They offer similar performance and can handle any task you might want from your Mac.
So, which one should you pick?
Theres no definite answer to this.
Ivan Makhynia
It broadly falls into the It depends category.
Lets explore what each of these computers offers and their pros and cons.
This way, you might better understand which one to choose for your specific needs.
Tech Specs Comparison
To start, lets compare their technical specs and proceed from there.
Ill compare only the MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips and the Mac Studio.
This is because the standard M3 significantly underperforms compared to the Mac Studio and is less expensive.
These are computers from different segments.
Desktop or laptop?
The main difference between the MacBook Pro and Mac Studio is their form factors.
The MacBook is a laptop, while the Mac Studio is a mini desktop computer.
This means youll need to buy a monitor, keyboard, and mouse separately for the Mac Studio.
On the other hand, the MacBook works right out of the box and doesnt require additional accessories.
The Macbook comes in two variants, with a 14-inch or 16-inch screen.
It is a Liquid Retina XDR screen with a native resolution of 30241964.
It has a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and an HDR peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
This is an excellent screen for color work in photos or videos.
The key question is: do you work away from home?
If yes, then a MacBook is suitable for you.
Depending on the model, it can last from 18 to 22 hours on a single charge.
Its compact and fits well into any interior.
Plus, its quieter and has more ports for peripherals.
If you need a purely home-based work rig, the Mac Studio is the best option.
However, its worth noting that the Mac Studio will still be more powerful in most scenarios.
you’re able to buy configurations with varying numbers of cores, RAM, and storage amounts.
Both computers offer up to 8 TB of SSD storage.
The technical specifications above detail the available options.
Its important to note that the M2 Ultra chip is currently the most powerful in the Mac lineup.
The M3 Max is slightly less powerful.
Even the top configurations have fewer cores than the M2 Ultra.
However, the real-world performance difference between them is about 10% in favor of the Mac Studio.
Below, you will find several benchmarks.
The MacBook Pro supports hardware ray tracing with its M3 Max or M3 Pro.
This can be useful for graphics and gaming.
Connectivity comparison
Another essential aspect to consider when choosing a Mac is connectivity options.
Both the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
However, things are a bit different when it comes to wired connections.
Since the MacBook Pro is a thin ultrabook, it has fewer ports.
So, youll likely need adapters to connect multiple accessories with the MacBook.
On the other hand, the Mac Studio offers an abundance of ports.
You wont need to buy additional adapters for it.
In this case, the Mac Studio tends to be more expensive.
Meanwhile, the basic 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro is $2,499.
Remember that the Mac Studio doesnt come with any accessories.
Youll spend the difference on a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
The situation changes a bit with the MacBook Pro with M3 Max.
Its price starts at $3,199 for the 14-inch version.
In contrast, the Mac Studio with M2 Ultra starts at $3,999.
You cant compare prices directly as everything is dependent on configuration.
Mac Studio or MacBook Pro price depends greatly on your internal specifications.
You will also have to pay extra for additional cores in the CPU and GPU.
So, the more influential the computer, the more expensive it will be.
Which one you need?
As I mentioned at the beginning, It depends.
Whether you need a Mac Studio or MacBook Pro primarily hinges on how you use your system.
Its one of the best computers you’re able to buy for demanding tasks.
However, it will cost more than the MacBook Pro, and youll need to purchase external accessories.
Additionally, you have the advantage of portability and the ability to work without being plugged in.
The downside is that you must purchase various adapters and additional cables.
