Apple's M4 MacBook Pro lineup arrived with impressive specifications and bold performance claims. But with prices starting at $1,599, the critical question isn't whether it's good—it's whether you should upgrade from your current machine.
What's New with M4
The M4 chip brings Apple's second-generation 3-nanometer process to the MacBook Pro. The base M4 features a 10-core CPU (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) and starts with a 10-core GPU. The M4 Pro scales up to 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, while the M4 Max tops out at 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores.
Beyond raw specs, the M4 family introduces hardware-accelerated ray tracing for the first time on Mac laptops, a significantly faster Neural Engine for machine learning tasks, and support for Thunderbolt 5 on Pro and Max models, delivering up to 120 Gbps bandwidth.
Performance Gains: The Real Numbers
Single-core performance improved by approximately 15% over M3, which matters more for everyday tasks than you might think. Web browsing, document editing, and most productivity apps rely heavily on single-core speed. Multi-core performance gains are more substantial, around 25-30% depending on the workload.
Content Creation Benchmarks
Video editors will appreciate the M4's capabilities. Exporting a 10-minute 4K timeline with color grading and effects in Final Cut Pro takes about 2 minutes 15 seconds on the M4 Pro, compared to 3 minutes 10 seconds on the M3 Pro—a 30% improvement.
For 3D rendering in applications like Blender, the M4 Max with 40 GPU cores delivers performance comparable to mid-range discrete desktop GPUs while using a fraction of the power. The hardware ray tracing acceleration provides 2-3x faster rendering for scenes using ray-traced lighting.
Photo editing in Lightroom Classic sees noticeable improvements when batch processing RAW images. Applying AI-powered masks and adjustments to 500 RAW files takes about 6 minutes on M4 Pro versus 9 minutes on M3 Pro.
Key Features and Improvements
Memory and Storage
Apple finally increased the base RAM to 16GB across all models, up from 8GB. This change alone makes the base M4 MacBook Pro significantly more capable for professional work. The M4 Pro and Max support up to 128GB of unified memory, essential for working with large datasets or complex 3D scenes.
The base model now starts with 512GB of storage, double the previous generation. This is crucial since most users found 256GB restrictive for professional use.
Display Enhancements
The Liquid Retina XDR display remains exceptional, but Apple added an optional nano-texture glass coating for $150. If you work near windows or in bright environments, it's worth considering. The coating significantly reduces glare without the image softness associated with traditional matte screens.
SDR brightness increased to 1000 nits for SDR content, up from 600 nits. This makes outdoor use and bright office environments much more comfortable.
Thunderbolt 5
M4 Pro and Max models support Thunderbolt 5, offering 80 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth or 120 Gbps in boost mode. This enables single-cable connections to ultra-high-resolution displays or faster external storage arrays. For now, Thunderbolt 5 accessories are limited, but this future-proofs your laptop for several years.
Who Should Upgrade?
Definite Upgrades
- Intel Mac users: If you're still on an Intel MacBook Pro, the M4 will feel transformative. Performance is 3-5x faster in most tasks, battery life doubles or triples, and thermal performance is in a different league. This is a must-upgrade.
- M1 users with 8GB RAM: The RAM limitation on base M1 models has aged poorly. Modern professional apps and browser tabs consume memory quickly. Upgrading to M4 with 16GB base RAM will significantly improve your experience.
- Professional video editors: If you work with 4K or 8K footage daily, the M4's improved media engines and GPU performance justify the upgrade, even from M2 or M3.
Consider Upgrading
- M1 Pro/Max users: If your current machine feels slow or you've maxed out RAM/storage, the M4 Pro/Max offers meaningful improvements. Otherwise, you can wait another year.
- M2 users needing more power: The M2 to M4 jump is noticeable but not transformative. Evaluate based on specific needs rather than pure performance gains.
Skip This Generation
- M3 users: Unless you have a specific need for Thunderbolt 5 or ray tracing acceleration, the M3 to M4 upgrade is incremental. The performance gains don't justify the cost for most users.
- Light users: If your workflow involves primarily web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, even an M1 MacBook Air is sufficient. Save your money.
Configuration Recommendations
The base M4 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is excellent for most professionals. Software developers, photographers, and designers will find it capable for daily work.
Upgrade to M4 Pro if you regularly work with 4K video, large Photoshop files, or run multiple virtual machines. The extra GPU cores and memory bandwidth make a real difference.
The M4 Max is for specialists: professional video editors working with 8K footage, 3D artists rendering complex scenes, or machine learning engineers training models. It's overkill for typical productivity work.
The M4 MacBook Pro is Apple's most capable laptop ever, but it's an evolutionary update. Upgrade based on your current machine's age and performance, not just because the new model exists.
Final Thoughts
The M4 MacBook Pro delivers exceptional performance, efficiency, and build quality. The increased base RAM and storage make it a better value than previous generations. However, Apple Silicon's strength means older models remain highly capable.
Make your decision based on whether your current Mac limits your work. If you're constantly waiting for renders, running out of RAM, or dealing with thermal throttling, upgrade. If your current machine handles your workflow comfortably, there's no urgency.