The Powerhouse Laptop Is As Impressive As Ever, But For Pros Only.

Apple’s (AAPL) latest MacBook Pro line of laptops is here, and it packs a serious punch for users looking for a portable powerhouse that can handle everything from photo and video editing to gaming and 3D design. That performance comes courtesy of Apple’s M4 family of chips, more built-in memory, and more powerful graphics capabilities.

But none of that comes cheap.

The base 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, while a fully kitted-out 16-inch model tops out at $7,349. For comparison, a 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s older M2 chip starts at $999, while an Air with a newer M3 processor starts at $1,099.

All of that is to say that the MacBook Pro is for, well, the pros.

This isn’t the kind of computer you should get if you’re just going to be browsing the web, checking email, and streaming Netflix. This is the MacBook you get if you’re looking for a laptop to build and test new apps, create a new video project, then kick back and play a few video games.

If that all sounds like more than you need, then you might want to stick with a MacBook Air. But if you need, or just want, that kind of horsepower, the Pro is the way to go.

When it comes to design, the new MacBook Pro is essentially a mirror image of its predecessor. You might notice some slight changes, like that the 14-inch model with the base M4 now gets three USB-C ports rather than two, or that Apple is offering a $150 nano-texture display coating to cut down on reflections, but nothing that will totally blow you away.

But that’s not exactly a problem. Apple has done a fine job ensuring its MacBooks are some of the best-looking laptops around, and that’s no different with its latest models.

Besides, the big changes here are all on the inside.

First up are the chips. Apple first debuted its M4 processor back in May alongside its updated iPad Pro. Now the company is dropping the chip into the base MacBook Pro. It’s a speedy chip that Apple says offers performance upgrades versus earlier M chips like the M3 and M1 when it comes to 3D rendering and other benchmarks tests.

The MacBook Pro is available in both 14-inch and 16-inch models. (Image: Apple) — Pro choice: The MacBook Pro is available in both 14-inch and 16-inch models. (Apple) · Apple

Apple has also boosted the base amount of memory for the standard 14-inch MacBook Pro from 8GB to 16GB, which should improve overall performance if you opt for the standard configuration.

Both the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch version are also available with Apple’s new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. Souped-up versions of the M4, the M4 Pro, and M4 Max feature more CPU and GPU cores and, depending on the model you choose, come with 24GB, 36GB, or 48GB of memory with the option to boost that to 128GB.

Will most people need that much memory? Absolutely not. But if you’re the kind of person dealing with complex 3D models of jet engines, it’s nice to know you’ve got the option.

The review unit Apple provided to me includes an M4 Pro chip, 48GB of memory, and 2TB of storage and zipped through my daily tasks while providing enough battery life to get through my entire workday with a secondary monitor attached via its USB-C port.

The M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro also beat out last year’s M3 Max-powered MacBook Pro on a handful of benchmarking tests.

If you're using apps like Fusion to handle 3D models, then the MacBook Pro is the way to go. (Image: Apple) — If you’re using apps like Fusion to handle 3D models, then the MacBook Pro is the way to go. (Apple) · Apple

These kinds of tests are largely designed to give you a general idea of how your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) compare to other systems. While the M4 Pro beat out the M3 Max on CPU tests, it couldn’t quite keep up with the M3 Max on GPU tests. It did, however, beat out the M3 Pro, its immediate successor, on those same tests.

In other words, the M4 Pro is definitely an upgrade from the M3 Pro, and based on my own use, a strong performer overall.

Two more things worth pointing out about the MacBook Pro are its new camera and its USB-C ports. Apple has upgraded the camera from its older FaceTime camera to its Center Stage model. Center Stage allows the camera to automatically center you—or you and another person— even if you’re not sitting immediately in front of your MacBook.

It also comes with a new feature called Desk View that uses the camera to let you show people your desk directly in front of the laptop. The idea is to help you make presentations by letting whoever you’re chatting with see your desk in front of you. This is helpful if you’re showing off a physical item or trying to give someone specific instructions on how to use something, like operating a new app.

As for the MacBook Pro’s USB-C ports, both M4 Pro and M4 Max-equipped Pros use Thunderbolt 5 technology, up from Thunderbolt 4 on the standard M4 models. That means you’ll be able to transfer data from your laptop to other USB-C devices more quickly, 120 gigabits per second, to be exact. If you’re moving large files like videos or renderings, that should prove incredibly helpful.

The MacBook Pro is the ultimate workstation for professionals and pro consumers. It’s got oodles of power, plenty of storage, and a great look. But because it’s for the pros, it’s got a pro price tag. Unless you’re dabbling in video or photo editing, or some other hobby that requires a hardcore computer, then you can stick with Apple’s less expensive, but no less impressive, MacBook Air.