Whereas Apple ushers within the third era of its M-series Mac chips, it’s straightforward to identify clear patterns on how the chips evolve–or, maybe extra precisely, how some options by no means change.

One standout characteristic of the bottom M3 chip within the $1,599 14-inch MacBook Professional is its much-improved show in comparison with the 13-inch M2 mannequin. Nevertheless, should you’re seeking to join an exterior show—or shows—it’s nonetheless missing. Regardless of having USB-C and HDMI, the M3 MacBook Professional solely helps s single exterior show at as much as 6K decision at 60Hz. It’s notable should you’re monitoring how the M-series chips change from era to era–the exterior show help within the base M chip hasn’t modified because the M1 on the 13-inch MacBook Professional and MacBook Air.

For a professional laptop computer that may price upwards of $2,600, it’s a extreme limitation. MacBook Professional customers use apps that fill your entire display screen–video enhancing, 3D illustration, music manufacturing, coding, and many others. So connecting exterior shows offers extra desktop area to work with, and sometimes, that entails two or extra exterior shows.

If you understand you want to join not less than two exterior shows and also you’re on a finances, the laptop computer to think about is the $1,999 14-inch MacBook Professional. It’s $400 extra, nevertheless it’s the most affordable mannequin that gives the show help you want. Normally, if you want to join not less than two exterior shows, you’re a MacBook Professional with both an M3 Professional or Max chip. Right here’s a breakdown of every chip’s exterior show help:

• M3: One exterior show with as much as 6K decision at 60Hz
• M3 Professional:
  • As much as two exterior shows with as much as 6K decision at 60Hz over Thunderbolt, or
  • One exterior show with as much as 6K decision at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one exterior show with as much as 4K decision at 144Hz over HDMI, or
  • One exterior show supported at 8K decision at 60Hz or one exterior show at 4K decision at 240Hz over HDMI
• M3 Max:
  • As much as three exterior shows with 6K decision at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one exterior show with as much as 4K decision at 144Hz over HDMI, or
  • As much as three exterior shows: As much as two exterior shows with 6K decision at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one exterior show with as much as 8K decision at 60Hz or one exterior show with 4K decision at 240Hz over HDMI

In the event you don’t wish to spring for an M3 Professional mannequin however nonetheless wish to join two or extra shows, you possibly can be taught extra in our information to utilizing exterior shows with Apple silicon Macs.

14-inch MacBook Professional (M3, 2023)

14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023)

14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Max, 2023)

16-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023)

16-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Max, 2023)