Apple MacBook Pro M4 review
Apple MacBook Pro M4 review: The 2024 Apple MacBook Pro M4 has emerged as a robust and versatile laptop that sets a new standard in power and design, tailored to meet a broad spectrum of professional and creative needs. Here’s an in-depth review of the MacBook Pro M4, exploring its hardware, software, performance, and value across a range of features to determine if it truly is “the Pro for everyone.”
Hardware and Build Quality
The MacBook Pro M4 continues Apple’s legacy of premium build quality with a sleek, durable aluminum unibody. One notable addition is the “Space Black” finish, which resists fingerprints better than previous models and gives the laptop a more professional aesthetic. The MacBook Pro M4 is available in 14-inch and 16-inch models, offering both portability and workspace real estate.
Despite its svelte design, the MacBook Pro M4’s hardware feels solid. Apple has refined the classic MacBook look without compromising durability. The hinges are sturdy, allowing for smooth opening and closing of the lid, and the keyboard is responsive and comfortable for long typing sessions. While the device is heavier than previous versions, likely due to the more powerful components inside, it remains manageable for those who frequently carry their laptops.
Display Quality and Visual Performance
The MacBook Pro M4’s Liquid Retina XDR display continues to be a standout feature. With ProMotion technology, the display supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making animations and scrolling appear extremely smooth. It also boasts peak brightness levels of up to 1,600 nits, ideal for content creators working on HDR content, as well as precise color accuracy and vivid visuals. This display quality is a game-changer for photographers, video editors, and designers, who require high color accuracy and dynamic range.
The new “nano-texture” option for the display, which reduces glare significantly, is ideal for professionals working in environments with varied lighting. Additionally, the 12MP upgraded webcam supports a new “Desk View” mode, which allows users to capture a top-down view of their workspace during calls. This feature, alongside FaceTime HD and other video call options, enhances the experience for remote collaboration.
Processor and Performance
The MacBook Pro M4 is powered by Apple’s latest M4 series chip, which includes the base M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max options. The M4 chips are based on a 3-nanometer manufacturing process, enabling more transistors to be packed into a smaller area for better performance and efficiency. The M4 Pro comes with a 14-core CPU and up to a 20-core GPU, while the M4 Max can be configured with up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, making it a powerhouse for multitasking, video editing, 3D rendering, and heavy computations.
With up to 48GB of unified memory in the M4 Pro and up to 128GB in the M4 Max, the MacBook Pro M4 excels in memory-intensive applications. Benchmarks show a noticeable improvement over the M3 series, with up to a 30% increase in certain AI and machine-learning tasks. The upgraded 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for AI-driven tasks like real-time audio transcription and image processing, improving the user experience across macOS Sequoia’s Apple Intelligence features.
Battery Life and Charging
Despite its power-packed internals, the MacBook Pro M4 delivers impressive battery life. The 14-inch model provides up to 18 hours of usage on a single charge, while the 16-inch model can last up to 22 hours for general tasks. This is slightly reduced compared to the M3 models due to the increased power consumption of the new chips, but it remains sufficient for most workdays. Apple’s decision to retain MagSafe 3 charging also enhances usability, allowing users to quickly connect or disconnect the charger with a magnetic snap, reducing wear on the charging port.
Connectivity and Port Options
Apple has equipped the MacBook Pro M4 with the latest Thunderbolt 5 technology, which supports data transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps, ideal for handling large files and using multiple high-resolution displays. Additionally, the device includes HDMI, an SD card reader, and USB-C ports, providing flexibility for professionals who rely on various peripherals. The HDMI port supports higher refresh rates for 4K and 8K displays, making the MacBook Pro M4 an excellent choice for users who require advanced visual output for presentations or media viewing.
Apple Intelligence and macOS Sequoia
The M4 MacBook Pro comes preloaded with macOS Sequoia, Apple’s latest operating system, which introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features. This includes tools such as Smart Replies in Messages, image recognition enhancements in Photos, and text summarization in Notes. These AI features are designed to improve productivity by automating simple tasks and offering useful suggestions. While some of these features still feel basic, Apple is expected to release updates that will make them more integral to the workflow, especially for professionals who manage large volumes of information or media.
macOS Sequoia also includes improved support for professional applications like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Enhanced compatibility with these tools, combined with the raw power of the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, makes this laptop a powerful machine for professional creatives.
Software Ecosystem and Third-Party Application Compatibility
One of the key advantages of the MacBook Pro M4 is its compatibility with a wide array of third-party applications, especially in the creative and development fields. Apple’s commitment to optimized apps through partnerships with companies like Adobe, Autodesk, and Unity allows professionals to access specialized tools at peak performance on the MacBook Pro. The M4 chip’s architecture ensures that applications like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Blender run smoothly, even during resource-intensive tasks like rendering 4K video or handling large 3D files.
Security and Privacy
Security remains a high priority for Apple, and the MacBook Pro M4 includes advanced security features to protect user data. With Apple’s T2 chip integration and secure enclave, encryption and decryption processes are faster and more secure. The M4’s updated architecture also supports hardware-level security for Face ID and Touch ID, making it easy for users to log in and make secure transactions. macOS Sequoia includes privacy-focused updates, including new Safari protections, and allows users to control which apps have access to sensitive data.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Apple has continued its commitment to environmental sustainability with the MacBook Pro M4, using 100% recycled aluminum in the chassis and recycled rare-earth elements in various internal components. The device is also more energy-efficient, reducing its overall carbon footprint, and is designed with modular components, making repairs and replacements easier, thereby extending the device’s lifespan. Apple has also announced that its supply chain will be carbon-neutral by 2030, making the MacBook Pro M4 a future-proof option for eco-conscious consumers.
Pricing and Configurations
The base model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 starts at $1,599, with prices scaling up depending on storage and processor configurations. High-end configurations, particularly with the M4 Max chip and additional RAM, can exceed $3,000. While this price range may be prohibitive for casual users, it offers excellent value for professionals who require top-tier performance and durability.
For users who do not need the extreme power of the M4 Max or even the M4 Pro, Apple offers more affordable configurations in the M4 lineup, providing versatility and enabling users to choose a model that best meets their specific needs and budget.
User Experience and Feedback
Initial reviews of the MacBook Pro M4 have highlighted the laptop’s remarkable speed, display quality, and battery life as standout features. Users have praised the MacBook Pro M4 for its quiet operation, even under heavy loads, thanks to an efficient cooling system. The software experience with macOS Sequoia and the Apple Intelligence suite has been generally positive, with users noting that these AI-driven features improve productivity, though some are still waiting for further refinements.
However, some users have expressed concerns regarding the weight of the new models, as the M4 version is slightly heavier than its predecessor. Others have mentioned that while Apple Intelligence adds convenience, it is not yet revolutionary in enhancing productivity to the degree that some users expected.
Final Thoughts: Is the MacBook Pro M4 Truly “the Pro for Everyone”?
The 2024 MacBook Pro M4 is undoubtedly a powerhouse, offering capabilities that appeal to a broad range of professionals, including developers, designers, and content creators. Its cutting-edge hardware and AI-driven software elevate its usability in demanding fields, making it an essential tool for professionals who rely on powerful, reliable technology.
However, for casual users or those who don’t require high-performance features, the steep price and high-end configurations may be unnecessary. In this sense, the MacBook Pro M4 is not “the Pro for everyone” but rather “the Pro for those who need it.” For those willing to invest in this machine, it offers a comprehensive and future-ready experience, setting a new standard in the world of professional laptops.