Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro Space Black 2024

The M4 Pro MacBook Pro is a top-tier productivity machine with a best-in-class CPU and stunning display. Gaming is its weak spot, and the RAM is just average for the price. Buy it for work, not for play.

The M4 Pro is a beast. In our database, the CPU lands in the 90th percentile, which means it's one of the best laptop chips on the market right now. Compiling code, rendering timelines, running virtual machines, it chews through all of it. The 20-core integrated GPU is solid at the 74th percentile, but don't expect it to replace a dedicated gaming laptop. It'll handle creative GPU tasks fine, but gaming is this machine's weak spot at 41.8 out of 100. The 24GB of RAM is about average for this class, and the 1TB SSD is decent but not class-leading. Battery life is rated up to 22 hours, which is excellent if it holds up in real-world use.

Against the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, the MacBook Pro wins on CPU performance and display quality, but the G14 has a dedicated GPU that will crush it in gaming. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a different beast entirely, bigger, heavier, and built for gaming first. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a closer competitor in size, but again, gaming is where it pulls ahead. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is thinner and lighter, but its CPU can't touch the M4 Pro. The MSI Prestige is a budget-friendly alternative, but it's not in the same performance league. For pure productivity and creative work, the MacBook Pro is the pick. For gaming, look elsewhere.

At $2,215, you're paying a premium for that Apple silicon and the build quality. The reliability score is off the charts, so you're buying peace of mind along with raw performance. But the RAM and storage are just average for this price bracket, and the port situation is underwhelming. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and need a dependable workhorse, the price makes sense. If you're cross-shopping Windows laptops, you can get more RAM and a dedicated GPU for similar money.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is Apple doing what Apple does best: throwing a ridiculous amount of performance into a thin metal slab and charging accordingly. The M4 Pro chip here is a 14-core monster paired with a 20-core GPU, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It's built for people who compile code, edit video, or run heavy creative workloads without wanting to hear a fan spin up like a jet engine.

This config sits at $2,215, which is not cheap, but it's also not the maxed-out M4 Max version. You're getting the pro-level chip, the gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display, and that famous Apple build quality. The question is whether the compromises, like port selection and gaming performance, matter for your workflow.

Skip this if you're a gamer. The integrated GPU just can't keep up with dedicated graphics cards in similarly priced Windows laptops. Also skip it if you need lots of ports, the selection here is thin. And if you're on a budget, there are much cheaper options that will handle everyday tasks just fine.

This is the laptop for developers, video editors, and creative professionals who live in the Apple ecosystem and want a machine that just works. The M4 Pro chip is a legitimate powerhouse, the display is gorgeous, and the battery life is exceptional. If you need a portable workstation that won't let you down, this is it. Just don't buy it for gaming.