MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024)
$2,628.00Final Criteria Scorecard (Out of 10)
MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) Benchmarks
Geekbench 6
Cinebench R23
MacBook Pro 14 Specifications
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) Full Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Case | |
| Weight | 1.55 kg (3.42 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Area | 691 cm² |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.6% |
| Colors | Black, Silver |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Opening angle | 135° |
| Cooling System | |
| Type | Active |
| Vapor chamber | No |
| Number of fans | 2 |
| Max fan speed | 7800 RPM |
| Noise level | 44.5 dB |
| Display | |
| Size | 14.2 inches |
| Type | Mini LED |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| Adaptive refresh | Yes (24-120 Hz) |
| PPI | 254 |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 |
| HDR support | Dolby Vision |
| Coating | Glossy (Antireflective) |
| Brightness | 1000 nits (sustained) |
| Contrast | 1,000,000:1 |
| Battery | |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh |
| Charging | 70/96W Fast Charging |
| Full charge time | 1:30 hr |
| Charging ports | USB-C Power Delivery |
| Performance | |
| Chip Options | M4 (10-Core) to M4 Max (16-Core) |
| CPU Cores | Up to 16 (12P + 4E) |
| Base frequency | 4.52 GHz |
| GPU | Apple M4 Max GPU (40-core) |
| FLOPS | 18.4 TFLOPS |
| Process | 3nm |
| Memory | |
| RAM Options | 16GB-128GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage Options | 512GB-8TB SSD |
| Storage Type | M2 SSD |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | v5.3 |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI 2.1, SD card |
| Audio Jack | 3.5 mm |
| Input | |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard |
| Touchpad | Force Touch (13.2 x 8.1 cm) |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Audio | |
| Speakers | 6-speaker system |
| Microphones | 3-array |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Software | |
| OS | macOS Sonoma |
| Additional Features | |
| Fingerprint | Touch ID |
| Security | Apple T2 Security Chip |
Note
Ports That Pack a Punch
The base M4 model keeps things speedy with Thunderbolt 4 (still faster than most laptops), while Pro and Max users get the shiny new Thunderbolt 5 – we’re talking double the bandwidth of TB4. Translation: M4 Pro/Max models can drive three 8K displays while you edit video off an external SSD. Future-proof? You bet.
Weight Watchers (But the Good Kind)
Apple’s precision engineering shows in the scales:
- M4: 3.4 lbs (1.55 kg) – lighter than two hardcover books
- M4 Pro: 3.5 lbs (1.60 kg) – think iPad Pro + coffee mug
- M4 Max: 3.6 lbs (1.62 kg) – still lighter than last-gen Intel MacBooks
The 0.2 lbs difference between base and Max models? Barely noticeable in a backpack, but hardcore users will appreciate the extra cooling in heavier configurations. Pro tip: That aluminum unibody makes even the Max feel denser than it actually is.
Let’s get real: I’ve been a laptop nomad for years. I’ve juggled everything from a featherlight Dell XPS to a gaming beast that doubled as a space heater. But when Apple dropped the 14-inch MacBook Pro in 2021, my tech-obsessed heart skipped a beat. Fast-forward to today, after six months of daily driving this machine—editing videos, writing novels, and surviving Zoom marathons—and I’m here to tell you: This laptop is different. Let’s unpack why.
MacBook Pro 14 Unboxing It Feels Like a Flex
The moment you lift the MacBook Pro 14-inch out of its box, you know you’re holding something special. The Space Gray finish (my pick—classic, but sleek) has this understated confidence. No flashy logos, just a glowing Apple on the lid. At 3.5 pounds, it’s not the lightest laptop out there, but the weight feels substantial, like a tool meant for serious work. My partner, a diehard Windows user, deadpanned: “That’s the Rolls-Royce of laptops, isn’t it?” Close enough.
Design Wins:
- Chassis: Aluminum unibody—durable, but a fingerprint magnet (keep a microfiber cloth handy).
- Ports: MagSafe is BACK, baby! Plus HDMI, SD card slot, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. No more dongle purgatory.
- Keyboard: The much-loved Magic Keyboard with decent travel. Typing this review felt like tapping on clouds compared to my old MacBook’s butterfly switches.
But the star? That 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. More on that next.
Screen Real Estate That’ll Make You Drool
I edit photos as a side hustle, and let me tell you: This display is chef’s kiss. The 3024×1964 resolution is so sharp, I caught myself zooming into random leaves in a photo just to admire the detail. The XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range) tech means blacks look like voids and highlights pop without blowing out. Watching Dune: Part Two on here? I forgot I wasn’t in a theater.
Display Specs:
- Brightness: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (translation: sunlight is no match for this screen).
- ProMotion: 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through Twitter feels like butter.
- Notch: Yes, there’s a notch for the 1080p webcam. You stop noticing it after Day 2.
Pro Tip: Enable ProMotion in Settings > Display. Your eyeballs will thank you.
Performance: M2/M3 Pro? More Like “M-Godzilla”
My unit has the M2 Pro chip (10-core CPU, 16-core GPU), but Apple’s since rolled out the M3 series. Regardless, these chips are monsters. I threw everything at this laptop:
- Video Editing: Edited a 15-minute 4K wedding video in Final Cut Pro while running Slack, Chrome (20 tabs, because chaos), and Spotify. Zero lag. Export time? 8 minutes. On my old Intel MacBook Pro, that would’ve taken 25+ minutes and sounded like a jet engine.
- Gaming: Played Baldur’s Gate 3 on medium settings. Smooth 50 FPS. Not bad for a “non-gaming” laptop.
- Multitasking: Ran a Zoom call, Illustrator, and a YouTube video simultaneously. The fans? They stayed silent.
Performance Takeaways:
- M2 Pro/M3 Pro chips eat creative workloads for breakfast.
- 16GB RAM is solid for most users, but spring for 32GB if you’re editing 8K video.
- Storage: 512GB SSD is livable, but 1TB is the sweet spot if you hoard raw files.
Battery Life: The “All-Day” Promise Actually Delivers
Apple claims “up to 17 hours” of battery life. Skeptical? I was too. But during a cross-country flight, I binge-watched The Bear Season 3 (no spoilers!) for 6 hours straight and still had 45% left. For normal workdays (writing, emails, light Photoshop), I easily get 10-12 hours.
Battery Hacks:
- Use Low Power Mode (under Battery Settings) when you’re just browsing or typing.
- Stick to Safari over Chrome—it’s gentler on battery.
Keyboard & Trackpad: Where Productivity Lives
As someone who types 5,000 words a week, the Magic Keyboard is a revelation. The keys have just enough bounce to keep my wrists happy during marathon sessions. The trackpad? It’s massive, responsive, and makes even Windows Precision trackpads feel clunky.
FYI: The Touch Bar is gone (RIP 2016-2023). In its place: full-size function keys. Honestly? I don’t miss it.
MacBook Pro 14 Speakers
I hosted a movie night with friends, and we used the MacBook’s speakers as a last-minute fix. Result? Everyone asked, “Wait, this is coming from the laptop?” The six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers delivers shockingly rich bass and crisp highs. Perfect for podcasts, Netflix, or hyping yourself up with Beyoncé before a big meeting.
Software: macOS Sonoma Plays Nice
macOS Sonoma is polished, intuitive, and plays well with Apple’s ecosystem. Features like Stage Manager helped me organize messy workflows, and Universal Control let me drag files between my MacBook and iPad like a wizard.
Quirks:
- Learning curve: If you’re new to macOS, the lack of a “Snap” feature (like Windows) is annoying. Download Rectangle (free) to fix that.
- Updates: Seamless, but they take up space. Keep 15-20GB free.
Who’s This For? (And Who Should Walk Away)
Buy This If:
- You’re a creative pro (editors, designers, musicians).
- You want a reliable workhorse that won’t lag or crash.
- You’re deep in the Apple ecosystem (AirPods, iPhone, iPad).
Skip This If:
- You’re on a budget (this starts at $1,999—ouch).
- You need touchscreen or 2-in-1 flexibility.
- You’re a casual user who just checks email (get a MacBook Air instead).
The Downsides: Let’s Keep It Honest
- Price: It’s expensive. The base model costs as much as a used car.
- Weight: Heavier than ultrabooks like the MacBook Air. Not ideal for constant travelers.
- Upgradability: RAM and storage are soldered. Choose wisely at checkout.
Final Verdict: Worth the Hype (and the Price Tag)
The MacBook Pro 14-inch isn’t perfect, but it’s the closest thing to a “no compromises” laptop I’ve used. It’s powerful enough for creatives, sleek enough for coffee shops, and reliable enough to make you forget your charger at home.
If you’re ready to invest in a machine that’ll last 5+ years, this is it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with Final Cut Pro and this glorious display.
