The MacBook Pro has long-since been the laptop of choice for discerning professionals, anyone working in the graphic arts, and those who want a top of the line computer without having to build it themselves or swap in chips or other parts. A MacBook, off the shelf, is a powerful and effective tool.
The most exciting element of this latest generation of Apple laptops is the M3. Ever since Apple decided to transition from Intel processors to their own chips in 2020, the tech world has been watching in awe at the speed with which they have innovated and improved their chips.
The first M1 was introduced in 2021. The M3 is the latest ARM-based System on a Chip (SoC) from Apple. Its arrival was announced in October 2023 and this is the first generation of MacBook to be using the M3 as its CPU and GPU. While only desktop computers and MacBook Pro laptops are launched with the M3, the MacBook Air will switch to M3 in March of 2024, alongside the iPad line.
This article will break down the specs of the M3 MacBook Pro and what they mean for users.
Comparisons with M1 and M2 generations
Intel processors had been the gold standard for so long that there were doubts about whether Apple could produce competitive chips. But the M1 chip was impressive and outperformed expectations in general. There were, however, issues within the M1 line. The M1 MacBook Pro had almost identical specs to the M1 MacBook Air – except it also had a fan. The M2 launch saw similar issues, though there were some improvements.
Apple choosing to launch the M3 MacBook Pro before launching the M3 MacBook Air suggests that they have addressed the problem and have powered up the Pro to match its price point.
The standard M3 MacBook Pro has a 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB unified memory and 512GB SSD storage. It comes in the classic MacBook silver and their newer ‘Space Black’. It has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, SDXC card slot, headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 port. In terms of hardware, the MagSafe 3 port is one of Apple’s smartest changes because it makes the charging process much safer and easier to handle.
Better for gamers
One of the few areas in which Apple has never been fully competitive with PC brands is in gaming. The first issue is that developers tend to produce games for consoles and PCs instead of Apple computers, due to the relative sizes of their player bases. The more problematic issue is that, traditionally, Apple computers did not have the best specs for gaming.
The move to online and cloud gaming has addressed the first issue. Games are now more accessible for Apple users. One facet of the gaming industry where this transition stands out most clearly is in iGaming – many casino games will be optimized for iOS. This is because the demand for online casino games is sufficiently great that it is worthwhile for developers to reach out to that audience.
The M3 chip fixes the second issue. Unlike previous generations, the M3 Pro has the capabilities to play the latest games without major issues. Previous generations of MacBook had serious problems with lag and overheating when used for extensive gaming. This generation avoids these issues and the changes made to how the M3 chip processes graphics means that there is improved ray tracing and mesh shading. For gamers, this means crisper images and heightened realism, especially in how light is captured.
Video production
Apple computers have always had a reputation for being ideal for creative professionals. The M3 MacBook Pro continues this legacy. The GPU that works so well for gamers works even better for video editing and post-production.
Video production was once a highly specialized field but the rise of social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo and TikTok, has created opportunities for more people to produce video content. From amateurs to film professionals, the M3 chip has the power to process high-resolution content at the highest speeds.
Final thought
The M3 MacBook Pro is a powerful laptop that employs a cutting-edge processor. Expectedly, it is offered at a price point to match its power. For casual users, it’s probably an unnecessary purchase, but for those who require a machine with elite capabilities, the M3 MacBook Pro may be a worthwhile investment.