MacBook Pro M4 Review: Apple’s Most Accessible Pro Yet

The new M4-powered MacBook Pro represents a significant step forward for Apple, solidifying its place as a true professional-grade laptop rather than a compromise between consumer and pro features. For years, Apple’s entry-level MacBook Pro has often felt like a mixed bag, caught somewhere between the lightweight MacBook Air and the powerful, fully equipped Pro models. Many users found it lacking, as it often shared a processor with the Air and had limited RAM and ports, making it feel more like an upgraded consumer laptop than a true Pro machine.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro released last year hinted at a shift in this direction, finally doing away with the Touch Bar and adopting a design closer to its higher-end counterparts. However, even that model still had its limitations: fewer ports, lower RAM in the base configuration, and a less powerful processor. Now, with the M4 version, Apple has eliminated these compromises, giving the base MacBook Pro a notable performance boost and making it feel like a proper Pro machine.

Starting at $1,599, the M4-powered MacBook Pro now features a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, all while keeping the same entry price as the previous model. Apple has added two more CPU cores and doubled the RAM, offering users more power out of the box. The additional third Thunderbolt port, now positioned on the right side, allows for greater connectivity flexibility, so you can charge or connect an external display on either side of the laptop — a feature that was previously limited to the higher-end models. This design upgrade alone greatly improves the laptop’s usability for creative professionals and multitaskers who rely on easy access to ports.

The Pro model also gains some quality-of-life upgrades across the board. Apple has fitted the MacBook Pro with a 12-megapixel webcam featuring Center Stage, which keeps users in the frame even as they move. This improvement addresses one of the most consistent criticisms of Apple’s laptops in recent years, as earlier models often featured lackluster webcams. Additionally, the new Pro now offers an anti-glare nano-texture display as an optional $150 upgrade, which could be a game-changer for visual professionals who work in various lighting conditions. The display’s anti-glare feature is particularly beneficial for those who might need to work outside or in well-lit rooms, as it minimizes reflections without sacrificing clarity or contrast.

One of the key advantages of the M4 processor is its ability to handle a wide range of professional tasks without compromising speed or efficiency. The M4 chip’s added CPU and GPU cores make it noticeably faster than its predecessor, with benchmark results that put it up to 64% ahead in Cinebench’s multicore test and around 41% better during sustained performance tests. Single-core scores also show a 20% improvement, while GPU benchmarks indicate a 25% boost in graphics performance. These gains mean that the M4 MacBook Pro can manage demanding tasks like photo and video editing with impressive speed, making it a valuable asset for professionals in creative fields.

In terms of daily use, the M4 MacBook Pro performed admirably in tests, with smooth performance in apps like Lightroom and Premiere Pro. Whether editing high-resolution RAW photos or handling complex video projects, the laptop remains responsive and capable. Notably, the device also handled these tasks without overheating or producing excessive fan noise. In fact, Apple’s design upgrades include enhanced thermal management, which keeps the laptop cool even under heavy workloads. During tests, it lasted over 12 hours on a single charge while performing moderate-to-heavy tasks, making it one of the best options for professionals needing both power and portability.

Another highlight of this model is its improved battery efficiency, which allows users to work unplugged for extended periods without sacrificing performance. The 14-inch display, with a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz, also enhances the viewing experience, adding fluidity to animations and interactions. For those in multimedia and design professions, the combination of long battery life, minimal fan noise, and a responsive display will undoubtedly enhance productivity.

Apple’s pricing model still encourages incremental upgrades, which can quickly raise the final cost. For instance, choosing the nano-texture screen or adding more storage and RAM can drive the price up to nearly $2,000, pushing users toward the M4 Pro model. However, for the first time in recent memory, the base model is robust enough to stand on its own, meeting most professional needs without requiring a series of add-ons.

Overall, the M4 MacBook Pro presents a balanced combination of power, portability, and flexibility. Apple’s decision to include 16GB of RAM as a standard feature is particularly valuable, as it addresses one of the most common user frustrations with previous base models. The upgrades to ports, display, and performance all add up to create a package that feels like a true Pro machine, not just an upgrade from the MacBook Air.

For professionals looking for a high-performance laptop that handles both creative work and everyday tasks with ease, the M4 MacBook Pro is an excellent choice. It finally delivers on Apple’s promise of a truly professional-grade laptop at the entry level, offering an attractive mix of features and performance that should appeal to a wide range of users. With this release, Apple has set a new standard for what users can expect from its entry-level Pro machines, making it one of the best MacBook Pro models yet.