Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro and Max) review:

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros are still the best laptops for creative professionals. This year they’re a little faster, with better webcams, new anti-glare screen options, and that’s mostly it.

Real-World Speed: How the M4 Max MacBook Pro Transformed My Wedding Workflow

In the whirlwind of wedding photography, efficiency isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. As a part-time photographer, I’ve faced the relentless pressure of capturing thousands of shots over a 10-hour day, then racing to curate and edit a highlight reel before the cake is sliced. On my trusty M1 Max MacBook Pro, this sprint typically takes two hours. But recently, Apple’s latest powerhouse—the M4 Max MacBook Pro—shattered that benchmark, delivering polished results in just 60 minutes.

The M4 Max: Built for Demanding Workloads
Released this November, the M4 series marks Apple’s latest leap in laptop silicon. The M4 Max, the flagship chip in this lineup, drives both the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. While the base M4 variant impressed this year with a new port and performance boosts, the Pro and Max iterations focus on refining raw power and connectivity. These aren’t flashy overhauls—think of them as precision-tuned upgrades, cementing Apple’s laptops as the gold standard for pro users.

Testing Beyond Benchmarks
Rather than recycling generic speed tests, I leaned into audience requests: photo editing, video production, and gaming. Our video team put the M4 Pro through its paces editing YouTube and TikTok content, while I took the M4 Max into the trenches—editing wedding galleries and testing games like Resident Evil Village during downtime.

A Photographer’s Verdict
The M4 Max’s gains shine brightest under pressure. Editing 4,000+ RAW images in Lightroom, the laptop breezed through exports and batch adjustments without breaking a sweat. The neural engine’s AI smarts accelerated culling, while the vibrant Liquid Retina XDR display ensured color accuracy under harsh venue lighting. For context, a complex panorama stitch that once took 90 seconds now wraps up in 40.

Not Just for Creators
Gaming on macOS still lags behind Windows, but the M4 Max narrows the gap. Titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 hit 60 fps at 1440p with settings maxed, and the laptop stayed cool even during marathon sessions. The upgraded HDMI 2.1 port also future-proofs connectivity for high-refresh monitors.

The Bottom Line
While the M4 Max MacBook Pro isn’t a radical redesign, it’s a workhorse refined. For photographers, videographers, or anyone chasing deadlines, its speed and reliability justify the premium. When every minute counts, this machine doesn’t just keep up—it races ahead.

Apple’s M4 MacBook Pros: Precision Tools for Power Users
Catering squarely to professionals, Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro and M4 Max models start at $2,499 and $3,499, respectively—but maxed-out configurations soar to $6,149 (M4 Max) with upgrades like 128GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. These machines aren’t for casual buyers; they’re engineered for creators, developers, and anyone demanding desktop-level performance in a portable package.

Familiar Design, Refined Details
At first glance, little has changed from last year’s models. Apple retains the sleek aluminum chassis, expansive haptic touchpad, thunderous six-speaker array, and dazzling Mini LED displays (notch included). What’s new? A higher-resolution 1080p Center Stage webcam now standard across all MacBook Pros, automatically framing you during calls. For glare-prone environments, a $150 nano-texture display option adds a matte finish without sacrificing brightness.

Under the Hood: Incremental Gains
While the exterior stays consistent, the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips deliver iterative performance boosts. Our review units—a $3,349 M4 Pro (48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) and a $6,149 M4 Max (128GB RAM, 4TB SSD)—ace tasks like 8K video rendering and machine learning workflows. Yet for most users, last year’s M3 models remain plenty capable. The real appeal lies in niche upgrades: AI accelerators for developers, expanded memory for massive datasets, or sheer future-proofing.

Who Needs This Power?

Video Editors: Seamless 8K timeline scrubbing with ProRes RAW.
Data Scientists: Local AI model training with 128GB RAM.
Photographers: Instant RAW batch edits in Lightroom.
Developers: Compiling code while running multiple virtual machines.

The Bottom Line
Apple’s M4 MacBook Pros aren’t revolutionary—they’re evolutionary refinements. For professionals already invested in high-end setups, the upgrades justify the premium. But casual users or those with M2/M3 MacBooks can safely skip this generation. With prices climbing into workstation territory, these laptops are less about “need” and more about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on macOS.

Further Reading

Apple’s M4 Pro & Max MacBooks: Incremental Power, Strategic Upgrades

Apple’s latest M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros deliver targeted improvements for professionals who demand cutting-edge performance. While retaining the beloved design of their predecessors, these models pack under-the-hood refinements that cater to power users—though their value hinges on specific workflows.

Performance Benchmarks: Where the Gains Lie

For those investing in top-tier specs, the numbers tell a compelling story:

M4 Max vs. M3 Max: Apple’s flagship chip boasts 20–28% faster CPU/GPU performance in synthetic tests like Cinebench and Geekbench.
M4 Pro’s Surprise Edge: Despite fewer cores, the 14-core M4 Pro outperformed the 16-core M3 Max in multicore CPU tasks by up to 5%, thanks to architectural optimizations.
Entry-Level M4 Gap: The base 10-core M4 trails significantly in heavy workloads, with the M4 Pro scoring 74% higher in multicore CPU tests and 133% faster in GPU benchmarks.

However, single-core performance remains nearly identical across all M4 chips. The M4 Pro and Max models are only ~6% faster than the base M4 here, as they share the same core architecture. The 16-inch M4 Max’s slight lead likely stems from its larger chassis enabling better thermal management.

Thunderbolt 5 & Memory Bandwidth: Future-Proofing Pros

Beyond raw speed, Apple added two forward-looking upgrades:

Thunderbolt 5 Support: Doubles bandwidth to 80Gbps (vs. 40Gbps on TB4) for upcoming peripherals.
Memory Bandwidth Surge:
M4 Pro: 273Gbps (2.1x the base M4).
M4 Max (16-inch): 546Gbps (4.2x the base M4).

These enhancements currently benefit niche tasks like AI model training or 8K video editing but will shine as software and hardware ecosystems evolve.

Thermal Design: Why Size Matters

The 16-inch M4 Max’s spacious chassis isn’t just for show. Its superior cooling allows sustained peak performance during marathon rendering sessions or complex simulations. In contrast, the 14-inch M4 Pro, while powerful, may throttle slightly under extreme loads.

Who Benefits Most?

Content Creators: Editors working with 8K RAW footage or 3D artists rendering complex scenes.
Developers: Coders compiling large codebases or running multiple virtual machines.
Data Scientists: Professionals training machine learning models locally.

The Verdict: Niche Upgrades, Premium Pricing

The M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pros aren’t revolutionary—they’re precision-tuned iterations. For most users, the base M4 or even an M3 model offers ample power. But if your workflow thrives on bleeding-edge specs or requires future-proofing for Thunderbolt 5 devices, these machines justify their premium. Just don’t expect a night-and-day leap from last year’s models.

In a world where “fast enough” is often sufficient, Apple’s high-end laptops cater to those for whom “fast” is never fast enough.

2024 MacBook Pro 16 Benchmark Analysis: Performance Unleashed
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro lineup pushes the boundaries of portable computing, blending brute-force power with refined efficiency. Below, we break down how the new M4 Max and M4 Pro models stack up against their predecessors—and the more affordable 14-inch variants—across critical benchmarks.

Benchmark Comparison Table

Metric	16″ M4 Max (16C/40C/128GB/4TB)	16″ M4 Pro (14C/20C/48GB/2TB)	16″ M3 Max (16C/40C/128GB/8TB)	16″ M2 Max (12C/38C/32GB/1TB)	14″ M4 (10C/10C/16GB/1TB)	14″ M3 (8C/10C/16GB/1TB)
Premiere Pro 4K Export	1:18	2:13	1:30	1:39	3:14	3:47
Cinebench 2024 Single	182	179	142	121	172	141
Cinebench 2024 Multi	2,043	1,744	1,684	1,036	1,003	612
Cinebench Multi (30-min)	2,061	1,754	1,666	1,024	1,010	717
Cinebench 2024 GPU	16,409	9,282	12,977	5,927	3,988	3,334
PugetBench DaVinci Resolve	10,950	7,793	9,628	N/A	4,561	3,944
PugetBench Premiere Pro	12,400	8,914	10,714	N/A	4,839	4,274
PugetBench Photoshop	13,424	12,374	11,147	N/A	10,555	9,329
Geekbench 6 CPU Single	4,011	3,976	3,188	2,787	3,826	3,176
Geekbench 6 CPU Multi	26,422	22,615	21,277	14,833	14,990	12,078
Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL)	115,870	70,018	91,480	87,247	38,098	30,426
Geekbench 6 GPU (Metal)	192,753	113,600	156,095	138,285	58,059	47,509
SSD Read (MB/s)	7,341	6,738	7,191	N/A	3,253	3,092
SSD Write (MB/s)	7,969	7,500	9,126	N/A	3,393	3,174
Shadow of Tomb Raider (fps)	140	81	120	104	38	32
Blender Classroom Test	19s	N/A	22s	N/A	65s	N/A

Key Takeaways

M4 Max Dominance: The 16-inch M4 Max reigns supreme, delivering 140 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider and completing Blender renders in 19 seconds—15% faster than the M3 Max. Its 128GB RAM and 546Gbps memory bandwidth make it a beast for AI workloads and 8K video editing.
M4 Pro’s Value: While trailing the M4 Max in GPU tasks, the M4 Pro holds its own in CPU performance, edging out the M3 Max in multicore tests. At $2,499, it’s a compelling middle ground for creatives.
Generational Gains: The M4 Max’s 26,422 Geekbench 6 Multi score dwarfs the M2 Max by 78%, showcasing Apple’s rapid silicon advancements. Even the base M4 outpaces the M3 in single-core tasks (3,826 vs. 3,176).
SSD Speeds: The M3 Max’s 9,126 MB/s write speeds surprisingly surpass the M4 Max, likely due to its 8TB storage configuration. Smaller SSDs (1–2TB) in newer models show slower sustained writes.
14-Inch Limitations: The compact M4 and M3 models struggle with sustained workloads, evidenced by their 3:14–3:47 Premiere Pro export times—double that of the 16-inch Pros.

Who Should Upgrade?

Content Creators: The M4 Max’s 10,950 PugetBench DaVinci Resolve score makes it ideal for colorists and 8K editors.
Developers & Data Scientists: 128GB RAM and 40-core GPU accelerate machine learning and simulations.
Gamers on macOS: The M4 Max’s 192,753 Metal score hints at playable AAA gaming—a rarity on Macs.

Final Verdict: Apple’s M4 Max is a no-compromise workstation, while the M4 Pro offers pro-grade power at a lower entry point. For most users, the 14-inch M4 strikes a sweet spot, but professionals needing maximum throughput will find the 16-inch models worth the premium.

Apple’s M4 MacBook Pros: Bridging the Gap Between Specs and Real-World Workflows

Apple’s M4 Pro and M4 Max chips promise staggering performance gains on paper—but how do they translate to actual creative workloads? To find out, we put these machines through rigorous benchmarks and real-world testing, from video editing suites to everyday productivity.

The Core of the Matter

The M4 family’s performance hierarchy hinges on core counts:

Base M4 (14-inch): 10 cores (4 performance + 6 efficiency) and 10 GPU cores.
M4 Pro (14/16-inch): 14 CPU cores + 20 GPU cores (tested with 48GB RAM).
M4 Max (16-inch): 16 CPU cores + 40 GPU cores (128GB RAM).

These configurations directly impact heavy tasks like video rendering and 3D modeling. For instance, the M4 Pro delivers an 84% boost over the base M4 in PugetBench Premiere Pro tests, while the M4 Max adds another 39% leap. But raw specs only tell part of the story.

Benchmarks vs. Reality

While synthetic tests show dramatic generational gains—like the M4 Max’s 177% GPU uplift over the M2 Max in Cinebench—real-world differences can feel subtler. Exporting a 5.5-minute 4K video in Premiere Pro took just 21 seconds less on the M4 Max versus the M2 Max. For professionals, those seconds add up over time—but casual users might not notice.

Why the Disconnect?

Software Optimization: Apps like Premiere Pro aren’t always fully tuned for Apple’s latest architectures.
RAM Dependency: Our test units’ 48GB/128GB RAM significantly aids video/photo workflows, masking bottlenecks less apparent in base models.
Thermal Limits: Sustained workloads (e.g., 8K rendering) highlight cooling advantages in the 16-inch chassis.

Field Test: Editing on the M4 Pro

To gauge real-world impact, The Verge’s Owen Grove swapped his M1 Pro MacBook Pro (10-core CPU, 16GB RAM) for a $3,349 M4 Pro (14-core CPU, 48GB RAM) during a week of video production. His workflow:

Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder, Supertone Clear (noise reduction).
Footage: 4K Sony FX3 clips (100Mbps MP4).
Comparison: A Windows desktop with an Intel i9-12900K, RTX 3090 Ti, and 64GB RAM.

Results:

Timeline Scrubbing: The M4 Pro handled multi-track 4K edits without dropping frames, even with color grading and noise suppression applied.
Export Speeds: A 10-minute project exported 22% faster than on his M1 Pro and matched his Windows rig’s RTX 3090 Ti-assisted times.
RAM Advantage: 48GB eliminated frequent “memory full” warnings when running Premiere + After Effects simultaneously.

The Verdict: Who Needs the Upgrade?

Current M1/M2 Users: If you’re battling lag in 4K workflows or AI-driven plugins, the M4 Pro/Max offers tangible relief.
Windows Defectors: The M4 Pro rivals high-end PCs in creative apps, with macOS’s battery-life edge.
Base M4 Buyers: Adequate for light editing, but consider the Pro if you dabble in After Effects or 8K.

Final Takeaway:
Apple’s M4 Pro and Max excel in pro environments where time equals money. But for most, the leap from M2/M3 feels incremental—a reminder that specs dazzle, but real-world gains depend on how you push the machine.

Style: Apple M4 chip

Capacity: 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage