Apple introduced a slew of new MacBook Pros recently, all of them sporting the new family of M3 chipsets, but it appears that based on which device you get, the Thunderbolt configuration and the ability to connect external displays is going to be different. This should not really come as a surprise, though.
The 14-inch base MacBook Pro does not have the latest Thunderbolt 4 ports, but it shouldn't be an issue
If you decide to get the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip instead of the M3 Pro or the M3 Max, you will get your hands on just two Thunderbolt 3 ports. However, if you are looking at the more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max, then you are going to get three Thunderbolt 4 ports.
This is the reason why the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip is only capable of supporting one display with 6K resolution at 60Hz or one display with up to 4K and 120Hz refresh rate. The M3 Pro takes it up a notch and supports two external displays with up to 60Hz at up to 6K resolution. The M3 Pro models also support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.
If you are looking at the MacBook Pro with the M3 Max, you will have support for four external displays. You can go for up to three external displays running at 6K/60HZ over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K/144Hz over HDMI. The M3 Max also supports up to three external displays by connecting two displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or one display with 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.
Last but not least, if you are getting the new M3 Pro or M3 Max-equipped MacBook Pro, these also support native DisplayPort over USB Type-C, a single display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.
Honestly, this should not really be a big deal because the performance difference between the three M3 chipsets is obviously there. I still think the base M3 model is plenty powerful for most people, and you should only be getting the Pro or the Max variant if you are looking for something top-of-the-line with no compromises in terms of performance or productivity. All MacBook Pro models are now available for pre-order, with the devices hitting the retail shelves on 7th November, next Tuesday.
