Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2022) Review: The Confused Mac

The M2 would possibly sound prefer it’s higher, however it’s a base-level chip subsequent to the M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra powering the $2,000+ MacEbook Pro fashions. It’s simple to be swayed by Apple’s stats, which boast that the M2 processor has a 35 p.c extra highly effective GPU, 18 p.c sooner CPU, and 40 p.c sooner neural engine in comparison with the M1. But it’s not fairly sufficient for many professionals, who require extra computing energy. (The M2, similar to the M1, nonetheless solely helps one exterior monitor, in contrast to the M1 Pro and up.)

The M2 carried out properly. Most of the time, I didn’t run into any hiccups. On busier days, after I had about 20 tabs open on Google Chrome and a number of apps working within the background concurrently, it felt a bit sluggish; there was some lag when switching between tabs and home windows, and I managed to set off the dreaded rainbow wheel just a few instances. 

I uploaded 4K Pro Res information shot on the iPhone 13 Pro to Final Cut Pro and edited one stream on the timeline. I utilized a lightweight shade grade, together with just a few different built-in results and noticed some stuttering all through. I didn’t actually alter the footage that a lot, however this MacEbook Pro struggled with even the slightest of shade changes (and the rainbow wheel made just a few appearances). 

Editing photographs with apps like Pixelmator and Adobe Photoshop felt loads smoother. The Mac stuttered right here and there whereas I adjusted sliders, added slight bits of rotation, and made minor adjustments to paint. But it nonetheless managed to energy by way of a large number of layers and results to attain the specified look—with out the followers ever kicking in. 

That’s the primary distinction in energy between this MacEbook Pro and the brand new MacEbook Air—it has a fan. When the fan kicks in, the MacEbook Pro can draw a little bit extra energy over sustained intervals. It additionally has barely higher battery life. I often needed to plug in after eight hours on workdays. 

A Tough Sell

All of this isn’t to say the 13-inch MacEbook Pro is totally unusable for heavy-duty duties, however it seemingly gained’t be sufficient for anybody who commonly offers with processor-intensive workloads. If that’s you, I feel it’s price saving your money and going for the bottom model of the 14-inch MacEbook Pro as an alternative. 

If you simply want a great, new laptop computer, anticipate the upcoming MacBook Air. You get a barely bigger, extra modern-looking display, a greater webcam, nicer audio system, and a fast-charging assist, all in an total lighter bundle (and enjoyable colours!). This MacEbook Pro stays a clumsy center youngster and doesn’t carry almost sufficient to the desk to be price your whereas.