Apple has just unveiled its upgraded MacBook Pro lineup, now featuring its latest M4 series processors. The refreshed 14- and 16-inch models include the M4 Pro chip, introduced with the Mac Mini, and a new, high-performance M4 Max. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro also gains a subtle design tweak with an additional USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 port on the right side, along with a new space black colour option for a premium feel.
Read: Apple refreshes the iMac with Apple Intelligence and the M4
As with prior models, the M4 Pro MacBook Pros start at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch, both now upgraded from 18GB to 24GB of base RAM. The standard 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip remains at $1,599 but now starts with 16GB of RAM, a significant improvement from its previous 8GB. Preorders are available, with the official release set for November 8.
In addition to chip and memory enhancements, the new MacBook Pros are the first laptops in Apple’s lineup with Thunderbolt 5 ports. Each model also features a 12MP webcam with Apple’s Desk View, plus an optional nano-texture display offering up to 1,000 nits of SDR brightness and 1,600 nits in HDR, perfect for professionals needing high colour accuracy and clarity.
While these design and accessory upgrades are appealing, the standout improvement is in Apple’s new M4 processors. Apple claims the M4 series boasts “the world’s fastest CPU core” and “the industry’s best single-threaded performance.” The M4 chips promise notably improved multithreaded capabilities, while the M4 Pro and M4 Max integrate faster GPUs and a ray-tracing engine twice as fast as their predecessors. Additionally, the neural engine offers double the speed of the M3 for smoother AI and machine learning performance, supporting Apple’s AI platform, Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s new silicon is tailored for intensive AI-driven applications, though Apple Intelligence also functions on older Macs back to the M1 chip from 2020. Alongside this update, Apple has also bumped base RAM configurations for M2 and M3 MacBook Air models to 16GB, starting at $999 for the M2 model.
The M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros are set to be powerful tools for creative professionals using apps like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. And with the enhanced 14-inch M4 model, the entry-level MacBook Pro offers more appeal, giving users a better fit for their workflows and justifying the “Pro” title with its improved specs and features.
