Apple introduced the MacBook M2 Pro and MacBook M2 Max chips in January 2023. These new, extra advanced chips were used only in the Pro series and 14 and 16-inch MacBooks. If you want to buy one of these two devices, you may need to decide between the M2 Max or the M2. Moreover, the comparison of the M2 Pro chip and the M2 Max will make it easier for you to make a choice.
We have prepared a quick guide for you. Let's get started if you wish.
M2 Pro vs. MacBook Pro with M2 Max Chip Comparison
Before we start, let's say this: Both chips are really powerful for many areas such as programming, artificial intelligence, software, graphic design. But they also have serious differences in both price and performance limits.
Specification Differences: Storage, GPU, CPU, Bandwidth
First, let's compare a few technical features. The hardware differences between the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are as follows:
| Features | MacBook with M2 Pro Chip | MacBook with M2 Max Chip |
| Data Storage | Upgradeable up to 32 GB | Expandable up to 96 GB |
| Number of CPU Cores | Maximum 12 cores | Maximum 12 cores |
| Number of GPU Cores | Maximum 19 cores | Maximum 38 cores |
| Bandwidth | 200 GB / second | 400 GB / second |
As you can see above, there are significant differences in the MacBook Neural Engine structure for the two chips. Although the CPU is the same in both the M2 Pro and M2 Max, there is a significant difference in practical performance due to the GPU and the improved L2 cache.
M2 Pro vs M2 Max Battery Life Comparison
Apple's official website states that the MacBook Pro with M2 Max has a battery performance of up to 22 hours. In practice, in a multi-tab and applied work routine, the M2 Max and M2 Pro chips can provide 15 - 16 hours of continuous use. This performance helps to extend the battery life as it reduces the battery cycle number.
If you want to use the charging time for an extra long time, the M2 Pro chip can give you an extra hour. Because the M2 Max also uses the battery to provide very high performance.
The MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip also features High Power mode. It is recommended to use High Power mode while the device is plugged in. Although the battery drains much faster in this mode, it is very useful for a seamless experience when running applications that require high graphics performance. It is worth noting that High Power mode is only available for M2 Max chips.
A quick note: No matter what chip your device has, KraftCover has a MacBook Pro case for you. Browse our categories to find leather MacBook Pro cases, hard cover MacBook Air cases, and clear MacBook Air covers. Select your device model before adding to cart. Your MacBook protective case fits your Mac perfectly.
M2 Pro vs. M2 Max: Performance Comparison
When comparing the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, we see that the main advantage of the Max is its GPU. The CPU difference is minimal and tolerable. However, the GPU difference widens the gap between the two chips significantly. When looking at the results of the test on graphics performance, the M2 Max chip is 35% better than the Pro chip. The reason for this is the difference in the number of GPU cores.
Below are M2 Max, M2 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Pro, M2 chip You see the Geekbench score GPU comparison. Data is taken from MacWord.
Now let's examine the GPU that causes a 35% performance difference with Geekbench scores. If you pay attention to the blue bars, you will see the difference in GPU scores between the M2 Max and M2 Pro chips.
MacBook Pro with M2 Max Chip vs M2 Pro Chip: Price Comparison
The prices of the MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip are jaw-dropping. The prices of the M2 Pro are also quite high. Let's take a look:
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Prices with M2 Max and M2 Pro Chips
- The price of the MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip is set at $1999 for the 14 inch . If you prefer a 1 TB SSD, the price goes up to 75,000 TL. If you want to have a 12-core CPU when buying a MacBook with the M2 Pro chip, the price can go up a little more.
- The price of the MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip was determined as $2899 for the 14-inch and 30 GPU cores. The 38 GPU core version of the same model is $3099. As can be seen, the price difference between the two models is almost $1000. It is a very high price indeed. But it is certain that the performance offered will be one of the best computer performances in the world. The MacBook Pro 14-inch colors are space gray and silver.
MacBook Pro 16-Inch Prices with M2 Max and M2 Pro Chips
- M2 Pro chip-powered 16-inch Macbook Pros in Türkiye with 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and 1TB SSD storage It is sold for $3,550.70 . You can check MacBook student discounts and get information about advantageous prices.
- M2 Max chip-powered 16-inch Macbook Pros in Türkiye with 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 32 GP unified memory and 1 TB SSD storage Priced at $ 4,597.15 , the MacBook Pro 16-inch is available in space gray and silver.
Which One Is Right For You: M2 Pro vs. MacBook Pro with M2 Max Chip
If you have a job that requires high-performance tasks, the best devices you can get are the MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. So which chip should you choose?
Let's say:
- M2 Max for Video Editing : The M2 Max is particularly good for complex video work. If you are using software like PugetBench for Premiere Pro, the M2 Max is a good choice for a seamless and flawless experience . It offers a noticeable difference in both video playback and video export speed. So if you are a video editor or your job requires intensive work with videos, we recommend the MacBook Pro with the M2 Max Chip.
- M2 Max for 3D, Animation, 8K and 4K Content : This actually falls under video editing. But we wanted to specifically mention these areas because these are professional areas where you may feel the lack of the M2 Max chip . If budget is not an issue for you, go for the M2 Max because you may need High Power mode while working in these areas. High power mode is only available on M1 Max and M2 Max chips on MacBooks.
- M2 Pro for Professional Workflows : The M2 Pro is a chip that features video encoding and decoding in H. 264, HEVC, and ProRes formats. However, the M2 Max works twice as fast in these tasks because it has two video encoding engines and two ProRes engines instead of one. However, the M2 Max's price is very high, so it may not be enough for you to make the difference in performance. Therefore , if you use applications such as Adobe Photoshop and edit code with Xcode-level software, we recommend that you choose the M2 Pro . The M2 Pro will still provide excellent performance in these tasks. However, the M2 Pro may warm up earlier and make a little more noise in 8K video editing processes.
Is M1 Pro or M2 better for MacBook Pro?
If you’re already using a MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, there’s no need to upgrade to the M2 chip. The M1 Pro and M1 Max are still very good at multi-core computing, as they have the edge in terms of performance improvements and core count.
But if you are going to switch from M1 Pro to M2 Max, you will definitely feel the performance difference.
MacBook Pro M2 or MacBook Pro M1 Pro?
If you are going to buy a new MacBook Pro today and are trying to choose between the M1 Pro and the M2, we can say "neither, M2 Pro!" Since you are looking at the Pro chips, you need very high graphics performance. In that case, the M2 Pro would be the better choice, as its CPU performance is 20% better compared to the M1 Pro.
Does MacBook Pro M2 have a fan?
Yes. MacBook Air models do not have an active cooling fan. However, MacBook Pro M2 chip devices use an active fan with high cooling.
When will the new M3 Chip MacBooks be released?
News is expected in October or early 2024 for the M3 chips, which were not introduced at the Apple Event in September 2023. According to the latest technology world rumors, the M3 chip will be used in MacBook Pros and Airs, iMacs and iPads. You can follow the first news from here when it is introduced!
You can also check out our comparison of the 13-inch and 15-inch M2-chip MacBook Air.
