Journalists have released the first reviews of the new M4-based MacBook Pro models from Apple. While these laptops haven’t yet reached our review team, we invite you to explore some key takeaways from reputable foreign media reviews.
The main updates for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, introduced last month, include next-gen M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and several other updates. Below are specific details on each change.
nanotextured display
“I know glossy screens have a deeper contrast, but I dislike worrying about glare. I don’t write in a dark room with a reference monitor, and I prefer working in places with occasionally less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The convenience of nanotexture outweighs any minor benefits of a glossy display. And for $150 — it's a worthwhile upgrade for visual arts professionals.”
“If you’re buying a new Pro and plan to take it outdoors — you’ll need to spend an extra $150. Right now, I have two Studio displays on my desk: one with nanotexture and one without. The difference is huge, even indoors. Glossy displays on Mac computers have been a longtime complaint, but at some point, we grew tired of Apple's refusal to offer an alternative. Now that it’s available, I intend to get it for any future MacBook.”
M4 Processor Performance
“You won’t see the same level of performance in the M4 Pro or M4 Max; however, the standard M4 has some significant improvements over the M3. The M4 showed approximately 64% better results compared to the M3 in standard multi-core Cinebench tests, with a nearly 41% difference during a continuous 30-minute cycle of the same test. It has two more cores than the M3 we tested, but single-core results in Cinebench and Geekbench were also about 20% better.”
“It’s no surprise that the M4 MacBook Pro outperforms its predecessors as well as some of the latest Windows laptops running on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets. What’s impressive is that the $1599 M4 MacBook Pro surpasses my nearly $3000 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip.”
“Now Apple provides all new Mac computers with at least 16 GB of RAM. This makes sense for Apple Intelligence and graphics-intensive tasks like ray tracing, which makes games like Lies of P look incredible. In benchmarks, I found that the M4's performance numbers aligned with what I saw in the 13-inch iPad Pro. The Geekbench 6.3 scores significantly exceed M3 performance in my MacBook Air. When I played Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the internal frames-per-second counter in Steam showed a range of about 42 to 62 fps. In my view, there were no frame drops or stutters.”
Tim Hardwick from Macrumors notes that what’s particularly impressive is that according to Geekbench multi-core test results for the M4 Pro and M4 Max, the most expensive options can outperform the priciest M2 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro. The M4 Max, for instance, is 25% faster than the M2 Ultra in terms of maximum multi-core CPU performance (in this scenario, M4 Max is also 20% faster than M4 Pro).
Updated Webcam
“Apple has a history of delivering disappointing webcams (even on the Studio display priced at $1599, which is the same as the M4 MacBook Pro and recently released iPad Mini). However, the new 12-megapixel camera on the MacBook Pro offers excellent contrast, and its Center Stage software that keeps you in frame works well without overly aggressive video adjustments.”
“Apple has upgraded the MacBook Pro webcams to 12 megapixels, which is a significant leap from the previous 1080p camera. (Apple has not confirmed the megapixel count for this camera, but it’s likely around 2 MP). The new models provide clearer images with more accurate colors, and the result doesn’t appear overly filtered. They also support Desk View, a useful feature from Apple for showcasing objects below the screen.”
Unboxing and Video Reviews
Source: Macrumors
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