Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro vs HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro
M3 Pro chip, 18GB unified RAM, ProMotion 120Hz OLED, 18hr, 1.55kg. The pro creative laptop.
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HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)
ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook.
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| Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro | HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.7★ (4,200) | 4.4★ (3,200) |
| Verdict | Outstanding | Great |
| RAM | 18GB unified | 8GB |
| Battery | 18 hours (pro workloads) | 10 hours |
Quick Verdict
Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro edges ahead with a 9.5/10 vs 8.8/10. M3 Pro chip, 18GB unified RAM, ProMotion 120Hz OLED, 18hr, 1.55kg. The pro creative laptop. That said, the HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) is worth considering if ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook..
Pros & Cons Side by Side
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro
- M3 Pro chip handles Final Cut Pro 4K editing, Xcode compilation and ML training without thermal throttling
- ProMotion 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR display is the best laptop screen available — P3 wide colour, 1000 nits
- 18GB unified RAM handles demanding creative workflows that 8GB MacBook Air cannot sustain
- HDMI 2.1, SD card reader and MagSafe alongside USB-C — no hub required for most workflows
- 18-hour battery while running pro workloads — unmatched in the pro laptop category
- £2,100+ starting price requires professional justification
- 1.55kg is heavier than MacBook Air's 1.24kg — noticeable for daily commuting
- M3 Pro is overkill for email, browsing and office work — MacBook Air is the right choice for those tasks
HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3)
- ChromeOS is genuinely more secure than Windows — zero native malware in 15 years of ChromeOS existence
- Google AI integration: Google Docs, Sheets and Drive with Gemini AI built natively
- Under £400 for Core i3 8GB 15-inch — more computing power than equivalently priced Windows laptops at this tier
- 10-hour battery for a budget 15-inch is practical for full working days
- Automatic ChromeOS updates for 10 years — security patching without user attention
- ChromeOS — no native Windows or macOS software compatibility
- Limited offline functionality — best with internet connection
- Less suitable for professional applications (design, video editing, coding IDEs) vs Windows/Mac
FAQ
Which is better, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 or HP Chromebook Plus 15a i3)?
Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro edges ahead with a 9.5/10 vs 8.8/10. M3 Pro chip, 18GB unified RAM, ProMotion 120Hz OLED, 18hr, 1.55kg. The pro creative laptop. That said, the HP Chromebook Plus 15a (Intel Core i3) is worth considering if ChromeOS, Core i3, 15.6" FHD, 8GB, Google AI, 10hr battery. Best-value Chromebook..
Is the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 worth the extra cost?
Yes — Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 Pro scores higher at 9.5/10 vs 8.8/10.
Also Worth Considering
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max
M3 Max chip, 128GB unified RAM, 22hr battery, 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 16-core GPU. The creative workstation.
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3
M3 chip, 18hr battery, 13.6" Liquid Retina, fanless, 1.24kg. The best laptop for most people.
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Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)
300 ppi, IPX8 waterproof, 12-week battery. The best e-reader for most people.
Check Price ↗ Full Review