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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Published November 29, 2023
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What are all the differences between the "Late 2023" 14" and 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro "M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max" models? Which is best for me?
There are four standard 14" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14", "M3 Pro" 11 CPU/14 GPU 14", "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU 14", and "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU 14" -- and three standard 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU 16", "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU 16", and "M3 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 16".
As organized by EveryMac.com, there also is a distinctly different higher-end, configure-to-order 14" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M3 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 14".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Late 2023 14" and 16" MacBook Pro Models)
With a quick look at the 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro lineup, it is immediately obvious that the 16" models are physically larger and have larger displays, but there are other significant differences that are not as obvious -- especially for the entry-level 14" model -- and these are important to understand, too.
External Differences
The 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models use "sealed" aluminum and glass cases. The entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" is available in a silver or "Space Gray" color, whereas all other models are available in silver or "Space Black." Of course, the 16" models are larger and are more than a pound heavier (4.7 or 4.8 pounds compared to 3.4, 3.5, or 3.6 pounds for the smaller notebooks).
Both sizes have an all black, backlit keyboard set in a black background with "traditional" function keys as well as a "Touch ID" for login.
Both the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models have LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" displays -- 14.2" (3024x1964) and 16.2" (3456x2234), respectively. Both displays are 254 ppi, provide up to 600 nits of brightness for SDR content, up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as support for 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates).
Both models likewise include the same 1080p webcam in a "notch" at the upper portion of the display, "Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming," "high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers," and big "Force Touch" trackpads.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is a notable point of differentiation between the 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models. All of these notebooks have an HDMI port, a 3.5" analog headphone jack "with advanced support for high-impedance headphones," an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and a magnet-equipped "MagSafe 3" power connector.
However, the entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" only has two "Thunderbolt / USB 4" ports with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 whereas all other models have three Thunderbolt 4 ports that support Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4.
Display Support & Power Differences
In addition to the physical port differences between the entry-level "Late 2023" MacBook Pro and other models, there also are significant display support and power differences. These are differentiated by processor type rather than display size, though.
The entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" only supports full native resolution a single exterior display up to 6016x3384 (6K).
Notebooks with M3 Pro processors, on the other hand, support full native resolution on the interior display in addition to a maximum of:
- Up to two external displays up to 6016x3384 (6K) resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt
- One external display with up to 6016x3384 (6K) resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 144 Hz over HDMI
- One external display supported at 7680x4320 (8K) resolution at 60 Hz or one external display at 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 240 Hz over HDMI
Finally, notebooks with M3 Max processors support full native resolution on the interior display, as well as a maximum of:
- Up to four external displays: Up to three external displays with 6016x3384 (6K) resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 144 Hz over HDMI
- Up to three external displays: Up to two external displays with 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or one external display with 4K resolution at 240 Hz over HDMI
By default, the entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" as well as the MacBook Pro "M3 Pro" 11 CPU/14 GPU 14" ship with a 70W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes. Higher-end 14" models ship with a 96W USB-C power adapter that is capable of fast charging and the 16" models all ship with a 140W USB-C power adapter that likewise is capable of fast charging.
Identification Differences
It is easy to confuse the 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models with earlier notebooks. It is not possible to differentiate between models with different processors within each line by appearance alone, either.
At the moment, Model Numbers are sufficient to collectively identify these models. The entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" is A2918, all other 14" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models are A2992, and the 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models are A2991. However, Model Identifiers, in software, are the best identifier to use for long-term identification because they are more precise and less likely to be shared by subsequent models, as well.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro Model |
Model No |
Model ID |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.
Internal Differences
Although there are differences between specific interior parts, "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models equipped with the same processors have essentially the same performance-related components. All have onboard processors, RAM, and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
There also are significant battery differences between models. The entry-level MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" has an integrated 70-watt-hour battery, all other 14" models have an integrated 72.4 watt-hour battery, and the 16" models have an integrated 100-watt hour battery. The entry-level 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models pop out 15-22 hours of runtime whereas the other 14" MacBook Pro models provide a comparatively modest 12-18 hours of runtime.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 14" Late 2023 M3 |
14" Late 2023 |
 16" Late 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 14.2" | 14.2" | 16.2" |
| Resolution: | 3024x1964 | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 |
| Architecture: | M3 | M3 Pro/M3 Max | M3 Pro/M3 Max |
| Processor Cores: | 8 | 11-16 | 12-16 |
| Graphics Cores: | 10 | 14-40 | 18-40 |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB | 18/36/48 GB* | 18/36/48 GB* |
| Maximum RAM: | 24 GB | 36/96/128 GB* | 36/96/128 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Maximum Storage: | 2 TB | 4/8 TB† | 4/8 TB† |
| Thunderbolt: | 2 Ports | 3 Ports | 3 Ports |
| Ext. Displays: | 1 | 2/4 | 2/4 |
| Battery W Hrs: | 70 W Hr | 72.4 W Hr | 100 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 15-22 Hours | 12-18 Hours | 15-22 Hours |
| Fast Charge: | No‡ | No/Yes‡ | Yes |
| Color Options: | Silver/Gray | Silver/Black | Silver/Black |
| Height (In): | 0.61 | 0.61 | 0.66 |
| Width (In): | 12.31 | 12.31 | 14.01 |
| Depth (In): | 8.71 | 8.71 | 9.77 |
| Weight: | 3.4 lbs | 3.5-3.6 lbs. | 4.7-4.8 lbs. |
| Model Number: | A2918 | A2992 | A2991 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac15,3 |
Mac15,6 Mac15,8 Mac15,10 |
Mac15,7 Mac15,9 Mac15,11 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1599 US$1799 |
US$1999 US$2399 US$3199 |
US$2499 US$2899 US$3499 US$3999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2099 C$2349 |
C$2699 C$3249 C$4349 |
C$3299 C$3799 C$4649 C$5299 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1699 £1899 |
£2099 £2499 £3299 |
£2599 £2999 £3599 £4099 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €1999 €2229 |
€2499 €2999 €3999 |
€2999 €3459 €4249 €4849 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2699 A$2999 |
A$3499 A$4199 A$5599 |
A$4299 A$4899 A$5999 A$6899 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$2299 S$2599 |
S$2899 S$3499 S$4699 |
S$3599 S$4199 S$5099 S$5849 |
* These MacBook Pro models can be upgraded with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M3 Pro" processor cannot support more than 36 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M3 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 36 GB and the maximum is 96 GB or 128 GB depending on the specific model.
† These MacBook Pro models could be upgraded to as much as 8 TB of storage at the time of initial purchase. The storage cannot be upgraded later.
‡ If equipped with a 70W USB-C power adapter, this model is not capable of "Fast Charging." If it is equipped with a 96W USB-C power adapter, it is capable.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, which is best for my needs?
Ultimately, the 14" and 16" "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models are the best notebooks Apple makes. They're expensive, and relatively large, but if the price and size do not bother you, they're tough to beat.
If speed and a big, beautiful display are your highest priorities, a 16" MacBook Pro is the best choice. It is quite expensive, though. The 14" models can be equipped with the exact same processor/graphics processor combos, though, so it is not a requirement to sacrifice speed to get the smaller size. Accordingly, a 14" MacBook Pro model also can be a great option that balances performance and portability.
Of course, the previous "Early 2023" MacBook Pro models are cheaper on the used market and can hold their own in many tasks. These barely older notebooks remain well worth consideration accordingly.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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