Connection has
Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (Late 2023, Z1C80001D) for
$1499.
Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member
Dr.Wajahat for finding this deal.
Specs
- Apple M3 8-Core Chip
- 16GB Unified RAM
- 512GB Solid State Drive
- 14" 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR Screen
- 10-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3
- SDXC Slot | FaceTime HD 1080p Camera
- Backlit Magic Keyboard
- Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor
- macOS
- Ports
- 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3 / USB4)
- 1x HDMI
Top Comments
PROs:
This is th best value laptop you can find with the M3 lineup:
This is a great deal, the new air with m3 will probably start at $1,100. Add 512 GB SSD and 16 GB ram will become $1,500. The M3 pro starts at $2k, I never seen it cheaper than $1,800.
Cons:
Compared to M3 pro models, it is weaker in terms of performance, there is one fewer usb-c port, no new black color, and supports only one external monitor.
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189 Comments
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13.6 MBA, M2, 16 GB, 256 GB HD
vs.
MBP14 ,M1 Pro, 16 GB, 1TB SSD (+ $250 from MBA)
vs.
MPB 14, M3, 16 GB, 512 SSD ($150+ from M1pro + $ 400 from MBA)
Mainly used for general tasks, email, web browsing(multiple tabs), messaging, etc..etc......
The price difference is not much, I want to future proof myself and am concerned with the M1 pro already being 2 years old. The no dual display support is concerning on the M3, but think it can be achieved with a display dongle no?
Current Mac mini has 256GB HD with 40 GB of head room, so 512 should be sufficient on the MBA. Help me decide!
13.6 MBA, M2, 16 GB, 256 GB HD
vs.
MBP14 ,M1 Pro, 16 GB, 1TB SSD (+ $250 from MBA)
vs.
MPB 14, M3, 16 GB, 512 SSD ($150+ from M1pro + $ 400 from MBA)
Mainly used for general tasks, email, web browsing (multiple tabs) , messaging, etc..etc......
The price difference is not much, I want to future proof myself and am concerned with the M1pro already being 2 years old. The no dual display support is concerning on the M3, but think it can be achieved with a display dongle no?
Current Mac mini has 256GB HD with 40 GB of head room, so 512 should be sufficient. Help me decide!
13.6 MBA, M2, 16 GB, 256 GB HD
vs.
MBP14 ,M1 Pro, 16 GB, 1TB SSD (+ $250 from MBA)
vs.
MPB 14, M3, 16 GB, 512 SSD ($150+ from M1pro + $ 400 from MBA)
Mainly used for general tasks, email, web browsing (multiple tabs) , messaging, etc..etc......
The price difference is not much, I want to future proof myself and am concerned with the M1pro already being 2 years old. The no dual display support is concerning on the M3, but think it can be achieved with a display dongle no?
Current Mac mini has 256GB HD with 40 GB of head room, so 512 should be sufficient. Help me decide!
I test drove the base M3 with 8gb ram. It wasn't too bad, nor too good, but with 16gb you're probably better off getting this and saving a few bucks if you don't want the space black color.
From test driving both the base M3 and the M3 pro, I have reached two conclusions:
M3 base— exceeded my expectations, given all the hate for the base model. But still not as good as the pro.
M3 Pro—less than I expected (coming from M1 Pro)— but still better than the base model.
It is up to you whether you want to be pleasantly surprised for less money or disappointed for more money.
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13.6 MBA, M2, 16 GB, 256 GB HD
vs.
MBP14 ,M1 Pro, 16 GB, 1TB SSD (+ $250 from MBA)
vs.
MPB 14, M3, 16 GB, 512 SSD ($150+ from M1pro + $ 400 from MBA)
Mainly used for general tasks, email, web browsing (multiple tabs) , messaging, etc..etc......
The price difference is not much, I want to future proof myself and am concerned with the M1pro already being 2 years old. The no dual display support is concerning on the M3, but think it can be achieved with a display dongle no?
Current Mac mini has 256GB HD with 40 GB of head room, so 512 should be sufficient. Help me decide!
If you want to keep 5+ years, might as well get the M3. Mind you, I expect the M1/M2 to be supported until 2029+. But even the base M3 has some nice features like ray tracing and 4K144 via HDMI.
I test drove the base M3 with 8gb ram. It wasn't too bad, nor too good, but with 16gb you're probably better off getting this and saving a few bucks if you don't want the space black color.
From test driving both the base M3 and the M3 pro, I have reached two conclusions:
M3 base— exceeded my expectations, given all the hate for the base model. But still not as good as the pro.
M3 Pro—less than I expected (coming from M1 Pro)— but still better than the base model.
It is up to you whether you want to be pleasantly surprised for less money or disappointed for more money.
So in terms of "look & feel," the base is premium. But it's just the new Macbook Air in a tuxedo. I will say, though, I think the MBP packaging is THAT good (especially the screen/speakers) that it is worth thinking about if you're cross-shopping an Air and want to treat yourself.
Now, M3 Pro definitely "feels" like a step up with the Space Black color and more ram. I produce music so I did get one or two minor crackles on the base M3 that I didn't get on the M3 Pro. HOWEVER, I was also purposefully pushing the base model to the limit to see the edge of its performance--I had 3 browsers open with multiple tabs, an active zoom call running, a word doc open, all while mixing a Logic Pro track. THEN I got the crackle. For 8gb of ram, I had thought the whole thing would have shut down, but it crackled and then just kept going. Only one hiccup. While it was definitely in the yellow (but not red) for memory pressure, it overperformed my expectations and I think if you got 16gb this thing would be a beast.
The M3 Pro handled the same task with complete ease (no memory pressure, no crackling). It also is just a touch quicker, sharper, and smoother--but you notice the smoothness. Again, I think that is a ram problem.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but that's probably more than you wanted to know.
The 13" MBP with its M1 and M2 (non-pro) chips was a thing until just a couple months ago, but people seem to have already forgotten that. I'd rather have this 14" M3 MBP with its better screen/sound over a 13" M2 MBP with a 'better' configuration (e.g. more ram or ssd space).
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