M3 Max MacBook Pro - my BIG mistake!

If you're buying (or have bought) an M3 MacBook Pro... what was the main driver for getting it?

Great video! I'm currently using a 2020 M1 Air with 8GB of RAM as my main editing workstation, but as my skills and workload increase, it's starting to struggle, especially when editing 4K RAW footage from my Fujifilm XT4, color grading, and adding heavy effects. I also use Lightroom. I'm considering an upgrade and would love your suggestion. Should I opt for the latest M3 Max for future-proofing, or would a second-hand model suffice?

When I sit my M2 MacBook Pro next to my old 2015 15" MacBook Pro.....the older MacBook Pro is still just so much better looking. I miss Steve Jobs. Sad they moved away with his more modern less generic designs including the light up Apple we all knew and love! Specs wise new one is way better obviously.

what would you choose between the 14 inch macbook pro, pro version with 36gb ram and 2tb ssd or the max version 14/30 with 36gb ram and 1tb ssd? the memory bandwith is double from the pro to the max 14/30 from 150gb/s to 300gb/s I believe?

You may want to look at the speed of the unified memory, not just the amount of memory.

Just got the base MBP14 M3 Pro as my first Apple Silicon computer and I honestly am already seeing much improvement from my 2015 MBP16 Intel one. It is quite the upgrade and much a needed one at that. The next MBP I'm probably going to get will hopefully be in like 10 years when I'll fully spec'd it out to last for the rest of my life.

If you've got an M1 AND your main job is 4K video editing, you won't see much of a bump because the heavy lifting is being done by the media engine which hasn't changed much. For a lot of other tasks, one might see a significant performance bump. Just depends on what you're doing.

How is the fan noise on the 14” 16-core?

What size SSD did you go with?

It's because the media engines are the same so for what you're testing it's going to be the roughly equal through the generations on the Max. So for a video editor? 100% no difference. But if you're a programmer, photo editor, or doing so many other pro tasks this will make a big difference.

I’m starting to believe that we have, indeed, reached the point where performance doesn’t matter any longer for vast majority of users and use cases. Naturally there will be increases year over year but still, does it matter. I think it doesn’t. Thanks for the review 👍

Do these still suffer the unpleasant imprint of the keyboard on the screen? It happens on my m2 air, and I’ve seen it happen with the MacBook pro too. Tolerances that low make it really easy to scratch or chip the screen with any trapped dirt (which has happened with mine).

fantastic, very interesting point of view, but may be the M3 Pro Version would be also OK

Well, it depends for what I do I use up all the cores on an M1/M2 no problem in fact my Intel 13th gen laptop pretty handily beats the M1/M2 when running lots of Docker containers. I tend to need
12-15 containers at one time. I want to go back to Apple Mac with the M3 Max to see if that will be enough for me. I believe they finally go to the performance to actually replace a current gen Intel Desktop/Workstation.

I just ordered a 14 inch M3 Max. My current MacBook Pro is a 2013 model. For me, it’s definitely worth the upgrade. For people with an M1, it’s a bit of a waste of money.

I thought you didn’t like the Apple Watch Ultra anymore? Where is the Garmin?

I think its a good thing we dont see crazy jump in performance between each new Apple SoC, as it allows these super expensive Mac to last several years without feeling very outdated 😅

Hi Mark, I had the same mistake like you. I received my M3 Max 16/40 48GB 2TB, used it to watch your video and it then dawn on me I should have spent a bit more to get the 64GB with 25% more RAM for completeness. I just ordered the same specs with 64GB and will return my 48GB. We have the same first world problem. Sub-ed.

Not gonna lie, those 2 seconds of time saved is pure gold. I'll finally get time to exercise daily and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Another great vid. I do sympathise with the whole “why didn’t I opt for this spec” buyers remorse. It happens to me far too often! At Apple’s return policy has helped with that.

BH Photo keeps putting the 16.2 Max 64gb 4TB SSD for US $2799. Should I buy it even if it is now 2 year old technology?

the 16in will perform better then the 14in with the same stats. i recommend always getting the 16in even if its $300 ish more hands down. the 14in has tons of hot tottling and hinders its power. thus buying a 14in model will always be -20% slower

For video coding/decoding, which you were doing, the M-processors all use the same coding/decoding part of the processor and not any of the CPUs or GPUs. The M Ultras, I think, have two of those media engines.
For testing CPU and GPU you could have done some picture editing and exporting in ex. Photoshop Lightroom.

I'm still using my 2015 intel MBP for everything, including video editing in Resolve. It's slow for video editing, even when using proxies and quarter timeline resolution. Having said that, I hesitate to get a new one (regardless of the chip, version etc). I can live with the slow video editing on an otherwise fast laptop.

I wish they improve the ergonomics. The edges are still very sharp, and I get scratches under my palm.

So I guess upgrading for ME would be excellent. The last MacBook Pro I bought was in 2009 and it was about $2200. I can’t even use it now, so I’m shopping for another and I don’t render videos ( yet ) I just wanted an updated version. Thanks for sharing your feedback…I’m pulling the trigger today for black Friday

Seconds! It really does put things into perspective, eh? If you're a regular powerish-ish end user and have the M1 Pro/Max, sit tight; you don't need to make Apple any richer or you (your family) poorer. Spend your money on therapy.

Hi, I'm completely new to the MacBook world, been using pc's up to now. But I'm filling my eyes and mind with endless clips and videos these days as I'm flirting more than ever about buying my 1st MacBook and it should be a Pro as I'm a lot into photography and I need some serious upgrade now. Watching all this clips what it tells me is that basically for all those who already own previous MB's the fact that upgrading to the M3 is not an absolute necessity (specs and performance comparisons prove it) gives me just an extra assurance that investing now in a brand new MB M3 I should be safe for quite some time!! The MB M3 model I'm more interested in is the Pro version 14', 36GB , I just don't know if I should go for the 1TB or 512Gb is enough. ;)))

Export tended to be roughly double render times. I wonder if that would have been similar for your iMac tests if they had more ram?

How many cores were actually used?

i.e. "What struck me during this experiment was that even though I had ten CPU cores available, no program took full advantage of them. In fact, the two efficiency cores were the most widely used." (from "How Many CPU Cores Does It Take to Export Video From Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve?")

thxxxx

All the YT folks copy each other’s nonsense. Its like so much complaining about the bezel on the 5k iMac (I think its beautiful aluminum and I put post it notes with reminders and pass words.) Another is they demand for Apple Silicon in Mac Pro and them when it comes they say “wait- why do we need this.” Think folks. Think about real people, their real tasks (not benchmarks) realistic spending (you guys get expensive stuff for free or to demo). Ok. Rant over. (This channel excluded of course.)

Admittedly I bought the M2 pro months ago, but glad I went for the 14” over the 16” 👍

Да не дойдеш да ревеш после, че не си си взел 128ГБ... маугли! оправи си заглавието, хората си мислят, че действително нещо не е наред с изделието. Аман от клик бейтовски позьори.

Hey, please test the battery… how does it hold up in your daily tasks and web browsing?

Thanks mark , this is solid , reliable , relatable content for the vast majority of MBP users or prospective buyers. FTR , I'm buying a MBP M3 to replace my Max 27" iMac intel . to use portably and as a desk station with 2 monitors . I will probably keep the same laptop for 5 years , same as I have with the iMac its replacing . . I don't code, build websites, Render 3d images etc . you speak to and represent a lot of us out here and your work and content is appreciated .

How well does M1 Pro and M1 Max stack up against this new m3 line for video editing, vfx, maybe blender too?

I instantly dislike the video and block the channel when I see: I made a mistake, I’m returning my MacBook, Don’t get fooled, What Apple is hiding from you.

“The first learning…” The 😊first lesson you mean, how dare you go American.

Well we knew you were a git, part of your charm

new subscriber from 🇺🇸. great content! I find you engaging and awesomely detail oriented

Awesome video. Will you now make a Time Machine backup, wipe the M3 Max you got, and then install the Time Machine backup on the new 14” with 64Gb?

That is an awesome JURASSIC PARK hoodie!

I would say but that's not a computer it's a phone if you can't replace the storage unit then it's a phone that can't make calls

What is a render?

Mark this was a terrific article. I just upgraded my intel iMac to the M3 and find it incredible. You helped me decide on ‘pulling the trigger’. Thank you for a quality channel. I’ll be watching.

Mark, it is not that perfect. The design hurts your hands. It is too thick and got sharp edges. Yep Marc, I am glad you are exchanging that for 64 Ram
I made that mistake and I regret it even to these days.

creepy