Tech / Technology

M3 MacBook 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook 14

Posted on:

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is here, but how is it different from the M3 Pro MacBook 14?
M3 MacBook 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook 14

We’re going to pit the M3 MacBook Pro 14 against the M3 Pro MacBook Pro. Let’s get ready to rumble!

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has the most affordable starting price out of all the MacBooks dropped during the “Scary Fast” event on Oct. 30. If you need something more powerful to compliment your resource-intensive workflow, you’ll be better off with an M3 Pro chip. This is where the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 comes into play.

Of course, although they’re minor, there are more differences between the two models aside from their chips.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Price

The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro has a starting price of $1,599. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The most expensive configuration, packed with an M3 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 24GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage, will set you back nearly $2,600.

Woman using M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a starting price of $1,999. This base-level configuration comes with 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

However, this laptop can cost nearly $4,000 if you max it out with an M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 36GB of RAM, and 4TB of SSD storage.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Design

Both the M3 and M3 Pro models have the same design. After all, they share the same 14-inch MacBook Pro chassis.

Woman using the M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

There are no major changes from the previous-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro. As such, you’ll still get that funky-looking notch on top of the display with slim bezels. Plus, you’ll get an island-style keyboard that is flanked by a divine-sounding, six-speaker audio system. And you’ll get Touch ID on the top-right corner of the keyboard.

The lid features that well-known Apple logo that that will make brand-conscious passers-by jealous.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is negligibly lighter than M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 (3.4 pounds vs. 3.5 pounds). However, they share the same thinness of 0.61 inches.

Unlike the M3 MacBook Pro 14, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 offers a new color, Space Black, in addition to Silver. The M3 MacBook Pro 14 only comes in Space Gray and Silver. Yawn!

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 13: Display

You guessed it. Both have the same display.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 and the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 have a 14.2-inch, 3,024 x 1964-pixel screen with a variable refresh rate that can climb to 120Hz. It has a peak brightness of up to 1600 nits, particularly for HDR content.

Plus, it has a mini-LED display, an energy-efficient display technology that can deliver high luminance compared to the likes of OLED.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The only aspect of the 14-inch MacBook Pro body that may give you pause is its controversial notch. Some people don’t mind it. For example, I forget that it’s even there. However, others find it to be repulsive, so it’s all up to your own personal taste.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Ports

Both laptops have an HDMI port, SDXC card slot, and a 3.5-mm headset jack.

14-inch MacBook Pro ports

14-inch MacBook Pro ports
Credit: Apple

Plus, there’s MagSafe 3 charging available, allowing you to free up those Thunderbolt ports for other important uses.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 has three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

It’s worth noting that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 only has support for one display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, has support for up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: the chipset

Of course, Apple packed the 14-inch MacBook Pro with new chips from the M3 family, which the Cupertino-based giant claims is 15 percent faster than the M2 family. When it comes to image effects and filters, Apple claims the the M3 family is 40 percent faster.

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

When you go to purchase the M3 MacBook Pro 14 on the Apple website, you’ll notice that it only offers an 8-core CPU and a 10-Core GPU.

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, comes in two chipset flavors:

  • M3 Pro – 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU

  • M3 Pro – 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU

If you select the M3 Pro chip with more cores, it should, in practice, handle computational demands more seamlessly and efficiently.

According to Apple, the M3 Pro is 20 percent faster than the M2 Pro, its predecessor, when it comes to image processing.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Battery life

Apple claims that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 lasts 22 hours on a single charge, which is pretty damn good (if this is true). The Cupertino-based tech giant boasts that the M3 Pro MacBook Pro has a runtime of 18 hours, which is impressive, too.

However, we’ll have to test these laptops ourselves to know for sure.

Final thoughts

There is no clear winner here. It all depends on your workflow.

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 is recommended for coders, researchers and creatives. However, the cheaper M3 MacBook Pro 14 targets students who need a zippy laptop that can keep up with their everyday tasks.

However, I’m a sucker for good battery life and I love to save money, so I’d personally opt for the M3 MacBook Pro over its pricier sibling.


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

Credit: Apple


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

$1,049

Tech / Technology

M3 MacBook Pro vs. M2 MacBook Pro

Posted on:

The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is here, but how does it differ from its predecessor?
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 14

Should you get the new M3 MacBook Pro 14 or the M2 MacBook Pro 13?

Apple packed an entry-level chipset inside a 14-inch Pro chassis for the first time ever. Typically, the 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with the upper-tier M-series “Pro” and “Max” chipsets. For example, the last-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro came in M2 Pro and M2 Max variants.

This year, not only can you get the 14-inch MacBook Pro in two flavors – the M3 Pro and the M3 Max – but you can also grab a model with the entry-level M3 chipset. This means, however, that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is dead. This discontinued model used to be the cheapest Pro you can get, but now that crown goes to the new 14-inch MacBook Pro.

The question is, how does the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip differ from the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip? Let’s find out.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Price

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, when it first launched in 2022, had a starting price of $1,299. The base-level configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a starting price of $1,599, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

Yes, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is pricier, but at least you’re getting double the storage from the jump.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Design

The 13-inch MacBook Pro has an old and tired design. In fact, you may find that this model really doesn’t look all that different from the 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel chip. Give or take a few minor tweaks, the chassis looks similar to its seven-year-old predecessor.

M2 MacBook Pro 13

M2 MacBook Pro 13
Credit: Apple

On top of that, it still has the controversial Touch Bar, a feature some Apple fans don’t like because it’s an OLED touchscreen strip that replaces the physical function keys, particularly the Esc button. And if you’re a touch typist, this may be a bit irksome for you. Others appreciate it, however, because they can use it to input emojis, zip through audio and video, switch between browser tabs, and more.

However, I’d argue that the typical Apple user is a minimalist; they don’t care for flashy features no matter how cool they are. They simply want something functional, sleek, sophisticated, fast, powerful, and energy efficient. I suspect Apple realized this, which is why they ditched the Touch Bar and opted for the 14-inch MacBook Pro chassis as its new entry-level Pro laptop.

No, it doesn’t have a Touch Bar, but if it’s anything like the 14-inch MacBook Pro I currently have (the one with the M2 Pro chip), it’s got a clicky, highly tactile keyboard and a slick, six-speaker sound system that flanks it.

Touch Bar

Touch Bar
Credit: Mashable

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is slightly heavier than the M2 MacBook Pro 13 (3.4 pounds vs. 3.0 pounds), but they share the same slimness (0.61 inches).

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 comes in two colors: Space Gray and Silver. If you want the new Space Black, you’ll have to upgrade to an 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Display

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has a 14.2-inch, mini-LED display with a 3,024 x 1964-pixel screen and the controversial notch. It can climb to a peak of 1600 nits for HDR content. In other words, if you’re sitting in direct sunlight, you should have no problem looking at your screen without squinting. Plus, it has a smooth, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Woman using the M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M2 MacBook Pro 13, on the other hand, has a 13.3-inch display, but it doesn’t have a mini-LED screen. Why do I love mini-LED? It’s a display technology that manages to preserve battery life while still delivering a screen with high luminance. Compared to the M3 MacBook Pro 14, the M2 MacBook Pro 13 has a lower resolution of 2,560 x 1600 pixels. Plus, it has a brightness of just 500 nits.

The M2 MacBook Pro 13 also has a less zippy 60Hz screen and larger bezels. On the plus side, however, it has no notch.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Ports

The M2 MacBook Pro 13 only has two Thunderbolt ports that support USB 4. The M3 MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is a little bit more generous with two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot.

Plus, the M2 MacBook Pro 13 does not have MagSafe, which means that you’ll have to use one of those two Thunderbolt ports for charging. The M3 MacBook Pro 14 does have MagSafe, allowing you to charge while leaving your ports free for other peripherals.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: the chipset

The MacBook Pro 14 in this face-off, of course, has the new M3 chip.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

According to Apple, the new M3 family is 15 percent faster than the last generation (M2). The Cupertino-based tech giant also claims that, when it comes to using image filters and effects, the M3 chip is 40 percent faster.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

“Mist” game on M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

Gaming on the M3 MacBook Pro should be a lot smoother, too, thanks to the M3 chip’s hardware-accelerated ray-tracing capabilities. This nets you better lighting, and realistic shadows and reflections.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Battery life

As a laptop reviewer, the battery runtime for the M2 MacBook Pro 13 blew me away when I first saw the runtime for it. It lasted over 18 hours on a single charge (running Wi-Fi continuously on a luminance setting of 150 nits of brightness). This wasn’t far off from Apple’s 20-hour claim.

Apple claims that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 lasts even longer: 22 hours to be exact. We’ll have to test the battery life ourselves when we get the MacBook Pro 14 in Mashable’s lab, but I have a feeling the Cupertino-based tech giant is telling the truth.

Final thoughts

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is the clear winner here if you want more battery life, a better display, function-row keys, MagSafe charging, and more.

However, if you’re determined to save $300, by all means, feel free to grab the M2 MacBook Pro 13. It is still an excellent laptop.


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

Credit: Apple


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

$1,049

Tech / Technology

The best meme costumes of Halloween weekend 2023

Posted on:

Halloween costumes go viral on X/Twitter and TikTok during Halloween weekend 2023.
Three Halloween costume TikToks one of Parisian bed bugs, one of Lil Timmy Tim, and one of two 'School of Rock' characters.

The unspoken rule of Halloweekend 2023 was the more esoteric, the better.

Thousands rushed to X/Twitter and TikTok to post their costumes to strangers on the internet who would get it humor AKA the hyper-online who pride themselves in niche pop culture knowledge. With phones and the ability to show (and post) a reference photo, no one is ever just dressed up as a ghost or a witch anymore, and costumes that require six layers of context to understand reign supreme online.

SEE ALSO:

Lapse, a photo-sharing app with a film feel, might be the low-key platform you’ve been looking for

In a desire to flex individuality and to reach audiences that care about these sorts of costumes, two posting trends on X/Twitter and TikTok emerged, displaying the full range of in-feed creativity.

“I hate gay Halloween parties because…”

Ahead of Halloweekend, one X/Twitter user wrote, “hate going to gay halloween parties like what do you mean you’re lady gaga at the 2:53 mark of the judas music video.” The tweet garnered 35,000 likes and quickly became the premiere format for sharing your hyper-specific costume. By Sunday, costumes and their reference photos captioned with, “I hate gay Halloween parties…” flooded the timeline.

Everything from memes like Jennifer Lawerence saying “What do you mean” on Hot Ones to pop culture moments like Renee Rapp’s Sweetgreen campaign, to seemingly random moments on beloved television shows — like Tom Sandavol in drag on Vanderpump Rules — was represented. If people talked about it online, chances are someone from the internet dressed up as it. A costume doesn’t even have to be that buzzworthy: One X/Twitter user dressed up as a West Elm coaster and received over 6,800 likes.

The Halloween Skit

While on X/Twitter the reference photo dominates, over on TikTok it’s all about performing your costume to the corresponding audio. TikTok users level up from a photo to a full-on skit. Two Parisian bed bugs clinked wine glasses to the Nicki Minaj audio “Are you happy to be in Paris,” Principal Mullins and Spider acted out their scene from School of Rock, and talent show-era Timothée Chalamet performed a portion of his routine.

Once you might have posted your costume to your followers on Instagram, but now it’s easier than ever to reach strangers on X/Twitter and TikTok with the possibility of going viral — and isn’t that spooky!

Tech / Technology

Best wireless earbuds in 2023 (UK)

Posted on:

The best wireless earbuds from top brands like Apple and Sony.
Man with earbuds in

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

We all know the pain of untangling your headphones. It’s like some ludicrous puzzle that we must solve every single day. It’s the curse of owning wired headphones — so infuriating that someone once did a scientific study into why it happens.

Perhaps that’s why the top audio brands have largely ditched the classic headphone jack and moved towards almost exclusive wireless listening. Well, that and the ever-evolving technology. Unsurprisingly, wireless earbuds have risen in popularity and become a must-have bit of tech for busy and active lifestyles.

What are wireless earbuds?

Just like a pair of standard wired buds, these little guys fit snugly inside your ear’s concha (that’s the shell-shaped cavity right next to the entrance of your ear canal). But instead of sending digital audio signals through a cord, they transmit them via a wireless connection.

What is true wireless?

True wireless is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching and shopping for earbuds. Technically, earbuds fall into several categories. For instance, “wireless” earbuds connect to each other via a cord, while “true wireless” have no cord whatsoever — they are completely independent of each other and your device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth.

With brands and listeners favouring true wireless, we’ve followed suit — all the earbuds in this roundup are true wireless.

Are earbuds better than headphones?

If portability and a lower price point appeals to you, you’ll probably prefer wireless earbuds over the on-ear counterpart (wireless headphones). And luckily for you, Apple is no longer the only major brand cranking them out. From Bose to Beats, almost every audio brand has got a couple of wireless earbud offerings on the market nowadays.

Headphones are generally considered the go-to option for serious audiophiles. But there are earbuds geared towards high-quality sound that can match up to over-ear headphones at the same price point. Wireless sound quality is affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, and the codec software that your headphones support.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for earbuds with low latency (this is the time it takes for the sound to hit your ears) and support for Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs. These are the best, most up-to-date codecs — particularly for streaming video content and keeping the image and audio in sync. This is important if you’re a Netflix nerd or have a passion for Prime.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation is another important feature in tech-savvy headphones. There are two kinds of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones which pick up external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out.

Earbuds tend to offer some level of passive noise cancellation because of their in-ear design. But some also have specific ANC modes, such as “transparency mode” which allow select ambient sounds to seep in. A transparency mode is especially useful when listening out for announcements at the train station or talking to colleagues — all without having to stop your music every 30 seconds.

What are the best wireless earbuds?

All of these options can make for a tricky decision when it comes to finding the right pair of wireless earbuds in terms of fit, style, and intended use. That’s why we’ve done the research to bring you the best wireless earbuds featuring the latest Bluetooth technology. There should be something for everyone at every budget on this list, including popular models from top brands. All you need to do is pick a favourite pair.

These are the best wireless earbuds in 2023.

Tech / Technology

Best headphones for under £50

Posted on:

The best cheap headphones from top brands like Sony and Corsair.
Back of man's head listening to headphones

A good set of headphones are an absolute necessity in this increasingly noisy world. There are few greater pleasures than sticking on a set of headphones and losing yourself in great-sounding tunes. Now helped by the endless playlist on your phone.

Not only is this a tried and tested method of relaxing, it’s also pretty effective at blocking out everything that’s going on around you.

The prospect of living in your own little sound bubble is pretty appealing, and it needn’t cost a fortune. You don’t need to be loaded to get access to the best tech. There are lots of great budget headphones available. If you need some help choosing a pair, here’s some useful information to get you started.

What are the best headphone brands?

You can pick and choose from a wide selection of devices and a lengthy list of brands. You’ve almost certainly heard of Bose, Sony, and Apple, but there are lots of lesser known brands to consider as well.

Sticking to the top brands definitely has its advantages. You’re taking less of a risk by investing in one of the bigger names, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the way to go. You can often find much better value by looking at some of the smaller brands, and you don’t need to sacrifice comfort, style, or sound quality.

What features should you consider when shopping for headphones?

You might be surprised at all the features included with modern headphones — even at a budget price point. Here are some key things to consider:

  • Bluetooth — This allows you to connect to your phone or music-playing device wirelessly. It’s fairly standard with up-to-date headphones but usually for convenience rather than sound quality. Wired headphones are still the best for audio aficionados.

  • Sound quality — Serious audiophiles might want to spend a bit more to get the richest, expertly engineered sound. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get great sound for a low price. Look out for reviews that credit the lows, mids, and highs (these describe the different frequencies of music). Also, look for headphones with drivers of 50mm and under. Drivers are bits of internal tech which convert electronic signals into sound.

  • Microphone — It’s the age of connectivity and most headphones will connect to your phone and allow you make calls via an internal mic, built into the headset or the cable.

  • Manual controls — Many headphones include buttons on the headset for manually controlling the volume, playback, or making calls. Sounds simple, right? Not entirely. Be sure the controls are easy to access and are easy to differentiate from each other.

  • Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which direct sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — both in and out. Expensive headphones sometimes have open backs for clearer, natural sound. But closed-back are the go-to choice for commuting and noisy environments.

  • Noise cancelling — Much like it sounds, this is a feature that cancels out ambient and surrounding noise to create a completely immersive experience. Some headphones are built to physically keep out noise. Others include specific tech that further cancels it out. That’s called “active noice cancellation” (ANC).

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next set of headphones.

What are the most comfortable headphones?

This is down to personal preference and — of course — what best fits your head size and shape. Some headphones are designed with comfort in mind, with padded ear cups or adjustable headband for getting the fit just right. Others are made with practicality in mind, and may fold up for added portability.

What are the best headphones for under £50?

Listen up, because we’ve done all the hard work and tracked down some of the best very headphone options for under £50. This list includes some names you probably don’t know, some budget models from the biggest brands, and everything in between. There really is something for everyone in this list. Just select the set that best fits your listening and lifestyle habits. Sounds good, right?

These are the best headphones for under £50 in 2023.