What's the verdict on the M2 MacBook Pro?

[playtech1]

These are in people's hands by now, but there seems to be a dearth of comment on them - good or bad.

Perhaps everyone is waiting for the M2 Air? Or maybe the M2 Pro is just a very boring release with not much to say about it?

I'm curious if anyone has picked one up and been surprised by anything. Or in the real world is it really just the M1 but a tiny bit faster and nothing else of note?

Seeing discussions of possible thermal throttling I would be interested to know if that is something that actually happens outside of a benchmark or edge case situations. Thermal throttling can be a real problem though - e.g. can it play a game for multiple hours at a consistent frame rate without throttling? Is the real world battery life as good as the M1?

Any thoughts from owners?

 

[Juicy Box]

Any thoughts from owners?

I don't own one, but with all the coverage on it so far, I think that it isn't worth it unless you really like the Touch Bar.

The base storage is slower than the M1, so once you increase the storage (512 GB) and maybe the RAM (16 GB), you are so close in price to the 14" M1, which is objectively a much better machine in almost every single way, you might as well get that or wait until it is on sale. You might be able to find an open box somewhere for the 14" or get a refurbished one from Apple.

So, that plus the potential thermal throttling problems, it is enough to avoid the M2 MBP.

If the 14" is cost prohibitive, then maybe see how the redesign MBA works out.

 

[spiderman0616]

It still bugs me that this notebook even exists, but I understand why Apple is doing it. Me personally though, I would hate buying this old design with an entry level M2 when there are so many better options with the new design language. The MacBook Air wedge design is especially stale and I was never a big fan in the first place, even though I loved using the first M1 in the Air.

The M2 Air is about to be available. If you can possibly swing it, get that instead.

 

[playtech1]

I think it's quite telling that no M2 owners have replied in this thread - and there is minimal interest in the topic. It seems this really isn't a product that tickles the fancy of the MacRumors crowd.

That's fair enough for a release that is a minor speed bump which is competing against the upgraded M2 Air alternative, but if Apple can't convince fans on this forum I can't see how it expects to sell too many of these to the wider public.

 

[Juicy Box]

I can't see how it expects to sell too many of these to the wider public.

I think Apple is counting on some people not being informed when making their buying decision.

That, and maybe hoping to sell to the few people that want the Touch Bar.

 

[CrankyHermit]

I’m in the rare group that preordered the MBP 13 M2 (24gb/2tb). The major reason is that I value the active cooling - and with the larger thermal output of the M2, I’m afraid the MBA will throttle more often than the M1. I realize the M1 pro 14” is the smarter move for more demanding workflows, but the model is too large for me, too expensive to spec up, and I’d rather have the insane battery life of the MBP 13.

If you don’t do any demanding/sustained tasks, the M2 air is objectively better - better design, screen, webcam, speakers, and MagSafe.

 

[playtech1]

I’m in the rare group that preordered the MBP 13 M2 (24gb/2tb). The major reason is that I value the active cooling - and with the larger thermal output of the M2, I’m afraid the MBA will throttle more often than the M1. I realize the M1 pro 14” is the smarter move for more demanding workflows, but the model is too large for me, too expensive to spec up, and I’d rather have the insane battery life of the MBP 13.

If you don’t do any demanding/sustained tasks, the M2 air is objectively better - better design, screen, webcam, speakers, and MagSafe.

Apart from my personal dislike of the touch bar, I think the 13 inch MBP is a great design and I think it's a good option in isolation, just challenging when compared to the M2 Air or 14 MBP.

Any thoughts on how it performs or heat/battery life yet?

 

[Juicy Box]

I realize the M1 pro 14” is the smarter move for more demanding workflows, but the model is too large for me, too expensive to spec up, and I’d rather have the insane battery life of the MBP 13.

I understand wanting the battery life of the 13", but the two are very close in size. The biggest difference in size is that the 14" is heavier, but only 14% heavier.

To each his own, but I would love to have that beautiful display and better speakers of the 14" than the 13". Price wise, the M2 13" 2TB, 24GB RAM model is only $100 cheaper than the 14" 2TB, 16GB RAM.

The 14" has the better camera, more ports, MagSafe, more GPU cores, and probably a better resale value over time.

Just the high quality display on the 14" alone would be enough for me to choose it over the 13", but, to each his own.

 

[2ilent8cho]

My mate bought the 14" M1 Pro late last year, his wife needed a new MacBook last month so he decided to let her have it and he would get an M2 Air when released. He decided 2 weeks ago to just get a refurb M1 13" Pro (I know its not the M2 but its the same design).

He actually prefers the 13" Pro to his 14" Pro. He is also surprised how much he likes the TouchBar, likes it being slightly thinner and smaller as well as weighing less, and is amazed at the battery life.

So don't be put off the M2 13" Pro (but do get at least the 512GB if you do so you don't suffer the slower SSD speed).

IMO the last gen MacBook Air's and Pro's were the best looking laptops Apple ever made, the only advantage the newer designs have is MagSafe which Apple were stupid to ever have removed.

No Notch, Cool TouchBar, unbelievable battery life and good looking design, its crazy to write this model off, I hope Apple upgrade to M3 too in the future.

 

[MajorFubar]

These are in people's hands by now, but there seems to be a dearth of comment on them - good or bad.

I think you've lived under a rock for the last month if you don't think there's been much coverage about them lol.
The internet and indeed this forum has been absolutely awash with the videos and threads about the fact that the basic 256GB model is slower than its equivalently spec'd predecessor because of how Apple have chosen to implement the SSD.

 

[playtech1]

I think you've lived under a rock for the last month if you don't think there's been much coverage about them lol.
The internet and indeed this forum has been absolutely awash with the videos and threads about the fact that the basic 256GB model is slower than its equivalently spec'd predecessor because of how Apple have chosen to implement the SSD.

I think SSD speed is the only thing I have seen discussed - even then it's not many actual owners, which is who I was hoping would come forth.

 

[darngooddesign]

I think SSD speed is the only thing I have seen discussed - even then it's not many actual owners, which is who I was hoping would come forth.

Like most tech complaints, it's never that bad in real life.

 

[jav6454]

I think it's quite telling that no M2 owners have replied in this thread - and there is minimal interest in the topic. It seems this really isn't a product that tickles the fancy of the MacRumors crowd.

That's fair enough for a release that is a minor speed bump which is competing against the upgraded M2 Air alternative, but if Apple can't convince fans on this forum I can't see how it expects to sell too many of these to the wider public.

I can’t speak for M2 owners. I am an M1 owner of this machine. I have to say I do not regret it one bit. Not even with the new MBA.

Also, most people in MR like to complain on Apple not giving them as much. That’s why the choose to post about it in the first place. So I wouldn’t use that as a proper gage. There are plenty of people buying it. That’s the reason why it’s #2 seller.

 

[playtech1]

Like most tech complaints, it's never that bad in real life.

Thanks for the link - that's the kind of insight I was hoping for.

Seems like the reports of a thermal throttling issue are probably overblown in the M2 Pro. Although it makes me wonder if there may be more of an Air/Pro performance delta with M2 than was the case for M1. On M1 the cooling was very much optional, whereas M2 seems a little bit more toasty.

 

[Dealmans]

Already 10% off on Amazon AU

 

[darngooddesign]

Thanks for the link - that's the kind of insight I was hoping for.

Seems like the reports of a thermal throttling issue are probably overblown in the M2 Pro. Although it makes me wonder if there may be more of an Air/Pro performance delta with M2 than was the case for M1. On M1 the cooling was very much optional, whereas M2 seems a little bit more toasty.

The M2Air also has a lot more open internal space compared to the 1. I doubt its an issue for regular tasks, which is what the Air is designed for. If you plan on pushing the computer regularly, just get the 13"
M2 Pro, or the 14" M1-Pro MBP which is only like $150 USD more than the 16/512 Air2 on the current Amazon sales.

Be realistic on what you plan on using the computer for and don't skimp on the things which matter.

 

[davidg4781]

What's the difference on having a Liquid Retina display on the Air vs the Retina display on the MBP?

When I bought my M1 MBP, I was somewhat torn between that and the Air. The 14" were amazing but too much computing power for my needs and I couldn't justify the cost. Especially when I was coming from a 2011 mini. After customizing the Air and Pro to my needs and wants, I went for a little extra to get active cooling and Touch Bar.

Looking at "base" prices with an M2 8/10 and 8/512 (I went with 16/1TB), and assuming upgrades cost the same, it does look like the Air is the better buy. I'm not mad about Touch Bar and kind of like it, but I would gladly trade that for MagSafe.

 

[TechnoLawyer]

The pricing is all wrong.

The base model is neutered by the single SSD -- it performs objectively worse in real world tasks than the base model M1.

Upgrade to 16gb/512gb to get the full performance, and the price is too high. At that price, you might as well just get the base 14in, which comes with 16gb/512gb, faster memory, faster ssd, one of the best display panels money can buy, and has objectively better performance in everything but single core.

The ONE use case where I see the upgraded 16gb/512gb M2 13in pro as making sense is where you need as much battery life as possible.

 

[v1ctorS]

I own the predecessor MBP and I don't think it's worth it. It's more of an Enterprise product if you ask me.

 

[profmjh]

So I’ve done a bit of research and I’ve ordered the 13 inch M2 MBP. Why?

1. Amazon UK was offering 5% discount, which takes it to the price of the new MBA. They also offered 24 months interest-free credit. Oh, and I can have it in two days, rather than up to a month, if I go for the new MBA.

2. I like the design. I know it’s old. So what? It’s a great design. There’s an whiff of Emperor’s New Clothes with everyone foaming at the mouth at the new MBA design, and colourways.

3. I like the Touch Bar. Sorry. But I do.

4. I don’t need loads of ports. Frankly, it has more ports than I need. I also don’t care about the webcam. I won’t be using it for that. Or the nits thing. A few years ago, no-one even knew what they were. I have no idea how many nits my existing device has. I won’t be using this MBP outside in the sun.

5. This MBP will be replacing a late 2015 iMac, which has a 3.1GHz quad-core Intel i5. (Which, by the way, is still providing great service, despite being almost seven years old.) I assume the screen on the MBP is better (or, at least, not worse) and the same for the SSD.

If there’s interest, I’ll report back once I’ve set up my new MBP and have lived with it for a while.

Right now, I think I’ve made the right choice for me. YMMV.

 

[AlumaMac]

I found it odd that reportedly Apple is shipping some of these in old M1 boxes with stickers placed over the the old specs…

 

[v1ctorS]

2. I like the design. I know it’s old. So what? It’s a great design. There’s an whiff of Emperor’s New Clothes with everyone foaming at the mouth at the new MBA design, and colourways.

3. I like the Touch Bar. Sorry. But I do.

4. I don’t need loads of ports. Frankly, it has more ports than I need. I also don’t care about the webcam. I won’t be using it for that. Or the nits thing. A few years ago, no-one even knew what they were. I have no idea how many nits my existing device has. I won’t be using this MBP outside in the sun.

Agree with the design - it's timeless and will still look good 5 years down the line. I also like the Touch Bar although I wouldn't miss it if my next MBP had function keys instead. And don't think the webcam or display is bad - quite the opposite! 500 nits of brightness is quite good and enough for shaded outdoor use and the webcam, even though only being 720p, still delivers good results for video calls. To me, it still holds up because of the software implementation of the M1/M2 chips. Enjoy your new device.

 

[MajorFubar]

I found it odd that reportedly Apple is shipping some of these in old M1 boxes with stickers placed over the the old specs…

Tacky for Apple but maybe better than needlessly recycling a stash of unused M1 boxes. Surprised they have any unused boxes though, considering this is allegedly their second-most popular laptop

 

[jav6454]

So I’ve done a bit of research and I’ve ordered the 13 inch M2 MBP. Why?

1. Amazon UK was offering 5% discount, which takes it to the price of the new MBA. They also offered 24 months interest-free credit. Oh, and I can have it in two days, rather than up to a month, if I go for the new MBA.

2. I like the design. I know it’s old. So what? It’s a great design. There’s an whiff of Emperor’s New Clothes with everyone foaming at the mouth at the new MBA design, and colourways.

3. I like the Touch Bar. Sorry. But I do.

4. I don’t need loads of ports. Frankly, it has more ports than I need. I also don’t care about the webcam. I won’t be using it for that. Or the nits thing. A few years ago, no-one even knew what they were. I have no idea how many nits my existing device has. I won’t be using this MBP outside in the sun.

5. This MBP will be replacing a late 2015 iMac, which has a 3.1GHz quad-core Intel i5. (Which, by the way, is still providing great service, despite being almost seven years old.) I assume the screen on the MBP is better (or, at least, not worse) and the same for the SSD.

If there’s interest, I’ll report back once I’ve set up my new MBP and have lived with it for a while.

Right now, I think I’ve made the right choice for me. YMMV.

Clearly here is a poster who knows what to get and how to neutrally asses their needs. The machine you picked is solid and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the performance. What specs are you getting?