Apple has added the M4 series of processors to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. In addition to the improved specifications, some new options and capabilities have also been added, including a 12MP Center Stage camera and improved battery life.
In 2021, the MacBooks Pros had already received a new design, more ports and MagSafe. The design has therefore remained unchanged and the emphasis is mainly on the brand new processors: M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max. These have powerful specifications that guarantee sky-high performance. We list the differences compared to the ‘old’ generation for you.
Differences between MacBook Pro with M4 and M3
The differences below are new for the MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or Max chip and improved compared to the M3 model from 2023. We explain the differences further later in this article.
- M4, M4 Pro or M4 Max chip
- up to 16-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- up to 40-core GPU
- Up to 128 GB of memory: standard 16 GB (M4), 24 GB (M4 Pro) and 36 GB (M4 Max)
- SDR brightness max. 1000 nits in bright outdoor light (was 600 nits)
- Display is dimmable to 1 nits, this was 2 nits
- Configurable with nano-textured display
- M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro with three Thunderbolt 5 ports (USB-C)
- Support up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt with MacBook Pro M4 or M4 Pro open
- Up to three external displays with 6K resolution at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt and one external display with a resolution of up to 4K at 144 Hz via HDMI with MacBook Pro M4 Max
- 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desktop View
- Record video in 1080p HD
- Improved battery life from 18 hours to 22 hours (14-inch with M4 Pro or M4 Max) and 24 hours (14-inch with M4 and all 16-inch models)
- Space black for all models, including M4 entry-level model
- €100 cheaper than previous generation
No differences in design
The design and dimensions of the MacBook Pro have remained the same as the previous generation. Both the 14-inch and 16.2-inch MacBook Pro feature a mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3024 x 1964 (14-inch) and 3456 x 2234 (16-inch). ProMotion ensures that the screen refresh rate is automatically adjusted up to 120 Hz depending on the optimal speed for the content.
You certainly have nothing to complain about when it comes to connections. The Pro has 3 Thunderbolt 4 (M4) and 3 Thunderbolt 5 (M4 Pro and M4 Max) USB-C ports, an HDMI connection, SD card reader and a connection for headphones. Thanks to MagSafe with fast charging, you can charge your Mac via a magnetic connection and you don’t have to worry if the cable is suddenly disconnected.
Brighter XDR display
The Liquid Retina XDR display has 1000 nits of constant brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. SDR content is displayed with clarity up to 1000 nits (outside only, was 600). Furthermore, the screen can be dimmed to 1 nits, which was 2 nits. Finally, the screen benefits from a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, vibrant colors and an excellent viewing angle.
Extra powerful M4 series
Apple has added the M4 series to the MacBook Pro. Like the previous generation, this processor is designed using a 3nm manufacturing process. This is an advanced manufacturing technology used to make semiconductor chips. A 3nm process means that the transistor gate is only 3 nanometers wide.
The size of the transistor gate is important because it determines how many transistors can be placed on a single chip. The smaller the transistor gate, the more transistors fit on the chip. This leads to chips that are faster, more efficient and more powerful than chips produced using larger processes. This means they perform better with the same specifications. The previous generations of Apple chips used a 5nm process.
Specifications M4, M4 Pro or M4 Mac
M4
- up to 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- up to 10-core GPU
- Up to 32 GB memory (standard 16 GB)
- 16-core Neural Engine
- 120 GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media engine: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 1 (ProRes) encoding and decoding engine
- choice of up to 2 TB of storage
- Support for up to two 6K displays and one 5K display
M4 Pro
- up to 14-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- up to 20-core GPU
- Up to 64 GB memory (standard 24 GB)
- 16-core Neural Engine
- 273 GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media engine: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 1 (ProRes) encoding and decoding engine
- choice of up to 8 TB of storage
- Support for up to three 6K displays
M4 Max
- up to 16-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- up to 40-core GPU
- Up to 128 GB memory (standard 36 GB)
- 16-core Neural Engine
- up to 546 GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media engine: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 2 (ProRes) encoding and decoding engine
- choice of up to 8 TB of storage
- Support for up to three 6K displays
Performance differences among standard models
The figures and figures above sound promising, but these will only be achieved if you get the most out of the new processors. The standard models are, as the name suggests, standard. This means that the regular specifications are less spectacular, but still pro.
Naturally, the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chip perform better than the previous generation, especially when gaming, but the difference is less significant than you would expect.
In addition, the new processors provide a battery boost. For example, you can use the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max for 22 hours rather than 18 hours. The battery life of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip and all 16-inch models has been improved to 24 hours.
Conclusion
If you want a powerful laptop, the new MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max is recommended. The new processors are powerful and ensure that demanding tasks are performed quickly and efficiently. Gaming will also be much better on this MacBook, but for most people this is no reason to upgrade. Do you have a 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 or M3 Pro/Max chip? Then you can safely skip this model, unless you really need more power. If you have a version with M1, it is worth considering the upgrade.
Nowadays, Apple’s Pro models are really only for professional users. So if you use Photoshop a lot, render a lot of videos, draw in 3D, etc., then the MacBook Pro is recommended. As an ‘ordinary’ consumer, the Pro is too advanced and you may hardly use the power the machine provides. In that case, the MacBook Air with M3 chip is a better choice.