M3 MacBook Pro Forum User Reviews

[Apple_Robert]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a centralized thread where it would be easy to read reviews from forum members. Often times, the forum user reviews are much better (from an actual hands on day to day experience) versus the fluff promotion videos on YouTube.

I would like to see day one reviews, 3 months, 6, months, and 1 year. That way, it will give other forum members and onlookers a better overview of how the M3 has performed for you at the different time intervals.

Please include the following in your M3 review.
1) Model, specs and color
2) Reason for purchase
3) Main apps used
4) Typical workflow
5) Personal Mac usage background
6) Build quality
7) Battery usage - used mainly plugged or mobile
8) Any hardware, OS, or app problems directly related to the M3 chip you have experienced
9) Do you regret or recommend your M3 purchase and why

 

[darthbane2k]

What did you go for?

 

[Apple_Robert]

1) For specs, see attached.

2) Had been using a M2 MBA 16GB / 1TB with no problems (purchased 6/23) Have not had a MBP since 2012 and wanted to see if the constant hype was worth the extra money. Prior to the M2 MBA, I had the M1 MBA. I really liked the form factor of the MBA.

3) Pages, Excel, Numbers, Downie, Photometer, Make MKV, Permute, Safari, Strongbox, Minimalist, iMazing, AlDente Pro, iStat Menu

4) I mainly use the Mac for viewing websites, downloading videos, ripping Blu-Ray and DVD and file conversion, occasional photo editing, working with spreadsheets, creating documents in Pages. My workflow has gotten much lighter over the last few years.

5) I have been using Macs since 2012 and own and have owned several different Apple products over the years.

6) The build quality is just what I would expect from Apple. I have not seen any manufacturing defects. The MBP is easy to hold and carry around the house. The base is not as thick as it had been made to look in screenshots and videos. I am very pleased with that. I had the Midnight MBA in the past and in my opinion, the new Space Black color is much better than Midnight. The fingerprints are a lot less noticeable with this model versus the Midnight finish, for those concerned. I am not crazy about the speaker grills, which I had on the M1 MBA. I got spoiled with those not being n the M2 MBA. I am sure it is to help create a better sound experience but, I am just concerned with not getting any tng particles in the mesh as was something that I had to occasionally deal with with the M1 MBA.

7) I mainly use my Macs plugged in and because of that, I use AlDente Pro to help regulate the battery.

8) I haven't experienced any hardware, OS, or app problems since receiving the MBP yesterday afternoon. I did not migrate or restore from backup. I like setting up as new with new Macs.

9) I do not regret my purchase 19 hrs later. I will say that I originally ordered the 16" MBP with 18GB / 2TB and on Saturday evening, I decided that I really didn't need the bigger drive or screen, canceled the order, and purchased the 14".

Observations 1 day later: Screen - I can definitely tell a difference with the screens between the MBA and MBP. While the jelly scroll issue hasn't been a problem for me with the MBA, it is something that I have constantly noticed. I also appreciate what appear to be slightly smaller bezels with the MBP, even though bezel size on the MBA has never bothered me.

Forum factor - While I have been an MBA enthusiast for several years, I haven't had any problems with the MBP as to carrying and typing.

Sound: I haven't had a chance to really test the speaker quality on the MBP.

1 day verdict: I am pleased with my purchase even though I didn't really need the MBP. I could have done just fine continuing to use the M2 MBA. At this point, I haven't missed the extra screen real estate of the M2 MBA.