Key Takeaways
- Apple presented new MacBook Pros and new iMacs with M3 processors at the October 30, 2023 keynote — no other devices were announced.
- The M3 chip family includes three tiers: M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, with up to 50% lower energy consumption compared to the M1.
- Performance gains range from 65% faster (M3 vs. M1) to 80% faster (M3 Max vs. M1 Max), and 11x faster than the fastest Intel MacBook Pro.
- The new MacBook Pro starts at €1,999 for the 14" model and €2,999 for the 16" model; Pro and Max versions are optionally available in black.
- The MacBook Pro Max supports up to 128 GB of RAM and up to 4 external HDR displays.
- The iMac 24" receives the M3 chip (base model only, no Pro or Max), is up to 2.5x faster than the last Intel iMac, and starts at €1,599.
- For Intel Mac users, upgrading to M3 is strongly recommended; for M1/M2 users, the upgrade is a nice performance boost but not essential.
- The MacBook Air with M2 is currently considered the best price-to-performance Mac for most users, despite lacking a direct HDMI output.
- The M1 MacBook Air remains available at a lower price and is still sufficient for most users — worth considering if the deal is good enough.
- Most new M3 models are available immediately; the MacBook Pro Max becomes available in November.
Tonight, Apple presented new MacBook Pros and new iMacs with M3 processors. No other devices were presented.
An absolute upgrade recommendation for all Intel users of Macs, of course. For all M1/M2 users, a nice performance upgrade in my opinion, but not absolutely necessary. For most users, an M1 is completely sufficient. It may therefore make sense to buy an M1 model at a reduced price.
The current MacBook Air has the M2 processor and is currently the MacBook with the best price/performance ratio for me. Unfortunately, it has slightly fewer ports than the Pro models - in particular, no direct HDMI output. This means you always have to work with an adapter and the maximum you can output is another different monitor image. However, as these are rather Pro requirements that not everyone needs, the MacBook Air with M2 is currently the best device for most users. The difference to the M1 MacBook Air, which is still available, is only €100, and I would pay the extra price unless you can get an even better deal on an M1 MacBook Air from a dealer.
Here is some of the key data on the new M3 processors
- Modelle M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max
- 50% niedrigerer Energieverbauch im Vergleich zum M1
- M3 bis zu 65% schneller als der M1,
- M3 Pro bis 40% schneller als M1 Pro
- M3 Max bis 80% schneller als M1 Max
- 11x schneller als das schnellste Intel MacBooc Pro
These are the new MacBook Pros:
- Größen
- 14" ab € 1.999
- 16" ab € 2.999 (startet ab Pro)
- Pro
- max 2 externe HDR-Displays
- Max
- mit max 128 GB Hauptspeicher
- max 4 externe HDR-Displays
- 20% helleres Display (600 nits)
- Pro und Max gibt es optional in schwarz
- Max ab November verfügbar
- die anderen Modelle sind sofort verfügbar
iMac 24" also gets the M3 processors
- ausschließlich mit M3 (kein Pro und Max)
- bis zu 2,5x so schnell wir das letzte Intel-Modell
- 500 nits Helligkeit
- 1080p Webcam
- sofort verfügbar
- Preis ab € 1.599
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Apple announce at the October 30, 2023 keynote?
At the October 30, 2023 keynote, Apple presented new MacBook Pros and new iMacs equipped with M3 processors. No other devices were announced at this event.
What are the differences between the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips?
Apple introduced three tiers of the M3 chip family. The M3 is up to 65% faster than the M1, the M3 Pro is up to 40% faster than the M1 Pro, and the M3 Max is up to 80% faster than the M1 Max. All M3 chips consume up to 50% less energy than the M1.
How much faster is the M3 MacBook Pro compared to Intel MacBook Pros?
The new M3 MacBook Pro is up to 11 times faster than the fastest Intel MacBook Pro. This makes upgrading from an Intel Mac to an M3 model a strongly recommended move.
What are the prices for the new M3 MacBook Pro models?
The new MacBook Pro with M3 starts at €1,999 for the 14" model. The 16" MacBook Pro starts at €2,999 and begins with the Pro chip configuration.
Is the M3 MacBook Pro available in black?
Yes, the M3 Pro and M3 Max versions of the MacBook Pro are optionally available in black. The black color option is not available for the base M3 model.
How many external displays does the M3 MacBook Pro support?
The MacBook Pro with M3 Pro supports a maximum of 2 external HDR displays. The MacBook Pro with M3 Max supports up to 4 external HDR displays and up to 128 GB of RAM.
Should M1 or M2 Mac users upgrade to the new M3 models?
For M1 and M2 users, the M3 upgrade is described as a nice performance improvement but not absolutely necessary. Most users will find their M1 Mac completely sufficient for their needs.
Which Mac offers the best price-to-performance ratio right now?
The MacBook Air with M2 is currently considered the Mac with the best price-to-performance ratio for most users. Its main limitation is the lack of a direct HDMI output and fewer ports compared to the Pro models.
What are the key specs of the new M3 iMac?
The iMac 24" with M3 is exclusively available with the base M3 chip (no Pro or Max option). It offers up to 2.5x the speed of the last Intel iMac, a 500 nits display, a 1080p webcam, and starts at €1,599. It is available immediately.
When are the new M3 Mac models available to buy?
Most new M3 Mac models are available immediately after the October 30, 2023 keynote. The MacBook Pro with M3 Max is the exception and becomes available in November.
