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Apple M2 Pro is a system on a chip (SoC) for Mac computers—not the name of a Mac model. It combines the processor, graphics, unified memory system, Neural Engine, and media-engine functions. Apple announced it in January 2023 for select MacBook Pro and Mac mini configurations.
What does “system on a chip” mean?
An SoC brings several computing components together in one chip platform. With M2 Pro, those include the CPU, GPU, unified memory, a 16-core Neural Engine, and hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW. These features describe what the chip includes; they do not guarantee a particular speed in every application.
The distinction matters when identifying a computer: M2 Pro is the chip inside a configured Mac, while MacBook Pro and Mac mini are the computers themselves. Apple announced M2 Pro for those product lines in January 2023.
What are M2 Pro’s specifications?
Apple’s January 2023 announcement describes M2 Pro as made using a second-generation 5-nanometer process, with 40 billion transistors, up to a 12-core CPU, up to a 19-core GPU, up to 32GB of unified memory, and 200GB/s of memory bandwidth. Those are platform limits and headline figures; individual Mac configurations can have different core counts.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 PRO OR M2 MAX — Take on demanding projects with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. M2 Pro has 12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU cores, up to 38 GPU cores, and up to 96GB unified memory.
- UP TO 22 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day thanks to the power-efficient design of the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. And the MacBook Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- FULLY COMPATIBLE — All your pro apps run lightning fast — including Adobe Creative Cloud, Xcode, Affinity Designer, Microsoft 365, and many of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps.
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a studio-quality three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio.
- CONNECT WHAT YOU WANT — MacBook Pro features a MagSafe charging port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. And enjoy seamless wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
| Specification | Apple’s published M2 Pro figure |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing process | Second-generation 5-nanometer process |
| Transistors | 40 billion |
| CPU | Up to 12 cores |
| GPU | Up to 19 cores |
| Unified memory | Up to 32GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 200GB/s |
| Neural Engine | 16 cores, as listed in 2023 MacBook Pro specifications |
| Media acceleration | Hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, as listed in 2023 MacBook Pro specifications |
Apple’s announcement lists the chip-level maximums; its computer specifications show how those figures map to specific machines. For example, the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro was documented with M2 Pro options offering a 10-core CPU (six performance cores and four efficiency cores) or a 12-core CPU (eight performance cores and four efficiency cores), and a 16-core or 19-core GPU. The listed 16-inch MacBook Pro configuration has a 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU. Check the exact Mac configuration rather than assuming every M2 Pro computer has the same core counts.
Which Macs use M2 Pro?
Apple’s official specifications identify M2 Pro configurations in the 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 2023 Mac mini. M2 Pro is integrated into these computers; Apple’s materials do not describe it as a user-replaceable upgrade or a standalone retail processor.
Rank #2
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
How does M2 Pro compare with M2 and M2 Max?
M2 Pro scales the M2 design for higher core counts and memory bandwidth. Against M2 Max, the clearest published distinction is capacity: Apple lists M2 Pro at up to 32GB of unified memory and 200GB/s of bandwidth, while M2 Max reaches up to 96GB and 400GB/s. These are published specifications, not a guarantee that one chip will be faster in every task. The appropriate comparison depends on the particular Mac configuration and workload.
What did Apple claim about M2 Pro performance?
In its January 2023 announcement, Apple said M2 Pro delivers up to 20% faster multithreaded CPU performance than the 10-core CPU in M1 Pro. Apple also claimed Xcode compiling was up to 2.5 times faster than on the fastest Intel-based MacBook Pro. These are Apple-reported comparisons with specific reference points, not independent benchmarks or promises about every app.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2: The 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop is a portable powerhouse. Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- UP TO 20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE: Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the brand new Apple M2 chip. (Up to 20 hours of video playback)
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY: The 13.3-inch Retina display features 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE: Thanks to its active cooling system, the MacBook Pro can sustain pro levels of performance, so you can run CPU- and GPU-intensive tasks for hours.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: The MacBook Pro features two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack that lets you connect and power high-speed accessories.
Rank #4
- Space Gray Unibody Design—elegant, durable, and crafted from recycled aluminum for a premium, eco-conscious feel.
Rank #3
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 The 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop is a portable powerhouse. Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- UP TO 20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE Thanks to its active cooling system, the 13-inch MacBook Pro can sustain pro levels of performance, so you can run CPU- and GPU-intensive tasks for hours on end.
- BRILLIANT DISPLAY The 13.3-inch Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide colour for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- HD CAMERA AND STUDIO-QUALITY MICS Look sharp and sound great with a FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array.
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