Best Buy has a reputation for slashing rates on cool tech stuff all the time, and it looks like we’re in luck, because the price on the Apple 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro just went down from $3900 to $3700. That’s two big ones off the top right there, and definitely worth the buzz. And sure, while Macs aren’t typically associated with gaming, this particular model needs a closer look from anyone serious about both gaming and content creation. Let’s take a look at what it’s offering.
For starters, the M3 Max chip brings some solid firepower to the table. Its 16-core setup splits between performance and efficiency cores, similar to Intel’s hybrid architecture approach. The 40-core GPU utilizes ray tracing for realistic lighting and reflections in supported games, while its dynamic memory system allocates resources on the fly for better performance. In practical terms, this means the laptop can handle demanding games while keeping cool and quiet, something most gaming laptops struggle with.
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What’s Special About The MacBook Pro M3 Max?
Memory… might not be the most exciting spec to talk about, but the 48GB unified setup in this MacBook Pro deserves a shout-out for sure. The unified architecture means every part of the system pulls from the same fast memory pool, eliminating the usual bottlenecks that come from moving data between different types of memory. This becomes particularly noticeable when you’re running multiple demanding applications.
The 16.2-inch screen runs at 120Hz, the Liquid Retina XDR display offers exceptional clarity with its 3456 x 2234 resolution, while the P3 wide color gamut ensures vibrant, accurate colors in every scene. Most importantly, it maintains 1,000 nits of sustained brightness, making it perfectly visible even in bright environments. Another cool thing about the display is the fact that the ProMotion technology adapts the refresh rate based on what you’re doing, saving battery life when you don’t need the full 120Hz.
On the storage front, we’re working with a 1TB SSD. Connectivity-wise, three Thunderbolt 4 ports give you options for external displays or high-speed storage, while the HDMI port makes it easy to connect to TVs or monitors for big-screen gaming sessions. The SD card slot might seem secondary for gaming, but it’s definitely a big plus for content creators who want to quickly transfer footage or screenshots.
Speaking of content creation, this is where the M3 Max really shows its versatility. The same hardware that powers through demanding games also excels at video editing, 3D rendering, and streaming. The powerful media engine includes two video encode engines and two ProRes engines, making quick work of rendering gameplay footage or streaming your sessions.
MacBook Pro M3 Max
$3700 $3900 Save
$200
The MacBook Pro 16″ with M3 Max chip, 48GB memory, 40-core GPU, and 1TB SSD in Space Black is designed for professionals, offering unparalleled performance and efficiency for the most demanding tasks.
- Operating System
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macOS Sonoma 14
- CPU
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M3 Max
- GPU
-
M3 Max
- RAM
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36GB
- Storage
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1TB
- Battery
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Up to 18 hours
- Display (Size, Resolution)
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14.2 inches, 3024 x 1964
- Camera
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1080p
- Ports
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1 x HDMI, 3 x Thunderbolt 4, 1x Audio jack
- Network
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Wi-Fi 6E
What’s in it for the gamers, you ask? Well, more developers are bringing their titles to the platform, and the ones optimized for Apple Silicon are already running impressively well. The hardware is ready for demanding modern games, handling complex graphics and physics calculations with ease. We just need more porting. I mean, it’s not going to happen any time soon based on the current gaming landscape, but well, a man can dream.
Battery life deserves special mention. While intensive gaming will naturally drain any laptop’s battery quickly, the M3 Max manages impressive endurance during regular use. You can expect up to 22 hours of video playback, meaning you’ve got plenty of power for long gaming sessions when you’re near an outlet, and solid battery life for everything else when you’re not.
At $3,699 after the discount, this MacBook Pro is still a massive investment, but the hardware is pretty darn impressive, delivering strong performance for both work and play.
So if you’re looking for a nice little replacement that can handle professional workloads and satisfy some of your more primitive gaming needs, this discounted M3 Max deserves serious consideration. Make sure you head on over to Best Buy and snag the deal before it times out.
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