19 March, 12:31
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M4 vs. M4 Pro: Which One Should You Choose?

Apple’s M4 series processors power the latest MacBook Pro models, which have been extensively tested and compared. To help you choose the best model, comprehensive benchmarks have been conducted. From Geekbench scores to photo and video editing performance, every aspect has been evaluated. Continue reading to find out the key differences between M4 and M4 Pro!

Key Differences Between M4 and M4 Pro

M4 and M4 Pro differ in design, size, and technical specifications. The M4 MacBook Pro is available only in a 14-inch model, whereas the M4 Pro comes in both 14-inch and 16-inch versions. Both models feature an aluminum body and are available in Silver and Space Black colors. In terms of design, there is no noticeable difference between M4 and M4 Pro.

Weight Differences:

M4 (14-inch) – 1.55 kg
M4 Pro (14-inch) – 1.6 kg
M4 Pro (16-inch) – 2.1 kg

The display technology remains unchanged. Both M4 and M4 Pro use Liquid Retina XDR displays and offer a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The screen brightness reaches 1,000 nits for SDR content and 1,600 nits for HDR content. The optional nano-texture display reduces glare significantly, making the screen more comfortable to use outdoors.

Main connectivity differences:

M4 supports Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps).
M4 Pro supports Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gbps), offering 3x faster data transfer speeds.
It also supports up to 240W charging via USB-C.

The MacBook Pro’s camera has also been upgraded. Previously 1080p, it now features a 12 MP resolution and Center Stage technology, ensuring users stay in the frame even while moving.

SSD Speed Test: M4 vs. M4 Pro

The Blackmagic Disk Speed Test was used to measure SSD performance:
512GB M4 MacBook Pro:

Read speed: 2,889 MB/s
Write speed: 3,308 MB/s

2TB M4 Pro MacBook Pro:

Read speed: 6,728 MB/s
Write speed: 7,490 MB/s

Result: The M4 model offers half the SSD performance of the M4 Pro. Apple may have used fewer NAND chips in the M4 model, leading to lower memory bandwidth. If speed is a priority, the M4 Pro is the smarter choice.

M4 vs. M4 Pro: Which One Is More Powerful?

The M4 features a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, making it 1.8x faster than the M1 chip. It supports up to 32GB of RAM and offers 120 GB/s memory bandwidth. It can connect to two external displays and has three Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer.

The M4 Pro, on the other hand, is built for heavy workloads:
- It features a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, making it 1.9x faster than the M1 Pro chip.
- It supports up to 64GB of RAM and delivers 273 GB/s memory bandwidth.
- With Thunderbolt 5 and 120 GB/s data transfer speeds, it allows fast processing of large files.

CPU Performance Test: M4 vs. M4 Pro

Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024 results confirm that the M4 Pro is significantly more powerful than the M4 in CPU performance.

Geekbench 6 test results:

M4 Single-core: 3,816 points
M4 Pro Single-core: 3,966 points
M4 Multi-core: 14,980 points
M4 Pro Multi-core: 22,605 points (51% higher performance!)

Cinebench 2024 test results:

M4 Single-core: 171 points
M4 Pro Single-core: 178 points
M4 Multi-core: 1,002 points
M4 Pro Multi-core: 1,743 points (74% higher performance!)

M4 vs. M4 Pro: GPU Performance

M4 comes with a 10-core GPU, making it suitable for basic graphics tasks. M4 Pro features a 20-core GPU, doubling its graphics performance.

Geekbench 6 Metal test results:

M4 GPU: 58,049 points
M4 Pro GPU: 113,590 points (2x faster!)

Cinebench 2024 test results:

M4 GPU: 3,978 points
M4 Pro GPU: 9,272 points (Over 2x improvement!)

Gaming performance:

Borderlands 3: M4 – 23 fps | M4 Pro – 42 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: M4 – 38 fps | M4 Pro – 81 fps
Civilization VI: M4 – 53 fps | M4 Pro – 98 fps

Result: If you work with gaming or graphics-intensive tasks, M4 Pro is the better choice.