Apple MacBook Pro 16" M3 Max 2023, 36GB, 1TB SSD, Space Black

A no-compromise creative workstation with a screen that will ruin all other laptops for you. Just don't try to game on it.

What surprised us most isn't the raw CPU speed, which is a beast at the 92nd percentile, but how quiet and cool it stays under load. The M3 Max 16-core CPU and 30-core GPU tear through our database benchmarks, making it one of the best on the market for CPU-bound work. But let's be real about that GPU: while efficient, it lands at the 19th percentile against dedicated gaming and workstation laptop GPUs. For 3D rendering and video work, it's a champ thanks to hardware acceleration, but don't expect to crank Cyberpunk at native resolution. The 36GB of unified memory is a solid, above-average amount, though power users will eye the 128GB ceiling with envy.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the obvious foil here. It'll run circles around the MacBook in games with its dedicated GPU and costs less, but its screen and battery life can't touch this. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is another powerhouse that's a better pick for Windows-based 3D work and gaming, but it's even heavier and feels like a plastic toy next to the MacBook's unibody aluminum. If you need a touchscreen or 2-in-1, the HP OmniBook X Flip is a more versatile, though far less powerful, alternative. This MacBook is for the pro who prioritizes screen quality, silent performance, and macOS above all else.

At $3260, this is a serious investment, and you're paying a hefty Apple tax for that build quality and display. It's worth it if your time is money and you live in Final Cut Pro, Xcode, or Logic Pro. For anyone else, it's massive overkill. The value proposition crumbles if you aren't using software optimized for Apple Silicon.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max is a portable workstation that laughs at your most demanding tasks. This isn't a laptop for checking email, it's for people who render 3D scenes, compile massive codebases, or edit multiple streams of 8K video and want to do it on a couch. The real headline here is that gorgeous 16-inch screen paired with a chip that chews through pro workflows without the fans sounding like a jet engine. If you're a creative pro or developer who needs macOS, this is the absolute best laptop you can buy right now, full stop.

If you're looking for a gaming laptop, this isn't it. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 instead. If you just want a great laptop for browsing, writing, and Netflix, this is comically overpowered, and a MacBook Air will save you a ton of money while being way more portable.

Buy it if you're a Mac-using creative professional or developer who needs the absolute best screen and CPU performance in a laptop. The M3 Max chip is a monster for pro apps, and the 16-inch display is a joy to work on. Just don't buy it for gaming, and seriously consider if you can live with 36GB of RAM before dropping over three grand. This is a specialized tool, not a general-purpose computer.