M3 vs. M3 Pro: Which MacBook Pro is right for you?

If you’re considering getting a laptop from Apple’s new lineup of M3 machines, you might want to think twice before going for the entry-level model.

Yes, the laptops might look incredibly similar. And the standard M3 chip is plenty powerful for many everyday uses. But a look at the two MacBook Pros’ internals shows why you should seriously consider forking over an extra $400 (at least) to get the M3 Pro model.

Plus, you know you want that sweet new space black finish …

Also in today’s newsletter:

Our handy guide to Apple’s Family Sharing shows why you should set it up (and walks you through the whole thing).
Are you tired of people hammering on Humane’s upcoming Ai Pin? We’re not. Here are even more reasons the AI-powered gadget looks like a loser.
Cult of Mac Deals has some hot gadget buys for you ahead of Black Friday: an iPhone/Apple Watch power bank, a super-affordable way to add CarPlay to your car, some open-ear headphones for people who find AirPods uncomfortable, and a discount drone that’s perfect for beginners.
Season four of Apple TV+ space fantasy For All Mankind blasted off Friday. If you already watched it, relive the fun with our recap.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

M3 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro comparison: Should you go Pro?

Apple's M3 MacBook Pro is $400 cheaper than the M3 Pro variant. But which one is better between the two? Find out in this comparison.

www.cultofmac.com/836192/m3-vs-m3-pro-macbook-pro-comparison

How Apple made the space black MacBook Pro

Apple apparently went to great lengths to achieve the slick space black finish on the new M3 Pro laptops.

www.cultofmac.com/836871/ifixit-explains-how-apple-made-space-black-macbook-pro

6 reasons to set up Apple's Family Sharing ASAP

Apple makes it easy to link your digital lives together with just a little bit of setup. Here are the top six benefits of using Family Sharing.

www.cultofmac.com/836501/apple-family-sharing

Even more reasons Humane’s Ai Pin is a total bust

Humane's tedious and awkward 10-minute introductory video for the Ai Pin all but confirms that we are seeing the next hilarious Silicon Valley failure in real time.

www.cultofmac.com/836839/humane-ai-pin-is-a-total-waste

^{Messages from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

This $35 power bank charges iPhone, Apple Watch and more [Sale extended!]

Get the imaginatively named Multi-Device Wireless Charger for just $34.97 and you can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and more on the go.

www.cultofmac.com/836232/multi-device-wireless-charger

Add wireless CarPlay to your vehicle for just $90

This affordable car touchscreen lets you enjoy Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto), like navigating, calling and listening to music while driving.

www.cultofmac.com/836427/7-inch-wireless-carplay-display

AirPods uncomfortable? Try these open-ear headphones for just $25.

Pair top-notch audio and a comfortable listening experience with these open-ear bone-conduction wireless headphones, on sale for just $24.97.

www.cultofmac.com/836610/open-ear-conduction-stereo-wireless-headphones

At just $70, this sleek 4K drone with dual cameras is an early Black Friday score

Grab this 4K Dual Camera Drone with Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance for just $69.97 through November 16. No coupon needed!

www.cultofmac.com/836758/4k-dual-camera-drone-with-intelligent-obstacle-avoidance

‘For All Mankind’ season 4 launches with painful look back [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★½☆

Catch up with the first episode of "For All Mankind" season 4, tinged with grief over the past as it looks ahead to a new kind of space race.

www.cultofmac.com/836829/for-all-mankind-season-4-launches-with-painful-look-back-apple-tv-recap

12.9-inch iPad Air could arrive in early 2024

The iPad Air could come in a larger size next year. iPad Pros -- with OLED screens, Apple's M3 chip and a revamped design -- could follow.

www.cultofmac.com/836958/12-9-inch-ipad-air-could-launch-in-early-2024

These are the only two M3 MacBook Pros you should buy [The CultCast]

This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: Erfon breaks down the specs/performance of Apple's recently released MacBook Pro lineup, and he's convinced there are only two models any sane person would buy.

www.cultofmac.com/836808/m3-macbook-pros-the-cultcast

Sideloading iPhone apps could arrive in the EU next year

The good news is that iPhone could finally allow users to install applications directly starting in 2024. But there's also bad news.

www.cultofmac.com/836979/sideloading-iphone-apps-could-arrive-in-the-eu-next-year

Play '80s synths, surf with a solid VPN, test hard drive for video and find great Italian food [Awesome Apps]

This week's awesome apps include a retro synthesizer, a solid VPN, a quick test for hard drives and a guide to the best Italian eateries.

www.cultofmac.com/836527/awesome-apps-roundup-synth-vpn-drive-speed-osteria

Take AirTag for a ride and track your bike with these Laut mounts

These brilliant AirTag bike mounts from Laut are well-designed and wonderfully affordable. Never lose your bike again.

www.cultofmac.com/751124/laut-airtag-bike-mounts

Score $50 off killer portable speakers with this early Black Friday deal

Get a jump on Black Friday gift shopping with up to 40% off Ultimate Ears portable speakers, many offered at $50 off the regular prices.

www.cultofmac.com/837036/score-50-off-killer-portable-speakers-in-early-black-friday-deals

Beautiful workstation serves up double the fun with dual everything [Setups]

A Big Apple magazine editor's setup doubles up on tons of gear, including two M3 MacBooks, two Studio Displays, two Magic Trackpads and more.

www.cultofmac.com/836902/beautiful-rig-serves-up-double-the-fun-with-dual-everything-setups

Today in Apple history: Apple demands big damages from Samsung

On September 13, 2013, Apple and Samsung headed back to court to determine the amount of damages Samsung must pay for copying the iPhone.

www.cultofmac.com/513399/apple-history-samung-copyright-battle

Tweetz o’ the day

— # (#)

One more thing ...

❝

It’s hard to remember how primitive it was. There was no such thing as a computer with a graphics video display. It was literally a printer. It was a teletype printer with a keyboard on it. And so you would keyboard these commands in, and then you would wait for a while, and the thing would go… And it would tell you something.

— Steve Jobs on his first encounter with a computer

Today’s polls

Which M3 chip is right for you?

Results from last Friday’s poll: How much RAM do you need?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.