M1 vs M2 MacBook Pro: Do you need the upgrade?

Apple had released its M2 MacBook Pro just after a year and a half of the release of its M1-based predecessor. The design is pretty much the same in the new device, however; there are several differences between the two gadgets. These upgrades might be beneficial for some and may not strike others that well. 

It is important to mention that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is prioritized by those who are looking to get some active and better cooling performance. It also comes with a better battery life and the Touch Bar is a nice addition as well. 

The price is also quite low as compared to the high-end MacBook Pro models and it delivers almost the same performance as MacBook Air. 

The company has disclosed six major differences between the M1 MacBook Pro and the new M2 MacBook Pro. In this article, we’re going to evaluate these differences and make it easier for you to decide whether the upgrade is worth it or not.

M1 vs M2 MacBook Pro Features Comparison:

M1 MacBook Pro

  • M1 Chip with 8-core GPU
  • 8 GB & 16 GB unified memory
  • 68.25 GB/s memory bandwidth
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 61W USB-C power adapter

M2 MacBook Pro

  • M2 Chip with 10-core GPU 
  • Dedicated media engine
  • 8 GB, 16 GB & 24 GB unified memory options
  • 100GB/s memory bandwidth
  • 3.5mm headphone jack 
  • Supports high-impedance headphones
  • 67W USB-C power adapter

M2 vs. M1:

The first difference that we’re going to discuss between the two gadgets is their Apple silicon chip. The M1 chip was introduced in November 2020 and it is based on Apple’s A14 Bionic chip. However, the M2 is based on the A15 Bionic chip. 

It is eminent to mention that these two chips come with an eight-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, however; the word is that the cores of M2 are offering a much better and moderate performance with efficient improvements. 

There are two additional GPU cores on the MS and according to the company, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is approximately 40% faster than the previous generation as far as working on images is concerned. 

The M2 also features a media engine like the M1 pro, that is used for hardware-accelerated eight-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores. There is no particular media engine in the M1 chip.

The company claims that it will vividly pace up the video workflows on the MacBook Pro, that will enable the users to play back at least 11 streams of 4K quality and up to two streams of 8K ProRes video. You’d also be able to convert your video projects to ProRes nearly three times quicker than before.

Unified Memory Storage:

As far as unified memory is concerned, both M1 and M2 chips are configurable with 8 GB and 16 GB of unified memory. On the other hand, the M2 is also offering an extra 24 GB top-tier memory option. 

People that are working heavily on massive projects and are looking to multi-task will benefit from the M2 chip. The M2 also comes with a 100 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is only 68.25GB/s with the ‌M1‌. In this way, the latest MacBook Pro will access the memory faster and will give you a relatively better performance.

Compatibility with high-impedance headsets:

Another great reason to support the 13-inch MacBook Pro is that it offers better speakers and microphones compared to the MacBook Air. They also come up with a high-dynamic range and studio-quality sound. 

With support for high-impedance headphones, the audio credentials of the M2 MacBook Pro are automatically improved like the high-end 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros. It can be a really fruitful upgrade for some of the users.

Power Adapter:

The previous model was offering a 61W power adapter whereas the new M2 MacBook Pro is offering a 67W power adapter for a better and fast charging.

Recycled Items:

The previous 13-inch model was environmentally friendly as it was free of several harmful materials and managed to meet the energy standards of the company. 

It also used wood fiber in the packaging from recycled sources, however; the M2 MacBook Pro has taken this trend to a new level. It has reduced the environmental impact of the device as 100% recycled and rare earth elements are used in its packaging.

Verdict: M1 vs M2 MacBook Pro

Almost all aspects of the device are similar to its previous model with little changes in the newest one. People that deal consistently in audios and videos are going to benefit from the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s advancements and upgrades. 

They will get a nice 16 GB memory or more with a huge memory bandwidth as well. However, these changes may not sound vital for everyday users. It has only been a year and a half since the company has launched its M1 MacBook Pro and the M1 chips are coming in the iPad Air, iPad Pro, Mac Mini and iMac as well. 

It wouldn’t be nice if the M2 MacBook Pro comes out directly from its previous model. A lot of users of the 13-inch MacBook Pro are likely to wait for longer and more substantial upgrades in order to get a meaningful improvement.

If you are upgrading from an older machine, the M2 MacBook Pro will suit you better compared to 2020’s M1 model. The device is spearheaded by the M2 chip and minor adjustments and upgrades in this device are doing a great overall job. You’d also get a more modern and capable machine. 

These were some of the technical points that we wanted to discuss as far as the comparison between the M1 and M2 chips is concerned. We at TechDetects truly hope that this article was more than informative for you.  

Write it down in the comments below if you have any queries related to this topic. We shall try and answer them as soon as possible. Alright then, see you soon in our next analytical piece. Until then, goodbye and good luck with whatever you choose.