Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Is it worth upgrading to Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro?

Published May 15th, 2024 12:08PM EDT
Image: Christian de Looper for BGR

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro line might just be the best laptop lineup on the planet. The sleek metal laptops are lightweight and super-powerful, yet they’re efficient enough to last 20 hours or more on a charge. That means some people will be able to go two or even three days without having to plug in their laptops. Apple did a fantastic job upgrading its latest models, but there’s one obvious problem with them: The prices.

There are two reasons why now is a very good time to upgrade to the M3 MacBook Pro. First, we still have a pretty long wait ahead of us for new Pro models with Apple’s upgraded M4 chip. And second, the entire lineup is on sale right now, so you can pick up an M3 MacBook Pro starting at $1,449, a $150 discount. The 14.2-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro is $200 off at $1,799, and the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro is $249 off at $2,249.99.

Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing

Apple’s MacBook laptop lineup is far more complex now than it has ever been in the past. There are so many different models available, but I think that’s actually a good thing. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models span a wide range of sizes and price points, so there’s something for everyone in Apple’s current laptop lineup.

One of my favorite models is definitely the M3 MacBook Pro. It was released last year and offers one of the best values you can get.

Powered by the Apple M3 chip, this laptop features an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. Performance is so much more impressive than anything you’d find with a comparable Intel chip. Even now, with Apple’s M-series chips having been out for so long, they still strike the balance between power and efficiency better than any rival chipset.

Also, the M3 is incredibly efficient. You’ll get up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge with the M3 MacBook Pro.

Other key specs include a beautiful 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness, a FaceTime HD camera, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage.

Each storage option is discounted right now, though some SKUs have already sold out. The big news is that the entry-level M3 MacBook Pro with 512GB is down to just $1,449, thanks to a $150 discount. That’s the lowest price ever, and I don’t think you’ll find it at a better price anytime soon.

Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

In addition to the M3 model, a few other MacBook Pro models are on sale right now.

The deepest discounts are on the MacBook Pro with M3 Pro. The M3 Pro is a big upgrade from the regular M3 in terms of power and performance. If you need the extra boost, this is a great option.

Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro retails for $1,999, but it’s down to $1,799 right now, thanks to a $200 discount.

Or, if you want an even bigger laptop, you’re looking at the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro. This model is currently $249 off at $2,249.99.

Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing

And finally, you can also save money on the previous-generation M2 MacBook Pro. If you’re looking to spend as little as possible on a pro-grade MacBook, this is definitely the model you should get.

Apple’s M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch is even more compact than any of the M3 models, and it’s currently down to $1,199 on sale. That’s a $300 discount.

Amazon Logo Available on Amazon
Maren Estrada Deals Editor

Maren Estrada has been the Editor of BGR Deals since it launched in 2013. She has more than 20 years of experience testing more than 1,500 products, and reviewing a wide range of consumer electronics including mobile devices, smart home products, computers, and home appliances.

Previously, she was a leading consultant specializing in copywriting, product development, and new product launches.