Apple MacBook Pro 14" 14-inch Space Black 2024

The M4 MacBook Pro is a battery-life champion with a screen that'll ruin all other laptops for you. Skip the base storage, grab this 1TB refurb, and don't look back.

The M4 chip is a quiet monster. In our database, its CPU performance sits in the 75th percentile, which means it's well above average and will chew through everyday tasks, coding, and even 4K video editing without breaking a sweat. The real surprise, though, is how cool and silent it stays. This thing barely spins up its fans. The 16GB of RAM is the new baseline, and it's fine for now, but its 39th percentile ranking is a reminder that it's not exactly future-proof. The integrated GPU is the weak link for gaming, landing in a disappointing 19th percentile, so don't expect to play modern AAA titles at anything beyond low settings. This is a work machine that can dabble in light creative work, not a gaming rig.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, the MacBook loses badly on gaming but wins on build, battery, and that gorgeous screen. The Zephyrus is the pick if you want to play games after work. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is its closest Windows rival for pure productivity, with a killer OLED screen, but it runs hotter and louder. For raw CPU power in a chunky chassis, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a beast, but it's a tank to carry around. This MacBook Pro is the sweet spot for a portable, powerful, and polished workhorse.

At $1610 for a certified refurbished model with a 1TB SSD, this is a solid deal. A brand-new one with this storage would set you back significantly more. You're getting 95% of the experience for a nice discount. If you need a premium laptop for work or school and don't care about gaming, this is money well spent.

This is the MacBook Pro 14 with the base M4 chip, and honestly, for most people it's the one to get. You're getting that stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, a keyboard and trackpad that are still the best in the business, and build quality that feels like a solid block of aluminum. The real story here is that Apple's base chip is now so good, you don't need to spend thousands more on a Pro or Max chip unless you're doing seriously heavy video work or 3D rendering. This Geek Squad Certified Refurbished unit is a smart way to save some cash, and with a 90-day warranty, it's a pretty low-risk bet.

But let's be real about the ports. You get three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI slot, and a MagSafe connector, which is great. What's not great is the spec sheet claiming three USB-A ports. That's just wrong. There are zero USB-A ports on this machine, so you'll be living that dongle life for any older accessories. It's a weird error, but don't buy this thinking you can plug in an old flash drive without an adapter.

If you're looking for a gaming laptop, this isn't it. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 instead. It has a dedicated GPU that will run circles around the M4's integrated graphics and still has a fantastic screen. You'll sacrifice some battery life and that all-metal MacBook feel, but your games will actually be playable.

Buy it. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is the best laptop for most people who just want a premium, no-drama machine that will last for years. Just make sure you get this 1TB model. The base 512GB version is a storage time bomb, and since you can't upgrade it later, spending a bit more now saves a huge headache. This refurbished deal makes that upgrade a no-brainer.