The all-new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip is a cost-effective alternative to the outgoing 13-inch MacBook Pro. Despite this, due to its position in Apple’s Mac product line, it may not be the ideal choice for everyone.
Older 13-inch MacBook Pro models with the M2 chip have been replaced by the new 14-inch MacBook Pro form factor. The previous generation MacBook Pro lineup included a 13-inch model with the M2 chip, while the 14-inch and 16-inch models had the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip. The new lineup, on the other hand, features the full range of M3 Apple Silicon chips.
We had previously examined the fully-equipped 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro processor. This time, we’re looking at the base model M3 14-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB of memory and 512GB of internal storage on our test bench.
The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro closely resembles the older 13-inch MacBook Pro and the M2 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, combining features from both. Despite being slightly larger and heavier than the 13-inch model, the M3 14-inch MacBook Pro retains the same design. It is available in silver and Space Gray, with the new Space Black color exclusive to the M3 Pro and M3 Max models.
The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro’s display is a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3024 by 1964, resulting in a pixel density of 254 PPI. This new display offers improved picture sharpness and brightness, with 600 nits as standard brightness, 1000 nits HDR, and 1600 nits peak. The display also features ProMotion technology, providing a smoother viewing experience.
The Touch Bar, a prominent feature in earlier MacBook Pro models, has been removed in the M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the new model’s keyboard features a row of full-height function keys that also includes the Touch ID button for added convenience.
The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with a variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port, an SDXC card reader, and an HDMI 2.0 port. Additional Thunderbolt ports and an upgraded HDMI 2.1 port are found in the M3 Pro and M3 Max models, providing more connectivity options.
The M3 processor used in the laptop is an 8-core chip, delivering improved single-core and multi-core performance compared to the previous M2 models. The graphics performance has also been enhanced, making it suitable for light “pro” workloads such as graphic design, video editing, and gaming.
In conclusion, the M3 14-inch MacBook Pro offers significant improvements in display, performance, and connectivity compared to its predecessor. While it may not be suitable for all users as it is positioned as an entry-level “Pro” model, it represents a compelling option in Apple’s Mac lineup.
