Apple MacBook Pro Late 2023 Review – Power To The People

This Apple MacBook Pro review will explore how the late-2023 14″ MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip performs as a photographer’s workhorse.

I recently upgraded from an Intel-based 2017 Apple iMac and was keen to gain a significant performance boost.

We’ll discover the benefits and power of the Apple M3 Pro chip – the Goldilocks of Apple Silicon.

Furthermore, we’ll cover the standout features, pros and cons, and discover if the late 2023 MacBook Pro represents good value for money.

Let’s unpack that crisp white Apple box and start editing some photos.

What is Apple MacBook Pro?

 

The Apple MacBook Pro is a photographer’s dream editing and workflow management machine.

Apple has always been the go-to choice for photographers, videographers, and musicians looking for a computer powerful enough to run Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, or Logic Pro.

The current generation of late-2023 MacBook Pro models boasts impressive specifications, ideally suited to photographers who demand fast editing and processing workflows.

M3 Apple Silicon chips drive impressive processing power, including the standard M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max.

Even the base model MacBook Pros are winners compared to Windows machines.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14″ with M3 Pro also boasts an 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 18GB of Unified Memory (RAM).

Since I prefer fast external drives, I kept the internal storage at the standard 512GB SSD.

As for the display, the 14″ MacBook Pro features a vivid and bright liquid retina display with stunning brightness of optimal color correction out of the box.

Like any Apple device, the MacBook Pro 14″ features a sleek, stylish, minimalist design with space-age finishes.

The backlit keyboard and large trackpad are highly responsive and optimised for precision control and performance.

Features of Apple MacBook Pro

• M3 Pro Chip

As this was my first non-Intel-powered Apple Mac, I wanted to test the M3 Pro chip’s power and performance.

Apple claims it boasts an 80% faster CPU than the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Max chip.

The Apple M3 Pro chip combines an 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 150GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Neural Engine can perform up to 18 trillion operations per second and accelerates the performance of tools such as Topaz DeNoise AI and Gigapixel AI.

The 14″ MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip includes 18GB of unified memory (RAM) to accommodate my Adobe Lightroom photo editing workflow further.

The MacBook Pro’s graphics performance is incredible and ideally suited to heavy-lifting programs like Adobe Premier Pro.

It’s also an impressive machine when it comes to gaming performance, with AAA titles able to run natively.

• 14″ Display

There’s no denying that Apple makes stunning displays and touch screens for its devices.

Photographers will love the vivid 14″ Liquid Retina XDR display on the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

It pumps out 500 nits of brightness and over 1 billion colors, making it ideal for Adobe Premiere Pro.

Furthermore, the XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range) makes photo editing and color correction a breeze thanks to its factory calibration and pro reference modes.

The display has a minimal bezel edge, optimizing the full-screen size within the laptop’s form.

The level of detail, contrast, and clarity is truly stunning, making it a perfect match for photo editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

If that’s not evidence enough, the 14.2″ Liquid Retina display offers a native resolution of 3024×1964 at 254 pixels per inch. HDR content pops from the screen!

The refresh rate is equally as impressive for a laptop.

Furthermore, it delivers a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 600 nits of SDR brightness, and an eye-watering 1600 nits of peak brightness (HDR).

While I miss the iMac’s bigger screen, I can still edit images and write articles from the 14-inch MacBook Pro display.

I take advantage of working from my desk by connecting to a 24″ Full HD single external display via the HDMI port.

• MacOS

The Apple Macbook Pro is currently running Sonoma 14.6.1.

Anyone familiar with the layout of Apple iPhone apps will appreciate the familiarity of the macOS platform.

I find it intuitive and more accessible to master than Windows – it’s clean and neat.

You can set up the pop-up dock at the bottom of the display with the apps you use most so they’re quickly accessible.

It’s the same OS on all MacBook Pros, MacBook Air models, and iMacs.

Another standout feature of the MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop is the ability to Air-Drop photos and other content between it and your iPhone or iPad.

You can also wirelessly use an iPad as a second screen without taking up an extra port.

• Design

I’ve always loved the sleek industrial design employed to style Apple products.

Does anyone remember the clamshell design Apple Tangerine iBook G3 from the 90s?

The Apple MacBook Pro 14″ in Space Black is incredibly sleek at just 1.55cm (0.61″) and has a neat footprint at 31.26 x 22.12cm (12.31 x 8.71″).

Given its aluminum body, it weighs a measly 1.61kg (3.5lb), meaning that it’s easy to pack in my backpack and work from anywhere.

Compared to earlier-generation MacBooks, the touchpad is massive and incredibly responsive.

The backlit keyboard has a super low profile and is an absolute joy to type with.

Another neat feature is the Touch ID (built into the power button), which reads my fingerprint instead of typing in a password.

• Battery Life

I’m always dubious about the battery life tech companies claim compared to real-world applications.

The Apple team claims that the MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip delivers up to 18 hours of battery life with zero impact on performance.

After some solid testing with power-hungry applications and some late-night Netflix binge sessions, the battery life is astounding.

Furthermore, there’s no performance dip when operating Lightroom or running video calls when the device isn’t plugged into the mains.

• Ports and Slots

One of Apple’s best decisions was to keep the SDXC memory card slot on the MacBook Pro models.

As a photographer who can now edit on the go, I love quickly plugging in an SD card and downloading my daily shots.

But wait, there’s more. The right side of the 14″ Apple MacBook Pro also features a full-size HDMI port, USB C/Thunderbolt 4 port, and the SDXC card slot.

The left side houses a 3.5mm headphone jack and two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports for charging other devices, connecting drives, or connecting to two external displays.

That’s three USB C ports (Thunderbolt ports), eradicating the need for a bulky USB C hub. It’s the same configuration as the Apple MacBook Pro 16, even with the M3 Max Chip.

It also features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless connectivity.

The 14″ MacBook Pro is powered by a 70W USB-C Power Adapter and a 2m USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable, both of which are included in the box.

• Audio, Camera, Microphones

The first time I opened Apple Music and hit play on Billi Eilish’s song Chihiro, I was blown away by the audio quality produced by such inconspicuous speakers.

The Apple MacBook Pro includes a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system boasting force-cancelling woofers.

For those who like to conduct voice or video calls through their computer, the MacBook also features a three-mic array with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

The built-in 1080P HD Face-Time camera captures crisp, high-resolution video ideal for my weekly photography podcast.

Overall Performance

Apple Mac products have always boasted and delivered impressive performance specs ideally suited to those in the photography, video, and music industry.

I primarily run Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Topaz Photo AI for my editing workflows.

Regardless of the RAW file size or number of images I’m processing, the MacBook Pro chews through them with blistering speed.

For optimal performance, I’m running my Lightroom catalog from a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD connected to a short Thunderbolt 3 cable.

I also love the built-in SD card slot, which lets me import my images quickly without needing an external dongle.

Another critical element of the performance is the operating system and accessibility options.

Given my experience and tenure with Apple, I found MacOS a breeze to master and set up to suit my needs—and failing eyesight.

First-timers navigating any Mac will appreciate the guided experience and simplistic setup process.

I also use my Apple MacBook Pro to host a weekly photography podcast with some mates.

I make the most of the ports and connectivity options by connecting a USB-C Rode Mic, Rode headphones, one external display via HDMI, a 1TB Sandisk Extreme portable SSD, and a USB-C to Lighting iPhone charger.

As a blogger and writer, I connect a Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard and a Keychron M3 Mini mouse via Bluetooth.

My Apple Upgrade Experience

I’ve been invested in the Apple ecosystem for over 30 years, so it’s fair to say I prefer Apple over any other system.

While I can’t speak to anyone who has moved from Windows to Apple, I can elaborate on my experience with the MacBook Pro.

Until recently, my photo editing workhorse was a 2017 27″ Apple iMac running a 3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, Radeon Pro 560 4GB GPU, and 16GB RAM.

I custom-ordered the computer in 2017 to meet my workflow needs with enough performance to future-proof it.

It’s an understatement to say it’s now struggling, especially when editing the larger RAW files from the 40MP Fujifilm X-T5 and the 102MP Fujifilm GFX 100S II.

Adobe Lightroom suffers the most from long import delays and noticeable lag when adjusting non-AI-driven editing tools.

As for Adobe’s Denoise AI, it’s a very long and slow process to endure.

After thorough research and vetting, I invested in the current-generation Apple MacBook Pro.

I had looked extensively at the MacBook Pro 16-inch models and also considered a MacBook Air.

While I loved the iMac’s 27″ high-resolution display for photo editing, I missed the portability and flexibility of a laptop.

Remember that I’m a photographer and writer and often out and about testing new gear.

Plus, as I mentioned, I host a weekly photography podcast with multiple current-gen accessories.

With my iMac, I used older Lacie external hard drives to store and process RAW image files. It was time for an upgrade.

How I Tested the Apple MacBook Pro

With the new MacBook Pro unboxed (sorry, no video), it was time to set up and transfer my data from the aging 2017 iMac.

Since I hadn’t upgraded my Apple device for almost eight years, I was unsure how the data transfer would work.

Fortunately, the iMac walked me through a super-easy process.

Furthermore, the wireless data and profile transfer process took under an hour to complete.

Once finished, my new Apple MacBook Pro 14″ was set up exactly like my older computer.

As a result, I knew where everything was located, and Apple’s macOS operating system was like a second language.

With the new MacBook Pro, I invested in a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD and a high-quality Thunderbolt 3 USB C to C data cable for optimal read and write speeds.

To test the capabilities and performance of the Apple MacBook Pro, I processed 26MP, 40MP, and 102MP Fujifilm RAW files with Adobe Lightroom.

The test included import, application of Fujifilm Film Simulations, a holistic editing workflow, Denoise AI, and image export.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14″ performed flawlessly throughout every step.

Image import time varied depending on the RAW file size and number of images.

Regardless, it was a fraction of the time experienced with the much older 2017 Apple iMac.

In fact, the first time I imported images from an SD card, I was delighted by the impressive speed.

Alternatives to Apple MacBook Pro

While Windows machines have a lower starting price (and less power), moving away from Mac is a deal breaker.

As part of my research, I considered several Apple iMac and MacBook models that fit within my AU$3,500 budget.

The current Apple iMac is a desktop-based Mac in seven stylish colors.

It boasts a 24″ 4.5K Retina Display pumping out 500 nits of brightness.

The baseline iMac features Apple’s M3 chip (there is currently no M3 Pro or M3 Max for iMac), which packs an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.

It offers 8GB of Unified Memory and 256GB SSD, which can be configured to 24GB of Unified Memory and 1TB of SSD storage.

The pros of the iMac include its considerably lower entry price and that gorgeous display.

The cons include adding significant costly upgrades to enhance performance and being limited to the standard M3 chip.

If you like the idea of a laptop but consider the 14″ screen too small, the Apple MacBook Pro 16″ is the best choice.

The MacBook Pro 16-inch is available in Space Black and Silver. Under that gorgeous surface, it has an impressive set of specs.

The entry-level model has the same chip as my 14-inch MacBook Pro, 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.

It houses 18GB of Unified Memory and 512GB SSD storage – both can be upgraded.

Value for Money

The Apple MacBook Pro 14″ featured in this article retails for around AU$3,500 (US$2,370).

Although it costs a significant amount, I believe it represents exceptional value for money for any enthusiast or pro photographer.

Given Apple Mac machines’ build quality and performance, it’s an investment that will support your workflow for many years.

My 2017 Apple iMac cost around AU$3,000 (US$2,000) and lasted seven years, equating to around AU$400 (US$270) per year or a little over $30 a month!

Granted, I opted for a higher-spec machine than the entry-level MacBook Pro.

However, I had to ensure it was powerful enough now and in the coming years to handle my photo editing workflow.

I also chose the MacBook over a new iMac because of its portability. That level of freedom and flexibility is priceless.

For comparison, the entry-level MacBook Pro 14-inch retails for AU$2,700 (US$1,830), and the entry-level MacBook Pro 16-inch retails for around AU$4,300 (US$2,900).

Upgrade to a 16-inch MacBook Pro with a bigger screen and M3 Max chip, and you’re talking serious money!

Apple MacBook Pro Review | Conclusion

It took me a long time to finally upgrade to the new Apple 14″ MacBook Pro from my old iMac.

Initially, the hesitation was due to the significant cost of buying a new computer—$3,500 isn’t anything to sneeze at!

Once I reconciled the financial impact, it was time for an internal debate about a new iMac or MacBook.

Fortunately, the power, portability, and flexibility of the 14″ MacBook Pro won the day, and I’m so glad I made the right choice.

The late 2023 14″ Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip is the ideal workhorse for enthusiasts and professional photographers.

It packs more than enough power and performance to handle all the top-shelf editing software while also enjoying late-night Netflix binge sessions.

The 14″ model is lightweight, compact, and easy to take to my local cafe, couch, or (hopefully one day soon) a ramen shop in Shibuya!

While Apple will likely announce a newer model any day, I couldn’t ask for more power, performance, or battery life.

It’s a perfect laptop for photographers and makes an ideal daily driver.