Apple has announced a new selection of MacBook Pro models, which use the new M2 Pro and M2 Max processors and are available in 14- and 16-inch variants. Here we look at the 14-inch version and analyze everything we know so far.
The new silicon at the heart of these Apple laptops could make them the best MacBooks ever, following in the footsteps of the excellent 2022 MacBook Pro 13-inch – which used the same standard M2 chip found in the MacBook Air from last year.
Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that Apple has pulled the same trick here as it did with the new M2 Air, as prices for the M2 MacBook Pro models are largely the same as for the 2021 M1 Pro and Max models. Read on for the rest of the key details we have right now – we’ll be reviewing this new MacBook Pro as soon as we get our hands on one, so look out for that too!
MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023): straight to the point
- What is it? The 14-inch model of Apple’s 2023 M2 MacBook Pro
- When will it be available? Available to order now, official release on January 24
- What will it cost? From $1,999 / £2,149 / AU$3,199 to $3,099 / £3,349 / AU$4,999, optional upgrades cost extra
MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023): release date
Apple has posted a video on its website that details much of what we want to know about the new MacBook Pro 14-inch. Most importantly, we have a release date: January 24, with pre-orders available now through the Apple website and supporting retailers.
That release date is shared with the new M2 MacBook Pro 16 inches and the M2 models of the Mac mini. If you order directly from Apple’s website, shipping is guaranteed on January 23, which means you should receive it on release day or very shortly after.
MacBook Pro 14 inches (2023): price
Good news, folks: we won’t get a significant price increase per generation here like we did last year with the M2 model of the MacBook Air. In the US, the M2 MacBook Pro 14-inch starts from $1,999 for the base model with 512GB of storage and the M2 Pro chip – exactly the same starting price as the M1 MacBook Pro 14-inch, which is good to see .
At the higher end, the M2 Max version starts at $3,099 – that’s slightly more expensive than its predecessor, but only $100. If you want to go all out, there are some optional extras here, including more powerful versions of the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, and additional memory and storage.
Fully equipping your MacBook Pro 14-inch with the most powerful M2 Max chip in its maximum configuration (without the pre-installed software options like Final Cut Pro) will set you back a tidy $6,299. Yes!
Frustratingly, it looks like users outside the US will get burned here. The M2 Pro version starts at £2,149 in the UK – that’s around $2,640. Meanwhile, the M2 Max model starts at £3,349, and the fully specced M2 Max version costs £6,549, which is over $8,000.
If you want to buy one in Australia, prices start from AU$3,199 for the base spec for the M2 Pro model. Upgrading to a 1TB SSD will set you back AU$3,999, while getting the more expensive M2 Pro Max will set you back AU$4,999.
Oddly enough, it seems that only base prices vary significantly between regions. The cost of extras like more RAM or a larger drive appears to be translated directly into Euros versus the original MSRP in USD; For example, upgrading the M2 Max model from a 1TB to 2TB SSD costs $400/£400. What gives, Apple?
MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023): specifications
As we’ve already discussed, these new-for-2023 MacBook Pros will come with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip powering them. Each of these chips has two variants; the M2 Pro can come with 10 or 12 CPU cores and 16 or 19 GPU cores, while the M2 Max always includes 12 CPU cores but can use 30 or 38 GPU cores.
Graphically, that makes the M2 Max a force to be reckoned with. each version of the M2 Pro and Max chips also has a 16-core integrated Neural Engine for machine learning workloads.
In addition to the processor, the M2 Pro models of the MacBook Pro start with 16GB of unified RAM and a 512GB SSD, scalable to 32GB and a whopping 8TB respectively. Meanwhile, the M2 Max version starts with 32GB of RAM and can be configured up to 64GB (or all the way up to 96GB, but only with the more powerful M2 Max chip), with the same drive options.
Apple also claims that this MacBook Pro has the longest battery life of any model released to date, with a battery life of up to 22 hours. In terms of connectivity we have Thunderbolt 4, HDMI and SDXC ports in addition to fast Wi-Fi 6E.
The screen is the same bright Liquid Retina XDR display we love on Apple’s laptops, and all models support up to 8K video output via HDMI, along with the ability to support up to four external displays.