What’s the difference between the new MacBook Pro on M4 and the MacBook Pro on M3? Is it worth upgrading?

Cupertino has updated its line of professional laptops. As I expected, computers have switched to Apple’s new M4 line of processors, including the higher-performance M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

Now let’s look at all the new products and find differences from previous MacBook Pros.

Briefly:

• ◉ Iron
  ◉ Important differences
  ◉ A quick comparison of whether it’s worth upgrading

Iron

New MacBook Pro on M4 available in the following basic modules:

◉ basic 14″ models with M4 processor (10 CPU/10 GPU/16-24 GB RAM)

◉ advanced 14″ and 16″ with M4 Pro chip (12-14 CPU/16-20 GPU/24-48 GB RAM)

◉ top 14″ and 16″ on M4 Max (14-16 CPU/32-40 GPU/36-48 GB RAM)

There are modifications with drives from 512 GB to 8 TB. The maximum amount of RAM in custom builds is 128 GB.

Memory bandwidth ranges from 120 to 273 GB/s.

Old MacBook Pro on M3 were available in the following basic modifications:

◉ basic 14″ models with M3 processor (8 CPU/10 GPU/8 GB RAM)

◉ advanced 14″ and 16″ with M3 Pro chip (11-12 CPU/14-18 GPU/18-36 GB RAM)

◉ top 14″ and 16″ on M3 Max (14-16 CPU/30-40 GPU/36-48 GB RAM)

There are modifications with drives from 512 GB to 8 TB. The maximum amount of RAM in custom builds is 128 GB.

Memory bandwidth ranges from 100 to 150 GB/s.

Who has better iron: The new generation of firmware has become at least 20% more powerful than its predecessor, and in some tasks – up to 40% more powerful (M4 Max). The previous generation of the M3 and its derivatives cannot be blamed for low performance, it’s a fact. But the M4 is very much ahead of all previous M-series chips, especially in the M4 Max version.

As a result, we have the first MacBook Pro in 3 years, on which it absolutely makes sense to update with first-generation Apple Silicon models, including the M1 Max. It’s especially pleasing that the new generation of laptops has a minimum of 16 GB of RAM, as is the case with the Mac mini. The basic 14-inch design looks better than before.

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Important differences

▶ In the context of the version MacBook Pro on M4 will appear third USB-C port (Thunderbolt 4), mid and top configurations are equipped with connectors that comply with the Thunderbolt 5 specification. Finding such a compatible cable is now almost impossible. Therefore, if you need all the power of the new port, we advise you to immediately buy a new official “cord” from Apple along with your MacBook.

▶ New screen MacBook Pro on M4: Now with nanotexture option. Let’s ask Search with Neuro.

Neuro
Based on sources there may be inaccuracies

Some positive features of the MacBook Pro 4 screen nanotexture:

Reducing blocks. (1) (4) This makes viewing more comfortable in bright rooms or outdoors. (1)

Improved Clarity. By reducing reflections, more detail is visible on the screen, especially bright highlights and shadows. (1)

Ability to concentrate on work. Glare is less distracting, allowing you to focus on the task or content. (1)

Maintain accurate color reproduction. This is important when working where accurate color reproduction is needed, even in difficult lighting conditions. (1)

Nanotexture is suitable for photographers and videographers who want more precise photos and videos, as well as graphic designers and artists working on detailed designs and illustrations. (1)

Link to answer in Yandex Search with Neuro

Most likely, the display is limited to 600 nits by default, and 1000 nits is activated automatically by the light sensor on the display – just like on the iPhone and iPad. You can turn the brightness up to this level in the house manually, it’s unclear.

For a screen with a nanotexture coating you will need to pay an additional $150. This is not a win-win upgrade, as we wrote about in our review of the first Mac with this coating, the 2020 iMac.

▶ The specifications state that MacBook Pro on M4 LED model on M3 chip works up to 3 hours: up to 24 hours. The new chip is indeed more energy efficient. Also, the battery capacity of the 14-inch version has increased by about 3%, which is a little, but never hurts.

▶ New MacBook Pro on M4 received 12 megapixel camera. It supports the option Central stage (an example of its work is in our iPad Mini 6 review). Thanks to the wide overview, a feature appeared Desktop view 1080p: You can broadcast both the user’s face and video from his desk through one camera.

On previous generations of computers, this is only possible when using the iPhone as a webcam.

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A quick comparison of whether it’s worth upgrading

▶ Iron the new product is much better, the gap from the M1 of any configuration is 2 or more full times in all tasks And also in terms of the scheme, there is now 16 GB of RAM.

▶ Screen It can produce greater brightness outdoors and is now on par with current iPhone models.

▶ Ports now even faster. And in the models under consideration there are finally three of them, not two.

▶ Autonomy new models have increased by 3 hours and are now up to 24 hours.

The set of innovations is decent, but the main thing was the M4 chip. On such a MacBook, it makes sense to switch from waiting on M1 and M2 processors, and owners of M3 MacBooks should have the following option. There is also little point in buying a Mac with previous-generation chips: there is too much of a difference in heat dissipation and high performance between the M4 and publicly available versions of Apple Silicon.

A new 12 megapixel webcam with Center Stage and broadcast of the table along with the user’s face is a pleasant, but not critical upgrade. Another thing is that in the case under consideration there is now 16 GB of RAM and 3 ports instead of two.

Overall, Apple has done its best with the new Mac this year. We recommend upgrading to this generation even for those who generally lack the performance of the M1 and M2 models. An exception is left only for MacBook Air fans. Wait until spring 2025, the M4 in Air will have a “gun”.

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