$2299 MacBook Pro 16"at Bust Buy and I bought one...

[pRICE cUBE]

...and Adorama has this M2 16" for $1850 when I got home. https://slickdeals.net/f/17166313-apple-...00?src=jfy&prop=rcmid-5f1cb9ed2345e52f792b9807c49de980&attrsrc=JFYCarousel%3APosition%3A3%7CJFYCarousel%3AType%3Athread

M2 Pro is the minimum about of hamsters I need cranking the wheels of computational power. Now I am wondering if I should save that roughly $500 or enjoy the M3 Pro and not look back. Either machine is going to be much faster than the M1 mini I have been working on for the past year.

[mattkime]

The M3 Pro is about 20% faster than the M2 Pro. Is that worth $500 to you?

https://www.macrumors.com/guide/how-much...lly-is-m3/


Overall, the M3 Pro presents a complex predicament: It offers a clear advantage in single-core CPU performance and a slight edge in multi-core performance, but a step back in GPU performance and core counts. The M3 Pro is a potentially suitable choice for users who prioritize CPU performance and can benefit from the specific advancements in its new GPU architecture. For many current ?M2? Pro users, especially those whose workflows are heavily GPU- and memory bandwidth-centric, the M3 Pro does not constitute a worthwhile upgrade at all.?

[Lew Zealand]

M3 Pro is only 8% faster than the M2 Pro when fully utilizing the CPU, such as when video editing/exporting. In single-threaded uses its 18% faster for things like picture editing.

The M3 Pro reduces the available bandwidth from 200 MB/sec to 150 MB/sec and cuts back on the GPU cores from 16/19 to 14/18. This will likely be most evident when playing games (it *will* be slower) and likely less obvious when video editing.

[gabester]

I wonder about the performance difference in the context of running virtual Macs for testing software deployments and configuration logic. But then, I've only had access to an M2 Air, otherwise M1 Pro/Max configs are what I'm doing that on at the moment.

In your case, I think, $500 is no small chunk of change. Unless you have driving need for a specific configuration now, save the money as it's almost always been worth more later. E.g. that $500 and two more chunks like it over the next two years may well buy you an M4 Pro.

[AllGold]

From what I understand about P.C.'s intended use, my theory is the software he is using with the critical need for speed does not do multi-threading well. That coupled with the slower storage speed of the M2, means the M3 will perform noticeably better (faster single thread performance and faster storage).

[sekker]

L E A D E R !

Pull out that M3 bad boy and don't look back.

Zoom zoom!

[rich in distress]

Leader!!

[jdc]

this might be worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQvsZQ3QBiU&t=10s