Apple MacBook Pro M2 and M2 Max: price, release date and all you need to know

New laptops feature up to six times faster performance than fastest Intel-based MacBook Pro

A welcome sign at the entry to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, before the keynote presentation at the company's conference. AP

Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, is displayed on a screen speaking during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Bloomberg

Mr Cook speaks on stage. AFP

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president for software engineering, speaks during the keynote presentation at the conference. AP

Apple's Katie Skinner shows Safety Check in iOS 16 as the company's WWDC22 begins. Photo: Apple

Mr Federighi talks about new software features in iOS 16. Photo: Apple

Mr Federighi introduces iOS 16's reimagined lock screen. Photo: Apple

Corey Fugman, senior director of merchant solutions at Apple Pay, introduces new features. Photo: Apple

Vice president of health, Sumbul Ahmad Desai, talks about new Health features coming to iPhone and Apple Watch. Photo: Apple

Apple's Corey Wang talks about the redesigned Home app in the keynote video. Photo: Apple

Apple's Kristin White unveils the new MacBook Air. Photo: Apple

A new MacBook Air running an M2 chip is displayed during Apple's annual World Wide Developers Conference. Reuters

If you're in the market for a new laptop or simply admire Apple's hardware, the powerful new MacBook Pro has been announced in 14 and 16-inch versions.

The device will start arriving to customers worldwide on January 24.

Here's all you need to know:

How much does it cost?

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro starts at Dh8,499 ($2,314), and the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro starts at Dh10,599.

Every customer who buys a Mac from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple specialist, get their product set up in select stores including help with data transfer and receive guidance on how to make their new Mac work the way they want.

With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit towards a new Mac.

It comes with the new M2 Pro chip

Yes, this is the device's main selling point.

The new MacBook Pro is up to six times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Pro, the company said.

MacBook Pro with M2 Pro features a 10 or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 per cent greater performance over M1 Pro.

“With 200GB/s of unified memory bandwidth — double the amount in M2 — and up to 32GB of unified memory, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed,” Apple said.

“A next-generation GPU with up to 19 cores delivers up to 30 per cent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 per cent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing. The powerful media engine in M2 Pro also tears through the most popular video codecs, dramatically accelerating video playback and encoding while using very little power.”

The M1 chip was followed by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in October 2021. In March, Apple unveiled M1 Ultra, which the company claimed to be the world’s most powerful chip for a personal computer.

What else is new?

MacBook Pro now features Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless connectivity, as well as more advanced HDMI to support 8K displays up to 60Hz and 4K displays up to 240Hz.

Improved productivity also comes from macOS Ventura, Apple said.

“Powerful updates like Continuity Camera bring videoconferencing features to any Mac, including Desk View, Centre Stage, Studio Light, and more,” Apple said.

“Handoff in FaceTime allows users to start a FaceTime call on their iPhone or iPad and fluidly pass it over to their Mac, or vice versa.

“And tools like Stage Manager automatically organise apps and windows, so users can concentrate on the task at hand and still see everything in a single glance.”

Users can create and share a separate photo library among up to six family members with iCloud Shared Photo Library.

What about the new MacBook Air?

An M2 chip version of the MacBook Air came out in July.

The new MacBook Air had a larger display with thinner borders, giving users more screen real estate. The battery life allows for up to 18 hours of video playback.

“Completely redesigned around M2, MacBook Air is thinner, lighter and faster with a bigger display, better camera and all-day battery life,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

“Only with Apple silicon can you build such a thin and light notebook.”

MacBook Air with M2 starts at Dh4,999 and Dh4,579 for education.

And the Mac Mini?

The new Mac mini with M2 was also unveiled on Tuesday. Mac mini is a small desktop computer that is sold without a screen, keyboard or mouse.

Mac mini with M2 starts at Dh2,499, while Mac mini with M2 Pro starts at Dh5,499.

- This article was first published on June 17, 2022