Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Space Gray) Review
We've aggregated 17 high-signal reviews and 1 live retailer price below.
Our editorial take on the Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Space Gray)
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip represents a masterclass in iteration. Apple wisely chose not to alter the celebrated design introduced with the M1 generation, retaining the class-leading display, robust build quality, and versatile port selection that professionals depend on. Instead, all the effort went into the silicon. The M2 Max delivers a significant performance uplift over its already formidable predecessor, pushing this portable machine firmly into the territory of high-end desktop workstations.
This is a device built for the most demanding creative tasks imaginable. It handles complex video editing timelines, heavy graphical rendering, and intense computational workloads with an efficiency that can fundamentally change professional workflows. The performance is truly exceptional, rivaling and in some cases exceeding what was previously only possible on a desk-bound tower. However, this level of power comes at a steep price, and it's essential to recognize that it is complete overkill for the vast majority of users. For many, the M2 Pro model offers more than enough capability for a more reasonable investment.
Ultimately, the M2 Max is not a compulsory upgrade for those already on M1 Max systems, as the real-world gains will only be felt by those consistently pushing their hardware to the absolute limit. For professionals coming from an older Intel-based Mac or purchasing their first top-tier Apple laptop, it is a content creation powerhouse. Its value is directly proportional to how much you can leverage its immense processing power.
- Desktop-class performance in a portable chassis
- Exceptional processing power for video editing and 3D rendering
- Maintains the excellent M1-generation design, display, and ports
- Significant performance increase over the M1 Max chip
- Excellent battery life even under demanding workloads
- Extremely high price, especially for maxed-out configurations
- Performance is overkill for the average user
- No external design changes from the previous generation
- Incremental upgrade for existing M1 Max owners
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
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The Pro is a great place to start for anyone who needs power and portability. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets are significantly more powerful than the standard M4 chip, so if you're doing the computational equivalent of heavy lifting (editing 4K video or playing graphically intensive games, for example), these are designed with that kind of work in mind.
Apple's new M1 Max-powered MacBook Pro is a beast, with plenty of power for almost any task, and while it will tempt many photographers, it's not without its faults.
Apple has just released two new SoCs (systems on a chip) that are directly integrated into the new 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro, as well as the updated Mac Mini: the M2 Pro and M2 Max. From the outside, there are no design changes between all the machines and their predecessors. However, on the inside, the new chipsets should give content creators a vast performance update. So let’s take a closer look at all these updates!
OWC has announced its new Express 1M2 USB4 drive, which is claimed to be their fastest single-blade NVMe drive to date with real-world speeds up to 3,151 MB/s.
This is the best video editing computer available. Note, I did not say “best video editing laptop available.” I said, “best video editing _computer_ available.” That is a very important distinction.
The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is a good machine overall, but I’d like my third Thunderbolt port, please.
We're already seeing the first discounts on the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, which Apple announced earlier this week. Amazon has the entry-level MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip for $50 off ($1,950).
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About this product
The space gray Apple 14" MacBook Pro is a mobile workstation for creatives, featuring the Apple M2 Max 12-Core Chip, a 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR display, 32GB of unified RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It is designed to handle professional workflows including photography, filmmaking, 3D artistry, and music production.
Specs
- Cpu
- 12-Core: Performance (8 Cores) Efficiency (4 Cores)
- Gps
- No
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO Support
- Finish
- Glossy with Antireflective Coating
- Webcam
- User-Facing: 1080p
- Audio Io
- 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Output
- Keyboard
- Built-In Chiclet-Style Keyboard with Backlight
- Security
- Fingerprint Reader
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Processor
- Apple M2 Max
- Weight Kg
- 1.6
- Weight Lb
- 3.6
- Display Io
- 1x HDMI
- Model Year
- Early 2023
- Network Io
- No
- Panel Type
- Mini-LED LCD
- Input Power
- 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- No
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:10
- Power Supply
- 96 W with Magsafe
- Dimensions Cm
- 31.27 x 22.12 x 1.5
- Graphics Type
- Integrated
- Installed Ram
- 32 GB
- Certifications
- ENERGY STAR
- Contrast Ratio
- 1,000,000:1
- Inputs Outputs
- 3x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) / Supports Video Alt Mode and 100 W Power Delivery
- Pointing Device
- Force Touch Trackpad
- Refresh Rate Hz
- 120
- Cellular Support
- No
- Operating System
- macOS
- Battery Chemistry
- Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo)
- Built-In Speakers
- 6 and Subwoofer
- Native Resolution
- 3024 x 1964
- Storage Expansion
- No
- Maximum Brightness
- 500 nits / cd/m2 (Sustained in SDR Mode) 1000 nits / cd/m2 (Sustained in HDR Mode) 1600 nits / cd/m2 (Peak in HDR Mode)
- Operating Humidity
- 0 to 90%
- Storage Drive Type
- 1x 1 TB / Integrated NVMe SSD
- Battery Capacity Wh
- 70
- Display Size Inches
- 14.2
- Built-In Microphones
- 3
- Operating Temperature
- 50 to 95°F / 10 to 35°C
- Media Memory Card Slot
- Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Total Installed Storage
- 1 TB
- Variable Refresh Technology
- Apple ProMotion
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