Apple’s 2024 MacBook Pro Models: Best Features

With next-generation M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max CPUs, Thunderbolt 5 connections on higher-end versions, display modifications, and a few other tweaks, Apple redesigned the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in October 2024.

Along with mini-LED screens, MagSafe quick charging, various ports, and other features, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models come equipped with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max CPUs for optimal performance. The following features are:

Design and Display

The M4 MacBook Pro models, which still feature mini-LED screens and are available in 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch sizes, have not had their designs updated. The MacBook Pro versions include full-sized keyboards and huge trackpads, available in either black or silver aluminium. The revised M-series processors are the main focus of this year’s internal upgrades.

Liquid Retina XDR Display

The Liquid Retina XDR display, a mini-LED display with an enhanced 1000 nits SDR brightness outside, up to 1000 nits persistent XDR brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, is a feature of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro versions have 254 pixels per inch and resolutions of 3024-by-1964 and 3456-by-2234, respectively.

Although there has been no change in display sizes in 2024, Apple has introduced the opportunity to update the MacBook Pro with a nano-texture screen that lowers glare and supports a minimum brightness of 1 nit for the first time.

ProMotion Technology

A new 12-megapixel webcam featuring Center Stage and Desk View is situated in a notch on top of the display, which also has thin 3.5mm bezels on the sides and top. ProMotion technology, which offers adjustable refresh rates of up to 120 Hz, is included with both panels. Additional display technologies include True Tone, which adjusts the panel’s white balance to fit the ambient illumination, and P3 Wide color, which produces colors that are true to life.

Track Pad and Touch ID

The M4 MacBook Pro models have the same design as the M3 MacBook Pro models from the previous generation. In addition to a Touch ID button with a circular fingerprint sensor, there is an all-black keyboard with a full-sized array of function buttons. Touch ID is utilized for password replacement, purchase authentication, and Mac unlocking. Beneath the keyboard is a large Force Touch trackpad.

Advanced Thermal Design

Even with the more potent M4 Pro and M4 Max CPUs, Apple is utilizing the same redesigned thermal architecture that maintains performance over time while keeping the computer cool and quieter.

M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max Chips

The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, but the M4 Pro chip includes a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU. The top-tier M4 Max can have a CPU with up to 16 cores and a GPU with up to 40 cores. Along with a boost in memory bandwidth, all of the new processors feature mesh shading and hardware-based ray tracing for improved gaming performance.
A 16-core Neural Engine powers machine learning tasks and on-device Apple Intelligence capabilities on all of Apple’s M4 CPUs.

Memory

Up to 32GB of unified memory may be used with the M4 chip, and up to 64GB can be used with the M4 Pro. Up to 128GB of unified memory may be used with the M4 Max. The memory bandwidth of the M4 is 120 GB/s, that of the M4 Pro is 273 GB/s, and that of the M4 Max is up to 546 GB/s.

Ports

Both MacBook Pro models come with several ports, such as an SDXC card slot, three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports for the M4, an HDMI 2.1 port, and three USB-C Thunderbolt 5 ports for the M4 Pro/Max models, a 3.5mm headphone jack that supports high-impedance headphones, and a MagSafe 3 port that allows for fast charging, which gives the device a 50% charge in 30 minutes.

Power Adapters

All MacBook Pro models may be charged by USB-C or MagSafe, and the 16-inch model requires a 140W power adapter, while the 14-inch versions come with a 70W or 96W power adapter, depending on the chip configuration.

Storage

Although the MacBook Pro models with the regular M4 chip have a storage capacity of 2TB and the M4 Pro versions have a storage capacity of 4TB, both models include fast SSDs that can be configured to have up to 8TB of storage.

Battery Life

The MacBook Pro versions have significantly longer battery life because of the new M4 CPUs. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 CPU can watch movies for up to 24 hours and browse the web for up to 16 hours. While the M4 Max lasts up to 18 hours while online watching videos and 13 hours when browsing the web, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro can watch movies for up to 22 hours and browse the web for up to 14 hours.

Models of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro CPU can stream video for up to 24 hours and browse the web for up to 17 hours. The M4 Max chip allows models to stream video for up to 21 hours and browse the web for up to 14 hours.

Connectivity

Both Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E are supported by Macs; Wi-Fi 6E uses the 6GHz band to provide lower latency and quicker wireless communication. A six-speaker audio system with two tweeters, four force-cancelling speakers, and broad stereo sound is also included with the MacBook Pro versions.

In conclusion, the 2024 MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips bring exceptional performance, advanced displays, improved battery life, and versatile connectivity options, solidifying their position as powerful tools for professionals and creatives alike.