Apple announced the new M3 Pro vs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro models in 14-inch, 16-inch sizes at the Scary Fast event. They also introduced the M3 chipset family. Potential MacBook Pro buyers may be confused as to whether they should upgrade from the M2 Pro to the M3 Pro. Don’t worry if you are one of these people. You can make an informed choice by comparing the M3 Pro and M2 Pro MacBook Pro!
Key Specifications: M3 Pro versus M2 Pro MBP
To compare fairly, I’ll use the 14-inch M2 Pro and M3 Pro MacBook Pro versions.
| 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro | 14-inch MacBook Pro M2 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 inches; 3.54 pounds (1.61Kg) | 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 inches; 3.54 pounds (1.61Kg) |
| Display | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display; 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak brightness; 600 nits SDR brightness; 120Hz refresh rate | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display; 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak brightness; 500 nits SDR brightness; 120Hz refresh rate |
| CPU | Apple M3 Pro with 11-core CPU with 5 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores | Apple M2 Pro with 10-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores |
| Memory | 18GB unified memory, configurable up to 36GB | 16GB unified memory; configurable up to 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD; configurable up to 4TB | 512GB SSD; configurable up to 8TB |
| Charging and Expansion slots | SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports | SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Battery and Charger | 22 hours of video playback and 15 hours of web browsing; 70W USB-C charger | 18 hours of video playback and 12 hours of web browsing; 67W USB-C charger |
| Starts at | $1,599 | $1,999 |
The specifications don’t seem to be a big step forward, but the M3 Pro MacBook Pro’s specifications are a better deal when it comes to price.
How They Look: M3 Pro vs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro
M3 Pro MacBook Pro has the same design as M2. Height, breadth, and thickness are same. The MacBook Pro with M3 Pro microprocessor weighs hardly more than the M2 Pro.
In place of Space Gray, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro comes in Space Black. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro won’t come in Space Gray. Design-wise, the two models are similar.
Screen: M3 Pro vs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro M3 Pro features the same Liquid Retina XDR display as the M2 Pro MacBook Pro. The SDR brightness on the M3 Pro MacBook Pro has been boosted by 100 nits to 600 nits, but the sustained and peak brightness have remained constant. Aside from that, both screens support ProMotion and have a similar color gamut.
M3 Pro compared. M2 Pro MacBook Pro performance
The only area that has seen slight improvements is performance. As the name indicates, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro features an M3 Pro CPU, and the M2 Pro MacBook Pro has an M2 Pro chipset.
The M3 Pro has a 11-core processor with 5 performance and 6 efficiency cores. It is based on a 3nm architecture. The M3 Pro chipset also includes a 14-core GPU that supports hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, as well as a 16 core Neural Engine. The M2 Pro is a 5-nm-based chipset with a 10-core processor that has 6 performance cores, and 4 efficiency cores. It features a 16 core GPU and a Neural Engine with 16 cores.
Apple, on the other hand, lowered the M3 Pro processor’s speed and GPU cores while enhancing its efficiency and power with more efficiency cores. Nonetheless, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro provides a 10-15% performance gain over the M2 Pro chipset, making it a small upgrade from the M2 Pro MacBook Pro.
M3 Pro vs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro battery life
The battery in the M3 Pro MacBook Pro has been somewhat enhanced. According to Apple, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro may last up to 22 hours when watching films and 15 hours when browsing the web. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro may last up to 18 hours of movie playback and 12 hours of web surfing.
Fortunately, Apple provides a charger with each. However, the MacBook Pro M3 Pro comes with a 70W charger, whereas the M2 Pro MacBook Pro has a 67W charger. The included charger is also not a major improvement in this case.
M3 Pro vs. M2 Pro MacBook Pro pricing
Pricing is the biggest difference. Apple has reduced the M3 Pro MacBook Pro’s price by $400 to $1599. The M2 Pro MacBook Pro is still $1999.
If you are lucky, third-party retailers may sell the M2 Pro MacBook Pro cheaper than the M3 Pro MacBook Pro. If the prices are the same, then there’s no reason to look at the M2 Pro MacBook Pro.
Should M2 Pro MacBook Pro owners upgrade to M3?
The answer is obvious when comparing the MacBook Pro’s specs to the M3 Pro and M2 Pro. If you have an M2 Pro MacBook Pro, there’s no reason to get the M3.
Instead of buying the M2 Pro MacBook Pro, save money and buy the M3 Pro. Despite the tiny difference, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro is cheaper. Comment below with any questions or recommendations about this comparison.
