• The latest addition to the MacBook Pro line features the M3 chipset, a 14-inch display, and a price starting at £1,799.
  • Late 2023 MacBook Pro models now begin with the M3 Pro chipset and offer 18GB of base RAM, catering to content creators and graphic professionals.
  • Current discounts on base configurations and higher-spec models are available, with options to further customize the devices at additional costs.

Apple sells a variety of MacBooks featuring its own M-series chips, ranging from the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air to the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3, priced from $999 to $2,499. Deals on these models, including those with M1, M2, or M3 chips, are readily available.

MacBook Pro models with M3 and M3 Pro chipsets

The MacBook Pro range is currently undergoing a transition. At its October “Scary Fast” event, Apple unveiled new Macs featuring the innovative M3 processor, such as the new 14-inch MacBook Pro which has superseded the 13-inch M2 model. The era of Touch Bar Macs has now drawn to a close, yet some of the outgoing M2 models remain on the market.

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Apple’s revised entry-level MacBook Pro

The redesigned 14-inch MacBook Pro, the new starting point in the MacBook Pro range, comes equipped with MagSafe charging and a slightly streamlined configuration. This model boasts the same 3024 x 1964 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate as its more expensive counterparts. Alongside the MagSafe charging port, it includes an SD card slot and an HDMI port. However, it begins with a mere 8GB of RAM and omits the additional USB-C / Thunderbolt port present on the M3 Pro and M3 Max models (as well as the Thunderbolt 4 speeds).

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Although the M3 MacBook Pro might be considered something of an awkward middle child in certain respects, it remains an excellent laptop choice, particularly if you can secure it at a discounted rate that further distinguishes it from the M3 Pro variant. The base model, which includes 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, has been available at a discount of up to £200. Amazon currently lists this silver model at £1,499, offering a saving of £100.

The 1TB configuration, which includes 8GB of RAM, is also discounted on Amazon to £1,684, a reduction of £116. That said, if you are contemplating a more high-spec configuration, it may be worth considering the M3 Pro model instead.

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros

Apple’s revised entry-level MacBook Pro is now a 14-inch model, driven by the new base M3 processor. It utilizes a design akin to the more expensive 14-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple’s Pro- / Max-series chipsets, but at a more affordable price point, albeit with fewer ports and less RAM.

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models for late 2023 represent another round of specification enhancements, much like their 2022 predecessors. Now commencing with the M3 Pro chipset (or the faster M3 Max) and 18GB of base RAM, rather than the previous 16GB, these new models continue to cater to creative professionals engaged in content creation, such as video editing, photo processing, and other graphic-intensive tasks. Like their forebears and the preceding M1 Pro generation, they feature MagSafe charging, three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI-out, and a full-size SD card slot. The prices begin at £1,799 for the 14-inch and £2,299 for the 16-inch model. Naturally, should you wish to further customize these models, you can do so at an additional cost.

Although these models are still relatively new to the market, discounted versions of those actually purchased by consumers have started to emerge. The 14-inch MacBook Pro, in its base configuration with the M3 Pro (11-core CPU / 14-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, is currently available at a discounted price of £1,799 (a saving of £200) on both Amazon and Best Buy. Alternatively, you can opt for the version with 1TB of storage and a 12-core / 18-core M3 Pro for £2,199 (also £200 off) at the same retailers.

If you require additional power, you might consider the 14-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) with 36GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is listed at £2,969 (a saving of £231) on Amazon and £2,999 (a saving of £200) at Best Buy.

Regarding the base 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro (12-core CPU / 18-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, it is currently retailing for £2,299 (a saving of £200) on Amazon and Best Buy. The configuration with a 512GB SSD and 36GB RAM is now priced at £2,689 (a saving of £210) on Amazon and £2,699 (a saving of £200 off) at Best Buy. Should you require the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) of this size, the starting configuration, which includes a 1TB SSD and 36GB of RAM, has been reduced to £3,244 (a saving of £256) on Amazon and £3,299 (a saving of £200) at Best Buy. Furthermore, you can upgrade to the M3 Max (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) with 1TB and 48GB of RAM for £3,704 (a saving of £295) on Amazon and £3,799 (a saving of £200) at Best Buy.