The Apple M3 line of processor chips features new features: color ray tracing, light detection and mesh shading, and battery life improvements

It is unsurprising that Apple focused on the internals for the new MacBook Pro models, as they completely reworked the exterior of the MacBook Pro two years ago. There are a few changes, like brighter screen and improved battery life, in addition to the new chipsets. The displays on the MacBook Pro sizes are 20 percent brighter. Apple claims a battery life of up to 22 hours.

Apple claims the M3 lineup has significant speed improvements over its previous chips, in graphics rendering and core CPU functions. We have to figure out how noticeable these improvements are by putting each chip through its paces.

The M3 chips feature new features to Apple. Apple calls dynamic caching the first feature and it allows the processor to allocate memory for each task dynamically, so that they don’t have to use a set amount of memory for every task. A more efficient use of resources is achieved. The other new features—ray tracing and mesh shading—are put to use in graphics-intensive games and apps. Game developers can utilize ray tracing to more accurately illustrate lighting elements like reflections and shadows. The hardware-accelrated mesh shading helps visually elaborate scenes within games appear smoother and without skips.

Unlike its predecessors, which are built on 5-nanometer process technology, all three new chips are now built on a 3-nanometer process—this packs more transistors into a smaller space and enhances both the speed and power efficiency of the chip.

Everything you need to know about the new MacBooks: Preordering the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro and 16-inch M3 Max models from Apple

Like previous generations, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 (preorder at Apple) with an M3 Pro chip, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro starts at $2,499 (preorder at Apple). Both models are also set to land on November 7th, with the M3 Max configurations coming at an undisclosed date later in November.

ding-dong! The Touch Bar is dead. The new base model 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 is to thank for it. The MacBook Pro line now includes a base M3 chip which reduces the price by eliminating the memory and RAM used in the two previous models. (Previous models only had Pro and Max-series chips.) The out-of-place MacBook Pro 13 has the M2 chip and its Touch Bar, which is why it is here.

The lowest barrier to entry for Apple’s new M3 processor is the iMac, which is refreshed with a modest refresh. The prices for the all-in-one desktop include eight-core and eight-core flavors, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a 512-gigabyte hard drive. (It can also be outfitted with a 10-core GPU starting at $1,499.) It has the same ports as the M1 version from 2021, with the base model having two of the ports and the pricey one has more than one port. Both configurations are supported by wi-fi 6e.

Most of the computers are due in November with the exceptions of one that will land on the 7th. We’ll have to see how worthwhile these small improvements are when we review the new Macs, but for now, here’s where you can preorder them if you want to get in on the ground floor.

If you’re wondering how the new laptops compare with the M2 models on paper, we’ve rounded up everything we know so far based on specs and statements from Apple. Stay tuned as well for our full reviews, in which we’ll let you know how well the laptops truly stack up in reality against Apple’s claims.

Apple says that the Pro and Max laptops are built with material that will reduce fingerprints. (You can also still get it in silver as well.) The base 14-inch model, however, doesn’t come in black — you can buy it in gray and silver.