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If you own an M1 Max MacBook Pro, you know just how good they are. Light, incredibly powerful and versatile. Most users couldn’t ask for a better laptop.
But does the release of the new M3 MacBook Pro justify an upgrade? Or, if you’re looking for a new laptop, should you buy an M1 Max MacBook Pro or a base-level M3 MacBook Pro?
It is a difficult question to answer. The M1 chip series is three years old now meaning any resale value is going to be very low. Even so, the M1 Max chip still offers incredibly high-performance levels. As good as the M3 chip? Well, that depends on what you need it for.
Read on for our comprehensive buying guide to help you decide between the M1 Max MacBook Pro and the base-level M3 MacBook Pro.
M1 Max MacBook Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro: Specifications
The base-level M3 MacBook Pro comes equipped with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD. These are good if not overly impressive specifications.
For comparison, the M1 Max MacBook Pro has, at base level, a 10-core CPU and a truly massive 31-core GPU. To put that into perspective, the base-level 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro (which costs $3,499/£3,599!!) has one less GPU core. The M1 Max also blows the base-level M3 MacBook out of the water with 32GB unified memory and 1TB SSD.
There are no two ways about it really, the M1 Max MacBook Pro simply out-classes the M3 MacBook here. If you are a graphics designer or video editor for a living, the 31-core GPU is very welcome.
But, it isn’t just as straightforward as the numbers alone. The average user, that is someone who mostly uses a laptop for low-intensity tasks like word processing or light image editing, does not need a 31-core GPU. In fact, 10 cores are perfectly adequate.
What is useful though is the extra unified memory. This determines how many applications and tasks your laptop can perform at once, and how quickly. More memory generally means a faster laptop and 8GB is a measly offering from Apple for their new M3 base range.
Of course, you can upgrade an M3 MacBook’s specification, but the costs soon become astronomical.
And there is an elephant in the room here; the M3 chip.
Price
A base-level 14-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro, refurbished from a non-Apple reseller in the UK, will set you back about $2,400 in the US or £2,300 in the UK depending on condition.
A new base-level M3 MacBook Pro costs $1,599 (£1,699). If you want to match the M1 Max’s specifications with an M3 model, then you’re looking at $3,199 (£3,299).
This means that you could get far higher specifications, but a slower chip, for about the same money as a base-level M3 MacBook Pro. On balance though, the average user does not need those ultra-high GPU specifications and therefore would be better off buying the most up-to-date chip.
And if you do need those specs, then you can probably justify spending the extra $1000/£1000 on an M3 Pro or M3 Max MacBook Pro. You will know if this is you.
M3 vs M1 Chip Performance
All of the above spec numbers are important. Especially for those who need big GPU/memory numbers. But there is more to the story.
The M3 chip is truly revolutionary. It is the first ever computer chip to feature 3 nanometer technology which means it far outperforms any Intel laptop. Apple also claims the M3 chip is 50% faster than the same base M1 chip (and therefore we can assume similar for the M3 Pro and M3 Max).
Other claims from Apple state that the M3 CPU is 35% faster, whilst the M3 GPU is 65% faster than the M1 chips. Basically, the M3 chip is fast, even at a base level, it will be faster than the M1 Max chip.
However, like above, the majority of users will not notice the difference unless they are actively looking for it. Everyday tasks are completed by an M1 Max in rapid time. In essence, you don’t need to upgrade from an M1 Max MacBook Pro or feel forced into buying an M3 MacBook Pro.
But if you use your MacBook for heavy graphics rendering, video editing and other processor-intensive tasks, then investing money in an M3 MacBook is worth it. Unfortunately for your bank account though, that also means upgrading to a much higher amount of unified memory, GPU and preferably the M3 Pro chip if possible. Otherwise, the base-level M3 MacBook Pro won’t cut it.
So again, this is about your individual needs. Are you going to need the ability to multi-task using apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro? If not, then either laptop is good for you.
The only thing to consider is relevancy. The M1 generation will be considered ‘old’ in about two years. Tech support will still remain, but the 3nm nature of the M3 series is the new baseline from which all future Mac generations will be built. This reason alone may be enough to sway you towards an M3 MacBook Pro.
Display
A more simple comparison here. Both the M3 MacBook Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro feature Apple’s premium display in the form of the Liquid Retina XDR. It has the ability to show up to 1 billion colours with more vibrancy and complexity than the mini-LED of previous models.
What is different however is that Apple offers this on all M3 MacBooks, even the base-level, something they have never done before. If nothing else, this adds another string to the M3 MacBook Pro’s value for money bow.
Bang. For. Buck. Keep it coming Apple.
Ports and Design
The design is an easy one. Both the base-level M3 MacBook Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro come in ‘Silver’ and ‘Space Grey’. The rather gorgeous-looking ‘Space Black’ is only available on MacBooks with the M3 Pro or Max chips inside.
In terms of ports, there are some differences. The base-level M3 MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt USB-4 ports, a MagSafe 3 input, an SD card slot and a HDMI port. The M1 Max is exactly the same but with one extra Thunderbolt port.
The M1 Max trumps the M3 with up to four external displays compared to a measly one. This is especially useful if you need to do things like see different playbacks at once whilst video editing.
Say it with me now! Most users will not need to support multiple external displays. If you do, then the M1 Max could be for you. But I’d think if you fall into that category, you can probably justify the spending on an M3 Pro or M3 Max.
Should You Upgrade Your M1 Max MacBook Pro?
The answer to this question lies in your own specific needs, offset against thinking about future value.
If you need more GPU cores and unified memory but don’t have the budget for an M3 Pro MacBook Pro, then an M1 Max MacBook Pro remains an excellent option. Just be aware that you won’t be getting any money back on a potential resale. In Apple’s eyes, the M3 generation has put the M1 into redundancy.
However, if you primarily use your M1 Max MacBook Pro for tasks that don’t require intensive processing power, such as web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, you will not see a significant improvement in performance by upgrading to the M3 MacBook Pro.
The crux of this issue lies in the price. If you are an average, everyday user with low-intensity workloads, then there isn’t much point buying an M1 Max MacBook Pro. It is overpowered for your needs and you may as well spend less on the newest technology.
If you need to buy a new laptop and have high-intensity needs then you should just spend the money on an M3 Pro or Max MacBook Pro. Your work justifies the cost.
But, if you already own an M1 Max, then there is definitely no rush to upgrade to an M3 MacBook. Stick with what you have as long as it is still doing the jobs you need it to without intruding on your workflow.
Conclusion
The definitive verdict is as follows;
– If you already have an M1 Max MacBook Pro then keep it until it is stopping you from working normally
– If you need a new laptop, buy an M3 MacBook Pro or M3 Pro/M3 Max MacBook Pro depending on your needs
As good as the M1 Max MacBook is, I think advocating you buy one over an M3 MacBook Pro is bad advice. Average users will get by fine on a base-level M3 MacBook Pro and those who truly need the extra specs of an M1 Max should be able to justify spending the money on an M3 Pro/M3 Max.
It may truly be the beginning of the end of the M1 era.
Do you think the M1 Max is still relevant? Let me know below!
7 Comments
I’m in that decision matrix now. I have a 24″ 16gb M1 iMac that I love. But I’d like to upgrade to get a little more GPU power.
A new loaded 24″ M3 iMac will be about $2000. Also on apples site is a refurbished Apple studio with an M1 Max chip 10 core CPU/24 core GPU and 32gb. I just need to add a good monitor.
Decisions, decisions.
It’s certainly tough. This is the problem with Apple’s iterative release schedule when new chips are introduced. Like your position, many will want to go for an M3 machine, but things like the M2 Pro Mac Mini and Mac Studio are still mostly comparable in terms of power. But it’s hard to buy those latter options knowing that an M3 version is probably on the cards in a few months time! Either way, the M3 iMac is a perfectly good buy. You’ll have a computer that is relevant for many years. Good luck!
I decided to get a lightly used M1 Macbook Pro with M1 max, 32G and 1TB SSD at a time when it seemed that the M3 max lineup would only arrive mid 2024. Then, a few weeks after buying the M1 max, Apple dropped the M3 lineup of MacBook Pro’s and for a few moments I was tempted to consider selling my M1 max and spend another $2k to upgrade to an M3 max with 64G and 2Gb SSD. But in reality, the M1 max with 32G, which I use for extensive photo editing, already outperforms my AMD 5700X desktop with 64G memory by 2x in terms of speed when processing large photos in Lightroom and Photoshop, so I’m already super happy with that and I was already satisfied with the performance of that desktop system.
So yes, I can always do better, faster, more, but in reality the M1 max satisfied my needs more than I ever expected and will remain my trusted system for photography. Once Apple releases the M4 or M5, I’ll jump on the bandwagon again.
I also added an external M.2 based SSD enclosure with a 4TB Samsung 990 Pro and it reaches 2800MB/s, which greatly enhances my photography workflow, especially when importing large sets of photos, further decreasing my desire to upgrade to a shiny new M3 Max.
As always, it is fun going through the analysis paralysis phases of new equipment considerations and reading the stories of others with that same dilemma.
Good to hear. I think ultimately, the M3 series has already been shown to be not impressive enough for anyone already using M-series chips to upgrade. Especially a Max chip. The M1 Max will be perfectly useable for pretty much anyone for many years to come.
Your article says that the display is different and it is not. They both have the same liquid XDR Retina display.
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP854?locale=en_GB
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There are no 31 core GPU in M1 Max.