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Unveiled: the dramatic performance gap between apple’s macbook pro m1 and m2

Key points

  • In Apple’s battery life tests, the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip lasted about 15 hours on a single charge, while the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip lasted about 11 hours.
  • The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip has a slightly thinner profile than the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip, and it also has a slightly larger trackpad.
  • The addition of an HDMI port on the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is a welcome change, as it allows users to connect their laptops to external displays without the need for an adapter.

The Apple MacBook Pro is a popular choice for professionals and students alike. It is a powerful laptop that can handle demanding tasks, and it has a sleek and stylish design. In 2020, Apple released the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip, which was a significant upgrade over the previous Intel-based models. In 2022, Apple released the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, which offers even better performance than the M1.

In this blog post, we will compare the Apple MacBook Pro M1 vs M2. We will discuss the key differences between the two models, and we will help you decide which one is right for you.

Performance: M2 Outperforms M1 in Most Benchmarks

The M2 chip is a significant upgrade over the M1 chip in terms of performance. In Geekbench 5, the M2 chip scores about 18% higher than the M1 chip in single-core performance and about 20% higher in multi-core performance. This means that the M2 chip is faster at handling both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks.

In real-world tests, the M2 chip also outperforms the M1 chip. For example, in a video editing test using Adobe Premiere Pro, the M2 chip was able to export a 4K video file about 25% faster than the M1 chip.

Battery Life: M2 Offers Longer Battery Life

The M2 chip is also more efficient than the M1 chip, which means that it can provide longer battery life. In Apple’s battery life tests, the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip lasted about 15 hours on a single charge, while the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip lasted about 11 hours.

This difference in battery life is significant, and it could be a major factor for users who need their laptops to last all day on a single charge.

Design: M1 and M2 Models Feature Similar Designs

The MacBook Pro with the M1 chip and the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip have very similar designs. Both models have a sleek and stylish aluminum unibody design, and they both feature a 13.3-inch Retina display.

However, there are a few minor differences between the two models. The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip has a slightly thinner profile than the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip, and it also has a slightly larger trackpad.

Display: Both Models Offer Excellent Displays

The MacBook Pro with the M1 chip and the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip both feature excellent displays. Both models have 13.3-inch Retina displays with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

The displays on both models are bright and colorful, and they offer wide viewing angles. They are also both great for watching movies and videos, as well as for editing photos and videos.

Ports: M1 and M2 Models Have Different Port Selections

The MacBook Pro with the M1 chip and the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip have different port selections. The MacBook Pro with the M1 chip has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-C ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The addition of an HDMI port on the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is a welcome change, as it allows users to connect their laptops to external displays without the need for an adapter.

Price: M2 Models are More Expensive than M1 Models

The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is more expensive than the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip. The MacBook Pro with the M1 chip starts at $999, while the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip starts at $1,299.

The price difference between the two models is due to the fact that the M2 chip offers better performance and longer battery life than the M1 chip.

Which Model is Right for You?

The Apple MacBook Pro M1 vs M2 is a difficult choice. Both models are excellent laptops, and they both offer great performance and battery life.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which model is right for you is to consider your individual needs and budget. If you need the best possible performance and battery life, then the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is the better choice. If you are on a budget, then the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip is a great option.

Alternatives to the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2

If you are looking for alternatives to the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2, there are a few other great options to consider.

  • Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio: The Surface Laptop Studio is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers great performance and battery life. It has a 14.4-inch touchscreen display, and it can be used as a traditional laptop, a tablet, or a drawing tablet.
  • Dell XPS 13: The Dell XPS 13 is a thin and light laptop that offers great performance and battery life. It has a 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, and it is one of the most portable laptops on the market.
  • HP Spectre x360 14: The HP Spectre x360 14 is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers great performance and battery life. It has a 13.5-inch OLED display, and it can be used as a traditional laptop, a tablet, or a drawing tablet.

Basics You Wanted To Know

1. What are the key differences between the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2?

The key differences between the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2 are:

  • Performance: The M2 chip offers better performance than the M1 chip in both single-core and multi-core tasks.
  • Battery life: The M2 chip offers longer battery life than the M1 chip.
  • Ports: The MacBook Pro with the M2 chip has an HDMI port, while the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip does not.

2. Which model is right for me?

The best way to decide which model is right for you is to consider your individual needs and budget. If you need the best possible performance and battery life, then the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip is the better choice. If you are on a budget, then the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip is a great option.

3. What are some alternatives to the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2?

Some alternatives to the Apple MacBook Pro M1 and M2 include the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, the Dell XPS 13, and the HP Spectre x360 14.

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