When Apple revealed the M2 processor shortly after releasing the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors, people, rightfully, expected the upgraded versions of the M2 to be just around the corner. Some theorize, based on details in the launch video, they should have been ready this fall, but Apple delayed them. The new processors work largely like the M1 Pro and Max processors, bringing more power to the table, based on the same architecture as the M2 chip. The M2 Pro is a more powerful and more capable M2 chip, while the M2 Max is a significantly larger chip, though it doesn’t look like Apple just slapped two M2 processors together to make it this time.
The new chips power updated MacBook Pro computers as well as an updated Mac Mini. While Apple usually releases these with a keynote, and had seemingly prepared a video, the releases dropped on a Tuesday with little fanfare. The new Macs they’re in have no external changes, but the engine swap alone will be significant.
M2 Pro and M2 Max
The M2 Pro brings the core count up to 12, from 8 on the M2. It also has up to a 19-core GPU, up from the 10-core GPU of the M2. That configuration also has a maximum of 32GB of unified memory, that’s memory shared between the main system and the GPU. That’s enough for most people. Although, I run 64GB on my machine because I use it for app development, gaming, and really just wanted it to last forever because I knew Apple would replace Intel with their M-series chips and I’d have to ditch the eGPU.
What about users like me? Software engineers or video editors who need more than 32GB of RAM for their workflow and more power? That’s where the M2 Max comes in. The M2 Max has the same 12-core CPU, but up to a 38-core GPU. It also comes at its low end with 32GB of unified memory, up to a whopping 96GB of RAM. Now that’s enough memory for a workflow! Unfortunately, you still can’t run Windows on the new Macs, so gaming is out of the question, but for your work computer churning out videos or compiling apps? It’s going to scream past whatever you’re using now.
New Configurations
The new processors come in either the new MacBook Pro or Mac Mini. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro can be configured with the M2 Max and up to 86GB of memory. The 14-inch model has battery life up to 12 hours of “wireless web browsing” and it’s 15 hours on the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Prices start at $1,999 for the M2 Pro and 14-inch model, and can go all the way up to $6,499 for a fully upgraded M2 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro.
While the Mac Mini starts at $599, this is for the M2-based model. If you want the new M2 Pro, that configuration starts at $1,299. This is for a 10-core model of the M2 Pro. For the 12-core model, expect to add $300. A fully “maxed out” Mac Mini will come with a 12-core M2 Pro, 32GB of memory, 8TB of internal storage, 10 Gigabit ethernet, and will cost $4,499.
Apple’s new pro-level processors continue the tradition of the M1 Pro and M1 Max, bringing a significant jump in performance over the base M2 processors. Competition from Intel and AMD has been playing catch-up, but has been closing the gap. Apple’s tight integration of hardware in their ARM-based system on a chip (SOC) designs mean they can optimize performance and battery life. Of course, their workflows are still limited, through a lack of eGPU support and the inability to run both Windows and macOS, as Intel-based Macs could. Still, for a work machine, it would be hard to do better than the new pro-level Macs from Apple.