Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4 review - The M4 base model with important improvements

Apple has noticeably improved its base model of the MacBook Pro 14 for the new 2024 model year. This isn't just thanks to the new M4 processor's increased performance, but also its improved support for external displays, additional USB-C port and Thunderbolt 4 support. Moreover, the base model now comes with at least 16 GB of RAM. Overall, this brings the most affordable MacBook Pro 14 much closer to the more expensive models with the M4 Pro.

The improvements to its display (higher SDR brightness of more than 1,000 nits, optional matte nano-texture coating) are also available on the base model and its battery life is even better than on the variant with the M4 Pro. In addition to their better pure performance (multi-core and GPU), the more expensive models offer more powerful cooling consisting of two fans. However, even the base model stays quiet for a very long time during everyday tasks and only becomes clearly audible when the M4 processor is placed under full load for a longer period of time or when gaming. In this case, the small model can get even louder than the MacBook Pro 14 with the M4 Pro.

Its price is particularly interesting, as the new base model of the MacBook Pro 14 can already be found for a lot cheaper online just a few weeks after its launch (under $1,400). Thanks to all of its improvements, the new base model is a very good choice for users for whom the performance of the M4 SoC is completely sufficient, but who don't want to do without a great mini LED screen, extensive connections and an excellent sound system.

The disadvantages of this model continue to be its lack of maintenance/upgrade options in conjunction with the enormous surcharges Apple demands for RAM/SSD upgrades. In addition, there don't appear to be any pre-configured variants with the matte display, which is why you'll currently have to pay the full MRSP if you want this feature.

The base model of the 2024 MacBook Pro 14 is equipped with the new Apple M4 SoC, which offers significantly more performance than before. For an MRSP of $1,599, the base model also comes with 16 GB RAM and a 512-GB SSD. Aside from the processor, Apple has additionally made two other important changes to the laptop's connections, which is why the base model is now more similar to the more expensive variants with the M4 Pro/Max.

In general, the exterior of its case doesn't differ from the more expensive versions of the MacBook Pro 14 and you have the choice between a silver or black case. However, there have been some important changes made to its connections, as there is now an additional USB-C port on the right-hand side and all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4. The M4 Pro/Max variants still have an advantage with their Thunderbolt 5 support, but this shouldn't play a major role in everyday life for the time being.

A further problem with the old MacBook Pro 14 M3 was that it only supported one external monitor. A software update made it possible to control a second external monitor, but only if the integrated display was deactivated. When it comes to the new M4 SoC—which is used in the Macs—Apple has revised its display engine and the M4 SoC can now control two external displays in addition to the laptop's integrated display.

Inside the device, on the other hand, the disadvantage of the base model remains, as it's still only fitted with one fan. We will analyze the extent to which this has a negative effect on fan activity compared to the M4 Pro model in detail later in the test.

That said, there are no other differences in its features, which also applies to its brilliant mini-LED screen that boasts an increased SDR brightness (when the brightness sensor is activated) of more than 1,000 nits and an optional matte finish. All further information on its connectivity, input devices, display and speakers can be found in our detailed review of the MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro.

An environmental report is available on the MacBook Pro 14's product page. In addition to a high level of recycled materials used for its production and packaging, the use of environmentally friendly energy ensures a CO₂ footprint of 198 kg for the base model.

The base version of the M4 MacBook Pro 14 now comes with at least 16 GB RAM (last year's MBP 14 M3 was also available with 8 GB RAM) and 24 or 32 GB RAM (LPDDR5-7500) is also available as an option, with the surcharge in each case being $200.

In contrast to the more expensive configurations with the M4 Pro/M4 Max, there is no high performance mode on the base model. As a result, we carried out all measurements using the normal mode, but an optional energy-saving mode can also be selected.

We are already familiar with the M4 SoC from the current iPad Pro but in this case, only variants with the 10-core CPU are used (6 E-cores, 4 P-cores). Its core configuration therefore differs significantly from the M4 Pro/Max models, which only have four efficiency cores. The new M4's P-cores reach a maximum of 4.464 GHz (and thus ~50 MHz less than the M4 Pro) or 3.93 GHz when all cores are loaded. The E-cores operate at a maximum of 2.89 GHz.

During the single-core tests, the processor consumed around 5.2 watts, which is even slightly less than the M3 SoC. Nevertheless, its single-core performance has been significantly increased and the new M4 chips are the fastest single-core CPUs on the market. In the native benchmarks Cinebench 2024/R23 and Geekbench, the new M4 proved to be vastly superior to the competition.

In the multi-core tests, the new M4 in the MBP 14 consumed a maximum of 24 watts, so slightly more than in the Mac Mini (maximum 21.5 watts), which the laptop was able to maintain easily even under continuous load and in battery mode. Even after 30 minutes, its performance during Cinebench 2024 Multi stayed constant.

The two current AMD competitors Ryzen AI 9 365 and Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 were even faster in the multi-tests, but they are also allowed to consume significantly more power in their respective test devices. Nevertheless, the new M4 delivers a significant increase in performance and outperformed the old M3 Pro with 11 CPU cores. Intel's Lunar Lake chips, which are better suited to being compared to the M4 SoC because of their TDP, were clearly beaten.

The M4 SoC's integrated GPU has 10 cores and consumes a maximum of 18 watts compared to 20-21 watts for the old M3 SoC. Still, the GPU's performance has been increased by around 15-20%, but the old M3 Pro GPU with 14 cores is still clearly superior. It beat the current iGPUs from AMD/Intel in the synthetic tests.

When taking a look at the gaming benchmarks, it should be noted that only Baldur's Gate 3 runs natively on the MacBook of all the games in our comparison. The M4 SoC performed very well when running it during our test and in 1080p/Ultra, it came just ahead of the competition from AMD/Intel, achieving just under 32fps. When it came to the emulated titles, on the other hand, its performance was worse. The GPU's performance remained constant both under continuous load and in battery mode.

Surface temperatures are not a problem on the M4 base model of the MacBook Pro. Its case remains extremely cool in idle mode and under low load—but even under full load, we only measured 40-41 °C in a few places. This means that the MacBook can easily be placed on your thighs and in general, the base model stays a lot cooler than the M4 Pro version. However, it still gets hot on the inside, as the M4 SoC is always around 101-102 °C under load.

During the stress test, the M4 SoC briefly consumed up to 38 watts, but then stabilized at 29-30 watts. This is on par with its M3 predecessor, but also slightly less than the M4 SoC inside the Mac Mini, where the SoC stabilizes at 34/35 watts.

The M4 version of the MBP 14 comes with a 70-watt power supply unit. This is large enough to supply the MacBook with sufficient power even under full load, and no power has to be tapped from its battery. We briefly measured 69 watts during the stress test, which then quickly leveled off at ~60 watts. You can expect around 45 watts when gaming. However, the 70-watt power supply extends how long it takes to charge the battery a little. A full charge with the device switched on takes 107 minutes (50% after 38 minutes, 80% after 65 minutes, 90% after 79 minutes), which is 14 minutes longer than with the 96-watt power supply unit.

Its battery (72.6 Wh) doesn't differ from the more expensive variants, but the laptop's runtimes have been further increased compared to the predecessor model. In the WLAN test at 150 cd/m², its runtime improved by 2 hours from just under 16 hours to almost 18 hours. At full brightness, however, the mini LED screen proved to still be the major consumer and we measured 6:44 hours, which is an improvement of 30 minutes compared to the M3 model. There was also a significant improvement in its runtime during the video test from 19 to just over 22 hours.

In extreme cases (full CPU/GPU load, maximum brightness), the battery can be drained within 1.5 hours. Down to a battery level of 4% (reached after 77 minutes), energy-saving mode is activated, which massively reduces the device's performance.

While we still recommended the predecessor model with the M2 Pro when it came to reviewing last year's MBP 14 M3 model due to its various limitations, we can now actually recommend the new M4 base model without reservation. Apple has rectified its biggest points of criticism with its 2024 update and the gap to the more expensive M4 Pro model has become significantly smaller. Most users shouldn't have any issues with the basic configuration consisting of 16 GB RAM/512 GB SSD storage—plus, the prices have already fallen, which is why the new model is currently available for less than $1,400. This means that its overall package is practically unrivaled.