MacBook Pro 14" w/M3 Pro chip - heavy CPU use and fan noise?

[Peter_M]

Hi,


A question for those of you that has a MacBook Pro 14" with an M3 Pro chip, preferably with the full 12-core CPU:

How much fan noise do you experience with heavy CPU use, like for instance using Logic Pro or other DAWs with large projects, or longer CPU-intensive tasks in general?

I'm wondering whether to get a Mac Mini or Mac Studio, or go for a more portable laptop solution.


NB: Can you set a loading limit for the MacBook Pro battery (like 80%), like with the iPhone?


Thanks!

 

[Peter_M]

No one?

i see a lot of posts about fan noise for the M3 Max version, but very little regarding the M3 Pro version.

 

[DHagan4755]

There are some variables to consider here. For instance, if you use a lot of Chromium-based apps like Chrome, Spotify, Discord, TradingView, Slack; in conjunction with CPU intensive apps like you mentioned, you're going to hear fans ramping up.

I'm on an M1 16" MacBook Pro. When Chrome-based apps are running I can hear the fans ramp up. If I only use Safari instead with those services, my experience is far quieter and cooler with no fans. So shrink down the enclosure to 14" where there's less space to cool & you'll probably experience fan noise.

If you buy the 14" with the M3 Pro chip, and you quit your Chrome-based apps while you use the CPU heavy apps like Logic & DAWs, you're going to have a better experience than if you leave those apps running in the background. Nevermind the fact that those Chromium apps use a lot of memory. Logic is written by Apple so it should be well optimized vs. something like Cubase which might not be as well coded.

A desktop Mac would be the best route if you're not moving your setup around much. For the portability aspect you can get a MacBook Air or even an iPad for those situations. It's tough because the M2 desktops have been out awhile although M4 desktops aren't expected until at least the fall.

I have no idea whether what I've written is helpful but I gave it a shot.

 

[Peter_M]

There are some variables to consider here. For instance, if you use a lot of Chromium-based apps like Chrome, Spotify, Discord, TradingView, Slack; in conjunction with CPU intensive apps like you mentioned, you're going to hear fans ramping up.

I'm on an M1 16" MacBook Pro. When Chrome-based apps are running I can hear the fans ramp up. If I only use Safari instead with those services, my experience is far quieter and cooler with no fans. So shrink down the enclosure to 14" where there's less space to cool & you'll probably experience fan noise.

If you buy the 14" with the M3 Pro chip, and you quit your Chrome-based apps while you use the CPU heavy apps like Logic & DAWs, you're going to have a better experience than if you leave those apps running in the background. Nevermind the fact that those Chromium apps use a lot of memory. Logic is written by Apple so it should be well optimized vs. something like Cubase which might not be as well coded.

A desktop Mac would be the best route if you're not moving your setup around much. For the portability aspect you can get a MacBook Air or even an iPad for those situations. It's tough because the M2 desktops have been out awhile although M4 desktops aren't expected until at least the fall.

I have no idea whether what I've written is helpful but I gave it a shot.

That was useful, much appreciated.

I'm still contemplating whether to get a Mac Mini/Studio or a MacBook Pro, but I'm holding out for the M4 Macs. My Mac Mini 2018 i7 is getting a bit long in the tooth...

I'll see people writing "my MacBook Pro never makes a noise" on Reddit or whatever, which makes me a bit sceptical. What you're saying seems more realistic. Thanks!