Should I buy a 2023 MacBook Pro 14 or 16 inch? These are the biggest changes

Just this week, Apple updated its 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with more powerful internal hardware, so while the looks are almost identical to the 2021 models, the early 2023 versions offer a lot more power and features.

But if you’ve been too busy to read this week, then we’re happy to bring you a roundup that highlights all the major changes to the early 2023 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, just in case. balancing the pros and cons of choosing for yourself.

The biggest changes to the 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro

M2 Pro and M2 Max chips

Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the 2021 and 2023 models is the newer and faster M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. They replace the outgoing M1 Pro and M1 Max.

According to Apple, the M2 Pro delivers up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster GPU performance than the M1 Pro. The M2 Pro also gives the user the option to upgrade to 12 CPU cores (that’s two more than the M1 Pro) and up to 19 GPU cores (that’s three more than the M1 Pro).

On the other hand, the M2 Max delivers the same CPU and GPU performance boost of 20% and 30% respectively over the M1 Max. The M2 Max can be upgraded to 12 CPU cores (that’s two more than the M1 Max) and up to 38 GPU cores (that’s six more than the M1 Max).

There is also a noticeable difference in neural motors, which get a 40% boost. Both the M2 Pro and M2 Max have a 16-core neural engine, but they are capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, which exceeds the 11 trillion operations per second of the M1 Pro and M1 Max.

While the M2 Pro has the same 32GB pooled memory support as the M1 Pro, it’s worth noting that the M2 Max now supports up to 96GB of pooled storage, while the M1 Max only supported up to 64GB of pooled storage. The memory bandwidth remains the same: 200 GB/s on the M2 Pro and 400 GB/s on the M2 Max.

Up to 96 GB of shared memory

The new M2 Max memory tolerances mean that users can now increase their system’s unified memory (RAM) to 96GB, which was previously limited to 64GB in the M1 Max.

While almost no one needs this memory to perform basic everyday computing tasks, it still demonstrates the unbridled power and capabilities of the new M2 Pro and M2 Max architectures.

Unfortunately for M2 Pro buyers, the amount of storage the system allows is still limited to 32GB, which is still plenty for the average person.

Support for new wireless standards

Under the hood, the 2023 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models support newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies than the 2021 models.

In terms of Bluetooth, the latest machines are getting the Bluetooth 5.3 standard, compared to the Bluetooth 5.0 standard in 2021 models. Bluetooth 5.3 brings lower power consumption, improved security, less interference, and better overall performance.

When it comes to Wi-Fi, Apple has given the latest MacBook Pro Wi-Fi 6E, which is an improvement over Wi-Fi 6 in 2021 models. Wi-Fi 6E offers improved performance over Wi-Fi 6, offering higher throughput for supported devices and apps, but you’ll need a router and other equipment with Wi-Fi 6E built-in to really notice the difference.

HDMI 2.1 built-in

In 2021, Apple brought back the HDMI port on the MacBook Pro, but it was only an HDMI 2.0 port. This time around, the 2023 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros feature an HDMI 2.1 port that offers a bit more for the end user.

The biggest difference is in throughput. HDMI 2.0 supports speeds up to 18 Gbps, while HDMI 2.1 supports speeds up to 48 Gbps. Because of this, HDMI 2.1 does not have to compress data as much as HDMI 2.0, which preserves the quality of the output image. This also means that HDMI 2.1 can support 4K up to 240Hz, while HDMI 2.0 can only support 4K up to 60Hz.

There are some other benefits associated with HDMI 2.1, such as variable refresh rates and low latency auto mode, but other differences are unlikely to be noticeable to the average user in everyday use.

Extended battery life

The Apple silicon in the 2021 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros already delivers all-day battery life, with the larger of the two offering around 21 hours, but thanks to the latest hardware efficiency improvements, the 2023 16-inch MacBook Pros are capable of up to 23 hours of battery life. work.

The numbers obviously differ between the 14-inch and 16-inch models due to the size of the battery inside, but you can expect better battery life across the board: the 14-inch model will last up to 18 hours – up from 17 hours in 2021. 14 inch model.

Attention to detail

Apple is finally providing a color-matched braided USB-C to MagSafe charging cable with the 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, meaning Space Gray buyers won’t be stuck with the white-to-silver cable as they have been since 2021 year. models.

While a minor change that won’t affect performance in any way, it’s good attention to detail that would be good in 2021. It took Apple a while to figure out that this is what users want after all.

Is it worth upgrading?

Whether the above changes justify the upgrade of the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch models will be very subjective.

Personally, I have a 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro and I’m not looking to upgrade this year, but if you can’t live without the new spec options, HDMI performance, extended battery life, improved connectivity, and USB-C color. MagSafe cable, then you can certainly hand over your hard-earned money to Apple.

In my opinion, a 20% performance boost on a machine that already does everything better than most (or all) of its competitors is pointless. But if you have an older non-Apple silicon MacBook Pro, then I’d say it’s worth the upgrade because you’ll easily double or triple your battery life and see faster speeds. Just be aware that you will lose Bootcamp (dual boot Windows) support.

Do you plan to upgrade based on the above changes? Let us know in the comments section below.