Apple’s latest 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024) is a powerhouse designed for creative professionals and power users who need top-tier performance. With new enhancements like Thunderbolt 5 compatibility, an updated webcam, and incredible battery life, Apple continues to refine its flagship laptop. This review takes a deep dive into its specifications, design, performance, and overall value to see if it meets the high expectations set by previous models.
Design and Build Quality
Apple’s design philosophy continues to lean toward elegance, simplicity, and minimalism with the 16-inch MacBook Pro. While the exterior design is largely unchanged from prior versions, this 2024 model introduces subtle tweaks that enhance the user experience.
- Ports and Connectivity: Apple has upgraded all USB-C ports to support Thunderbolt 5, a notable improvement over the previous Thunderbolt 4 standard. While this doesn’t change the physical appearance of the ports, it greatly increases data transfer speeds, moving from 40Gbps to 120Gbps. This improvement means users working with large files, such as high-resolution video editors and data analysts, will benefit from faster transfers.
- Build Quality: Apple continues to use aluminum to craft its MacBooks, lending the 16-inch model a sturdy yet refined feel. At 4.7 lbs (2.2 kg), it’s on the heavier side, but this weight is justified given the robust internals and massive battery. The hinge remains smooth yet stable, allowing the screen to be positioned at a wide range of angles without any wobble.
- Display: The Liquid Retina XDR display has the same high resolution (3456 x 2234) as previous models, offering 7.7 million pixels at a pixel density of 254 ppi. This display supports a mini-LED backlight, delivering a stunningly bright and sharp image with up to 1,000 nits sustained brightness. The ProMotion technology offers a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, giving the screen a fluid responsiveness when scrolling or playing games.
- Nano-Texture Option: New this year is an optional nano-texture finish, which gives the screen a matte quality that significantly reduces reflections and glare. This is a subtle but effective change for those who work in well-lit environments or outside. Although this add-on costs an extra $150, it’s a worthwhile investment for professionals working in bright spaces.
A Note on Repairability
One common critique of Apple’s design remains: repairability and upgradability. The MacBook Pro’s design makes it nearly impossible for users to open up and replace components. This has long been Apple’s approach, but as other manufacturers have made strides in allowing users to upgrade their devices, Apple’s resistance feels increasingly out of step, especially with the company’s emphasis on sustainability. The unified memory is integrated with the M4 Pro chip, preventing users from adding additional memory post-purchase. While the craftsmanship is impeccable, Apple might eventually need to address this shortcoming to stay aligned with customer expectations around sustainability.
Webcam and Center Stage: The Evolution of Video Features
A standout feature of this year’s model is the new 12MP ultra-wide webcam, which brings Apple’s popular Center Stage functionality to the MacBook Pro for the first time. Center Stage leverages machine learning to keep the user centered on the screen, even as they move. This feature has been available on the iPad and Studio Display but is now being introduced to the MacBook Pro.
- Center Stage Performance: Center Stage works remarkably well, following slight movements to keep you in the middle of the frame. It’s an especially useful feature for anyone who moves around during calls, such as teachers, coaches, or creative professionals. If you’re someone who frequently presents on video, it will help maintain a professional appearance by keeping you centered at all times.
- Desk View: Another great addition is the Desk View feature, which allows the webcam to simultaneously capture footage of both you and your desk. This feature is ideal for tutorials, unboxing videos, and presentations where you need to demonstrate something on a tabletop. Traditionally, achieving this would require two separate cameras, but Apple’s single-camera solution handles both angles simultaneously and effectively. Although the quality isn’t on par with dedicated cameras for each view, it’s more than adequate for casual use or professional tutorials on the go.
Thunderbolt 5: Faster Data Transfers and Future-Proofing
Apple’s decision to upgrade to Thunderbolt 5 compatibility across all USB-C ports is a major benefit for power users and future-proofs this MacBook model. The increased bandwidth offers 120Gbps transfer speeds, tripling what Thunderbolt 4 offered.
While the market for Thunderbolt 5 devices is limited right now, this feature provides assurance for future developments, especially for professionals who work with massive file sizes, such as filmmakers or engineers. Thunderbolt 5 is also fully backward compatible, so users can still use their existing USB-C accessories without any performance issues.
Performance and Benchmarks: An M4 Pro Chip Built for Heavy-Duty Tasks
M4 Pro Chip Configuration
The base model of the 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with an M4 Pro chip, featuring a 14-core CPU (10 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) and a 20-core GPU. This model starts with 24GB of unified memory and can be upgraded to 48GB, offering plenty of headroom for heavy workloads.
For users who need even more power, the M4 Max option adds a 16-core CPU and up to 128GB of memory. Memory bandwidth also sees a significant increase, reaching up to 546GB/s for the 16-core M4 Max model.
Benchmark Scores
Here’s how the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024) performed in standard benchmark tests:
- Cinebench 2024 GPU: 9,122
- Cinebench 2024 CPU: Single-Core: 175; Multi-Core: 1,688
- Geekbench 6.3: Single-Core: 3,956; Multi-Core: 23,030
- Blender: Monster: 873.2; Junkshop: 470.9; Classroom: 420.5
- Battery Life: 21 hours and 32 minutes
The Geekbench multi-core score of 23,030 shows a solid leap in performance over the M3 Max (21,345). The M4 Pro’s power might be overkill for everyday tasks, but it excels in specialized applications. 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and other processor-intensive tasks all run smoothly without stressing the machine. Apple’s control over both hardware and software results in a seamless user experience, free from crashes or slowdowns.
Battery Life: Work Days on a Single Charge
The battery life of Apple’s MacBooks has long been a selling point, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip continues this trend.
- Efficiency with M4 Pro: The M4 Pro model achieved an impressive 21 hours and 30 minutes in our movie playback test, putting it among the longest-lasting laptops on the market. While this is slightly lower than the 24 hours and 35 minutes recorded with the M3 Max model, it’s still exceptional for a workstation laptop of this power.
- Real-World Battery Performance: During actual use, the MacBook Pro 16-inch easily lasts through an entire workday, making it a great choice for professionals who need to work away from a power source. The battery’s endurance is especially impressive given the processing power under the hood, indicating a high level of efficiency in Apple’s custom silicon.
Performance in Creative Workflows
Creative professionals working with resource-heavy applications like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Blender will find this laptop more than capable. The new M4 Pro chip provides a noticeable performance boost when editing 4K footage or rendering complex 3D scenes, and the 16-inch display offers ample workspace.
- Video Editing and 3D Rendering: The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro handled video editing tasks with ease, even when working with multiple streams of 4K footage. The rendering times in Blender were also fast, making this machine a powerful tool for animators and visual effects artists.
- Overkill for Basic Tasks: For everyday use, this level of power is likely unnecessary, but it does mean that you’ll rarely encounter any performance bottlenecks. Whether you’re multitasking across a dozen Chrome tabs, editing RAW images in Photoshop, or running complex software, the MacBook Pro remains swift and responsive.
Who Is the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) For?
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is undeniably an investment, and it’s best suited for users who truly need a high-performance machine. This includes:
- Video Editors and Filmmakers who need a laptop capable of handling high-definition footage and complex editing timelines.
- 3D Artists and Game Developers who rely on powerful GPUs and ample memory.
- Photographers and Designers who can benefit from the color-accurate display and ultra-high resolution.
- Software Developers working with virtual machines, emulators, and complex codebases.
Price and Value
Starting at $2,499 for the base model, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is one of the most expensive laptops on the market, and the price only climbs higher with additional memory and storage options. This pricing places it firmly in the premium category, meaning it’s likely overkill for casual users or students. However, for professionals who rely on their laptop to generate income, it represents a worthwhile investment.
Final Verdict
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro (2024) stands out as an exceptional laptop for power users and creative professionals. With its upgraded Thunderbolt 5 support, superior Liquid Retina XDR display, Center Stage webcam features, and unprecedented battery life, it’s clear that Apple has pushed this MacBook to meet the needs of its most demanding users. However, the high price and lack of repairability remain drawbacks that could limit its appeal.
Pros:
- Outstanding performance and power
- Thunderbolt 5 for future-proof connectivity
- Best-in-class battery life and M4 chip efficiency
- Innovative camera features (Center Stage and Desk View)
Cons:
- Expensive, especially with added features
- Non-upgradable and low repairability
- Overpowered for everyday tasks
For those who need a powerful, portable workstation, the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro is one of the best options available. However, casual users or those with simpler needs might be better served by Apple’s more affordable MacBook Air lineup or the smaller, 14-inch Pro variant.
