The MacBook Pro M4 has finally landed, and it’s a stunning upgrade that’s poised to change the game for creative professionals, power users, and anyone who demands high performance from their laptop. With its powerhouse M4 chip, brilliant new nano-texture display, longer battery life, and a host of Apple Intelligence features, this MacBook Pro is pushing the boundaries of what a portable laptop can achieve. But is it perfect? Let’s dive into the details of this highly anticipated release.
MacBook Pro M4 Design and Performance
At first glance, the MacBook Pro M4 doesn’t look dramatically different from its predecessor, but Apple has worked its magic to enhance the performance, display, and overall user experience. Weighing in at just 3.4 pounds and measuring 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches, the M4 is sleek, lightweight, and still very portable for a Pro-level machine.
The new MacBook Pro is equipped with Apple’s M4 chip, offering a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. In real-world testing, the performance is nothing short of impressive. From complex machine learning tasks to video editing in Premiere Pro, the M4 chip handles everything with incredible ease. For those who multitask often, the M4 shines by keeping everything smooth, even with dozens of browser tabs open and multiple apps running.
On Geekbench, the M4 scored 3,807 in single-core and 15,114 in multi-core tests—clearly outpacing its M3 predecessor. And when it comes to video editing, the M4 is about a minute faster than the M3 model on our Handbrake tests, making it a strong contender for professionals who rely on heavy processing power.
A Nano-Texture Display That Stands Out
One of the standout features of the MacBook Pro M4 is the optional nano-texture display. For just $150 more, this display eliminates glare, making it a game-changer for those who often work outdoors or in bright environments. I tested the M4 under direct sunlight, and the difference was night and day compared to my old M1 MacBook Pro. Colors pop more vibrantly, and images appear brighter with wider viewing angles. Whether you’re working on detailed graphics or just streaming content, the M4’s display delivers superior clarity and precision.
While I love the enhanced viewing experience, I can’t help but wish Apple would integrate OLED displays, like those found on the iPad Pro. Still, the Liquid Retina XDR display on the M4 is an impressive upgrade with a peak brightness of 1,527 nits in HDR and 556 nits in SDR.
Webcam & Audio: Finally, a 12MP Camera
Apple has made significant improvements in the webcam department. The MacBook Pro M4 now boasts a 12MP Center Stage camera, an upgrade from the 1080p camera on previous models. Whether you’re taking selfies, joining video calls, or presenting in meetings, this new camera offers sharper, more detailed images—even in less-than-ideal lighting. The Center Stage feature also ensures that you stay centered in the frame, making it ideal for those who do a lot of video conferencing.
The audio system remains top-notch as well, with spatial audio support that makes watching movies and listening to music an immersive experience. The M4 is definitely geared toward those who need high-quality visuals and sound for their creative tasks.
Battery Life: Unmatched Endurance for the Busy Professional
Battery life has been one of the biggest pain points for many high-performance laptops. However, Apple’s M4 chip brings impressive energy efficiency to the MacBook Pro M4, delivering up to 24 hours of video playback and 16 hours of web surfing.
In our testing, the M4 lasted an astounding 18 hours and 31 minutes on continuous web browsing, easily outlasting the M3 model by over an hour. This makes the M4 perfect for creative professionals or anyone who needs a reliable, long-lasting laptop for all-day work on the go.
Not a Gaming Powerhouse, But Still Capable
The MacBook Pro M4 is certainly capable of light gaming, but it’s not going to rival dedicated gaming laptops. When playing titles like Resident Evil 4 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the M4 delivers decent frame rates. However, for more demanding games like Borderlands 3, it struggles, offering just 23 fps compared to laptops with dedicated GPUs. If gaming is a primary concern, a laptop with a discrete GPU might be a better option.
Apple Intelligence: The Future of Productivity
Running macOS Sequoia, the MacBook Pro M4 is fully optimized for Apple Intelligence. The integration of AI features into the operating system is incredibly intuitive, with tools like Writing Tools to help you summarize, reformat, and proofread your documents. Siri has also received a smart upgrade, with better conversational abilities and more helpful responses.
As macOS continues to evolve, we can expect even more AI features, like the ability to integrate ChatGPT directly into the system for quick answers and tasks.
MacBook Pro M4: The Verdict
The MacBook Pro M4 is an extraordinary laptop that combines cutting-edge technology with seamless performance. Whether you’re a creative professional, power user, or someone who simply needs a laptop that can handle anything, the M4 delivers. With its stunning nano-texture display, powerful M4 chip, and unbeatable battery life, it is a clear winner for anyone looking for a premium laptop. However, if SSD speed and gaming performance are your priorities, you might want to look at alternatives. Still, for most users, the M4 is a fantastic choice that redefines what a laptop can do.
