M4 Pro vs. M1 Pro MacBook Pro: A Three-Year Progress in Performance and Innovation
The MacBook Pro has long represented state-of-the-art technology, and with the launch of the M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, Apple reinforces that image. But how does it compare to its earlier version—the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro—three years after its release? Let’s examine the specifications, performance, and attributes to assist you in determining if an upgrade is worthwhile.
Design and Build: Recognizable Yet Enhanced
M4 Pro vs. M1 Pro: Same Dimensions, Fresh Color Choices
Concerning design, the M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro is mostly similar to the M1 Pro model. Both laptops have dimensions of 12.31 inches by 8.71 inches, with a slim profile at just 0.61 inches thick and a weight of 3.5 pounds. The aluminum frame preserves its sleek and modern appearance.
What’s the primary visual change? The addition of a new Space Black color choice for the M4 Pro. This is alongside the enduring Space Grey and Silver finishes available on both models. While the design remains quite consistent, this new hue gives a refreshing appeal for users looking for a change.
Display: Radiant and Stunning
Minor Adjustments, Yet Still Striking
The display technology in the M4 Pro is comparable to the M1 Pro model, sporting the same 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, featuring a resolution of 3,024 by 1,964 and a pixel density of 254 pixels per inch. Both models are equipped with ProMotion technology allowing adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and True Tone color adjustments.
However, a notable advancement in the M4 Pro is the increase in brightness for SDR content, elevated to 600 nits from the M1 Pro model’s 500 nits. This enhancement makes the M4 Pro somewhat superior for outdoor use and general viewing.
Additionally, the M4 Pro offers an optional Nano-texture glass treatment, minimizing glare and reflections—perfect for users operating in well-lit surroundings. Unfortunately, this feature is unavailable on the M1 Pro model.
Performance: A Major Advancement
M4 Pro vs. M1 Pro: Processor and Graphics
The most significant distinction between the two models is performance, attributed to the new M4 Pro chip. The M4 Pro comes in two configurations: a 12-core CPU with an 8-core GPU or a 14-core CPU with a 16-core GPU. This is a considerable advancement from the M1 Pro, which provided an 8-core or 10-core CPU and up to a 16-core GPU.
Apple asserts that the M4 Pro achieves up to 1.8x faster performance than the M1 Pro. This performance enhancement is particularly evident in CPU-heavy activities like video editing, software development, or multitasking with several applications.
Geekbench Scores: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
While real-world benchmark data for the M4 Pro is still emerging, initial Geekbench estimates indicate a single-core score of 4,300 and a multi-core score exceeding 22,000. This marks a significant leap from the M1 Pro’s single-core score of 2,387 and multi-core score of 12,349.
If you’re curious about graphical performance, the M4 Pro’s GPU is projected to be 2.2x more powerful than the M1 Pro, making it perfect for graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or gaming.
Memory and Storage: Increased Flexibility
Improved Memory and Storage Choices
The M4 Pro offers enhanced flexibility in memory options, starting at 24GB of unified memory and reaching up to 48GB. This marks a substantial improvement over the M1 Pro, which only had options for 16GB or 32GB. This increased memory bandwidth (273GB/s vs. 200GB/s in the M1 Pro) ensures better multitasking and quicker data retrieval, particularly for experts handling large datasets or sophisticated applications.
Both models provide storage configurations ranging from 512GB to 4TB, though the M1 Pro also featured an option for an 8TB SSD, which is not available in the M4 Pro lineup.
Connectivity and Ports: Thunderbolt 5 Takes the Lead
Thunderbolt 5 and Wi-Fi 6E
A prominent upgrade in the M4 Pro is the transition from Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports in the M1 Pro to Thunderbolt 5 ports. This enhancement offers double the data throughput, making it essential for users who depend on rapid data transfers or connect to numerous high-resolution external displays.
Both models retain a MagSafe 3 charging port, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SDXC card slot. However, the M4 Pro excels in wireless connectivity, featuring Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, in contrast to the M1 Pro’s Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
Camera and Audio: A Modest Enhancement
Center Stage and Desk View
The M4 Pro introduces a 12MP Center Stage camera, which tracks the user during video calls to keep them centered within the frame. This is an upgrade from the standard 1080p FaceTime HD camera found in the M1 Pro. The M4 Pro also incorporates Desk View, a feature that enables you to share your desk’s content during a video call.
In audio performance, both models provide an exceptional six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers and Spatial Audio support for Dolby Atmos. The studio-quality three-mic array also remains consistent between the two, delivering clear audio for conference calls or content creation.
Battery Life: Slightly Larger, Yet Still All-Day Endurance
Power and Longevity
The M4 Pro sees a minor increase in battery capacity with a 72.4Wh lithium-polymer battery, compared to the M1 Pro’s 70Wh. While the difference is slight, both models provide ample power to last throughout a full day of work or media playback without frequent recharges.
Pricing: Similar Configurations
Starting at $1,999
Both the M1 Pro and M4 Pro 14-inch models commence at a price of $1,999, but the M4 Pro presents superior base specifications, including a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 24GB of unified memory. Upgrade pricing remains uniform, with supplementary costs for increased storage, memory options, and the new Nano-texture glass treatment.
Conclusion: Is the Upgrade Justifiable?
If you are a current owner of the M1 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, whether to upgrade to the M4 Pro will depend on your particular requirements. The M4 Pro provides notable performance advancements, especially beneficial for those in creative professions or fields necessitating intensive computational tasks. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E, and enhanced memory choices also makes the M4 Pro an appealing option for power users.
Conversely, if you are content with the performance of your M1 Pro and have no need for state-of-the-art processing capabilities, the M4 Pro may not present sufficient justification for an upgrade. For prospective buyers or those migrating from older models, the M4 Pro is a straightforward decision. Its combination of power, design, and connectivity establishes it as a leading choice within the MacBook lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the design of the M4 Pro MacBook significantly different from the M1 Pro?
No, the design is predominantly unchanged for both models. However, the M4 Pro introduces a new Space Black color option alongside the classic Space Grey and Silver finishes.
2. What is the most significant performance enhancement in the M4 Pro compared to the M1 Pro?
The M4 Pro offers up to 1.8x faster CPU performance and 2.2x improved GPU performance relative to the M1 Pro, making it ideal for demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.
3. Does the M4 Pro utilize superior display technology?
The display technology is nearly identical across both models, but the M4 Pro features slightly better brightness for SDR content and provides an optional Nano-texture glass treatment to diminish glare.
4. Is the battery life improved in the M4 Pro?
The M4 Pro possesses a marginally larger battery (72.4Wh vs. 70Wh), yet both models deliver similar all-day battery life, specifically for standard activities such as web browsing and media viewing.
5. Can the M4 Pro accommodate more external displays than the M1 Pro?
Yes, the M4 Pro can support more advanced display configurations, including a single 8K display at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz via HDMI, which is not achievable on the M1 Pro.
6. Is the upgrade to Thunderbolt 5 considerable?
Yes, Thunderbolt 5 provides double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4, making it a significant advancement for users who routinely manage large files, utilize external GPUs, or connect to multiple high-resolution displays.
