Apple’s laptop lineup has gone through some changes this year, with the introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air and the release of two MacBook Pro revisions. The new M3-equipped MacBook Pro models, in particular, show where Apple is headed with its laptop offerings. The company has discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which had the unpopular Touch Bar and an outdated design. With these changes, Apple has made it clear that its Pro machines are aimed at professionals, while the Air models are meant for everyone else.
Interestingly, Apple seems to be dividing professionals into distinct subgroups. The cheaper 14-inch MacBook Pro, priced at $1,599, comes with the M3 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. It’s a new addition to the lineup, targeting users who want more than a MacBook Air but don’t require the power of a $2,000 machine. However, this base model has limited RAM and loses a USB-C port on its right side. On the other hand, the $1,999 14-inch M3 Pro model offers an 11-core CPU and 14-core GPU, while the $2,399 model comes with a 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU. For demanding users, there’s the $3,199 M3 Max model, which boasts a 14-core CPU and 30-core GPU. The 16-inch MacBook Pro, starting at $2,499 with an M3 Pro chip, can be equipped with a 40-core GPU M3 Max chip for $3,999. Apple also offers a new “Space Black” color option, which features reduced fingerprints, although it’s not available on the base 14-inch MacBook Pro model.
In terms of design, not much has changed about the overall look of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, which were refreshed in 2021. Both laptops feature all-aluminum designs and stunning Liquid Retina XDR displays, offering HDR, refresh rates up to 120Hz with ProMotion, and peak HDR brightness of up to 1,600 nits. The notch, which was the subject of much criticism, is still present and houses a 1080p webcam. Despite the similar designs, the different screen sizes cater to different user needs. The 16-inch model is ideal for video editors working on large project timelines, while the 14-inch model offers more portability, weighing just 3.5 pounds compared to the 16-inch’s 4.7 pounds.
In terms of performance, the MacBook Pro models with M3 chips perform as expected. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is fast for general productivity work, while the 16-inch model can handle more demanding tasks. Benchmarks show that the M3 and M3 Max chips offer slight improvements over previous M2 variants and significant leaps ahead of the M1 family. For content creators and users still on an Intel system, the M3 hardware offers compelling reasons to upgrade. Additionally, the upgraded GPU in the M3 enables a better gaming experience, with smoother gameplay and the ability to run games at higher graphics settings.
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The MacBook Pro models retain Apple’s excellent keyboard and trackpad, as well as features like an SD card slot, HDMI connection, and headphone jack. They all have three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, except for the base 14-inch M3 model, which has two ports. Apple has also improved battery life, with the 14-inch MacBook Pro lasting 24 hours and 30 minutes on a single charge.
Overall, Apple’s laptop lineup now offers clearer options for consumers. The MacBook Pro models are targeted at professionals, with various configurations to suit different needs, while the Air models cater to a wider audience. With powerful performance, stunning displays, and improved gaming capabilities, the new MacBook Pros are a step forward for Apple’s laptop family.
