When Apple unveiled its latest computers last month, there were plenty to choose from.
During the “week of Mac”, Apple unveiled the Mac Mini, for example, which now comes in a package that is not too much larger than an Apple TV. It also showed off the iMac, which now comes with the upgraded chip and new colours. And of course, the MacBook Pro, Apple’s star laptop that offers a balance of style and power in one neat package. All have Apple’s newest chip, the M4 series.
Since the launch of the M1 and M2 in 2020 and 2021 respectively, Apple is now into the pattern of regularly updating its self-designed silicon. The latest is the M4, which made an appearance in the iPad Pro in May. It brings incremental power updates, with a 10-core central processing unit, a 10-core general processing unit, and a 16-core neural engine. While that might not mean much to most people, the end result is a faster chip that will zip through tasks with ease.
The standard MacBook Pro, reviewed here, comes with the M4 chip, and 16GB of memory, double last year’s offering and a very welcome upgrade. For storage, you get a 512GB solid-state drive, although you can pay to upgrade this, too, if that won’t suffice.
The 14-inch model is a balance between a decent-sized screen with a comfortably sized keyboard. The display is a liquid retina XDR, which is pin sharp and great for reproducing both text and images or video.
The new base model Pro is a little closer to the rest of the pack. It comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports – one more than last year – a HDMI port and MagSafe 3 port for charging. If you prefer, you can still use the USB-C port for charging, as long as you have a decent cable, but the addition of the third port also gives you options for external displays, which has also been expanded for the M4 Pro.
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Battery life is great, with Apple claiming that it would last up to 24 hours on a full charge. In reality it will vary, depending on what you are using the device for. But you can get a full day of work and then some before you need to tether yourself to a power cable.
The webcam has also been improved, bumped up to a 12-megapixel webcam with Center Stage to keep you in the centre of the frame at all times, and added its Desk View software to the mix.
It isn’t all perfect. Biometric authentication is limited to TouchID, which is integrated into the power button. It works well, but why no FaceID for the MacBook? It would be more convenient than TouchID and surely the camera set-up in a near €2,000 machine would be able to accommodate the necessary technology.
One thing that is dividing people is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence. The new AI – which Apple has dubbed as artificial intelligence for the rest of us – is being integrated into the operating system, and will even be available for EU users. The current delay with the mobile platforms does not extend to Mac OS, and Apple Intelligence on MacOS will launch in December in localised English for users in Ireland. There will be some limitations on language options, but if you want to dip your toe in the AI waters, the MacBook Pro will allow you to do so.
Of course, that isn’t limited just to the M4 devices; Apple Intelligence will come to all of Apple’s laptops powered by the M series of chips, even older devices running on the M1 and M2 chips. You don’t need a new MacBook to get it.
Which brings you to the question of why you might need the new MacBook Pro. In reality this will be too much power for the average user; the MacBook Air will more than suffice, and the M4-powered version is likely to arrive in the coming months.
So for most people, you don’t actually need the power of the Pro. But if you do, then the M4 MacBook Pro is a great option for those who want the Pro experience without having to go too far up the price list.
The entry-level Pro isn’t the cheapest, though. At €1,949, it is a significant investment. But the longevity of the device should also be taken into account. For comparison. I have been using an Intel MacBook Pro from 2017; a souped-up one, complete with the controversial touch bar, but a seven-year old device nonetheless. And to its credit, it still works well, giving you an idea of how long Apple devices can last if they are looked after properly.
Good
The new MacBook Pro comes with a faster chip and more base RAM, giving it a power boost over the prior versions of the device. If you are in the market for more power and something with longevity, the new M4 device will give you plenty to work with.
Bad
The price tag is significant. For many people, this will be overkill for their needs; for others, they will need the power bump from the M4 Pro or Max. The upgraded webcam, while improved, doesn’t include any support for FaceID either, which is disappointing.
Everything else
The MacBook Pro M4 comes in 14-inch and 16-inch versions, with a choice of the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. You can also upgrade the RAM to double the base 16GB, and expand the solid-state drive to 2TB capacity – for a fee. The nano-texture glass option isn’t essential, but it will help the display’s visibility in bright sunlight.
The verdict
Cheaper than before, the M4 MacBook Pro is a good, if pricey, entry to the Pro world.
