We may earn compensation from reviewed products. Learn about our editorial policies.
Apple Silicon changed the game when it was released three years ago. Their MacBook range then was revolutionary, and they have done it again with the release of the new M3 chips.
Like it or not, Apple makes the best laptops in the world. You can argue about software or value for money, but on pure performance, you don’t get any better. Whilst the base level 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is good, the true power and ability of the M3 chip is only fully realised when you use a MacBook powered by an M3 Pro or M3 Max.
Whilst the majority of users, those who use laptops for non-intensive workloads like word processing, do not need to go past the basic 14-inch MacBook Pro, there are some who cannot get by without an M3 Pro or M3 Max. I’m talking about video editors, graphic designers, web developers and so on. Anyone with a truly demanding workflow.
If that is you, then which M3 MacBook should you buy? By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of which model best suits your needs.
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: Price
If price is your main concern, then you’re in the wrong place. As soon as you start to get above the base-level M3 chip, the cost begins to rise very quickly.
A 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro with no upgrades to CPU, GPU, memory or SSD storage, costs $1,999 (£2,099). The top-of-the-range, fully specced out 14-inch M3 Pro will set you back $3,799 (£3,899).
For the 14-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro, you’re looking at $3,199 (£3,299) for the base model. With all add-ons applied, including an 8TB SSD and 128GB unified memory, you’ll be paying $6,899 (£6,999). That is a lot of money. My heart rate increases just by looking at that number!
And if you want a 16-inch display, well then you are just asking for trouble. Base rates for a 16-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max start at $2,499 (£2,599) and $3,499 (£3,599) respectively. A fully upgraded 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro is priced at $7,199 (£7,299).
What did we learn? That if you are buying any of these MacBook configurations, then you really need it in order to do your job. Otherwise, it won’t be worth it.
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: Memory
Deciding how much memory and storage you need is the biggest decision when buying a new MacBook Pro. Those needs will depend on what you are using your laptop for.
The more multitasking and resource-intensive actions you partake in, the more memory, and to a lesser extent storage, you will need.
Starting at 18GB unified memory in the base-level 14-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro, you can spec it up to 64GB. The M3 Max starts at 36GB and moves all the way to 128GB for an extra $1000 (£1000).
Unified memory determines how many apps your MacBook can run or how many tasks it can complete simultaneously. It also dictates how quickly it will execute and queue upcoming commands. Therefore, it is a simple equation; more memory = faster laptop.
That being said, there are very few circumstances where you will need 128GB of unified memory, or even 96GB. You will have to be seriously dragging your MacBook through hell, rendering complex 3D art whilst exporting video edits, to offer any sort of challenge to the M3 Pro or M3 Max. Most coders for example can easily get by with 32GB unified memory.
So think about your choice rationally. 18GB on the M3 Pro will probably get you by, but you’re more likely to run into slow-down issues. In that case, it’s worth going for the 36GB or above if you can afford it. The same can be said for the M3 Max. If you’re already spending that much on a laptop, you may as well spend the extra $200 (£200) to get to 64GB memory.
This is one of only two times I’ll say this; buy as much memory as you can reasonably afford. You won’t regret it.
If you’re also looking at an iMac, check out Mark’s M3 iMac memory guide for similar help!
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: Storage
Whilst less important than memory, storage is still worth considering. The amount of SSD space you have determines how much stuff you can keep on your laptop. Like a bucket; the bigger it is, the more water you can store inside.
The M3 Pro MacBook Pro starts with a base SSD capacity of 512GB, which can be upgraded to a maximum of 4TB. The M3 Max MacBook Pro also starts with a base storage capacity of 512GB and can be upgraded to a staggering 8TB SSD.
Whilst these numbers are impressive, thankfully your decision is an easy one. Storing lots of large files? Get a larger SSD specification.
But also consider buying an external SSD hard drive. For example, Samsung’s 870 8TB external SSD retails for just $370 (£307).
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: CPU and GPU
Similarly to memory, the CPU and GPU determine how fast your laptop is.
The CPU is like the conductor of your laptop. It reads inputs, stores data and directs specific bits of data to where it is needed from multiple different programs at the same time. A GPU handles graphics rendering and anything to do with videos/images (whether creating or watching).
The base-level M3 Pro MacBook Pro features an 11-core CPU and a 14-core GPU, while the equivalent M3 Max MacBook Pro has a 14-core CPU and a 30-core GPU. The M3 Pro maxes out at 12 CPU cores and 18 GPU cores with the M3 Max 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores.
You’ll notice that the CPU cores do not go up in number anywhere near those of the GPU. That’s partly because the tasks the CPU covers are less demanding. It oversees everything but doesn’t get as involved in the nitty gritty.
Apple knows that most users who want a Pro or Max will be video editors, coders or artists. Therefore there is more room to upgrade the GPU, the thing that really matters in that respect.
This is the second and last time I’ll say this; assuming you need them, buy as many GPU cores as you can afford. If that means moving to an M3 Max to access 40 cores, then bite the bullet.
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: Chip Performance
In terms of benchmarks, the M3 Pro outperforms the previous generation M2 Pro by 6% when looking at multi-core speed, which is what matters for handling heavy multitasking. This is a meagre improvement and one of the biggest shoulder shrugs from Apple’s latest generation.
The M3 Pro has been slightly kneecapped compared to the M2 Pro by removing two high-efficiency scores. That being said, the 3nm technology still makes it an incredibly fast chip.
The M3 Max, on the other hand, surpasses both its M2 and M1 predecessors, with a whopping 45% improvement over the M2 Max. This is staggering and illustrates just how big the gap in performance is between the M3 Pro and M3 Max.
Out of everything you can compare the two chips with, chip performance is perhaps the most clear differentiator for those looking for a definitive answer. If you have $3,000+ to spend on a laptop, don’t bother with the M3 Pro, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is the best choice for creatives with heavy workloads.
M3 Pro vs M3 Max MacBook Pro: Ports
Ending on a very easy one.
Both the M3 Pro MacBook Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro have a HDMI 2.0 port, an SDXC card slot, and a headphone jack. The only difference is that the M3 Max has three Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports compared to the M3 Pros 2.
The additional Thunderbolt/USB 4 port provides more flexibility for connecting multiple high-speed devices simultaneously.
Conclusion
Both the M3 Pro MacBook Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro offer powerful performance, sleek designs, and a range of configuration options.
CPU and GPU cores are important but don’t really help in deciding between the two laptops. Unless you really need the 40-core GPU. The same can be said for unified memory and SSD storage. If you want the maximum offering, you will have to choose an M3 Max MacBook Pro.
What should help though is looking at chip performance. The M3 Max is considerably faster and more efficient than the M3 Pro. That’s the bottom line.
Ultimately, buying a new MacBook is a balancing act between required performance and affordability.
The M3 Pro MacBook Pro is a great choice for professionals who need that extra kick above a base-level M3 chip for more complex workloads, but won’t be pushing it to its limits.
The M3 Max MacBook Pro is the ultimate choice for those who demand top-tier performance and need the highest memory and storage capacities. Put simply; you already know if this is you. Doing your job wouldn’t be possible without an M3 Max. That’s how obvious it should be.
And if it is you, boy are you going to have an incredible laptop on your hands.
Will you be picking up an M3 Max MacBook Pro? Let me know below!
Opinion: M1 vs M2 vs M3 chip: Is it worth the upgrade?
This post includes affiliate links.
