Video Review: Three Months With the M2 Max MacBook Pro

[thejadedmonkey]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge the chips alone, I have Windows PC's from the same era (most with much lower specs) that have absolutely no issues running Windows 10/11. My Surface Pro 6 was released around the same time frame and has no issues with slowing down or fans. Heck I have a couple of Surface Pro 3's that I use as media servers which still function quite well for their meager specs. That's my concern with buying a Macbook, will Apple bog it down with a new OS in a few years.

I completely agree. I'm typing this on a PC that flies. I thought I built it in 2021, but it's actually from 2019. I can't really tell, because it's just... good. There's no other way to put it. Meanwhile my Macbook Pro that's from 2019, can barely handle xcode anymore. And it's not that it couldn't handle xcode, it used to be able to, it just can't anymore.

Given that M1 Max prices are now hundreds of dollars less than their m2 max counterparts, sometimes by $500 or more depending on the specific sale, is it even worth considering an m2 based machine

seems like m2 is a lost generation… it’s decent in a vacuum but in comparison to the predecessor, it’s just not worth the extra cost. and perhaps the 40% mac sales decline is the market’s way of sending that signal. I like that apple added Wi-Fi 6E and hdmi2.1 but those features were readily available in late 2021 so not sure why apple skimped out on the M1 Max series.

Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to the 3nm designs. A 3nm m3 or m4 max max mini would be awesome.

I completely agree. My wife is taking back her M1 air that I had been using, and I find I need a new macbook for myself. I could get an M1 pro, but like spinedoc77 said above, Apple has a habit of finding ways to bog down old hardware via software "updates", and I'm not sure that saving $500 now, is going to be worth it in 2-3 years.

I'm holding off until WWDC though, so that I can choose between the M1 Pro, M2 Pro, and 15" M1 Air. Because that's what will end up happening.

 

[scottrichardson]

I sold my 2020 10 core i9 27" iMac and upgraded to an M2 Max 16" MacBook Pro connected to a Studio Display.

I got the 38 core CPU model with 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD.

I am thoroughly impressed by the new Mac, which is across the board, better. Better SSD speed, better single core CPU speed (by a LOT), better multi-core CPU, and the GPU is considerably better.

I work across a broad range of workflows, including:

- Retina Resolution Web Designs with hundreds of layers in Photoshop
- Photo Editing and Processing in Lightroom and Photoshop of RAW 47 megapixel files
- Branding and Design work in Illustrator and Photoshop
- Coding and web development with Sublime / CodeKit / Transmit / Terminal
- Music Production / Engineering with Ableton LIVE and numerous plugins

Often I'll be doing all this stuff simultaneously, with all the apps open, with tons of files open. This MPB doesn't blink an eyelid. I will often have my Ableton music project open and playing in a loop in the background as I work in case inspiration comes to me for my electronic music, all while working very heavy photoshop projects, tons of browser windows etc.

Anyway, long story short, it's more than powerful enough to handle everything I throw at it, and then some. Very happy with my upgrade and will likely hold on to this until the M4 or M5 generation. UNLESS the M3 really is a game changer and I feel like I am majorly missing out on something!

 

[SoldOnApple]

I reckon I'd have paid $300 to add the TouchBar to this Mac, if it were an extra option.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I've been using the 16 inch with the Pro chip and 1TB of storage and it's been the best computing experience of my life.

(now if only it could play Elden Ring )

Man , that feeling

I'm legit tempted to get an Xbox just in order to play ER , I'm by no means a gamer but this game just looks fantastic in every aspect

 

[citysnaps]

Seems those complaining about 3 months being long term and want a 1 year review instead, would in essence be looking to purchase a 1 year old computer, rather than something more recent with better performance/display/etc.

A three month review is perfect for me. That's enough time for Dan to form strong opinions and discover any nits.

I'd much rather purchase a recent computer based on recent reviews rather than a model from a year ago.

 

[cpnotebook80]

I am still using the m1 macbook pro 13" touchbar and the temps are always between 22-26'c for me which is great. However, video edits like topaz its extremely slow so my next upgrade would be a m3 max or something that comes out in due time.

 

[dogstar]

Man , that feeling

I'm legit tempted to get an Xbox just in order to play ER , I'm by no means a gamer but this game just looks fantastic in every aspect

It is! It’s weird it’s like the game I used to daydream about existing back when 3d graphics games were just starting out.. it’s absolutely incredible and a perfect joy to play. My favorite part are the sieges where you have to break into a castle or fortified area and kill and loot everyone. Once taken it is conquered. Only get to do this once, so you really enjoy it. often takes a few tries but it’s the perfect challenge.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

It is! It’s weird it’s like the game I used to daydream about existing back when 3d graphics games were just starting out.. it’s absolutely incredible and a perfect joy to play. My favorite part are the sieges where you have to break into a castle or fortified area and kill and loot everyone. Once taken it is conquered. Only get to do this once, so you really enjoy it. often takes a few tries but it’s the perfect challenge.

Oh so you already played it ! I haven't had that chance . I had hoped they'd allow GeForce now to run it but it looks like it won't

 

[Seeds]

Dan's a good guy.

I love this comment! I am also a Dan fan!

 

[Seeds]

Definitely a good machine!
I think there is a market for a mac between a pro and an air.
But that would complicate the lineup, so...

I'm using my old 12 inch MacBook still for when I need to take a Mac somewhere my M1 Max is more my desktop machine now. Didn't plan for it to replace my desktop its just so good.

 

[jdoll021]

Dan's a good guy.

I always appreciate reviewers like Dan & MKBHD who talk on their videos like they’re talking to you in person and just voice what they think. Keeping it real if you like. Not like so many other reviewers where it feels like they’re yelling at the camera.

 

[jdoll021]

Thanks for the review Dan. Just ordered a 16” M2 Max, 64 gb ram & 2 TB SSD yesterday. Your review made me feel like it was a worthwhile purchase, especially wrt the screen size.

 

[svish]

Good video. MacBook Pros with M2 Pro/Max are great laptops.

 

[Darren.h]

The M3 Max is what I want. I feel chip development will slow or tank after 3nm. Also 32GB of Ram should be the new Base Memory. 8 is dreadful. 16GB is even not enough. 24GB is a weird non standard size. Most desktop PC's are coming with 64GB or 128GB. 8 GB pitiful.

 

[phenste]

My MacBook Pro M2 can control keyboard brightness on the keyboard. Thank you Touch Bar. Also never heard the fan on this small MBP.

mine can too!

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h/t @tranceking26, had to find the thread where they recommended this to me—I have no use for the Siri or DND buttons (i.e. the ones they replaced keyboard brightness control with), and this lets users rebind super quick. can't stand the Touch Bar—one of the many reasons I avoided the MB Dark Ages, and cannot understand why the 13" still exists. so much less connectivity, no MagSafe, way too big of a footprint for a smaller screen…at least it doesn't have a butterfly keyboard

and it is awesome not hearing the fans rev up. whether it's a 13", 14", or a 16", the MBPs of now are a dream compared to anything from the 5-7 years prior.

 

[krakman]

Good review… >1 year if not 2-3 years would be even better and closer to my idea of “long term”.

Still boggles my mind there isn’t a cellular modem or whatever needed for outdoor / not-at-home access, for this and most laptops… with so much work online-dependent these days, that would be a genuinely “pro” feature for me.

The cellular modem you refer to is called an iPhone, the function is called ‘personal hotspot’

 

[teh_hunterer]

Sounds like you qualify as a “pro”. Most M1/M2 Mac buyers will have from zero to one external display that they use.

I find that to be a poor excuse given the older Intel ones could do multiple displays. Picking one at random, even the 2018 MacBook Air could do two external displays.

It's the one baffling aspect of Apple silicon which has otherwise been a complete triumph.

 

[teh_hunterer]

The cellular modem you refer to is called an iPhone, the function is called ‘personal hotspot’

Hotspot is not the same as having its own cellular connection. Anyone who relies on a hotspot for real work for any reasonable length of time will tell you that.

 

[batmccoy]

3 months is considered long term? Geez. Tech reviewer reality distortion field.

 

[ric22]

My MacBook Pro M2 can control keyboard brightness on the keyboard. Thank you Touch Bar. Also never heard the fan on this small MBP.

It is annoying they took away the keyboard brightness controls only to replace them with two redundant buttons hardly anyone will ever touch while owning the device

 

[wanha]

3 months is now long-term?

It's about as long as it can be for this still to be relevant for people considering buying one.

If he waits a year or longer, most people won't be in the marketed for an M2 machine anymore, but are considering an M3.

Your milage may vary, but I find it a very reasonable tradeoff.

 

[wanha]

3 months is considered long term? Geez. Tech reviewer reality distortion field.

Dan already commented on this, but here's it is again in my butchered words:

3 months is about as long as it can be for this still to be relevant for people considering buying one.

If he waited a year or longer, most people would no longer be in the marketed for an M2 machine, but would be considering an M3 machine instead.

Personally, I don't know how much value there would be to seeing a 2 year review of a machine that is no longer the latest machine on sale, so most people wouldn't even consider buying it.

 

[tomsaccount]

Hey @Dan Barbera what’s the sleek app granting iPad-style widgets on the macOS desktop? My search online just brought up the typical right-side widgets.

Also curious about that wavey white-orange wallpaper, if you remember where it’s hosted.

I also want to know about the desktop widgets. very envious of those.

 

[falkon-engine]

I completely agree. I'm typing this on a PC that flies. I thought I built it in 2021, but it's actually from 2019. I can't really tell, because it's just... good. There's no other way to put it. Meanwhile my Macbook Pro that's from 2019, can barely handle xcode anymore. And it's not that it couldn't handle xcode, it used to be able to, it just can't anymore.


I completely agree. My wife is taking back her M1 air that I had been using, and I find I need a new macbook for myself. I could get an M1 pro, but like spinedoc77 said above, Apple has a habit of finding ways to bog down old hardware via software "updates", and I'm not sure that saving $500 now, is going to be worth it in 2-3 years.

I'm holding off until WWDC though, so that I can choose between the M1 Pro, M2 Pro, and 15" M1 Air. Because that's what will end up happening.

Fair point. But we don’t have enough data on apple silicon macs to know how long (or not) apple will support a given chip. If iOS/iPadOS is a guide, then 5+ years should be expected.

I’m rocking an M1 Max since late 2021. It is my daily driver. And it is a champion. I have no reason to upgrade. I kind of wish it had hdmi2.1 and Wi-Fi6e so I could use VRR over hdmi and get the higher Wi-Fi 6E speeds. But I use the Mac with a 10 gbps lan adapter and get 144 Hz at 1440p over hdmi (thunderbolt output).

I know the m2 max is faster but if I were deciding today on buying a new mac, M1 Max or m2 max for $500 more, I would save the money. M1 Max is already extremely good. And I’m the type of person who usually gets bleeding edge tech.

Anyways, I wish you the best and whatever you decide, I hope you’re happy with your purchase.

 

[Skoobunny]

M1/M2 both look appealing, my only concern is how they will be in a few years. My current 2017 Macbook pro with an Intel i7 and 16GB RAM runs Ventura like absolute crap, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't curse it for running slow or for the fans always being maxed out when working.

Do a clean install of Ventura and you will see the difference. I also suggest opening the bottom cover and cleaning the fans.