The 16-inch MacBook Professional catalogue has been given a refresh lately with Apple bringing its new M3 vary of processors to the desk. However are they price paying for or might you avoid wasting cash and purchase the older M2 variants that are nonetheless being offered by some stockists? We see how the M3 Professional and Max machines stand as much as those they change.
We talk about what’s new concerning the M3 MacBook Professional individually in 13-inch M2 vs 14-inch M3 MacBook Professional: Massive upgrades in a small package deal and the 14-inch fashions are in contrast right here: New vs previous 14-inch MacBook Professional.
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Specs
Earlier than we delve too deep into how the varied elements within the new and previous MacBook Execs evaluate, right here’s a fast have a look at the tech specs for each:
| 16-inch MacBook Professional (M2 Professional/Max) | 16-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional/Max) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 0.66 x 14.01 x 9.77in / 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81cm | 0.66 x 14.01 x 9.77in / 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81cm |
| Weight | M2 Professional: 4.7lbs / 2.15kg; M2 Max: 4.8lbs / 2.16kg | M3 Professional: 4.7lbs / 2.15kg; M3 Max: 4.8lbs / 2.16kg |
| Processor | M2 Professional or M2 Max | M3 Professional or M3 Max |
| CPU | M2 Professional: 12-core CPU (8 efficiency and 4 effectivity); M2 Max 12-core CPU (8 efficiency and 4 effectivity) | M3 Professional: 12-core (6 efficiency and 6 effectivity); M3 Max: 14-core CPU (10 efficiency and 4 effectivity) |
| GPU | M2 Professional: 19-core; M2 Max: 38-core | M3 Professional: 18-core; M3 Max: 30-core or 40-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| RAM | M2 Professional: 16 or 32GB; M2 Max: 32, 64 or 96GB | M3 Professional: 18GB or 36GB; M3 Max: 36, 48, 96 or 128GB |
| Storage | M2 Professional: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB SSD; M2 Max: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB SSD | M3 Professional: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB; M3 Max: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB SSD |
| Show | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR panel, 3456 x 2234, 1,000 nits HDR (1,600 peak), 500 nits SDR, Huge Shade (P3), True Tone, 120Hz ProMotion | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR panel, 3456 x 2234, 1,000 nits HDR (1,600 peak), 600 nits SDR, Huge Shade (P3), True Tone, 120Hz ProMotion |
| FaceTime Digicam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone | 3x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone |
| Battery Life | 15hrs net, 22hrs video | 15hrs net, 22hrs video |
| Energy Adapter | 140W USB-C with MagSafe | 140W USB-C with MagSafe |
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Worth
Apple has discontinued the M2-powered 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 machines when the M3-equipped upgrades launched. This implies you received’t have the ability to purchase them from Apple, which had the knock-on impact that there are now not bespoke configurations obtainable. Nonetheless, it’s best to have the ability to discover the laptops in numerous retailers at a reduction for so long as the present inventory takes to promote by.
Conversely, the M3 Professional and Max variants can be found on the Apple retailer and in any respect good client tech retailers. Right here’s the costs at launch:
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional (18GB/512GB): $2,499/£2,599
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional (36GB/512GB): $2,899/£2,999
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Max (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB/1TB): $3,499/£3,599
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Max (16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB/1TB): $3,999/£4,099
At launch the 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Professional or Max had been priced as follows. In case you discover a deal from a third-party seller, the launch costs mixed with the costs of the following technology, ought to provide you with a information of what to anticipate to pay. Yow will discover the perfect costs for each mannequin in our round-up of the finest MacBook Professional offers.
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Professional (12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB/512GB): $2,499/£2,699
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Professional (12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16GB/1TB): $2,699/£2,899
- 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Max (12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 32GB/1TB): $3,499/£3,749
As you may see there are some adjustments to the pricing, with some equal fashions costing extra and others lower than they used to.
Greatest costs for the 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional, from $2,499/£2,599
$2,649.00
Greatest costs for the 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Max, from $3,499/£3,599
Greatest costs for the 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Professional, from $2,499/£2,699
$2199.00
$2,199.99
MacBook Professional (2023) 16.2-inch – Apple M2 Professional 12-core and 19-core GPU – 16GB RAM – SSD 512GB
$1997.00
MacBook Professional (2023) 16.2-inch – Apple M2 Professional 12-core and 19-core GPU – 16GB RAM – SSD 512GB
$1999.00
Greatest costs for the 16-inch MacBook Professional M2 Max, from $3,499/£3,749
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Design
Apple appears pleased with the design it bestowed on the M2 technology because it makes use of the identical one for the M3 MacBook Execs. In reality you’d be exhausting pushed to search out any variations: the size are similar at 0.66 x 14.01 x 9.77in / 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81cm; the burden is similar, with the 2 variants coming in at M2/M3 Professional: 4.7lbs / 2.15kg; M2/3 Max: 4.8lbs / 2.16kg.
They’re additionally equally fitted with the identical ports, webcam, sound methods, show (with a minor change), and metallic our bodies.
The one distinction is that the M2 MacBooks are available in Area Gray and Silver colour schemes, whereas the M3 Professional and M3 Max provide the selection of Area Black or Silver.
Apple
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Efficiency
The true distinction between these units is the chipsets discovered inside. Apple appears to have been working exhausting to enhance the efficiency of the M3 Professional and Max, with good outcomes. Apple claims that the efficiency cores within the M3 processors are about 15 p.c quicker than these within the M2 technology, whereas the effectivity cores are 30 p.c quicker. There are additionally boosts for the GPU and Neural Engine, that are faster than the variants discovered within the earlier fashions.
After all, if you will discover an M2 machine that was the upper CPU-core mannequin, moderately than the baseline, then the pricing may make it worthy of consideration because it might provide the identical sort of efficiency because the baseline M3 Professional or Max. Right here’s a chart of the varied benchmarks we’ve run on the M-series of processor so you may see for your self how they fare in opposition to one another.
For extra particulars, you may take a look at our M3, M3 Professional and M3 Max comparability.
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Show
On this division, there’s solely essentially the most minor of adjustments between the M2 and M3 fashions. Each include a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR panel operating at a decision of three,456 x 2,234. All of them function the ProMotion 120Hz refresh charge for supper easy scrolling, Huge Shade (P3), True Tone, and 1,000 nits HDR (1,600 peak) of brightness, with the M3 machines having 600 nits SDR and the M2 a slightly decrease 500 nits SDR.
You’ll additionally discover a notch within the middle of the highest fringe of the show which homes the FaceTime digicam. This isn’t a TrueDepth one like on iPhones and a few iPads, so that you received’t get Face ID or Middle Stage on the present MacBook Execs. Relaxation assured although, that you simply don’t lose any display screen house as a result of notch, because the shows have a 16:10 side ratio, which is just a little taller than the 16:9 discovered on earlier MacBook Execs. Primarily, you get an additional house on the high that wraps across the notch and may show further info.
Foundry
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Audio
Apple has held regular within the audio tools for these units. No matter mannequin you purchase you’ll get the identical six-speaker Excessive-Constancy sound system with force-cancelling woofers. These emit a large stereo sound and help Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. AirPods (third technology), AirPods Professional or AirPods Max customers may also have the ability to take pleasure in dynamic head-tracking when utilizing Spatial Audio. In case you choose a wired connection, then the three.5mm headphone jack is out there and has help for high-impedance headphones.
All the 16-inch MacBook Execs include onboard HDMI ports that may deal with multi-channel audio output, plus a triple mic-array with directional beamforming for clear audio on video calls.
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Webcam
Apple retains the 1080p FaceTime HD digicam from the M2 within the M3 fashions. Once more, you don’t get Face ID or Middle Stage, however it’s best to at the least look good on Zoom calls.
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Battery Life
Battery life is similar in both the M2 or M3 MacBook Execs, which isn’t shocking as all of the 16-inch fashions come fitted with a 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. That is accompanied by a 140W USB-C charger that helps Quick Cost, so that you’ll be again in enterprise earlier than lengthy. Apple states the batteries ship 15 hours of net use or 22 hours of video playback, as earlier than.
16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional/Max vs M2 Professional/Max: Verdict
As Apple has now discontinued the M2 MacBook Execs, you’ll have to buy round to search out them. However that might nicely be well worth the effort as they’re nice machines and virtually indistinguishable from their newer counterparts. In case you don’t want the additional energy, then you definately may have the ability to avoid wasting cash by going for the M2 fashions. Those that do require the ability, wish to configure a bespoke system, or just need the perfect Apple has to supply will discover the brand new 16-inch MacBook Professional M3 Professional and Max fashions exhausting to finest. No less than till the following improve.
