Apple - MacBook Pro 14" Laptop - M3 Pro chip Built for Apple Intelligence - 18GB Memory - 18-core GPU - 1TB SSD - Silver

I was composing a rave review for my new MacBook Pro M3 Pro (18GB/512GB/11 cores) last night when I realized I needed to address an issue with the sound quality. Despite arriving only yesterday, my laptop’s speakers appear to be defective. The laptop came via UPS and was exposed to freezing temperatures overnight due to a cold front, although my area typically has a moderate climate. After letting it warm up to room temperature and charging it, I noticed a significant dip in battery life from 100% to 57% due to the cold exposure during transit. While this didn't initially concern me, I was dismayed to discover severe distortion in the midrange frequencies when I tested the sound with Apple Music. The distortion was apparent even at moderate volume levels, suggesting the speakers might have been damaged. In my attempt to troubleshoot, I found several key insights: 1. **Speaker Break-In**: It's known that speakers often need a break-in period at mid-level volumes to prevent damage and achieve optimal sound. However, even after playing music for several hours, the distortion persisted. 2. **Fragility of MacBook Speakers**: MacBook speakers are prone to damage, and even if they sound good initially, they can deteriorate if handled improperly. There are even DIY videos on how to repair them if they fail after the warranty period. 3. **Performance Cores in the M3 Pro**: Contrary to the M1 and M2 models, the M3 Pro with 11 cores has fewer performance cores. Specifically, the M3 Pro has 5 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, compared to the M1 Pro’s 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores, and the M2 Pro’s 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. This change might impact performance in tasks that rely heavily on performance cores, such as music production. Aside from the sound issues, I encountered a few operational glitches: I can't use the “Share” feature to email or message from Safari, as these options are disabled in System Settings. Additionally, Apple's “Stocks” app crashed while running in the background despite no other third-party apps being active. Overall, the MacBook Pro M3 Pro represents a significant power and speed upgrade from my M1 iMac and iPad Air 5th gen. However, I advise against opting for any "Pro" version with less than 18GB RAM or 512GB SSD. For general use, a MacBook Air M2 might be a more suitable choice. While I appreciate the new Space Black color, I wish there was a Midnight (dark blue) option. For better sound quality, I recommend using Apple HomePod Minis. Although they don’t support Bluetooth, they connect via AirPlay to Macs and the Amazon Music app. One of these tiny speakers offers superior sound compared to the MacBook’s built-in speakers and is also better than other home speaker options. Additionally, adjusting the Apple Music app’s equalizer settings can enhance sound quality and volume. For most songs, settings like “Lounge” or “R&B” work well, improving both clarity and loudness.

The new MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M3 Pro chip is a powerhouse that balances performance and portability. Equipped with 18GB of RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD, it’s designed for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking with ease. The M3 Pro chip delivers impressive speed and energy efficiency, making it ideal for both professionals and creatives. The stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion provides vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, while the improved battery life keeps you powered through long workdays. The sleek aluminum design feels premium and robust, and the keyboard and trackpad are comfortable and responsive. The addition of essential ports, including Thunderbolt and HDMI, offers versatility for connectivity. Overall, this MacBook Pro is a fantastic investment for users seeking a high-performance laptop with ample storage and memory, ready to handle intensive workloads with ease.

This is my fourth MacBook Pro and I have used the heck out of all of them. In fact I still use all of them going back decades. They work fine, the only limitation is that the OS cannot be updated enough to be used with modern programs. In fact I have one I have kept in Snow Leopard to be able to use Final Cut Pro7 with the wonderful options it had. Solid machines all. Batteries wear out eventually, but the bones are great. This new one is by far the best - faster than a speeding bullet. I've been importing video files and I am amazed at how quickly they are transferred. I have not started crunching the compression of new videos yet, but I have no doubt that this machine will be faster than anything else. I had been wanting to move up to a new MBP for some time but I resented needing dongles for everything - finally we are back to a set of the most useful connecters built in. I find the fingerprint ID very useful. Safari is solid and glitch-free so far. More than anything, the battery life is making my life easier. I have not had it long, but everything I have experienced so far is beyond my expectations. I plan to work with this daily for a very long time.