The ULTIMATE M3 Mac buying guide (I asked Apple!)

How do you know which M3 Mac to buy? In this video, I reveal what Apple told me about the M3 chips during a visit to their UK headquarters earlier this month. I wanted to find out who should buy the M3 iMac, and who the various versions of the M3 MacBook Pro are intended for. The answers are super interesting and will, I think, help you during your buying journey!

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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
02:01 - M3 iMac
05:17 - M3 MacBook Pro
09:45 - Wrapping up

[MarkEllisReviews]

Which M3 Mac are you going for, and why?

[jimtipton]

I think the choices Apple offers is a blessing! I also think it is a curse. Never do I fret more than when I'm deciding which Mac is right for me. Portable or desk top? Which processor? Bin chip or not? How much RAM? How much storage? It's like getting married without even going on a date.

[adunford]

Apple should up the ram and storage in all of the macs as standard. It seems a bit tight to me for a high cost computer.

[drewmerklinghaus]

Mark, great follow up video on the iMac m3.
I did watch your earlier video and I appreciated your unscientific render and transfer tests.
I TOO - was yelling about the souped up RAM in the intel iMac.
Your review actually did influence me to buy a NEW iMac m3, (my 2015 intel iMac is now struggling).
I do professional work… photoshop and FCP.
Apples iMacs have always served me well.
I always max out my configuration with maximum ram as well as storage.
I represent the pro user group that loves the iMac desktop all in one system and refuses to spend more than necessary.
Thanks again. Keep the videos rolling.

[marcuscady]

I joined your livestream before their Scary Fast event and asked about the M2 Pro Mac Mini that I was thinking about getting. After the event I ended up reconsidering and realizing that I really should make sure I have a portable machine. So I instead ended up going with the M3 Pro Macbook Pro. I was even able to get a deal on one through B&H that allowed me the beefier 12-core chip for the same price I would have paid for the base model. So I ended up with the 12-core CPU 18-core GPU model with 18GB of memory and 1TB SSD. This thing is incredible and has completely changed the game for me, especially coming from the base model M1 MacBook Air that I had for a couple years. Also, the Space Black color is gorgeous :)

[PogueSquadron]

I guess my question is like…unless you’re doing video editing, and I mean heavy video editing for a YouTube channel, is there any need to go beyond 8GB of RAM? My wife has her MacBook Air, does podcast editing, and we might do a video version at some point. Her M1 MacBook Air is THE best computer she’s ever owned, and she’s in love with it. I was going to just suggest she get the upgraded iMac so we don’t have to futz with dongles, and she can use Touch ID.

[riaden]

Hi Mark, My parents need a PC but I suggest an all-in-one. The M3 iMac, my understanding is that the 16gb ram is better and with the extra ports. But is the internal storage upgrade worth it or just connect an external drive instead? Mainly Office and other things and not being able to upgrade later is so bad for a company to do in 2023.
Any assistance or recommendation is great, I also looked at a Mac Mini but its only M2 and then you need all the extra accessories. Thanks.

[xray]

Thanks for an interesting video Mark. As someone who owns a lot of Apple kit, as well as others, I really hope you won’t get too close to Apple. A truly independent take on Apple and its products is valuable and why I subscribe to your channel. Tech journalists who are seduced into drinking Apple’s Kool Aid, who crave Apple’s favour, invites, and acesss, become “tamed” and lose their independence, and in effect, become part of Apple’s marketing machine. I genuinely hope you’ll protect your reputation for being truly independent journalist, independent of the Apple machine.
Thanks again for your channel.

[ronbokje]

I needed a replacement for my iMac from 2014, do some photoshop and some 360 video's but maybe only once a month. I remamber from my old MacBook Pro I use to have, that I have to clean out de dust a few times to get it working again. so I went for the m3 air with 16 ram and a 512 ssd, no fan so no dust problem.
I hope it will be enough for my needs. so far it's working great, specially when the old one was not supporting latest photoshop

[KPixton]

Mark, another excellent video! Thank you! After waiting and waiting for a larger iMac to replace my 2015 27" iMac and finally pulled the trigger on a Mac Mini M2 Pro and refurb M2 air 24GB 256 for almost list price. I will be doing a 27" monitor conversion. I appreciate your help!

[davidbell]

I have an MacBook Air from 2017 and operating system no longer updates. Have an iPad which use a lot. Debating if to get new air or the iMac..

[watchcommander]

Great Video Mark. My needs are met by the 16” MB Pro M3 Max Base configuration space black

[tonycook]

Thank you Mark for informative and entertaining videos!

[colebox]

I grew up in Wandsworth and the last time I went to Battersea Power Station was a school trip. This was the early eighties and Battersea was still an operating power station! Think I need to go back to see how it's changed...

[BigTunaAK]

lol love your commentary on iMac intel ram. Props to the views

[JosephTorresSeph]

i love my m3 iMac and I am planning to get a M3 Pro Macbook Pro 14in soon.

[lavayuki]

I think the macbook pro laptop is the best choice, and if you need a bigger screen then just get an external monitor to plug in the laptop. Then you have the best of both worlds.

[Sandilini]

I just pulled the trigger on a refurbished M2 Pro MBP 14” for $1, 599

[patrickthurston]

I had an m2 Mac book air and 8 gb of memory was not enough, for even daily use, docs, chrome, discord zoom
I bit the bullet and got the 18gb Mac book pro pro

[renesch]

I have an old Intel MacBook Pro, that needs upgraded. It still works but with all the new software updates it isn’t capable anymore. Do I save $$ with M1 or go for M3 is my question? I’ll be keeping it a long time. I do PS and Lightroom mostly. Lots of layers with big Raw files.