“Everything you need to know about the M3 MacBook Pro.”
Macworld
Apple produces three variations of the MacBook Pro: one with a 13-inch display, one with a 14-inch display, and one with a 16-inch display. Although the 13-inch and 14-inch models may seem similar in size, they have distinct differences. The 13-inch model is more similar to the MacBook Air than the Pro, but it does offer its own set of distinct features and advantages. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch versions of the MacBook Pro currently support either an M2 Pro or M2 Max processor. The 16-inch model is considered the ultimate professional option with its large Retina XDR display.
At the moment, we have the current version, but if you are considering purchasing one, the question is, what can we expect in the future? In this piece, we have compiled all the speculations surrounding the upcoming MacBook Pro, including potential features and advantages of the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips, as well as predicted prices and discussions about the display and potential changes to the notch.
is May
The release date for the M3 MacBook Pro is set for May.
13-inch MacBook Pro
- 13-inch: Late 2023
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Both 14-inch and 16-inch models are expected to be released in early 2024.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is anticipated to receive an upgrade to the M3 chip soon. In July 2023, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg predicted that the 13-inch MacBook Pro, along with the MacBook Air and iMac, would be updated with the M3 chip in the fall of 2023. He stated, “The October release may include the initial Macs with M3 chips. It is too early for new high-end MacBook Pros or desktops, so the first devices to benefit from the new chip should be the next iMac, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 13-inch MacBook Pro.”
In August, Gurman restated that Apple’s M3 chip would most likely be released in October. This release cycle would include the chip being used in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac. However, by this time, he was not as sure that this announcement would be made at an Apple event.
Unfortunately, the delay may extend until the spring season. It has been rumored that the production of M3 was postponed due to the focus on creating chips for the latest iPhones, which also utilize the 3nm process expected for the M3. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is now on X (previously known as Twitter), the M3 will not be introduced into a MacBook until 2024.
models
The MacBook Pro models available are in sizes of 14 inches and 16 inches.
- Spring 2024
We anticipate a longer wait for the 14- and 16-inch updates. The M3 Pro and Max, as well as Ultra chips, are expected to be released in the spring or summer of 2024.
According to a newsletter released in October by Gurman, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are powered by M3 Pro and M3 Max, have completed design validation testing (DVT). The same was mentioned about the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. Gurman predicts that these new machines could be available sometime between early and spring 2024, so the wait may not be too lengthy.
MacBook Pro with M3 processor: Cost
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The pricing in the U.S. is comparable.
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Is there an M2 model available for less than $1,000?
It has been speculated that Apple may release a budget-friendly MacBook aimed at the education industry. However, we believe this is unlikely and provide our reasoning here: Apple may consider producing a lower-priced MacBook to compete with Chromebooks, but it is not very probable.
It is possible that Apple will offer the M2 version of the MacBook Pro as an affordable option, potentially leading to a MacBook Pro priced below $1,000. Alternatively, there may be a decrease in price for all new MacBook Pro models, at least in certain areas.
The current pricing structure is as follows:
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The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 processor, 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is priced at $1,299/£1,349.
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The MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 processor, an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is priced at $1,499 in the US and £1,549 in the UK.
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The MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro, a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, comes with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for a price of $1,999/£2,149.
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The MacBook Pro with a 14-inch display features an M2 Pro processor with a 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, along with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It is priced at $2,499 in the US and £2,699 in the UK.
- MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max, 12-core CPU/30-core GPU, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD: $3,099/£3,349
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The price of the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro, 12-core CPU/19-core GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD is $2,499 in the US and £2,699 in the UK.
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The MacBook Pro with a 16-inch screen has a M2 Pro processor with 12 cores for the CPU and 19 cores for the GPU. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive for storage. The price is $2,699 or £2,899.
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The MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max is equipped with a powerful 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU, along with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It is priced at $3,499 in US dollars and £3,749 in British pounds.
Before the M2 Pro and Max models were released, the prices were more favorable for the U.K. We are optimistic that Apple’s recent adjustment to iPhone pricing will result in reduced overseas prices to their previous levels before 2022. We anticipate something similar to the following:
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The price for a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M3 processor and 256GB storage is $1,299 in the United States and £1,299 in the United Kingdom.
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The price for a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M3 processor and 512GB storage is $1,499 in US dollars or £1,499 in British pounds.
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The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and 512GB storage is priced at $1,999 in the US and £1,899 in the UK.
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The 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro with 1TB storage is priced at $2,499/£2,399.
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“The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and 512GB storage is priced at $2,499 or £2,399.”
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro processor and 1TB storage is priced at $2,699 in the US and £2,599 in the UK.
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The price for the 1TB M3 Max model of the 16-inch MacBook Pro is $3,499 in the US and £3,299 in the UK.
M3 MacBook Pro: Display
- Higher peak brightness
- Greater power efficiency
For many years, there have been speculations about Apple transitioning the MacBook screens from LCD to OLED, similar to those used on iPhones. This could potentially result in improved energy efficiency and longer battery life, as well as enhanced color and brightness. However, it seems unlikely that Apple will implement this change in the current generation.
However, this does not imply that there will be no advancements in display technology. DigiTimes reports that the upcoming 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will feature new mini-LEDs that are 10% brighter than the current ones used by Apple (with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits sustained and 1,600 nits peak).
In addition to being brighter than current mini-LEDs, these new LEDs are expected to consume less power, potentially resulting in longer battery life.
The MacBook Pro M3 features a Notch and FaceTime camera.
There may be other modifications in store for the display. In the iPadOS 17.1 beta, an icon depicting a MacBook features what looks like a Dynamic Island situated at the top of the screen, rather than a notch.
It is uncertain if the notch will be included in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but considering its current 720p FaceTime HD camera, we hope it will be upgraded to the 1080p FaceTime HD camera found in other models.
The MacBook Pro currently does not support Face ID with its notch, but there are indications that it may be added in the future. A patent uncovered by Patently Apple in June 2023 suggests that Apple is considering incorporating this feature.
Specifications for the new MacBook Pro:
Moving on to the central processing units and potential advancements in the upcoming generation.
M3
The upcoming M3 chip is likely to utilize the 3nm fabrication technology, which was previously used for the A17 chip in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. If this holds true, it could potentially become the first desktop computer to feature a 3nm chip. The M2-series currently uses the 5nm process.
The advantages of using the 3nm process include the ability to fit more transistors on a chip, potentially leading to a significant increase in performance compared to previous generations. Additionally, the M3 may also improve power efficiency, resulting in longer battery life.
The launch of the M3 may face delays as a result of the new 3nm process. Apple has partnered with TSMC to produce these chips, but they have been under pressure to meet Apple’s demand for the A17. In May, Revegnus, a Twitter user, stated that the M3 chip for the iPad Pro and future Macs will not be available until 2024 due to TSMC’s challenges with yield.
However, Gurman remains optimistic about the upcoming release of the M3 and has gathered some insights from the developer logs of the M3 Pro and Max, which were discovered in August.
Using the information from the logs, it appears that the standard M3 will have a total of 8 CPU cores, with 4 dedicated to high performance and 4 for efficiency. Additionally, it is expected to have either 10 or 12 GPU cores. While this is similar to the current setup, the use of a 3nm process is expected to result in faster speeds.
Along with the lack of support for lower RAM, another factor causing delay for M2 Macs is the smaller SSD included in the base model. In comparison tests, the 256GB SSD is noticeably slower than the 512GB option. This is likely due to the 256GB storage being a single NAND chip rather than two 128GB chips. It is anticipated that Apple will resolve this issue.
M3 Pro
The M3 Pro is reportedly receiving an upgrade to either 12 or 14 CPU cores (with 6 or 8 dedicated to performance and 6 for efficiency) and 18 or 20 GPU cores. This is a comparable increase in core numbers as the transition from M1 to M2. Currently, the M2 Pro features a 10- or 12-core CPU and a 16- or 19-core GPU.
According to Gurman, Apple may be altering the unified memory setups for their testing MacBook Pro models, which have options of 36GB and 48GB. Currently, Apple has a range of memory configurations available (8GB, 16GB, 24GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 96GB, 128GB or 192GB) depending on the processor.
Based on this, there is potential for a 36GB combined memory choice for the M3 Pro.
M3 Max
The M3 Max boasts a total of 16 CPU cores, with 12 dedicated to high performance and 4 for efficiency, as well as either 32 or 40 GPU cores. In comparison, the M2 Max only has a 12-core CPU and either 30 or 38 GPU cores.
Additionally, there is the possibility of an M3 Ultra model featuring 32 CPU cores (24 high-performance and 8 energy-efficient) as well as a boost to either 64 or 80 GPU cores, compared to the current 24-core CPU and 60-core or 67-core GPU configuration.
The M3 Max could potentially offer additional 32GB and 48GB options for Unified Memory.
The latest MacBook Pro: Interfaces and connections
A potential update for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro is the addition of Thunderbolt 5 support. However, this may not be introduced until 2024 or 2025. When it does become available, it will increase the bi-directional bandwidth from 40 Gbps to 80 Gbps, and a feature called “Bandwidth Boost” will offer up to 120 Gbps for video content. The new standard will also be compatible with previous versions.
Here is a summary of the current ports and wireless features available on the MacBook Pro.
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“The 13-inch MacBook Pro features two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.”
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The 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro come equipped with three Thunderbolt 4/USB C ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC port, WiFi 6E (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.3.
It is expected that the 13-inch MacBook Pro will receive an upgrade for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, aligning it with the high-end Pro models.
