If you’re in the market for a high-performance laptop in 2024, the MacBook Pro lineup with the latest M4 series chips is a powerful contender. Featuring the 14-inch and 16-inch models, the new MacBook Pro offers cutting-edge technology, improved performance, and superior display quality, all packed into a sleek, portable design. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right choice for you.
What’s New in the 2024 MacBook Pro?
Apple’s October 2024 refresh of the MacBook Pro models brought several exciting updates, including the introduction of the next-generation M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, which are designed to significantly enhance performance, efficiency, and battery life. The models also come with improved display technology, additional Thunderbolt 5 ports, and nano-texture display options for reduced glare.
Pricing and Configurations
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available starting at $1,599 for the entry-level M4 chip, while the M4 Pro version starts at $1,999. For those who need more power, the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499, offering configurations with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips.
Performance: M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max Chips
The new M4 chips are built on a 3nm architecture, offering faster speeds, better AI optimization, and improved battery life. Here’s a breakdown of the different chips:
- M4: Features a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU.
- M4 Pro: 14-core CPU with up to 20-core GPU, perfect for heavy workloads.
- M4 Max: The most powerful, with up to a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, ideal for professionals in creative fields like video editing and 3D rendering.
All chips support hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading for better gaming and graphics performance. The 16-core Neural Engine enables powerful machine learning tasks and Apple Intelligence features.
Display Quality: Liquid Retina XDR & ProMotion
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models feature the Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, which offers stunning clarity and color accuracy. Key display features include:
- 1000 nits SDR brightness (outdoors) and 1600 nits peak brightness.
- A 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- ProMotion technology, with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
The nano-texture display option reduces glare, making it ideal for use in bright environments.
Port Selection and Charging Options
The 2024 MacBook Pro models come with a wide range of ports, offering excellent connectivity:
- USB-C Thunderbolt 4 (upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro/Max models).
- HDMI 2.1, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 for fast charging.
Charging is super-efficient, with the MagSafe 3 port allowing up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes, and models equipped with the M4 Max chip offer a longer battery life.
Battery Life and Efficiency
Apple has focused on improving battery efficiency with the new M4 chips. Battery life on the 14-inch MacBook Pro varies by chip:
- M4: Up to 24 hours for movie playback, 16 hours of web browsing.
- M4 Pro: 22 hours video, 14 hours web browsing.
- M4 Max: 18 hours video, 13 hours web browsing.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip lasts up to 24 hours for video streaming and 17 hours for web browsing.
Is the MacBook Pro Right for You?
If you’re a creative professional or someone who demands the highest performance for video editing, graphic design, or 3D rendering, the MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip is the ideal tool. However, if your needs are more basic, like word processing, web browsing, and casual media consumption, the MacBook Air might be a more budget-friendly option.
