David Bridges
The comparison between the M4 MacBook Pro and the M3 MacBook Pro is essential following Apple’s recent Mac announcements that generated significant excitement among tech enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The newly launched M4 MacBook Pro comes equipped with a more advanced M4 chip that outperforms last year’s M3 model. Additionally, Apple has enhanced the port selection, RAM options, and even introduced new color choices this year. In this analysis, we will explore the key differences and similarities between the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro models.
(Note: Our focus will be on the 14-inch models for this detailed comparison.)
Pricing and Specifications of M4 MacBook Pro Compared to M3 MacBook Pro
Just like the M3 MacBook Pro at its launch in 2023, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro starts at a competitive price of $1,599.
Credit: Apple
For that price, here’s what you can expect in terms of essential specifications:
The most notable distinction between the M3 and M4 models is the RAM configuration. The previous year’s MacBook Pro featured a base model with only 8GB RAM, which fell short of some competitors. This year, Apple has eliminated the 8GB option entirely, providing a minimum of 16GB RAM that can be upgraded to 24GB for those willing to invest more. However, the storage options remain unchanged compared to last year’s offerings.
Moreover, the new M4 chip is expected to deliver noticeable performance enhancements for the 2024 model, but we are yet to conduct rigorous testing to provide definitive conclusions on this aspect.
Display Features of M4 MacBook Pro Versus M3 MacBook Pro
When it comes to display quality, these two models are remarkably similar:
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3,024 x 1,964-pixel resolution
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254 pixels per inch
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ProMotion technology (up to 120Hz refresh rate)
In line with the design of the M3 MacBook Pro, the new M4 MacBook Pro also features a notch at the top of the display (which still lacks Face ID functionality).
M3 MacBook Pro
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
However, there are two crucial differences worth noting. The peak SDR brightness for the M4 model is rated at an impressive 1,000 nits, whereas the M3 MacBook Pro’s brightness is capped at 600 nits. Additionally, the M4 MacBook Pro introduces the nano-texture display option, which is also available on other premium Apple products like the iPad Pro, Pro Display XDR, Studio Display, and iMac.
What exactly is a nano-texture display? This innovative feature is specifically designed to significantly reduce glare, making it an ideal choice for users who frequently work in challenging lighting conditions, such as brightly lit offices.
Having had experience with the nano-texture display on the iPad Pro, I can attest that it does effectively minimize glare and handles bright lighting conditions exceptionally well. However, it’s important to note that some users might perceive a slight decrease in the panel’s vividness when using this feature.
Design Enhancements of M4 MacBook Pro Compared to M3 MacBook Pro
In terms of visual aesthetics, the most significant change between these two MacBook models is the availability of a new stunning Space Black color option for the M4 MacBook Pro, in addition to the traditional silver.
M4 MacBook Pro
Credit: Apple
In contrast, the M3 MacBook Pro is available exclusively in silver. Here are the precise physical dimensions of the latest M4 MacBook Pro:
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Height: 0.61 inches
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Width: 12.31 inches
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Depth: 8.71 inches
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Weight: 3.5 pounds
Interestingly, these dimensions remain exactly the same as those of the M3 model. You might wonder, “So, what exactly changed apart from some internal upgrades and a new color option?” The differences go beyond mere aesthetics.
Connectivity Options: M4 MacBook Pro Versus M3 MacBook Pro
Another significant physical distinction between the M3 and M4 MacBook Pros is the introduction of a third Thunderbolt 4 port, which enhances connectivity options.
M3 MacBook Pro ports
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
While the M3 model featured only two Thunderbolt ports, the M4 model now includes three, providing users with added flexibility for connecting external displays and peripherals. Beyond this enhancement, the overall port selection remains unchanged for both devices: an SD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, and a MagSafe port for efficient charging.
It’s worth noting that neither model includes USB Type-A ports.
Performance Comparison: M4 MacBook Pro Versus M3 MacBook Pro
We conducted a benchmark test on the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro using Geekbench, a widely recognized performance evaluation tool for CPUs, which resulted in a multi-core score of 11,998, showcasing an 18% performance improvement over the M2 chip.
M4 MacBook Pro
Credit: Apple
While Apple has not disclosed specific performance comparisons between the M2 and M4 chips, it did provide comparisons with the M1 chip. Apple claims that the M4 chip is 1.8 times faster than the M1 chip, particularly for demanding tasks such as editing gigapixel photos. Additionally, in rendering complex scenes using Blender, the M4 chip reportedly performs 3.4 times faster.
For tasks related to artificial intelligence (e.g., Apple Intelligence), the M4 chip is claimed to be 3 times more powerful than its predecessor.
Battery Life Comparison: M4 MacBook Pro and M3 MacBook Pro
As previously mentioned, the M4 MacBook Pro boasts an impressive potential battery life of 24 hours on a single charge.
M4 MacBook Pro
Credit: Apple
While this remarkable claim is made by Apple, it is important to note that we have not yet had the opportunity to test the new MacBook, so we cannot independently verify this battery life rating at the time of writing. Last year’s model was rated for 22 hours, suggesting that the M4 MacBook Pro should theoretically outperform the M3 model in terms of battery longevity.
In our tests, the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro achieved a runtime of 16 hours and 23 minutes. Once we have the chance to assess the battery performance of the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, we will provide updates to this comparison.
Final Decision: M4 MacBook Pro or M3 MacBook Pro – Which One Should You Choose?
Battery life is a crucial consideration when evaluating your laptop purchase options. Although we currently lack the runtime data for the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, the M3 MacBook Pro remains impressive with its 16 hours and 23 minutes of battery life.
If the appeal of features like a nano-texture display, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a slight performance enhancement does not strongly influence your decision, the M3 MacBook Pro is likely to sufficiently meet your computing needs.
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Ethan Carter
Daniel Mercer
