
Apple’s 14-Inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro Sets a New Standard | Image Source: www.howtogeek.com
NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 — Apple’s 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro has redefined the laptop market, blending cutting-edge performance with exceptional value. Priced at $1,999, this model is being hailed as one of Apple’s most compelling offerings to date. According to How-To Geek, the M4 Pro delivers remarkable power, battery life, and a display and audio experience that makes it an unbeatable choice for professionals and power users alike.
Performance That Leads the Pack
At the heart of the M4 Pro MacBook Pro is Apple’s binned M4 Pro chip, which features eight performance cores and four efficiency cores. As per How-To Geek, this configuration ensures seamless handling of demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and software development. The performance matches high-end PC workstations like those equipped with Intel Core i9 and RTX 4060 GPUs, but without the fan noise or excessive power consumption. With 24GB of unified memory and advanced AI hardware, this laptop is also future-proof for AI-driven workloads.
Moreover, the M4 Pro’s SSD provides a read/write speed of 5GB/s, further enhancing productivity. Even though higher-tier configurations offer slight performance boosts, the difference is marginal for most users. This makes the base M4 Pro variant a stellar choice for both creative professionals and general users.
Battery Life That Impresses
Battery life is another standout feature of the M4 Pro MacBook Pro. Apple claims up to 22 hours of usage, but real-world tests by How-To Geek suggest a still-impressive endurance of 10 hours under mixed-use conditions. Tasks such as streaming music, using external monitors, and running background applications consumed just 30% of the battery over a standard workday.
Even under heavy workloads like gaming or video encoding, the M4 Pro managed eight to ten hours of usage. This endurance ensures that professionals can rely on the device throughout the day without needing a charger, making it one of the most efficient laptops in its class.
Display and Audio: Raising the Bar
The 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display of the M4 Pro is a highlight, offering a 3024×1964 resolution with Quantum Dot miniLED technology. According to How-To Geek, the screen delivers vivid colors, deep blacks, and an impressive brightness that rivals OLED displays. This makes it ideal for content creators who require accurate color reproduction and high dynamic range for their work.
The six-speaker system with force-canceling woofers complements the visual experience with immersive audio quality. Whether watching movies, listening to music, or gaming, users can expect full-range sound and a wide stereo soundstage. How-To Geek noted that the audio quality rivals standalone speakers, making headphones optional for most activities.
Design and Build: Elegance Meets Functionality
The M4 Pro MacBook Pro is a testament to Apple’s design excellence. Weighing 3.5 pounds and measuring 0.61 inches in thickness, the laptop strikes a balance between portability and durability. Its rounded edges, seamless finish, and balanced hinge mechanism make it a pleasure to use. The inclusion of ports like Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, MagSafe, and an SD card reader ensures compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.
Additionally, the 12MP Center Stage camera enhances video calls by dynamically adjusting the frame to keep users centered. This feature, combined with the device’s top-tier build quality, cements its status as a versatile tool for both work and leisure.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Best in Class
Apple has long been lauded for its trackpad technology, and the M4 Pro MacBook Pro continues this tradition with a precise and responsive haptic trackpad. As noted by How-To Geek, it is unmatched in the laptop market. The keyboard, too, has seen significant improvement, offering a tactile “thocky” feel that rivals mechanical keyboards despite its slim profile. These input devices make the M4 Pro ideal for prolonged typing and creative work.
How-To Geek also highlighted Apple’s successful departure from the problematic butterfly keyboard design, emphasizing the reliability and comfort of the current scissor-switch mechanism.
While the M4 Pro MacBook Pro is not without its drawbacks—such as the high cost of RAM and storage upgrades—its base configuration is more than adequate for most users. With unparalleled performance, a stunning display, and all-day battery life, the laptop is poised to remain a benchmark for years to come.