There are reports that Apple will release a MacBook Pro update in the coming weeks. This update was initially only going to be a chip upgrade from the M3 to the M4. But if the new reports hold up, this update could bring more, especially for the base 14-inch model, making it a near-perfect laptop for the general public.
The first report was by VNChocoTaco on X, who posted a photo they received of the new MacBook Pro’s box label revealing key specifications. The second report comes from Russian YouTuber Wylsacom, who apparently got his hands on the M4 MacBook Pro, laptop and all.
If the information in these two reports holds up, and it would be a very elaborate hoax if it didn’t, we could see some big changes in the base M4 MacBook Pro. Here’s what’s being reported and what it could mean.
A memory that serves us well
The current base 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 has one glaring problem: it only has 8GB of unified memory. Apple will tell you that it’s more than enough and that 8GB is usable and for many buyers that’s probably true. But considering how much RAM high-end software uses these days, 8GB in a “Pro” laptop isn’t enough. Still not convinced? How about this: The MacBook Air, Apple’s “consumer” laptop, “everyone’s” laptop, also starts with 8 GB of memory. The MacBook Pro is meant to be the “Pro” portable workstation, as the name suggests. The other models all start at 18GB: Does 8GB seem appropriate for a MacBook that costs $1,599?
Both reports from VNChocoTaco and Wylsacom show what appears to be a specifications label of the base MacBook Pro M3 14-inch M4, which shows a laptop with 16GB of memory. Assuming the model isn’t a high-end configuration, that would mean Apple is finally fixing the entry-level Pro’s biggest flaw. With 16GB of RAM, business users will be able to run their applications and feel comfortable with the laptop’s performance. They may still need more and upgrade to 24GB or more, and even then it won’t cost as much as starting from a standard. the configuration is 8 GB.
Bringing thunder (lightning)
VNChocoTaco’s photo is low resolution and much of the text is truncated, but it appears to show that the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 will have three Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. Wylsacom’s label says the same thing and it shows the three ports of the laptop in his video. This seems to indicate that Apple is adding an additional Thunderbolt/USB 4 to the base M4 model. This would bring the laptop in line with high-end MacBook Pro models with Pro and Max chips; it would no longer have the same two ports as the MacBook Air, another step towards making it a true “Pro” laptop.
Space Black for the general public
When Apple introduced the M3 MacBook Pro, it revealed a new Space Black color option available only on the M3 Pro or M3 Max models. According to these reports, Apple will also make Space Black an option on the base model.
I’m currently using a MacBook Pro Space Black, and my first impression of the color was that it looked nice, but it should be darker. But after using the laptop for almost a year now, I love Space Black and it’s now my color of choice. If it’s the MacBook Pro M4, it will be a popular choice and will put the entry-level model on par with the others.
Finally a real entry-level MacBook Pro
These reports reveal other specs, such as the M4’s 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and the same 512GB starting SSD. But the three changes above are going to make the base MacBook Pro M4 a desktop popular laptop, especially if Apple keeps the price at $1,599.
This would be the first time in a long time that buying the cheapest MacBook Pro didn’t involve making a significant compromise, like 8GB of RAM, fewer ports, reduced performance, or even an older design, like C’ was the case when Apple kept the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar after the Apple silicon redesign was announced.
If this MacBook Pro ships, it will integrate seamlessly with the M4 Pro and M4 Max models in the lineup and give users a real choice, rather than forcing them to choose the higher models due to reduced specifications. Apple will sell a lot of them.
Apple is expected to announce the M4 MacBook Pro and other M4 Macs at an event later this month, with a rumored November 1 shipping date. Learn more about the upcoming M4 MacBook Pro.
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