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The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max is Apple’s latest flagship laptop, and its power is aimed at ‘pro’ users who need unrelenting power for grueling tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking. The price starts at $2,499 for the M3 Pro model and reaches an astounding $7,200 for the M3 Max limit, but the tough question remains: is it worth investing in? I decided to offer a brutally honest review after spending considerable time understanding the device’s price, design, performance, battery life, and value. Let’s break it down.
Key Highlights of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max
- Exceptional Performance:
- The M3 Max chip features a 12-core CPU (8 high-performance and 4 high-efficiency cores) and 38-core GPU, delivering an impressive performance boost over previous models. It excels at 3D rendering, video editing, and CPU-intensive tasks.
- Benchmark Improvements:
- In Geekbench 6, the M3 Max achieved 3209 in single-core performance and 21,222 in multi-core performance, showing significant gains over the M2 Max.
- GPU performance saw a notable increase, with a 55,991 score on the Metal benchmark, outperforming the M2 Max.
- Price and Configurations:
- M3 Pro model starts at $2,499.
- M3 Max model starts at $4,000, but can go up to $7,200 for the highest-end configuration with 128GB RAM and 8TB storage.
- The 64GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration of the M3 Max offers a practical balance between performance and price, costing around $4,000.
- Space Black Color:
- The new Space Black color option is sleek but not drastically different from the Space Gray version. It resists fingerprints better than previous models but still shows marks with oily substances or prolonged use.
- Port Selection:
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro offers ample connectivity options, including MagSafe 3, Thunderbolt ports, an SDXC card reader, and HDMI output.
- Display:
- The 16-inch Retina display is 20% brighter, now matching the Studio Display at 600 nits. However, the screen dimensions and notch remain unchanged from previous models.
- Portability:
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro is large and heavy, weighing 4.7 lbs. While great for multitasking and video editing, it’s not the most portable option. The 14-inch model might be better suited for users prioritizing portability.
- Battery Life:
- Battery life is solid, offering 10-12 hours of use under normal workloads. However, demanding tasks like video rendering will deplete the battery faster. The 16-inch model has longer battery life than the 14-inch model due to its larger battery.
- Gaming:
- While gaming has improved on Mac, the M3 Max is not a dedicated gaming machine. Baldur’s Gate 3 runs well, but many popular titles are still absent on macOS, making the 16-inch MacBook Pro unsuitable for serious gaming.
- Fan Noise:
- The M3 Max MacBook Pro runs relatively quietly, with the fans only kicking in during intense workloads, such as high-settings gameplay.
1. Price and Configuration: Is It Worth the Investment?
The MacBook Pro 16-inch model comes with two chip options: the M3 Pro and the M3 Max. Apple’s pricing structure has always been on the higher side, and this model is no different.
M3 Pro vs. M3 Max
- M3 Pro Model:
- Starts at $2,499 for 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
- Performance: More than enough for most professionals, including those working with video editing, programming, and content creation
- Great for general productivity, but not the best choice for users requiring extreme GPU performance.
- M3 Max Model:
- Starts at $4,000 for 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage
- Can go up to $7,200 with 128GB RAM and 8TB storage
- Ideal for heavy-duty workloads, especially 3D rendering, complex video editing, and AI training.
Price Summary:
- The M3 Max version is undeniably expensive, but it offers a tremendous performance boost for those who need it.
- However, Apple’s memory and storage upgrades are priced extremely high, making the M3 Max configuration with 64GB RAM and 1TB storage a more reasonable choice for many users.
2. Design: Space Black, Size, and Portability
Apple’s design language for the 16-inch MacBook Pro remains consistent, with minor tweaks. The new Space Black color is one of the most noticeable changes, although it’s not as bold as you might think.
Color and Build
- Space Black: While Apple markets it as a sleek new color, the reviewer notes that the Space Black color looks almost identical to Space Gray in certain lighting conditions. It looks darker in some scenarios, while it just appears gray in others.
- Apple claims that the new anodized coating helps resist fingerprints better than older models. The review confirms this, though it’s not perfect. Fingerprints still show up with oily substances or after prolonged use.
- Overall Build: The 16-inch MacBook Pro is robust, as expected from Apple’s unibody aluminum construction. The reviewer highlights the high-quality finish and premium feel, consistent with Apple’s top-tier products.
Port Selection
- On the left side:
- MagSafe 3 port (new black color-matched cable)
- Two Thunderbolt ports
- Headphone jack
- On the right side:
- SDXC card reader
- Additional Thunderbolt port
- HDMI output
The port selection is consistent with previous models, and the MagSafe 3 return is a welcome feature for many users.
Size and Portability
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a big and heavy machine, weighing 4.7 lbs and being quite bulky.
- For frequent travelers, this might not be the most portable choice, as it doesn’t easily fit into smaller backpacks or airplane tray tables.
- However, the large display is an essential asset for video editors, graphic designers, and professionals who need more screen real estate for multitasking.
Portability Summary:
- If portability is a priority, the 14-inch model might be more suited to your needs. However, for users requiring a large display for intensive tasks, the 16-inch MacBook Pro offers great value, despite its bulk.
3. Performance: A Monster Under the Hood
Apple’s transition to Apple Silicon has fundamentally changed the performance game, and the M3 Max chip is no exception. It delivers performance that was previously unimaginable in a portable laptop.
M3 Max Chip Performance
- CPU: The M3 Max features a 12-core CPU with 8 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores. The M3 Pro offers 16 cores in total.
- GPU: The M3 Max comes with a 38-core GPU, delivering massive gains in performance compared to the previous M2 Max model.
- Unified Memory: With 64GB to 128GB of unified memory, the M3 Max allows for fast access to data, making it ideal for intensive workloads like 3D rendering or AI machine learning.
Benchmark Results
- Geekbench 6: The M3 Max scored 3209 in single-core performance and 21,222 in multi-core performance, a significant improvement over the M2 Max and M1 Pro models.
- GPU Performance: On Metal benchmark, the M3 Max scored 55,991, showing a clear improvement over the M2 Max (which scored 35,839).
- The M3 Max also outperformed the M2 Ultra in multi-core performance, which was quite a surprise given the difference in pricing and specs.
Real-World Testing:
- CPU-Intensive Tasks: For tasks like simulating water movement over a boat hull, the M3 Max performed almost as well as the M2 Ultra, completing the task in just 8 minutes and 44 seconds. The M2 Ultra took 8 minutes and 12 seconds, showing how powerful the M3 Max really is for CPU-bound tasks.
- Video Editing and Rendering: The M3 Max excels at video editing, offering incredibly fast render times and smooth playback even with demanding 4K and 8K footage.
4. Battery Life: A Mixed Bag
While the 16-inch MacBook Pro offers impressive battery life, it’s still important to consider how the M3 Max affects overall power consumption.
Battery Life on the M3 Max:
- With typical use (productivity tasks, browsing, and media consumption), the battery lasts around 10-12 hours.
- Under heavy loads, especially while using high-performance applications like Final Cut Pro, the M3 Max will drain the battery quicker than its predecessor, the M2 Max.
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a larger battery than the 14-inch model, offering slightly longer battery life in real-world usage, but the increase in power demand from the M3 Max chip offsets this advantage.
Battery Life Summary:
- The 16-inch MacBook Pro offers solid battery life, but it’s worth noting that users may still need to plug in for demanding tasks or prolonged work sessions.
- For those needing extended runtime, the M1 Pro MacBook Pro may offer a better alternative, as it has better battery optimization for everyday use.
5. Gaming: The MacBook Pro’s Weak Spot
While Apple has made huge strides in gaming with the M1, M2, and now the M3 Max chips, gaming is still a secondary focus for the MacBook Pro lineup.
Gaming Performance on M3 Max:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 runs beautifully on the M3 Max, showcasing the chip’s ability to handle AAA games with ease.
- However, the reviewer notes that gaming on Mac still has significant limitations:
- Many popular games are either not available on macOS or do not run well on Apple Silicon.
- Microsoft-owned titles like Age of Empires are missing, and even racing games like Gran Turismo are not present.
Gaming Summary:
- The M3 Max offers impressive gaming performance, but the limited game library on macOS means that the MacBook Pro is still not a viable option for serious gamers.
- If you want to game seriously, you’re better off with a console or a PC.
6. Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the M3 Max MacBook Pro?
For Power Users:
- If you work with demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning, the 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro offers unbeatable performance. Its powerful CPU and GPU make it the best choice for creative professionals who need top-tier performance.
For Most Users:
- The M3 Max MacBook Pro is overkill for everyday tasks. For users who don’t need the extreme performance of the M3 Max, a M2 Pro or M2 Max MacBook Pro offers similar performance at a more affordable price.
Value for Money:
- M3 Max MacBook Pro is one of the most powerful laptops available, but it comes at a high price. If you are a professional with specific performance needs, it’s worth considering, but for most users, the M2 models or older M1 models will provide better value.
Conclusion
The final takeaway is that the M3 Max version of the 16 inch MacBook Pro is extraordinarily powerful, however, it’s not for everyone. It has high end functionality for demanding users, but its exorbitant cost and limited capability for gaming makes it an unreasonable purchase for many. The M3 Max is the perfect match for those who are willing to spend big bucks on their creative tasks and expect nothing less than the best. Though, the majority of professionals don’t need much and can be satisfied with the either the M2 Max or M2 Pro models, which are considerably more economical.
