The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) offers a newer processor and graphics unit, which means improved performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering applications compared with the 2021 model; however, both models offer similar battery life, portability, and display features. If general use, screen quality, and battery life are your priorities, either laptop will serve well, but for enhanced performance in more demanding applications, go for the 2023 version. Keep in mind that both laptops come at a similarly upper midrange price point. 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 14 (2021)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Screen Quality
9.2/10
9.2/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.2in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
489.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 have similar screen quality.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, whether the 2021 or 2023 model, boasts high-resolution displays with excellent panel technology and brightness levels, which make them ideal for general use where clarity, detail, and visibility are key. For engineering and design tasks, these laptops excel due to their wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation for precise graphical work. However, the lower refresh rates of these screens are not optimal for 3D applications, where higher refresh rates are crucial for smooth rendering of fast-moving images.
Cost
$1,905
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) costs $1,700.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) both provide a high-quality general use experience due to their powerful CPUs, ample RAM, excellent screen quality, and solid battery life, which are very important for such use. While both models share similar portability with lightweight and thin designs, the newer 2023 model offers slight improvements in screen brightness and an upgraded CPU for potentially more efficient processing, alongside maintaining quality in somewhat important aspects like storage, keyboard, and speaker quality, as well as managing heat and operating noise well.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
7.0/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) to be good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is well suited for 3D applications due to its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, making graphics work and rendering smooth and efficient. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) enhances this with an even more robust GPU, providing smoother handling of complex 3D tasks, while maintaining the same high screen refresh rate for a crisp visual experience. Both laptops have superior screen quality and CPUs that contribute positively to their performance in 3D-related tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very 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
8.3/10
8.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) are both very 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
13.5 Hours
13.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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
14.2in
SIZE
14.2in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) both have best in class build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) compare to other laptops
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
95,895
Recommendations made
20,778
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.