Recording summary · December 2023
Why I bought the CHEAPEST M3 MacBook Pro 14 inch - Initial impressions and Review
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Overview
Daniel purchased a base model 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM as a Christmas gift to replace an ROG Ally ahead of a biking trip in Japan, citing peripheral weight tradeoffs and selecting the M3 over an M2 MacBook Air or unavailable 16GB configurations.
After early testing, Daniel noted strong keyboard and screen quality, sufficient everyday RAM usage under 6GB, boomy bass-heavy speakers, port congestion from adapters, and five hours of battery life down to 20% under full power mode.
Daniel decided gaming was not a priority for the Japan trip despite macOS missing titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, and compared the purchase to previous devices including a 2021 Razer Blade 17-inch and an M1 MacBook Air previously sold to his sister.
After originally ordering a Space Gray model, Daniel preferred silver upon seeing it in an Apple Store, buying a second unit while awaiting a refund, and saved roughly £400 by purchasing in Thailand for 60,000 baht rather than in the UK.
Themes
Model selection and comparison between the M3 MacBook Pro, 16GB configurations, the M2 MacBook Air, and the ROG Ally.
Hardware, screen, keyboard, speaker audio, port layout, and everyday 8GB RAM performance.
Gaming limitations and availability on macOS alongside comparisons to Windows laptops like the ASUS OLED and Razer Blade 17-inch.
Battery life testing on full power mode and planned testing in low power mode.
Color preference, Apple Store refund procedures, and international pricing between Thailand and the UK.
Comparisons between the M3 MacBook Pro and the previously owned M1 MacBook Air regarding weight, cooling, and workflow readiness.
Developments
In 2021, Daniel purchased a Razer Blade 17-inch laptop with RTX 3060 graphics and 16GB of RAM for $2,500.
About a year ago, Daniel sold an M1 MacBook Air to his sister.
Daniel purchased a base model 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM for 60,000 baht in Thailand as a Christmas gift.
Daniel visited the Apple Store to switch from Space Gray to silver and purchased a second unit after being told the transaction required a refund rather than a direct exchange.
Daniel tested the M3 MacBook Pro on full power mode, during which battery capacity dropped to 20% between 9 AM and 2 PM.
Uncertainties & gaps
Daniel remains uncertain whether the heavy bass on the MacBook Pro speakers will be likable or easy to get used to.
Daniel is uncertain whether RAM usage will reach 8GB during simultaneous video editing, exporting, YouTube watching, and Discord chatting.
Apple Store staff stated that processing the refund for the first MacBook could take about a week.
Daniel expressed uncertainty about why a direct exchange was not allowed and why the laptop is significantly more expensive in the UK.
Daniel expressed uncertainty about whether selling the M1 MacBook Air was the right choice or if it would have sufficed.
Daniel expressed uncertainty regarding the laptop's gaming performance compared to the M1 MacBook Air and its handling of streaming and video editing workflows.