MacBook Pro lineup now supports up to an M4 Max chip and three Thunderbolt 5 ports
by Brad Linder · LiliputingApple’s newest MacBook Pro laptops are now available for pre-order and they’re set to be available starting November 8, 2024.
Available with 14.2 or 16.2 inch displays and a choice of Apple M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max processors, the new MacBook Pro starts at $1599 for an entry-level model with a 14 inch display, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage or $2499 for a 16 inch model with an M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
One thing to keep in mind is that models with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors not only feature more CPU and GPU cores, but they also come with Thunderbolt 5 ports capable of data transfer speeds up to 120 Gbps, while models with M4 chips top out at Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) speeds.
Models with the M4 Pro and Max chips also support more maximum memory – although all of Apple’s new laptops come with at least 16GB of RAM, which is twice as much as you’d get from an entry-level configuration of last year’s MacBook Pro with M3 processor options.
| M4 | M4 Pro | M4 Max | |
| CPU & GPU | 10-core CPU & 10-core GPU | 12-core CPU & 16-core GPU 14-core CPU & 20-core GPU | 14-core CPU & 32-core GPU 16-core CPU & 40-core GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | ||
| RAM | Up to 32GB 120GB/s memory bandwidth | Up to 48GB 273GB/s memory bandwidth | Up to 128GB 546GB/s memory bandwidth |
| Thunderbolt | 3 x Thunderbolt 4 | 3 x Thunderbolt 5 | |
The MacBook Pro with a 14.2 inch display features a 3024 x 1964 pixel mini LED backlit display with support for up to 1000 nits sustained brightness or 1600 nits peak brightness for HDR content and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
It measures 313 x 221 x 16mm (12.3″ x 8.7″ x 0.6″) and weighs 1.55 kg (3.4 pounds) and features a 72.4 Wh battery, three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, a SD card reader and a headphone jack plus six speakers, a 3-mic array, and a 12MP camera.
The 16 inch model has similar features for the most part, but it has a 3456 x 2234 pixel display, a 100 Wh battery, and a body that measures 356 x 248 x 17mm (14″ x 9.8″ x 0.7″) and which has a starting weight of 2.14kg (4.7 pounds).
Both models support WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 and feature backlit keyboards with Touch ID and ambient light sensors.
They also both come with USB Type-C power adapters, although the charging rate varies depending on which model you buy. A MacBook Pro with an M4 processor comes with a 70W charger, while 14 inch models with M4 Pro or Max chips comes with a 96W charger. And if you opt for a 16 inch MacBook Pro you’ll get a 140W charger.