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If you ordered the 14" Max 30core/36gb, why did you choose it over the 40core/64?
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Which Mac/chip are you coming from?
I currently have a M2 Max binned 30 core gpu only to save a bit of money but because the M3 Max 30 core comes with a binned cpu as well as a binned gpu I thought screw it and went for the full M3 Max chip with 48 gb ram
The M3 Max with even with 14 cpu cores and 30 GPU cores - 36 gb ram will be a big upgrade,
Initially I was planning to get the higher-end 14'' M3 Pro with upgraded memory (36 GB) as my 2019 Intel 16'' already has 32GB. Then I noticed there is only little $$$ difference to the lower-tier M3 Max (which has upfront 36 GB).
The 40 core/64 GB would have been overkill for my every-day use.
The 40 core/64 GB would have been overkill for my every-day use.
the 30 core binned just makes me think it's tainted. I am trying to past that.
Check this video. Artisright in about the 15 minute mark and he will talk about binning a little bit. He says they’re all binned or capped.
The CPU multi-core gain is *only* in the region of 10% or so, which may not mean much but coupled with massive GPU improvements, so if you need both CPU and GPU then the SoC upgrade is good value.
Though the problem is with RAM. Its mandatory upgrade from 36GB to 48GB is only 12GB but charge $200. The next tier up goes straight to 64GB and charges the same. This makes it feel like going for 64GB is more bang for the buck but that’s another total of $400.
At this point, looking at the total price of the laptop it quickly begs you go back to your senses, whether or not you really need this specific degree of power. Because looking at how the M2 Ultra is being blown past by this M3 Max, the same can happen next gen say the M4 Pro suddenly becomes a beast, then you only get less than a year of milage for that cutting edge. May as well spend less and only get just enough for your needs.
Though the problem is with RAM. Its mandatory upgrade from 36GB to 48GB is only 12GB but charge $200. The next tier up goes straight to 64GB and charges the same. This makes it feel like going for 64GB is more bang for the buck but that’s another total of $400.
At this point, looking at the total price of the laptop it quickly begs you go back to your senses, whether or not you really need this specific degree of power. Because looking at how the M2 Ultra is being blown past by this M3 Max, the same can happen next gen say the M4 Pro suddenly becomes a beast, then you only get less than a year of milage for that cutting edge. May as well spend less and only get just enough for your needs.
I also got the 14 core 30 gpu, 36 ram
But I did the math and not counting the base cores, I found that the more Gpu cores you buy, the cheaper per core cost. Also the more ram you buy, the cheaper the GB get on average. The SSD gets no discount as you pay the same price per TB.
Only reason for me not maxing out is that in general use, there is no need for more. The ram an cores are only used during intense loads. I tried to fully load my M1 Pro 10 core CPU but could only hit 60% at most so now with 4 more even faster cores, I feel I'll never hit them to their full potential. I only wanted more GPU cores for color grading in Resolve.
But I'll look at the reviews and may change my configuration next week.
Apple set the configurations up in a weird way where you are forced to keep upping the specs. Ideally id probably get the 30 core, 64 ram setup but thats not an option. if I want 64 gb, I have to also go with 40 cores and then im paying the difference of a whole MacBook Air.
But I did the math and not counting the base cores, I found that the more Gpu cores you buy, the cheaper per core cost. Also the more ram you buy, the cheaper the GB get on average. The SSD gets no discount as you pay the same price per TB.
Only reason for me not maxing out is that in general use, there is no need for more. The ram an cores are only used during intense loads. I tried to fully load my M1 Pro 10 core CPU but could only hit 60% at most so now with 4 more even faster cores, I feel I'll never hit them to their full potential. I only wanted more GPU cores for color grading in Resolve.
But I'll look at the reviews and may change my configuration next week.
Apple set the configurations up in a weird way where you are forced to keep upping the specs. Ideally id probably get the 30 core, 64 ram setup but thats not an option. if I want 64 gb, I have to also go with 40 cores and then im paying the difference of a whole MacBook Air.
RAM is an essential component of the performance of M-series chips. IMO anyone choosing Max chip performance should be including appropriate RAM to service the future usages of the Max-level chip, which (again IMO) would typically be a minimum of 64 GB. I put (the maximum available then) 96 GB in my M2 MBP.
The Mac OS will of course make almost any amount of RAM "work," but that is not the point. When building such expensive computing boxes we should plan to optimize on expected life cycle operation. The UMA RAM is essential to operation, and OS/apps will keep evolving to use more just like they have for 40 years.
Your analysis is illogical when you say are concerned that "you only get less than a year of milage for that cutting edge." Of course we only get less than a year of mileage for that cutting edge, because tech continually evolves, a good thing. We are not measuring how close we are to the cutting edge (or bleeding edge as the case may be). We are trying to optimize buying a tool for our computing for the next 3-6 years.
Apple's tiers do make the choices difficult because they always seem to hit our confliction points remarkably well.
I’m coming from the lower tier M1 Max 14” (32GB/1TB). It’s an amazing machine, but the battery life on it was very poor in comparison to friends with the M1 Pro. I have over 500 cycles and the battery health is at 85%.
Coming into this release, I knew I would downgrade. I ordered the M3 Pro (1TB/38GB), now I’m wondering if I made a mistake. For $300 more I’d get the base 14” M3 Max… My justification would be that maybe since the PPW is less than the M1 Max so I’ll see some difference.
Coming into this release, I knew I would downgrade. I ordered the M3 Pro (1TB/38GB), now I’m wondering if I made a mistake. For $300 more I’d get the base 14” M3 Max… My justification would be that maybe since the PPW is less than the M1 Max so I’ll see some difference.
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There is a special difference here with Apple Silicon, the M3 Max vs M2 Ultra example is that the cutting edge being ceded by a lower tier successor. During the Intel days it was rarely the case, say I got an i9 this time, of course I should expect to get an upgrade with the next i9, but not often the next i7/i5. There is also a factor in seeing how soldered and integrated the system is nowadays, where furture-proofing is no longer as viable as before. Thus my point of spec-ing only barely enough for a shorter projected period than we used to, seem to be more ideal now.
I hope I am making more sense this time.
You know, I'd myself maybe just replaced battery in M1Max. I just don't feel such an almost flat upgrade is justified for the price.
Run it in power save mode on battery, if your workloads aren't 100% CPU load.
In any case, 14 inch and Max chip never played along nicely and I don't expect they will. For Max I'd go 16 inch hands down.
I feel like the 14/30 Max chip is a better move for the 14" chassis to balance heat/throttling + battery life concerns.
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M3 Max seems a value buy compared to an M3 Pro upgrades with RAM - but 4 extra P cores will almost certainly affect the battery negatively was my thinking..
I think given people aren’t always happy with M2 Pro 14” battery life let alone the M2 Max, at 10 P cores on the 14 core variant, I think it’s too much for this chassis.
Seems a safe bet to stick to 6 P cores by going for the 11/12 core M3 Pro instead.
Let see the M3 max uses significantly less power then the previous max chip so maybe it won’t be too bad.
The issue is unless you're coming from Intel, there isn't really enough of meaningful performance bump, nor battery bump.
I had an 14" M3 Pro on preorder and cancelled and ordered a 16" 16/40 Max to get both sizable perf + battery bump from my M1 pro. Earlier in the year I also had a 16" work machine and while it is unwieldy when you're regularly on the move, I do miss the screen so decided to just go that way this time around.
But I'm still second-guessing the move and may do the 14" binned Max. Can't find a review using it with battery stats though.