The latest 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 is now the most affordable Pro option, outpacing the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the previous-gen M2 chip. The transition occurred during Apple’s “Scary Fast” livestream on Oct. 30, the night before Halloween, leaving the 13-inch model behind without causing much sorrow.
Evolution in Affordable Pro
Yet, it stood out as the unconventional member in the MacBook family. Despite being labeled a “Pro” laptop, it had more appealing counterparts, such as the 15-inch MacBook Air, equipped with the M2 chip. In essence, the performance of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 15-inch MacBook Air closely resembled each other.
Moreover, the 15-inch MacBook Air boasted a larger display and omitted the divisive Touch Bar, making the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro seem less enticing. Given the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s awkward status, Apple decided to discontinue it (with no plans for a comeback) and introduced the new M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, as highlighted in this review.
14-inch M3 MacBook Pro: Cost
Apple sent us a 14-inch MacBook Pro, which costs $1,999 and comes with the following specifications:
- 8-core CPU
- 10-core GPU
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
If that price is too high for you, the most affordable configuration is priced at $1,599. However, you’ll need to opt for reduced RAM and storage, which are set at 8GB and 512GB, respectively.
Feeling extravagant? The fully loaded 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, featuring 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 M3 14-inch MacBook Pro for the Following Reasons
I’ve been a dedicated PC enthusiast throughout my life. However, this year, I made the switch 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. As this software isn’t compatible with macOS, we utilized Parallels, an app enabling Windows to run on Mac. The MacBook Pro sustained almost 17 hours on one charge (refer to the battery life section for the precise recorded runtime).
Even with the battery-draining impact of Parallels, the MacBook Pro outperformed our longest-lasting Windows laptop of the year, which only endured for a mere 9 hours and 2 minutes. And that laptop was the $5,000 HP Spectre Fold – quite disappointing.
Sonic Excellence: MacBook Pro’s Impeccable Speakers Deliver Unrivaled Audio Experience
The speakers on Apple devices continue to sound impeccable.
I understand why many recommend the MacBook Pro for music producers, podcast hosts, and other audio-focused professionals.
To test its six-speaker array with force-cancelling woofers, I opened the Spotify app. I played Jack Harlow’s “Lovin’ On Me” from the “Hot Hits USA” playlist on the homepage.
Despite my eye-rolling reaction to another chart-topping sampled song (seriously, where’s the originality these days?), the Dolby Atmos-tuned audio system on the MacBook Pro provided a high-fidelity experience that captivated me. Harlow’s confident flow and charismatic delivery were flawlessly captured, treating my ears to a honeyed fullness from the infectious melody.
Even at maximum volume, distortion was minimal. The MacBook Pro can arguably boast the best set of speakers in the laptop market.
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