Review: Apple MacBook Pro M3 returns in stylish black

Upgrade your laptop with M3 chips for more power, extended battery life, a brighter screen, a lower price, and a sleeker, darker color

Apple’s recently upgraded MacBook Pro introduces a broader range of chip options, a more affordable price, and a new black color choice, coupled with enhanced performance and battery life.

The beloved laptop now kicks off at £1,699 (€1,999/$1,599/A$2,699), representing a notable £450 reduction from its forerunner, significantly reducing the entry barrier.

Externally, the machine maintains the attractive blend of retro and modern design found in its predecessor, crafted with precision from aluminum, justifying its price tag. The port assortment remains unchanged, featuring the welcome inclusion of an HDMI port and a full-size SD card slot.

The display continues to stand out as one of the finest on a laptop: sharp, seamless, and exceptionally bright when handling HDR content. It boasts a 20% increase in overall brightness compared to its predecessor, noticeably enhancing visibility while working on documents in bright winter sunlight.

For 2023, a novel addition is the space black color choice, leaning towards a deep grey shade, yet achieving a nearly pitch-black appearance in anodized aluminum. The aesthetic is impressive, and it exhibits improved resistance to fingerprints compared to its predecessor. This fresh color variant is exclusive to the mid- and high-tier configurations of the machine, commencing at £2,099 (€2,499/$1,999/A$3,499).

Specifications

Display: 14.2-inch mini LED (3024×1964; 254 ppi) with ProMotion (120Hz)
Processor: Apple M3, Pro, or Max
RAM: Options include 8GB, 18GB, 32GB, or up to 128GB
Storage: Choices ranging from 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, to 8TB SSD
Operating System: macOS 14.1 Sonoma
Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2/3x USB/Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, SD card, headphone jack
Dimensions: 221.2 x 312.6 x 15.5mm
Weight: Ranges from 1.55 to 1.62kg

M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chip choice

A notable addition is the introduction of Apple’s latest M3 chip family, manufactured at an advanced scale currently unavailable to other producers. This advancement enhances performance while concurrently reducing power consumption and heat.

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro debuts with the M3 chip, progressing to the M3 Pro and M3 Max for users seeking increased performance capabilities.

The M3 chip boasts approximately a 20% speed improvement compared to the M2 chip utilized in the MacBook Air and other devices, and it’s roughly 40% faster than the original M1 chips from 2020. The base model supports output to a single external monitor and comes with 8GB of memory, likely sufficient for current needs but potentially limiting in the future. Doubling the memory incurs a £200 cost and cannot be retroactively upgraded.

Individuals in need of greater power, extra ports, and the ability to connect multiple external monitors can opt for the M3 Pro chip. This variant excels at handling demanding tasks and is likely the most fitting choice for those utilizing the MacBook Pro for professional work.

At the pinnacle is the M3 Max chip, providing an exceptional level of performance in a laptop. While it may be excessive for the majority, it is highly appreciated by those seeking workstation-level power and are willing to make a significant investment for it.

Each of Apple’s M3 chips matches or surpasses the power of their Intel counterparts in PCs, delivering substantial performance improvements over Macs that are three to five years old. However, Apple’s most significant edge lies in power efficiency, enabling double or even more battery life compared to competitors and the capability to maintain peak performance even when not connected to a power source.

Even the highest-performing model equipped with the M3 Max, as tested, is capable of approximately 16 hours of productive office tasks, such as word processing, browsing, note-taking, and spreadsheet work. This exceeds last year’s model by over an hour and is roughly twice the duration of most competitors. M3 models are expected to endure around 20 hours of similar work, with the M3 Pro models falling somewhere in between.

When engaging in more demanding tasks, battery life does decrease, but you can still expect about 12 hours of photo editing or similar activities on a single charge. The battery can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes using the included 96W adapter, reaching 50% capacity in about 30 minutes.

Sustainability

Comprising 32% recycled materials, such as aluminum, rare earth elements, tin, gold, and plastic, the MacBook Pro’s environmental impact is detailed in Apple’s report.

This computer is generally repairable, with available repair manuals, and its battery can be replaced by Apple for £245. While iFixit commended the machine’s modular design, they criticized Apple’s implementation of software locks on replacement parts, artificially restricting third-party repair options, resulting in a repairability score of only four out of 10. Apple provides trade-in and free recycling programs, extending to non-Apple products.

Price

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is priced starting at £1,699 (€1,999/$1,599/A$2,699) for the M3 chip variant with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Models featuring the M3 Pro are available from £2,099, while M3 Max models commence at £3,299.

In comparison, the MacBook Air M2 has a starting price of £1,149. Windows laptops that are roughly equivalent to the new MacBook Pro machines, such as the Dell XPS 15, are priced at about £2,000. The Razer Blade 14 is listed at £2,499, and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio 2 starts from £2,069.

Verdict

Apple’s long-standing Pro laptop offers more choices than ever this year. While the lower starting price of £1,699 is a welcomed improvement, it’s still a considerable investment. The included chip, although exceptionally fast, may not meet the demands of professional work, coupled with the limitation of 8GB of memory in the base model.

This makes the base model less compelling compared to the outstanding MacBook Air for Apple users. However, the M3 Pro and Max models present an exceptional blend of power and efficiency that remains unmatched by other manufacturers. Apple continues to excel in this regard.

The 14-inch size retains its status as the ideal choice for laptops, bolstered by a stunning screen, a best-in-class trackpad and keyboard, and a robust selection of ports. Although it comes at a cost, if Windows 11 is not a specific requirement, it stands out as one of the finest laptops for productivity. Plus, it adds an extra touch of appeal in its sleek black design.