Yep, my first real, new-out-of-the-box Macbook. Through necessity, budget or chance, I've been a PC guy my entire life. In college, when my classmates started playing around with the original Macintosh box computers, I had a typewriter. My first real laptop was a RadioShack piece of crap with a power plug socket that kept breaking. So, now, some 30 plus years later I'm sitting in front of a gem of a computer, I got it on sale too.
For specifics, it's a Macbook Pro, M3, 1tb storage, 18gb flash, 3 c-style sockets, and HDMI socket and a solid Apple-stylee metal casing. Now, while I'm letting this baby simmer in the latest Tahoe OS, the entire grid on the system is syncing with my Apple account and adding in all the tools I had on my iPhone. That was a bit confusing. At first, I was wondering where the hell all my apps went from my previous OS setup. As it turns out, now I have to sort all my Mac and iPhone apps in one combined noodle-mess. OS 26 merges the iPad/iPhone world with the Macbook seamlessly. Woof. That was a surprise.
Weight-wise, the Macbook M3 isn't much different from the MSI GE76 Raider I was using previously. They're both somewhat heavier, but the dimensions being smaller on the Macbook make it a bit easier to carry and store. I had an old, recycled Macbook 13" Air that I got for $200, with a dodgy keyboard and dented chassis. Running this Macbook M3 is like going from a beatup Volkswagon from a junkyard to a Lambo, laptop-styleee. I would love to unload the Air, but given its age, I'd be lucky to get $50 for it now.
Looking inside the M3 Pro, it's not that different from the standard model, but there is just a bit more of everything, which is good because the standard model came up a bit lacking in various reviews and testing. So, no, my M3 isn't going to be a shot out of the park, but it is a pretty good win for a Mac start.
Yeah, I'm a bit late to the party, but I figured I had to try a solid, high-grade Macbook at least once in my life and check off a tab on my bucket list. It was definitely worth the wait. The M3 isn't the latest, latest version, like the M4. My new toy was actually realised in 2023. But the capabilities, setup and options are definitely designed for compact developer level work. And I got it for a good $500-700 off the retail price, give or take whom you talk to for the regular price. Never ignore those October deals; they can be some serious budget stretchers.
