On a scale of 1-10 (one being the least enthusiastic) I’d say that I was on level 2 when I opened the box of the new MacBook Pro 2022. It’s difficult to be excited about a computer that’s essentially just a processor update, and it’s nothing more than.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro that was once an impressive machine, despite its diminutive size, has now become a stalemate. Apple did not offer the improvements it made in the last premium MacBook Pro models, including a slimmer design, 1080p webcam, slimmer bezels surrounding the display, and the MagSafe charger. Strangely enough, a lot of these upgrades were made to the new and more affordable MacBook Air and is powered by the M2 processor in MacBook Pro’s 13 inch MacBook Pro. What’s the matter?
It’s a confusing addition to the MacBook line-up. The new 13″ MacBook Pro works just fine. Its performance is superb and the battery’s life span is dependable and the Butterfly keys which caused numerous issues are gone. The Pro is also the one MacBook that’s in the lineup with its Touch Bar (er, if you’re into it). However, at $1,299, it’s reasonable to be expecting greater from Apple.
Features
● 2560 x 1600 13.3-inch Retina Display
● Apple M2 processor
● Touch ID
● Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar
● 8GB, 16GB or 24GB RAM, storage up to 2TB SSD
● Up to 20 hours battery life
● Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
An Upcycled Method
The most popular joke on the web says that Apple had plenty of MacBook Pro 2020 models lying around, so they swapped out the M1 processor with the M2 processor, which is more modern, and then called it a day. The way I see it, I … wouldn’t be shocked if this is the truth. Both are close to being identical.
It’s the exact identical chassis, with a 13.2-inch LCD display and a webcam that is 720p and the Touch ID sensor, the notorious Touch Bar with two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports as well as an 3.5-mm headphone connector. The main distinction is the support for headphones with high-impedance in the audio jack. This means that you’ll get more clarity when you plug into good headphones.
The most important upgrade isn’t obvious to the untrained eye it’s that’s the M2 chipset. The sequel to M1, the M1 model, the M2 features an 8-core CPU as well as an additional 10 core GPU. This is two more than the M1 predecessor, which gives it an increase in graphics performance. Apple has also added memory to 24 gigabytes. This is up from 16. This is an additional $400, however when you’re buying the 13-inch Pro then you could be able to bump your RAM to its maximum.
Here’s the deal. Should you not update your MacBook Pro, you can have the same performance as the new MacBook Air for less. (Plus all the perks such as a 1080p webcam, and quad speakers.) If you’re able to max out your MacBook Pro’s memory, the price will be $1,699. If you spend $300 more, you’ll be able to buy the basic 14-inch MacBook Pro plus all of its enhancements, such as the larger selection of ports.
The M2 may sound like it’s more powerful however it’s still a basic chip that’s positioned next to M1 Pro M1 Max as well as the M1 Ultra that power the $2000and MacBook Pro models. It’s easy to get attracted by Apple’s statistics in which they claim that its M2 processor boasts an increase of 35 percent in the power of its GPU, an 18 percent faster CPU, and a 40 percent more efficient neural engine when compared to the M1. However, it’s not enough for the majority of professionals, that require more computing power. (The M2, just like the M1 is still limited to only one external monitor, which is not the case with that of the M1 Pro and up.)
The M2 was a good performer. In the majority of cases I didn’t experience any issues. When I had more than 20 tabs open in Google Chrome and multiple apps running in the background it seemed a little slow; there was a little delay in switching between tabs and open windows. I even was able to trigger the famous rainbow wheel several times.
I downloaded the 4K Pro Res files shot on the iPhone 13 Pro to Final Cut Pro and then edited one stream in the timeline. I applied a slight shade of color, and some other effects built into the program and noticed some stuttering. I didn’t change the footage this much, however, this MacBook Pro struggled with even the smallest changes to color (and it was also noticeable that the wheel of rainbows did make several appearances).
Editing photos with programs like Pixelmator or Adobe Photoshop was much more smooth. The Mac was a bit erratic as I tweaked sliders, added a few tiniest pieces of rotation and made small changes to the color. However, it was able to power through a myriad of effects and layers to create the desired effect without the fans ever getting going.
The main power difference between the MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air, which comes with an air conditioner. When the fan starts and the MacBook Pro is running, it means that the MacBook Pro can draw a bit more power for longer time. Additionally, it has a slightly longer battery longevity. I typically had to recharge after eight hours of work.
A Tough Sell
This isn’t meant to say that the 13.2-inch MacBook Pro is completely unusable for tasks that require a lot of power However, it is unlikely to suffice for people who frequently has to deal with tasks that require a lot of processing power. If you’re in that category I’d suggest investing in a savings account and going to the basic variant of the 14-inch MacBook Pro instead.
If you’re in need of a new, high-quality laptop, you should wait for the new MacBook Air. The MacBook Air has a larger screen that is more contemporary and a more powerful webcam, more powerful speakers, and fast charging support, all within an overall lighter device (and exciting colours!). The MacBook Pro remains an awkward middle child that does not bring much features to make it worth the price.
