MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch 2023 have just been released, should you upgrade your laptop now?

Apple has just launched two MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models in 2023 equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, promising to deliver superior battery life and performance compared to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021.

The new MacBook Pro models may be the most powerful laptops Apple has ever released. However, does that mean you should buy them right away? In fact, not everyone needs a powerful and specialized computer.

The following analysis by technology expert Tony Polanco will give you useful tips to choose for yourself a suitable laptop model.

Why should you buy a MacBook Pro 2023?

The most attractive point of MacBook Pro 2023

The biggest attraction of the MacBook Pro 2023 is the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The M2 Pro chip has a 10- or 12-core CPU, delivering 20% ​​more performance than the M1 Pro chip.

In addition to the CPU cores, Apple says the M2 Pro’s 19-core GPU can deliver up to 30% better graphics performance, and the new 16-core AI Neural Engine hardware is capable of 15,800 billion calculations per second, faster. 40% more than the previous generation.

Meanwhile, the M2 Max chip has a 38-core GPU, delivering up to 30% improvement in graphics performance compared to the M1 Max. Apple claims this chip is also 20% faster than the M1 Max chip.

Image source: Apple

Future potential

One thing is for sure, Apple’s processors have always been incredibly powerful. Even older models, like the MacBook Air M1, are exceptional and can help you handle many everyday tasks. Unless you’re a professional video editor, the MacBook from 2020 may still hold you back for the foreseeable future.

If you upgrade to this year’s MacBook Pro model, you can safely use it until the end of the decade. During that time, we’ll definitely see the introduction of M3, even M4 models, but the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips will still be powerful processors for many years to come. This will be even more accurate if you are willing to spend more money on high-end configurations.

In short, if you buy a MacBook Pro 2023, this will be the only laptop you need to buy for a long time to come.

Not sure it’s a necessary choice at the moment

MacBook Pro 2021 is still very powerful

Although the two MacBook Pro 2023 models are very attractive with the above advantages, you don’t necessarily have to buy them right now, because the MacBook Pro 2021 is still very powerful. The M2 Pro and M2 Max chips have impressive specs, but their predecessors have never been out of date.

MacBook Pro 16-inch equipped with chip M1 Max. Image source: Tony Polanco

Tony Polanco said that he still uses the 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M1 Max chip in daily activities. This chip model is powerful enough that the computer will not freeze even when opening dozens of applications and browser windows, playing games, streaming and editing podcasts. In other words, the MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip is still a “beast”.

In addition to the MacBook Pro 2021, the MacBook Air 2022, MacBook Pro 13-inch or even older models like the MacBook Air M1 are still very reliable for daily use.

You can buy used MacBook models for cheaper

The MacBook Pro 2023 currently starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch model.

MacBook Air M2. Image source: Tom’s Guide

If you don’t want to spend that much money at once, you can consider the MacBook Air M2 for $ 1,199. This template is a great combination of portability, performance, display quality and ease of use. In addition, another choice for you is the MacBook Air M1 for $ 999.

The MacBook Pro 13-inch 2022 is also worth considering when priced at 1,299 USD. Despite having a somewhat outdated design, this is still the longest-lasting laptop recorded by the Tom’s Guide testing team to date.

Conclusion

Should you buy the 2023 MacBook Pro or not? The answer still depends on what you’re looking for in a laptop. If you are a professional video editor and need a powerful laptop to work with, the MacBook Pro 2023 will be the perfect choice for you. Those who want a laptop with high durability for years to come can also consider Apple’s new model.

However, if you just want a reliable laptop to do non-complicated, intensive work and enjoy streaming content, play games, then the MacBook Air M2 is still the best choice.