Apple MacBook Pro M4 Review: Apple’s Silicon King Hits a New High

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Specs: A Silicon Powerhouse

As a seasoned digital nomad and tech enthusiast who’s been through more laptops than I can count, let me tell you about my take on the MacBook Pro M4.

Let’s start with the raw numbers. Here’s what Apple is packing under the hood:

In October 2024, Apple revealed their newest MacBook Pro series, which includes the M4 family of processors: M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. These chips bring about substantial performance improvements and additional features.

Design and Display

The MacBook Pro comes in two sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch, and now it’s available in Space Black and Silver color options. Both versions boast a Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, which can adaptively adjust its refresh rate up to 120Hz. This display can reach up to 1,000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. An optional anti-glare nano-texture glass is also available as an additional feature.

Performance and Chips

The M4 chip lineup offers increasingly higher levels of performance:

  • M4 Chip: 10-core CPU (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) and 10-core GPU, supporting up to 32GB of unified memory with 120GB/s memory bandwidth.
     
  • M4 Pro Chip: Up to 14-core CPU (10 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and 20-core GPU, supporting up to 64GB of unified memory with 273GB/s memory bandwidth.
     
  • M4 Max Chip: Up to 16-core CPU (12 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and 40-core GPU, supporting up to 128GB of unified memory with 546GB/s memory bandwidth.

These settings are designed to accommodate various business processes, spanning from content production to statistical data examination.

Connectivity and Ports

The M4 MacBook Pro models include:

  • Three Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt 4 on M4; Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro and M4 Max models)
  • HDMI port
  • SDXC card slot
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • MagSafe 3 charging port

Thunderbolt 5 boasts data transfer rates of up to 120 gigabytes per second, improving the connection for high-speed accessories.

Camera and Audio

The MacBook Pro is equipped with a 12MP Center Stage camera, which keeps users clearly visible during video calls. Its audio system boasts a six-speaker setup, complete with force-cancelling woofers, providing a wide stereo sound and compatibility with Spatial Audio for an immersive experience when playing music or videos with Dolby Atmos.

Battery Life

According to Apple, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro can last up to 24 hours when playing videos, while the 16-inch versions also boast a comparable battery life, though this can vary based on the specific model’s setup.

Pricing and Availability

Beginning pre-orders on October 30, 2024, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 for its M4 model, while higher priced configurations are also available. The 16-inch models start at $2,499. Shipping begins November 8, 2024.

These improvements make the MacBook Pro an ideal, powerful choice for professionals who require top-tier performance and advanced capabilities in a compact design.

 

Performance: Blazing Fast but Overkill?

The M4 chip is remarkably fast, outperforming the M3 Pro by 20% in CPU tasks and offering a 30% improvement in GPU performance. For professionals dealing with 8K video editing, intricate 3D modeling, or running machine learning algorithms, this laptop handles such demanding workloads effortlessly, almost mocking tasks that would slow down less capable systems.

However, here’s an interesting point: If you’re not a creative professional or heavy user, the M4’s capabilities might be more than you need. It’s similar to purchasing a high-performance sports car like a Ferrari just for running errands around town.

Pros

  1. Performance Supremacy
    The M4 obliterates everything in its path. Multitasking is seamless, and high-intensity workloads feel like a breeze.
  2. Battery Life for Days
    Apple somehow squeezed more juice out of this beast. You could fly from New York to Tokyo and still have battery left for a Netflix binge.
  3. Display Excellence
    The Liquid Retina XDR display continues to be a stunner, with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and buttery-smooth ProMotion for creatives and gamers alike.
  4. Build Quality & Design
    Sleek, minimalist, and robust. The aluminum unibody is premium as always, and the return of MagSafe? Chef’s kiss.
  5. Silent Killer
    Thanks to the efficiency of the M4 chip, this laptop stays cool and whisper-quiet, even under heavy loads.

Cons

  1. Price Tag
    Apple’s premium pricing strikes again. Starting at over two grand, this isn’t a laptop for the faint of wallet. Max out the specs, and you’re flirting with $6,000 territory.
  2. Weight
    The 16-inch model is hefty. While it’s not a dealbreaker, you’ll feel it in your backpack on long commutes.
  3. Software Ecosystem Quirks
    macOS still isn’t fully optimized for gaming, even with the M4’s graphical prowess. Developers are slowly warming to Apple Silicon, but the gaming library remains lackluster compared to Windows.
  4. Repairability
    Apple keeps doubling down on its right-to-repair resistance. Good luck swapping out that SSD or upgrading RAM—oh wait, you can’t.
  5. Incremental Design Updates
    The M4 may be a powerhouse, but it’s wrapped in the same design we’ve seen for the past few iterations. Familiarity is nice, but some might call it stale.

Verdict: A New Benchmark, but for Who?

Without a doubt, the MacBook Pro M4 stands out as the most potent laptop Apple has ever crafted, redefining performance, battery longevity, and screen clarity. However, one may question whether its premium price tag and excessive power position it as a specialized product.

If you’re a creative professional, software developer, or someone handling demanding tasks, the M4 might be ideal for you. For those who don’t require such heavy-duty capabilities, the M3 or even the MacBook Air M2 should suffice. They offer ample power for daily tasks without straining your budget.

Rating: 4.5/5

Apple understands its target market, and with the M4, it’s focusing on high-performance users. However, it’s essential not to confuse it with a standard laptop. The base model alone is incredibly fast. If you upgrade to the Pro or Max version, you might feel like you’ve stepped into the realm of time travel.

Neon lights fade as the MacBook Pro M4 powers through another endless 8K render. Troy Miller, out.

 

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2024-11-11 16:34