{"id":88810,"date":"2024-01-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=88810"},"modified":"2024-06-17T15:32:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T20:32:45","slug":"a-pros-review-of-the-apple-macbook-pro-m3-max-breakneck-speed-and-a-fun-killing-fan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/88810-a-pros-review-of-the-apple-macbook-pro-m3-max-breakneck-speed-and-a-fun-killing-fan\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pro\u2019s Review of the Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max:  Breakneck Speed and a Fun-Killing Fan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero.png 1920w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-213x120.png 213w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-284x160.png 284w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-190x107.png 190w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-1400x787.png 1400w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-750x421.png 750w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-548x308.png 548w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-364x204.png 364w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-230x129.png 230w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-100x56.png 100w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-213x120@2x.png 426w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-284x160@2x.png 568w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MacBook-pro-m3-review-hero-190x107@2x.png 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/87085-a-photographers-perspective-on-apple-macbook-pro-m3\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/87085-a-photographers-perspective-on-apple-macbook-pro-m3\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The M3 Macbook Pros: A Pro Photographer\u2019s Perspective on Apple\u2019s Powerful New Laptops<\/em><\/a>, I discussed my expectations for performance, etc.  from Apple\u2019s latest powerhouse portables. So, <strong>how did I do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, not only were performance predictions realized, but they were exceeded in some cases. Super nice.  But with a fingernails-on-blackboard twist, I\u2019ve also experienced <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/MacBookPro2023-Acoustics.html\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/MacBookPro2023-Acoustics.html\" target=\"_blank\">leaf-blower noise levels<\/a> for my photography purposes<\/strong>.  And it\u2019s not just about noise, it\u2019s about thermal throttling and longevity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tests-workstation-wow-in-a-laptop\">TESTS: Workstation WOW in a laptop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The M3 Max is one of the most powerful chipsets (CPU + GPU + memory) the world has yet seen.  A tour de force of modern chip design, and a presumed M3 Ultra (dual M3 Max) will have few rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A note on my testing: Under Battery settings, Apple offers performance settings. My tests used <strong>High Power<\/strong> mode. Use of <strong>Low Power<\/strong> mode cuts performance substantially, and <strong>Auto<\/strong> yields variable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88877\" width=\"470\" height=\"298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery.png 940w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-189x120.png 189w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-284x180.png 284w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-190x120.png 190w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-189x120@2x.png 378w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-284x180@2x.png 568w, https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Battery-190x120@2x.png 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><figcaption>Battery =&gt; Energy Mode = <strong>High Power<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-test-adobe-ai-denoise-enhance\">TEST: Adobe AI Denoise + Enhance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=Photoshop\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=Photoshop\" target=\"_blank\">Adobe Photoshop<\/a> with the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/AI Denoise\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/AI Denoise\" target=\"_blank\">AI Denoise + Enhance Details<\/a> feature of <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=Adobe+Camera+Raw\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=Adobe+Camera+Raw\" target=\"_blank\">Adobe Camera Raw<\/a> is a tool that I apply to each and every RAW file that I process\u2014it\u2019s that good! Since I frequently process aperture series and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/focus stacking\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/focus stacking\" target=\"_blank\">focus stacks<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/panorama\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/panorama\" target=\"_blank\">panoramas<\/a>, that means <strong>anywhere from 6 to 40 images at a time<\/strong>.  Typically 60 or 100 megapixels each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI Denoise pushes the GPU usage to 95% to 98% for about 36 seconds <em>per file<\/em> on the M3 Max (21 seconds for M2 Ultra).  This is exceedingly fast.  For perspective, I would expect the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/2019 iMac 5K\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/2019 iMac 5K\" target=\"_blank\">2019 iMac 5K<\/a> to take ~120 seconds per file, except that it crashes immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both the 16-inch and 14-inch MBP M3 Max show compelling evidence of thermal throttling\u2014reduced performance as things get hot and the fan cannot adequately cool the GPU.  Specifically, the (faster) 16-inch M3 Max takes 78% longer than my M2 Ultra Mac Pro, but it ought to take no more than 50% longer.  <em>Seemingly<\/em> (pure speculation), Apple has gamed the system with its benchmarks,  which <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/macbook-pro\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/macbook-pro\/\" target=\"_blank\">make no mention<\/a> whatsoever of test duration, ambient temperature, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the graph below.  All tests were run in <strong>High Power<\/strong> mode at ambient temperatures of 62\u00b0F to 65\u00b0F\u2014<strong><em>unusually cool<\/em><\/strong>. Use of <strong>Low Power<\/strong> mode or <strong>Auto<\/strong> degrades performance, as shown. The 14-inch model has identical CPU\/GPU\/memory, but <em>runs more slowly<\/em>. Its obnoxious fan noise and inferior performance strongly suggests thermal throttling. Not that the 16-inch mode is much quieter.  Meanwhile, the Mac Pro M2 Ultra sees no change in its fan noise, chugging along unperturbed at a very low noise level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens when MBP M3 Max moves from a 65\u00b0F environment to an 80\u00b0F to 90\u00b0F environment?  Not promising, but more on that below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/images\/MacBookPro2023\/graph.v4-Photoshop-AIDenoise.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"532\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-test-focus-stacking-with-zerene-stacker\">TEST: Focus Stacking with Zerene Stacker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/focus stacking\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/focus stacking\" target=\"_blank\">Focus stacking<\/a> is a frequent task for me. First I run AI Denoise + Enhance Details on the RAW files as per above, then I stack the files and retouch.  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/Zerene Stacker\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/Zerene Stacker\" target=\"_blank\">Zerene Stacker<\/a> uses all CPUs heavily (no GPU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 16-core M3 Max (12+4 core) is super impressive in that it takes only 6% longer than the 24-core (16+8 core) M2 Ultra.  Fewer CPU cores but faster ones almost bridge the gap&#8230; WOW!  And the advances over the M1 Max are huge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fan noise levels on this test vary, hitting high levels part of the time as full CPU usage occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/images\/MacBookPro2023\/graph.v2-ZereneStacker.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"560\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-unhealthy-fan-noise\">Unhealthy fan noise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MBP16_dB.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88887\" width=\"420\" height=\"268\"\/><figcaption>Typical noise level at 95+% GPU usage, 65\u00b0F<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Noise is a health hazard that degrades cognition<\/strong> and causes physiological stress. Quiet is not a nice-to-have! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even \u201clow\u201d levels of noise steadily stress both children and adults over the course of the day.  While we  are all wired differently in how much noise degrades us, <strong>the quality and efficiency of your work <em>will<\/em> be degraded by noise<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Measured fan-noise levels run as high as 62 dB<\/strong><\/span> just above the keyboard. For perspective, a leaf blower (!) at 100 feet outdoors is around 56 dB. Yes, I measured both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fan is working overtime to cool the GPU but CPUs can also generate high fan levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quoting two readers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>&#8230;<strong>quiet operation under load would be my #1 priority<\/strong> and the biggest advantage over my old Intel machine. Anything approaching or even <strong>exceeding 50 dB is completely out of the question<\/strong>&#8230; results you&#8217;re getting with the M3 seem to be pretty much the same as with my 2017 MBP with the fans at full blast\u2014something <strong>I can only tolerate for very brief periods of time, if at all<\/strong>&#8230;<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>62 db is about <strong>15X louder<\/strong> than the 50 dB cited above.   From  a reader with the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>On high power, it\u2019s averaging 62dB 1\u201d above keyboard, with peaks up to 63. I <strong>pity the fool deciding to run this at full load in their lap, will probably cause low level burn. 73-74F in my office<\/strong>.  <strong>No, I could not stand this (or any other equipment fan noise, regardless of level) in my office while I work<\/strong>. There are frequent bursts of very high CPU\/GPU use while editing\/grading videos, but short enough in duration that the fans never turn on. And once the render starts, my work is done so really no reason to stick around and hear the fans. I\u2019m usually one or two rooms away while processing.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apple chose to install a chipset generating 47 watts from the GPU <em>alone<\/em> (+20% vs M1 Max) into an identical case, <strong>rather than engineering a case that could properly dissipate the increased heat<\/strong>. IMO, the noise level of the MBP M3 Max is a <em>design failure<\/em>, a science fair project not up to professional standards. And given the extreme price premium for Apple hardware, this is unacceptable. The <strong>MBP M3 Max is not the serious tool<\/strong> it could have been. Form over function prevailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-are-the-m3-macbook-pros-so-loud\">Why are the M3 MacBook Pros so loud?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The &#8216;powermetrics&#8217; tool shows that the GPU hits 47W power consumption. <strong>Intense heat is thus generated in a square-inch or so area inside the laptop case<\/strong>, causing the fans to run at maximum effort up to an obnoxious 62 dB. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/gadgets\/2023\/11\/review-apples-16-inch-m3-max-macbook-pro-crams-ultra-level-speed-into-a-laptop\/5\/#h1\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/gadgets\/2023\/11\/review-apples-16-inch-m3-max-macbook-pro-crams-ultra-level-speed-into-a-laptop\/5\/#h1\" target=\"_blank\">According to Ars Technica<\/a>, the M3 Max uses 20% more power than the M1 Max and M2 Max. That explains a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I ran my tests at quite cool temperatures\u2014around 65\u00b0F. <strong>What happens at 80\u00b0F or 90\u00b0F?<\/strong>  It is common for me to work at 80\u00b0F to 90\u00b0F in  the field. That\u2019s the <em>rule<\/em> in the summer in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/windinmyface.com\/Mercedes Sprinter\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/windinmyface.com\/Mercedes Sprinter\" target=\"_blank\">my Sprinter van<\/a>, and I\u2019ve worked at up to 100\u00b0F (uggh). This *is* a laptop, designed to be portable for field use,  is it not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>T<strong>he M3 Max at 90\u00b0F is not going to be happy<\/strong>, with heat it cannot dissipate resulting in  fan noise and thermal throttling. Think forced  Low Power mode, for a big performance drop.  And maybe a lot slower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dust-kills-electronics\">Dust kills electronics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fan sucks in air which contains fine dust.  The harder it runs, the more dust enters. <strong>Over time, fine dust steadily and inexorably coats all the electronics, creating  an insulating blanket<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A &#8220;positive feedback loop&#8221; develops:  more dust on the innards makes the fan run harder, which means more dust which means longer and harder fan activity.  Before long,  even modest workloads causes excessive heat and fan noise and thermal throttling.  MacBook Pro users have been complaining of such things for many years now, with Intel-based laptops.  But here we have the same &#8216;ol issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A year or two in, the <strong>MBP M3 Max will likely be running its fan more often and longer and  harder<\/strong>.  Reduced MTBF (mean time between failure) ensues, eg a higher probability of  <strong>premature failure caused by heat stress<\/strong>. <em>All MBP M3 Max owners are advised to maintain AppleCare for the life of the machine<\/em>. Apple created this issue, but it\u2019s all &#8220;on you&#8221;, at your expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusions\">Conclusions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>MacBook Pro M3 Max models<strong> <\/strong>in<strong> <\/strong><em>casual<\/em> operation are silent or nearly so.  For such casual purposes, there will be no fan-noise issue. A silent and impressive performer. You\u2019ll love it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But<\/strong> this article is about the high-end models for professional use, where 16 CPU + 40 GPU cores are tools of the trade.  Why buy such a ($$$) beast but to use its full capabilities? Sadly, even a brand-new and dust-free MBP M3 Max cannot support long-running jobs (2+ minutes) at full performance, being suitable only for <strong>bursts<\/strong> of speed of 1-3 minutes depending on temperature+load. If bursty performance is your thing, terrific. Batch processing of videos or photos&#8230; uggh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there is ambient temperature. The MBP M3 Max was given a highly favorable test environment of just 65\u00b0F or so, and it can hardly manage that for demanding jobs. At a much more typical 80\u00b0F to 90\u00b0F for my field work, it is going to be very unhappy. And it\u2019s not just one &#8220;bad sample&#8221;; I tested both the 14-inch and 16-inch models, and a reader confirms my findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People have their own tolerances for noise, so I\u2019ll be the last one to say that <em>my<\/em> noise tolerance should in any way decide whether the M3 Max is for you. But for myself and some (see quotes), this noise level is intolerable. <strong>If you can, wait for an M3 Max or M3 Ultra Mac Studio or Mac Pro if you need this level of computing performance<\/strong> (and don\u2019t need the portability).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bottom-line\">Bottom line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Professionals like me who need a quiet and reliable solution that runs at full speed all the time even at 90\u00b0F should <strong>wait for a Mac Studio or Mac Pro M3 Max or M3 Ultra<\/strong>. Those systems have superb cooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apple shoehorned a <em>tour de force<\/em> chipset into a case that has <em>no hope of cooling things properly under hard usage<\/em>, resulting in unpleasantly loud fan noise along with  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=thermal+throttling\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=thermal+throttling\" target=\"_blank\">thermal throttling<\/a> that reduces performance, and likely reduced lifespan as dust coats the innards and makes those fans run harder and harder, getting worse and worse as time passes.  A geriatric MBP at years 2-3 perhaps. Keep AppleCare in force!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Alternatives<\/strong>: consider a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/shop\/Apple_Systems\/Used\/Macs_and_Tablets\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/shop\/Apple_Systems\/Used\/Macs_and_Tablets\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>new or used Mac from OWC<\/strong><\/a>, but M2 Max or M1 Max. Save a ton of money plus the thermal worries and noise levels are considerably less with M1 Max, and significantly less with M2 Max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See also the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/idx-mpg.html#MacBookPro2023\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/idx-mpg.html#MacBookPro2023\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>best real-world review of the <\/strong><\/a><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/idx-mpg.html#MacBookPro2023\" target=\"_blank\">MacBook Pro M3 Max on the interne<\/a><\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/idx-mpg.html#MacBookPro2023\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>t<\/strong><\/a>, at least for photographers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/gfx\/flag.diglloyd.png?dglyOWCB=Review_MacBookProM3Max\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"70\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\/OWC articles by Lloyd\" target=\"_blank\">View all posts by Lloyd Chambers\u2026<\/a> Lloyd\u2019s photo web site is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloyd.com\" target=\"_blank\">diglloyd.com<\/a>, computers is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\" target=\"_blank\">MacPerformanceGuide.<\/a>com, cycling and health are found at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/windinmyface.com\" target=\"_blank\">WindInMyFace.com<\/a>, software tools including disk testing and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/autoTopic.html?dglyTP=data+integrity\" target=\"_blank\">data integrity validation<\/a> at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diglloydtools.com\" target=\"_blank\">diglloydTools.com<\/a>. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/diglloyd\/collections\" target=\"_blank\">Patreon page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/macperformanceguide.com\/images\/MacBookPro2023\/2023MacBookProM3Max.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1260\" height=\"780\"\/><figcaption>MacBook Pro M3 Max<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The M3 Max MacBook Pr exceeds expectations. But is the chip too much for the current design to keep cool?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":89083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7597,4],"class_list":["post-88810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mac-tips","category-tech-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2 (Yoast SEO v20.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A Pro\u2019s Review of the Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max: Breakneck Speed and a Fun-Killing Fan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The M3 Max MacBook Pr exceeds expectations. But is the chip too much for the current design to keep cool?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/88810-a-pros-review-of-the-apple-macbook-pro-m3-max-breakneck-speed-and-a-fun-killing-fan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Pro\u2019s Review of the Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max: Breakneck Speed and a Fun-Killing Fan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The M3 Max MacBook Pr exceeds expectations. 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