Apple’s M2 chip was a game-changer for the Mac lineup with incredible performance and efficiency. But with the release of the M3 MacBook Pro, you might be wondering: which MacBook Pro is right for me? Here’s a detailed comparison of the two models to help you decide.
M3 MacBook Pro vs. M2 MacBook Pro: Specs Breakdown
| 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro | 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro | 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro | 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display and Resolution | 14.2-inch, 3024 x 1964 | 14.2-inch, 3024 x 1964 | 16.2-inch, 3456 x 2234 | 16.2-inch, 3456 x 2234 |
| Dimensions | 12.31 x 8.71 inches | 12.31 x 8.71 inches | 14.01 x 9.77 inches | 14.01 x 9.77 inches |
| Thickness | 0.61 inches | 0.61 inches | 0.66 inches | 0.66 inches |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds | 3.5 pounds (M2 Pro), 3.6 (M2 Max) | 4.7 pounds (M3 Pro), 4.8 (M3 Max) | 4.7 pounds (M2 Pro), 4.8 (M2 Max) |
| Battery Life | Up to 22 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| CPU | Apple M3 (8-core), M3 Pro (11 or 12-core), or M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Apple M2 Pro (10 or 12-core) or M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M3 Pro (12-core) or Apple M3 Max chip (14 or 16-core) | Apple M2 Pro (12-core) or M2 Max (12-core) |
| GPU | Apple M3 (10-core), Apple M3 Pro (18-core), or Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Apple M2 Pro (16 or 19-core) or Apple M2 Max (30-core) | Apple M3 Pro (18-core) or Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Apple M2 Pro (19-core) or M2 Max (38-core) |
| RAM | M3: 8GB, 16GB, 24GB; M3 Pro: 18GB, 36GB; M3 Max: 36GB, 96GB | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 96GB | M3 Pro or M3 Max with 14-core CPU: 18GB, 36GB; M3 Max with 16-core CPU: 48GB; M3 Max with 16-core CPU: 64GB; M3 Max with 14-core CPU: 96GB; M3 Max with 16-core CPU: 128GB | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 96GB |
| Storage | M3 up to 1TB; M3 Pro up to 4TB; M3 Max up to 8TB | Up to 8TB | Up to 8TB | Up to 8TB |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4 support | 3 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4 support | 3 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4 support | 3 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4 support |
| Power Adapter | Type-C, 70W or 96W | Type-C, 67W or 96W | Type-C, 140W | Type-C, 140W |
| Colors | Silver, Space gray (M3); Space black (M3 Pro, M3 Max) | Space gray, Silver | Space black, Silver | Space gray, Silver |
| Starting Price | $1,599 | $1,999 | $2,499 | $2,499 |
Design and Build
Starting with the design and build, the M3 MacBook Pro and M2 MacBook Pro share the same sleek and premium look. Both laptops have an aluminum unibody construction, which provides a sturdy and sophisticated feel. The dimensions of the M3 and M2 MacBook Pro models are also the same.
The only difference this time for the M3 Pro and Max models is the introduction of the new Space Black color alongside Silver. While the new color is exclusive to the high-end models, the standard M3 MacBook Pro is available only in Space Gray and Silver.
Display Technology
Both 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro and M2 MacBook Pro models have 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR displays with a 3024 x 1964 resolution and thin bezels, while the 16-inch versions have a 3456 x 2234 resolution. However, there’s one key difference between the two displays. The displays on the M3 models offer 600 nits of extra brightness than the M2 models when viewing SDR content. This means the M3 MacBook Pro’s display is better for viewing HDR content and working in bright environments.
Also, just like the M2 MacBook Pro, the latest M3 MacBook Pros come with a notch up top and a 1080p FaceTime camera. Unfortunately, Face ID is still not present in the M3 MacBook Pro models.
CPU and GPU Performance
One main difference between the M3 and M2 MacBook Pros lies in their CPU and GPU performance. The M3 chips, thanks to their 3nm architecture, offer better performance and efficiency with lower power consumption compared to the M2 chips, which have a 5nm architecture.
For the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, both M3 and M2 chips have an 8-core CPU (with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU. However, the M3 chip has 25 billion transistors, up from 20 billion in the M2 chip.
The M3 Pro variant introduces changes like an 18-core GPU, 50GB/s slower unified memory, and 37 billion transistors (down from the 40 billion in M2 Pro). The CPU is faster with 12 cores, but two performance cores are swapped for efficiency cores, resulting in 6 performance and 8 efficiency cores.
On the other hand, the M3 Max offers a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, up from the M2 Max’s 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU. The M3 Max also boasts 98 billion transistors and 128 GB of unified memory, surpassing the M2 Max’s 67 billion transistors and 96GB of unified memory.
All this makes M3 MacBook Pros better suited for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming.
Ports and Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the M2 MacBook Pro models have the same port selections. This includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB 4 support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 port. This identical setup is also present in the M3 Pro and M3 Max models.
However, it’s worth noting that the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro has only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which might be seen as a drawback. On the wireless front, all models in both M2 and M3 generations offer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
Charging and Battery Life
If we talk about the battery, both M3 and M2 MacBook Pro models boast impressive power efficiency and fast charging capabilities. With the included 96W and 140W power bricks, the 14-inch and 16-inch models can achieve up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes.
However, the M3 MacBook Pros, thanks to their advanced 3nm architecture, deliver even better battery life than their M2 counterparts. The entry-level 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro outperforms the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro by offering 22 hours of video playback on a single charge compared to the 17 hours of the M2 model.
The higher-end 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max provides 18 hours of video playback on a single charge—an improvement over the 17 hours of the M2 Pro or M2 Max MacBook Pro. Similarly, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max extends its video playback to 22 hours on a single charge, surpassing the 21 hours of the M2 Pro and M2 Max models.
Pricing and Storage Options
The 14-inch M3 starts at $1,599, making it the most affordable option. The 14-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max models start at $1,999 and $3,199, respectively. Lastly, the 16-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max models start at $2,499 and $3,499, respectively.
The M2 models have maintained their original pricing as the 14 and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pros. However, they are no longer sold directly by Apple on its official website. To purchase these older models, you have to turn to third-party retailers like Amazon.
Regarding storage options, Apple provides up to 8TB for both M3 Pro and M3 Max models, while the base M3 offers only up to 2TB. All the M2 MacBook Pro models offer up to 8TB of storage.
M3 MacBook Pro vs. M2 MacBook Pro: Which Should You Choose?
The decision between the M2 and M3 MacBook Pro models ultimately boils down to your personal needs and preferences. If you’re a professional or aspiring professional who demands absolute cutting-edge technology from Apple, upgrading to the M3 MacBook Pro may be a worthwhile investment.
But if you already own an M2 Pro or M2 Max MacBook Pro and your current workflows don’t demand as much performance, it’d be better if you stick with your existing device or opt for a more budget-friendly MacBook Air.