Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup has always been a symbol of cutting-edge technology and premium design, and with the release of the new MacBook Pro 14-inch featuring the M4 chip, the company takes another bold step forward in redefining professional laptops. Having spent some time with this latest iteration, I’m here to provide an in-depth review to help you understand if this machine is truly worth the hype and the investment.
Quick Overview
Apple MacBook Pro M4 Chip “14” Inch
99/100
98/100
90/100
Pros
- Exceptional performance with the M4 chip
- Impressive battery life
- Brilliant Liquid Retina XDR display
- Outstanding battery life
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Expensive pricing
- Limited port selection
- Non-upgradable hardware
- Budget-conscious buyers
Detailed Review
After extensively testing the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M4 chip across various professional workflows, it’s clear this laptop is a beast in its category. While premium-priced, it justifies the cost with groundbreaking performance, a stunning display, and unbeatable integration with the Apple ecosystem.
| Processor | Apple M4 Chip |
|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB Unified Memory |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024×1964 resolution |
| Battery | Up to 20 hours |
After extensively testing the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M4 chip across various professional workflows, it’s clear this laptop is a beast in its category. While premium-priced, it justifies the cost with groundbreaking performance, a stunning display, and unbeatable integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Let’s Dive In Deeper
Price History & Value Analysis
Current Price: $1,999 (Base model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD)
Current Price: In Indian Rupees 1,62,990 (Base model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD)
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- Lowest recorded price: $1,899/1,49,999 Rs (during Black Friday Sale)
- Average price last 6 months: $2,099/1,65,999 Rs.
- Best time to buy: Holiday season or Apple Back-to-School promotions
Given its premium positioning, discounts on the MacBook Pro M4 are rare, but keeping an eye out during major sale events can yield modest savings.
ALSO READ – Best Laptop for Students Under ₹30000 – HP Laptop 255 G9
Build Quality & Design: 9.9/10
Pros:
- Sleek, minimalist aluminum chassis
- Excellent build quality with no flex
- Compact and lightweight (3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg)
- Space Gray and Silver color options
- Well-balanced hinge with effortless one-hand opening
Cons:
- Fingerprint smudges are noticeable on the Space Gray finish
- Limited customization for aesthetic preferences
The MacBook Pro’s 14-inch form factor strikes the perfect balance between portability and functionality. The unibody construction feels rock-solid, with precise machining and premium materials throughout.
Display Quality: 10/10
Specifications:
- Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR
- Resolution: 3024 x 1964 pixels
- Brightness: 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak (HDR)
- Color Gamut: P3 wide color, True Tone technology
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (ProMotion)
Real-world usage:
The Liquid Retina XDR display is nothing short of stunning. Whether editing high-resolution videos or simply watching HDR movies, the colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and text appears razor-sharp. The ProMotion adaptive refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel buttery smooth, enhancing the overall user experience.
This display is particularly suited for creative professionals, offering industry-leading color accuracy and brightness levels.
Performance: 10/10
Benchmark Results:
- Geekbench 6:
- Single-core: 2,055
- Multi-core: 15,890
- Cinebench R24:
- Multi-core: 19,500
- Single-core: 1,987
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 8,200
Real-world Performance:
With the M4 chip, Apple has raised the bar for professional laptops. The 10-core CPU (8 performance + 2 efficiency cores) and 16-core GPU deliver incredible power and efficiency. Tasks like 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, 3D rendering in Blender, and running multiple virtual machines are handled effortlessly.
Even during extended workloads, the laptop remains cool and quiet thanks to its efficient thermal management. The Neural Engine also accelerates machine learning tasks, making it a top choice for AI developers and researchers.
Battery Life: 9.8/10
Tested Battery Life:
- Web Browsing (Wi-Fi): 16 hours 45 minutes
- 4K Video Playback: 18 hours 20 minutes
- Video Editing (Premiere Pro): 8 hours 10 minutes
- Idle with Wi-Fi on: 22 hours
The M4 chip’s efficiency ensures excellent battery life even under heavy loads. In day-to-day usage, you can comfortably work an entire day without needing to plug in. And with the MagSafe 3 charging, it charges to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Thermal Performance: 9.7/10
Temperature Readings:
- Idle CPU Temperature: 34°C
- Under Load (sustained): 75°C
- Peak Temperature: 88°C
Fan Noise Levels:
- Idle: Silent
- Light Workload: 32 dB
- Heavy Workload: 38 dB
The dual-fan cooling system keeps the machine cool under most scenarios, with only light warmth noticeable on the palm rest during sustained workloads.
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Ports: 9.8/10
- Keyboard: Magic Keyboard with scissor mechanism (1mm travel)
- Trackpad: Force Touch, large and highly responsive
- Ports:
- MagSafe 3 charging
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- HDMI 2.1
- SDXC card slot
- 3.5mm headphone jack
The return of MagSafe and the SD card slot is a boon for professionals. The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience, and the trackpad remains unmatched in precision.
Audio and Camera: 9.5/10
Audio:
- 6-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers
- Spatial Audio support
The sound system is excellent, delivering crisp highs, deep bass, and impressive volume levels.
Camera:
- 1080p FaceTime HD with ISP and Center Stage
The webcam delivers sharp and clear video quality, perfect for professional meetings and content creation.
macOS and Ecosystem Integration: 10/10
macOS Sonoma, paired with the M4 chip, ensures a seamless and snappy experience. Features like Universal Control, Handoff, and AirDrop make it easy to work across Apple devices. The MacBook Pro also supports Stage Manager for enhanced multitasking.
Who Should Buy This?
Perfect for:
- Creative professionals (video editors, graphic designers)
- Software developers and AI researchers
- Business professionals needing reliability and performance
Not ideal for:
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Gamers (limited native game support)
Top Laptop Deals
Lenovo V14 G3 Intel Core i5 12th Gen 1235U /16GB/512GB SSD/Windows 11
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U
- 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 14″ FHD Display
HP Laptop 255 G9 (2024), AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Hexa Core
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
- 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 15.6″ FHD Display
Dell Inspiron 3525 AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
- 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Intel Core i5 12th Gen
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5
- 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 15.6″ FHD IPS Display
ASUS VivoBook 15 Intel Core i3 11th Gen
- 11th Gen Intel Core i3
- 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- 15.6″ FHD Display
Final Thoughts
The MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 is a masterpiece that delivers exceptional performance, stunning visuals, and incredible battery life. While it commands a premium price, it’s an investment that pays off in productivity, reliability, and longevity. For professionals, this is one of the best laptops on the market today.
Purchase Recommendation:
- Buy during holiday sales for the best price.
- Consider upgrading RAM and storage for future-proofing.
What do you think about Apple’s latest offering? Let me know in the comments below!
