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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published November 16, 2023
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What are all the differences between the "2021 M1 Pro/Max" and "2023 M2 Pro/Max" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models?
Please note that the "2021 M1 Pro/Max" and "2023 M2 Pro/Max" 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 are two standard 14" "2021" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M1 Pro" 8 CPU/14 GPU 14" and "M1 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU 14" -- and two standard 16" "2021" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M1 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU 16" and MacBook Pro "M1 Max" 10 CPU/32 GPU 16".
These "2021" MacBook Pro models were replaced by three standard 14" "2023" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M2 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU 14", "M2 Pro" 12 CPU/19 GPU 14", and "M2 Max" 12 CPU/30 GPU 14" -- and two standard 16" "2023" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M2 Pro" 12 CPU/19 GPU 16" and "M2 Max" 12 CPU/38 GPU 16".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (2023 14" and 16" MacBook Pro Models)
From the outside, the "2021" MacBook Pro models and "2023" MacBook Pro models look identical, but there are some connectivity and internal differences that are notable. A detailed comparison can be helpful, accordingly.
External Differences
Although the "2023" MacBook Pro models can be slightly heavier than the "2021" MacBook Pro, this is not obvious and the systems otherwise are the same in terms of external appearance.
All of these models use "sealed" aluminum and glass cases offered in a choice of silver or a darker "Space Gray" color. Of course, the 16" models from each line are larger and heavier than their smaller 14" counterparts.
All of these notebooks have an all black, backlit keyboard with "traditional" function keys as well as a "Touch ID" for login.
They also have the same displays -- LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" displays -- 14.2" (3024x1964) and 16.2" (3456x2234), respectively. All displays are 254 ppi, provide up to 500 nits of brightness for SDR content, up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, in addition to support for 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates).
All of the "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models also include the same 1080p webcam in a "notch" at the upper portion of the display, "Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming," "high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers," and large "Force Touch" trackpads.
Connectivity Differences
The 14" and 16" "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models share a great deal of the same connectivity, but there are a couple of significant differences, as well.
All of these notebooks have three Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C connector), a 3.5" analog headphone jack "with advanced support for high-impedance headphones," an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and a magnet-equipped "MagSafe 3" power connector.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MagSafe 3 Connector)
However, the "2023" MacBook Pro models have a newer HDMI 2.1 port -- compared to HDMI 2.0 on their predecessors -- and support larger displays, including at least one 8K display (7680x4320 at 60 Hz) for the first time. The "2023" MacBook Pro models also pack more capable wireless -- 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 -- compared to the earlier Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 standards on their predecessors.
One miserly point of differentiation for the entry-level model in each line -- the MacBook Pro "M1 Pro" 8 CPU/14 GPU 14" and MacBook Pro "M2 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU 14", respectively -- is that they both were bundled by default with a 67W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes. All other 14" models included a 96W USB-C power adapter that is capable of fast charging and the 16" models all included a 140W USB-C power adapter that likewise is capable of fast charging.
When equipped with a 96W USB-C power adapter, the 14" models from both lines can fast charge via Thunderbolt or MagSafe 3. The 16" models, regardless of series, only can fast charge via MagSafe 3.
Identification Differences
It is very easy to mix up the "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models, even when they are side-by-side. Accordingly, precise identifiers are necessary for identification.
The easiest identifiers to use for these specific models are the Model Numbers, externally, and Model Identifiers in software.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro Model |
Model No |
Model ID |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.
Internal Differences
Internally, the "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models are significantly different, although all have RAM and storage that are onboard and that cannot be upgraded after purchase. The "2021" models have Apple designed "M1 Pro" or "M1 Max" processors whereas the "2023" models have newer, faster "M2 Pro" or "M2 Max" processors and the option of more maximum RAM at the time of initial system purchase -- up to 96 GB -- at additional cost.
Although these MacBook Pro models all have batteries that are rated the same in terms of watt-hours -- 70-watt hours for 14" models and 100-watt hours for 16" models -- the "2023" models eke out an extra hour of runtime, likely because of improvements in efficiency.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
| 14" 2021 | 16" 2021 | 14" 2023 | 16" 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 14.2" | 16.2" | 14.2" | 16.2" |
| Resolution: | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 |
| Architecture: | M1 Pro M1 Max |
M1 Pro M1 Max |
M2 Pro M2 Max |
M2 Pro M2 Max |
| Processor Cores: | 8-10 | 10 | 10-12 | 12 |
| Graphics Cores: | 14-32 | 16-32 | 16-38 | 19-38 |
| Std. RAM: | 16 GB | 16/32 GB* | 16/32 GB** | 16/32 GB** |
| Max. RAM: | 64 GB* | 64 GB* | 32/64/96 GB** | 32/64/96 GB** |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Max. Storage: | 8 TB† | 8 TB† | 8 TB† | 8 TB† |
| 8K Support: | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI: | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi: | 6 | 6 | 6E | 6E |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life: | 17 Hours | 21 Hours | 18 Hours | 22 Hours |
| Fast Charge: | No/Yes‡ | Yes | No/Yes‡ | Yes |
| TB Fast Charge: | Yes‡ | No | Yes‡ | No |
| Model No: | A2442 | A2485 | A2779 | A2780 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro18,3 MacBookPro18,4 |
MacBookPro18,1 MacBookPro18,2 |
Mac14,9 Mac14,5 |
Mac14,10 Mac14,6 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1999 US$2499 |
US$2499 US$2699 US$3499 |
US$1999 US$2499 US$3099 |
US$2499 US$2699 US$3499 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2499 C$3149 |
C$3149 C$3399 C$4399 |
C$2599 C$3299 C$4099 |
C$3199 C$3449 C$4499 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1899 £2399 |
£2399 £2599 £3299 |
£2149 £2699 £3349 |
£2699 £2899 £3749 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €2249 €2749 |
€2749 €2979 €3849 |
€2399 €2999 €3699 |
€2999 €3229 €4149 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2999 A$3749 |
A$3749 A$4049 A$5249 |
A$3199 A$3999 A$4999 |
A$3999 A$4299 A$5599 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$2999 S$3749 |
S$3749 S$4049 S$5249 |
S$2899 S$3599 S$4499 |
S$3599 S$3899 S$4999 |
* The "2021" MacBook Pro models could be upgraded with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M1 Pro" processor cannot support more than 32 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M1 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 32 GB and the maximum is 64 GB.
** The "2023" MacBook Pro models could be upgraded with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M2 Pro" processor cannot support more than 32 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M2 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 32 GB and the maximum is 64 GB or 96 GB depending on the specific model.
† All "2021" and "2023" MacBook Pro models could be upgraded to as much as 8 TB of storage at the time of initial purchase. The storage cannot be upgraded later.
‡ If equipped with a 67W USB-C power adapter, this model is not capable of "Fast Charging." If it is equipped with a 96W USB-C power adapter, it is capable. If equipped with a 96W USB-C power adapter, the 14" models can fast charge via Thunderbolt or MagSafe 3. 16" models cannot fast charge via Thunderbolt.
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, are the "2023" MacBook Pro models a significant upgrade? Are the "2021" MacBook Pro models still worth considering?
It depends on your definition of "significant," but compared to the "2021" MacBook Pro models replaced, the "2023" MacBook Pro models are (1) modestly faster, (2) have the option of more RAM at additional cost, (3) larger external display support, (4) faster Wi-Fi, and (5) better battery life.
Ultimately, the "2023" MacBook Pro line is a worthwhile upgrade to the "2021" models, but the "2021" series definitely remained well worth considering when its successor was introduced. The value proposition of both may have shifted somewhat on the used market, but the earlier models generally should remain cheaper than the later ones for someone who is interested in saving a bit more money.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell 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. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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