Which MacBook Pro to choose? Comparison 2024

Top 3 best MacBook Pro:

• MacBook Pro 16″ M3 Max
• MacBook Pro 14″ M3 Pro
• MacBook Pro M3

Now with several processors and several screen sizes, MacBook Pros adapt to all needs and budgets. In this guide, we have compared the main technical characteristics of the different models offered for sale in 2024. Here is everything you need to know, so as not to get lost when configuring your device before checking out.

Two screen sizes

The 2024 MacBook Pros come in two sizes. The most compact format gives pride of place to a screen of14.2 inches, while the largest reaches16.2 inches diagonal. The second is necessarily more comfortable, but you should know that there are few differences to distinguish the two panels. The brightness is identical, and the ProMotion refresh rate of one hundred and twenty frames per second is present on all MacBook Pros.

The design of MacBook Pros

MacBook Pros are now all designed with a metal chassis.aluminium. However, it is recommended to invest in a protective shell in the event of a fall.

The different ports are all installed on the edges of the case, on the left or right. This makes life easier for those who are used to using the Mac with a stationary workstation; no need to contort yourself to reach the USB plugs.

The touchpad is very impressive, which allows you to modify drawings on the fly with dedicated apps and without investing in a small graphics tablet, while traveling. Moreover, be aware that the MacBook Pros are now relatively light, except perhaps with the large sixteen-inch model which easily exceeds two kilograms. To take into account when filling your cabin baggage.

MacBook Pro 2024: comparison of processors

The 2024 MacBook Pros are offered with a processor of your choice from:

• theM3
• theM3 Pro
• theM3 Pro

In order, these are the latest generation Apple chips from the least powerful to the fastest. As we will see later in the price comparison, prices increase depending on performance.

M3 chip

The M3 chip is currently only available with a MacBook Pro offourteen inches. The sixteen-inch model is therefore not entitled to it.

The M3 is therefore the least powerful of the three processors offered today on MacBook Pro, but still has a ten-core graphics card as well as an eight-core CPU, four of which are dedicated to performance and four others to high efficiency. energy.

The sixteen-core Neural Engine is also integrated into the SoC (system on chip), to improve calculation speed thanks to artificial intelligence.

M3 Pro chip

The M3 Pro chip is a significant improvement on the M3, with the CPU increasing from eight totwelve hearts. The GPU can reach no less than eighteen cores. This part is essential for managing very demanding graphics, such as during video game or video editing sessions.

Like the M3, the M3 Pro is also entitled to hardware-accelerated ray tracing. This technology makes it possible to model the properties of light when it interacts with a scene. In this way, it is easy to generate precise and most realistic images possible.

With the M3 Pro chip, users also benefit from a ProRes encoding and decoding engine. Some iPhones are capable of capturing photos with this standard, for your information.

M3 Max chip

You will have understood, Apple's M3 Max processor is the most powerful offered by the Apple firm to date – on MacBook Pro, in any case. With this chip, the manufacturer offers us the ability to reach up to forty GPU cores. What's more, the memory bandwidth speed can reach four hundred gigabytes per second, compared to one hundred with an M3.

Like the M3 Pro chip, the M3 Max isavailable with both sizesde MacBook Pro.

Choose the storage capacity of your MacBook Pro wisely

MacBook Pros come with a storage capacity of your choice, but which cannot be changed after purchase. Just know that here, memory is availableand 512 Go, and 1 To, and 2 To, and 4 To ou and 8 To. On the other hand, the largest space is only available if you also invest in the M3 Max chip. M3 Pro processors are therefore limited to a maximum of 4 TB, compared to half as much for M3 motherboards.

It is important to choose your storage capacity carefully, because installing software or downloading documents quickly takes up a lot of space on the hard drive. It's an SSD, no matter which MacBook Pro you choose.

Connectivity and network

If you opt for a small storage capacity to save money, then know that you can always add memory with a USB key or other dedicated device. Alternatively, Apple offers its own cloud storage service synchronized with the Mac, in real time. This is iCloud, with 5 GB offered to all users who sign up.

All MacBook Pros are also compatible with theBluetooth 5.3and with theWi-Fi 6E. On the socket side, you have to count on a reader ofSDXC cardon every MacBook Pro, without distinction. However, we see, when comparing prices, that the most affordable version with M3 chip and 14-inch screen has only two Thunderbolt ports and USB 4 in USB-C. Compared to three for the MacBook Pro M3 Pro or M3 Max, regardless of size.

It is important to carefully check whether the sockets offered are sufficient for your office setup, otherwise it will be necessary to purchase additional accessories to connect numerous devices. Given the price of those dedicated to Macs, it is better not to miss this step.

Battery life of MacBook Pros

Apple's MacBook Pros come with battery life that still varies depending on the configuration chosen. So, for comparison, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip can last up to fifteen hours of wireless web browsing ortwenty-two hoursplaying video with the Apple TV app. Compared to twelve and eighteen hours respectively for the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro or M3 Max. The announced autonomy of the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the same as for the small model with the M3 chip.

In short, to last over time, you need to choose a MacBook Pro that is not very powerful and rather large. On the contrary, if you plan to mainly use your MacBook Pro on mains power, then all models should do the trick for at least several years.

RAM on MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro M3 (14-inch) comes with8 GB, 16 GB or 24 GB of live memory..

14-inch MacBook Pros (M3 Pro or M3 Max) are entitled to18 Go, 36 Go, 48 Go, 64 Go, 96 Go ou 128 Go. The same goes for the 16-inch MacBook Pros.

It is not possible to change the amount of RAM after purchase.

macOS is installed on all models

Apple provides the same version of its operating system for computers no matter which MacBook Pro you choose.

Just be aware that the fastest MacBook Pros will be able to support very energy-intensive apps, while this may not be the case for the model with the M3 chip. In other words, always check the compatibility of your software before subscribing to it.

• 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 chip): availablefrom 1,999 euros
• 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro or M3 Max chip): availablefrom 2,499 euros
• 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro or M3 Max chip): availablefrom 2,999 euros

Several colors available

M3 MacBook Pros come in Space Gray or Silver.

The MacBook Pro M3 Pro or M3 Max are available in Space Black and Silver as well.

Good to know about MacBook Pros available in 2024

The MacBook Pro line is the most powerful collection among all the laptops offered by Apple today. Prices are generally more expensive than devices with equivalent performance from the competition, but Macs are known to last over time. The manufacturer provides, as required by law, a two-year warranty against design defects.

The operating system, macOS, is often supported with updates for five to seven years. Beyond that, Apple continues to send security patches in the event of a breach.

FAQ

What is the best quality/price ratio?

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip is already very powerful, the benchmarks have shown it. Only a handful of professionals will really need an M3 Pro or M3 Max. The M3 model is therefore excellent value for money for most users, on paper of course.

Which MacBook Pro to choose for video editing?

For video editing, it's best to take advantage of both a large screen and a powerful graphics card. And in fact, the sixteen-inch MacBook Pro is available with a GPU made up of forty cores. This is probably the best ally for a short film editor, otherwise the Mac Pro with M2 Ultra chip also does the job very well.

Which MacBook Pro to choose for graphics?

Graphic designers often look for OLED screens, only these are offered on the iPad Pro M4 but not on the 2024 MacBook Pros. Please note, however, that the screens of the 14 and 16 inch models remain very well made. Our preference is necessarily towards the large model, more comfortable for editing images with several layers.

Which MacBook Pro is the cheapest?

The MacBook Pro M3 is the most affordable, new. But reconditioned models with M2 chip are of the same order of magnitude in terms of power, although with much more affordable prices. For example, it is possible to affordMacBook Pro M2or MacBook Pro M2 Pro at prices up to 30% cheaper than the following models.

Before checking out, check that the seller is reliable. Back Market or Amazon are reliable sources, the same for Fnac. On the other hand, scams abound on peer-to-peer resale sites like Leboncoin or eBay. Caution therefore remains necessary, especially when no invoice is offered to you when you order.

Which MacBook Pro to choose for photography?

The three MacBook Pros on offer today all come with an SD card reader. But the MacBook Pro M3 might prove a little slow when editing photos in bulk. It is therefore recommended to invest at least in a MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip, for this type of creation.