TechComputers & PCsLaptopsI tested Apple’s MacBook Pro M3 and now I want everything in Space BlackThe all-new Space Black finish gives the MacBook Pro extra sheen, while the all-new M3 chips give it extra powerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechComputers & PCsLaptopsI tested Apple’s MacBook Pro M3 and now I want everything in Space BlackThe all-new Space Black finish gives the MacBook Pro extra sheen, while the all-new M3 chips give it extra powerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The all-new Space Black finish gives the MacBook Pro extra sheen, while the all-new M3 chips give it extra power
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Monday 6 November was the day whenApple’sMacBook Pro M3review embargo broke, before going on sale from 7 November, and the internet was awash with troves of reviews and M3 silicon stress tests. When I first published this article I wasn’t yet done with my new MacBook Pro tests – welike to test things thoroughly here at T3– but, one working week later, and I’ve finished my14-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro reviewwith a full and final score.Original article follows below:
In all the excitement of receiving a new 14-inch MacBook Pro in its all-new Space Black finish, I simplyhadto share with you a batch of pictures to appreciate its new visual appeal. Not only that, in the two days of personal use I’d put the new MacBook through, these are my pointers if you’re considering buying one of what is surely amongthe best MacBooksfor 2023 and beyond.
1. Space Black looks out of this world
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Now that I’ve got a MacBook in Space Black, I already want everything else to be available in the same finish. Go on Apple, let’s have aniPadPro in Space Black. Let’s have an Apple Pencil in Space Black. Let’s, basically, have everything in Space Black – because I think it’s the best-looking new finish the company has introduced in ages.
I’m fairly critical of Apple’s colour options too –the yellow iPad, for me, really wasn’t the one, for example – and while you could shrug off Space Black as ‘just black’, it’s got a greater depth to it than that. As you can see in the gallery above, when light catches it, there’s a slight silvery finish to the lid. But compared to aMacBook Air M2in the same gallery, the new finish is significantly different and darker than the old standard.
2. The price is lower this generation
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Now if I had bought an M2 model – and let’s not forget, the lifespan of that silicon in MacBook Pro was a mere nine months from January 2023 – I’d be a bit miffed that I’d effectively overspent, given the greater appeal of the M3 models. It’s as if M2 never existed when you browse Apple’s MacBook Pro line-up now. But as a new buyer this is fantastic news, obviously.
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3. M3 is simply magic
Image1of4(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
As I’ve said above, I’ve got the M3 Max (4.05GHz) with 64GB unified memory in the 14-inch MacBook Pro. That’s a big jump up the ladder compared to the baseline M2 that I regularly use, and that’s seen in the Geekbench tests I’ve performed.
When I tested the16-inch MacBook Pro M2 Promodel back in late January this year, its impressive scores hit 1957 single-core, 15,134 multi-core for processing; and 53,000 (Metal) and 46,000 (OpenCL) for graphics.
Whichever way you look at it, the new M3 chip is powerful. Particularly so in this Max configuration. I’m impressed and can’t wait to dig into some real-world scenarios as to how this will make a difference to applications, gaming and rendering.
4. So, what’s not to like?
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
So far, so amazing. So, what’s not to like about the new MacBook Pro M3? Well, not much. I’m a big fan already. But I’m here to nitpick, so let’s get to it.
The first irk for me is simple: the Space Black model comes with a black-colour MagSafe 3 cable. Great! But the plug for the wall is white. Let’s get a black plug next time, pretty please. Furthermore, with USB-C now becoming the norm, MagSafe isn’t going to be everyone’s preferred way to charge. Yet here we are.
Otherwise, the only ‘problems’ with the M3 MacBook Pro are the same as the M2 MacBook Pro, as their design is one and the same. That means a notched display that won’t appeal to everyone (I’m fine with it though) and some power users may want yet more ports (although what’s on offer is plentiful, as you can see from my pictures). Oh, and if you want best battery life then the M3 Max, while still very impressive, won’t last nearly as long as the other M3 variants.
5. M3 Max verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
If you’ve been eyeing up a new MacBook Pro or as an upgrade then the lower price of the M3 models will be hugely appealing to new buyers (less so to those who recently bought an M2 MacBook Pro though). Meanwhile, the cool, quiet yet powerful operation delivers strong.
It looks even better than ever and it runs even better than ever: the all-new MacBook Pro M3 is a clear contender as one ofthe best laptopsavailable on the planet right now. [Update: here’s myfull MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Max review].
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