If you're stuck on the exact combination to go with, we recommend the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip for those who want a big display and more battery life. With web browsing, we experienced about 12 hours on the bigger MacBook while the smaller model only hit about half that. During intensive workloads, the 14-inch MacBook Pro lasted two hours on battery while the 16-inch reached three to four hours. Its larger chassis lends itself to better airflow and cooling, and it also trumps the 14-inch model in battery life. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Max does have exclusive access to a High Power Mode, which enhances performance for more graphics-intensive projects like editing 8K footage. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro processor also delivered smooth performance when put through a slightly similar stress test (such as editing RED raw footage via Final Cut) with zero stuttering or hiccups. The result? Smooth playback (without the need to reduce the quality of the footage to avoid stutters) and a speedy export time-proving that it's an excellent device for handling intensive, graphically-demanding production work. He put the device through its paces by adding 4K footage, 3D effects, and image files to a project in Adobe Premiere Pro.

WIRED reviewer Adam Speight tested the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Max chip. Editing 4K videos? Rendering 3D models in CAD? Producing music? That’s what these machines are intended for.

If you’re mostly working through a web browser and typing up documents, these machines are overkill, and you should stick with a MacBook Air with M2 or M1. The two processor choice options are significantly more powerful than most people need.

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