We have done an in-depth comparison of the MacBook Pro with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips versus the MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips.
The Cupertino company had promised a week of big announcements and more than kept its word with the latest news in its catalog. A big week for Apple and its users, which ends the year 2024 in style. It all started with the arrival of iOS 18.1 and the rest of the software updates. Apple then introduced an iMac with an M4 chip, a redesigned Mac mini, and new MacBook Pros with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips.
Here comparative We will carry out an in-depth analysis of all differences among the models MacBook Pro with M4 chips and the previous generation MacBook Pro with M3 chips. The increase in performance of Apple Silicon processors is considerable. But is the change worth it? Whether you own a 2023 MacBook Pro M3 and want to know Is it worth buying a MacBook Pro M4 2024 As if you are considering updating a Mac computer from other generations, this comparison will be of great help to you.
Here Comparing MacBook Pro M4 vs MacBook Pro M3 we tell you all the details of material, design, technical specifications, price and all the differences between Apple’s two latest MacBook Pro models. Let’s go!
Main differences
- CPU performance M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max compared to processors M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max.
- The front camera of the MacBook Pro M4 has Centered frame (Center stage).
- Large differences in priceMacBook Pros equipped with M4 chips are 100 dollars cheaper.
- The base model of the MacBook Pro with M4 chip integrates three USB-C portswhile the MacBook Pro with M3 chip only has two USB-C ports.
- On the other hand, MacBook Pro computers equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips have ports with the technology Thunderbolt 5.
Comparing the MacBook Pro M4 (2024) with the MacBook Pro M3
Now that we know what the most notable differences are between the MacBook Pro 2023 and MacBook Pro 2024, let’s take a look at its design and hardware.
Technical specifications table
In the following table of technical specifications You can find out all the hardware differences between the MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips and the MacBook Pro with M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
| MacBook Pro M4 | MacBook Pro M3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Liquid Retina XDR with 14.2 and 16.2 inches | Liquid Retina XDR with 14.2 and 16.2 inches |
| Resolution | MacBook Pro (14″): 3024 x 1964 pixels MacBook Pro (16″): 3456 x 2234 pixels |
MacBook Pro (14″): 3024 x 1964 pixels MacBook Pro (16̸ 3;): |
| Screen technologies | ProMotion with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. | ProMotion with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. |
| Processor | M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max | M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max |
| Processor | M4: 10 hearts M4 Pro: 12 to 14 cores M4 Max: 14 to 16 cores |
M3: 8 hearts M3 Pro: 11 to 12 cores Maximum M3: 14 to 16 cores |
| GPU | M4: 10 hearts M4 Pro: 16 to 20 cores M4 Max: 32 to 40 cores |
M3: 10 hearts M3 Pro: 19 hearts Maximum M3: 30 to 40 cores |
| RAM memory | M4: 16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB M4 Pro: 24 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB M4 Max: 36 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB |
M3: 8 GB, 16 GB, 24 GB M3 Pro: 18 GB, 36 GB Maximum M3: 36 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, 96 GB, 128 GB |
| Operating system | macOS Sequoia | macOS Sequoia |
| Ability | 512 GB, 1, 2, 4 and 8 TB SSD storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB |
| Camera | 12 MP 1080p FaceTime camera with center frame | 12 MP 1080p FaceTime camera |
| Battery | 24 hours of video playback and 26 hours of web browsing | 22 hours of video playback |
| Ports | M4: 3 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), 1 HDMI port, SD card reader and 3.5mm headphone jack M4 Pro and M4 Max: 3 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 5), 1 HDMI port, SD card reader and 3.5mm headphone jack |
M3: 2 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), 1 HDMI port, SD card reader and 3.5mm headphone jack M3 Pro and M3 Max: 3 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), 1 HDMI port, SD card reader and 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Colors | Silver, space black | Space gray, silver, space black |
| Précio | From 1,929 dollars | From 2,029 dollars |
Design
At the design level, the truth is that not much has changed between the MacBook Pro 2023 range and the 2024 update. However, although they look practically identical, it is worth mentioning some design improvements in MacBook computers Pro equipped with M4, M4 chips. Pro and M4 Max.
In addition to the incorporation of an additional USB-C port with Thunderbolt 5 technology in the MacBook Pro range with M4 chip, Apple has introduced a great design novelty in its lightweight laptops.
We are talking about the screen with a nanotextured finish, a technology which also landed on the iPad Pro 2024 and which Significantly reduces reflections even in high lighting conditions. Furthermore, it is also more scratch resistant. The nano-textured glass screen has a slight drawback, however, in that blacks don’t always appear as deep.
Battery
Another of the most surprising differences of the MacBook Pro M4 2024 is its power capacity. And in its latest generation, Apple introduced the longest battery life in the history of the MacBook Pro.
It has a battery life of 24 hours of uninterrupted use
| MacBook Pro 14″ (M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max) | MacBook Pro 16″ (M4 Pro and M4 Max) | |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Web Browsing | M4: 4 p.m. M4 Pro: 2 p.m. M4 Max: 1 p.m. |
M4 Pro: 5 p.m. M4 Max: 2 p.m. |
| Video broadcast | M4: 24 hours M4 Pro: 10 p.m. M4 Max: 6 p.m. |
M4 Pro: 24 hours M4 Max: 9 p.m. |
Screen
The MacBook Pro 2023 screen and the MacBook Pro 2024 screen share many similarities. In fact, the Apple laptop has included the same screen features since 2021.
Both models, the MacBook Pro M3 and MacBook Pro M4, include a display with technology Liquid Retina XDR, ProMotion and up to 120Hz refresh rate.
With the arrival of the MacBook Pro with M3 chip, Apple introduced a 20% brighter display than the previous generation that increased SDR (standard dynamic range) content up to 600 nits. Available in 2024, the MacBook Pro with M4 chip features a screen with a nano-textured finish and SDR brightness of 1,000 nits.
Prices
See base configuration pricing for all MacBook Pro models with M3 and M4 chips in the table below:
| MacBook Pro M3 | MacBook Pro M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (14″) | M3: From 2,029 dollars M3 Pro: From 2,549 dollars Maximum M3: From 4,049 dollars |
M4: From 1,929 dollars M4 Pro: From 2,449 dollars M4 Max: From 3,849 dollars |
| Price (16″) | M3 Pro: From 3,049 dollars Maximum M3: From 4,299 dollars |
M4 Pro: From 2,949 dollars M4 Max: From 4,149 dollars |
No, you didn’t read it wrong! All MacBook Pro configurations with M4 chip are 100 dollars cheaper than the previous generation.
Is the MacBook Pro 2024 worth buying?
There really aren’t any big differences between the MacBook Pro M3 and the MacBook Pro M4. Yes, many small details can make a difference in different areas of work. But Overall, both MacBook Pro models come highly recommended and none stands out too much from the others.
An extra USB-C port here, a nanotextured screen, a little more power, more battery… Yes, there are some very interesting improvements. But a MacBook Pro with an M3 chip still offers excellent performance.
Now if you need a laptop for work outsideThe MacBook Pro M4 with nano-textured glass is the most recommended option. And if you plan to renew your old MacBook, obviously rent a little more choose the latest generation model.
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