I'm undecided between getting the base 14 inch with 16gb and the m3 pro. There are a few hundred difference. I feel like I always skimp out and end up wanting to upgrade so thinking to spend the extra few hundred - plus the black is so nice
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Undecided between 14 inch 16gb base model or m3 pro
- Thread starter gadgetgirl85
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The model with the M3 Pro is the one to go for & here's why:
After upgrading the regular M3 14" to 16GB, you're just shy of the price of the base 14" with M3 Pro. And for that extra price for the M3 Pro you're getting more performance, more RAM (18 vs 16), better external display support, and an extra Thunderbolt 4 port.
The ONLY downside is the M3 Pro base will have less battery life than the regular M3 14". That's it.
Sounds to me like you already made up your mind 
And you are right: As soon as you upgrade the base model with 16 GB RAM, you are only $200 away from the one with M3 Pro. DHagan4755 has already mentioned the advantages that come with that. The M3 MBP and the M3 Pro MBP look (almost) the same from the outside, but they are very different machines on the inside. If you also really like the black and can afford the extra $200, I personally would do it. Back in my day (cough cough) Apple charged that much just for the black color. Nowadays you also get a much more capable MacBook Pro with it You could easily replace both your MacBook Air and your iMac with it.
And you are right: As soon as you upgrade the base model with 16 GB RAM, you are only $200 away from the one with M3 Pro. DHagan4755 has already mentioned the advantages that come with that. The M3 MBP and the M3 Pro MBP look (almost) the same from the outside, but they are very different machines on the inside. If you also really like the black and can afford the extra $200, I personally would do it. Back in my day (cough cough) Apple charged that much just for the black color. Nowadays you also get a much more capable MacBook Pro with it You could easily replace both your MacBook Air and your iMac with it.
I test drove the base M3 (with 8gb) and returned it. I'm telling you -- with the sales on the M3 Pro there is no value getting a CTO 16 gb M3 base. The lowest I've seen it is for $1499 from a wholesaler and you have to jump through hoops to get it. Occasionally other specialty retailers will offer a similar sale on the 16gb model (e.g. microcenter, adorama), but they are few and far between--mainly because this is not a stock config. You're more likely to pay full freight, or maybe $1700 if you're lucky.
As an example of the insane deals on the M3 Pro, I got my 1tb unbinned M3 Pro with 18gb for $1807 on a flash open box deal at Best Buy. I've seen the base M3 pro 512 for as low as $1750 new and $1600 OB-excellent. Battery life on the M3 Pro is MUCH better than reported, and putting it in low power mode makes doesn't gimp it like lower spec chips--especially if you already know you may not need the power all the time. I've been pleasantly surprised.
Unless you're getting the 8gb M3 base that no one else wants, there is very little value proposition in spec'ing it up with the M3 Pro sales the way they are now.
As an example of the insane deals on the M3 Pro, I got my 1tb unbinned M3 Pro with 18gb for $1807 on a flash open box deal at Best Buy. I've seen the base M3 pro 512 for as low as $1750 new and $1600 OB-excellent. Battery life on the M3 Pro is MUCH better than reported, and putting it in low power mode makes doesn't gimp it like lower spec chips--especially if you already know you may not need the power all the time. I've been pleasantly surprised.
Unless you're getting the 8gb M3 base that no one else wants, there is very little value proposition in spec'ing it up with the M3 Pro sales the way they are now.
Interestingly, everyone gets to this decision point. For a few hundred bucks more, go for the M3 Pro.
I'm going to be the one outlier here. I actually have the 16Gb M3 (non-Pro). I agree that the price is close to the Pro but I'm thrilled with my purchase. I don't need the power of the Pro. I don't need the extra ports. I do need and want the most battery life I can get. I had a 15" Air and so far, this model is comparable or slightly better than that one. I'm enjoying the smaller size of the 14 along with the better screen and speakers. I also upgraded the storage to 1TB as I like to have files stored locally. I don't think it's a no-brainer at all as to whether or not to buy the M3 16 GB or the Pro. It depends on what you need it for. If you need it for the power then it probably does make sense.
If you do not need the extra power or ports and battery life is a priority, then a 16GB M3 may make sense.
If you do not need the extra power or ports and battery life is a priority, then a 16GB M3 may make sense.
Although I didn't do a runtime test between the M3 & the M3 Pro, from trying out both I found the M3 Pro to have better battery life in low power mode than the M3 in "regular" mode. It also doesn't lag or stutter like my M1 Pro on low power mode.
M3 has a slightly smaller battery. However, the M3 has insane battery life, too, so whether it's worth $200 or so to run the M3 Pro in low power mode (if you don't need the power), is really up to you. Personally, I wouldn't necessarily "pay up" for the Pro chip just to run it in lower power mode all the time. But if you think you might need that power sometimes, it could be worth it.
M3 has a slightly smaller battery. However, the M3 has insane battery life, too, so whether it's worth $200 or so to run the M3 Pro in low power mode (if you don't need the power), is really up to you. Personally, I wouldn't necessarily "pay up" for the Pro chip just to run it in lower power mode all the time. But if you think you might need that power sometimes, it could be worth it.