14-Inch MacBook Pro With M3 Chip Has Only Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

14-Inch MacBook Pro With M3 Chip Has Only Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports

by

Apple's new M3 14-inch MacBook Pro features two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, not three Thunderbolt 4 ports like the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.

m3 m3pro max ports
Apart from having fewer USB-C ports, the lack of Thunderbolt 4 support on the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip means it only supports one display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, or one display with up to 4K resolution at 120Hz over HDMI.

In comparison, like the M2 Pro chip it replaces, 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 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.

Meanwhile, the M3 Max supports up to four external displays in the following configuration: Up to three external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.

Alternatively, M3 Max MacBook Pro models can support 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.

Lastly, both the M3 Pro and M3 Max also support native DisplayPort over USB-C, and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI.

The new MacBook Pro models are available to order now, and they will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Tuesday, November 7. Be sure to check out our MacBook Pro announcement coverage for all the details.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

TMRS 201 MacBook Ultra Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Goodbye MacBook Pro? MacBook Ultra Is Coming

Friday July 10, 2026 9:12 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the future of Apple's increasingly tangled high-end MacBook lineup, including the entry-level MacBook Pro and the rumored "MacBook Ultra." Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's chip roadmap for the Mac is reportedly set to take an unusual turn over the next year. The company is said to be skipping the...
Read Full Article • 60 comments
M6 Pro M6 Max Mockup

Here's Why Apple is Reportedly Skipping M6 Pro and M6 Max Chips

Sunday July 12, 2026 8:12 am PDT by
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will be releasing a regular M6 chip, but it has no plans to offer higher-end M6 Pro and M6 Max chips. In his Power On newsletter today, he said the reason for this break in tradition is AI. "Apple had been planning major neural-processing upgrades for the M7 family and ultimately decided those improvements were important enough to justify...
Read Full Article • 118 comments
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple

Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads. The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed...
Read Full Article • 125 comments

Top Rated Comments

Stella Avatar
Stella
36 months ago
... and only TB3...

It's a stretch to call this a "Pro" machine, 8GB, 1 external monitor, 2 USB / TB3 ports and so on.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
McJobs
36 months ago
Deleted.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
macman01101
36 months ago
Two instead of four is more carbon neutral. Thanks Mother Nature.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
kendo88
36 months ago

Am I missing something? Either a device is for „Pro“ or it isn’t. Apple line up remains dumb and more and more confusing.
Lots of comments about missing features meaning it is not for pros. It's been a long time since 'Pro' meant for professionals in Apple's world. Pro just means 'The better, more expensive one'.

This 14inch MacBook Pro with M3, I believe, is aimed at people who don't have the professional workflows, don't need the crazy performance, but want the better hardware, the better screen, the pro motion, the better webcam, microphones, the HDR brightness for videos etc. I believe there are a bunch of people where the performance of the base M3 is more than what they need, 2 USB-C ports are fine for them, but they would like the better screen tech etc.

This is that product. No different to the iPhone 'Pro', most of it's buyers are not using it for professional workflows, but they want the more premium design, the pro motion etc
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
Kazgarth
36 months ago
What I find outrageous is the $1600/$1800 MacBook Pro 14 comes with only 8GB of RAM.

And you have to pay extra $200 for 16GB of RAM upgrade ($200 per 8GB).

When the price of 16GB of LPDDR5 in bulk is $20 per 16GB.

https://eu.mouser.com/c/semiconductors/memory-ics/dram/?type=SDRAM%20-%20LPDDR5
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
contacos
36 months ago
Am I missing something? Either a device is for „Pro“ or it isn’t. Apple line up remains dumb and more and more confusing.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors