M4 MacBook Pro vs M3: What do the latest laptops deliver?

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M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 comparison

The latest MacBook Pro laptops are here powered by the new M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max Apple Silicon. In addition to more powerful and efficient CPUs/GPUs, these MacBook Pro machines have longer battery life, Thunderbolt 5 (with M4 Pro/Max chips), a nano-texture display option, a new webcam, and more. Read on for an in-depth look at what’s new with the M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro lineup plus a buyer’s guide.

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro laptops

CPU, GPU, memory, neural engine

The new M4 Apple Silicon family features options ranging from 10 to 16-core CPUs, 10 to 40-core GPUs, and 16 to 128GB of unified memory.

A nice move here is the base machines starting with 16GB memory.

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 specs 1

Here’s the breakdown of the new M4 specs vs M3:

M4 MacBook ProM3 MacBook Pro
Chip/CPUM4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max – up to 16-coreM3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max – up to 16-core
StorageUp to 8TBUp to 8TB
Unified memoryUp to 128GBUp to 128GB
Memory bandwidthUp to 547GB/sUp to 400GB/s
GPUUp to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracingUp to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Media engineHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, 2x video encode engines, 2x ProRes encode and decode engines, AV1 decodeHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, 2x video encode engines, 2x ProRes encode and decode engines, AV1 decode
Neural engine16-core16-core
Apple Intelligence

Apple says “The CPUs across the M4 family feature the world’s fastest CPU core, delivering the industry’s best single-threaded performance, and dramatically faster multithreaded performance.”

And “The GPUs build on the breakthrough graphics architecture introduced in the previous generation, with faster cores and a 2x faster ray-tracing engine.”

We’ll dig into I/O more below but the new M4 MacBook Pro laptops bring Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, memory bandwidth up to 574GB/s, and a Neural Engine up to 2x faster than the M3 family.

With M4 Pro, Apple says tasks like 3D visualization are up to 30% faster than M3 Pro, and the M4 Max CPU and GPU are up to 20% faster than the M3 Max.

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 specs 2
M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 specs 3
M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 specs 4

Display

The new M4 MacBook Pro models share most of the same features that we’ve seen since 2021 with the Liquid Retina XDR Display, ProMotion with up to 120Hz refresh rates, a 254 pixel per inch density, and slim bezels.

In 2023, the M3 MacBook Pro models had one main improvement – a 20% brighter screen that displays SDR content at up to 600 nits which matches the Studio Display for consistent brightness.

New for 2024 with the M4 MacBook Pro laptops is the option for the nano-texture display plus an outdoor SDR brightness of up to 1000 nits (previously at 600).

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 display
14″ M4 MacBook Pro14″ M3 MacBook Pro16″ M4 MacBook Pro16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Actual screen size14.2″14.2″16.2″16.2″
Nano-texture option
Resolution3024 x 19643024 x 19643456 x 22343456 x 2234
Aspect Ratio16:10 + notch16:10 + notch16:10 + notch16:10 + notch
PPI254254254254
Nits (brightness)1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR up to 1000 outdoors1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR 6001000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR up to 1000 outdoors1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR 600
Liquid Retina XDR display
ProMotion (up to 120Hz)
mini-LED backlit
True Tone
P3 wide color

The latest MacBook Pros come with a notch at the top center of the display for the 12MP Center Stage camera just like previous models.

Unfortunately, Face ID has still not arrived with the M4 MacBook Pro laptops.

MacBook Pro I/O

The M4 MacBook Pro models feature the same ports with the same layout as the M3 and M2 MacBook Pro.

That includes an HDMI port, SDXC card reader, and MagSafe. There are also 3 Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 4 ports.

M3 MacBook Pro vs M2 MacBook Pro I/O

However, the M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models have been upgraded with Thunderbolt 5:

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 IO ports

Those ports can deliver up to 120GB/s performance. The other major I/O upgrade is a 12MP Center Stage camera.

14″ M4 MacBook Pro14″ M3 MacBook Pro16″ M4 MacBook Pro16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Magic Keyboard
Touch ID
12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View✅ 1080p✅ 1080p
FaceTime camera1080p1080p
Thunderbolt/USB-C ports3x Thunderbolt 5 (3x Thunderbolt 4 for M3 models)3x Thunderbolt 4 (2 for M3 models)3x Thunderbolt 5 3x Thunderbolt 4
HDMI
SDXC card reader
MagSafe charging
Bluetooth5.35.35.35.3
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
External display supportM4 and M4 Pro: Up to 2 external displays at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt, or 1 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI

or

1 external display at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M4 Max: Up to 4 external displays: Up to 3 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI

or

Up to 3 external displays: Up to 2 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M3: One external display at up to 6K/60Hz

M3 Pro: Up to 2 external displays at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt, or 1 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI, or 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M3 Max: Up to 4 external displays: 3 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI, or
up to 3 displays: 2 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M4 and M4 Pro: Up to 2 external displays at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt, or 1 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI

or

1 external display at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M4 Max: Up to 4 external displays: Up to 3 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI

or

Up to 3 external displays: Up to 2 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M3 Pro: Up to 2 external displays at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt, or 1 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI, or 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

M3 Max: Up to 4 external displays: 3 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 4K/144Hz over HDMI, or
up to 3 displays: 2 at 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 at 8K/60Hz or 1 at 4K/240Hz over HDMI

Colors, size, and weight

Physical dimensions are the same between the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro laptops.

While Apple kept the new Space Black color for the high-end in 2023, all of the M4 MacBook Pro laptops come in Silver or Space Black.

Here’s the breakdown of colors, size, and weight:

14″ M4 MacBook Pro14″ M3 MacBook Pro16″ M4 MacBook Pro16″ M3 MacBook Pro
WeightM4: 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg)
M4 Pro: 3.5 pounds (1.60 kg)
M4 Max: 3.6 pounds (1.62 kg)
M3: 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg)
M3 Pro: 3.5 pounds (1.61 kg)
M3 Max: 3.6 pounds (1.62 kg)
M4 Pro: 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg)
M4 Max: 4.7 pounds (2.15 kg)
M3 Pro: 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg)
M3 Max: 4.8 pounds (2.16 kg)
Thickness0.61 inch (1.55 cm)0.61 inch (1.55 cm)0.66 inch (1.68 cm)0.66 inch (1.68 cm)
Width12.31 inches (31.26 cm)12.31 inches (31.26 cm)14.01 inches (35.57 cm)14.01 inches (35.57 cm)
Depth8.71 inches (22.12 cm)8.71 inches (22.12 cm)9.77 inches (24.81 cm)9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
Display size14.2 inches14.2 inches16.2 inches16.2 inches
FinishesSilver or Space BlackSilver or Space Gray for M3, Space Black or Silver for M3 Pro and M3 MaxSilver or Space BlackSilver or Space Gray for M3, Space Black or Silver for M3 Pro and M3 Max

Battery life

M4 MacBook Pro battery life

Battery life gets a bump across the board with the M4 MacBook Pro laptops offering the longest runtimes yet:

14″ M4 MacBook Pro14″ M3 MacBook Pro14″ M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro14″ M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro16″ M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro16″ M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro
Wireless web battery16 hours15 hours14/13 hours12 hours17/14 hours15 hours
Video playback24 hours22 hours22/18 hours18 hours24/21 hours22 hours
Power adapter70W or 96W70W or 96W70W or 96W70W or 96W140W140W
Battery capacity72.4Wh70Wh72.4Wh70Wh100Wh100Wh
Fast charging

Price

The base configurations start at the same $1,599 and $2,499 for the 14 and 16″ M4 MacBook Pro models.

But custom builds can be more expensive with the new nano-texture upgrade that runs $150.

Model/price14″ M4 MacBook Pro14″ M3 MacBook Pro16″ M4 MacBook Pro16″ M3 MacBook Pro
BaseFrom $1,599From $1,599From $2,499From $2,499
Custom buildsUp to $7,049Up to $6,899Up to $7,349Up to $7,199

M4 MacBook Pro vs M3: Buyer’s guide

Reasons to buy

If you’re a professional (or aspiring pro) who needs the latest and greatest from Apple, the upgrade may be worth it. And the M3 MacBook Pro laptops will be very impressive for those coming from an Intel or an M1 MacBook.

M4 MacBook Pro upgrades:

  • Latest and greatest Apple Silicon
  • Thunderbolt 5
  • Nano-texture display option
  • 12MP Center Stage camera
  • Longer battery life

Reasons to pass

For those who already have an M3 or M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro and/or don’t have workflows that require the absolute best performance, it’s likely the best fit to keep what you have or opt for a MacBook Air.

Deciding on specs

For those unsure about which M4 MacBook Pro specs to pick, you can get the same CPU/GPU with the M4 Pro and M4 Max in the 14 and 16-inch models. The main difference in cost is the upgraded GPU power including the more capable media engine and increased external display support with the M4 Max chip.

When it comes to unified memory, if you have medium to heavy workflows and/or plan to keep your new MacBook Pro for several years (or more), going with 24GB or more will likely be worth the upgrade.

You can find the new MacBook Pro at Apple and soon at Amazon, Best Buy, and more.

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