MacBook Pro 2024: Faster chips and ports in Apple's professional laptop
With up to 16 cores: MacBook Pro buyers have to choose between more and even more performance. Apple is also significantly upgrading the entry-level model.
(Image: Apple)
The iMac M4 and Mac mini M4 are followed by the MacBook Pro M4: Apple announced the new edition of its professional laptop series on the third and probably last product launch day. In contrast to the redesigned Mac mini, the MacBook Pro remains true to the 14" and 16" display design that has been in place since 2021.
However, there is once again plenty of choice when it comes to processors: Apple is launching the MacBook Pro with M4 (10 cores), M4 Pro (up to 14 cores) and M4 Max. With up to 16 processor cores and 40 shader cores, the latter is the maximum that the manufacturer currently has to offer. For M4 Pro and M4 Max, Apple also promises up to 75 percent more memory bandwidth as well as a more powerful ray tracing engine and neural engine for AI tasks.
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The shape and number of ports on the M4 Pro and M4 Max models remain unchanged: the MacBook Pro offers three USB-C ports, HDMI, an SDXC card slot, a headphone jack and MagSafe power supply on the sides. As with the Pro version of the Mac mini, Thunderbolt 5 (with support for DisplayPort 2.1) has also been introduced here – in all three USB-C ports on the models with M4 Pro and M4 Max.
More ports and more RAM for base model
The base model with M4 particularly benefits from the update: Apple has now also equipped it with three USB-C ports instead of just two. They also support Thunderbolt 4 (previously Thunderbolt 3). As with the more expensive models, there are now USB-C ports on both sides, allowing the device to be charged more flexibly. This makes it possible to connect two external monitors to this model – in parallel with the integrated display.
(Image:Â Apple)
There is no support for Wi-Fi 7, only Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Apple does not offer a laptop version with eSIM and mobile connectivity.
The Mac range also eliminates another shortcoming: The basic configuration now comes with 16 GB of RAM instead of just 8 GB. Apple defended the meagre RAM configuration for a long time, but it has long seemed anachronistic, especially on the MacBook Pro. The high prices for memory upgrades remain unchanged. The same applies here: additional RAM and more internal storage space must be booked directly at the time of purchase, subsequent upgrades are not possible.
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Improvements to the display and webcam
The 120 Hz-capable display of the MacBook Pro 2024 now supports brightness levels of up to 1000 nits (candela/m²) even for non-HDR content, as Apple states – and should therefore be much easier to read in mobile outdoor use, even in direct sunlight. An optional anti-reflective version with nano-textured glass is also available for an extra charge. A 12-megapixel webcam should provide better images and supports both the follow mode, which keeps the speaker in view, and the desktop view.
Apple has reduced the entry-level price in Germany by 100 euros; the MacBook Pro 2024 (M4, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, 14" display) is available from 1900 euros. Apple now even offers the basic model in "Space Black" as an alternative to silver. With the M4 Pro, it is available from 2400 euros, while the entry-level price for the M4 Max is 3800 euros. The 16-inch version of the MacBook Pro is listed from 2900 euros. Sales start on November 8th, pre-orders are already open.
The price comparison still shows offers for the predecessor with M3 chip, offers for the M4 MacBook Pro will follow soon.
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