Scary Fast — Apple’s invite for the October Mac occasion hid a spoiler for its new MacBook Pro vary in plain sight. The occasion noticed a brand new M3 household of chips alongside all-new MacBook Pro and that iMac fashions. In the previous few weeks, we’ve got been reviewing the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip to see the way it can deal with some excessive workflows, and we are able to say that it is an absolute beast. Honestly, the concept of this evaluate was to see the place precisely the MacBook Pro with M3 Max sweats whereas dealing with a number of complicated duties, and we’re fortunately disenchanted. But, on this evaluate, we may also discuss who ought to go for the M3, M3 Pro or M3 Max-based laptop computer — in any case, these are among the costliest laptops obtainable in India. While there are a number of SKU choices, the brand new MacBook Pro lineup can justify their value comfortably.
This 12 months, Apple has tried to faucet into totally different goal audiences — college students, entrepreneurs, creators, or perhaps a mixture of all three with its baseline M3 chip — subsequent, coders, artistic artists, and researchers with M3 Pro. The top-of-the-line M3 Max pushes the boundary additional and is a perfect machine for AI builders, 3D artists, and video editors. The better part is that Apple, for the primary time, aggressively marketed gaming for its newest MacBook line, which we may also dive into someday.
As somebody who bought the first-generation Apple silicon, which nonetheless features flawlessly, the M3 Max resembles a automotive with bullet practice speeds. Enough of drum roles; let’s get began with this evaluate.
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Review: Price in India and Specifications
The MacBook Pro 14-inch mannequin value in India begins at Rs. 1,69,900 for the M3 chip mannequin with primary configurations of 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB unified reminiscence, and 512GB SSD storage. The M3 Pro baseline variant is offered at Rs. 1,99,900 and gives an 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB unified reminiscence, and 512GB SSD storage. For the 14-inch Pro mannequin, the M3 Max variant begins at Rs. 3,19,900. It’s additionally price noting that the MacBook Pro 14-inch is available in Space Grey and Silver colors in M3 baseline trims, whereas the all-new Space Black is unique to M3 Pro and M3 Max trims together with Silver.
Our evaluate unit has an M3 Max chip with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core Neural engine, 128GB unified reminiscence, and 8TB SSD storage — priced at Rs. 6,89,900.
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Max)
Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR show with 3024×1964 pixels as much as 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR) and 120Hz refresh fee
Processor: Up to 16-core CPU with 12 efficiency cores and 4 effectivity cores, as much as 40-core GPU, 16-core Neural engine
Operating System: macOS Sonoma
Memory: 18GB to 128GB unified reminiscence
Storage: 512GB SSD to 8TB SSD (M3 Max)
Dimensions and weight: 312.6×221.2×15.5mm, 1.62 kilogram
Webcam: 1080p FaceTime HD digicam
Speaker setup: a 6-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio assist
Keyboard: Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Connectivity: Wi-FI 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Ports: 3 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI port and SDXC slot
Battery and charger: 72.4 watt-hour battery with 96W USB-C energy adapter, MagSafe 3 charging port
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Review: Design and show
Back in Black! After some hole, Apple re-introduced a darkish shade within the Pro lineup, and the end within the MacBook Pro is beautiful. Soon after the launch, many Mac fans have been glad to see Space Black again within the lineup as Apple has had an extended historical past of darkish colourways going again way back to the Nineteen Nineties. Interestingly, the Space Black color on the Pro appears totally different relying on the sunshine circumstances, however for many who are Black color followers, there’s a slight disappointment as this one is extra Grey than Black. But most individuals conversant in Apple’s color methods could already know that.
The chamfered edges on the laptop computer specific premium-ness, whereas the corporate’s anodisation end helps cut back fingerprints throughout every day use. However, extra may be accomplished as we noticed the palm relaxation space choosing up some smudges alongside the edges of the keyboard. However, it is price declaring that it’s higher than the previous-gen MacBook Pros. By its stable appears, the Macbook Pro gives the look that it is a laptop computer constructed to final, and we do not doubt that.
Apple claims that the enclosure is created from a customized alloy that makes use of 100 recycled aluminium, and little question, this materials is extremely sturdy. This means, Apple contributes to its aim of carbon-neutral merchandise by 2030.
As all the time, the MacBook Pro is amongst a handful of laptops that one can open (the lid) or shut with a finger. The closing snap is satisfying and a cherry on the cake in common use. At 1.62 kilograms and over 15mm, the laptop computer is neither gentle nor skinny, however you may stay with all that firepower. It took us just a few days to regulate to MacBook Pro 14-inch from the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro, which is 12.5mm skinny and round 1.5 kilograms, which was our every day driver earlier.
The Magic keyboard is superb for professionals like writers or coders typing, whereas the trackpad is responsive and huge sufficient for exact cursor actions and multi-touch gestures. In reality, we’re typing this evaluate on the MacBook Pro, and it is an satisfying expertise. Apart from typing, the keyboard can also be apt for gaming, although if you happen to’re into hardcore gaming, it’s possible you’ll depend on wi-fi controllers.
Coming to the show, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is not an enormous leap from the MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro mannequin. However, enhancements like SDR content material now seem brighter on the laptop computer. In numbers, the brand new Pro mannequin brightness is 600 nits max for SDR content material — up from 500 nits within the final iteration. It’s not very noticeable in on a regular basis use, but it surely’s nonetheless a bump. The show is clean and crisp, and the textual content is sharp and brilliant beneath gentle circumstances. If you find yourself understanding of any location, be it an open cafe or the cab’s rear seat, then the MacBook Pro 14-inch mannequin must be an excellent match. The laptop computer is superb for multimedia because it packs a surprising show.
The notch is the one place the place the MacBook Pro 14-inch nonetheless appeared caught within the outdated era. It sits proper within the center, watching you, and the large black spot on the display screen would not go nicely. We would have most popular it if Apple introduced the iPhone Pro mannequin’s Dynamic Island-like remedy to the MacBook Pro line. But I suppose we must wait just a few extra years for that change. If you ask if the show notch on the Mac is a deal breaker, we’d say not as a result of it serves its objective to full use. One function we missed on the MacBook Pro 14-inch is the touchscreen assist. It would have given it an edge.
The Touch ID is fast and works flawlessly. The laptop computer packs sufficient connectivity ports, and the FaceTime digicam gives good readability on video calls.
Overall, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is a superb laptop computer for individuals on the go and who can’t compromise on the show half. The MacBook Pro 14-inch packs probably the greatest shows within the 14-inch kind issue we’ve got reviewed recently.
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Review: Performance and gaming
With the brand new M3 line of chips, Apple has aimed to ship efficiency with out sacrificing portability. With enhanced capabilities like dealing with 8K video edits and extra severe gaming, the all-new MacBook Pro fashions allow practically not possible workflows on a tool with this manner issue.
Coming to real-world efficiency, the M3 Max can deal with duties far more easily than the M1 and M2 (on the MacBook Air 15-inch), which we used for our reference to check the MacBook Pro with the M3 Max for this evaluate. From launching apps to multitasking, the MacBook Pro is snappy. Since we enabled unlocking your Mac along with your Apple Watch function, we might get happening the laptop computer as quickly as we opened the lid, which was additionally cool, contemplating that each time we used this function, heads have been turning.
We had an absolute blast taking part in titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Metro Exodus, Lies of P and Divinity: Original Sin 2 on the MacBook Pro. I’m not an enormous gaming fan, however ever since I watched Baldur’s Gate 3 in the course of the Apple Mac occasion, I needed to attempt my arms on this title. I famous the utmost and minimal FPS I might document in the course of the gameplay within the chart beneath.
Undoubtedly, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is my favorite laptop computer with a 14-inch display screen measurement for gaming. Notably, the followers remained silent for nearly the complete evaluate interval besides after we ran Baldur’s Gate 3 and concurrently began a venture on Final Cut Pro. However, most individuals will not have this form of testing state of affairs. And in the beginning, this evaluate was to seek out out when precisely M3 Max obtained harassed.
The built-in fingerprint scanner is fast and turns out to be useful in on a regular basis duties. However, the fingerprint sensor is fast, however contemplating the MacBook Pro comes with a hefty value, Face ID unlock might have been an excellent addition — enhancing the general utility issue.
The better part in regards to the MacBook Pro is it would not disguise all of the firepower beneath the hood however has a package deal that has a strong speaker and a vibrant display screen to match shoppers’ lighter calls for, like multimedia consumption. The MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop computer packs one of the best audio system on a laptop computer of this measurement we’ve got reviewed. Period.
We ran some artificial benchmark checks to see how nicely the MacBook Pro M3 Max fares, and we have been blown away by the outcomes. Interestingly, we repeated these checks on battery energy, and to our shock, these figures stayed virtually equivalent even on battery energy — that tells you sufficient in regards to the powerhouse M3 vary.
We additionally ran some CPU-based benchmark checks just like the Handbrake video encoding take a look at, and the MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Max recorded a rating of 4.85, simply behind the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max mannequin of 4.52. We discovered comparable outcomes on the MP4 encode take a look at (1080p 30), the place the M3 Max-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro was solely behind its greater sibling, the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
In reality, hat tip to the Max Tech YouTube channel that in contrast 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max fashions. The comparability confirmed that the 16-inch mannequin is a better option for creators as its efficiency would not dip when in comparison with 14-inch fashions.
Talking in regards to the connectivity ports, the MacBook Pro gives sufficient choices — three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, an SDXC slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. For charging, the laptop computer homes MagSafe, which suggests you need to use all of your Thunderbolt ports, which is an effective factor.
At the start of this evaluate, we identified that Apple this 12 months has tried to faucet into totally different goal audiences like college students, creators, and extra. The better part is the brand new M3 line has one thing for all such shoppers. While for college kids who need to have good graphics for dealing with initiatives and operating intensive video games, the M3 or M3 Pro is fairly succesful. For the creator group, the M3 Max gives a one-stop resolution, and never many laptops out there can match it.
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Review: Battery
Since the corporate shifted to Apple Silicon, Macs have been rated as unbelievable when it comes to efficiency, however one other division that has proven outstanding effectivity is the battery. When it launched, the MacBook Air M1 confirmed glorious battery backup, setting a benchmark for laptops. With the M3 Max, Apple appears to set the bar increased for the competitors. We examined the battery prowess of the MacBook Pro in our video loop take a look at; beneath is the outcome. The MacBook Pro (14-inch) beats all different 14-inch laptops arms down with its battery effectivity.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max lasted virtually two days with gentle to medium duties like typing emails and tales, modifying articles, looking web sites for analysis, modifying photographs on Photoshop, watching YouTube movies, minor edits video on Adobe Premiere Pro, and streaming exhibits on OTT platforms. With a mixture of gaming, the MacBook Pro provided near a full day of utilization, with different duties remaining virtually equivalent, which is spectacular.
With video modifying thrown into the combo, issues did get attention-grabbing. With Final Cut Pro used on the machine for a few hours, the general battery dropped to round 9 hours. Mind you, the utilization concerned on a regular basis duties and a few hours of gaming on titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Lies of P and extra. The means MacBook Pro ship battery output remains to be spectacular by a substantial margin. Of course, in case you suppose you want extra, there’s the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3 Max on provide as nicely.
MacBook Pro 14-Inch Review: Verdict
The all-new MacBook Pro has the whole lot {that a} energy person would wish for on a regular basis duties — a high-end desktop-grade efficiency, excellent battery life, a best-in-class show on this measurement, and, to high it off, stable appears. The sheer uncooked energy that M3 Max options makes it superb for AI builders, 3D artists, players, and video content material professionals. Anyone not falling in that class can both go M3 Pro if they’ve the finances or select an M3 — if the on a regular basis duties do not require intensive workflows.
During the evaluate, we realised that the MacBook Pro with M3 Max is nice for working with demanding content material throughout quite a lot of workflows, corresponding to making intricate 3D fashions and SketchUp sooner than earlier than.
The backside line is if you happen to’re searching for a laptop computer with multitasking, minor video edits, and informal gaming as the highest precedence, then the M3 chip-powered MacBook Pro with 8GB unified reminiscence must be good, and it begins at Rs. 1,69,900. If the M3 Pro would suit your necessities, then the MacBook Pro 14-inch begins at Rs. 1,99,900. To examine, the M3 Max mannequin with baseline specs of 14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB unified reminiscence, and 1B SSD storage begins at Rs. 3,19,900.
The MacBook Pro with M3 Max is probably the most Pro laptop computer Apple has ever constructed and is a mighty machine for energy customers. Its efficiency outclasses some other competitors within the present laptop computer market.
