Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) Review
Design and Build
The MacBook Pro has always been a substantial laptop, and the feel of the latest one is satisfyingly solid as always. It’s got nearly squared-off sides, with the all-metal chassis showing no flex, but still it’s not too heavy, weighing in at an identical 1.55kg to the M3 model. That’s less than a lot of PC counterparts in a similar class, which often top 1.8-2kg, even in today’s slimmer, thinner laptop design days.
Performance
Now, the MacBook Pro, as the name suggests, is a premium laptop for people with, well, premium needs. And benchmark testing reveals that in most respects, that the $1,599 starting price is well-earned. In Geekbench and Cinebench testing, the single-core efficiency numbers are unmatched in any laptop I’ve used, with very impressive multi-core results for the price bracket. It outdoes the similarly priced ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED in Geekbench, the Huawei Matebook X Pro in Cinebench CPU testing, and even outperforms $2,000-plus machines like the Acer Predator Helios 18 and ASUS ProArt P16 in Geekbench multi-core CPU tests.
Price
The MacBook Pro M4 base spec starts at $/£1,599, with the price rising if you want to increase the RAM, storage space or get the nano-textured display (select 32GB RAM, 2TB storage and the fancy screen, and you’ll find yourself at $2,749, for example).
Who is it for?
The MacBook Pro M4 is great for those who work with static images or light content creation, but then again, those people could also go for the more affordable Air model, because you won’t get far with the base chip if your images need lots of rendering power. It’s a great productivity laptop though, albeit an expensive one for that category.
Buy it if:
- You want sturdy, well-built reliability
- You work with static images (Photoshop, basic graphic design)
- You want a high-level productivity laptop in the Apple ecosystem
Don’t buy it if:
- You need graphics power
- A cheaper alternative will do (MacBook Air or equivalent PC)
- You’re not fussed about Macs
Also consider:
- If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider the MacBook Air
- If you need more graphics power, consider the MacBook Pro M4 Pro or Max
Conclusion:
The MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) is a great productivity laptop for those who work with static images or light content creation, but it may not be the best option for those who need more graphics power or a cheaper alternative. With its sturdy build and impressive performance, it’s a great choice for those who are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
FAQs:
Q: What is the starting price of the MacBook Pro M4?
A: The starting price of the MacBook Pro M4 is $/£1,599.
Q: Is the MacBook Pro M4 suitable for graphics-intensive tasks?
A: No, the base chip of the MacBook Pro M4 is not suitable for graphics-intensive tasks. If you need more graphics power, consider the MacBook Pro M4 Pro or Max.
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM and storage of the MacBook Pro M4?
A: Yes, you can upgrade the RAM and storage of the MacBook Pro M4, but it may require additional cost.
Q: Is the MacBook Pro M4 a good option for those who are not fussed about Macs?
A: No, the MacBook Pro M4 is a premium laptop that is part of the Apple ecosystem. If you’re not invested in the Apple ecosystem, you may want to consider other options.
