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MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: Price and specs

Like the M3 MacBook Pro when it launches in 2023, the 14-inch M4 version starts at $1,599.

Credit: Apple

Here are the basic specs you get for this price:

The biggest difference between M3 and M4 to immediately note is the RAM. Last year’s MacBook Pro offered 8GB of RAM in the base model, putting it behind some competitors. This year, there are no 8GB models; you get a minimum of 16GB, which can go up to 24GB if you feel like paying more. The storage options haven’t changed between last year and this year, however.

On top of that, the new M4 chip should improves the performance of the 2024 MacBook Pro, but since we haven’t tested it yet, it’s impossible to say for sure.

MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: Display

These two displays are almost identical:

• 3024 x 1964 pixel resolution

• 16:10 aspect ratio

• 254 pixels per inch

• ProMotion (i.e. up to 120Hz refresh rate)

Similar to the MacBook Pro M3, the new MacBook Pro M4 continues to sport a notch (which still doesn’t have Face ID).

MacBook Pro M3 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There are, however, two differences to note. The maximum SDR brightness on the M4 model is 1,000 nits, while the same metric is 600 nits on the M3 MacBook Pro. Additionally, the M4 MacBook Pro offers the nano-texture display option which is also available on the iPad Pro, Pro Display XDR, Studio Display, and iMac.

What is a nano-texture display? It is designed to significantly reduce glare. As such, this option is best for users who often face difficult lighting conditions, such as sun-drenched offices.

I’ve had some experience with the nano-texture screen on the iPad Pro, and while it does indeed significantly reduce glare and handles bright lighting conditions like a champ, you may notice some decrease in panel liveliness.

MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: Design

When it comes to visual design, the biggest difference between these two MacBooks is that you can get the new one in Space Black as well as silver.

MacBook Pro M4 Credit: Apple

On the other hand, the M3 model is silver or bust. Here are the physical dimensions of the new MacBook Pro M4:

• Height: 0.61 inches

• Width: 12.31 inches

• Depth: 8.71 inches

• Weight: 3.5 pounds

These are in fact the exactly the same dimensions like the M3 model. You might be thinking, “So they just changed some internals, added a new color and called it a day, huh?” Well, not exactly.

MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: ports

Another physical differentiator between the M3 and M4 MacBook Pros is the addition of a third Thunderbolt 4 port.

MacBook Pro M3 ports Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The M3 model only had two, while the M4 model had three, giving users more flexibility with external displays. Other than that, the port selection is the same on both devices: an SD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, and a MagSafe port for charging.

No, there are no USB Type A ports.

MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: Performance

We tested the MacBook Pro M3 14-inch Geekbench, which tests CPU performance, and achieved a multi-core score of 11,998, which provides an 18% performance increase over the M2 chip.

MacBook Pro M4 Credit: Apple

Apple didn’t reveal performance delta numbers between the M2 and M4 chips, but it did compare M4 chip to M1 chip. The Cupertino-based tech giant claims the M4 chip is 1.8 times faster than the M1 chip for tasks like “gigapixel photo editing.” When it comes to rendering complex scenes via Blender, the M4 chip is said to be 3.4 times faster.

For AI workloads (e.g. Apple Intelligence), the M4 chip is 3x more powerful, according to Apple.

MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Pro M3: Battery Life

As previously reported, the M4 MacBook Pro promises 24 hours of battery life on a single charge.

MacBook Pro M4 Credit: Apple

This is a note from Apple that cannot yet be verified, as we have not yet tested the new MacBook at the time of writing. However, Apple rated last year’s model for 22 hours, meaning the M4 MacBook Pro should theoretically beat the M3 model in battery longevity.

We tested the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 and it held up 16 hours and 23 minutes. Once we test the battery life of the M4 14-inch MacBook Pro, we’ll update this showdown.

MacBook Pro M4 vs MacBook Pro M3: Which Should You Buy?

Battery life is an important aspect in the purchasing decision regarding the purchase of laptops. We don’t yet know the battery life of the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4, but even without that figure, the MacBook Pro M3 is impressive at 16 hours and 23 minutes.

If getting a nano-texture display, having three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and getting a slight power boost isn’t enough to convince you, the MacBook Pro M3 should be enough to meet your needs.