Apple‘s new M2 and M2 Pro chips available across the Mac lineup herald major performance leaps over previous generation hardware. But just how much faster is that shiny new M2 Pro compared to the base M2 processor?
This comprehensive guide examines the two chips inside and out across six key areas:
- CPU Core Count
- Memory Specs
- Graphics Power
- Neural Engine Capabilities
- Display Support Potential
- Connectivity Advancements
After analyzing low-level specifications, we‘ll showcase real-world performance benchmarks starting with video editing and 3D rendering. You‘ll see quantified metrics demonstrating the M2 Pro‘s sizable speed boost for professional creative workloads.
Beyond just speeds and feeds, we‘ll also compare M2 versus M2 Pro pricing and availability in Apple‘s catalog. Learn which MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini best fits your needs and budget.
Let‘s dive under the hood to reveal exactly what sets M2 and M2 Pro apart!
Apple Silicon – Blazing the Trail from M1 to M2
First, some context on the processorfamily both M2 and M2 Pro extend…
In late 2020, Apple kicked the personal computing industry into overdrive with the release of their first ever in-house designed Arm-based chip for Macs. Dubbed M1, it delivered seismic performance-per-watt gains over previous Intel chips while greatly improving battery life.
The several-generation technological leap exemplified Apple‘s industry-leading silicon expertise. Honed by years designing iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and other chips before tackling laptops and desktops.
Now in 2023, M2 and M2 Pro give us the second generation of Apple silicon for Macs. These chips expand upon M1‘s foundations to hit even greater heights of efficiency and computing power.
Let‘s explore just how much extra power gets packed into M2 Pro over the base M2 model!
M2 vs M2 Pro – Specification Showdown
First let‘s compare the two chips head-to-head across several key technical areas – from CPU and GPU cores to memory and media capabilities:
Analyzing from top to bottom reveals the M2 Pro unambiguously packs more of nearly everything over standard M2:
- 4 Extra CPU Cores – M2 Pro has 8 high performance cores plus 4 efficiency cores, compared to just 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores on M2. This equates to 50% more total compute power.
- Doubled GPU Cores – With 10 cores versus M2‘s 19, M2 Pro promises almost 2x greater graphics throughput. Critical for gaming, video production, 3D workflows, and computational tasks.
- 2x Memory Bandwidth – By doubling this metric to 200 GB/s, M2 Pro smashes memory bottlenecks allowing quicker access to its higher RAM ceiling.
- 8GB Extra RAM – 32GB max memory may sound overkill for some, but for professional creative apps processing 8K video or 3D scenes it‘s a welcome resource.
Clearly when it comes to raw compute capabilities, the M2 Pro sits far ahead of little brother M2. Next let‘s validate with real-world metrics…
Just How Much Faster is M2 Pro? – Benchmarks Reveal All
Now we move beyond specifications to answer the core question: how much speedup does M2 Pro actually deliver compared to base M2 in common workloads?
Let‘s crunch benchmarks across four intensive yet everyday tasks:
- 4K Video Exporting
- 3D Scene Rendering
- Xcode Compiling
- AAA Gaming Performance
These numbers reflect real-world experience versus synthetic tests.
The picture becomes quite clear looking at seconds and frames per second. Across the board the M2 Pro demonstrates enormous performance advantages, up to 87% quicker video exports and 73% faster gaming frame rates.
Doubling nearly every hardware resource manifests in equally striking speedups when crunching through heavy multithreaded work. M2 holds its own respectably, but hits limits much sooner than the near desktop-class M2 Pro.
This fact comes through even more examining advanced usage…
Professional Workflows Show Greater Gains
Thus far we‘ve focused on mainstream workloads, but professional users will extract even more value from M2 Pro thanks to greater scalability.
For example video producers working in 8K ProRes can export projects 3x faster with M2 Pro. 3D animators building complex Cinebench scenes might achieve 4x quicker render times. Music producers layering dozens of real-time effects see vastly lower latency. AI researchers processing neural networks enjoy more model complexity.
The combination of prolific cores and abundant memory bandwidth heightens throughput, while active cooling sustains peak performance way longer.
So if you‘re shopping for a production machine, the M2 Pro makes a compelling proposition that outmuscles comparable Intel or AMD notebooks.
Let‘s now move from speeds and feeds to examining where exactly you can find M2 versus M2 Pro across Apple‘s 2023 Mac catalog.
Comparing M2 and M2 Pro Availability in Macs
Given such stark general computing differences in their favor, Apple wisely reserves M2 Pro (alongside M2 Max and M2 Ultra) for its highest tier professional laptops and desktops.
Meanwhile the M2 sees broad integration powering mainstream notebooks and Apple‘s most affordable entry-level Mac desktop.
Here‘s a complete breakdown:
M2 Macs:
- MacBook Air – Thin yet surprisingly capable combo for students
- 13" MacBook Pro – Portable productivity suitable for most office needs
- Mac mini – Cheapest gateway into Apple silicon ecosystem
M2 Pro Macs:
- 14" MacBook Pro
- 16" MacBook Pro – Pinnacle of Apple portables with desktop grunt
- Mac Studio (custom configs) – Modular desktop powerhouse
As you can see, those seeking ultimate portable power are funneled into the 14" or 16" M2 Pro models. But the M2 mini remains a sneaky way to tap that chip‘s abilities paying only the desktop premium rather than slim notebook tax.
Now let‘s examine the cost differences purchasing price tags command…
Pricing Breakdown – Budget Buyers Beware M2 Pro Premium
Given the ample evidence of vastly superior performance metrics, you shouldn‘t be shocked to learn M2 Pro Macs ring up significantly higher prices than their M2-powered siblings.
Here‘s a pricing comparison across a few key models:
| Model | Starting M2 Price | Starting M2 Pro Price | % Price Bump |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | $1,199 | N/A | N/A |
| 14" MacBook Pro | N/A | $1,999 | N/A |
| 16" MacBook Pro | N/A | $2,499 | N/A |
| Mac Mini | $599 | $1,299 | 117% |
First off, M2 Pro doesn‘t even appear in the mainstream Air and 13" Pro lines. But comparing the M2 Mini to M2 Pro Mini shows a 117% price hike – you certainly pay for the Pro distinction!
Even just comparing the M2 13" Pro to 14" Pro with M2 Pro nets a 54% increase despite keeping relatively comparable form.
Clearly cost scales rapidly as you climb the processing ladder. Let‘s now clarify which rung makes sense depending on your needs.
M2 or M2 Pro? Choosing the Right Chip for You
With all the specs, benchmarks, pricing, and model differences covered – which chip should you actually buy? Here is some general guidance:
Good fits for the M2 processor:
- Mainstream laptop needs – Word, Excel, web browsing
- Light creative editing – 1080p video projects, basic Photoshop
- Students seeking solid portability, battery life
- Tight budgets below $1500
Scenarios where M2 Pro makes more sense:
- Cutting edge creative workflows – 8K video, 3D rendering/animation, music production
- Professional developers, engineers needing performance
- Power brokers running tons of apps and browser tabs simultaneously
- Gamers wanting smooth high resolution, max settings play
- Anyone future-proofing advanced computational needs
For most shoppers, the well-rounded M2 delivers more than enough horsepower given its attractive pricing and sleek portable designs. M2 Pro offers a luxury experience best leveraged by production houses justifying the premium.
Whichever route you choose, Apple silicon has bright years ahead as software further optimizes around these exotic Arm-based architectures. Now for some auxiliary differences beyond raw compute abilities…
Other Notable Differences Buyers Should Note
Beyond central specs like cores and memory bandwidth, there are a few other considerations when weighing M2 versus M2 Pro:
- Display Support – You can only run multiple external monitors with M2 Pro models (3 on 14" Pro, 4 on 16" Pro) whereas M2 machines max out at 1 display. Resolution also scales up to 8K60 with M2 Pro.
- Webcam – If video conferencing is critical, only the 14" and 16" M2 Pro MacBooks offer 1080p webcams versus 720p on other models.
- Wi-Fi Standard – M2 Pro supports the cutting edge Wi-Fi 6E delivering faster speeds in congested wireless networks, while M2 machines are still on Wi-Fi 6.
- Battery Runtimes – Thanks to its fanless ultra slim design, M2 MacBook Air still reigns supreme with 18+ hour longevity on a charge. M2 Pro models run closer to 14 hours.
So depending on your connectivity, video calling, and unplugged usage needs – factor these facets in as well.
Finally, what does the future hold for Apple silicon…
Closing Thoughts – What Comes After M2 and M2 Pro?
With Apple keen to control their chips‘ destiny and clearly hitting performance strides way ahead of rivals, they have zero incentive to slow down innovation.
We can expect the cadence of new generations every 12-18 months to continue. 2024 should bring us M3 and M3 Pro built on an enhanced 3nm process allowing higher Transistor budgets and therefore more cores still.
Apple will also eventually branch into desktop-only processors more directly targeting the Mac Pro and iMac Pro. Rumors already swirl around "M2 Extreme" or "M2 Ultra" parts to come.
Plus dedicated GPUs could augment or replace integrated graphics for pros wanting maximum visual throughput.
Finally, machine learning and matrix math will only grow more critical in years ahead. So Apple will surely keep pushing Neural Engine performance each generation to maintain leadership.
In summary – the Apple silicon train has left the station with no brakes in sight! M2 and M2 Pro merely represent the first few stops on a long speedy voyage.
