Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 2024, 24GB, 512GB SSD, Space Black

The Apple MacBook Pro M4 is a premium 14-inch laptop with a stunning OLED display, excellent build quality, and top-tier reliability. The M4 chip handles creative work and multitasking with ease, though the 512GB SSD and integrated GPU are limiting factors. At $1,699, it's pricey, but the display and reliability make it worth it for creative professionals.

The M4 chip here is no slouch. In our database, the CPU lands in the 76th percentile for laptops, which translates to well above average performance for everyday tasks and most creative work. The 10-core GPU sits at the 75th percentile, so it's solid for graphics work and light gaming, though it's not going to touch a dedicated RTX 4070 in a gaming laptop. The integrated GPU handles 4K video editing and photo work without complaint, but if you're doing heavy 3D rendering or AI model training, you'll feel the limits.

The 24GB of RAM is a smart middle ground. It's enough for serious multitasking, running multiple Adobe apps, or keeping dozens of browser tabs open without the system slowing down. The 512GB SSD is where things get tight. That's about average for laptops in this class, but it fills up fast if you're working with RAW photos or 4K footage. The screen is the real star here, ranking in the 91st percentile. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel smooth, and that 1600 nits peak brightness means you can use this thing outdoors without squinting.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the most direct competitor here. It packs a dedicated GPU and a high-refresh display into a similarly compact chassis, and it's often cheaper. But the MacBook Pro M4 beats it on build quality, battery life, and that OLED screen. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 is a different beast entirely, a bigger machine with way more graphics horsepower, but it's heavier and the battery life is nowhere near what Apple offers.

The HP OMEN Transcend 14 and MSI Raider are both solid gaming laptops that will crush the MacBook in GPU-heavy tasks, but they can't touch the MacBook's display quality or portability. The Dell Premium is a wildcard, often priced competitively but with a less refined overall package. If you need Windows for gaming or specific software, the ASUS or Lenovo are better picks. If you want the best screen and the most reliable machine, the MacBook wins.

At $1,699 USD, the MacBook Pro M4 is a tough sell if you're just looking at raw specs. A Windows laptop with similar CPU performance and a dedicated GPU can be had for less, and you'd get more storage too. But that's missing the point. You're paying for the build quality, the display, the battery life, and the reliability that Apple consistently delivers. The 98th percentile reliability score means this thing will likely outlast any Windows competitor you're cross-shopping. If you're a creative professional who values a great screen and a machine that just works, the premium is worth it. If you're a gamer or someone who needs maximum performance per dollar, look elsewhere.

The MacBook Pro M4 sits in that premium creator laptop bracket, the kind of machine you buy when a regular ultrabook isn't quite enough but you don't want to lug around a desktop replacement. This 14.2-inch model pairs Apple's 10-core M4 chip with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, all wrapped in that familiar aluminum unibody that weighs just 1.55kg. At $1,699 USD, it's not cheap, but it's also not the eye-watering price of the M4 Max configurations.

People searching for a MacBook Pro M4 usually want to know two things: is the base M4 chip actually good enough for real work, and is the screen as good as Apple claims? The short answers are yes and yes. The 14.2-inch OLED display runs at 120Hz with up to 1600 nits peak brightness and full P3 wide color, which makes it one of the best laptop screens you can buy right now. For photo editing, video work, or just staring at spreadsheets, it's a genuine treat.

And yes, this is the entry-level MacBook Pro, but "entry-level" here still means a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and enough horsepower to handle most creative workflows without breaking a sweat. The 512GB SSD is the one spec that might make you pause, especially if you work with large video files or big photo libraries.

Skip the MacBook Pro M4 if you're a serious gamer, a 3D artist, or anyone who needs to run AI models locally. The integrated GPU and the weak AI performance (46.4/100 in our database) are real dealbreakers for those use cases. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 will serve you much better. Also skip it if you need lots of storage, since 512GB fills up fast and Apple charges a premium for upgrades. And if you're on a budget, the $1,699 price tag is hard to swallow when Windows laptops with similar performance cost less.

Should you buy the MacBook Pro M4? If you're a creative professional, a student in a design or media program, or anyone who values a stunning display and rock-solid reliability, yes. This is one of the best laptops you can buy right now for photo editing, video work, and general productivity. The screen alone is worth the price of admission, and the M4 chip is more than capable for most tasks.

But if you're a gamer, a 3D artist, or someone who needs to run AI models locally, this isn't the machine for you. The integrated GPU and the weak AI performance (46.4/100 in our database) are real limitations. And if you're on a tight budget, the $1,699 price tag is hard to justify when Windows alternatives offer more raw performance for less money. For everyone else, the MacBook Pro M4 is a fantastic laptop that will serve you well for years.