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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking more computing power for tasks like video editing or application development, the MacBook Pro 13 (2022) with the Apple M2 chip is the better option over the older MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with the M1 chip, as the M2 chip is more advanced. Both models have similar battery life, weight, and high-quality screens suitable for professional image and video work. Neither is designed for intensive gaming, and their portability is identical, making them suitable for on-the-go use. Choose the newer model for improved performance in demanding applications, or select the older version if you prefer to save money and still have a reliable, high-performance laptop. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
- The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
- The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020).
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6
7.6
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 have similar screen quality.
MacBook Pros are known for their high-resolution displays and exceptional brightness, making them ideal for general use as they provide clear and vibrant visuals. They also cover a broad spectrum of colors, including DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, crucial for accuracy in engineering and design work. However, they typically have a standard refresh rate, which is less suited for 3D applications where a higher refresh rate can greatly improve the smoothness and realism of motion.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.7
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its Apple M1 CPU and 8GB of RAM is a solid choice for general use, thanks to its capable performance and highly praised keyboard and speaker quality, along with a fanless design that operates silently. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) not only maintains these traits with an updated Apple M2 CPU for possibly enhanced performance but also promises a similar high standard in screen quality, battery life, and portability, making both models excellent for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.5
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with its Apple M1 (8-core GPU) is fair for 3D tasks due to its limited graphics capabilities compared to dedicated GPUs, and it has a typical screen refresh rate of 60 Hz which is not ideal for high-end 3D work.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.5
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for engineering and design.
Both the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) have high-quality IPS screens with similar pixel density and color space coverage, which are crucial for engineering and design work where visual accuracy is important. The MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a slight edge in GPU performance with the M2 chip compared to its predecessor's M1, but both offer silent operation and are highly portable, with exemplary keyboard and build quality that are beneficial for long work sessions.
Content Creation
7.8
7.9
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.8
7.8
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
20.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
13.3in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) both have best in class build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$1,219
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) costs $1,219.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,249 | $1,219 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3 lbs | 3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Apple M2 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 20 Hours | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.2 Wh | 58.2 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 3 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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