The MacBook Pro is the cream of Apple's laptop crop, but with the company releasing so many new laptops over the past few years, there are quite a few models, sizes, and configurations to choose from. That number is only getting bigger with the release of the new MacBook Pro M3, which gives Mac fans even more options. If you're having trouble deciding which MacBook Pro is right for you, or if you're just looking to learn more about Apple's premium laptop lineup, we've got everything you need right here.

The different MacBook Pro models compared

The best MacBook Pro models: Our picks

Apple revealed the updated MacBook Pro line with the company's new M3 CPUs at its Scary Fast October event. We don't have an in-depth review yet, but we were impressed by what we saw during our hands-on time with the MacBook Pro M3. Although the M3 chips aren't a huge leap forward, they are still powerful options, with Apple placing a bigger emphasis on the capabilities of the GPU cores. As with the M2 chips, the M3 is available in three configurations: base, Pro, and Max.

Aside from that and the new Space Black colorway, the new MacBook Pro M3 line isn't vastly different from the MacBook Pro M2. It's available with either a 14-inch or 16-inch Retina display. The 14-inch model is offered with the base, Pro, and Max M3 chips, while the 16-inch Pro is only available with the M3 Pro or Max. Apple reduced the number of performance cores in the M3 Pro but added two efficiency cores. The M3 Max has received four additional cores, for a total of 16. If you're going to spring for an upgraded model, the M3 Max looks like the one to go for.

Overall, we like the MacBook Pro M3 in its base configuration for most buyers. It offers a good price-to-performance ratio, delivering a MacBook Pro experience without being prohibitively expensive (although still not cheap) with its launch sticker price of $1,599. Enthusiasts looking for an upgrade should consider the MacBook Pro with the M3 Max.

You can still easily find the MacBook Pro M2 for sale, which is no surprise given that Apple just updated this model earlier this year. This Pro shipped with Apple's M2 Pro and M2 Max CPUs, offering plenty of power for just about anything you'd need a MacBook to do. We had great things to say about the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max chip, noting its blazing-fast performance, superb battery life, and excellent display. Those are all hallmarks of the MacBook Pro line and what we've come to expect from Apple's premium laptops.

It's an enthusiast-tier laptop, to be sure, and it's not cheap (especially if you opt for the 16-inch model). But if you don't need the latest and greatest, the 2023 MacBook Pro M2 is a fantastic machine, and you can bet that deals will be forthcoming following the release of the MacBook Pro M3.

If you want a MacBook Pro and don't feel like shelling out $1,500 or more, the 13-inch 2022 model is a good pick and one you should be able to find for a good price in the wake of newer releases. This one packs Apple's base eight-core M2 chip and sports a 13-inch Retina display. For better or for worse, it looks as if Apple has committed to 14-inch and 16-inch displays for the MacBook Pro lineup, leaving the Air as the only MacBook with a 13-inch display as an option moving forward.

Note that the 2022 MacBook Pro M2 was officially discontinued as of October 2023, so it will be harder to find in the future. However, you can still score a new one for an attractive price, especially if you catch it on sale. It's currently priced more closely to the new MacBook Air M2 than any of the other Pro models, although some may actually prefer the sleeker profile and fanless design of the Air over the Pro. See our side-by-side comparison of the 2022 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air for an in-depth look at how these M2 laptops stack up.

How to choose which MacBook Pro is right for you

If you've got your heart set on a MacBook Pro, then you already know you're going to pay more for it than you would for a MacBook Air (or an even cheaper Windows laptop). Of course, you still don't want to overpay, and in our estimation, the standard MacBook Pro M3 ticks the most boxes for most people. The base M3 CPU isn't as impressive as the M3 Pro or M3 Max, but it hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance.

Enthusiasts who are willing to pay more should probably spring for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max. However, the MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro CPU is harder to recommend due to Apple's curious decision to reduce the number of performance cores. That's why we suggest the MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Pro CPU as a viable alternative if you want increased performance, with the added bonus of it being still available for less than the newer models.