Lo, behold the newest iteration of the MacBook Pro, adorned with the formidable M4 Pro chip, a marvel that doth embody the epitome of excellence in the realm of laptops. Verily, ’tis a device imbued with portability unmatched, power unmatched, efficiency unmatched, beauty unparalleled, sturdiness immeasurable, and all the qualities one could desire in a laptop and more. If thou seeketh a companion in technology that doth exceed all expectations, then the MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is the answer to thy prayers.
I, a humble user, hath made this laptop mine daily companion for a cycle of moons, and now I present to thee my verdict on the M4 Pro MacBook Pro.
### Specs: Oh My Beast!
Let it be known, Apple hath bestowed upon us a MacBook Pro of grand design for this review. Behold the complete specs:
Aye, it doth come with a price tag lofty, one that few shall willingly pay. But for those in need, or perchance in want, this device promiseth a bounty of delights.
### ‘Tis Super-Beautiful
The new 2024 MacBook Pro retains its design unchanged. The 16-inch variant I possess bears the same dimensions as its predecessor, yet ’tis 10 grams lighter by the grace of Apple, weighing in at 2.14kg. Whether this weight reduction be known, I cannot say. The heaviness of this device doth rival its forerunner, the 16-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pro, if thou found that to be a burden, then this shall be no different.
Shouldst thou, like myself, have wielded a MacBook Air ere this, the new MacBook Pro shall seem a weighty burden indeed. Yet, fear thee not, for though heavy and bulky it may be, it is a sight to behold. Especially in the Space Black hue that graces mine own.
‘Tis a device well-crafted indeed. As hath been the custom with MacBooks since the days of yore, one can open the lid with but a single hand, and it doth reveal its splendor with a smoothness unmatched. The rubber feet beneath provide ample grip, ensuring it doth not slip whilst one doth engage in the act of typing, crafting this review and many others in the past month. The display, in whatever angle thou doth set it, doth seem ordained, for the hinge doth hold the grand screen steady with ease.
I doth appreciate Apple’s decision to bestow upon the MacBook Pros a greater thickness, departing from the unnecessary slimness of yesteryears. This alteration doth render the MacBook Pro a sturdier visage, whilst also welcoming back the ports that were once deemed redundant. Three Thunderbolt 5 Type-C ports, a headphone jack, an SD card slot, and an HDMI-out port reside within, no dongles required. And lo, MagSafe doth make a triumphant return.
### ‘Tis Super-Powerful
Super-powerful may seem an exaggeration for most devices, yet in the case of this MacBook Pro powered by the M4 Pro, it doth prove to be an apt description. ‘Tis, indeed, a processor of exceptional potency, and coupled with 48GB of RAM, it soareth to heights unheard of. Shouldst thou engage in endeavours such as LMStudio, this device shall grant thee unparalleled might.
‘Tis not the extent of my exploits, dear reader. Mine own hands hath put this MacBook Pro to every task I undertake daily — be it writing in a markdown application like Paper, editing images in Photoshop, navigating over 30 open tabs in search of wisdom, or delving into the realm of Freeform for project management. For such a workload, the MacBook Pro is a veritable titan, far surpassing the needs of the average user. The addition of Apple Music playing in the background doth little to sway this powerhouse.
But I dared to push further. I did install Mythic to indulge in the playing of AAA Windows games, and they did perform splendidly. Notably Hitman 3, a delightful diversion during long hours at the desk.
I also ventured into the realm of video editing, and though the quality may not rival the masterpieces of Moyens I/O’s Instagram or YouTube channels, Final Cut Pro doth not falter. 4K clips and compound clips layered upon one another, and still, the MacBook Pro remained steadfast, rendering and playing with nary a pause. ‘Tis a testament to its power.
As a final measure, I did subject it to benchmarks, for those who delight in such pursuits, do feast thine eyes upon the screenshots henceforth.
### ‘Tis Super-Fun to Type On
The keyboard remaineth akin to its forebear, the M2 Pro MacBook Pro, a noble companion to those seeking the joy of typing. Though technically akin to the keyboard on my 2020 M1 MacBook Air, upon the Pro, it doth resonate with a certain charm. Truly, the consensus among Reddit folk and forum dwellers is that the Magic Keyboard on the MacBook Pro doth evoke a sense of satisfaction, a resounding thunk with each key press.
Perchance this emanates from the heftier chassis that houses the MacBook Pro. The M4 Pro keyboard is a delight to the senses. The keys, a comfort to the fingers, offer a typing experience unparalleled by any laptop heretofore.
Grateful am I that Apple hath forsaken the Butterfly keys of yore, replacing them with the keyboards adorning the M-series MacBooks. These keys are indeed superior, reliable, and a joy to type upon. For those, like myself, who spend hours upon hours typing, the keyboard of this MacBook Pro is a revelation, never wearing out the weary traveler.
One more point to address, for some among my brethren seem vexed by it, is the modesty of this keyboard. Many a soul, stepping from a MacBook Air or an elder MacBook Pro, doth find this keyboard more condensed in comparison. Yet let it be known, I hath measured and found the dimensions to be equal. ‘Tis only the grand speakers flanking the sides that create this illusion of compactness.
### ‘Tis Super-Loud
The grand speakers on either side of this laptop are a wonder to behold. Words evade me to describe their splendor, for they are truly the finest laptop speakers mine ears hath encountered.
They doth resonate with a clarity unmatched, a volume oft too grand for comfort in many a setting, and the sound quality is unparalleled. Be it viewing a tale unfold upon the screen or listening to music without aid of external speakers, these speakers stand as a testament to excellence.
### ‘Tis Super-Power Efficient
‘Tis said that this laptop doth endure beyond measure when tasked with the viewing of movies, and truly, one can attest to the truth of this claim. Apple proclaimeth that the battery shall last for a score of four and twenty hours whilst streaming video, and indeed, in mine own experience, this claim doth prove modest. The battery of this laptop hath a vigor unmatched.
A negligent charger I am, in the eyes of my compatriots at Moyens I/O, oft forgetting to tend to my devices. Yet with this M4 Pro MacBook Pro, the charger languisheth at home, for the battery of this device is a paragon of endurance. A day of heavy toil doth scarcely bring it to a 40-50% deficit from a full charge. ‘Tis a marvel, permitting me to use this device sans charge for two days, a feat I hath achieved more than once. Fear not, for heavy usage doth not necessitate a tether to the charger.
### ‘Tis Super Pricey
All these wonders come at a cost steep, my dear reader. The might of the M4 Pro, the elegance of the ProMotion display, and all that lies betwixt, demand a king’s ransom. As outfitted, the M4 Pro MacBook Pro commands a sum of $3,649, a princely sum by any measure. The 14-inch variant commenceth at $1,999, whilst the 16-inch variant beginneth at $2,499. Alas, these do not boast the Nano Texture Display, the 48GB of RAM (though 24GB is standard for the M4 Pro MacBook Pro, a boon indeed), nor the 2TB of storage (yet fear not, for the 512GB be ample, if not abundant).
### Conclusion
The new 2024 MacBook Pro is a marvel of conflicting nature. ‘Tis the ideal laptop, whilst also a challenge to recommend. At a base price of $2,000, it is a weighty investment that may strain many a purse. Yet it doth bring the pinnacle of Apple’s craft to one’s abode.
For the common folk, a MacBook Pro may not be a necessity. The MacBook Air, with its M3 chip, is a choice most sound. Commencing at $1,099, it offers 16GB of RAM as standard. With a modest upgrade to 24GB of RAM, the MacBook Air M3 shalt cost thee $1,499.
The question that lingers is this — dost thou truly require a new Mac in this moment? If not, I would advise thee to bide thy time, for the M4 MacBook Air shall arrive anon, perchance in the first quarter of this year. Await its coming, for the M3 Air may seem a folly in comparison.
As for the MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip, shouldst thou possess near $2,000 burning in thy pocket, this device is a worthy investment. ‘Twill not disappoint, and above all, ’twill kindle a newfound love for thy Mac.
This, my friends, is a laptop for the creatives, for those who find the M2 and M3 chipsets lacking for their purposes, and for those who seek to shave mere seconds off their M2 Pro MacBook Pros in the exportation of FCP projects. Shouldst thou find kinship with this description, delay not in procuring this MacBook Pro.
To all others, await the M4 MacBook Air’s coming, or take up the mantle of the M2 or M3 MacBook Air without hesitation.