When it comes to premium laptops, two categories often dominate the conversation: Apple’s MacBook Pro and high-end Windows ultrabooks. Both represent the pinnacle of portable computing, but they come with their own strengths, weaknesses, and a fiercely loyal following. In 2024, with Apple’s release of the MacBook Pro M3, the battle between these two has reached new heights. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison between the MacBook Pro M3 and its Windows ultrabook counterparts to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
Both the MacBook Pro M3 and premium Windows ultrabooks prioritize sleek, minimalistic designs and premium build quality. However, they approach these design goals in slightly different ways.
MacBook Pro M3:
The MacBook Pro M3 continues Apple’s signature design language: thin, light, and elegant. It has a high-quality aluminum unibody chassis, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable. Apple has refined its display with thinner bezels, making the screen seem even more immersive. It’s available in both 14-inch and 16-inch versions, providing flexibility for different use cases. The MacBook Pro M3 is thin and lightweight enough for easy portability but still manages to pack powerful hardware inside.
Windows Ultrabooks:
Windows ultrabooks, on the other hand, come in a variety of designs, as they are produced by different manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS. This means there’s a broader range of options when it comes to build quality. Top-tier models like the Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre x360, and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon offer excellent build quality, with slim, light, and durable designs. In general, these ultrabooks also sport thin bezels, offering a high screen-to-body ratio, and are crafted from materials like aluminum or magnesium-alloy. Some of these models are even convertible, allowing you to use them as tablets, adding more versatility.
Winner: This one comes down to personal preference. Apple’s design is iconic and unified, while Windows ultrabooks offer a wider variety of designs and features.
Display and Graphics
When it comes to displays, both the MacBook Pro M3 and Windows ultrabooks provide stunning visuals, but there are key differences.
MacBook Pro M3:
The MacBook Pro M3 features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR display, which boasts extreme brightness levels (up to 1600 nits peak brightness), deep blacks, and exceptional color accuracy. This makes it ideal for creative professionals who need precise color representation, such as photographers, videographers, and designers. The display supports ProMotion, offering a 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The MacBook Pro’s display is among the best in the industry, offering clarity and vibrancy that’s hard to beat.
Windows Ultrabooks:
Many Windows ultrabooks offer stunning displays as well, particularly the high-end models. For example, the Dell XPS 13 features a 4K OLED touchscreen option, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon also offer high-resolution displays, with some models providing OLED and 4K options. However, while the display quality is excellent across the board, it doesn’t quite match the MacBook Pro M3’s brightness levels or color accuracy.
Winner: MacBook Pro M3 is the winner for display quality, especially if you need the highest color accuracy for creative work.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the MacBook Pro M3 is a powerhouse, thanks to Apple’s custom M3 chip. The M3 chip is part of Apple’s transition to its own silicon, which has significantly improved both speed and efficiency compared to Intel-based Macs. It combines CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine on a single chip, offering seamless performance for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.
The MacBook Pro M3 also benefits from macOS’s optimization, allowing the hardware and software to work together to deliver exceptional performance, long battery life, and smooth multitasking. It can handle heavy workflows with ease, making it perfect for professionals who need the best performance in a portable form factor.
Windows Ultrabooks:
Windows ultrabooks are a mixed bag in terms of performance. High-end ultrabooks like the Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre x360, and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon come with powerful Intel Core i7 or i9 processors (or even AMD Ryzen chips), but there’s still a noticeable difference in performance when compared to the MacBook Pro M3’s Apple Silicon. While ultrabooks excel at general productivity tasks, media consumption, and light creative work, they can lag behind the MacBook Pro M3 when handling resource-intensive tasks. The discrete GPUs in some models, like the Dell XPS, can offer decent gaming performance, but again, Apple’s integrated graphics in the M3 chip have proven to be more efficient.
Winner: MacBook Pro M3 leads the pack for raw performance, especially for power users and professionals.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important factor when considering any laptop, especially if you’re often on the go.
MacBook Pro M3:
Apple’s M-series chips have consistently been praised for their efficiency, and the MacBook Pro M3 continues this trend. With the M3 chip’s low power consumption, Apple has managed to deliver an impressive battery life that can last up to 17 hours of web browsing and up to 21 hours of video playback, depending on the model. For most users, this means all-day usage without needing to recharge.
Windows Ultrabooks:
Premium Windows ultrabooks like the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon can last up to 10-12 hours, depending on the configuration and usage. While this is impressive, it still doesn’t match the longevity of the MacBook Pro M3. However, ultrabooks with more power-hungry configurations, like 4K screens or discrete GPUs, tend to have shorter battery life.
Winner: MacBook Pro M3 for superior battery life.
Operating System and Software
MacBook Pro M3:
The MacBook Pro M3 runs macOS, which is known for its clean interface, robust security features, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. macOS is a favorite among creative professionals, and it supports a vast range of software for design, video editing, and music production. However, macOS has fewer gaming and business software options compared to Windows.
Windows Ultrabooks:
Windows ultrabooks, running Windows 11, are more versatile in terms of software. Windows has a wider selection of third-party applications, including business software, productivity tools, and games. While Windows used to be more prone to security issues, Windows 11 has significantly improved in terms of both speed and security.
Winner: Windows ultrabooks win for software compatibility, especially if you require a diverse set of programs.
Price
The MacBook Pro M3 starts at a higher price point, typically ranging from $1,999 for the 14-inch model to over $2,499 for the 16-inch version. The price can increase significantly with higher storage and memory options.
Windows ultrabooks, on the other hand, offer more flexibility in pricing. You can find premium ultrabooks starting at around $1,000 to $1,500, with more powerful models reaching $2,000 or more, depending on the specifications.
Winner: Windows ultrabooks generally offer more budget-friendly options.
Both the MacBook Pro M3 and Windows ultrabooks are excellent choices, but they cater to different user needs. The MacBook Pro M3 excels in performance, battery life, and display quality, making it a top choice for professionals, creatives, and anyone seeking the best possible performance in a sleek, portable device. If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem or need a laptop for demanding tasks like video editing, the MacBook Pro M3 is an easy pick.
On the other hand, Windows ultrabooks offer a wider variety of designs, software options, and more affordable models, making them a better choice for users who prioritize versatility, software compatibility, and value for money.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and which features matter most to you.
