M4 MacBook Pro Review: Unleashing the Power of the M4 Chip for Professionals

I recently made the leap to the new M4 MAX MacBook Pro (MBP), replacing my M3 MAX MBP from just a year ago. While it’s a significant investment, as a content creator and auto repair specialist at mercedesxentry.store, my MacBook Pro is the heart of my work. The enhanced performance directly impacts my productivity and income, making it a worthwhile upgrade, especially considering potential tax benefits. While most users might not need to rush from M3 (or even M1) to this latest model, the M4 MacBook Pro represents a notable step forward. It pushes the boundaries for power users, boasts impressive display enhancements, and paves the way for more accessible older M1-M3 models in both new and used markets.

For those considering an upgrade, here are my recommendations for good, better, and best options tailored for professionals and enthusiasts alike: good, better (14″ or 16″), and best (14″ or 16″) tailored for demanding workflows.

What’s New and Notable in the M4 MacBook Pro?

Before diving into the specifics of the M4, it’s crucial to appreciate the consistent excellence of the 14-16″ Apple Silicon MacBook Pros, going all the way back to the M1. These machines have consistently delivered:

• The Premier Laptop Display for Professionals: This isn’t hyperbole; no other laptop on the market offers a comparable visual experience.
  • Industry-leading HDR displays with breathtaking dynamic range.
  • Exceptional color accuracy, often eliminating the need for calibration for most users.
• Unrivaled Performance and Battery Efficiency: Apple Silicon provides a significant advantage. These laptops offer extended battery life, near-silent operation, and eliminate the need for bulky chargers. While competitors like SnapDragon X Elite chips show promise, the software ecosystem for Windows on ARM is still catching up, lacking support for crucial professional tools like UXP plugins in Photoshop on WinARM.
• Premium Build Quality and Design: These laptops are not only aesthetically pleasing but also robust, with keyboards and trackpads that are a joy to use.

The M4 MacBook Pro elevates performance further compared to the M3 series, introducing several key enhancements:

• Up to 20% Performance Boost: The M4 Max chip delivers up to a 20% increase in both CPU and GPU performance compared to the M3 Max, translating to faster rendering, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness in demanding applications.
• Enhanced Visibility in Bright Environments: Working near windows or outdoors is significantly improved thanks to:
  • Increased SDR Brightness: SDR brightness now reaches up to 1000 nits, a substantial jump from the previous 500 nits (M1/M2) or 600 nits (M3), making the display much more readable in bright conditions.
  • Optional Nano-Texture Display: A new nano-texture display option is available to effectively minimize glare, further enhancing visibility in challenging lighting.
• Reduced Fan Noise: Already known for quiet operation, the M4 MacBook Pro runs even cooler and quieter, with fans engaging even less frequently, maintaining a distraction-free work environment.
• Upgraded Webcam: The enhanced webcam now supports “Center Stage,” keeping you framed during video calls, and delivers improved performance in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, crucial for professional video conferencing.
• Thunderbolt 5: Pro and Max models now feature Thunderbolt 5, supporting up to 3x faster transfer speeds for external devices, ideal for professionals working with large files and high-speed peripherals.
• Increased Memory Bandwidth: Memory bandwidth has seen a significant increase of 20-75%, reaching a maximum of 546 GB/s compared to the previous 400 GB/s, resulting in faster data access and improved performance in memory-intensive tasks.
• Extended Battery Life on Base and Pro Models: Battery life on the base and Pro versions has been extended by 2-4 hours, reaching up to an impressive 24 hours of total usage, providing exceptional portability and freedom from power outlets. Interestingly, the 14″ Max version remains the same, while the 16″ Max sees a slight decrease of 1 hour.
• Improved Minimum Specifications: The base model now comes with significantly enhanced minimum specs:
  • 16GB of RAM as standard: Minimum RAM has been increased to 16GB at no extra cost, ensuring smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding applications right from the entry-level model.
  • Enhanced External Display Support: Even the base model now supports at least two external monitors simultaneously, even with the laptop lid open, offering a total of three displays for increased productivity.

These advancements, while iterative over the M3, represent a more substantial generational leap, particularly with the display and other notable updates in addition to raw performance gains. This solidifies the MacBook Pro’s position as, in my opinion, the best laptop available for professionals. While historically I’ve been open to both Apple and PC, recent experience with a wide range of computers has convinced me that Apple holds a distinct advantage for professional use. The combination of a best-in-class HDR display, optimal performance/battery life balance, and exceptional overall quality is unmatched.

M4 MAX Display: A Visual Revolution

Apple has consistently delivered the best laptop displays I’ve ever encountered, having tested dozens over the past year. Their stunning HDR displays and remarkable color accuracy are in a class of their own. No other laptop display I’ve used comes close to Apple’s. Now, the M4 display has been refined even further, marking a significant improvement over the already impressive M3. The M4 display dramatically improves visibility for productivity tasks in brightly lit environments.

Several notable changes contribute to the M4 display’s enhanced performance:

1. Optional Nano-Texture Display (+$150): This premium option introduces a matte finish that significantly reduces glare.
2. Increased Peak SDR Brightness: A software-driven enhancement, likely enabled by the improved efficiency of the QD film, boosts peak SDR brightness.
3. Quantum Dot (QD) Film: The display technology appears to have shifted from a red KSF phosphor film to QD (quantum dot) technology, enhancing color and efficiency.
4. Subtle Color Shift: The color profile is subtly different from previous displays, potentially due to the QD film.

While the technical details are complex, the key takeaway is that the M4 display offers a vastly superior viewing experience in bright ambient light. While color enthusiasts will appreciate the nuances, the most significant benefit for most users is the improved clarity and reduced glare in everyday working conditions.

The new nano-texture display is a standout feature. It effectively minimizes glare from strong light sources behind you, making text and images much clearer and easier to view. Image quality remains excellent in both bright and dark environments, with a noticeable reduction in typical reflections. While extremely intense, direct light sources might spread slightly more with the nano-texture, this is an extreme scenario best avoided with any display. Repositioning the display remains the ideal solution in such cases. I see no downsides to this upgrade and believe the $150 is a worthwhile investment for anyone who frequently works on the go, in coffee shops, or in brightly lit spaces. This is likely to become one of my favorite M4 enhancements over time.

The M4 now supports 1000 nits SDR brightness, up from 600 nits in the M3 and 500 nits in M1/M2 models. This increase dramatically improves display readability in bright environments for standard dynamic range content (it does not affect HDR peak brightness, which remains at 1600 nits). This enhanced brightness is not manually adjustable via a slider or preset; instead, it’s intelligently managed by the system. The 1000 nits SDR brightness activates automatically when:

• The ambient light sensor detects a bright environment (located adjacent to the webcam).
• “Automatically adjust brightness” is enabled in System Settings / Display.
• The brightness slider is set to maximum.

It’s important to note that manually setting the brightness slider to maximum without enabling the automatic option will not achieve 1000 nits. Ideally, maximizing the slider should always allow automatic adjustment between 600-1000 nits based on ambient light. For those familiar with HDR, setting the slider to maximum without auto brightness provides approximately 1.4 stops of HDR headroom (implying ~600 nits SDR for a 1600 nit peak display). Enabling auto brightness with the slider maxed out adjusts HDR headroom dynamically between 0.7 and 2.0 stops, depending on ambient light (SDR luminance ranging from 400 to 1000 nits). I recommend enabling automatic brightness for optimal viewing in varying conditions. For critical, reference-grade work, custom profiles (e.g., 80-120 nits) can be created under System Settings / Display in the “preset” dropdown.

The shift to a quantum dot (QD) film for the mini-LED display, while not officially documented by Apple, is strongly suggested by tests reported by Ross Young. Comments on that post from Blur Busters also confirm improved pixel response times in the M4. Viewing this test from Blur Busters reveals a cyan shift on the M3, whereas the M4 maintains neutral white bars. This color shift in fast-moving content on older displays is due to differing response rates of red, green, and blue sub-pixels. The new display offers improved motion response, eliminating this cyan “flash.” While subtle, this improvement is significant for display quality. The use of quantum dot technology likely improves efficiency, contributing to the new 1000 nit SDR brightness. The wider spectrum of the red sub-pixel may also reduce “observer metamerism,” minimizing color perception differences between viewers.

Out-of-the-box color accuracy on the M4 remains excellent, consistent with recent Apple displays. However, “excellent” doesn’t mean “perfect” or identical across all Apple displays. My M4 exhibits a slight, measurable red bias in grays, while my M3 shows a comparable green bias. This could be sample variation within spec, but I suspect the new quantum dot film and its impact on the display’s “power spectral distribution” (PSD) are more likely causes. The difference might be due to metameric failure, where different spectral emissions prevent perfect color matching. If anything, the M4 is potentially more accurate, as the peaky reds of older displays were less ideal and possibly more prone to metamerism. Without a spectroradiometer, confirmation is difficult. These changes may affect colorimeter profiling accuracy due to the device’s PSD assumptions. Colorimeter users may want to check with their vendor for software updates.

M4 MAX Test Results: Performance Benchmarks

All test results are based on a direct comparison between a fully-loaded 14″ M4 Max and a fully-loaded 14″ M3 Max.

Photoshop Performance:

My G-Bench Photoshop benchmarking software evaluates performance on tasks relevant to photographers, weighting task times based on usage frequency. It provides a practical way to compare subjective Photoshop performance for photographers.

The M4 Max achieved a weighted G-Bench score of 34, approximately 18% faster than the comparable M3 MAX and about 40% faster than the M1 MAX. Interestingly, my previous M3 Max testing yielded a score of 44, which has since improved to 41.4 due to Photoshop software updates.

The most significant time savings were in opening images, smart objects, creating adjustment layers (beneficial for actions/panels), and various blur effects. Total test time (unweighted) decreased by 30 seconds, from 3:16 to 2:46. The greatest benefits are for users handling batch processing, large images, and smart objects.

Topaz Gigapixel AI processing was also tested, running 32% faster on the M4 (1:14 vs 1:38).

Lightroom Performance:

Import and export tasks showed the most significant gains on the M4, aligning with performance improvements related to data writing and CPU-intensive operations:

• RAW or DNG file import was 16% faster on the M4. (Unlike previous M3 vs M2 tests, no major difference was observed in import speeds).
• JPG export was 27% faster on the M4.
• AI Denoise application was 7% faster on the M4 (27:30 vs 29:38 for 65 Nikon Z7ii images).
• During the denoise test, M3 fans activated sooner and remained significantly louder for over 5 minutes longer than the M4, highlighting the M4’s improved thermal performance, avoiding 6+ minutes of significant fan noise.
• Lossy DNG export was surprisingly 12% slower. The reason for this is unclear, suggesting potential for future software optimizations from Apple and/or Adobe to further enhance M4 performance in this area, potentially increasing overall advantages over time.

Video Performance:

Limited video export testing revealed mixed results for rendering 12-19 minute videos:

• FCPX 11 export as a 12-minute ProRes 4444 XQ movie was 40% faster (39 vs 65s), and 13% faster for the same movie exported as H.264 (66 vs 76s).
• Handbrake export was 13% faster, saving 29 seconds on a 16-minute video export (3:21 vs 3:50).
• Screenflow export was 8% faster, saving 55 seconds on a roughly 15-minute video export (11:11 vs 12:06).

Other Performance Metrics:

Beyond these specific tests, general CPU-intensive tasks showed approximately a 10-20% performance improvement. GPU-intensive tasks showed minimal gains in current photography and video software versions tested.

• Photoshop plugin build tasks were 12% faster.
• Compressing 900 images into a ZIP archive was 10% faster, saving 31 seconds (4:56 vs 5:27).
• BlackMagic Design’s disk speed test showed about 5% faster write speeds: 8300 MB/s write and 5750 read on the M4 vs 7900 and 5600 for the M3.

14″ vs 16″ Considerations:

Testing was conducted solely on the 14″ model. However, numerous reports indicate superior cooling and reduced fan noise in the 16″ model, likely due to its larger chassis. While this is a potential advantage of the 16″, performance differences and fan noise in relatively rare, extreme scenarios are likely not primary decision factors for most users. For portability, compactness, and lower cost (especially at the base configuration), the 14″ remains the optimal choice, even if the 16″ offers marginal performance benefits in specific situations.

Conclusions: The M4 MacBook Pro as the Ultimate Professional Tool

• I wholeheartedly recommend any M1-M4 14-16″ MacBook Pro for Intel Mac laptop users, PC users seeking HDR capabilities, or anyone transitioning from desktop to laptop workflows. Opting for used, refurbished, or closeout M2 models offers exceptional value.
• These advancements further solidify the MacBook Pro’s position as the best laptop for professionals. This is not a casual statement; while striving for technology neutrality, the objective advantages of Apple Silicon and the XDR display are undeniable for those prioritizing professional workflows.
• Key improvements include significant performance gains across diverse applications, a dramatically enhanced display for challenging lighting conditions (common in many professional settings), and noticeably quieter operation.
• While the M1 remains a highly capable laptop, the M4 approaches halving task completion times in many scenarios. Both are fast, but the M4 is exceptionally fast.
• Clear performance gains are evident over the M2 and M3 as well, though perhaps not compelling enough for immediate upgrades for all users.

The M4 MacBook Pro is a particularly compelling upgrade if:

• You currently use any computer other than an M1 or later 14-16″ MacBook Pro. The HDR (XDR) display alone justifies an upgrade if you don’t already own a predecessor, as it’s truly in a class of its own. And the performance leap from pre-M1 machines is transformative.
• You are upgrading from M2 or M3 and also increasing specifications, such as CPU or storage capacity.
• You frequently work in bright environments and will benefit from the nano-texture display and increased brightness.

Refer to my previous reviews of the M1, M2, and M3 Max for further context.

Recommended Configurations for Professionals:

For portability, I recommend the 14″ laptop, especially when paired with an external monitor at home. The 16″ display offers valuable screen real estate for toolbars and palettes, making it highly recommended for users who don’t travel frequently, don’t use external monitors, or desire a larger HDR display (as external HDR monitor options remain limited and expensive).

Most professionals can utilize a mid-range CPU option but should aim for 16-32GB of RAM and internal storage capacity at least twice their current data storage to accommodate future growth. Apple’s feature dependencies across configurations require careful consideration to optimize value and performance.

Key considerations for configuration:

• Benchmark your CPU/GPU/SSD to identify performance bottlenecks. This data-driven approach ensures upgrades target areas yielding the greatest benefit. Avoid guesswork—Apple’s strategic feature bundling encourages larger upgrades; understanding your needs is crucial.
• Storage is the primary area for cost optimization: It’s the most expensive upgrade and the only component user-upgradeable post-purchase. Consider external SSD options (see recommendations below).
• The nano-texture display is a worthwhile consideration across configurations for users working in bright environments.
• The 16″ display significantly increases usable screen space, justifying the upgrade, particularly for Pro M4 configurations and above. However, the 14″ remains the optimal choice for portability, especially for travel or fieldwork, and is the only option for users not upgrading to at least the Pro chip.
• Minimum 24GB RAM and the nano-texture display are the most impactful upgrades for many users.
• RAM upgrades up to 36GB offer good performance returns; beyond that, benefits diminish and are highly usage-dependent.
• Unless you engage in heavy video editing or massive import/export tasks in Lightroom, CPU/GPU core upgrades can be less critical.

These configurations offer the most sensible options for professionals:

I opted for a fully-loaded 14″ MacBook Pro, prioritizing ample internal storage (already utilizing over 6TB, with an additional 13TB on external RAID). The only option I skipped was the 16″ screen, as I use a Pro Display XDR monitor for HDR work and prefer the 14″ model’s portability for travel.

Recommended accessories to complement the laptop:

Should you consider the new M4 Mac Mini? The primary advantage is lower cost. Comparing my “good” laptop configuration above to a comparable M4 Mini (16GB RAM, 1TB SSD), you can save up to $750. However, remember that you’ll need to purchase a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers separately. The laptop’s additional cost provides portability and a best-in-class HDR display. If portability and HDR aren’t crucial, the Mini offers excellent value. For HDR on a budget, consider pairing the Mini with one of these recommended 42″ TVs for HDR for under $1000. The best choice depends on your specific needs, but for many professionals, the laptop’s integrated display and portability offer significant advantages.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. See my ethics statement for more information. Purchases made through these links support the content on this site at no extra cost to you.