The M4 MacBook Pro is Apple’s latest computer. We’ve used it for over a month and couldn’t live without it.
The MacBook Pro is one of the most popular laptops on the market. It is easy to use and a real powerhouse. As such, Apple does not need to and does not change much about it.
We were allowed to test the regular 14-inch M4 version of the MacBook Pro. This has a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. So the entry-level version, with a slightly larger SSD.
The M4 MacBook Pro
First impressions of the M4 MacBook ProA new cameraView and soundThe screenThe M4 processorMoving macOSConclusion
First impressions of the M4 MacBook Pro
From the outside, you can’t tell that Apple has released a new MacBook. And that’s not a bad thing, because the design still looks good. Especially the space black looks very cool.
The one I was allowed to test has yet something else on the outside that is not immediately noticeable: a nanostructured display. This screen is 170 euros more expensive than the normal screen and has the great advantage that it does not show glare, without making your screen matte.
Of course with the current Dutch weather it is difficult to test how well it works, so as a substitute I shined a bright lamp on it. For me, the screen was still clear without having to choose the brightest setting on the screen. In fact, if I did that, I would really have to put on sunglasses, because the screen can get incredibly bright. For SDR, it now has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which is more than the 500 on the previous model.
A new camera
Another major innovation that is partly on the outside is the camera. Instead of a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, it now has a 12 MP Center Stage Camera. That camera makes sure you’re right in the middle, even if you move a bit to the side.
This also seems to work well. During a FaceTime call, I regularly moved from left to right. The image quietly moved with me and always left me centered (if only it were the same in other situations).
Image and sound
But you don’t always have earbuds in during your calls, and that is precisely where this laptop excels. Audio listening is a real pleasure with the M4 MacBook Pro. On the sides, just like the previous version, are the speakers. There are a total of six in the device that even support Dolby Atmos. I catch myself that when I listen to music on my laptop, I never connect it to my HomePod or my Sonos Arc. This is because the sound coming out of my machine is very good.
The screen
The screen itself is also really satisfactory. Besides the aforementioned nano-texture, the performance itself is also to write home about. The refresh rate is up to 120 Hz, which is ideal for gaming and media creation. Of course, it uses Apple’s ProMotion for this, giving you the right speed in any situation.
The Liquid Retina XDR display has a wonderful dynamic range. Colors really splash off your screen. So do you have a break or want to watch your favorite Netflix series at night after work? Then the M4 MacBook Pro is good in this as well.
The M4 processor
From the outside, we go straight to the heart of the MacBook Pro. In my copy is the regular M4 and it is really blazing fast. I did several tasks during my review period. To test its potential, I got quite busy in Adobe Premiere and Photoshop and also cranked out a game.
I never experienced any problems during my long time testing, even during heavier tasks. The MacBook does not get hot and makes no other noises. It switches between applications with peak performance which makes it ideal for multitasking.
Along the way
At work, I often use a Magic Keyboard when connecting my M4 MacBook Pro to a screen. As you would expect from Apple, it works flawlessly. But I also spend a lot of time on the train, and for that too, the 14-inch version is an ideal one. I can put it on the table just fine and the laptop’s keyboard really taps away just fine. I open and close it very easily with the Touch ID sensor on the top right side.
Another thing that hasn’t changed is the Force Touch Trackpad. This one has enough room to control it and in addition, it also leaves enough room for my hands. Something that is sometimes very inconvenient for me as a left-hander, since many manufacturers do not take this into account. Moreover, you don’t even realize that the clicks you do are not even mechanical.
What might be most important on the go: battery life. Nothing is more annoying than when you are working on the train and you see that your battery is dead. In practice, this has barely happened to me. I never put my M4 MacBook Pro in Low Power Mode and still the battery easily lasts two working days. That while the laptop is certainly not too heavy.
In fact, I never get over 50 percent usage in a day, while still having my screen on for more than eight hours. OK, I don’t have to do very extensive photoshoping or editing every day, but still, this is impressive.
macOS
Speaking of impressive, one of the other reasons the M4 MacBook Pro runs so well is macOS. The program runs like a breeze and I never actually experience any crashes. Very occasionally an app crashes and I just restart it.
Something I’m a little less impressed with myself is Apple Intelligence. I just haven’t used it, although the feature is already available in the Netherlands. Then again, one of the best features for it is not.
Apple Intelligence can open your iPhone on your computer without you touching it. You can easily transfer photos and control apps. However, this feature only works if your iPhone also has Apple Intelligence, and let that not be the case in the Netherlands for now. It is the feature I am really looking forward to.
Conclusion
The M4 MacBook Pro is a great laptop that does exactly what a demanding person like me expects from a laptop. I had to make do with Windows for many years, but I’ve definitely traded in my work laptop for this one.
For me, it’s really liberating to have a laptop that doesn’t involve frustration and does exactly what you expect of it. One that lets you work undisturbed and therefore actually makes you more productive.
Are you done working? Then the screen and performance will make you just want to use it at night, too. With the high refresh rate and because Apple also bets on gaming, it’s also a great computer for your free time. So if you have the money, because the price is one of the few downsides, then it is a machine that will absolutely make you happy.
M4 MacBook Pro
Apple
8
Score
Plus points
Nanotextured screen Blazingly fast Battery life Ideal for travel Image and sound
Minuses
Apple Intelligence still adds little The price Not very innovative.
Maybe the M4 MacBook Pro isn’t very innovative, but that doesn’t make it any less good. It’s still a real powerhouse that you can get an awful lot out of. The nano-textured screen is a really nice touch, even if you pay extra for it. Actually, the price is the only thing you might pass up this laptop for. However, if you have the budget, I would go for it in full.