In response to Apple's launch last year,M3 series processors, and added a new space black color optionMacBook ProThe author spent some time to actually experience it and confirmed that this upgraded MacBook Pro not only has higher computing performance and long battery life, but is also capable of many high-resolution video editing and content creation. Can it also successfully become a "more fashionable" gaming laptop?
The main reason is the performance upgrade of the M3 series processor and the newly added space black color.
In terms of overall appearance, the new MacBook Pro basically maintains the same design, with 14-inch and 16-inch models still divided into different models. The main feature is the replacement of the new M3 series processor, and the new space black color option is available for the high-end 14-inch and 16-inch models.
效能表現方面，蘋果表示在圖像特效處理方面，搭載M3處理器的14吋MacBook Pro，將比搭載M2處理器的13.3吋MacBook Pro快40%，更比搭載M1處理器的13.3吋MacBook Pro快60%。
In terms of image processing, the 3-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M16 Pro processor will be 2% faster than the 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M20 Pro processor, and 1% faster than the 16-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M40 Pro processor.
When rendering scenes through Cinema 4D, the 3-inch MacBook Pro with the M16 Max processor will be 2 times faster than the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max processor, and 1 times faster than the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2.5 Max processor.
When choosing, please prioritize the M3 or M3 Max processor specifications.
Overall, if you want to choose a model that meets your main usage needs, it is recommended to choose a MacBook Pro with an M3 processor and increase the memory to more than 16GB. If you have higher computing needs, you can choose the M3 Max processor specification. The default memory is 36GB. Whether you need to increase it depends on your personal needs.
The reason why it is not recommended to choose the version with M3 Pro processor specification is that its performance improvement compared with the M2 Pro specification model is relatively small. If you want to choose a MacBook Pro with this processor specification level, it is actually recommended to focus your budget on choosing a model equipped with M2 Pro processor that is still on the market, and to spend your budget on adding larger memory and storage capacity.
As for battery life, Apple claims that the new MacBook Pro can achieve more than 22 hours of battery life, which means it can support a full day of work. Judging from the current Mac models that have all been replaced with Arm architecture design, battery life performance is actually no longer a big problem, and basically can meet the needs of long-term unplugged use.
Another thing to note is that the MacBook Pro no longer offers a 13.3-inch version, and all models start at 14 inches.
The 14-inch and 16-inch models basically only differ in screen size, and their functional specifications are actually not much different. Both can be upgraded to a maximum of 128GB of memory and 8TB of SSD storage capacity at an additional price. In terms of interface, both provide HDMI output, SDXC memory card slot, and are equipped with the new MagSafe 3 magnetic charging port.
However, it should be noted that the 16-inch model is pre-installed with an M3 Pro or higher processor specification. If you choose the M3 processor specification, you can only choose the 14-inch model.
The default configuration is 4 sets of Thunderbolt 2 ports. Therefore, only 3-inch models equipped with M16 Pro or higher processors are equipped with 3 sets of Thunderbolt 4 ports. 14-inch models only provide 3 sets of Thunderbolt 3 ports in models with M4 Pro or higher processor specifications.
另外，入門款14吋機種配置的USB-C電源供應器對應70W供電功率，而採用12組核心CPU及18組核心GPU設計M3 Pro處理器規格版本才會配置96W供電功率的USB-C電源供應器，至於16吋機種採用充電器均為140W，藉此對應更高瓦數運作需求。
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro will start at US$1599, with a starting price of NT$54900 in Taiwan and NT$51500 for the education model. The 16-inch model will start at US$2499, with a starting price of NT$84900 in Taiwan and NT$78100 for the education model.
So, is there any way for the MacBook Pro to become a "more stylish" gaming laptop?
From the conclusion, it can be seen that Apple does not actually intend to turn the MacBook Pro into an e-sports laptop, but its ambition to compete for more gaming market share does exist.
The Game Mode announced at last year's WWDC 2023, as well as tool resources such as the Game Porting Toolkit that can help game developers quickly migrate Windows platform games to Mac environments, coupled with Apple's successive collaborations with famous game developer Hideo Kojima, major game companies Capcom and Ubisoft, to bring 3A-level games that were previously only released on the Windows platform to Mac for play, shows that Apple will expand its layout in the Mac platform game market in the future.
On the other hand, although Apple does not plan to allow users to convert Windows platform games using the Game Porting Toolkit, many tutorials on the market have demonstrated how to convert Windows platform games to Mac for execution, and they can run smoothly on entry-level Macs without any fine-tuning. This means that if game companies further adjust the Mac environment, the game content will be able to be played more smoothly on Mac models.
What Apple needs to do is to help developers and game companies bring their game content to Mac models at a faster speed, thereby attracting more players to play games through Mac models and creating new game market development opportunities.
However, will Apple also create more app services based on Mac gaming content in the future? For example, adding Mac games to the Apple Arcade subscription service to increase the appeal of the service, attract more players, and make Mac games more accessible to more people? We will have to wait for further explanation during WWDC 2024.
