Apple MacBook Pro 16 M3 / M3 Max

If you’re not a creative with an intense workload or a gamer with infinite patience, a MacBook Pro with an M3 Max configuration is obviously overkill. If benchmarking my spouse’s M2 Max MacBook Pro 16 proved anything, it’s that you don’t need the best configuration to get very similar results. Even so, I suspect M1 Pro and Max owners know they don’t need to upgrade.

The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3) is the latest and greatest version of Apple's powerful prosumer laptop. With a choice of the new M3 Pro or M3 Max chips, and support for up to 128GB unified memory, this is an incredibly powerful laptop that's ideal for heavy workloads, especially graphically intensive ones. With a boosted GPU coupled with macOS Sonoma's Game Mode, this is also the first MacBook we'd recommend as a gaming device. At this price it won't be for everyone, but it's an incredible bit of tech.

Apple has done it again with the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max). While it retains the same fetching design and gorgeous mini-LED display as the previous M2 Max model, this premium laptop’s performance is currently second to none. The steep $3,499 starting price stings, but professional creatives and even gamers will get their money’s worth.

Funny enough, my advice today echoes what I said last year: Don't buy the cheapest model. Beyond that, it's hard to go wrong. The M3 chips are incredibly efficient and powerful. And Apple's MacBook Pro design remains as elegant as ever. Just try to save up for at least 16GB of RAM.

If you can stomach the pricey upgrades, the 16-inch MacBook Pro remains a top choice for creative pros, thanks to its impressive performance, top-notch build quality, and punchy Mini-LED display.

Apple's 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro is a fully loaded laptop that goes from premium consumer desktop replacement to elite professional workstation with the M3 Max chip.

The 16-inch version of the MacBook Pro with M3 Max starts at $3,499, which makes it slightly more expensive than the similarly no-holds-barred Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. You can, of course, crank your MacBook Pro’s price tag up to well over $5,000 by maxing out your memory and storage options. And don’t forget to throw in a $19 polishing cloth to keep everything nice and shiny.