Recording summary · December 2023
Why I Regret buying the M3 MacBook Pro - DON'T make this mistake!
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Overview
Daniel purchased a base M3 MacBook Pro with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage on Christmas Day after selling a heavy 17-inch Razer Blade gaming laptop, but regrets choosing insufficient memory due to wait times for 16GB models and the high cost of in-stock M3 Pro alternatives.
Although base tasks run smoothly and the build and display compare favorably to an ROG Ally and previous laptop, Activity Monitor shows approximately 7GB of RAM and multiple gigabytes of SSD swap memory in use across Safari, YouTube Studio, and iMovie, causing concern regarding performance headroom and SSD wear.
Daniel is evaluating whether to return the machine for a 16GB or 24GB configuration or upgrade to an M3 Pro model with 18GB RAM and dual fans, calculating the price difference alongside currency conversion losses and an estimated $175 VAT refund in Thailand.
Themes
Purchase decision, pricing, and initial selection reasons for the base 8GB M3 MacBook Pro.
Memory and SSD swap utilization during routine tasks and video editing workflows.
Consideration of replacement options, VAT refunds in Thailand, and hardware differences.
Developments
Daniel sold a 17-inch Razer Blade gaming laptop to help finance the new MacBook Pro.
Daniel visited an Apple Store and purchased the base 8GB RAM, 512GB storage M3 MacBook Pro on Christmas Day.
Uncertainties & gaps
Daniel is unsure whether 1GB of the 8GB RAM is reserved specifically for cache files.
Daniel is undecided whether to refund the laptop for a 16GB model at $1,900, a 24GB model at $2,200, or an 18GB M3 Pro variant.
Daniel is not fully certain of the exact CPU and GPU core counts when comparing the base M3 to the M3 Pro.