A MacBook Pro that no longer receives software updates can still be used for basic office work, media consumption, data storage, web browsing, programming, light editing, and more. It can serve as a media server, second display, or a learning tool for hardware and software tinkering.

The M2 (2022) has a stronger GPU and overall improved performance over the M1 (2020). The Intel model lags behind, especially for graphics and machine learning tasks, due to older technology.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) both offer up to 20 hours of battery life when watching movies via the Apple TV app and up to 17 hours of wireless web surfing. This longer battery life is due to the energy-efficient architecture of the M1 and M2 chips, which combine the CPU, GPU, and other components on a single system-on-chip (SoC).
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel, 2020) has a significantly shorter battery life, offering up to 10 hours of wireless web surfing and up to 10 hours of movie playback. Intel processors are less power-efficient compared to Apple Silicon.

All three models feature a 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina display with IPS technology and a resolution of 2560x1600 at 227 pixels per inch. They support the P3 color gamut and True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's color temperature based on ambient light. There are no differences in display specifications between the M2, M1, and Intel models, as they all offer 500 nits of brightness, P3 support, and True Tone features.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) feature stereo speakers with wide stereo sound, support for Dolby Atmos playback, and a three-mic array with studio-quality directional beamforming. They also support 3D Audio with dynamic head tracking when used with AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel, 2020) has similar stereo speakers and microphones but does not support 3D Audio with dynamic head tracking. All three models feature a 720p FaceTime HD camera with an advanced image signal processor, though the M1 and M2 models provide better image quality due to Apple’s video processing technology.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) and the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) both feature two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, supporting fast data transfer, external displays, and a wide range of connectivity options. They also support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel, 2020) has two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, which are slightly older and slower than the Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports on the M1 and M2 models. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0, which are sufficient but not as advanced as the wireless technology in the M1 and M2 models.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) is typically more expensive due to its advanced chip and GPU cores, making it suitable for users needing higher performance, especially for graphics-intensive tasks. The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) is still powerful but generally less expensive, offering excellent performance for most users, especially those who don't require the latest GPU features. The 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel, 2020) is often the least expensive, as it has been surpassed by Apple's custom silicon models. It may be a good option for those who need compatibility with Intel-based software, but overall, it offers less value in terms of performance and battery life.