Apple Expands M4 Lineup with New MacBook Pro Models

Apple has expanded its M4 series of Mac devices with the latest release of the M4 MacBook Pro, following the recent launch of the redesigned iMac and Mac mini earlier this week. With these additions, Apple now offers comprehensive upgrades across its MacBook Pro lineup, including notable improvements in memory, port capabilities, and design.

The base model, starting at $1,599, comes with the M4 chip, featuring a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and a standard 16GB of unified memory—an upgrade from 8GB in previous versions. Other hardware enhancements include three Thunderbolt ports and the availability of the popular space black color, previously exclusive to high-end models. The 14-inch base model maintains Thunderbolt 4 support, while higher configurations with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips come with Thunderbolt 5.

The standard configurations for the 14-inch model include:

• $1,599: M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
• $1,799: M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
• $1,999: M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
• $1,999: M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
• $2,399: M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
• $3,199: M4 Max, 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

For the 16-inch model, options include:

• $2,499: M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
• $2,899: M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
• $3,499: M4 Max, 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
• $3,999: M4 Max, 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

In terms of performance, Apple claims the M4 base chip, with its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, is 1.8 times faster than the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip. For heavy-duty tasks, such as complex scene rendering, the M4 performs up to 3.4 times faster. Its 16-core Neural Engine offers a threefold increase in speed compared to the M1, particularly for tasks like editing gigapixel images. For those opting for the M4 Pro, the speed boost over the M1 Pro reaches up to three times, enhancing workflows in geo-mapping, structural engineering, and data modeling. The M4 Max delivers up to 3.5 times the performance of the M1 Max, efficiently handling creative workloads like visual effects and 3D animation.

The MacBook Pro also receives a camera update, introducing a 12MP Center Stage camera that keeps users centered during video calls, with support for Apple’s Desk View feature, which allows the desk space in front of the laptop to be shown. Display options include a Liquid Retina XDR display with an optional nano-texture glass finish, offering reduced glare for an additional $150.

Brightness for SDR content has been increased to 1000 nits, enhancing clarity and vividness for non-HDR viewing. Memory capacities have also been upgraded, with the M4 Pro starting at 24GB, an increase from 18GB in the M3 Pro models, and a maximum configuration of 128GB is now available on higher-end M4 Max models. All models retain Apple’s iconic port array, including three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 port.

The new M4 MacBook Pro series is available for pre-order with shipping slated to begin on November 8.