New MacBook Pro Reviews: Scary Fast, But M3 Pro Chip Has a Catch

[damnhandy]

M3 and M3 Max are significant leaps forward.

M3 Pro is a disappointment. The "middle option" doesn't seem as appealing anymore. If they can get a 20% CPU performance improvement out of M3 and 50% out of the Max, then only 6% for the Pro is inexcusable. The Pro shouldn't be the "ugly stepchild" that makes you go for the Max. Prior to M3, it was a significant improvement over the base chip and was a true "middle of the road" option. It doesn't seem to be anymore.

The M3 and M3 Pro are still compelling to those of us still on Intel MacBooks. But when you consider that the M3 Pro w/ 36GB and 1TB drive is only $400 cheaper than the M3 Max, it's a tough call. My 2019 13" MBP i5 is showing its age as Lightroom crawls. The M3 Pro would still be a hell of an upgrade for me, but if I were coming from an M1, not so much.

 

[damnhandy]

Quite underwhelming upgrade, especially the pro. Usual pathetic tactics by Tim Apple to push consumers to spend more money. Hopefully consumers will be wise and just keep their old laptop.

The M3 or M3 Pros are significant upgrades for those us still on Intel. I have no plans to keep my current old laptop -- because it's old and slow.

 

[magbarn]

The M3 or M3 Pros are significant upgrades for those us still on Intel. I have no plans to keep my current old laptop -- because it's old and slow.

If you're still rocking the 2019 mbp 16, dump it. Their AMD dGPU's eventually fail, just like all the prior Apple dGPU macbooks, especially if you use the dGPU regularly like I did in gaming and video editing.

 

[PistolPete2Go]

really, that's what pros use the GPU for nowadays? In my days, the GPU was rather used for modelling/real time 3D preview.

Anyway, nearly every professional I know who needs a really beefy GPU is using them for computing/machine learning/AI Stuff.

II don't give a Damn about gaming. The M3 maxed out with RAM and graphics power looks to be what I want for my engineering work, running computational fluid dynamics and electromagnetic field models, etc.

 

[ZMAN Z28]

I'll be getting the M3 Pro entry level. It looks like the M3 entry level with 8GB/256GB is not good at video editing. I only do casual video editing with my M1 base model mini. It works. My current MacBook Pro is a core I7 which I purchased in 2011. It won't edit any 4K video for me. It's time to upgrade. I can edit on my M2 iPad Pro 512GB but I don't like doing it on the iPad. I'll be trading it in on the M3 Pro 18GB/512GB base model for $1999. I did play around with this model in the Apple Store the other day and it's smooth as silk editing in Final Cut Pro. I also messed around on the 8GB/256GB M3 entry version and there was some stuttering on video playback in FCX. I wasn't very bad, but it was there and I could reproduce it.

 

[ZMAN Z28]

It's tempting to say they dropped the ball with the M3 Pro but we all know it's intentional in order to upsell to the Max. And it seems to be working which is the saddest part.

I'm going to be purchasing the M3 Pro base model for $1999. I want, but don't need to power of the Max versions. The 14" with the great battery life will be great on motorcycle trips. This will be a huge upgrade from my 13 year old MacBook Pro Core I7.

 

[killhippie]

I have to say I'm kinda glad my iMac died when it did, I'm very happy with my M2 Pro mac Mini and will be for many years I imagine. A M3 PRO with a measly 6% up tick is not a reason to wait if you want a new mac Mini now. My M2 Pro seems like a bargain and no way would I fork out for a Max. I think the Mini got to 'Pro' for Apples liking and Apple realised they were leaving to much cash on the table with the Pro chips and therefore they are being reshuffled down the pack in 2024 with the new M3 line up.

I won't be upgrading for years hopefully. To upgrade every time a new chip is launched you would have to be either very well off so cash is not an issue, or like getting in debt and are dumb enough to believe every new machine made by Apple is the holy grail and you must have it, but cant afford or justify it. Or have a great boss with a huge cash flow who can keep handing out the latest and not always greatest tech, or you work at Apple.

Mac computers like iPhones and iPads are fast enough already if they do the job well enough now, and with enough headroom built in they probably will continue to do so for years to come.

 

[TheLinkster]

Instead of a sarcastic smug comment, why not dispute what is being said with facts and add to the topic?

Likely because he'd be roasted by the die-hard faithful. Either way he comes away charred.

 

[TheLinkster]

Perhaps you should concentrate more on what I've written, instead of your snide remarks.

Wasn't snide, and was a valid response to your snide remark.

 

[andrejaik]

my m2 MacBook Air Last 20 hours on battery life... its AMAZING and FAST, I also have the intel MacBook Pro it couldn't do nothing CLOSE to this even while doing less on it....

 

[alb9k]

The stronger 'differentiation' between Pro and Max might have the goal to persuade more people to order the Max, which is of course quite a bit more expensive.

It depends from what Mac you’re coming from. I’m coming from a MacBook Pro 13” 2020 Intel 16 GB 1TB to a MacBook Pro M3 Pro 18GB 1TB and everything is very very fast! No regrets !