Our Verdict
Right now we ’d recommend the MacBook Pro over the iMac . The 14 - column inch MacBook Pro offer better value for money and the MacBook Pro boast the M3 Pro and M3 Max options that are superior to the stand M3 .
Best Pricing Today for 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3)
We ’re compare the 24 - inch iMac with all sizing of Apple ’s MacBook Pro here – there ’s more to it than a straight comparison of desktop versus laptop . For each Apple product , there are variants that suit dissimilar customers . Some of you read this may be hoping for advice about whether to pick out a novel M3 iMac or an M3 MacBook Pro , while others may be looking for a footling bite more power and may be enquire if there is any reason to choose the iMac over the 14 - inch or 16 - inch MacBook Pro , which have Pro and Max variance .
Comparing iMac and MacBook Pro
Prior to the spring of 2022 Apple also sold a 27 - inch iMac and in the past it has also sold an iMac Pro . These Macs are no longer sold by Apple , although you may still be able-bodied to buy one from a reseller who still has stock . However , because they are power by Intel chip rather than the Apple M - series , we would advise against buying one right now . There is a chance that theiMac Pro might be rebornat some point in the futurity , but so far that is only a rumour .
Historically it ’s been the guinea pig that a Mac laptop computer , even if it had comparable specs to a desktop , cost a piffling more because you are devote extra for the compact form factor . It now seems that the iMac is the Mac with a mellow price , when compared to a laptop computer with similar specification . The M3 Pro and Max reading of the 14 - inch and 16 - in MacBook Pro have even higher damage , but the specification are superior and there are some other benefits .
For the former money - off deals on any of these Macs read : Best iMac dealsandBest MacBook Pro mess .
Read our recap of the products refer here :
14-inch MacBook Pro M3 vs 24-inch iMac M3
We ’ll start by comparing the iMac with the similarly specced M3 MacBook Pro .
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 2023)
The $ 1,599 14 - inch MacBook Pro and the 24 - inch iMac both have M3 cow chip and are a in force place to initiate .
The 14 - inch M3 MacBook Pro was inaugurate in November 2023 . It replaced the 13 - column inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip . Read our14 - inch M3 MacBook Pro review . The 13 - inch MacBook Pro was the last laptop with theTouch Bar .
The 24 - in iMac design was introduced inMay 2021and it is completely unlike compare to the former 21.5 - inch example . In November 2023 , Apple upgrade the iMac to admit the M3 flake . There are three iMacs to select from with various specification as standard ( and many more build - to - edict option ) . record our24 - in iMac ( M3 ) review .
Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023)
Both the 24 - column inch iMac and 14 - in MacBook Pro have decent specs , for the most part , and both have reasonably priced entry - grade models that may mean you do n’t have to exceed your budget . We ’ll extend through price and specification in more detail below .
Thomas Armbrüster
What do you get for your money?
The 14 - inch MacBook Pro starts at $ 1,599/£1,699 / C$2,099 / A$2,699 and the iMac at $ 1,299/£1,399 / C$1,699 / A$2,199 , but they do n’t have matching stipulation – that launching - stratum iMac has few GPU core and a smaller SSD . You must find fault the $ 1,699/£1,799 / C$2,199/$A$2,799 iMac to get the same spec as the entry - level M3 14 - inch MacBook Pro .
Here ’s what you get for your money :
If you have a little more to pass you have the following selection :
mark that while none of the iMac standard form noted here do not let in 16 GB random access memory or 1 TB SSD , they are available . A client can pick out them as options for an special fee .
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14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro & M3 Max vs 24-inch iMac M3
If you want a more muscular Mac the MacBook Pro pop the question Pro and Max processor option , currently the iMac only offers the M3 potato chip .
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)
If you require a more brawny Mac , and have the budget , then in the past times you might have considered the 27 - column inch iMac , or even the iMac Pro . Apple has discontinued both of these model , inclose theMac Studioinstead . See : Is Mac Studio a worthy renewal for a 27 - inch iMac ?
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)
The Mac Studio is a great selection if you need a powerful Mac , as is theMac mini with M2 Pro or M2 Max , but if you are calculate for a Mac with a built - in display , the Mac Studio lack one . If a built - in screen is important to you , you may well be considering the iMac due to its 24 - inch display and comparing it to the MacBook Pro .
Also read : mack mini vs Mac Studio .
What you get for your money
For the intent of this comparison , we ’re going to look at the mid- and high - end iMacs , along with the 14 - in M3 Pro MacBook Pro , which is the lowest - price MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip .
One factor in favor of the iMac ( perhaps the only factor ) is the ( obviously ) bigger concealment , which is a 4.5 K presentation . The iMac screen is corking , but it ’s a light-emitting diode display , which does n’t produce image quality that ’s as nice as the Mini LED displays on the MacBook Pros . If you require more screen place on the MacBook Pro , you’re able to plug in an extraneous show . See our round of drinks - up of thebest displays for a Mac .
If you necessitate a powerful machine , then the 14 - inch or 16 - inch MacBook Pro is the one to choose . The iMac with M3 and MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max do not liken very favourably justly now . However , that may change if Apple re - usher in a large , pro - plane iMac . Read aboutwhat we wait Apple to do with the pro version of the iMac .
Read more about the differences between the14- and 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
iMac vs. MacBook Pro: Verdict
We urge all models of the MacBook Pro over the iMac . If you have more to pass and require a brawny auto , then it is worth considering the 14 - in and 16 - in MacBook Pro with a M3 Pro or M3 Max check – these chips are not available on the iMac . Learn more about thedifferences between the M3 , M3 Pro , and M3 Max chipsin our Mac central processor comparison .
However , the MacBook Pro is n’t needs the respectable Mac laptop you could corrupt – the MacBook Air might do the task just as well for even less money , in which eccentric , read ourcomparison of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air .
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