Apple is tempting me... - MacBook Pro M3

The New MacBook Pro Review: A Closer Look at Apple's Latest Flagship Laptops

In our previous review, we took a closer look at the new MacBook Pro lineup and discussed its impressive features and specs. Now, let's dive deeper into the details of each model, including their display performance, brightness, and color accuracy.

Display Performance: Brightness and Color Accuracy

The new MacBook Pro lineup boasts some impressive display performance, with the 14-inch model featuring a Retina XDR display that meets Apple's own rating for SDR brightness. This translates to a maximum brightness of 600 nits in SDR mode and an even higher peak brightness of around 1000 nits in xdr mode. The color accuracy is also excellent, with the P3 gamut coverage being virtually 100% effective. However, we did notice that the default HDR mode can sometimes over-brighten the image, which may be a concern for those who prefer a more balanced look.

To mitigate this issue, Apple has included a picture mode called PQ 2084, which tracks HDR brightness much more accurately and provides a better viewing experience. The local dimming on these displays is also some of the best we've seen on non-OLED screens, with over 2000 zones on the 14-inch model and over 2500 zones on the 16-inch model.

Performance: Single-Core and Multicore Benchmarks

In terms of performance, the new MacBook Pro lineup has made significant strides. The single-threaded performance is quite impressive, with the M3 Pro models tracking around 20% faster performance compared to their non-Pro counterparts. This translates to a substantial difference in real-world usage, where tasks like video editing and rendering become noticeably quicker.

When it comes to multicore benchmarks, the M3 Pro models also excel. In Cinebench 2024, they score around 30-40% higher than their non-Pro counterparts, even when running on the more power-efficient 3nm process node. This suggests that Apple has managed to strike a great balance between performance and power consumption, which is essential for mobile devices.

Battery Life: A Closer Look at the MacBook Pro's Power Management

One of the areas where Apple excels is in battery life. The new MacBook Pro lineup offers some impressive endurance tests, with the 16-inch model lasting around 24 hours and 30 minutes on our YouTube endurance test, while the 14-inch model lasts around 21 hours.

The charging times are also noteworthy, with the 16-inch model taking around an hour and a half to reach full charge, and the 14-inch model requiring slightly less time – around an hour and 45 minutes. This is likely due to the smaller battery in the 14-inch chassis being balanced by the larger charger.

Comparing the M2 Pro Mac Mini to the MacBook Pro

In our review of the new Mac Mini lineup, we noted that it's a superstar when it comes to performance, often matching or exceeding the MacBook Pro. If you're looking for a laptop that can offer similar performance without the hefty price tag, the Mac Mini might be worth considering.

However, if you're set on a laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent choice. While it's certainly more expensive than its non-Pro counterparts, the added features and performance make it well worth the investment. The starting price of $2500 for the base model M3 Pro is steep, but it's worth noting that this price includes some impressive specs, including 18-core GPU, 36 gigs of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

The most expensive MacBook Pro in the lineup is the M3 Max, which starts at an eye-watering $3500. This is certainly not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for top-of-the-line performance and features, it's worth considering.