The all-new M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro offers exceptional performance and serves as a notable upgrade from the M1 Pro model. Let’s delve into the advancements that three years have brought to this latest iteration.
In the realm of computing, three years mark a significant period where consumers typically begin contemplating potential upgrades or replacements for their existing hardware. With the introduction of the M4 Pro for Mac, the 14-inch MacBook Pro now emerges as a compelling option for current owners of the M1 Pro version.
After three years, numerous enhancements have been implemented to make transitioning to the M4 Pro model a highly appealing prospect for current 14-inch MacBook Pro users. Let’s explore the key features and discern the changes — as well as the consistencies — that have transpired over this three-year span.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Specifications
- Launch Starting Price: $1,999
- Dimensions (inches): 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61
- Weight (pounds): 3.5
- Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, Wide Color (P3), True Tone, ProMotion, Nano-texture (optional)
- Resolution: 3,024 x 1,964
- Brightness:
- M4 Pro: 1,000 nits sustained fullscreen, 1,600 nits peak HDR, 600 nits SDR
- M1 Pro: 1,000 nits sustained fullscreen, 1,600 nits peak HDR, 500 nits SDR
- Processor: Apple M4 Pro 10-core, Apple M4 Pro 12-core
- Graphics: 10-core GPU, 16-core GPU
- Memory: 24GB, 48GB
- Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Battery: 72.4Wh lithium-polymer
- Networking: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Touch ID: Yes
- Camera: 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View
- Audio: Six-speaker sound system, Force-cancelling woofers, Three-mic array with directional beamforming, Headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support, Dolby Atmos support with Spatial Audio
- Ports: Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, SDXC Card Slot, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone, MagSafe 3
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Design, weight, size
When comparing the M4 Pro and M1 Pro models, the M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro primarily serves as a spec enhancement. While internal improvements are abundant, the external design remains largely unchanged, except for one notable addition.
The M1 Pro version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro features dimensions of 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches, presenting a distinct flat aluminum structure in the notebook market. Remarkably, the M4 Pro edition shares identical dimensions and weight, with both models weighing in at 3.5 pounds each.
An interesting update in the M4 generation is the introduction of a Space Black color option, distinguishing it from the previously available Space Grey or Silver choices.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Display
The display technology between the M1 Pro and M4 Pro releases sees minimal alterations, ensuring a consistent visual experience across both models.
Both versions boast a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3,024 by 1,964, providing a pixel density of 254 pixels per inch. With mini LED backlighting, the display offers an impressive million-to-one contrast ratio.
In terms of brightness, the M4 Pro delivers up to 1,000 nits for SDR content outdoors, elevating to 1,000 nits of "XDR brightness" for sustained fullscreen HDR content. During peak HDR content consumption, it can reach up to 1,600 nits. Conversely, the M1 Pro model achieves up to 500 nits of brightness for SDR content, with similar XDR brightness capabilities.
Both models feature Wide color (P3) support, True Tone, and ProMotion adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz. Additionally, a prominent notch on the display accommodates the camera for both versions.
For external display compatibility, the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro can drive two external 6K 60Hz displays. In contrast, the M4 Pro can achieve the same or choose a combination of one external 6K 60Hz screen and a 4K 144Hz display via HDMI. Alternately, for a single external display setup, the M4 Pro can accommodate an 8K screen at 60Hz or a 4K screen at 240Hz over HDMI.
The M4 Pro introduces a new optional Nano-texture treatment for the display in 2024, allowing reduced glare from nearby light sources. This feature, borrowed from the Pro Display XDR, is not available for the M1 Pro model.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Performance
The M1 Pro model was offered in two configurations, with the base version featuring an 8-core CPU comprising six performance cores and two efficiency cores, along with a 14-core GPU. Alternatively, two other variants boasted ten-core CPUs paired with either 14-core or 16-core GPUs.
These chips integrated a 16-core Neural Engine, alongside a Media Engine to facilitate hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding. Memory options included either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory with 200GB/s memory bandwidth.
On the other hand, the M4 Pro offers two variants: a 12-core CPU with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 16-core GPU in the base model, and a 14-core CPU with ten performance cores and four efficiency cores, alongside a 20-core GPU in the upgraded version. Both variants include a 16-core Neural Engine and the Media Engine, with memory options starting at 24GB and maxing out at 48GB. The memory bandwidth also experiences a significant boost, reaching 273GB/s.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Benchmark Estimation
As benchmarking data for the M4 Pro model is not yet available, we rely on Apple’s assertions and announcements to gauge performance improvements. Based on Apple’s claims for the M4 Pro Mac mini, which stated 1.8x faster performance over the M1 Pro counterpart, we infer a similar performance boost for the MacBook Pro lineup.
In terms of GPU performance, the M4 Pro is touted to be "twice as powerful as M4." With reference to the M4 Mac mini GPU’s performance being 2.2 times faster than the M1, we anticipate a similar uplift in graphical capabilities for the M4 Pro.
Although these estimations provide a rough understanding of the potential performance enhancements, real-world benchmark results remain the ultimate testament to the M4 Pro’s prowess.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Camera and audio
Diving into camera and audio advancements, the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro houses a 1080p FaceTime HD camera within the Notch, contrasting with the M4 Pro model’s adoption of a 12MP Center Stage camera. Offering 1080p video capture capabilities, the M4 Pro’s advanced image signal processor enhances computational video performance, complemented by the unique Desk View feature that showcases the desk environment instead of the user’s face.
Both generations retain a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, delivering wide stereo sound and Spatial Audio support for Dolby Atmos content through onboard speakers and compatible accessories like AirPods. Additionally, audiophiles will appreciate the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack supporting high-impedance headphones.
The M4 Pro maintains the three-mic array from the M1 Pro, featuring studio-quality microphones with directional beamforming and a high signal-to-noise ratio tailored for capturing premium audio.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Storage, connectivity, power
In the storage domain, the base configuration of the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro comprises 512GB of SSD storage and 8GB of memory. Although the M4 Pro model eliminates the 8TB storage option, other capacities remain consistent across both models.
Memory configurations for the M1 Pro encompassed 16GB and 32GB unified memory choices, a trend that continues in the M4 Pro, offering 24GB as the base option and 48GB as the top-tier selection.
Physical connectivity options are nearly identical across both models, with the M4 Pro featuring three Thunderbolt 5 ports boasting double the throughput compared to the M1 Pro’s three Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. Consequently, the MagSafe 3 connection, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI, and SDXC memory card slot persist in both iterations.
Wireless connectivity enhancements are observed in the M4 Pro, which introduces Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support compared to the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 provisions found in the M1 Pro. These upgraded wireless technologies are beneficial for users with compatible network setups and accessories.
In the power realm, the M1 Pro model accommodates a 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, slightly outmatched by the M4 Pro’s 72.4 watt-hour battery. Both devices offer ample battery life to sustain prolonged usage durations without necessitating frequent recharges.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Pricing
The launch price for the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro initiated at $1,999, aligning with the introductory price of the all-new M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro. The base M4 Pro model, equipped with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB of memory, and 512GB of storage, shares the same $1,999 price tag.
Upgrading to the enhanced 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU configuration entails an additional $200, while opting for the 48GB memory upgrade incurs a $400 upcharge. Storage expansions follow a tiered pricing structure, with increments of $200 for 1TB, $400 for 2TB, and $600 for 4TB storage capacities. The Nano-texture glass upgrade carries an additional cost of $150.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Which to buy?
The evolution from the M1 Pro to the M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro signifies a notable leap in performance and features over a span of three years and multiple generational updates. While memory enhancements, the introduction of a Space Black color variant, and Nano-texture display tech serve as compelling additions, other aspects such as screen technology, design, and port selection predominantly maintain consistency across both models.
Existing owners of the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro may find minimal incentives to transition to the M4 Pro model unless significant performance upgrades are a paramount consideration. If performance nuances are pivotal, exploring the M4 Max chips could be a more favorable alternative. Nonetheless, the M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro presents a commendable iteration that builds upon a robust computing foundation, positioning it as a highly worthwhile purchase for MacBook Pro aficionados.
M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro – Where to buy
The M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro is currently accessible at discounted rates through Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama, offering reductions ranging from $100 to $200 off the laptops using promo code APINSIDER. Additionally, the same promo code extends a $30 discount on three years of AppleCare for the 14-inch notebooks.