Apple has launched its latest MacBook Pro, featuring the powerful M4 processors that significantly improve upon its predecessor. The base model now includes 16 GB of RAM, an additional Thunderbolt port, and the capability to support two external displays. Performance benchmarks show over a 40% increase in capabilities compared to the M3, maintaining Apple’s competitive stance against rivals like Qualcomm. The design remains largely unchanged, with a durable aluminum chassis and exceptional build quality. Connectivity options have expanded, including multiple USB-C ports and support for various display setups. The Liquid Retina XDR display offers outstanding brightness and color accuracy, despite the controversial notch design. The M4 Pro processor excels in performance tests, rivaling desktop chips and demonstrating remarkable graphics capabilities, making it a top choice for professionals.
Apple’s Game-Changing MacBook Pro with M4 Processors
Apple has once again raised the bar with its latest MacBook Pro generation, featuring the impressive M4 processors. This new release addresses nearly every drawback found in its predecessor, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.
The base model has seen a substantial upgrade, now boasting 16 GB of RAM, an additional Thunderbolt port, and support for at least two external displays. Performance enhancements are dramatic, with the M4 Pro achieving benchmark scores that sometimes exceed a remarkable 40% increase compared to the M3. Even as competitors like Qualcomm introduce their X Elite processors, Apple retains its competitive edge.
Technical Specifications and Design Features
Our review model is a 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with an M4 Pro chip featuring 14 cores, 24 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. This test unit was purchased for independent evaluation.
While the aesthetic remains unchanged for 2024, Apple’s design, which debuted in late 2021, continues to impress. This adherence to a successful formula is understandable, as the unibody aluminum chassis exemplifies durability and exquisite craftsmanship. Weighing in at 1.55 kg for the 14-inch and 2.15 kg for the 16-inch models, these MacBook Pros are heavier than ultraportables like the MacBook Air, but this weight is a trade-off for superior cooling, enhanced connectivity, and an expansive battery life. If portability is your top priority, you might want to explore other options.
The build quality is exceptional, with zero play in the hinge, seamless edges, and a sturdy trackpad. These laptops maintain their structural integrity even after years of rigorous use. The Magic Keyboard continues to impress with 1 mm key travel that provides satisfying tactile feedback, while the backlighting is consistent and bright. The expansive Force Touch trackpad outperforms its Windows counterparts in comfort and precision.
However, the presence of the notch remains a point of contention. Even in 2024, it’s challenging to overlook this cutout for the webcam. Although it optimizes screen real estate, its visual integration is questionable for a premium device. A more subtle punch hole would have been a better choice.
The decision to eliminate the Touch Bar in favor of traditional function keys has been well-received by professionals, and the integrated Touch ID feature remains swift and dependable. The speaker system, featuring six speakers, is well-placed and delivers impressive audio quality. The port arrangement is thoughtfully designed, with a balanced distribution along the edges.
Opening the lid with one hand is effortless, aided by a well-calibrated counterweight. The maximum opening angle of 135° is conducive to various working environments. The rubber feet provide excellent stability, while the flat underside aids in heat dissipation.
Overall, the design, while effective, is beginning to feel somewhat dated. Apple clearly prioritizes performance and functionality over originality, which is acceptable for a tool intended for professional use. The anodized aluminum finish is resilient against scratches, though the Space Black variant tends to show fingerprints more readily. If this is a concern, the sidereal gray might be a more suitable choice.
Enhanced Connectivity and Display Features
Connectivity options have been significantly improved! All models now include three USB-C ports (two on the left, one on the right), with compatibility for Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) on the standard M4 and Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gbps) on the Pro/Max versions. Additional features include an HDMI 2.1 port, a full-size SD card reader, a headphone jack, and the MagSafe 3 connector.
Apple has rectified the previous limitation of supporting only one external display with the M3; now, even the entry-level model can manage two 6K displays alongside its internal screen. However, a minor drawback is the absence of Wi-Fi 7, as the device only supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is disappointing for a machine expected to last several years.
While the MacBook Pro doesn’t offer an OLED screen yet, the Liquid Retina XDR display stands out as a benchmark in quality. Its mini-LED technology delivers deep blacks and nearly infinite contrast, rivaling OLED displays. With a resolution of 3024 x 1964 pixels (254 ppi), sharpness is top-notch.
A new addition for 2024 is the nano-texture option priced at €170. This anti-reflective treatment effectively reduces glare without compromising the screen’s vibrant qualities, although it’s best suited for those who frequently work outdoors. It’s advisable to see it in person to evaluate its value.
Brightness levels are exceptional, reaching 1000 nits in SDR and 1600 nits in HDR, ensuring readability even in bright sunlight. The display’s full coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut and impeccable factory calibration (Delta E < 1) make it an outstanding choice for photo and video editing tasks.
The adaptive ProMotion refresh rate, ranging from 24-120 Hz, provides smooth visuals while conserving battery life, especially noticeable during web browsing and system transitions. We will update this section once we complete our detailed screen evaluations, though initial observations suggest consistency in display quality across versions.
Unfortunately, the notch remains a blemish on this premium display, as its width detracts from an otherwise stellar viewing experience. Competitors like Samsung, Dell, and Asus manage to offer similar screen-to-body ratios without such an intrusive cutout.
Remarkable Performance with the M4 Pro
The M4 Pro processor marks a remarkable advancement in Apple Silicon technology, solidifying its status as one of the best chips for laptops, with performance that rivals desktop CPUs. Our synthetic benchmark tests reveal stunning growth, with a Geekbench 6 score of 3868 in single-core performance — a notable 45% improvement over the M3. This trend continues in multi-core tests, where the processor scores 22446 points.
Cinebench 2024 reinforces this supremacy with scores of 168 in single-core and 1520 in multi-core, positioning the M4 Pro alongside elite desktop processors. Comparatively, the M3 Pro shows solid gains of 21% in single-core and 15% in multi-core performance.
In our Procyon tests using the Office 365 suite, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro achieved impressive results, surpassing high-end laptops. Additionally, results from PugetBench using Adobe applications, including Photoshop and Premiere Pro, were commendable, with scores of 12,178 for Photoshop and 6,219 for Premiere Pro.
The integrated 20-core GPU in the M4 Pro showcases remarkable graphics performance, achieving 7448 points in 3DMark Steel Nomad, and 112,019 points in Geekbench 6 Metal, placing it on par with some mid-range dedicated graphics cards.
In practical video editing scenarios using Final Cut Pro, the M4 Pro