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Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max: new chips for MacBook Pro and Mac Mini

17.1.2023

Translation: machine translated

With the M2 Pro and M2 Max, Apple is supplementing its second chip generation with even more powerful processors. They will first be used in the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini.

With the two new system-on-a-chip (SoC) M2 Pro and M2 Max, Apple is continuing on its path towards more energy-efficient performance. The M2 Pro is available with ten or twelve CPU cores and 19 GPU cores. It is supported by up to 32 gigabytes of RAM. The M2 Max has the same 12-core CPU, but goes one step further in terms of graphics and comes with up to 38 cores, supported by up to 96 gigabytes of RAM. Both chips also have an improved Neural Engine with 16 cores and an improved Media Engine.

Schematic representation of the Apple M2 Pro.
Source: Apple

The M2 Pro is manufactured using the second-generation 5-nanometre manufacturing process. Compared to the M1 Pro, it has almost 20 per cent more transistors - 40 billion of them. Its memory bandwidth is 200 gigabytes per second. The 12-core version uses eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, which should result in up to 20 per cent more performance compared to the M1 Pro. Graphics performance should increase by up to 30 per cent compared to the M1 Pro. Not least because of a larger L2 cache.

Schematic representation of the Apple M2 Max.
Source: Apple

The M2 Max uses 10 billion more transistors than the M1 Max - 67 billion in total. The memory bandwidth is twice as high as the M2 Pro and offers 400 gigabytes per second. Thanks to 38 GPU cores and a larger L2 cache, the graphics speed should be 30 per cent better than the M1 Max.

MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max, Mac Mini with M2 or M2 Pro

Apple is offering the new processors directly in MacBooks and the Mac Mini desktop model. With the 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro, you can now choose between the M2 Pro and M2 Max. As the new chipsets are not only powerful, but also energy-efficient, Apple claims a battery life of up to 22 hours. The notebooks also feature Wi-Fi 6E. And their HDMI port supports 8K monitors.

The new MacBook Pro comes with a 14- or 16-inch display.
Source: Apple

A Liquid Retina XDR display, three Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C), an SDXC card slot, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a 1080p webcam round off the features of the MacBooks.

The Mac Mini is no longer available with Intel chips. You can choose between the M2 introduced in summer 2022 and the all-new M2 Pro. With the power of the new processors, Apple is touting it as a tool for video editing and video streaming. Like the MacBook Pro, it now features Wi-Fi 6E.

Optically, nothing has changed on the Mac Mini.
Source: Apple

However, there is a difference in the connections. The M2 version of the Mac Mini has two Thunderbolt 4 ports and supports up to two external monitors. The version with M2 Pro has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, is suitable for up to three displays and is the first Mac to which you can connect an 8K display. Two USB-A ports, an HDMI port and an Ethernet port can be found on both models of the new Mac Mini.

The different ports can be seen on the back of the Mac Mini. Above the M2 variant, below the M2 Pro model.
Source: Apple

Price and availability

Apple plans to sell the new MacBook Pro from 24 January 2023. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro will cost from 2399 euros in Germany and 2199 francs in Switzerland. With the M2 Max, it will be even more expensive. Prices start at 3699 euros and 3399 francs. The 16-inch version with M2 Pro costs 2999 euros or 2749 francs. With M2 Max, the recommended retail price increases to at least 4149 euros or 3849 francs.

Apple also plans to offer the Mac Mini with its own chips from 24 January. With the M2, it will cost you at least 699 euros or 649 francs - cheaper than the previous model with the M1. For the Mac Mini with M2 Pro, Apple will charge at least 1549 euros or 1399 francs.