2023-12-17 20:00:00
Launched by Apple during Halloween this year, the MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip maintains that premium aesthetic that every Apple device has and adds the Cupertino giant’s newest chipset.
Of course, this set has a price and it is not cheap at all. So, let’s find out if it’s worth investing in this device or if it’s better to get a more affordable model.
Find out more in the hands-on text below:
Design and construction
The MacBook with M3 Max chip was launched with the same design as the previous generation, also delivering the same premium experience with aluminum construction.
Furthermore, as usual, this is a notebook that you can open with just one hand, something that is essential in everyday life.
The keyboard is rigid and does not flex, while the touchpad is the ideal size for you to navigate MacOS with precision that borders on perfection. In general, the typing experience here is also very good.
But of course, the notebook’s 2.2 kg weight and 1.7 cm thickness draw attention here, since we are talking regarding the largest version available on the market.
On the screen, we have the same thinner edges as the last generation and also the notch to accommodate the selfie camera. A note now regarding this new Space Black color, which many consider to be the big news of this generation.
This darker finish is elegant and gives that feeling of a premium device, but, as much as Apple says no, you will notice that the notebook does have some fingerprints.
In terms of connections, this notebook has three USB-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4, an SD card reader, an HDMI port, a P2 for headphones and the MagSafe connector for recharging.
In the box, Apple sends the notebook, manuals, a charging cable and the 140W power adapter with USB-C port.
Screen and hardware
The MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip has a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina Display screen with a resolution of 3456 by 2234 pixels, in addition to a refresh rate that can reach 120 Hz. The technology used is still LCD, but with Mini LED backlighting.
The maximum luminance of the panel is almost 570 nits in SDR mode and 1100 nits in HDR mode. Additionally, we have 120% color coverage for the SRGB standard and 83% for DCI P3.
In general terms, the display has excellent color calibration, something essential for those who work with multimedia editing. When it comes to audio, Apple also did a great job here and we have six speakers.
There are four woofers and two tweeters for treble. In practice, the sound is very loud and we also have a great calibration, where you can feel the bass and midrange.
Announced with the Apple Silicon M3 Max chipset, this MacBook Pro that we took for testing has the most powerful version of the chip.
That is, with a 16-core CPU and a 40-core CPU. The unified RAM memory here is 48 GB and there is also 1 TB of storage via SSD.
In daily use with several Chrome tabs open, text editing and multimedia viewing, we have a clear waste of processing power.
Still, it is interesting to note that in this type of task the notebook consumes only 7 watts and remains completely cool, with an average of 40 to 40 degrees. This means that the fan does not even activate, leaving use completely silent.
Now, if you need to edit in 4K or even 8K, this is where the MacBook Pro with M3 Max shines. In a quick test, we uploaded files in maximum quality to Premiere Pro, added some effects to the project and put them to render on this notebook and also on a Windows machine.
As a result of the quick comparison, the MacBook Pro completed the task in 2 minutes and 30 seconds when plugged into an outlet.
On drums, it was possible to reach around 3 minutes and 50 seconds. On the Windows notebook, the same workload was completed in 5 minutes and 40 seconds on the socket and 8 minutes and 50 seconds on the battery.
When it comes to consumption, we also have an impressive result. On the MacBook Pro with M3 Max, it took around 50 watts of general consumption with CPU and GPU during rendering.
On the other hand, 140 watts were needed on the Windows notebook. In short, this is where we see the superiority of the Apple Silicon M3 chip with three nanometers.
Another important detail is that, throughout the rendering process, the fans were activated, but in a completely silent mode here on the MacBook Pro.
Not to mention that the maximum temperature was 115 degrees. In games available natively for MacOS, we also have a pleasant surprise.
In “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” and “Resident Evil Village”, with Ray Tracing activated, the 40-core GPU proved to be highly efficient with consistent performance and without delivering any type of choking.
In full HD mode we had constant execution above 100 fps, while in 4K we went close to 50 fps. It’s clear that this MacBook wasn’t designed for gaming, but it can do a great job.
Finally, we need to talk regarding autonomy. If you have lighter usage, such as web browsing, text editing and multimedia consumption, the MacBook Pro with M3 Max will deliver something close to 15 hours.
Now, if you are going to edit and use it more heavily, the notebook should provide around 3 and a half hours of work. In other words, it’s still a great result.
Software
The MacBook Pro with M3 Max hits the market running macOS Sonoma. This is the most current version of Apple’s software and, as expected, it is very well optimized for this hardware.
It’s that thing, Apple is known for knowing how to do the marriage between software and hardware very well. Therefore, the experience here is very good and fluid.
If you’ve ever used MacOS, you know that it has rich animations and an aesthetic consistency that Windows still lacks.
Another detail that I need to mention is that almost all of the programs used in this hands-on are already adapted for Apple Silicon chips, showing that that transition period is practically over.
In other words, if you intend to buy this MacBook or any other, you can rest assured that everything is extremely optimized here.
First impressions and prices
Without a shadow of a doubt, the MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip is an excellent option within the premium and powerful notebook market. However, it is always necessary to observe the audience to which it is aimed.
A professional who works with video editing, a designer or even a programmer may be able to make the most of what this notebook has to offer.
Now, if you don’t fit into this user profile, it’s not worth paying the R$44,000 that the notebook costs on Apple’s official website.
Maybe it would be a better deal to get a MacBook Pro with an M3 or M3 Pro chip. This is because they will offer the same portability, the same autonomy and also a slightly lower processing power, but at a more affordable price.
I don’t say affordable because everyone knows that Apple products are not cheap here in Brazil. Out of curiosity, the MacBook Pro with M3 and 8 GB of RAM costs R$18,500.
Now, if you’re looking for a “gateway” to the Apple universe, getting a MacBook with an M1 chip is much better and healthier for your pocket.
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