When Apple unveiled its latest computers last month, there were plenty to choose from.

During “Mac Week”, Apple, for example, unveiled the Mac Mini, now offered in a case not too big as an Apple TV. He also introduced the iMac, now with an improved chip and new colors. And of course, the MacBook Pro, Apple’s flagship laptop that balances style and power in a neat package. All feature Apple’s latest chip, the M4 series.

Since the launch of the M1 and M2 in 2020 and 2021 respectively, Apple has now made it a habit to regularly update its self-designed silicon. The latest is the M4, which appeared on the iPad Pro in May. It brings incremental power updates, with a 10-core central processing unit, a 10-core general processing unit, and a 16-core neural engine. While this doesn’t mean much to most people, the end result is a faster chip that will perform tasks with ease.

The standard MacBook Pro, reviewed here, comes with the M4 chip and 16GB of memory, double last year’s offering and a very welcome upgrade. For storage, you get a 512GB SSD, although you can also pay to upgrade that, if that’s not enough.

The 14-inch model is a balance between a decent-sized screen and a comfortably sized keyboard. The screen is a liquid retina XDR, extremely sharp and ideal for reproducing both text, images or videos.

The new base Pro model is a bit closer to the rest of the pack. It comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports – one more than last year – an HDMI port and a MagSafe 3 port for charging. If you prefer, you can still use the USB-C port for charging, provided you have a decent cable, but the addition of the third port also gives you options for external displays, which have also been expanded for the M4 Pro.

( MacBook Air 2024: Apple refines its AI credentials with a powerful new M3 chipOpens in a new window )

Battery life is excellent, with Apple claiming it would last up to 24 hours on a full charge. In reality, this varies depending on how you use the device. But you can get through a full day’s work, or more, before having to tether yourself to a power cable.

The webcam has also been improved, moving to a 12-megapixel webcam with Center Stage to keep you in the center of the frame at all times, and added its Desk View software to the mix.

Not everything is perfect. Biometric authentication is limited to TouchID, which is integrated into the power button. It works well, but why no FaceID for the MacBook? This would be more practical than TouchID and installing the camera in a nearly €2,000 machine would surely be able to accommodate the necessary technology.

One thing that divides people is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence. The new AI – which Apple has dubbed artificial intelligence to the rest of us – is being integrated into the operating system and will even be available to users in the EU. The current delay with mobile platforms does not extend to Mac OS, and Apple Intelligence on MacOS will launch in December in localized English for Irish users. There will be some limitations on language options, but if you want to dip your toe into the AI ​​waters, the MacBook Pro will let you do so.

Of course, this isn’t limited to M4 devices; Apple Intelligence will be available on all Apple laptops with M-series chips, even older devices running the M1 and M2 chips. You don’t need a new MacBook to get it.

Which brings you to the question of why you might need the new MacBook Pro. In reality, this will be too much power for the average user; the MacBook Air will more than suffice and the M4-powered version should arrive in the coming months.

So for most people, you don’t really need the power of the Pro. But if you do, the M4 MacBook Pro is a great option for those who want the Pro experience without having to go too high up the price list.

The entry-level Pro is not the cheapest, however. At €1,949, it’s a significant investment. But we must also take into account the longevity of the device. For comparison. I’ve been using an Intel MacBook Pro since 2017; an improved device, with the controversial Touch Bar, but nonetheless a seven year old device. And admittedly it still works well, giving you an idea of ​​how long Apple devices will last if properly maintained.

GOOD

The new MacBook Pro comes with a faster chip and more base RAM, giving it increased power compared to previous versions of the device. If you’re looking for more power and something durable, the new M4 device will give you plenty of work options.

Bad

The price is important. For many people this will be excessive for their needs; for others, they’ll need the power of the M4 Pro or Max. The upgraded webcam, while improved, also doesn’t include support for FaceID, which is disappointing.

Everything else

The M4 MacBook Pro is available in 14- and 16-inch versions, with a choice of M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. You can also upgrade the RAM to double the base 16GB and expand the SSD to 2TB capacity – for a fee. The nano-textured glass option isn’t essential, but it will improve the screen’s visibility in direct sunlight.

The verdict

Less expensive than before, the MacBook Pro M4 is a good, albeit expensive, entry into the Pro world.