The new M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, now the most affordable Pro option, outperformed the 13-inch MacBook Pro without any lamentations.
Apple unveiled the new MacBook Pro during the “Scary Fast” livestream on Oct. 30, just before Halloween. Before this event, the least expensive Pro option was the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the previous-generation M2 chip.
14-inch M3 MacBook Pro
Yet, it stood out as the unconventional member within the MacBook family. Despite being labeled a “Pro” laptop, it had more appealing counterparts, like the 15-inch MacBook Air, equipped with the M2 chip. Essentially, the performance of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 15-inch MacBook Air closely resembled each other.
Moreover, the 15-inch MacBook Air offered a bigger screen and omitted the divisive Touch Bar, making the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro seem less appealing.
As the 13-inch MacBook Pro played the awkward role, Apple decided to retire it (with no plans for a return) and introduced the new M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is the focus of this review.
The Cost of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro
Got the 14-inch MacBook Pro from Apple, priced at $1,999 and featuring the following specifications:
- 8-core CPU
- 10-core GPU
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
If that price is too high for your budget, the most affordable configuration is priced at $1,599. However, you’ll need to opt for 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Ready to splurge? The fully loaded 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, boasting 24GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD storage, a 96W USB-C power adapter, and pre-installed Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, comes with a price tag of $3,098.98.
We adore the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for
I’ve always been a PC enthusiast, but this year I switched to a Mac. As a laptop reviewer, I’ve witnessed MacBooks outperforming Windows laptops, especially in terms of battery life.
MacBooks consistently excel in power efficiency, and the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is no exception.
Achieving a two-day battery life, we conducted the PCMark 10 battery benchmark on the MacBook Pro. Since this software doesn’t support macOS, we utilized Parallels, an app enabling Windows to run on Mac. The MacBook Pro delivered nearly 17 hours of usage on a single charge (refer to the battery life section for our recorded runtime details).
Even with Parallels draining the battery, the MacBook Pro outlasted our longest-lasting Windows laptop this year, clocking in at a mere 9 hours and 2 minutes. That Windows laptop happened to be the $5,000 HP Spectre Fold – quite a disappointment.
The speakers on Apple devices continue to sound flawless.
I understand why the MacBook Pro receives high recommendations for music producers, podcast hosts, and other audio-focused professionals.
Testing its six-speaker array with force-cancelling woofers, I opened the Spotify app. I selected the “Hot Hits USA” playlist on the homepage, playing Jack Harlow’s “Lovin’ On Me” tune.
Check These Out
- Apple Storms the Tech World With the Scary Fast Spooky Launch
- Apple’s Rapid Upgrades Offer Insights Into Its Vision For The AI Era
- Apple’s Brand New M3 iMac gets Discounted Just Ahead of Back Friday
- MacBook Pro Deals 2023 – How to Choose a MacBook
- Custom MacBook Pro 13-Inch M2 Laptops Set To Be Delayed For Months
