MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) review: 1 month with the most Pro of MacBooks

Since the first chip of the Apple Silicon era, the Californian has rolled out new iterations every year at a breakneck pace. The company thought of its chips as products in their own right. They are available in ranges, the Mx acting as entry-level, the Mx Pro high-end and the Mx Max and Ultra ultra-premium.

Obviously, these chips would be nothing without the machines that accompany them. Also, each new generation is integrated into products dear to users of Apple machines.

After the MacBook Pro 13” and the MacBook Air decked out with an M2 chip, Apple presented us in January 2023 with a new Mac mini and two MacBook Pros (14” and 16”) equipped with M2 Pro or M2 Max depending on configurations.

Lucky that we are, we were able to use a 14” MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip for a month. And yes, time passes and now is the time to take stock, calmly.

What we liked about the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro)

Its design with lots of ports

At first glance, the new MacBook Pro doesn’t really change from previous generations. A first impression that turns out to be accurate, even on closer inspection. With an annual release rate, it is difficult for Apple to systematically renew its design.

We won’t complain, the last stroke of the designer’s pencil is proving to be rather convincing. Still clad in silver gray aluminum, the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) is distinguished by its less rounded lines, its flatter format and the integration of a notch on the top of the screen.

The speakers placed on either side of the keyboard (still just as comfortable, as is the trackpad) are discreet (from a purely aesthetic point of view) and the on/off button hides the Touch ID fingerprint reader to unlock the machine.

After trying to reduce connectivity to a bare minimum, Apple changed its mind with the previous model. Complaints from professionals are probably there for something, even if the brand will never admit it. This new version therefore also includes generous connectivity : on the left the MagSafe charging port is accompanied by two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and a 3.5 mm jack; on the right, we find a third Thunderbolt 4 and the precious HDMI and SD card slot, so dear to professionals.

What else ? A beautiful mini-LED screen.

Its magnificent mini-LED screen (and sound quality)

Apart from its still unsightly notch (for an equally average webcam), the XDR screen of the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) is a marvel. Using mini-LED technology, it measures exactly 14.2” diagonally and displays content with a refresh rate of 120 Hz (Promotion).

The advantage of mini-LED technology is that it combines the advantages of LCD and OLED: excellent brightness and a very high contrast ratio. If we quibbled, we would point out that the numbers from our lab 01Lab reveal figures slightly down on the previous generation.

Nothing that is not visible in use. Daily, the screen of the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) remains very pleasantboth for productivity and creation or entertainment.

Moreover, the power of the M2 Pro chip makes it possible to extend the display to up to two external monitors in 6K or to an 8K/4K duo (up to four screens for the M2 Max).

To spoil nothing, the two speakers deliver phenomenal powerwhich reinforces our good impressions for the multimedia experience.

Its M2 Pro chip: power and autonomy at the rendezvous

Six months after the M2 chip (for the MacBook Air and Pro 13”), Apple therefore announced to everyone’s surprise the M2 Pro and the M2 Max (MacBook Pro 14” and 16”). On the program, ever more power and efficiency (reduced energy consumption) to deliver top-flight performance to demanding professionals.

Mission accomplished? Yes. What goes for the Mac mini M2 Pro also goes for this MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) when it comes to performance. The MacBook Pro can do it all, does it well, and does it fast. All without heating and in a cathedral silence.

If the “basic” model already delivers impressive power, creatives (video or design, for example) will turn to slightly more muscular configurations. In any case, we recommend it to avoid feeling cramped in the years to come (time, for example, to amortize the beast for companies).

Because if the CPU part of the M2 Pro impresses, the graphics part (GPU), it remains below an M1 Max or M1 Ultra. Concretely, export times or complex video editing require some adjustments when making the purchase. It is therefore important to clearly identify its present and future needs as well as the probable technical developments to come (8K editing for example).

If there is one area where the M2 Pro impresses, it is that of autonomy. More powerful, the chip always consumes less energy. Much less even. With more than 20 hours of autonomy in general-purpose use, the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) outperforms its predecessor by more than 5 hours!

On a daily basis, the autonomy of the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) is never a concern. We take it for the day without a charger with a casualness almost insulting to the competition. We even had the nerve to go away for the weekend without the charger. Guess what: we didn’t need it.

What we liked less

Her slight overweight

Although the design of the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) seduces us in many ways, the machine has a major flaw: its weight. With its 1.6 kg on the scale, this model is not the easiest to transport. In hands it is heavy. In a saddlebag, it is heavy. In a backpack it is heavy. This overweight is all the more noticeable for a regular MacBook Air M2.

The MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) is also thick. 1.55 cm thick for a portable machine, it’s not huge but enough to notice it. We understand the technical constraints linked to the integration of a richer connection (in particular the very thick HDMI port), but we can only underline this small detail.

Everything being a question of needs, everyone will therefore have to find what is prohibitive to them. If you need a rich connection, you will have no choice but to turn to this model, even if it means making a concession on the size. Otherwise, the MacBook Air exists but does not address the same target.

Our opinion on the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro)

The MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) does not bring major changes compared to the previous generation, but the few adjustments make it the ideal machine for demanding and mobile professionals.

The M2 Pro chip gives it a boost of power and (above all) autonomy, enough to make it essential. Its micro-LED screen is a marvel and its design, although bulky, remains a reference in terms of elegance and finishes.

Admittedly, the prices are still high but remain acceptable in view of what can be done with such a powerful machine and the lifespan it promises. Two regrets all the same: the supplied charger lacks power and the prices of the configurations cost a small fortune.

Still, as attractive as it is, the MacBook Pro 14 (M2 Pro) is not a product to put in all hands. It addresses a target of professionals with high technical requirements. For the general public, the MacBook Air M2 remains the best option, despite its more limited connectivity.