Is the Space Black MacBook Pro M3 Max Worth It?

TL;DR

The Space Black MacBook Pro M3 Max features a darker finish than previous models, but its color doesn’t fully live up to expectations. The M3 Max chip improves both CPU and GPU performance, comparable to the M1 Ultra, making it a solid choice for users with older machines. However, current M-series users may not see enough benefit to warrant an upgrade.

Transcript

(upbeat music) - All right, so there are two new things about this new laptop from Apple. The new color and the new chip. (upbeat music) Everything that was already great about the outside of Apple's laptop redesign is still great. It still has a bunch of ports. The full size HDMI, the MagSafe is still here, still has that high quality build, the b... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙂 The new MacBook Pro's Space Black color is slightly darker than the previous Space Gray, but it does not meet the expectations of being a true black.
• 🥶 The M3 chip offers significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance compared to the M2 family, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users with older machines or different tiers.
• 🤗 Gaming on the Mac is limited by the availability of popular games on macOS, but the new MacBook Pro's GPU power opens up possibilities for future gaming developments.
• 🈸 The new MacBook Pro's GPU power is also beneficial for non-gaming applications like Cinema 4D, and further app optimization can be expected in the future.
• 🇲🇩 Existing M-series MacBook Pro users may not find the M3 chip to be a significant upgrade unless they have older machines or different-tier models.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is the Space Black color of the new MacBook Pro significantly darker than the previous Space Gray?

The new Space Black color is slightly darker than Space Gray but still falls short of being a true black. It shows fewer fingerprints but is not completely immune.

Q: How does the M3 chip compare to the previous M2 family in terms of performance?

The M3 chip offers notable improvements in CPU and GPU performance. CPU performance shows a 20-30% increase over the previous generation, while the GPU performance matches the M1 Ultra and mid-range graphics cards.

Q: Can the new MacBook Pro handle gaming effectively?

While the new MacBook Pro's powerful GPU can handle games, the lack of availability for popular games on macOS limits its gaming potential. Gaming on Macs has traditionally been less popular due to game availability.

Q: In which applications can the extra GPU power of the new MacBook Pro be utilized?

The additional GPU power can be used in various non-gaming applications that take advantage of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. Programs like Cinema 4D can benefit from the new chip's capabilities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The new MacBook Pro retains the positive aspects of Apple's laptop redesign, including a variety of ports and a high-quality build. However, it still has limitations such as a large notch and no face unlock.

• The Space Black color, while darker than previous Space Gray laptops, falls short of the expectations set by Apple's promotional materials. It is slightly darker but still shows fingerprints.

• The new M3 chip offers improvements in CPU and GPU performance compared to the M2 family. CPU performance shows a significant increase, while the GPU is on par with the M1 Ultra and mid-range graphics cards.