Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023 M3 Review – The base model now comes without a Pro SoC

Apple finally replaces the small MacBook Pro 13 with the Touch Bar and offers a new entry-level model of the larger MacBook Pro 14 with the new base M3 SoC instead. At first glance, it is obviously much more affordable with a starting price of $1599, but you have to keep in mind that this model only comes with 8 GB RAM. There are also deficits compared to the faster MacBook Pro 14 models, because the removal of one fan results in reduced cooling performance and you cannot utilize the full potential of the new M3 SoC when you stress both the CPU and GPU, despite the loud fan noise. The USB-C port on the right side is gone as well and the two USB-C ports on the left do not support Thunderbolt 4, which is similar to the MacBook Air. The base MBP 14 can only drive one external screen and the SSD is not attached via PCIe 4.0.

Apple’s new M3 SoC benefits heavily from the new 3 nm manufacturing process. The power consumption is similar to last year’s M2 SoC, but the performance is higher. The basic configuration with four performance and four efficiency cores is identical, but the clocks are higher. We see advantages of around 20 % over the M2 both in single-core as well as multi-core scenarios. The problem is the comparison with the M2 Pro MacBook Pro 14, because the M2 Pro is still faster in multi-core and GPU benchmarks. The new 10-core M3 GPU is 10-20 % faster than the M2 GPU, but the power consumption is also a bit higher. We will check the efficiency in our analysis article, which will be published soon.

Apple’s new M3 SoC (3 nm) is much more efficient, but feels a bit misplaced in the MacBook Pro 14. Considering the deficits in terms of connectivity and cooling performance as well as just 8 GB RAM, the lower starting price of $1599 is a bit misleading.

Otherwise, there are no major changes for the MacBook Pro 14. The chassis is identical, which still means you cannot upgrade the RAM or SSD capacity. Considering Apple’s high upgrade prices this is a big disadvantage, especially in terms of the SSD. Apple increases the maximum SDR brightness of the display from 500 to 600 nits and we can confirm that. The subjective picture quality of the Mini-LED screen is still great and we once again have to praise the excellent HDR implementation of macOS. The panel will simply increase the HDR brightness when HDR contents are shown and users do not have to worry about anything. Windows laptops are much more complicated in this regard.

If you are interested in the base model of the MacBook Pro 14, you should get the old M2 Pro version as long as it is still available. The SDR brightness and the single-core performance are lower, but it is a much better package overall.

All in all, the new entry-level version of the MacBook Pro 14 with the base M3 SoC is a very responsive laptop with long battery runtimes, excellent display, high-quality chassis and great speakers. However, you just notice that Apple cut the cost in some areas and the old entry-level MacBook Pro 14 with the M2 Pro simply had a much better price-performance ratio. If you are interested in the entry-level version, you should get the old M2 Pro unit as long as it is still available. The only use case for the MBP 14 M3 would be if you basically just need MacBook Air performance, but you want a better screen (HDR and 120 Hz). However, this comes at a price and the price-performance ratio of the new MBP 14 M3 is just not very good, even for Apple standards and we have to criticize the meager RAM equipment in particular. The Windows competition is often more affordable and has more maintenance options. Models with the GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop are also better choices if you want to play games. Lenovo’s Yoga Pro 9i offers the superior Mini-LED panel in some respects, it does not use the individual lighting zones for SDR contents and even covers the wider AdobeRGB gamut, but the battery runtime is much shorter in return.