Is the MacBook Pro M3 Worth It?

Summary

In this video, the presenter reviews the new 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, questioning if 8GB of RAM is sufficient for its $1,600 price tag. They compare it to their 2021 MacBook Pro, noting the M3 model's lighter weight and reduced Thunderbolt ports. The presenter tests the laptop's performance in video editing with Final Cut Pro and gaming with Baldur's Gate 3, finding the 8GB RAM surprisingly usable despite initial skepticism. They conclude that while 8GB is adequate now, future-proofing with more RAM might be wise.

Takeaways

• 💻 The new 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is priced at $1,600 and comes with 8GB of RAM, which Apple claims is equivalent to 16GB in other systems due to their efficient use of memory.
• 🔍 The reviewer has been using a 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro for over two years and is very satisfied with its performance, making them hesitant to upgrade.
• 💡 The M3 MacBook Pro is lighter than its predecessors and has a slightly different port configuration, losing one Thunderbolt port but retaining essential connections like HDMI, SD card slot, MagSafe, and headphone jack.
• 🖥 The display on the M3 MacBook Pro is praised as one of the best laptop displays on the market, with a 120Hz refresh rate, high brightness, and vivid colors.
• 🛠 The internal design of the M3 MacBook Pro is user-friendly for opening, but there's little that's user-replaceable inside, and the battery appears to be slightly smaller than in the M1 Max model.
• 🎮 In terms of gaming, the M3 MacBook Pro handles AAA games like Baldur's Gate 3 well, even on battery power, showcasing the M3's图形处理能力 and active cooling system.
• 📹 For video editing tasks using Final Cut Pro, the M3 MacBook Pro performs smoothly with smaller projects but shows slight stuttering with larger, more complex timelines when run from an external SSD.
• 💬 Despite initial skepticism, the reviewer finds the 8GB of RAM on the M3 MacBook Pro to be surprisingly usable for their workflow, which includes editing and gaming.
• 🔮 The reviewer suggests that while 8GB of RAM is adequate now, it might not be sufficient in the long term, and recommends considering models with more RAM for future-proofing.
• 💡 For those seeking more performance or future-proofing, the reviewer advises looking at refurbished or older models with higher RAM configurations, such as the M1 Pro or M2 Pro.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding the new 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro?

The main concern is whether eight gigabytes of RAM is sufficient for the MacBook Pro, especially considering its price point of $1,600.

What does Apple VP of Marketing, Bob Borchers, claim about the RAM on the M3 MacBook Pro?

Bob Borchers claims that eight gigabytes of RAM on the M3 MacBook Pro is analogous to 16 gigabytes in other systems due to Apple's efficient use of RAM.

What is the user's opinion on the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro after using it for over two years?

The user loves the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro and considers it their favorite laptop, seeing no need to upgrade even after two years and two generations.

What color options are available for the new M3 MacBook Pro, and is there a cost difference?

The new M3 MacBook Pro is available in silver, and the Space Black color is exclusive to the M3 Pro MacBook Pro, which is a higher-tier model.

How does the M3 MacBook Pro compare to its predecessors in terms of port availability?

The M3 MacBook Pro loses one Thunderbolt port compared to its predecessors, but retains HDMI, an SD card slot, MagSafe, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack.

What is included in the box with the new M3 MacBook Pro?

The box includes a MagSafe cable and a 70-watt USB-C charger.

What is the user's initial impression of the display on the M3 MacBook Pro?

The user finds the display on the M3 MacBook Pro to be terrific, with a 120-hertz refresh rate, high brightness, and vivid colors, making it one of their favorite laptop displays on the market.

What differences does the user notice when comparing the internals of the M3 MacBook Pro to the M1 Max MacBook Pro?

The user notices that the M3 MacBook Pro has a different cooling solution with two fans instead of one, and a larger chip, indicating that it is more power-hungry.

How does the M3 MacBook Pro perform in video editing tasks according to the user?

The M3 MacBook Pro performs well in video editing, with the user able to edit a YouTube Short smoothly and only experiencing minor stuttering with a larger 19-minute project when scrubbing quickly.

What gaming experience does the user have on the M3 MacBook Pro, and how does it compare to other devices?

The user experiences a gaming performance on the M3 MacBook Pro that is superior to the Steam Deck, with 90 to 100fps in Baldur's Gate 3 on battery and with the fan noticeably more active.

What is the user's final verdict on the eight gigabytes of RAM in the M3 MacBook Pro after testing it?

The user concludes that eight gigabytes of RAM is surprisingly usable on the M3 MacBook Pro, with apps being well-optimized and fast SSDs compensating for swap memory. However, they express concern about its longevity over the next few years.