M4 MacBook Pro review (base model) - the best value in years!

The M4 MacBook Pro base model offers exceptional value due to its powerful M4 chip, delivering performance comparable to the higher-end M3 Pro model at a fraction of the cost. This base model also features a refined design, improved connectivity with extra USB-C ports, a brighter display, and impressive battery life, making it a compelling choice for users who do not want to spend a premium on a higher-end model.

Design & Ports

• 00:00:19 The M4 MacBook Pro inherits the 2021 design with a squared-off industrial look, including HDMI, MagSafe, and more ports compared to previous base models. The base model now also offers the Space Black color option, previously exclusive to higher-end models.

Display

• 00:04:24 The 14-inch mini-LED display is a highlight, featuring a brighter panel with up to 1,000 nits of SDR brightness, particularly useful in outdoor conditions. The optional Nano-texture glass coating minimizes reflectivity and is a worthwhile option for users who work in bright environments.

Battery Life

• 00:08:57 The M4 MacBook Pro boasts 24 hours of mixed usage battery life, surpassing last year's M3 model. It also offers six hours more battery life than the M3 Pro MacBook Pro despite similar performance, making it a leader in laptop battery life.

Performance

• 00:10:13 The M4 chip offers significantly improved performance over previous generations, including a 60-70% gain over the M1 CPU. This base model achieves performance on par with the higher-end M3 Pro, offering a considerable value proposition for users, especially those engaging in video editing or other creative tasks. It's also equipped with 16GB of RAM, which eliminates previous limitations seen with 8GB RAM.