With the launch of Apple’s 2023 Macbook Professional, chances are you’ll be questioning if it is time to improve. Whether or not you are coming from a 2021 MacBook Professional 14-inch or one other laptop computer and ponder whether you may go for the 2021 mannequin and save a bit of cash. Both means, I am right here that will help you determine that out, so let’s get proper to it.
The problem I discover most urgent for a lot of customers is, do you really want it? How is your present laptop computer performing? Are you continue to shortly whipping by way of your typical each day duties, whether or not that’s paperwork, photographs, or video edits? These are simply a few of the trustworthy questions you need to be asking your self.
Like all important buy, you need to contemplate whether or not you genuinely want it or are simply being lured in by the most recent shiny new factor from Apple. Let’s face it, from a design standpoint, there are not any obvious adjustments, and most folk will not have the ability to inform the distinction. So the one query that issues is “will this actually enhance my workflow” buy?
Let’s dive deeper into the specs and perhaps determine this out collectively. For this face-off we’re going to be sticking to the 14-inch M2 Professional fashions, however that also leaves a variety of choices. Do you want the $1,999 base model or the $5,099 mannequin with an unbelievable 8TB of storage?
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) specs
| Spec | MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) | MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) |
| CPU | Apple M1 Professional 8 core | Apple M2 Professional 12-Core CPU |
| GPU | 14-Core | 19-Core GPU |
| RAM | 16GB – 32GB | 16GB – 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB – 8TB | 512GB – 8TB |
| Show | 14.2-inch, 3024 x 1964p | 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR show |
| Measurement | 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 | 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 |
| Weight | 3.5 kilos | 3.5 kilos |
As you may see from the spec breakdown, the one important distinction right here is the upgraded CPU and GPU cores and out there storage. The M2 Professional Core comes with a 12-Core CPU and 19-Core GPU, whereas the M1 Professional comes with an 8-Core CPU and 14-Core GPU.
Should you select a 2TB SSD, it would run a further $400, however if you happen to’re energy mad and max out at 8TB, it would value you $2,200. So, work out what you really want beforehand, and keep in mind exterior SSD’s a reasonably low cost nowadays and available.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) pricing
So far as pricing goes, our MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) value $2,899, as reviewed, however the beginning value was $1,999 for the 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD mannequin. As we have realized, all of it just about stays the identical.
The latest MacBook Professional 14-inch with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD will run you $2,899, which is exactly the identical. As is the bottom mannequin with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD mannequin.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) Show
I assume the outdated adage of “if it ain’t broke” applies right here as each MacBooks share the identical 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3024 x 1964) show. It is wonderful and shiny, with a most brightness of 1000 nits, though our authentic overview unit averaged 488 nits throughout testing which led its comparability group on the time.
Apple as soon as once more makes use of its True Tone expertise that includes 1 billion colours, however the 2021 solely scored 77.6% protection of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut. Perhaps there’s been some enchancment, we can’t know till we get a overview unit of the 2023 model.
The 120HZ of adaptive refresh fee stays, which ranges from 47.95Hz as much as 120Hz. The adaptive refresh charges assist relating to battery life as decrease charges require decrease battery consumption.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) Ports
Okay, cease me if you happen to’ve heard this, however the ports stay the identical. The MacBook Professional 14-inch design is actually solely in its second iteration since its final full refresh and its utilitarian method works.
On the left, we discover the MagSafe 3 energy port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the three.5mm headphone jack. On the suitable is the SDXC card reader, one Thunderbolt 4 port, and an HDMI port.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) Efficiency
We’re anticipating some severe efficiency enhancements merely primarily based on the distinction within the variety of cores. The M1 Professional comes with an 8-Core CPU and the M2 Professional arrives with a 12-Core CPU, which is a 40% improve.
The M2 Professional comes with a 19-Core GPU vs. the M1’s 14-Core GPU, which is a 30% improve. Thoughts you the M2 Professional chipset is the mid-tier between the unique M2 and the Max (12-Core CPU and 38-Core GPU). The distinction between the Professional and Max is roughly 200GB of bandwidth, with the Professional working at 200GB/s and the Max at 400GB/s.
The M1 Professional was and is a powerhouse that demolished its premium laptop computer common in testing on the time and we expect the identical if no more of the M2 Professional, however we can’t have that definitive reply till our overview unit arrives and is examined.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) battery life
MacBook Professional’s are recognized for his or her efficiency whereas sustaining wonderful battery life and the 2023 M2 Professional must be the identical. Each function a 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery and each are rated for as much as 18 hours of video viewing and 12 hours of internet shopping.
Throughout our testing of the M1 Professional, it lasted 14 hours and eight minutes with the ProRes refresh fee enabled. We’re anticipating related if not improved battery life, however we have now to attend and see.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) webcam
The 2023 MacBook Professional 14-inch options the identical 1080p FaceTime HD digital camera we have all been having fun with for some time now. The digital camera contains a 4-element lens with a wider aperture which permits in additional mild coupled with a brand new picture sensor that’s 2.5x bigger which doubles the decision.
Apple’s Facetime centric webcam does a strong job in all lighting situations and produces correct colours and pores and skin tones.
MacBook Professional 14-inch (2021) vs. MacBook Professional 14-inch (2023) Outlook
The 2023 MacBook Professional 14-inch brings with it extra CPU and GPU cores than ever earlier than and that ought to imply some good efficiency features. Should you had been anticipating a contact show or a 3D show, MacBooks are simply not for you.
Positive, it could really feel boring as a result of aesthetically issues have remained the identical however, what most Apple MacBook Professional customers are involved with is efficiency and the power to provide high-level content material, whereas additionally having fun with a easy easy workflow.
If it is not broke, do not repair it, seems like the final theme for the 2023 MacBook Professional. Nevertheless, is the presumed efficiency increase value throwing down your hard-earned money? We can’t actually know till we have been in a position to put the laptop computer by way of our rigorous testing.
Should you ask me, at this second, hold your 2021 M1 Professional for some time longer. If you really want extra efficiency, then go all out and get the M2 Max, which ought to symbolize a significantly bigger efficiency increase to warrant spending the additional cash.
