Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max vs Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display (2026)
Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.
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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Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display
7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.
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| Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max | Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display | |
|---|---|---|
| 247Verdict Score | 9.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner Rating | 4.8★ (2,400) | 4.7★ (19,600) |
| Verdict | Outstanding | Excellent |
| Display | 16.2" ProMotion 120Hz XDR | 7-inch |
Quick Verdict
Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max edges ahead with a 9.6/10 vs 9.0/10. M3 Max chip, 128GB unified RAM, 22hr battery, 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 16-core GPU. The creative workstation. That said, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display is worth considering if 7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes..
Pros & Cons Side by Side
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max
- M3 Max with 128GB unified RAM handles simultaneous 4K video exports, ML training and Xcode compilation without throttling
- 22-hour battery while running M3 Max tasks — no power cable on international flights
- 16.2-inch ProMotion 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR display is the finest laptop display available
- Hardware-accelerated ML processing for ProRes video and Neural Engine workloads outperforms x86 competitors at 3x the power consumption
- The laptop that Apple sells to production studios, research labs and professional developers worldwide
- £4,500+ requires absolute professional justification — MacBook Pro 14 covers 90% of workflows
- 16-inch at 2.15kg is heavier than 14-inch M3 Pro for daily carry
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display
- 7-inch display turns voice answers into visual ones — recipes, weather, calendars
- Controls and visualises smart-home devices from one dashboard
- Sleep Sensing tracks rest without a wearable (no camera, for privacy)
- Excellent for Google Photos slideshows and YouTube
- Strong value with 19,000+ reviews
- Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household
- No camera means no video calls
- Speaker is good, not audiophile-grade
FAQ
Which is better, Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 or Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?
Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max edges ahead with a 9.6/10 vs 9.0/10. M3 Max chip, 128GB unified RAM, 22hr battery, 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 16-core GPU. The creative workstation. That said, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display is worth considering if 7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes..
Is the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 worth the extra cost?
Yes — Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max scores higher at 9.6/10 vs 9.0/10.
Also Worth Considering
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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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.
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