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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published November 15, 2023
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What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models? Is the newer model a significant upgrade?
Please note that the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated subsequently and still can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
There is a single "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M1" 8-Core 3.2 (2020) 13" -- replaced by a single "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13".
These models are quite similar, so whether or not the difference is "significant" depends on your perspective. In fact, with even a detailed hands-on evaluation, they appear essentially the same.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro 2022 M2)
However, there are substantial internal differences and an in-depth, objective comparison can be quite useful, accordingly.
External Differences
The "2020 M1" 13" and "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro models use essentially identical "sealed" aluminum and glass case designs. Both have the same dimensions and are offered in either a silver color or a darker "Space Gray" option.
Both models use the same 13.3" widescreen LED-backlit display (2560x1600 native resolution at 227 ppi, which is presented at a scaled resolution of 1440x900 by default) with 500 nits brightness and "True Tone" technology that dynamically adjusts the color temperature of the display.
Both notebooks also share the same integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, "Scissor Switch" keyboard, large "Force Touch" trackpad, "Touch Bar", two Thunderbolt 3-capable (USB-C connector) ports, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.0, stereo speakers with HDR, and "studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming."
However, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro supports "Spatial Audio" on its built-in speakers and has an improved 3.5 mm headphone jack with "advanced support for high-impedance headphones."
Identification Differences
The "2020 M1" 13" and "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro models each share the same A2338 Model Number.
Accordingly, because they are more unique, the EMC Number on the bottom of the case and the Model Identifiers in software are better for long-term identification.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
| 13" MBP | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 2020 M1 | 3578 | MacBookPro17,1 |
| 2022 M2 | 8162 | Mac14,7 |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify both of these MacBook Pro models by other identifiers, as well.
Internal Differences
As you could guess from its "M2" designation, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro that replaced the earlier "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro uses a newer, more advanced interior architecture.
The "M1" model is powered by a 3.2 GHz Apple M1 processor (SoC) with eight cores (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and it has an 8-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The "M2" model is powered by a 3.49 GHz Apple M2 processor (SoC), also with eight cores (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and a 16-core Neural Engine, but with a more advanced 10-core GPU and 100 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both models support a 6K (6016x3384) external display.
Both of these models have soldered RAM and storage that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase, but the "M2" model can be upgraded to 24 GB of RAM at the time of purchase whereas the "M1" only could be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM at the time of purchase.
In practice, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro is roughly 14% to 23% faster than the "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro it replaced.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro and "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 13" 2020 M1 |
 13" 2022 M2 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Architecture: | Apple M1 | Apple M2 |
| Generation: | 1st Gen | 2nd Gen |
| Clockspeed: | 3.2 GHz | 3.49 GHz |
| Processor Cores: | 8 | 8 |
| Graphics Cores: | 8 | 10 |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 16 GB† | 24 GB† |
| Std. Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Max. Storage: | 2 TB† | 2 TB† |
| Ext. Display: | 6016x3384 (6K) | 6016x3384 (6K) |
| Battery W Hrs: | 58.2 W Hr | 58.2 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 17-20 Hours | 17-20 Hours |
| Power Adapter: | 61W USB-C | 67W USB-C |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (6) | 802.11ax (6) |
| Thunderbolt 3: | 2 (USB-C) | 2 (USB-C) |
| TouchBar: | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio: | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm (Advanced) |
| EMC No: | 3578 | 8162 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro17,1 | Mac14,7 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 |
US$1299 US$1499 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1699 C$1949 |
C$1699 C$1949 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1299 £1499 |
£1349 £1549 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1449 €1679 |
€1599 €1829 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1999 A$2299 |
A$1999 A$2299 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1849 S$2149 |
S$1879 S$2179 |
† These MacBook Pro models could be upgraded with more RAM and storage, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase in either of these models.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, is the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro a significant upgrade? Is the older "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro model still worth considering?
Ultimately, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro is a modest upgrade over the earlier "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro. The newer model essentially is the same case with upgraded internal and provides (1) around 14% to 23% more performance for the same price when both models were new, (2) the option of more RAM at additional cost, and (3) modestly improved audio capabilities.
Of course, on the used market, the value proposition of both may have changed somewhat and both will become cheaper and cheaper as time goes on, but the older "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro generally should available at lower cost should someone like to save a little more money.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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