by Hartley Charlton
The MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with three different models starting at $1,599, $1,999, and $2,499. What to choose?
With three identical models in the line to choose from, our guide helps answer the question The question is how to decide which one to choose. these MacBook Pros are best for you. The three models are:
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3: The entry-level model for users who want a more powerful machine. more powerful and versatile than MacBook Air
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max: More powerful, high-end model with a choice of performance-focused processors. . It comes with one additional Thunderbolt port, higher memory bandwidth, more storage, support for additional external displays, an 8TB storage option, and a Space Black color option, but loses four hours of battery life and a Space Gray color option. /li>
- 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max: A model with identical specs to the 14-inch model with M3 Pro or M3 Max chips, but with a significantly larger display and four additional hours of battery life. It also gains a High Power mode for improved performance, but loses USB-C fast charging.
Each MacBook Pro can be configured to add a more powerful processor and more memory and storage. Read on for an in-depth look at all the differences between the three MacBook Pro models.
| 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3) |
14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro and M3 Max) |
16-inch MacBook Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.2-inch display | 14.2-inch display | 16.2-inch display | |
| Thickness 0.61 inches (1.55 cm) | Thickness 0.61 inches (1.55 cm) | Thickness 0.66 inches (1.68 cm) | |
| Weight 3.4 lbs (1.55 kg) | M3 Pro: Weighs 3.5 lbs (1.61 kg) M3 Max: Weighs 3.6 lbs (1.62 kg) |
M3 Pro: Weighs 4.7 lbs (2.62 kg) 14 kg) M3 Max: Weighs 4.8 lb (2.16 kg) |
|
| Configurations start with M3 with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU | Configurations start with M3 Pro with 11-core CPU and 14-core GPU | Configurations start with M3 Pro with 12-core CPU and 18-core core GPU | |
| High power mode to accelerate M3 Max performance | |||
| 100 GB/s memory bandwidth | M3 Pro: 150 GB/s memory bandwidth M3 Max: memory bandwidth memory capacity 300 GB/s or 400 GB/s. |
M3 Pro: 150 GB/s memory bandwidth. M3 Max: 300 GB/s or 400 GB/s memory bandwidth |
|
| 8GB, 16GB or 24GB unified memory | M3 Pro: 18GB or 36GB unified memory M3 Max strong>: 36 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, 96 GB, 128 GB unified memory |
M3 Pro: 18 GB or 36 GB unified memory memory M3 Max: 36 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, 96 GB, 128 GB unified memory |
|
| Supports one external display | M3 Pro: supports up to two external displays M3 Max: supports up to four external displays |
M3 Pro: Supports up to two external displays M3 Max: Supports up to four external displays |
|
| Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 (USB-C) ports | Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports | Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports | |
| Fast charging via MagSafe 3 or USB-C | Fast charging via MagSafe 3 or USB-C port | Fast charging via MagSafe Only 3 | |
| 22 hours of battery life when playing video | 18 hours of battery life when playing video | 22-hour battery life operation during video playback | |
| Built-in 70 Wh lithium polymer battery | Built-in 72.4 Wh lithium polymer battery | Built-in 72.4Wh Li-Po battery | Built-in 100Wh Li-Po battery |
| 70W USB-C power adapter | 70W USB-C Power Adapter (with M3 Pro 11-Core CPU) 96W USB-C Power Adapter (with M3 Pro 12-Core CPU or M3 Max, configurable with M3 Pro with 11-core CPU) |
140W USB-C power adapter | |
| 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB memory | Memory 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB or 8 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB or 8 TB | |
| Available in space gray and silver | Available in colors Space Black and Silver | Available in Black and Silver | |
| Starts at $1,599 | Starts at $1,999 | Starts at $2,499 |
Display size
MacBook Pro available in sizes screen 14.2 and 16.2 inches. . The 16.2-inch display is a better desktop replacement and provides much more screen real estate for multiple windows and professional applications that benefit from the extra display area. The 14.2-inch display is still larger than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pros from recent years and will likely be the best overall balance of most users' needs.
While the “notch” containing the webcam eats up some display real estate, both displays are larger than pre-2021 MacBook Pro models, so there's still more display real estate overall. Additionally, the display area below the notch has an aspect ratio of exactly 16:10, just like previous MacBook Pro models, to ensure the notch doesn't interfere with normal viewing of the display or media. Based on that, if you're worried about the notch, you don't necessarily feel obligated to get the larger 16-inch MacBook Pro. However, since the cutout is the same size on both models, it may be slightly less noticeable on the 16-inch model.
Design
The 16-inch model, Of course, it's physically larger than the 14-inch model and takes up a significantly larger footprint. It's also worth noting that the 16-inch model is also 0.13 cm thicker and 1.4 pounds (0.64 kg) heavier.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is definitely more portable and convenient than the 16-inch model, which you can carry with you every day. While the 16-inch MacBook Pro still fits into large bags and is a reasonable size for travel, it's much larger and heavier. If you're considering a 16-inch MacBook Pro, you'll want to make sure you're comfortable with its size and weight, especially if you plan to use it on the go.
Models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are available in a new Space color Black, so if you want this color option, you'll need to make sure you're buying one of the more powerful machines.
Chip Configurations
Both the 14″ and 16″ models can equally be upgraded to the M3 Max chip with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, but if you want to spend as little as possible or don't need a high level of performance for intensive workflows A 14-inch MacBook Pro is available with a standard M3 processor. The M3 offers a more balanced processor that places more emphasis on efficiency to extend battery life, better suited to users with less demanding requirements. Buyers should be aware that the M3 chip is limited to 100GB/s memory bandwidth, 24GB memory, 2TB storage, and only supports one external display.
We don't have the full set yet. Geekbench tests for the new MacBook Pro models, but the table below gives a preview of the performance differences we know so far:
| Single-core | Multi-core | |
|---|---|---|
| M3 | ~3,140 | ~11,990 |
| M3 Pro | TBC (probably ~3,185) | TBC (>14,300 probable) |
| M3 Max | ~3,230 | ~21,560 |
The base 14-inch MacBook Pro includes the M3 Pro with an 11-core processor and 14-core GPU, while the base 16-inch model includes the M3 Pro with a 12-core processor and 18-core GPU. If you upgrade the 14-inch model to the same M3 Pro with 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU that the 16-inch model starts with, it increases to $2,299—just $200 less than the 16-inch's starting price models. .
For those leaning toward buying the 16-inch MacBook Pro and wanting an M3 Pro with at least a 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU, the slight $200 price difference between the two models could make the purchase easier larger car. On the other hand, if you don't need the performance of the M3 Pro with its 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU, the 16-inch model may be overkill and purchasing the 14-inch model would be the best way to keep costs down.
High power mode
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip offers a software feature called High Power Mode. Enabling High Power Mode improves your PC's performance, allowing you to better handle intensive and long-lasting workloads.
According to Apple, High Power Mode is designed to optimize and improve performance when performing resource-intensive tasks such as How to color correct 8K ProRes video. Enabling High Power mode reduces the priority of resource-intensive system processes to get the most out of the M3 Max chip's performance capabilities. This setting is actually the opposite of Low Power Mode, which aims to reduce system performance in favor of extending battery life.
- How to use High Power Mode on a 16-inch MacBook Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro doesn't support High Power Mode, so if you want the ability to selectively push the M3 Max processor to its limits, you'll have to buy the 16-inch MacBook Pro. -inch model.
Battery life
Because of its larger size, the 16-inch MacBook Pro has a larger battery and a longer battery life. The 14-inch model has a 70 or 72.4 Wh battery, while the 16-inch model has a 100 Wh battery.
Apple says the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 can deliver up to 22 hours of battery life when playing video, but when set up with the M3 Pro or M3 Max, this drops to 18 hours. The 16-inch model adds four hours of battery life with up to 22 hours of video playback. For users who want maximum battery life, the 14-inch M3 or any of the 16-inch configurations are the best option. However, the 14-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max's 18-hour battery life is still sufficient for most users.
Charging
The 14-inch MacBook Pro uses a 70W or 96W USB-C power adapter for charging, while the 16-inch model comes with a 140W power adapter. Both models support fast charging, but require a 96W or higher USB-C power adapter. The 96W USB-C power adapter costs $20 for the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro, but is standard on the 12-core M3 Pro and M3 Max configurations.
Both models can use MagSafe 3 for fast charging, but the 14″ model can also be quickly charged using one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports. If you require USB-C fast charging capability, you will need to buy the 14″ model to have this feature .
It's worth noting that both the 14- and 16-inch models The 16-inch models can charge at up to 100W via USB-C ports, but since the 16-inch model has a larger battery, it's not classified as “fast” on this device. charging.”
Final Thoughts
The 16-inch MacBook Pro costs $500 more than the 14-inch model with the base M3 Pro chip, so you should be We're sure you'll need the extra display area, battery life, and maybe even high-power mode support to justify its higher price. That being said, if you upgrade from the 14-inch model to the same 12-core CPU/18-core GPU M3 Pro that the 16-inch model starts with, the price difference drops to $200, and it might be worth making the choice favor the larger model – especially if you can take advantage of longer battery life.
Buyers of the 16-inch model should be aware that it is significantly larger, thicker and heavier than the 14-inch model. -inch model, so much so that for some users it may be unnecessarily bulky. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is obviously a more portable device, so if you plan to carry your MacBook Pro with you often or want the versatility of being able to easily slip it into your bag for travel, the smaller model is definitely a better option.
If you need more than 8GB of memory and are interested in the 14-inch model with the M3 chip, the 16GB memory configuration will increase the price to $1,799. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip comes standard with 18GB of memory and starts at $1,999. In that case, it's probably worth spending the extra $200 for one extra Thunderbolt port, three extra CPU cores, four extra GPU cores, two more gigabytes of memory, and a Space Black color option, unless you're particularly concerned about losing two hours. Battery life
Related review: MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches. Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches (Buy Now). Forum on the topic: MacBook Pro200 comments.
