The New M3 MacBook Pro: Should You Upgrade?
Ultimate M3 MacBook Pro purchasing advice Invest in the extreme mobile desktop, leave the M2 MacBook Air for others
M3 MacBook Pro Top choice for a powerful portable desktop. If you’re not into that, consider the M2 MacBook Air.
Less than a year after the M1 to M2 upgrade, Apple has released a new version of the MacBook Pro with the M3 processor. This powerful new chip promises a staggering 50% boost in performance compared to the M1 models, and a jaw-dropping 11x increase in speed over the fastest Intel-based MacBook Pros. But before you rush to buy one, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details to determine if it’s worth the splurge.
Unleashing Creativity and Power
The Apple Silicon-based MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models have become the go-to machines for professionals and creatives in various fields. Whether you’re a special effects artist, graphic designer, video editor, 3D animator, software developer, or biomedical researcher, these powerhouses deliver the performance you need to bring your vision to life.
Upgrade Considerations
If you already own one of the M2-based MacBook Pros from the early 2023 release, upgrading to the M3 might not be necessary. The high-end models with M3 Pro and M3 Max offer only a modest step up, with the same design, form factor, and a new Space Black color. However, if you’re rocking an M1-based MacBook Pro from 2021, that’s a different story. Unless you’re engaged in demanding multimedia production and graphics tasks, upgrading to the M3 may not provide a noticeable performance boost.
But, for those high-priority workloads where time is money, the M3 models deliver 2.5x faster graphics rendering than the M1 counterparts. So, if you find yourself knee-deep in AI work or other resource-intensive tasks, the M3 upgrade could provide the ROI you’ve been waiting for.
The Battle of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
As someone who relies on my trusty 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro processor, I can confidently say it breezes through tasks without breaking a sweat. However, even the mighty M1 Pro has its limits when it comes to certain AI features in Adobe Creative Suite. So, if you foresee a heavy AI workload in your future, investing in one of the M3-based Macs might be the answer.
But don’t be too quick to dismiss the revamped M2 MacBook Air. This slim and portable beauty now rivals the MacBook Pro in both performance and build quality. In fact, the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air leaves its Intel-based counterparts in the dust when it comes to performance benchmarks. During my time at CES 2023, the M2 MacBook Air proved to be a reliable workhorse, effortlessly handling coverage spreadsheets, file uploads, photo processing, video editing, and more. The only thing I missed was the larger screen when editing videos in Adobe Premiere.
The Rise of Apple Silicon
Thanks to Apple silicon, the MacBook Air has risen to pro-level heights. Sporting a new design, the M2 MacBook Air offers a MagSafe charging port and two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. With 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch configurations, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
The Showdown: M2 MacBook Air vs. M3 MacBook Pro
If you’re torn between the M2 MacBook Air and the new base-level M3 MacBook Pro, let’s compare their configurations. Both machines, equipped with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, offer comparable performance for most tasks. However, the M2 MacBook Air stands out, being 25% thinner, 20% lighter, and $200 (12%) more affordable. Additionally, the M3 MacBook Pro boasts built-in ports for HDMI and SD cards, enhanced speakers and microphones, an improved GPU, and a glorious XDR display.
ENBLE’s Buying Advice
For HDR graphics work, frequent presentations with projectors and TVs, photography workflows involving SD cards, or a need for a brighter display when working outdoors, the M3 MacBook Pro is the way to go. However, for most professionals, the M2 MacBook Air should suffice, providing top-tier performance at a lower cost.
Lastly, I must mention that Apple has discontinued its lowest-priced 13-inch MacBook Pro in favor of the base-level M3 14-inch MacBook Pro. This move should catch the attention of enterprise buyers and IT departments. While MacBook Pros were traditionally favored by organizations, the M2 MacBook Air offers pro-level build quality and performance in a more compact and budget-friendly package that is sure to meet the needs of most professionals.
Stay tuned to ENBLE for more insights on the new M3 MacBook Pro models. We’ll continue to keep you updated on all things tech and help you make the best-informed decisions.
(Image Source: ZDNet)
