# The New M4 MacBook Pro: A Detailed Comparison with the M3 Series
Apple has recently introduced its latest MacBook Pro models, featuring the cutting-edge M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max Apple Silicon chips. These new iterations are set to deliver improved performance, extended battery life, and a variety of innovative features. In this article, we will explore the distinctions between the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro series, focusing on key specifications, display upgrades, I/O capabilities, and more, to assist you in determining if an upgrade is warranted.
## M4 MacBook Pro vs. M3 MacBook Pro: Main Differences
### Hardware Comparison: CPU, GPU, and Memory
The M4 chip lineup brings substantial enhancements compared to the M3 range. The latest chips provide configurations that range from 10 to 16-core CPUs and 10 to 40-core GPUs, with unified memory options from 16GB to an impressive 128GB. Significantly, the base models now start with 16GB of memory, a commendable upgrade for users.
Here’s a breakdown of the specifications:
| Feature | M4 MacBook Pro | M3 MacBook Pro |
|———————–|—————————————|—————————————|
| **Chip/CPU** | M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max – up to 16-core | M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max – up to 16-core |
| **Storage** | Up to 8TB | Up to 8TB |
| **Unified Memory** | Up to 128GB | Up to 128GB |
| **Memory Bandwidth** | Up to 547GB/s | Up to 400GB/s |
| **GPU** | Up to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Up to 40-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| **Neural Engine** | 16-core | 16-core |
Apple asserts that the M4 CPUs offer the leading single-threaded performance within the industry and greatly enhanced multi-threaded capabilities. Additionally, the GPUs have been improved, showcasing quicker cores and a ray-tracing engine that operates twice as fast as its former versions.
### Display Enhancements
The M4 MacBook Pro models continue to feature the Liquid Retina XDR display, a signature element of the MacBook Pro line. Nonetheless, they introduce a fresh option for a nano-texture display, effectively minimizing glare and boosting visibility in well-lit scenarios. The outdoor brightness for SDR content has also been elevated to 1000 nits, up from the 600 nits seen in the M3 models.
| Feature | 14″ M4 MacBook Pro | 14″ M3 MacBook Pro | 16″ M4 MacBook Pro | 16″ M3 MacBook Pro |
|———————–|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|
| **Brightness (SDR)** | Up to 1000 nits | 600 nits | Up to 1000 nits | 600 nits |
| **Nano-texture Option**| Yes | No | Yes | No |
### I/O and Connectivity
The M4 MacBook Pro models maintain the same port configuration as their forerunners, which includes HDMI, SDXC card reader, and MagSafe. However, the M4 Pro and M4 Max models have been upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, achieving data transfer speeds of up to 120GB/s. These new versions also incorporate a 12MP Center Stage camera, enhancing video call quality through better clarity.
| Feature | 14″ M4 MacBook Pro | 14″ M3 MacBook Pro | 16″ M4 MacBook Pro | 16″ M3 MacBook Pro |
|—————————-|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|
| **Thunderbolt Ports** | 3x Thunderbolt 5 | 3x Thunderbolt 4 | 3x Thunderbolt 5 | 3x Thunderbolt 4 |
| **Camera** | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p FaceTime camera | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p FaceTime camera |
### Battery Life
The M4 MacBook Pro series has seen a remarkable boost in battery longevity compared to the M3 models. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | 14″ M4 MacBook Pro | 14″ M3 MacBook Pro | 16″ M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro | 16″ M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro |
|———————–|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|————————————–|
| **Wireless Web** | | | | |
