We’re going to pit the M3 MacBook Pro 14 against the M3 Pro MacBook Pro. Let’s get ready to rumble!
The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has the most affordable starting price of all MacBooks released during the “Scary Fast” event on October 30. If you need something more powerful to complement your resource-intensive workflow, you’ll be better off with an M3 Pro chip. This is where the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 comes into play.
Although they are small, there are of course more differences between the two models, apart from their chips.
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: price
The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro has a starting price of $1,599. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The most expensive configuration, packed with an M3 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 24 GB of RAM, and 2 TB of SSD storage, will cost you almost $2,600.
![Woman using M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00LKjXOhWtRb21MWdKqDrbe/images-9.fill.size_2000x1125.v1698736224.png)
M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple
The M3 Pro The 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a starting price of $1,999. This base configuration comes with 18 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage.
However, this laptop can cost almost $4,000 if you max it out with an M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 36 GB of RAM, and 4 TB of SSD storage.
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Design
Both the M3 and M3 Pro models have the same design. After all, they share the same 14-inch MacBook Pro chassis.
![Woman using the M3 MacBook Pro 14](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00LKjXOhWtRb21MWdKqDrbe/images-4.fill.size_2000x1125.v1698731726.png)
M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple
There are no major changes compared to the previous generation 14-inch MacBook Pro. As such, you still get that funky looking notch on top of the screen with thin bezels. Plus, you get an island-style keyboard that’s flanked by a divine-sounding six-speaker audio system. And you get Touch ID in the top right corner of the keyboard.
The lid features the well-known Apple logo that will be the envy of brand-conscious passers-by.
The M3 MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is negligibly lighter than the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 (3.4 pounds vs. 3.5 pounds). However, they share the same thinness of 0.61 inches.
Unlike the M3 MacBook Pro 14, the M3 Pro In addition to silver, the MacBook Pro 14 offers a new color, Space Black. The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is only available in Space Gray and Silver. Yawn!
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 13: Display
You guessed it. Both have the same screen.
The M3 MacBook Pro 14 and the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 has a 14.2-inch screen with a resolution of 3,024 x 1964 pixels and a variable refresh rate that can go up to 120 Hz. It has a peak brightness of up to 1600 nits, especially for HDR content.
Moreover, it has a mini LED display, an energy-efficient display technology that can deliver high brightness compared to OLED.
![M3 MacBook Pro 14](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00LKjXOhWtRb21MWdKqDrbe/images-1.fill.size_2000x1125.v1698731725.png)
M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple
The only aspect of the 14-inch MacBook Pro’s chassis that might give you pause is the controversial notch. Some people don’t mind. Like, I forget it’s even there. However, others find it disgusting, so it all depends on your own personal taste.
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Ports
Both laptops have an HDMI port, SDXC card slot and a 3.5mm headset jack.
![14-inch MacBook Pro ports](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00LKjXOhWtRb21MWdKqDrbe/images-10.fill.size_2000x983.v1698736224.png)
14-inch MacBook Pro ports
Credit: Apple
Plus, MagSafe 3 charging is available, so you can free up those Thunderbolt ports for other important uses.
The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 has three Thunderbolt 4 ports.
It’s worth noting that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 only supports An screen with a resolution of up to 6K at 60 Hz. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, offers support for up to two external displays with a resolution of up to 6K at 60 Hz.
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: the chipset
Naturally, Apple has equipped the 14-inch MacBook Pro with new chips from the M3 family, which the Cupertino-based giant claims is 15 percent faster than the M2 family. When it comes to image effects and filters, Apple claims the M3 family is 40 percent faster.
![M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00LKjXOhWtRb21MWdKqDrbe/images-8.fill.size_2000x1125.v1698736224.png)
M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple
When you go to buy the M3 MacBook Pro 14 on Apple’s website, you will notice that it only offers an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU.
The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is available in two chipset flavors:
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M3 Pro – 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU
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M3 Pro – 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU
In practice, if you select the M3 Pro chip with more cores, it should handle computing requirements more seamlessly and efficiently.
According to Apple, the M3 Pro is 20 percent faster than the M2 Pro, its predecessor, when it comes to image processing.
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Battery Life
Apple claims the M3 MacBook Pro 14 will last 22 hours on a single charge, which is pretty damn good (if this is true). The Cupertino-based tech giant claims that the M3 Pro MacBook Pro has a runtime of 18 hours, which is also impressive.
To know this, however, we will have to test these laptops ourselves Certainly.
Final thoughts
There is no clear winner here. It all depends on your workflow.
The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 is recommended for programmers, researchers and creatives. However, the cheaper M3 MacBook Pro 14 is aimed at students who need a fast laptop that can handle their daily tasks.
However, I’m a stickler for good battery life and I like to save money, so personally I’d choose the M3 MacBook Pro over its more expensive sibling.