M4 MacBook Pro versus M3 MacBook Pro: What Are the Differences?


### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Pricing and Specifications

Upon its release in 2024, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is priced identical to the M3 model released in 2023—$1,599.

#### Key Specifications for the M4 MacBook Pro:
– **14.2-inch Liquid Retina display** with a resolution of 3024×1964 and a refresh rate of 120Hz
– **M4 chip**
– **16GB RAM** (upgradeable to 24GB)
– **512GB storage**
– **Up to 24 hours of battery life**

The standout enhancement from the M3 to the M4 version is the RAM configuration, with the M4 MacBook Pro offering a baseline of 16GB compared to the 8GB found in the M3 model, with an upgrade path to 24GB. Storage options are consistent with the previous year.

The newly introduced M4 chip is anticipated to provide performance enhancements, although we have yet to validate these improvements through testing.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Display Features

The displays of both M3 and M4 MacBook Pros are nearly indistinguishable:

– **3024 x 1964 resolution**
– **16:10 aspect ratio**
– **254 pixels per inch**
– **ProMotion technology (with up to a 120Hz refresh rate)**

Each model features a notch, yet neither includes Face ID.

However, two notable distinctions exist:
1. **Brightness**: The M4 model achieves a peak SDR brightness of 1,000 nits, surpassing the 600 nits found in the M3.
2. **Nano-Texture Display Option**: The M4 MacBook Pro comes with an optional nano-texture display aimed at significantly minimizing glare. This feature is especially beneficial for users in brightly lit environments, though it may slightly tone down the screen’s vividness.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Aesthetic Design

Regarding design, the most significant update is the arrival of a new **Space Black** color choice for the M4 MacBook Pro, alongside the classic silver. In contrast, the M3 model is available only in silver.

The physical measurements of the M4 MacBook Pro remain consistent with those of the M3:
– **Height**: 0.61 inches
– **Width**: 12.31 inches
– **Depth**: 8.71 inches
– **Weight**: 3.5 pounds

While the exterior design remains largely unchanged, there are several internal and functional enhancements.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Connectivity Options

One of the more significant physical enhancements in the M4 MacBook Pro is the inclusion of a **third Thunderbolt 4 port**. The M3 model featured only two, so the additional port in the M4 version facilitates enhanced connectivity with external displays and peripherals.

Both models possess the following ports:
– SD card slot
– 3.5mm headphone jack
– HDMI port
– MagSafe charging port

Neither version includes USB Type-A ports.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Performance Metrics

In our evaluations, the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro attained a multi-core Geekbench score of **11,998**, indicating an 18% improvement compared to the M2 chip.

While Apple has not released specific performance benchmarks contrasting the M2 and M4 chips, it has compared the M4 to the M1 chip, asserting:
– The M4 chip is **1.8 times quicker** than the M1 for tasks like editing gigapixel images.
– For rendering intricate scenes in Blender, the M4 is **3.4 times faster**.
– In AI tasks, such as Apple Intelligence, the M4 chip is **3 times more formidable** than the M1.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Battery Efficiency

Apple asserts that the M4 MacBook Pro can deliver up to **24 hours** of use on a single charge, surpassing the M3 model’s 22-hour claim. However, we have not yet evaluated the battery performance of the M4 model.

In our findings, the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro yielded an impressive **16 hours and 23 minutes** of battery life. Once we have the opportunity to test the M4 model, we will refresh this comparison with real-world data regarding its battery performance.

### M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Which One to Choose?

Battery life is a vital consideration when selecting a laptop, and although we have yet to test the M4 MacBook Pro’s battery, the M3 version already provides an outstanding runtime of **16 hours and 23 minutes**.

If the inclusion of a nano-texture display