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

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.

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

	M4 MacBook Pro	M3 MacBook Pro
Chip/CPU	M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max – up to 16-core	M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max – up to 16-core
Storage	Up to 8TB	Up to 8TB
Unified memory	Up to 128GB	Up to 128GB
Memory bandwidth	Up to 547GB/s	Up to 400GB/s
GPU	Up to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing	Up to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Media engine	Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, 2x video encode engines, 2x ProRes encode and decode engines, AV1 decode	Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, 2x video encode engines, 2x ProRes encode and decode engines, AV1 decode
Neural engine	16-core	16-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.

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).

	14″ M4 MacBook Pro	14″ M3 MacBook Pro	16″ M4 MacBook Pro	16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Actual screen size	14.2″	14.2″	16.2″	16.2″
Nano-texture option	✅	❌	✅	❌
Resolution	3024 x 1964	3024 x 1964	3456 x 2234	3456 x 2234
Aspect Ratio	16:10 + notch	16:10 + notch	16:10 + notch	16:10 + notch
PPI	254	254	254	254
Nits (brightness)	1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR up to 1000 outdoors	1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR 600	1000 sustained, up to 1600 peak for HDR; SDR up to 1000 outdoors	1000 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.

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

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

	14″ M4 MacBook Pro	14″ M3 MacBook Pro	16″ M4 MacBook Pro	16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Magic Keyboard	✅	✅	✅	✅
Touch ID	✅	✅	✅	✅
12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View	✅ 1080p	❌	✅ 1080p	❌
FaceTime camera	–	1080p	–	1080p
Thunderbolt/USB-C ports	3x 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	✅	✅	✅	✅
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
External display support	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: 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 Pro	14″ M3 MacBook Pro	16″ M4 MacBook Pro	16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Weight	M4: 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)
Thickness	0.61 inch (1.55 cm)	0.61 inch (1.55 cm)	0.66 inch (1.68 cm)	0.66 inch (1.68 cm)
Width	12.31 inches (31.26 cm)	12.31 inches (31.26 cm)	14.01 inches (35.57 cm)	14.01 inches (35.57 cm)
Depth	8.71 inches (22.12 cm)	8.71 inches (22.12 cm)	9.77 inches (24.81 cm)	9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
Display size	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	16.2 inches	16.2 inches
Finishes	Silver or Space Black	Silver or Space Gray for M3, Space Black or Silver for M3 Pro and M3 Max	Silver or Space Black	Silver or Space Gray for M3, Space Black or Silver for M3 Pro and M3 Max

Battery life

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

	14″ M4 MacBook Pro	14″ M3 MacBook Pro	14″ M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro	14″ M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro	16″ M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro	16″ M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro
Wireless web battery	16 hours	15 hours	14/13 hours	12 hours	17/14 hours	15 hours
Video playback	24 hours	22 hours	22/18 hours	18 hours	24/21 hours	22 hours
Power adapter	70W or 96W	70W or 96W	70W or 96W	70W or 96W	140W	140W
Battery capacity	72.4Wh	70Wh	72.4Wh	70Wh	100Wh	100Wh
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/price	14″ M4 MacBook Pro	14″ M3 MacBook Pro	16″ M4 MacBook Pro	16″ M3 MacBook Pro
Base	From $1,599	From $1,599	From $2,499	From $2,499
Custom builds	Up to $7,049	Up to $6,899	Up to $7,349	Up 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.

Thanks for reading our M4 MacBook Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro comparison!