Key Takeaways:
- Apple has released an updated M3 series of MacBook Pros for evaluation for the second time this year.
- This time, Apple is launching the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max concurrently.
- Although only the M3 Pro and M3 Max models offer 16-inch possibilities and the new space black colour, Apple is also lowering the price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 model.
The new M3-series CPUs that Apple used to refresh its MacBook Pro lineup have been reviewed, and the static design combined with the speed bump has become the main topic of discussion. As part of its “Scary Fast” presentation, Apple released updated versions of its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models on October 23. With CPUs like the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max and high-capacity memory options reaching 128GB, these devices were named the fastest portable Macs ever made by Apple. Additionally, Apple has added a new colour option for M3 Pro and M3 Max customers: Space Black. Apple SVP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus stated, “With the next generation of M3 chips, we’re raising the bar yet again for what a pro laptop can do.” “We’re excited to bring MacBook Pro and its best-in-class capabilities to the broadest set of users yet, and for those upgrading from an Intel-based MacBook Pro, it’s a game-changing experience in every way.” The first assessments of the new models, which were released on Monday, focused mostly on how similar they appear to the older ones despite having far better performance.
What does The Verge has to say about it?
- Examining the entry-level M3-equipped 14-inch MacBook Pro, The Verge first laments the model’s significant lack of features compared to the M3 Pro and M3 Max.
- “On top of more powerful chips, those models will get you more (and faster) Thunderbolt ports, higher storage options, and more memory.”
- The story continues, saying that while the design is “nothing to really write home about,” the individual pieces are outstanding, such as the “pretty” display, the excellent touchpad, and the 1080p webcam that “makes you look like a human and not a potato.”
- Nonetheless, some people object to the usage of Thunderbolt 3 rather than Thunderbolt 4, as well as the absence of a third Thunderbolt connection.
- It appears that Apple is “gatekeeping” the connection for its Pro and Max CPUs, which can connect to a greater number of external monitors.
- Performance is “not scary faster,” with a roughly 10% improvement over an M2 MacBook Air 15.
- “Apple made the right move consolidating and getting rid of the 13-inch Pro,” the article concludes.
- The restoration of tactile function keys on the entry-level MacBook Pro is a chef’s kiss, and that extra inch of screen is fantastic.”
Why does TechCrunch calls it a ‘desktop among laptops?’
- TechCrunch describes the 16-inch M3 Max variant as a “beast – in pretty much every sense.”
- The model “feels like a different species” from the reviewer’s everyday vehicle, a 15-inch MacBook Air, thanks to its remarkable performance and vivid display.
- Though it is “plenty powerful for even most professional uses,” this model is more akin to a “portable desktop” since Apple has “settled into a look it likes.”
- Among the few outward changes, “the space black is a nice addition,” was said. “When light strikes it, it emits a pleasant shine. But the fingerprint factor is the most important element here, and it performs “very well.”
- The reviewer rates the results as “Impressive” after talking about the addition of Dynamic Caching and ray tracing.
- It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the operating system to receive the game on the same day as Windows, the PS5, and the Xbox Series X/S. Despite this, there is still much work to be done on the macOS game library.”
- The test result showed that the battery “might be the most exceptional bit here,” with a runtime of 26 hours, 45 minutes.
- “To state the obvious, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max is the most powerful Apple laptop, ever,” the evaluation states. “The Mac Studio will still yield better performance from the M2 Ultra, but this is essentially the desktop.
