If you are considering learning the difference between the 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2023 with its predecessor (the 2021 version) to make the right decision when shopping, here are suggestions for users.
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MacBook Pro 2023 continues to deserve to be Apple’s top products |
Size
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is slightly heavier than its predecessor. In addition, the version with the M2 Max chip is also heavier than the M2 Pro model, although they are both made of 100% recycled aluminum and use the same recycled material in all the magnets on the machine.
Screen
In both the 2021 and 2023 models, the resolution of the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro is 3,024 x 1,964 pixels, while the 16-inch model is 3,456 x 2,234 pixels. The MacBook Pro 2023 models have the same resolution, which is all at a pixel density of 254 ppi (pixels/inch). All models include Liquid Retina XDR mini LED technology for the display.
In terms of the screen, the change is almost nonexistent, because even the backlight is identical on all models. It offers a sustained 1,000 nits of brightness in full-screen mode and a peak of 1,600 nits for HDR content. The highest SDR brightness for the 2021 and 2023 MacBook Pro is 500 nits and the highest contrast ratio is 1,000,000:1. Each model’s display is ProMotion, which means it can automatically adjust the refresh rate up to 120 Hz or lower as needed to save energy.
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Key parameters on the 2023 MacBook Pro duo that Apple has just launched |
The displays in each model also include True Tone – a technology that automatically adjusts the display based on ambient light conditions to make colors appear consistent in different environments.
Processor chip
This is the biggest change of the 2023 model compared to 2021. The basic configuration of the M1 Pro chip has up to 10 CPU cores, including 8 powerful cores and 2 energy-saving cores. The integrated GPU offers up to 16 cores and 200 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the Neural Engine component has up to 16 cores.
Now, the M2 Pro chip offers up to 12 CPU cores and 19 GPU cores, providing up to 32 GB of memory and 200 GB/s memory bandwidth. This new chip has up to 40 billion transistors, nearly 20% more than the M1 Pro. It features up to 8 powerful cores and 4 energy-efficient cores, delivering up to 20% faster CPU performance than the 10 CPU cores in the M1 Pro, creating a performance breakthrough.
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If you look further with the models using the M2 Max chip, the numbers are even more impressive. It has 67 billion transistors, 10 billion more than M1 Max and more than 3 times more than M2, with 12 CPU cores. In addition, this chip has up to 96 GB of memory and up to 400 GB of bandwidth.
Graphics power
The GPU in the M2 Pro can deliver up to 19 cores, 3 more than the GPU in the M1 Pro and includes a larger L2 cache. As a result, the graphics speed is up to 30% faster than the M1 Pro. M2 Max supports GPUs up to 38 cores and has the largest L2 cache, and up to 30% faster graphics speeds than M1 Max.
This results in better external display compatibility, where the M2 Pro supports up to two external displays with resolutions up to 6K at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt, or one display up to 6K at 60 Hz. via Thunderbolt and one display up to 4K at 144 Hz via HDMI. It also supports 8K external displays at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt or 4K external displays at 240 Hz via HDMI.
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The processing ability of the MacBook Pro 2023 is outstanding thanks to the new processor chip |
Meanwhile, the M2 Max can drive up to four external displays, with up to three 6K displays at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt and one up to 4K at 144 Hz via HDMI. Another setup for the M2 Max is three external displays, including two at 6K 60 Hz over Thunderbolt, or one 8K 60 Hz or 4K 240 Hz display via HDMI.
Battery life
As for the 2023 MacBook Pro, the 14-inch version offers up to 18 hours of video playback, while the 16-inch version goes up to 22 hours. It is known that Apple has tested video playback and battery life on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip that has 12 CPU cores and 19 GPU cores, 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD.
Overall, both MacBook Pro 2023 models are not much different from their predecessors. The most noticeable difference is the processor power. There’s also a more advanced HDMI port. If you own MacBook Pro 2021 models, users can continue to use them instead of upgrading to save money. If you own older MacBook models, or simply buy new, the MacBook Pro 2023 is really a big jump worth the investment.