Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) vs Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
VS
66.2Performance30.7
74.3Display26.5
77.1Battery33.3
53Portability76.6
8 spec wins — Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max)1 spec wins — Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) wins this laptop face-off, 68.2 to 38.5, pulling ahead mainly in display (+48) and battery (+44). Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max)
- Stronger performance score: 66 vs 31
- Stronger display score: 74 vs 27
- Stronger battery score: 77 vs 33
- 350% higher RAM: 36 GB vs 8 GB
- 300% higher Peak brightness: 1,600 nits vs 400 nits
Reasons to pick the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
- Stronger portability score: 77 vs 53
- 40% lower weight: 1.3 kg vs 2.16 kg
- Lower launch price: $699 vs $3,499
Display
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16.2 ″+33% | 12.2 ″ |
| Panel type | Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR) | LCD (glass, convertible touchscreen, MPP 2.0/USI 2.0 stylus support) |
| Resolution | 3456x2234 | 1920x1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz+100% | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,600 nits+300% | 400 nits |
Performance
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M3 Max (14-core) | Intel Core 3 304 |
| Graphics | Apple M3 Max 30-core GPU | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3 core, up to 2.3GHz) |
| RAM | 36 GB+350% | 8 GB |
| RAM type | LPDDR5 (unified) | DDR5-6400 (SO-DIMM) |
| Storage | 1,024 GB+100% | 512 GB |
| Storage type | NVMe SSD | M.2 2230 NVMe SSD |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,120Top 28% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 20,200Top 19% | — |
Battery
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 100 Wh+100% | 50 Wh |
| Web browsing endurance | 13 h | — |
| Charging | 140 W+133% | 60 W |
Design
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.16 kg | 1.3 kg+40% |
| Thickness | 16.8 mm+9% | 18.5 mm |
| Material | Aluminum | Overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over plastic with an internal metal structure |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm | 4x swappable Expansion Cards (2x rear Thunderbolt 4, 2x front USB 3.2 Gen 2; USB-C/USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, microSD/SD options), 3.5mm combo jack |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE213) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD | 1080p 30fps (2MP OmniVision OV02C sensor, 80° FOV), hardware privacy switch |
| Biometrics | Touch ID | None on this configuration — fingerprint reader is bundled only with the Core 5 320/Core 7 350 pre-built tiers, not Core 3 304 |
Software
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max) | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS Sonoma | Fedora 44 (KDE Plasma) (Windows 11 Home/Pro option available) |
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