My old and trusty MacBook is slowly giving up and I’m trying to replace it. I’ve been looking at the m3 pro line for a replacement.

Currently I’m debating wether a 14-Inch 12 core CPU, 18 core GPU, 1 TB SSD, or the 16-Inch 12 core CPU, 18 core GPU, 500 GB SSD makes more sense.

I like the small size and larger SSD of the 14 Inch version, but I’m kinda scared that it’ll get hot faster than the bigger version or have less power somehow.

My tasks include handling documents, editing large photos and videos and very rarely some 3D stuff in blender. I also wanna play some BG3 from time to time.

What would you choose? Are those good choices for the jobs I want it to do? Is my fear of the small one being a little too powerful for its size justified? Or do you say get something else entirely?

Thanks for your help in advance!

  • jqubed@lemmy.world
    3·
    10 months ago

    I have a 16-inch M3 but really don’t expect you would see any difference in power and thermals on the 14-inch. I can’t directly compare, but I’d run out and bought a 14-inch M2 at Costco shortly before the M3 was unveiled. It wasn’t quite the specs I wanted but it was on sale and I’d picked up a contract where I quickly realized I needed an upgrade from my 2015 Air. It soon became apparent that the 512 GB SSD would get too full too fast, so I switched to a 16-inch M3. They really felt largely identical and I didn’t notice any difference in heat between either.

    I would go with the largest internal storage you can buy, since that can’t really be upgraded later. If you prefer the smaller size that’s a bonus; it’s certainly more portable.

    • Augustiner@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      10 months ago

      Thanks for the feedback, it definitely helps! What specs do you have on your MacBook at the moment, if you don’t mind me asking? Right now I’m managing the storage with external disks, but having some more internal storage will definitely be a good upgrade.

      • jqubed@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        10 months ago

        I went 16-inch M3 Max with 36 GB of RAM and 2TB SSD. I mainly did the Max because I could see myself connecting more than 2 external displays sooner than later; otherwise I think I would’ve been fine with the Pro.