14" Decision: M3 Max vs M4 Pro?

[CrankyHermit]

Hi All - I see at my local microcenter, I can get a new 14" M3 Max 30 Core / 1 TB / 36GB RAM model for $2599.

I was planning to get an M4 Pro, but admittedly like to do a bit of gaming and the extra GPU power tempts me (especially at that price point!).

I'm not sure if the thermal performance / battery life of the M3 Max would be too constrained in the 14" chassis size... I've typically recommended the MBA for base chips, 14" MBP for Pro chips, and 16" MBP for Max chips. That sale is leaving me confused.

 

[Gnattu]

Or wait for tomorrow for M4 series?

 

[CrankyHermit]

Or wait for tomorrow for M4 series?

Limited stock of the M3 Max. Yea, I’ll hold off until tomorrow, but I’m assuming the M4 pro would be 24gb/1TB for the retail hnit. Benchmarks/reviews probably wont come in until Nov 8th.

 

[richinaus]

Hi All - I see at my local microcenter, I can get a new 14" M3 Max 30 Core / 1 TB / 36GB RAM model for $2599.

I was planning to get an M4 Pro, but admittedly like to do a bit of gaming and the extra GPU power tempts me (especially at that price point!).

I'm not sure if the thermal performance / battery life of the M3 Max would be too constrained in the 14" chassis size... I've typically recommended the MBA for base chips, 14" MBP for Pro chips, and 16" MBP for Max chips. That sale is leaving me confused.

I run an M1 Max all day long on a 14" using the studio display with the lid closed running all sorts of power hungry 3D apps [plus all the other usual apps at the same time]. Never had an issue. 16" only for Max chips is not a justified recommendation in my experience, and I will not hesitate to get another 14" [M4 or M5 haven't decided yet].

 

[Pezimak]

Looking at the price jump for the new Mini M4 Pro! I would wait for the specs and pricing to be released tomorrow personally.

 

[fisherking]

the M4 MBPs are here, and well-spec'd (& priced). the 14" is calling me....

 

[Onimusha370]

Really interesting reversion from M3 to the M4 family. With M3, the difference in M3 Pro and Max was massive (2x CPU and 2x GPU power), whereas with the M4 family we're pretty much back to the traditional meaning of "Max" where its all about extra GPU cores, memory (and memory bandwidth). Looks like the GPU isn't massively different (as expected) from M3 to M4 family.

If you're all about extra GPU grunt then I'd go for the M3 Max. If you want better battery life, a cooler/quieter system, thunderbolt 5, and a slightly cheaper price, and are willing to give up 20-25% GPU power, then go for the M4 Pro.

Personally I think the M4 Pro will be a better buy in the 14" chassis - my M3 Max gets very toasty (very quickly) in the 16" chassis when I'm pushing the GPU

 

[green_anthony]

Really interesting reversion from M3 to the M4 family. With M3, the difference in M3 Pro and Max was massive (2x CPU and 2x GPU power), whereas with the M4 family we're pretty much back to the traditional meaning of "Max" where its all about extra GPU cores, memory (and memory bandwidth). Looks like the GPU isn't massively different (as expected) from M3 to M4 family.

If you're all about extra GPU grunt then I'd go for the M3 Max. If you want better battery life, a cooler/quieter system, thunderbolt 5, and a slightly cheaper price, and are willing to give up 20-25% GPU power, then go for the M4 Pro.

Personally I think the M4 Pro will be a better buy in the 14" chassis - my M3 Max gets very toasty (very quickly) in the 16" chassis when I'm pushing the GPU

Yeah I think you're completely right.

I was looking into getting either a 16" M3 Max (refurb) or a 14" M4 Pro and from a price-performance standpoint that isn't GPU intensive, it seems that getting an M4 Pro who is more energy-efficient and yet possibly as performant as the M3 Max in some areas (we'll have to wait for benchmarks on this one) seems to be a more reasonable choice.

Edit: Although I have to say 24 GB by default is a weird place to be as most people usually recommend a 36 GB config. Not as "insufficient" as 18 GB sounds and yet 12 GB short of what's usually recommended. Maybe it's the right spot ?

 

[CrankyHermit]

Update: I ordered the 14” M4 pro.

With reward certificates and their $100 off promo for MyBestBuy members, I wound up getting it for just under $2200 after tax. I’m not a power user, but wanted a bump up from my 15” MBA. I think this should offer solid bang for the buck. Thank you all!

 

[Onimusha370]

Update: I ordered the 14” M4 pro.

With reward certificates and their $100 off promo for MyBestBuy members, I wound up getting it for just under $2200 after tax. I’m not a power user, but wanted a bump up from my 15” MBA. I think this should offer solid bang for the buck. Thank you all!

That’s going to be an awesome machine