Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch Laptop Specifications
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
The 14-inch MacBook Pro (2023) is another great laptop from Apple, designed for those who need serious power on the go. The upgrades made on the previous version are minimal, but that doesn't prevent it from being one of the best laptops you can buy.
Key features
M2 Pro or M2 Max chipset options performance, up to 96GB of memory
Screen Choose from a 14 or 16-inch screen, plus a refresh rate of 120Hz and high levels of brightness
Introduction
You can learn a lot about an Apple product by how it is advertised. For example, the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2023) did not get a custom event, but rather a simple press release and a highlight reel that accompanies it.
The relative lack of hype around the latest version of the MacBook Pro line says a lot and it's not surprising to see this a very minor upgrade that shouldn't interest anyone who beats the 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro of 2021.
There are the usual speed boosts for the interior as well as a few welcome extras.
Design and keyboard
Good choice of ports
Excellent keys and responsive trackpad
Sleek design
The 14-inch MacBook Pro (2023) is a great device to look at, even if it sticks to the same overall scheme as its predecessor in 2021. Given that this was a major update in terms of the design of the series, it was always unlikely that Apple would deviate much from the follow-up.
The line of the MacBook Pro is a bit confusing, mostly due to the presence of the 13-inch M2 Pro model that looks more like the MacBook Air than these actual supported models. I'm not sure why Apple is keeping this model, but it's the only Pro model that hasn't moved into this new design language.
The two Pro chips (available with the M2 Pro and M2 Max) come in dual sizes: 14 inches and 16 inches. You can select which of the two models to meet your specific needs, and whatever 16-inch model can do, the 14-inch variant can do that too.
I used a 14-inch model for this review and I think it's the perfect size for an innovative and portable laptop. The 16-inch screen has more screen — which is great if you're working with media, photos, or art stuff — yet the 14-inch screen is very spacious, and it feels noticeably better than the 13.3-inch screen on older MacBook Pros. .
It's a far cry from the thinnest machine out there, but I don't count that against it. Apple listened to the feedback and focused more on adding skills that users bemoaned before, rather than doing everything it could to make a thin machine. Considering what's on offer, the weight of 1.6 kg (1.63 kg for M2 Max) and height of 1.55 cm are not bad at all.
The box design reminds me of the MacBook Pro models before the 2016 big design shift, and the choice of ports is reminiscent of those devices as well. Apple no longer forces you to rely only on USB-C ports, there is a wider option. One side has two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a microphone/headphone port, and a MagSafe charging connector. The other counterpart side gives you a full-size SDXC card reader, another Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and an HDMI port.
This HDMI port picked up some new tricks, including the ability to output 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 240Hz. Apple does not specifically call this HDMI 2.1, as skills like VRR are not supported.
The returning ports are wonderfully welcome and I hope they don't disappear again until there is a viable alternative. Having to have an easy-to-use card reader or dongle to import camera footage or connect them to an external monitor has always been annoying, and although many may still need to keep one (there are no standard USB-A ports and CFExpress cards are becoming more common) is no longer vital.
MagSafe was a welcome return again when it was added back with 2021 releases, and became the preferred method of shipping here. While all three USB-C ports can be charged, the built-in MagSafe magnetic charger reassuringly tangles and pops up if you make a trip through the cable – something I do a lot more than I would admit. The braided cable is now color-matched with the device – as is the MacBook Air series – and provides faster charging, although this depends on the screen size you want.
I don't think it's pleasant to say that this is a near-perfect design for a laptop. The 14-inch stretches between the thin line between a large enough screen and excellent portability, while the thicker chassis (when compared to MacBook Pro models before 2021) allows for a better choice of ports and larger batteries without being too heavy or large.
The keyboard and trackpad are both great too. The switches have a black contour that is easy to use in low-light conditions and is large enough to be easily hit. The controversial Touch Bar is still independent to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, with a large functional row and a Touch ID sensor above the traditional keys here.
Apple continues to make the best trackpads on any laptop: large, responsive and with haptic feedback that would fool even more into thinking that the board is actually moving.
screen
Becomes ridiculously bright for HDR content
14 and 16-inch size options
Notch is not intrusive but may be more useful
As with most aspects of this laptop, the screen is the same as the one Apple used in the previous iteration. This comes with many positive elements, along with some negative elements as well.
The biggest problem I have with the screen is that the notch is still there - and it still seems to really don't do much, apart from the possibility of saving space for a good 1080p webcam. I don't agree with the view that the notch gets in the way — most apps work around it and the black bars in the video cover it — but at least use this space to add extra biometric unlock to the device.
The 2023 14-inch MacBook (along with its 16-inch older cousin) has the best screen on a MacBook and regardless of the performance cap, having a better screen is one of the biggest reasons why you should do so via your MacBook Air. It's sharper (resolution here is 3456×2234), brighter and smoother.
Regarding the main specifications
The 14-inch MacBook has a MIni LED panel which is a big upgrade over competing devices that use LCD panels. It combines deep contrast with the grainy and sexy blacks typically associated with OLED panels of this size and the high brightness levels of the LCD, essentially giving you the best of both. Now, I don't think the screen is as powerful as OLED, but it's not far away.
The monitor is designed for HDR and HDR workflows. If you edit a video to produce HDR, this monitor is great, and it can play content as well as some of the best TVs. Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse in Dolby Vision 4K looked great when you streamed it from iTunes. In The Batman, high levels of brightness appear when there are fiery explosions in a dark scene – Apple says these situations can be up to 1,600 nits, while the standard HDR is around 1,000 nits.
ProMotion remains a way to speed up and slow down screen refresh up to 120Hz and I still don't find that much game-changing feature as I do on touchscreen devices. Perhaps it would be more welcoming if this Mac was more than just a gaming machine.
I'd like to see a touchscreen MacBook Pro at some point (rumor has it that it could be 2025 when one finally arrives) but the form factor needs to be changed, as with the software. Just adding a touch screen to this won't make sense, and I'm glad it remains a touchless panel.
performance
M2 Pro and M2 Max chipset options
Up to 96GB of RAM – though only available on demand
Not a massive upgrade on the M1 Pro/Max series
Inside there are most of the changes for this 2023 model. There are new chipsets, more memory options, and Wi-Fi 6E – great if you've recently upgraded your router.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models can come with an M2 Pro chipset (cheaper) or M2 Max (the highest) and can be identified with plenty of storage, memory, etc. when you open your wallet more widely. Some upgrades (high-end GPUs, or 96GB memory) require a high-end Max chip.
Here's a quick look at the differences between the M2 Pro and the M2 Max.
M2 Max
Battery life
