2024 MacBook Pro's performance in photo editing and gaming is disappointing
- The 2024 MacBook Pro models equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips exhibit faster performance in benchmarks and real-world creative tasks.
- Key upgrades include enhanced Thunderbolt 5 ports and increased memory bandwidth compared to previous models.
- Overall, these improvements establish the M4 Max as a leading choice for professional creators, though potential buyers must weigh performance enhancements against price.
In December 2024, the new Apple MacBook Pro models featuring M4 Pro and M4 Max chips were reviewed. These models showcased improvements in performance metrics, particularly in photo and video editing tasks. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips offer significant enhancements, with the M4 Max showing impressive performance gains between 20 to 28 percent over the previous M3 Max across most CPU and GPU benchmarks. The 2024 models also come equipped with faster Thunderbolt 5 ports and higher memory bandwidth, notably 273 Gbps for the M4 Pro and up to 546 Gbps for the 16-inch M4 Max. These updates highlight Apple's focus on delivering top-tier performance for professionals in creative industries, addressing the needs of video editors and photographers in particular. Noteworthy is the improvement in multicore CPU scores, where the M4 Pro was 84 percent faster than the M4 and the M4 Max provided an additional performance boost. The tests showed that the M4 Pro solved performance issues faced by users with older models during video editing tasks. For example, a test editor experienced smoother workflow while working on projects that usually caused sluggishness on machines like the M1 Pro, which was known for similar performance problems. This improvement indicates that those investing in these new models can expect a significant enhancement in their productivity and an overall better editing experience. While benchmarking results clearly endorse the performance claims, the discerning creator must assess the value of these machines versus their cost. The base M4 model is priced at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch versions. Whether these performance gains justify their price will depend on individual usage needs and workflows, especially given the advancements seen.