Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) review

Trade in Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)

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The 2023 MacBook Pro 14-inch (starting at $1,999) is crafted to be the swiftest laptop, providing portability coupled with substantial battery life. According to our comprehensive testing, this system stands out as an absolute powerhouse for creative professionals.

It retains all the features we admired in the 2021 model, such as the stunning mini-LED display, extensive port options, and a sharp 1080p camera. However, the real game-changers are the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The M2 Pro boasts a 20% increase in CPU performance and a 30% boost in GPU performance compared to the M1 Pro. For those seeking even more, the M2 Max impresses with a formidable 38-core GPU.

Although the design mirrors the previous MacBook Pro 14-inch, notable enhancements include a quicker Wi-Fi 6E connection and a reinforced HDMI port capable of supporting up to 8K displays.

But how does it fare in terms of speed, and is it worth the premium price? These questions will be addressed in my MacBook Pro 14-inch review, revealing why it secures a place on our best laptops list. For a more detailed analysis and a video review, check out our MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 benchmarks results below.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) RELEASE DATE AND PRICE

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Starting from January 24, the 14-inch MacBook Pro becomes available, commencing at $1,999. This entry-level option features a 10-core M2 Pro CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD.

For an elevated configuration, there’s the M2 Pro model with a 12-core CPU, a 19-core GPU, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage, priced at $2,499. Alternatively, the M2 Max version offers the same CPU but with a 30-core GPU and 32GB of memory, costing $3,099.

It’s noteworthy that the M2 Pro model caps at 32GB of memory, but the M2 Max chip allows an expansion up to 96GB, albeit at an additional cost of $800. Additionally, if you opt for the M2 Max, you can increase storage all the way up to 8TB for an extra $1,800.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH 2023 SPECS

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) DESIGN

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The MacBook Pro 14-inch maintains the familiar appearance of its predecessor, and that’s a positive attribute. It retains the robust, square-edged aluminum chassis, available in Silver and Space Gray. While the design is commendable, I find myself wishing for more color choices, similar to the Midnight Blue option offered on the MacBook Air M2. After all, why can’t a laptop with rocket-launching capabilities also embrace a playful side?

I continue to find delight in the subtle details of this laptop. It’s effortlessly opened with one hand, thanks to the grooved front lip. The convenient Touch ID button ensures swift sign-ons, and the gracefully engraved “MacBook Pro” on the bottom adds a touch of elegance.

With dimensions of 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches and a weight of 3.5 pounds (3.6 pounds for the M2 Max version), the MacBook Pro 14-inch leans towards the heavier side for a 14-inch laptop. For comparison, the Huawei Matebook X Pro weighs 2.9 pounds, and the HP Spectre x360 14 is 3 pounds. However, it’s worth noting that these lighter systems sacrifice some power in comparison.

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My primary design-related gripe pertains to the notch positioned at the top of the display, serving as the housing for the 1080p camera. It disrupts an otherwise stunning screen and can be somewhat distracting. However, over time, you tend to acclimate to its presence. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind if Apple opted to trim the bezels a bit more in future iterations.

Another consideration is the absence of a Face ID sensor on the MacBook Pro, despite the inclusion of a Touch ID button in the keyboard. Many Windows laptops offer the convenience of logging in simply by looking at the front of the system, with some even detecting your presence as you approach the notebook. Given the premium nature of this laptop, the inclusion of a Face ID sensor seems like a logical and desirable enhancement.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) PORTS

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The go-to choice for a portable MacBook with a broader range of ports beyond Thunderbolt/USB-C is still the MacBook Pro 14-inch. While it offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports, it goes a step further by including an SD card slot, a crucial feature sought after by photographers and videographers, along with the convenience of an HDMI port.

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The HDMI port has received an upgrade, now supporting a remarkable 8K resolution on an external display at 60Hz, thanks to the MacBook Pro 14-inch adopting the HDMI 2.1 standard. Alternatively, users have the flexibility to connect a 4K display, achieving a refresh rate of up to 240Hz.

It’s worth noting that the M2 Pro chip has the capacity to support up to two external displays, while the more powerful M2 Max chip can drive up to four displays simultaneously.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) DISPLAY AND AUDIO

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The mini-LED display on the MacBook Pro 14-inch stands out as one of the finest in the laptop realm. Boasting impressive brightness, vivid colors, and a seamless 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, it captivates users with its visual excellence. During the recording of our review video, I found myself engrossed in the panel while watching the trailer for Mandalorian Season 3, momentarily forgetting my task of taking pictures.

The brilliance of the display was evident as I marveled at the gleaming silver of the Mandalorian’s helmet, discerning fine drops of water in one scene. The rich gold texture of Greef Karga’s (played by Carl Weathers) cape truly stood out, and even in darker scenes, I could make out fine hairs on Grogu’s head.

As anticipated, the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s display delivered stellar performance in our lab tests, particularly in terms of brightness. When viewing HDR content, our light meter recorded peaks of 1,447 nits for 10% of the display and 1,081 nits for the entire screen. In comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Pro falls just under 500 nits.

Color accuracy is another strength, with the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s screen registering 117.7% of the sRGB color gamut and covering 83.4% of the more demanding DCI-P3 color space. While the Dell XPS 15 achieved slightly higher results at 122.7% and 86.9%, respectively, in the two tests.

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The colors displayed on Apple’s laptop are notably more accurate, reflected in a Delta-E score of 0.19 (with 0 being perfect), surpassing the XPS 15’s score of 0.22.

The auditory experience is equally impressive, with the trailer resonating thunderously through the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s six-speaker sound system. Featuring four force-cancelling woofers and two tweeters, the system delivers crystal-clear audio across various elements, from the Mandalorian’s monologue and laser fire to the nuances of wind instruments, even at high volume.

When tested with Spotify, the MacBook Pro 14-inch showcased its versatility by adeptly handling the dynamic percussion and soaring vocals in The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights.’ The trill in Post Malone’s voice during ‘I Like You’ filled a medium-sized room with immersive sound, highlighting that this system excels in both professional and recreational settings.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) PERFORMANCE

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Without a doubt, the MacBook Pro 14-inch effortlessly handles any task thrown its way, whether you opt for the M2 Pro model or the M2 Max version. If you require more graphics power or additional performance for video projects, the M2 Max is the way to go.

The M2 Pro chip comes equipped with a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage. We tested a higher-end version priced at $4,099, boasting a 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 64GB of memory, and a spacious 2TB of storage.

For a more affordable M2 Pro configuration, our sister site Laptop Mag provided test results for a version costing $3,299. This model features a 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB storage capacity.

In comparison, we tested two robust Windows laptops. The Dell XPS 15, priced at $2,299, is equipped with a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. Notably, the Core i9 model would likely offer faster performance, though it wasn’t available for testing. Additionally, newer 13th-gen Intel chips are on the horizon.

We also tested an HP EliteBook 840 G9 business laptop, priced at $2,868, featuring a 12th-gen Core i7 VPro CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Intel Iris X graphics.

In the realm of CPU performance measured by Geekbench 5, the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 stands out as a leader. The M2 Pro version achieved an impressive single-core score of 1,941, while the M2 Max version closely followed with a score of 1,926. Both models excelled with multi-core scores surpassing 14,900.

In comparison, the Dell XPS 15 and HP EliteBook 840 G9 both scored below 1,800 on single-core and below 12,000 on the multi-core test. For other MacBooks, the MacBook Pro 2021 with M1 Pro recorded scores of 1,768 and 12,477, while the 2022 MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 registered 1,899 and 8,911.

Overall, the MacBook Pro 14-inch exhibits approximately a 9% improvement in single-core performance and a remarkable 17% enhancement in multi-core performance compared to the previous model.

When it comes to transcoding video, the MacBook Pro 14-inch outpaces the competition and notably surpasses the performance of the previous M1 Pro MacBook.

In this transcoding test using the Handbrake app to convert a 6.5GB 4K video to 1080p, the MacBook Pro 2023 accomplished the task in an impressive 4 minutes and 3 seconds. In contrast, the Dell XPS 15 took over a minute and a half longer, and the HP EliteBook lagged nearly 3 minutes behind.

Comparatively, the MacBook Pro M1 Pro needed 4 minutes and 51 seconds to complete the same task, and the MacBook Pro 13-inch took nearly 7 minutes. The results clearly showcase the heightened professional capabilities of this new MacBook Pro.

For those deeply immersed in photo editing, the MacBook Pro 14-inch proves to be a highly capable choice. In the PugetBench Photoshop test, which evaluates a system’s efficiency in applying various filters and adjustments to high-resolution photographs through scripted tasks, the MacBook Pro 2023 excelled with a score of 988 for the M2 Pro chip and 1,199 for the M2 Max. The completion times were equally impressive, with the M2 Pro version taking 4 minutes and 20 seconds, and the M2 Max version being even faster at 3 minutes and 57 seconds.

While the Dell XPS 15 (962) and HP EliteBook 840 G9 (929) trailed slightly in the overall score, they required significantly more time to complete the tasks. The Dell took 5 minutes and 42 seconds, and the HP needed 5 minutes and 16 seconds. In comparison, the previous M1 Pro MacBook Pro achieved a lower score of 806 but managed a relatively fast completion time of 4 minutes and 54 seconds.

When it comes to video editing, the MacBook Pro 14-inch equipped with the M2 Pro chip demonstrates robust capabilities for most projects. However, for even faster performance, the M2 Max version is the standout choice. In the PugetBench Premiere Pro test, which involves tasks such as applying a Lumetri Color effect to a 4K clip and incorporating 12 clips across four tracks in a multi-camera sequence, both versions of the MacBook Pro 14-inch excelled.

The M2 Pro model achieved an impressive score of 942, surpassing the Dell XPS 15 (616) and the HP EliteBook 840 G9 (378) by a significant margin. Meanwhile, the M2 Max model took it a step further with a score of 1,009. Unfortunately, the M1 Pro couldn’t undergo this specific test in 2021, but the MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 achieved a score of 552 when tested.

In assessing the SSD performance of the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 and comparing it to the competition using the Blackmagic disk speed test, the M2 Pro version showcased impressive results. With a read speed of 5,293 MBps and a write speed of 6,168 MBps, the M2 Pro MacBook Pro outperformed the XPS 15 and significantly outpaced the HP EliteBook 840 G9.

The M2 Max model demonstrated a slight speed boost compared to the M2 Pro version in this test. Notably, the MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 was approximately half as fast as the new MacBook Pro 14-inch. While the M1 Pro MacBook Pro exhibited similar read speeds to the M2 Pro version, the newer MacBook distinguished itself with faster write speeds.

It’s important to note that while the entry-level model of the 14-inch MacBook M2 Pro was not specifically evaluated, third-party tests of the MacBook Pro 2023 SSD have indicated slower speeds compared to the 2021 model. This aspect will be revisited once additional testing is conducted.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH 2023: GRAPHICS AND GAMING

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The MacBook Pro 14-inch provides a diverse array of graphics options, commencing with a 16-core GPU. During testing, we evaluated the performance of both the 19-core GPU within the M2 Pro chip and the 38-core GPU from the M2 Max chip, revealing a noticeable difference in benchmark performance between the two configurations.

In the 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited test, which assesses graphics performance, the MacBook Pro M2 Pro demonstrated a score of 47,844 and 287 frames per second (fps). Notably, the M2 Max chip nearly doubled these results.

In comparison, the MacBook Pro M1 Pro achieved a score of 38,406 and 230 fps. This represents a significant leap of approximately 20% when comparing the M2 Pro and M1 Pro results, and a similar trend is observed in the Unlimited test scores.

* 1920 x 1080 resolution ** At 3,456 x 2,160 resolution

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The battery life of the MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro proves to be impressive in our testing. On the Tom’s Guide Battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, it delivered an impressive endurance of 14 hours and 2 minutes. This duration falls just a few minutes short of the MacBook Pro M1, which lasted 14 hours and 8 minutes.

While the MacBook Pro M2 Max didn’t quite match the endurance of the M2 Pro, a battery life of 12 hours and 51 minutes is still commendable, especially considering the robust power it offers. In comparison, the Dell XPS 15 managed just over 10 hours. However, the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 remains the reigning champion with an outstanding runtime of over 18 hours.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) WI-FI 6E

The MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E support, which extends into the 6GHz band and promises speeds up to twice as fast as the preceding Wi-Fi 6 standard. When connected to a TP-Link Deco XE75 Wi-Fi 6E mesh router, the laptop demonstrated speedy downloads, reaching around 400 Mbps over the home internet connection. However, uploads were limited to 20 Mbps.

While the MacBook Pro M1 Pro delivered similar results in various locations compared to the M2 Max model, additional tests will be conducted to assess the extent of the impact Wi-Fi 6E can have on performance.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) WEBCAM

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The MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 maintains the same 1080p webcam as the 2021 model, but it incorporates an improved image signal processor that brings about modest enhancements to image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

In a comparison using two photos taken under the same conditions, with the MacBook Pro M2 Max model’s shot on the right, noticeable improvements are observed. The newer MacBook Pro captures a deeper blue in the shirt and sweatshirt, along with a richer red. Additionally, there is a reduction in noise in the shot, contributing to a generally improved image quality.

While the difference may not be dramatic, it is certainly noteworthy and represents an improvement over the previous model.

MACBOOK PRO 14-INCH (2023) VERDICT

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The MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 once again raises the bar for laptop performance, thanks to its M2 Pro chip. It outperforms Windows competition, especially until systems with 13th gen Intel Core CPUs are tested. The M2 Max variant takes performance even further, particularly in demanding tasks like photo editing in Photoshop and video editing in Premiere Pro. Additionally, the M2 Max’s graphics capabilities represent a significant upgrade over the M2 Pro.

Despite the speed enhancements, the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 maintains an impressive battery life of over 14 hours, a combination of performance and endurance rarely found in other laptops within its price range. The upgraded HDMI port and faster Wi-Fi 6E further enhance its appeal.

Is the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 the right choice for you? If you seek a portable yet powerful device and are willing to invest at least $1,999, the answer is likely yes. While it surpasses the MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 in speed, the latter starts at $1,299 and offers around 4 additional hours of battery life. As for the MacBook Pro 16-inch starting at $2,499, it’s worth considering if you desire a larger screen and a design with more thermal headroom for sustained performance, but the overall specs remain similar.

While it may not justify an upgrade from the M1 Pro model, the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 stands as the pinnacle of performance for those seeking an upgrade from an older system.

Source: Tom’s Guide