More ports, extra RAM, an upgraded screen, and an improved webcam—all for a bit less money.
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For an extended period, the entry-level Apple MacBook Pro M4 has been perceived as an ambiguous hybrid, equipped with a processor akin to that of a MacBook Air, housed within a MacBook Pro chassis, while lacking certain features to firmly position it in the intermediate category.
Apple MacBook Pro M4 review
The 14-inch MacBook Pro released last year represented a positive advancement, as it eliminated the Touch Bar and brought the device closer in specifications to its higher-end counterparts. However, it still adhered to a familiar design: it featured a less powerful processor, reduced base RAM, and one fewer port. While it was a commendable device and a significant improvement over the M2 and M1 models, it did not fully embody the essence of a professional-grade machine.
With the introduction of the M4, Apple has finally delivered a base MacBook Pro that transcends previous compromises and stands as a true professional laptop. This model allows users to make a purchase without feeling as though they are settling for something less.
The M4 MacBook Pro addresses nearly all the criticisms directed at the M3 version. Priced at $1,599, it comes equipped with a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD—maintaining the same starting price as the M3 model but offering two additional CPU cores, double the RAM, and an extra Thunderbolt port. This additional port is located on the right side, akin to the “real” Pro models, enabling users to charge or connect to an external display from either side of the laptop. Furthermore, the Pro now benefits from Apple’s decision to standardize 16GB of memory across the board. Although Apple Intelligence may currently seem somewhat mundane, it has contributed to the increase in RAM. These enhancements are already significant for what could have been merely a year of incremental chip upgrades. Additionally, all three MacBook Pro models now feature new 12-megapixel webcams equipped with Center Stage and the Desk View software feature, an option for an anti-glare nano-texture display for an extra $150, and the availability of a space black chassis. The M4 Pro also supports two external displays with the lid open, surpassing the M3’s capabilities. These improvements significantly elevate the M4 MacBook Pro, making it a worthwhile upgrade over the MacBook Air for users engaged in creative applications such as Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro. Having edited numerous high-resolution raw files in Lightroom Classic on my work-issued M1 MacBook Air—an experience I frequently encounter while photographing for The Verge—I can attest to the impressive capabilities of that compact machine.
But I frequently bump against the constraints of its port selection and the performance ceiling of its aging, passively cooled processor. It’s why my personal computer is a Mac Mini with M2 Pro, which was Apple’s best value for years.
In the process of editing the images presented here, the M4 MacBook Pro exhibited a more agile performance compared to my M2 Pro Mac Mini. Its efficiency in rendering and processing full-resolution 33-megapixel RAW files was unexpectedly impressive. While I recognize that the Mini is hindered by nearly two years of usage and accumulated personal applications, the MacBook Pro felt noticeably quicker, even when handling my typically large Lightroom catalog—transferred from the Mac Mini—with images stored on the same external SSD I regularly utilize. Remarkably, I accomplished all of this without being connected to a power source throughout the day. The laptop operated for just over 12 hours under moderate to heavy usage, remaining quiet and cool to the touch during that time.
Regarding my editing experience on the nano-texture display, I acknowledge that glossy screens offer slightly enhanced contrast; however, I greatly appreciate the absence of glare. My editing environment is not exclusively dark, and I value the ability to work in various lighting conditions that may not be ideal. The advantages of the nano-texture display significantly outweigh any minor technical benefits associated with a glossy screen. Priced at $150, it represents a valuable upgrade for professionals in the visual field.
While the performance in demanding tasks may not match that of the M4 Pro or M4 Max, the standard M4 demonstrates notable enhancements over the M3. In Cinebench’s standard multicore test, the M4 outperformed the M3 by approximately 64 percent, maintaining a 41 percent advantage during a prolonged 30-minute benchmark loop. With two additional cores compared to the M3 we evaluated, it is logical for the M4 to excel in this regard. Furthermore, its single-core performance in both Cinebench and Geekbench exceeded the M3 by over 20 percent. The machine also achieved up to a 25 percent increase in GPU benchmarks, despite having the same number of GPU cores.
Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4 specs (as reviewed)
- Display: 14.2-inch (3024 x 1964) 120Hz Mini-LED
- Processor: Apple M4 (10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores)
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Webcam: 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Ports: 3x USB-C / Thunderbolt 4, SDXC card slot, HDMI 2.1, headphone / mic combo
- Weight: 3.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches
- Battery: 72.4Wh
- Included extras: Anti-glare nano-texture display
- Price: $1,949
Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4 benchmarks comparison
Apple has a longstanding reputation for providing subpar webcams, even in its $1,599 Studio Display, which is priced similarly to the M4 MacBook Pro and the newly released iPad Mini. In contrast, the MacBook Pro’s new 12MP camera delivers commendable contrast, even when I am positioned against a window. Its Center Stage software effectively maintains your position within the frame without being excessively intrusive in its adjustments. However, I cannot extend the same commendation to the Desk View feature, which relies on significant cropping and software corrections to present a top-down perspective of your desk.
This results in a distorted and low-resolution image, and there are far superior methods for demonstrating and communicating during a video call, such as utilizing your iPhone in conjunction with Apple’s Continuity Camera feature.
The most affordable M4 MacBook Pro is priced at $1,599, which is $100 more than a 15-inch MacBook Air equipped with an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and comparable memory and storage options. (The MacBook Air models still begin with 256GB of storage, with a $200 fee for an upgrade to 512GB.) For this price, one receives significantly enhanced performance, additional and faster Thunderbolt ports, a superior display with a higher resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, two extra speakers, and an improved webcam.
These enhancements and quality-of-life upgrades accumulate, and for many users, they justify the expense. Naturally, if you desire the anti-glare screen and 1TB of storage, as seen in our test unit, the cost rises to $1,949, placing you just $50 away from the upgraded MacBook Pro featuring an M4 Pro processor, faster storage, more cores, 24GB of RAM, and Thunderbolt 5 ports—or $200 more if you opt for the nano-texture screen upgrade.
This situation places you firmly within Apple’s pricing strategy, where it becomes easy to justify spending a few hundred dollars more for each incremental enhancement until you find yourself considering the next model entirely, at which point the cycle begins anew. The most notable distinction this time is that the entry-level MacBook Pro does not feel like a compromise. The base model offers sufficient memory and storage to be genuinely appealing, along with all the essential features.
