Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M2 Max) Review: Unleashing Heat, Speed, and Excellence

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M2 Max)

MSRP $4,099.00

Rating

“Embracing heightened temperature, the M2 Max MacBook Pro unleashes superior performance and extended battery life.”

  • M2 Max elevates graphics prowess
  • Exceptional XDR display
  • Impressively potent speakers
  • High-quality 1080p webcam
  • Enhanced battery life
  • Operates at higher temperatures with increased noise
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The 14-inch variant emerges as the quintessential MacBook Pro, a choice that strikes a balance between the 13-inch model's power and the 16-inch model's grandeur. While the 13-inch MacBook Pro's potency is limited due to its M2 chip, the 16-inch model's imposing size can be off-putting.

Positioned comfortably in the middle, the 14-inch MacBook Pro stands as a harmonious equilibrium – at least on paper. I dived into the realms of the M2 Max model, possibly one of the most robust 14-inch laptops attainable. Despite its minor thermal hurdles, the 14-inch MacBook Pro, particularly the M2 Max version, emerges as an exceptional choice for content creators, especially those in search of a portable workhorse.

Elegance Macbook Design

The MacBook Pro is a treasure trove of commendable attributes, and the 2023 update retains these prized features. From its rich bass-driven speakers to the impeccable craftsmanship and the top-tier keyboard, the MacBook Pro's allure remains undiminished. The passage of time has not eroded the appeal of these aspects – not even a hint.

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The display, for instance, remains unchanged, continuing to flaunt the splendid 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR panel from the 2021 model. This screen remains peerless, an embodiment of brilliance, color fidelity, and HDR performance. Amidst the deluge of recent mini-LED and OLED gaming laptops, even this year, none match the MacBook Pro's remarkable 1600 nits of brightness. Apple maintains its dominant edge in display technology.

Connectivity is another forte of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. While the ports remain familiar, Apple has elevated the connectivity to contemporary standards. The MagSafe 3 charging, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, full-size SD card slot, and now HDMI 2.1 are present. Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E are the updated wireless standards, in line with the latest Windows laptops.

Unfortunately, the 1080p webcam doesn't set a new standard. While serviceable, it maintains the same resolution as before. In 2021, this might have been novel, but in 2023, it's par for the course (even for laptops like the MacBook Air). Though Apple's software optimizations are commendable, rival laptops now boast higher-resolution webcams, delivering a crisper video conferencing experience. Furthermore, the MacBook Pro's conspicuous notch remains, a space that continues to lack Face ID functionality. An aspect of disappointment, indeed.

Navigating the M2 Max SSD Quandary

A significant concern revolves around the SSDs of these MacBook Pros, with a persistent issue that plagues even the M2 Macs. Apple's inclination to utilize slower SSDs in its base configurations remains perplexing. Opting for the 512GB variant entails a single NAND chip, markedly reducing storage read and write speeds.

This lamentable trend persists with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, echoing the issue observed with the 256GB M2 MacBooks. It's noteworthy that while the storage remains swift, file transfers are noticeably slower than the 2021 model. What's more, Apple doesn't provide any indication of the performance difference based on storage capacity.

Admittedly, my review unit came equipped with a zippy 2TB storage, significantly mitigating this concern. However, the lack of transparency surrounding this SSD matter remains irksome.

The Resplendence of M2 Max

Apple's approach to bolstering performance this time? More cores. The M2 Max boasts augmented CPU and GPU core counts, resulting in an anticipated leap in performance. The 14-inch model introduces a distinctive configuration not present in its 16-inch counterpart: a $1,999 entry-level model with a 10-core CPU and a 16-core GPU.

While the performance of the base model intrigues me, the unit sent to me by Apple is the formidable M2 Max variant. This powerhouse incorporates a 12-core CPU and a massive 38-core GPU. My configuration also boasts 64GB of memory and 2TB of storage. Worth mentioning is that my unit does not feature the new 96GB unified memory, which is exclusively available for the 38-core GPU variant.

“Exceptional performance warrants minimal complaints.”

Let's delve into CPU performance. Sporting two additional efficiency cores compared to standard M2 chips, improved multi-core performance is anticipated. This claim holds true in benchmarks such as Geekbench 5 and Cinebench R23, where the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max excels in multi-core performance, setting a new benchmark for 14-inch laptops. Only a massive 17-inch gaming laptop, the MSI GT77 Titan equipped with the Core i9-12900HX, has outperformed it. While the stride forward may not be colossal, it's undoubtedly commendable.

The new MacBook Pros were expected to reach higher frequencies for enhanced single-core performance. However, the improvement in single-core performance is modest, with a 2% to 3% boost in the benchmarks. While the 16-inch model might exhibit more substantial changes, the 14-inch model's enhancements in this aspect are more restrained. Nonetheless, given the impressive performance of a laptop this compact, it's hard to grumble, especially when competing laptops are still playing catch-up.

A Leap in Graphics Excellence

The standout transformation lies in the robust GPU. This is the epitome of the Pro and Max chips' promise, condensed within a unified package. The core count has surged, ascending from 32 cores to an impressive 38 cores. While upgrading from M1 Pro to M2 Pro adds only three extra GPU cores, the real leap occurs in the fully loaded configurations – precisely the territory my unit inhabits.

Although these laptops aren't engineered for gaming, their real prowess lies in content creation. I evaluated their performance using PugetBench's Premiere Pro benchmark, an intensive test encompassing video editing tasks such as exporting, GPU effects, and video playback. The M2 Max in the 14-inch MacBook Pro delivered intriguing results in these trials.

For instance, compared to the M1 Pro in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the M2 Max exhibited a 41% acceleration in GPU effects and 30% swifter exports. Admittedly, these percentages might appear underwhelming, given the significantly augmented GPU core count. Moreover, I've assessed the M1 Max in the 16-inch MacBook Pro, equipped with a 32-core GPU. In this comparison, while exports demonstrated improvement, the 16-inch M1 Max showcased smoother video playback and equivalent GPU performance.

For a holistic graphics evaluation, I ventured into Shadows of the Tomb Raider. Surprisingly, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Max outshone the 14-inch M2 Max, achieving 84 frames per second (fps) versus 81 fps. Although this isn't a direct comparison, and a showdown between the 14-inch MacBook Pro's M1 Max and M2 Max would yield different results, the stark difference between these chips isn't as pronounced as one might assume.

“Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro reigns supreme in terms of power.“

Nonetheless, the ability to attain 81 fps while playing AAA titles like Shadows of the Tomb Raider on a 14-inch MacBook Pro is an achievement. This is an impressive feat, as is the laptop's prowess in video editing. Comparing with the M1 Max, one would need to opt for a laptop, likely a gaming laptop, equipped with an RTX 3070 Ti to surpass its capabilities.

While the RTX 40-series cards are on the horizon, bringing forth 14-inch laptops with up to RTX 4090 GPUs, the 14-inch MacBook Pro stands as the pinnacle of its class in terms of power.

Escalating Macbook Pro Temperatures

Apple's Silicon has garnered renown for its exceptional efficiency, resulting in MacBooks that operate in hushed tranquility, without overheating. However, the M2 lineup has introduced a twist – a surge in temperature. This augmentation in performance arrives with a caveat – higher operating temperatures.

While the M2's architectural foundation is akin to the M1's, relying on the 5nm process node from TSMC, the intensified workload has led to elevated heat generation. During the Cinebench test, multiple performance cores soared to a sweltering 105 degrees Celsius – a notable spike. Consequently, the fans audibly surged, reaching over 5,000 RPMs (revolutions per minute) at intervals. Mercifully, surface temperatures remained within reasonable limits.

Comparatively, the 2021 MacBook Pros maintained slightly lower average temperatures. The 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro, for instance, registered an average temperature approximately five degrees cooler, accompanied by less aggressive fan activity. The 16-inch M1 Pro further exhibited a reduction of 10 degrees in temperature, with fans spinning at approximately half the speed. Both scenarios resulted in diminished fan noise and a more sustainable long-term thermal profile.

In contrast to the average Windows laptop competing in the same space, the M2 Max retains its superior efficiency and coolness. Competitors like the Razer Blade 14, Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X, and even the Dell XPS 15 portray louder operations and significantly hotter surface temperatures.

Enhanced Battery Prowess

Beyond performance, the 2023 MacBook Pro gains prominence for its battery longevity. It's rare for a generational upgrade to yield both enhanced performance and extended battery life. Yet, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max manages to accomplish this feat, courtesy of its supplementary efficiency cores.

This model has outlasted its 2021 counterpart by several hours, heralding the longest endurance witnessed in any MacBook I've evaluated. While cycling through websites, it sustained a staggering 19 hours and 20 minutes, a feat that might be slightly diminished in regular usage. However, effortlessly spanning a day and a half of work on a single charge is a remarkable achievement.

This attribute holds particular significance for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, positioned as a portable powerhouse. For creators on the move, this endurance becomes pivotal, solidifying the 14-inch MacBook Pro as an unrivaled companion for the road.

Macbook M2 Max Eminent Evolution

The 2021 MacBook Pro was revolutionary, a much-needed correction of past missteps, delivering the MacBook Pro that Apple enthusiasts had long yearned for. The 2023 iteration introduces few alterations, and yet, it feels remarkably complete. While desires for Face ID and a touchscreen linger, perhaps to be realized in future iterations, the current design and feature set remain captivating and relevant.

The only rationale behind adjusting the score from a perfect 10 to a commendable nine is that the leap from the 2021 model will primarily benefit a select few. There's a trade-off, evident in temperature escalation and fan noise, which feels somewhat regressive.

For those contemplating an upgrade to a MacBook Pro this year, exploring the prices of M1 Pro or M1 Max models before embracing the new offerings is a prudent step. While novelty usually prompts a recommendation for the latest tech, in this scenario, opting for a more affordable model might be the wiser choice.

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