 14 inch if money is an issue if ur a student in college. ONLY go for the m2 pro 14 inch if money is no issue and that ur work flow is really demanding because the M1 Pro is more than good enough for most user. So in my opinion and a lot of YouTubers opinion go for the m1pro

[cv]

I have the base 16 inch macbook pro with 1 tb of storage

[matteostudios]

Love your videos Dion keep up the great reviews!

[phinlay]

Just to let everyone know the sand mark leather case isn’t that brilliant and I would suggest going with something such as the mous case which is a bit pricey but is not only support resistant but is also water resistant which can help protect a Mac if you travel with your Mac a lot

[millie]

so you dont feel you need the 32ram for professional use?