14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and Max: Is it worth it?

Ready to immerse yourself in the shiny, designer meanders of the new MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches? Yes, the ones with the super powerful chips M2 Pro and M2 Max, the displays Mini-LED, fast charging MagSafe, and a myriad of useful ports. I mean, it just seems like a dream, doesn't it?

Here comes the new MacBook Pro, launched in January 2023. But wait a minute, another one hadn't been released MacBook Pro With family chips M1 in October 2021? Yeah, Apple never stops. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be a new model in sight, and you can't hear chips whispering M3 Pro and M3 Max, so I'd say it's the right time to buy a MacBook Pro.

With prices starting from €2,499 for the 14-inch model, the MacBook Pro seems to offer a lot of interesting things. But if you don't need all this performance, ports and functions like the display Mini-LED, there is always the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 unto €1,629. So, the question arises: is it really worth it?

Let's see together if pulling out the money for a MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and Max is the right choice for those who want a device that combines performance, design and functionality at the top.

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MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max

But by chance, have you noticed the revolution that Apple has brought to its MacBook Pro?or From 14 and 16 inches in January 2023? Yeah, I'm talking about the new chips. M2 Pro and M2 Max, increased memory, extended battery life, support HDMI2.1 with display 8K, Wi-Fi 6E faster and Bluetooth 5.3. What a show!

Here's the situation: i 2023 MacBook Pro They don't change much on the outside, but inside it's a whole other story. The new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are the beating heart of these cars, with amazing performance and, of course, the famous displays Mini-LED.

But let's dive into the details: theM2 Pro has a CPU of up to 12 cores and a GPU of up to 19 cores, while theM2 Max It goes up to 12 cores for the CPU and even 38 cores for the GPU. And yes, you read that right: both chips have eight performance cores and four efficiency cores. However, watch out for the basic model of MacBook Pro 14-inch with downsized M2 Pro: that one has only six performance cores and four efficiency cores.

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But how powerful are these chips?

The M2 Pro supports up to 32 GB of unified memory, while the M2 Max reaches 96 GB, exceeding the previous limit of 64 GB with the M1 Max. And it doesn't end there: the M2 Pro offers a unified memory bandwidth of 200 GB/s, while the M2 Max reaches 400 GB/s.

Let's move on to the GPU: the M2 Pro is up to 30% faster than the M1 Pro, while the M2 Max is up to 30% faster than the M1 Max. And, of course, both chips maintain the 16-core Neural Engine.

Display Liquid Retina XDR? Done! Brightness of up to 1000 nits, peak of 1600 nits and contrast ratio of 1,000, 000:1. And the resolution? The MacBook Pro The 14-inch model has 3024x1964 pixels, while the 16-inch model reaches 3456x2234 pixels. Not bad, right?

Speaking of displays, the slim 3.5 mm frames are a classy touch, as is the notch that houses a webcam 1080p. And let's not forget technology ProMotion, which supports adaptive refresh rates between 24 Hz and 120 Hz, in addition to color P3 Wide And to True Tone.

Aesthetically, the new MacBook Pro M2 They are identical to the previous models M1, available in silver and space gray. The all-black keyboard sports a row of full-size function keys and a button. Touch ID with a circular fingerprint sensor. Yes, Touch ID helps us unlock the Mac, authorize purchases and replace passwords. And under the keyboard, there's a generous trackpad Force Touch.

Apple has maintained the same refined thermal design to ensure sustained performance, keeping the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips cool and quiet.

Both models of MacBook Pro include a number of useful ports: a card slot SDXC, a door HDMI2.1, three doors USB-C Thunderbolt 4, a 3.5 mm headphone jack with support for high impedance headphones and a port MagSafe 3 which allows a quick charge of 50% in just 30 minutes. This year, Apple added the HDMI 2.1 port that supports displays 8K up to 60 Hz and display 4K up to 240 Hz.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro uses a 140W power adapter, while the 14-inch models come with 67W or 96W adapters depending on the CPU configuration. Both machines can be charged via USB-C or MagSafe.

Within the MacBook Pro models, there are SSDS fast, configurable with up to 8TB of storage space in both models.

With the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, MacBook Pro models offer even longer battery life:

• the MacBook Pro 14-inch hard up to 18 hours watching movies and up to 12 hours surfing the web.
• the MacBook Pro 16 inch hard Until 22 hours watching movies and 15 hours surfing the web.

Among other goodies, there is support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for an even faster wireless connection and lower latency. MacBook Pros also have a six-speaker audio system, with two tweeters, four woofers, and wide stereo sound.

As for prices, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at €2,499, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch starts at €3,099, with prices unchanged compared to the previous generation machines.

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So, the question is: is it worth it?

Will MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max be the best friends of professionals and technology enthusiasts?

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Let's move on.

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Reviews

The 'voices of the people' on the models of MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max they sing praises and celebrate their arrival. The Verge enthusiastically proclaims that the 16-inch model offers the “best combination of performance and efficiency” among high-end laptops. Here, CNET also joins the choir, exalting the lightning-fast performances Wi-Fi 6E.

Engadget, enraptured by battery life, highlights the increase compared to the previous generation, boasting even three hours more battery life. Ars Technica, however, places an accent of caution, underlining how the new models of MacBook Pro may be excessive for most users.

Basically, these technological jewels represent an excellent upgrade for those who own a Intel MacBook Pro. buts For those who already show off a MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max, the melody is different: it's not worth the upgrade, since the new features mainly concern the new internal chips and there are no changes to the keyboard, trackpad or display. And then, gentlemen, choose wisely, and may your decision lead you to fully enjoy the technology you have in your hands.

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Design

Ah, the 2021! Remember when Apple changed the MacBook Pro, changing both the interior and the exterior, and smoothing the famous unibody aluminum design with a flatter look and a reduced lower curve? A geological era seems to have passed, and yet it was only two years ago. But what do we have in 2023? Alas, no design changes, and the models of MacBook Pro  they are practically twins of those of 2021.

The color options? Always the usual ones: Silver and Space gray, available in sizes from 14 and 16 inches. And those thin bezels on the top and sides, the engraving for the camera, a completely black keyboard, and that generous one trackpad, we all remember them, don't we? Not to mention the additional ports on the left and right sides, and the two speaker grilles on the sides of the keyboard.

Let's get to the measurements, which are no surprise at all. The model from 14 inches It has a length of 31.26 cm, a width of 22.12 cm and a thickness of 1.55 cm, with a weight of 1.60 kg. The big brother from 16 inches Instead, it measures 35.57 cm long, 24.81 cm wide and 1.68 cm thick, with a weight of 2.15 kg. And be careful, because the machines with the M2 Max chip are a little heavier than those with the M2 Pro chip, thanks to the size of the chip.

As for the interior, the design of the MacBook Pro It is designed to make the most of the available space and is built around a advanced thermal system which optimizes airflow to reduce the frequency of activation of the fans.

In short, you are MacBook Pro they promise to work hard, keep themselves cool and quiet, and for most everyday tasks, the fans stay quiet.

But really Apple Couldn't it add something new to the design? Who knows, maybe in 2025 we will have a surprise.

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Display

Here's the big news we expected! Well, maybe not really.

Anyway, both models sport a “Liquid Retina XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range)” display, with that same technology Mini-LED that we saw for the first time on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

But, what is this mini-LED story? I'll explain it to you.

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The MacBook Pro 16 inch It has a 16.2-inch display with a native resolution of 3456 x 2234 at 254 pixels per inch. Not bad, huh? But it doesn't end here: the little brother 14-inch MacBook Pro It is no exception, with a 14.2-inch display and a native resolution of 3024 x 1964 at 254 pixels per inch. And you might ask yourself, “But then, what are the differences between the two models?” In reality, apart from dimensions and resolutions, the displays of the two models are practically twins.

And now let's get to the heart of it: technology Mini-LED! Both models have a constant brightness of 1000 nits and a peak brightness of 1600 nits, with a contrast ratio of 1,000, 000:1. Let's not joke, friends! The displays offer support for a billion colors and the P3 Wide color for bright, realistic colors. And all this, without any update in the renewal of the 2023 MacBook Pro.

Apple promises that HDR content will come to life with more detail in the shadows, bright spots of light, deeper blacks and more vivid colors. All thanks to the 10,000 mini-LEDs grouped into individually controlled local brightness adjustment zones.

But it doesn't end there: the display can provide a peak brightness of 500 nits when viewing SDR content, reserving the peak brightness of 1600 nits for HDR content. And then there's the True Tone, that function that adapts the white balance of the display to the ambient lighting of the room. By now, those who have an Apple device are used to this function which, let's face it, makes life easier on our tired eyes.

The new models of MacBook Pro They support technology ProMotion for adaptive refresh rates between 24 Hz and 120 Hz. Thus, when browsing a static web page, the display adopts a lower refresh rate to save on battery life, while during the game or scrolling, higher frame rates are activated to ensure smoother content.

I mean, a bomb. But really Apple Couldn't it add something new to the design? Mah.

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Keyboard and Trackpad

Let's talk a bit about this infamous 2023 MacBook Pro And of his completely black keyboard, the one you've already seen in the 2021 models. Do you remember? Well, Apple decided not to change one iota, but don't worry, it's good.

On the left, you will find a row of function keys full-size, together with a generous Escape button. While on the right, here comes up a Touch ID button, equipped with a circular fingerprint reader. But how can we resist the charm of tradition? Apple delights us with arrow keys in the classic inverted T arrangement and, attention, a keyboard with scissor mechanism much stronger than that butterfly used in the past. Goodbye crumbs, dust and debris that sent the keyboards of MacBook Pro older!

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And then, my friends, what about backlit keys that adapt to room lighting thanks to an ambient light sensor? A gem of technology, no doubt about it.

But that's not all: under the keyboard, there's a large Force Touch trackpad which, hear it, has not undergone any changes compared to previous models.

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What a nice one.

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Porte

Let's clarify the ports Of these new 2023 MacBook Pro, which have not introduced anything new compared to the 2021 models. Here's what you'll find in these technological gems.

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Sia per i MacBook Pro From 14 That for the 16-inch ones, Apple spoils us with one SDXC UHS-II card slot, one HDMI 2.1 port that supports a 4K display up to 240 Hz or even an 8K display up to 60 Hz, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack with added support for high impedance headphones. But that's not all: there are also three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports which will guarantee you speeds of up to 40 Gb/s, also acting as a DisplayPort and allowing charging.

And to the delight of all lovers of practicality, here comes back the mythical MagSafe port dedicated, with a braided MagSafe cable included for charging. Who doesn't miss that detachable design that allows the cable to be easily disconnected if pulled, avoiding damage to the door or car?

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The MagSafe port, then, offers faster charging on the 16-inch machine, but don't worry: both machines can be recharged via MagSafe or the included Thunderbolt ports.

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M2 Pro and M2 Max chips

But who would have thought that? Apple surprised us once again, introducing two Apple Silicon chip, the M2 Pro and the M2 Max, for the new models 2023 MacBook Pro. Both are more powerful than the 2022 M2 chip. But really, Apple? “Taking the revolutionary, energy-efficient performance of Apple silicon to new levels”?

Well, let's see.

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THEM2 Pro It has a CPUS with 10 or 12 cores and one GPU with 19 cores, while theM2 Max Show off a CPUS With 12 cores and one GPU with up to 38 cores. What's going on, guys? Aren't the previous generation M1 Pro and M1 Max enough for us anymore? But then, why spend money on a MacBook Pro with “only” an M1 Pro?

And then there's the10-core M2 Pro. Available only in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, it offers six high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. Not to mention the M2 Max with its 67 billion transistors, 10 billion more than the M1 Max chip. But do we really need all these transistors?

The results of Geekbench they say yes. The M2 Max got a score Metal of 86,805, while the M2 Pro obtained a Metal score of 52,691. In comparison, theM1 Max obtained a Metal score of 64,708, and the M1 ****Pro a Metal score of 39,758. So, yes, these new beasts actually offer performance GPU up to 30% faster than the previous generation MacBook ****Pro M1 Pro and M1 Max models.

buts Do we really need all this brute force? That is the question we should ask ourselves. Because, let's face it, unless you're a professional in the sector, maybe the M2 Pro and theM2 Max are just a little too much for you.

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Media Engine

There is another gem that Apple has reserved for us in its new chips Apple Silicon: one Media Engine. But what's so special about this addition? Well, it allows you to speed up video processing and, at the same time, preserve battery life. Not bad, right?

In detail, theM2 Pro It offers dedicated acceleration for the ProRes video codec, together with engines of Encode/decode video and hardware-accelerated support for H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes Raw. But what's up with the M2 Max? Well, it certainly doesn't get put on the back burner!

THEM2 Max not only does it offer the same capabilities as the M2 Pro, but it also gives us something more: two video encoding engine And two ProRes encoding and decoding engine. And what are these additions for? To guarantee even faster performance in professional activities, of course!

And so, with these new chips and their fantastic Media Engine, Apple shows us once again that it is always ready to push the limits of the performance of its devices.

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Memory

Both M2 Pro and M2 Max bring with them an architecture System-on-a-Chip with unified memory and energy efficiency that, if I may say so, is practically unmatched. But what are the differences between these two chips? I'll explain them to you right away.

THEM2 Pro supports up to 32 GB of unified memory, while theM2 Max It goes up to 96 GB of unified memory. Obviously, the basic models stop at 16 GB and 32 GB respectively, but it's not bad anyway, right? And as for memory bandwidth, well, the M2 Pro offers 200 GB/s, while theM2 Max doubles, arriving at 400 Gb/s.

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Personalized Technologies

Let's explore together one of the most interesting features of the M2 Pro and Max chips: the Neural Engine unto 16 cores. This gem of technology manages the acceleration of machine learning and improves camera performance thanks to the personalized image signal processor. But that's not all, there's also a display engine that allows you to drive different external displays.

Let's see in a little more detail: theM2 Pro supports up to two external displays with a resolution of up to 6K at 60Hz, a display with resolution 8K at 60Hz Or a display 4K at 240Hz. THEM2 MaxOn the other hand, it goes even further, supporting up to three external displays with a resolution of up to 6K and an external display with a resolution of up to 4K at 60Hz.

If you prefer, you can also connect two 6K displays at 60Hz and an 8K display at 60Hz, or a 4K display at 240Hz. In short, the possibilities are many!

And to complete the picture, there are additional controllers Thunderbolt integrated for greater I/O bandwidth and a Secure Enclave integrated that provides functionality such as hardware-verified secure boot and anti-exploitation functions during execution. What can I say, guys? These chips really seem to promise wonders!

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High Power Mode

Do you know what makes the MacBook Pro 16 inch with chip M2 Max really interesting for those who work with intense and prolonged workloads? Well, let me tell you a secret: there is a mode called “High Power” that is just right for you!

But what is this mode High Power? It is a function designed specifically to optimize performance in tasks that require high system power. There's a small compromise, though: you might hear an increase in fan noise.

To activate this mode, just go to the System Settings below Battery > Power Adapter > Power Mode When connected to a power source or below Battery > Battery > Energy Mode when using the battery.

Yes, you read that right: the footnotes in the System Preferences indicate that High Power mode may cause an increase in fan noise. This is because the function allows the chip M2 Max to operate at higher temperatures and increase fan speeds to compensate.

Apple claims that this mode was designed to maximize performance during intense and prolonged workloads, offering users “extreme performance” for tasks such as color correction of videos 8K ProRes. So, ready to put this beast of a machine to the test?

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Thermal Design

Apple has revised the thermal architecture within the new MacBook Pro models, as the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips have a small footprint thanks to changes to the memory modules. Apple uses four smaller memory modules instead of two larger modules, possibly due to supply chain issues.

The new models of MacBook Pro They have a smaller heat sink due to changes in chip size, but it is not known if this affects thermal efficiency.

Another important news concerning thethermal architecture Some of the new models of MacBook Pro. Apple has decided to review the internal situation of its jewels, and I'll immediately explain why.

The M2 Pro and M2 Max chips have a small footprint thanks to changes to the memory modules. Instead of using two larger memory modules, Apple opted for four smaller modules. But you may ask yourself, why this choice? Well, there are rumors that it may be due to problems in the supply chain.

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Other Features

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speakers

Yes but how does it sound? Another spectacular feature of the new MacBook Pro: their high fidelity audio system. Yes, you got it right, this is an audio quality to the envy of the best home systems.

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The MacBook Pro is well stocked six speakers, including two tweeters and four force-canceling woofers, which guarantee an 80% higher bass. Apple is keen to stress that this is the best audio system in a notebook. But will it be true? We'll find out!

The system supports wide stereo sound and, even better, the MacBook Pro offers support forSpatial audio when playing music or videos with Dolby Atmos on the built-in speakers. When connected to AirPods 3, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, dynamic head tracking also comes into play. Not bad, huh?

And it doesn't end here! We also find an array of three microphones which supports a high signal-to-noise ratio with a noise level lower than 60%, capable of capturing even the most subtle sounds. Thanks to the directional beam formation, the vocal sound will be crisp and clear.

In short, it seems that Apple has done an excellent job in terms of audio for the new MacBook Pro. Chapeau!

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SSDS

The models of MacBook Pro have SSDs with up to 8 TB of available storage space. SSDs support speeds of up to 7.4 Gb/s.

We can't fly over another exceptional feature of the new MacBook Pro: the amazing SSDs. Let's talk about SSD with ben 8 TB of storage available.

You got it right: 8 terabytes! But how long will it take us to fill them all up?

And it's not just a matter of space, but also of speed. In fact, SSDs support speeds of up to 7.4 Gb/s. Almost a wreck gone mad, isn't it? Think about how fast it will be to move huge files or launch heavy applications. In short, Apple has really thought of everything to make these MacBook Pro real war machines.

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Camera

FINALLY we have a camera from 1080p. Yes, you read that right, Apple has finally decided to improve the webcams on its laptops. But it doesn't end there, because the quality of the images is further reinforced by image signal processor integrated into the chips M2 Pro and Max. Sharp images? Natural skin tones? All of this is possible thanks to this technology.

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And if that were not enough, Apple still surprises us by offering the option of using a iPhone Like a webcam with macOS Ventura. Why settle for standard quality when you can have the best? I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see what the future holds for us with these new technologies.

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Not bad isn't it?

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Wireless connectivity

I can't help but talk about the incredible connections offered by the new MacBook Pro. This gem of technology supports connectivity Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax and Bluetooth 5.3, the latest protocols available for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But what does it all mean?

First, Wi-Fi 6E supports the band from 6 GHz offered by compatible routers, which translates into greater bandwidth and lower latency. But beware, Wi-Fi 6E makes a difference only when paired with a Wi-Fi 6E router, even if it is a technology that is becoming more and more widespread.

Let's move on to Bluetooth 5.3, which offers a number of advantages, including less interference, lower power consumption, improved encryption, and a smoother experience for those who use Bluetooth to connect devices such as hearing aids. And let's not forget the faster transmission speed!

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Battery Life

Rega allow me to give a warm round of applause, a real Standing Ovation to the new models of MacBook Pro which have a truly impressive battery life compared to their Intel-based predecessors.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro/Max chip, it offers up to 18 hours of movie playback with the Apple TV app and up to 12 hours of wireless web browsing, an hour longer than the previous generation models.

And what about 16-inch MacBook Pro? This gem offers up to 22 hours of movie playback and 15 hours of wireless web browsing, extending battery life by one hour compared to the M1 Pro/Max models.

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The 14-inch MacBook Pro battery is a 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer, while the 16-inch model includes a 100-watt-hour battery, which is the maximum size allowed on airlines.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro uses a 140W power adapter, while the 14-inch model uses a 67W adapter for the 10-core machine and a 96W adapter for 12-core machines. All models can be charged via Thunderbolt/USB-C or MagSafe and come with their respective power adapters and a USB-C cable for MagSafe.

An interesting news concerns the fast charge: the models MacBook Pro From 14 and 16 inches to 12 cores are capable of charging from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes. The 14-inch model can charge quickly via Thunderbolt/USB-C or MagSafe with the 96W adapter, while the 16-inch model requires a MagSafe connection for fast charging due to USB-C limitations.

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Available Models

In the MacBook Pro family, there are six different configurations available, divided between the 14-inch and the 16-inch models.

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14-inch MacBook Pro

• €2,499: M2 Pro with 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB of memory, 512GB SSD.
• €3,099: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB of memory, 1TB SSD.
• €3,799: M2 Max with 12-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 32GB of memory, 1TB SSD.

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16-inch MacBook Pro

• €3,099: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB of memory, 512GB SSD.
• €3,329: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB of memory, 1TB SSD.
• €4,249: M2 Max with 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 32GB of memory, 1TB SSD.

From these varied options, you can choose the configuration that best suits your needs and pockets, always being sure to bring home a product of excellent quality and performance.

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Quick links for Amazon, then you configure them on the fly:

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