I have the 15" M2 with 24GB. It's fantastic. I'm mostly doing web dev, and was thinking I'd use GitHub Codespaces if local Docker didn't work out (either because of performance or because of arm vs intel issues), but turns out that Docker runs very well on the M2. So well in fact that it's pretty nice to do dev work locally again (I used to do my work on the dreaded 2016 MBP, butterfly keys and all).
So I can recommend the M2. The things I miss are more than 2 USB ports and to a little extent an HDR screen (the screen is good, but it's not as good as, say, an iPhone Pro or the MacBook Pro). I also haven't tried using it with more than one monitor, and I've heard that's not possible. I'm also not a fan of magsafe and would have much rather been given a USB-C cable to charge. I hope the new EU legislation kills magsafe but I doubt it (hot take, I know).
If you're looking at the 16" MBP, then you should probably go to an Apple Store and just try lifting it up first. It's super heavy. I wouldn't want to carry that thing around.
So I can recommend the M2. The things I miss are more than 2 USB ports and to a little extent an HDR screen (the screen is good, but it's not as good as, say, an iPhone Pro or the MacBook Pro). I also haven't tried using it with more than one monitor, and I've heard that's not possible. I'm also not a fan of magsafe and would have much rather been given a USB-C cable to charge. I hope the new EU legislation kills magsafe but I doubt it (hot take, I know).
If you're looking at the 16" MBP, then you should probably go to an Apple Store and just try lifting it up first. It's super heavy. I wouldn't want to carry that thing around.