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14-Inch MacBook Pro With M3 Chip Has Only Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports

Stella said:
... and only TB3...

It's a stretch to call this a "Pro" machine, 8GB, 1 external monitor, 2 USB / TB3 ports and so on.
Click to expand...

"Pro" is merely a product category differentiator, similar to "Air," and has nothing to do with it being only useful or targeted to "professionals."

Similarly... AirPods Pro earbuds are not targeted toward professional sound engineers in recording studios.
 
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Bobby Smallwood said:
I don't think using 2 monitors is a pro feature, its a basic feature. You should not have to spend $2K on a laptop to get dual monitor support.
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Sure, I agree, you shouldn't have to spend 2k to have dual monitor support. But you also shouldn't only get 8GB RAM when spending 1.5k etc etc.

cost aside, the base MacBook Pro, is aimed at current MacBook Air buyers, who want something a bit nicer, with that HDR screen for Netflix, and the better cam and mics. You can't use dual monitors on the Air either.

before yesterdays event, you couldn't use dual monitors below 2k either, so this is an additional product, nothing is being taken away
 
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Zero surprise here.
It's a replacement for the antiquated 13" 'pro' and nothing more, including the whole 'is this really a 'pro' machine?' (no, for the most part).

It's for air users who want some of the Pro features but don't really need a 'full' MBP14 or 16 with Pro/Max chips.

I have no doubt it will also manage to improve Apple's profit margins a bit as now one less bespoke part (13" 'pro' chassis) to be producing. Meanwhile, Touch Bar can finally be relegated to another 'poor' Jony Ives idea someone should've stopped from happening... ;) (also undoubtedly more cost savings as well for Apple).
 
I can even accept 8 GB but no possibility of dual monitors is not acceptable for me. I was expecting with M3 base version this will be introduced, but no, apparently this is a pro feature at Apple. I don't need 120 Hz or 4k for this, just allow us to hook up 2 monitors! I can even turn off the main display if the chip is not powerful enough.
 
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Kazgarth said:
What I find outrageous is the $1600/$1800 MacBook Pro 14 comes with only 8GB of RAM.

And you have to pay extra $200 for 16GB of RAM upgrade ($200 per 8GB).

When the price of 16GB of LPDDR5 in bulk is $20 per 16GB.

SDRAM - LPDDR5 DRAM – Mouser Europe

SDRAM - LPDDR5 DRAM are available at Mouser Electronics. Mouser offers inventory, pricing, & datasheets for SDRAM - LPDDR5 DRAM.
eu.mouser.com eu.mouser.com
Click to expand...
Those bulk LPDDR5 RAM isn’t soldered within/unified to the proc….
 
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If only there was a device name they had used in the past for a MacBook that wasn't as thin and light as an air, but was less powerful than the pro range.....hmmmm
 
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kendo88 said:
Lots of comments about missing features meaning it is not for pros. It's been a long time since 'Pro' meant for professionals in Apple's world. Pro just means 'The better, more expensive one'.

[…]
Click to expand...

True. The only real pro iPhone is in my opinion the mini. Guess I’ll have to change brands when my 13 mini dies. Fashion iPhones are a no-go for me, even when they carry the pro-label [rendering those phones everytbing but professional]. Hopefully Apple won’t go this route with the Macbooks but this 14” doesn’t seem a good sign. OTOH my 16” m2 max rocks for pro use.
 
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Is there actually any difference between Thunderbolt 3 and 4? The speed and supported resolutions seem identical.
 
Stella said:
... and only TB3...

It's a stretch to call this a "Pro" machine, 8GB, 1 external monitor, 2 USB / TB3 ports and so on.
Click to expand...
I mean, it's still more "Pro" than the model it replaces. I think it's a much more cohesive lineup now, but this machine should have been $1499 tops unless they included more base RAM ($1599 with 16GB or even 12GB would have been cool with me).
 
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brooklyn360 said:
the base mbp is for the mba owners who want to upgrade to a pro
Click to expand...

I’ve been asking for a 15” MBA with the MBP screen and ports, it’s not perfect but it’s damn close. Wouldn’t mind the extra screen size but this is still a lot more space to work with vs my 13” M1 Air so I should be fine…Apple met me more than halfway on this I suppose.
 
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Pro's used to be 8/128 with two TB3. Now you pay $300 more for 1" more display, more storage and Promotion.
Right?
 
MacRumors said:
Apart from having fewer USB-C ports, the lack of Thunderbolt 4 support on the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip means it only supports one display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, or one display with up to 4K resolution at 120Hz over HDMI.

In comparison, like the M2 Pro chip it replaces, the M3 Pro supports up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt. The M3 Pro-powered MacBook Pro models also support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.

Meanwhile, the M3 Max supports up to four external displays in the following configuration: Up to three external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.

Alternatively, M3 Max MacBook Pro models can support up to three external displays by connecting two displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz, or one display with 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.

Lastly, both the M3 Pro and M3 Max also support native DisplayPort over USB-C, and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.
Click to expand...
Can we still have 4k 144hz with Dp?
 
it’s been like this for a minute, but buying a Mac that comes with no concessions is getting a bit too difficult/research intensive.
 
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Not important to retail users. I have two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports on my M1 MacBook Air, and only use one of them, and that only for charging/backups. My wife has the 14" M2 MacBook Pro, and it has 3 of them. She uses one for backups and one for a numeric keypad.

I'd speculate that professionals who have use for 3 or more TB ports are going to opt for the 16" model instead of the 14.
 
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