M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Which MacBook Pro is Right for You?
Choosing Your Next MacBook: M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max
For the past six months, I’ve had the M3 MacBook Pro lineup right here in my office. I’ve put these machines through rigorous testing. From running benchmark tests to draining the battery, I’ve done it all. Whether you’re eyeing the M3, M3 Pro, or considering an upgrade to the M3 Max, my test results can guide your decision. Now, after a thorough examination, I’m excited to share my findings with you. So buckle up as I dive into the M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max ultimate comparison!
COMPARISON OVERVIEW
#1: Price
#2: Battery Life
#3: M3 Chip vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max
#4: SSD Speed Test
#5: CPU
#6: Geekbench 6 CPU
#7: Cinebench 2024 CPU
#8: GPU
#9: 3DMark Wild Life
#10: Cinebench 2024 GPU
#11: Gaming
#12: Real-World Tasks
#13: Blender 3D Rendering
#14: Lightroom Classic Photo Editing
#15: HandBrake
#16: Video Editing
#17: Which M3 MacBook Pro Should You Buy?M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Price
The base model of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro costs $1599. This configuration includes an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 512GB of SSD storage.
Want to take it up a notch? You can grab the upgraded 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook for $1999. For that extra $400, you get 11 CPU cores, 14 GPU cores, 18GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD.
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly setup of the 16-inch M3 Max, it’ll cost you $3499. Spending more for the bigger screen size provides 14 CPU cores, 30 GPU cores, 36GB of memory, and 1TB of storage.
Do you have money to spend? Consider buying the top-tier 16-inch MacBook Pro. Priced at $7,199, this powerhouse features the M3 Max chip with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, a whopping 128GB of RAM, and an 8TB SSD.
So if you choose the M3 Pro or M3 Max models, they come in silver or the new “Space Black” color.
Battery Life
The power-saving performance of the M3 family of chips ensures the MacBook Pro has the best energy efficiency. This contributes to the MacBook Pro having the longest battery life ever on a Mac — up to 22 hours. As a result, you spend less time needing to plug it in and consume less energy over its lifetime.
I’m curious to see how well the system manages the demands of a strong CPU and GPU. At the same time, it still maintains efficient energy usage for a long battery life.
The M3 can last up to 17 hours and 20 minutes, the M3 Pro lasts 5 minutes less, and the M3 Max lasts 15 minutes less. The M3 wins the battery life marathon because it is designed to be super-efficient.
M3 Chip vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max
The high-end M3 chipset comes in two versions: M3 Pro and M3 Max. These versions offer more powerful performance compared to the base M3. They have more CPU and GPU cores, along with more unified memory. It’s clear that the M3 Pro and M3 Max will deliver significant performance gains over the M3.
I’ll break down those numbers to make them easier to understand. What do they actually mean for your daily computing tasks?
The M3 chip, with 25 billion transistors, an 8-core CPU, and a GPU boasting 10 cores, Apple said, is 65% faster than the M1. It pushes up to 24GB of unified memory.
As for the M3 Pro, we’re talking about 27 billion transistors. The higher-end model boasts an 18-core GPU that’s 40% faster than its M1 Pro counterpart. The base configuration of the M3 Pro features a CPU with 11 cores and supports up to 36GB of unified memory.
Moving on to the monster M3 Max, it comes with 92 billion transistors, a 16-core CPU, and a GPU boasting 40 cores. If you’re willing to spend big bucks for the maxed-out M3 Max, you can get an astonishing 128GB of unified memory. Whether editing 4K videos or gaming on Apple devices, this beast excels.
Apple 3-nanometer chips are the fastest so far, boasting improved performance and efficiency.
SSD Speed Test
I started with a disk speed test. I used the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test to see how fast the SSDs in the M3 lineup were.
In terms of writing speed, the M3 Max is the fastest, going at 7592 MB/s. That’s more than twice as fast as the M3, which writes at 2766 MB/s. The M3 Pro is in the middle, writing at 4209 MB/s, which is 52% faster than the M3.
As for reading speed, the M3 Max is still the winner, with 5558 MB/s. This is 91% faster than the M3, which reads 2902 MB/s. The M3 Pro reads at 5066 MB/s, which is 75% faster than the M3. That’s because the M3 Pro and M3 Max have more NAND chips.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: CPU
The new CPUs in the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max have better performance and efficiency cores. The performance cores are up to 30 percent faster than the ones in the previous M1 family.
So, workflows like compiling code in Xcode are now faster, and musicians can work with many audio tracks in Logic Pro. Everyday tasks are now faster than ever, all while helping the system extend battery life.
The 14-inch M3 base model has 8 CPU cores in total, divided evenly (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores). Also, the 14-inch M3 Pro entry-level has 11 CPU cores (6 performance and 5 efficiency). But the 16-inch M3 Max base model packs 14 CPU cores (12 performance and 4 efficiency).
Geekbench 6 CPU
I’m going to start with the Geekbench single-core test. The scores are almost the same for all three models: around 3198 for the M3, 3152 for the M3 Pro, and 3136 for the M3 Max. The M3 Max model has a slight advantage because it supports high-power mode.
For the multi-core test, we go from 12016 to 14355, and then 21709 for the M3 Max. The M3 Max is about 51% faster than the M3 Pro and roughly 81% faster than the M3.
Cinebench 2024 CPU
I want to bust out the Cinebench 2024 CPU. It’s a realistic rendering test that features thermal throttling.
The M3 Max is much faster than both the M3 and M3 Pro in the Cinebench 2024 CPU Multi-Core test. The M3 Max scored 1,436, which is about 69% faster than the M3 Pro’s score of 847 and over twice as fast as the M3, which scored 659. Therefore, the 16-inch M3 Max has much better thermal management.
Now that I’ve finished all those CPU tests, let’s move on to graphics performance.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: GPU
The new GPU in the M3 family of chips is the biggest improvement in graphics for Apple’s silicon. They feature Dynamic Caching, Mesh Shading, and Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing.
The difference between the M3 lineups is their graphic performance. The M3 base model has 10 GPU cores, compared to 14 for the M3 Pro and 30 for the M3 Max. The M3 Max has twice as many GPU cores as the M3 Pro and three times as many GPU cores as the M3.
Next, I’m going to check out the Geekbench 6 Metal GPU scores for the M3 lineup. The M3 got 47418 points, the M3 Pro got 68275, and the M3 Max got 123901. The M3 Max excels as the top performer in graphics, showing a huge improvement in performance. It prioritizes GPU cores, boasting 30 cores, which is 2.6 times faster than the M3.
3DMark Wild Life
The 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test shows how realistic and smooth the graphics look. The expensive M3 Max with a 30-core GPU has better results. That’s a whopping 19% faster than the M3 Pro, which scores 11955. The M3 comes in at a distant 7808.
In 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited, the M3 Max is about 2.5 times faster than the M3 Pro and 3.7 times faster than the M3. This is because the M3 Max has more RAM and an extra core. So, if you want to play games with the most lifelike graphics and smoothest action, the M3 Max is the MacBook to pick!
Cinebench 2024 GPU
Moving on to the Cinebench 2024 GPU rendering test, let’s see how the GPUs perform.
The M3 Max takes the lead again! It scores a very impressive 10313, which is 71% faster than the M3 Pro’s (5961) and more than three times as fast as the M3 (3340).
There are significant performance improvements as you upgrade to the M3 Max model. This makes it highly valuable for rendering tasks.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Gaming
Apple is making the MacBook Pro a better place to play games. They added Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing and Mesh Shading, which will improve gaming experiences.
I’ll start with how these MacBooks handle games at 1920 x 1200 resolution. A higher frame rate results in a smoother gaming experience!
For games that rely heavily on graphics, like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the M3 Max is the champion! It runs the game at a super smooth 118 fps, which is 145% faster than the M3 Pro (48 fps) and 257% faster than the M3 (33 fps).
Even for less demanding games like Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, the M3 Max offers a slight edge. It reached 59 fps, compared to 53 fps on the M3 Pro and 50 fps on the M3.
The difference becomes even bigger for games like Borderlands 3. The M3 Max can run it at a smooth 54 fps, whereas the M3 Pro manages 28 fps and the M3 struggles at 19 fps. So, if you crave games with the smoothest graphics, the M3 Max MacBook Pro is the clear champion!
Gaming potential is still a welcome addition for Mac users. However, Apple hasn’t reached the same level as other big players in the computer gaming world. But it’s possible they could get there eventually.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Real-World Tasks
I’ll start with real-world tasks by compiling the Xcode 15 application. The M3 took 2 minutes and 10 seconds to compile the code, whereas the M3 Pro finished in 1 minute and 48 seconds. But the M3 Max was the fastest, wrapping up in just 1 minute and 19 seconds. That means the M3 Max is about 37% faster than the M3 Pro and a whopping 39% faster than the M3.
So, if you’re a coder looking for speed and efficiency, the M3 Max is the MacBook Pro for you!
In my second workflow, I’ll design a furniture website using Figma Web Design.
The M3 Max proves its speed once again, finishing the task in just 1 minute and 39 seconds. That’s 10 seconds faster than the M3 Pro, which took 1 minute and 49 seconds. The M3 lags behind, taking 2 minutes and 9 seconds to complete the same task.
The M3 Max isn’t worth buying because it’s only 30 seconds faster than the M3. After looking at this test, I believe the regular M3 model is perfectly fine to buy.
In my third test, I’ll run Logic Pro. The M3 Max played 270 tracks, while the M3 Pro played 130 tracks, and the M3 played 118 tracks. This means the M3 Max is twice as fast as the M3 Pro and 2.2 times faster than the M3.
The M3 Max (300 GB/s) stands out because its memory delivers high bandwidth. It’s twice as fast as the M3 Pro (150 GB/s) and three times faster than the M3 (100 GB/s). Since Logic Pro relies heavily on RAM, keep that in mind.
Blender 3D Rendering
In my fourth test, I’ll render the BMW scene in Blender 4.0. I’m excited to see how the GPU performs since the M3 chips support Ray Tracing.
The M3 Pro is significantly faster than the M3, running more than twice as fast. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need enhanced performance for tasks like video editing, gaming, or software development. Its increased speed allows for smoother multitasking and quicker processing times, making daily tasks more efficient.
Meanwhile, the M3 Max takes performance to another level. It runs over three times quicker than the M3, providing even more power for extreme workflows. This chip is ideal for professionals who work with demanding applications or large files, such as 3D rendering or high-resolution video production.
Both the M3 Pro and M3 Max demonstrate impressive advancements over the M3, making them strong contenders for users looking for powerful performance. If speed and efficiency are key factors in your decision-making, opting for either the M3 Pro or M3 Max would be a smart choice, as they cater to varying needs and workloads.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Photo Editing
My fifth workflow includes Lightroom Classic photo editing. I’ll be exporting 100 (45 megapixel) raw images. This task is going to use a mix of CPU, GPU, and RAM.
Surprisingly, both the M3 Pro and M3 Max finished in just 62 seconds, despite the M3 Max having a better CPU. Meanwhile, the M3 took longer, clocking in at 100 seconds.
This means the M3 Pro and M3 Max are 38 seconds faster than the M3. Another reason to buy the M3 Pro is its excellent performance at an affordable price compared to the M3 Max.
HandBrake
Next, I’ll convert videos using HandBrake. I used a 12-minute 4K video and transcoded it to 1080p with the “Fast 1080p30” setting.
The M3 Max finished in just 2 minutes and 44 seconds. The M3 Pro took 4 minutes and 34 seconds, and the M3 took 5 minutes and 47 seconds. With the M3 Max, you save almost 2 minutes compared to the M3 Pro and 3 minutes compared to the M3.
M3 vs M3 Pro vs M3 Max: Video Editing
The last test is to export a 10-minute 4K video with effects in Final Cut Pro. Both the CPU and GPU work really hard during this task.
The M3 took 6 minutes and 53 seconds for that project, compared to the M3 Pro, which finished at 5 minutes and 54 seconds. But the M3 Max made it in 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
The M3 takes about a minute longer, even though it uses the same encoders as the M3 Pro. The M3 Max is much faster because it has dual encoders.
The 16-inch M3 Max beats the M3 and M3 Pro due to its powerful GPU performance and impressive cooling system.
Best Deals Today!
14-inch M3 MacBook Pro ➡ (19% Off)
14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro ➡ (15% Off)
16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro ➡ (14% Off)
13-inch M3 MacBook Air ➡ (9% Off)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air ➡ (8% Off)
13-inch M2 MacBook Air ➡ (10% Off)
15-inch M2 MacBook Air ➡ (Renewed $849)
M1 MacBook Air ➡ (Renewed $519)
Apple Magic Mouse ➡ (14% Off)
Which M3 MacBook Pro Should You Buy?
The M3 MacBook Pro is perfect for daily tasks and boasts an impressive 22 hours of battery life. It’s now up for grabs on Amazon for $1,299, with $300 off. It only has 8 GB of memory, which is a bit disappointing. However, you can get the M3 MacBook Pro with 16 GB of memory and 1 TB of storage for just $1,699 with a 15% discount.
However, I recommend opting for the 14-inch M3 Pro instead of the M3 with 8GB of RAM. It’s available on Amazon for as low as $1699, with a $300 discount. With more power and memory options, it provides the best bang for your buck.
As for the 16-inch M3 Max, it is a powerhouse for extreme workflows. If you’re investing more money, you’d naturally expect higher performance, and it’s currently a solid deal at $2,999 with $500 off.
