Key information
- The MacBook Pro M4 Max has significantly reduced the photo editing process from 2 hours to 1 hour.
- The M4 Max and M4 Pro processors are available in the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
- High-end MacBook Pros are priced from 2,949 euros (M4 Pro) and 4 299 euros (M4 Max).
The new versions of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros continue to reign supreme as the industry standard for creative professionals. This year’s updates focus on incremental improvements, such as faster processing speeds, improved webcams, and new anti-glare display options.
For tasks requiring rapid turnaround times, every second counts. As a photographer, for example, it appears that capturing thousands of images over the course of a 10-hour day requires rapid editing for on-time delivery. The MacBook Pro M4 Max has dramatically reduced the usual photo editing process from two hours to just one hour, highlighting its impressive performance capabilities.
Processors
The M4 Max, the most powerful processor in Apple’s lineup, debuted in November, alongside the M4 Pro. Both of these processors are available in the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, delivering the pinnacle of Apple laptop performance. While the entry-level MacBook Pro M4 has seen notable improvements with added ports and increased speed, the higher-end models are primarily characterized by chip upgrades. year over year and slightly faster ports. These improvements, while subtle, represent the pinnacle of Apple’s laptop technology.
Based on customer feedback, the review focused on three main areas: photo editing, video editing, and gaming. The M4 Pro was used in a video producer’s workflow for YouTube and TikTok content, while the M4 Max was tested for photo editing at a wedding. Additionally, extensive gaming sessions helped to get a feel for the performance of these laptops.
Indicative prices
High-end MacBook Pros are undeniably designed for professionals. The starting price of 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is 2,949 euros, VAT included, depending on the configuration and options chosen. The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2024) with the M4 Max chip is also available in Belgium on the official Apple website and at certain resellers. Prices for this powerful laptop vary depending on configuration. Here are some indicative prices:
- Base model with M4 Max chip (16-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36 GB of RAM, 1 TB of SSD): from around 4,299 euros.
- High-end configurations with, for example, 48 GB of RAM and greater storage capacity (4 TB SSD): from 5,299 euros or more, depending on the specifications.
Advantages and disadvantages
The laptops retain the sleek design, large haptic touchpads, impressive speakers, and vibrant Mini LED displays with notch of their predecessors. All MacBook Pro models now come standard with a high-resolution Center Stage webcam that intelligently crops and rotates to keep you centered during video calls. Additionally, each laptop offers an optional nano-texture display to minimize glare.
One disadvantage, however, is the relatively high starting price, which limits accessibility for many users. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence seems to bring little added value to the M4 Pro, while the M4 Max, despite its powerful processor cores, still has problems in gaming applications.
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