# Apple’s Latest M4 MacBook Pro Range: Enhanced Memory, Superior Display Support, and Upgraded Performance
Apple has updated its MacBook Pro range again, this time unveiling the M4 chip. Following the recent refresh of the iMac and Mac mini, the new M4 MacBook Pros offer notable enhancements in memory, display capabilities, and computational power, making them an attractive choice for casual users as well as professionals.
## Key Features of the M4 MacBook Pro Range
– **Base Model Priced at $1,599**: The 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the standard M4 chip starts at $1,599, featuring 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
– **Enhanced Memory**: The base configuration now includes 16GB of RAM, addressing a major drawback of earlier models that began with only 8GB.
– **Superior Display Support**: The M4 MacBook Pro can now manage two external displays along with the built-in screen, a marked enhancement compared to the M3 version.
– **Additional Thunderbolt Ports**: The base M4 model offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one more than the previous model.
## An In-Depth Examination of the M4 MacBook Pro
### Consistent Design
Apple has closely retained the design of the prior M3 MacBook Pro models, even keeping the default desktop wallpaper the same. While this design consistency may not be revolutionary, it ensures familiarity for users who appreciate the sleek and professional look of the MacBook Pro.
### Performance Enhancements with the M4 Chip
The M4 chip delivers a significant performance increase compared to the M3, especially in the base model. The standard M4 setup includes 10 CPU cores (four performance cores and six efficiency cores), allowing for improved multitasking and overall system performance. Furthermore, the M4 chip supports the connection of three displays at once—two external and the built-in screen—making it a more adaptable choice for users who require multiple monitors for their tasks.
### Memory and Storage Options
The base variant now begins with 16GB of RAM, marking a substantial upgrade from the 8GB provided in previous iterations. This adjustment makes the $1,599 MacBook Pro a more appealing option for users who require greater memory for tasks such as video editing, graphic design, or running several applications simultaneously. The storage capacity remains at 512GB for the base version, with the option to enhance.
### Thunderbolt Ports and Display Capabilities
A key feature of the new M4 MacBook Pro is the addition of an extra Thunderbolt port. The base version now includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, compared to the two available in the M3 model. This additional port provides increased versatility for connecting external devices like monitors, hard drives, and other peripherals.
Regarding display capabilities, the M4 MacBook Pro can manage two external displays along with the built-in screen, resulting in a total of three displays. This is a substantial upgrade from the M3 model, which was limited to driving two external displays if the built-in display was deactivated.
## M4 Pro and M4 Max: Designed for Power Users
For those seeking even higher performance, Apple presents the M4 Pro and M4 Max models of the MacBook Pro. These versions come with extra CPU and GPU cores, enhanced RAM, and superior display support.
### M4 Pro: Expanded Cores and RAM
The M4 Pro variant of the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 and boasts up to 14 CPU cores (10 performance and 4 efficiency) and 20 GPU cores. It also includes 24GB of RAM by default, an increase of 6GB over the M3 Pro. For users needing additional memory, the M4 Pro can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM. Moreover, the Thunderbolt ports on the M4 Pro support the latest Thunderbolt 5 standard, offering up to 120Gbps of bandwidth, which is a significant upgrade from the 40Gbps provided by Thunderbolt 4.
### M4 Max: The Pinnacle of Performance
Topping the range is the M4 Max, available in both 14-inch and 16-inch models. The M4 Max features up to 16 CPU cores (12 performance and 4 efficiency) and an impressive 40-core GPU, making it particularly well-suited for users who demand extreme performance for applications such as 3D rendering, video editing, or machine learning.
The M4 Max starts with 36GB of RAM and can be upgraded to 48GB, 64GB, or even 128GB, although the highest configuration incurs an additional cost of $1,200. The M4 Max also allows for connection to up to four external displays, including three 6K 60Hz displays via Thunderbolt and one 4K 144.
