Apple’s new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip features two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, not the three Thunderbolt 4 ports found in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
Beyond the reduced USB-C ports, the absence of Thunderbolt 4 support in the base M3 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro means it can only accommodate one display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, or one display with up to 4K resolution at 120Hz over HDMI.
In contrast, like its predecessor M2 Pro chip, the M3 Pro supports up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt. The M3 Pro-powered MacBook Pro models also facilitate 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.
The M3 Max, on the other hand, can handle up to four external displays: three with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.
Alternatively, M3 Max MacBook Pro models can support up to three external displays, connecting two with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz, or one with 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.
Both the M3 Pro and M3 Max also support native DisplayPort over USB-C, accommodating one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.
The new MacBook Pro models are available for order now and will start reaching customers and hitting stores on Tuesday, November 7.