MacBook Pro M4: Minor improvements on near-perfection
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Disember — Setiap tahun, MacBook Air semakin bertambah maju sehingga semakin sukar untuk membeli MacBook Pro jika perlu melakukan aktiviti seperti menyunting fail berita dan melayari internet.
With the advent of AI, it seems like everyone and their neighbour is trying to create their own language learning model (LLM) or build an app that promises to outdo the others in its capability.
Sorry, but since you mentioned that speed is a top priority, the MacBook Air might not be sufficiently powerful for your intended usage.
Berdasarkan model sokongan yang sangat baik, generasi terkini kejuruteraan bahasa tertinggi (high-level language engineering) menunjukkaninya - semakin baik model tersebut telah diasaskan.
This year's review unit is the base MacBook Pro equipped with the standard processor, accompanied by a generous 16GB of RAM and a substantial 1TB of storage space.
Every year, tech reviewers consistently express their dissatisfaction that no laptop should come with less than 16GB of RAM, and it's a welcome move for Apple to have finally caught up in this regard.
Actually, even though Apple was adamant that M-chips don't require a lot of RAM, the possibility still exists that you might not be entirely comfortable with less RAM, and in that case, you might consider paying a bit more.
Now that I don't have to worry about the RAM, I'm concerned about the performance of the base M4 chip.
It can be a bit confusing when browsing through the fundamental choices available online.
I think Apple is aiming to cater to finance professionals who don't want to overspend for tasks that can be handled by a basic 10-core GPU (compiling spreadsheets or coding) – it's conceivable that this may become a standard configuration.
However, if you need to do production-level 3D programming, intensive work in Adobe software (known for being a graphics-intensive tool even when I mentioned it during my training sessions, and still now when I simply write about it) or anything else that warrants a high-performance graphic card, upgrade to the M4 Pro processor.
That's only if you're considering future proofing your laptop, where upgrading the RAM or replacing the chip later on is not a possibility.
Taking into account the common usage scenarios where a single core is used, I found the M4 MacBook Pro base model to be sufficiently responsive and efficient, with less heat generated compared to the M3 Pro model.
Are you a student or an independent solo programmer? The standard version should be suitable for your needs.
Probably not for gaming
In reality, many new titles are not readily available on MacOS by default, and what we're seeing, instead, is the arrival of much older titles on the Mac platform.
Many gamers, however, resort to the use of software such as CrossOver to assist in making non-Mac games work on a Mac computer.
One issue with CrossOver and similar programs is that to run a game on these systems, you would actually require more system resources than if the same game was run on a Windows PC, although the game itself demands only 2/3 of that capacity.
Silia tidak akan cuba mengimportnya kerana Bioware tidak akan bercita-cita untuk port mobil elektronik.
If I may recall our previous discussion, for those who plan to run the Crossover software or even multiple virtual machines, I would recommend aiming for an M4 Pro processor, considering its capabilities.
Most versions of these apps were initially ported natively to the Mac however won't be a problem.
Daily drill
After using the Intel MacBook Pro, which got uncomfortably loud when I briefly watched YouTube, I've compared it to the initial Silicon chips, and my experience with the new M4 is that it runs noticeably cooler than its predecessor, although I only have the M3 Pro as a point of comparison.
Yes, it's a bit heavier than the MacBook Air but surprisingly, weighing 1.55 kg, it's not unwieldy to carry around, which is a notable point, especially given the amount of hospital visits I've had to make lately (long, unrelated matter).
Unlike its M-series MacBook Air predecessors, the MacBook Air M3 does not feel like a significant drop-off in terms of performance compared to its more powerful and heat-generating M3 equivalent model.
As I've been getting more involved in video editing recently and familiarising myself with the latest Blender updates and useful add-ons that simplify tasks like rigging, it seemed logical to devote more time to the MacBook Pro M4.
Spending time with the MacBook Pro M4's XDR display has shown me just how much I've been missing out on the superior display quality that the MacBook Pro range has over the MacBook Air
The Liquid Retina screens are acceptable, but video playback and editing appear to be more visually appealing, particularly when colour adjustments are taken into account.
I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the nano-texture display (a special cloth is provided for cleaning purposes). However, I found it worth the additional RM640 for enhanced outdoor usability since it significantly reduces glare – a problem I frequently encountered on the Air series.
Bonus: Along with your nanotexture models, you'll also receive a convenient cleaning cloth courtesy of Apple, which is recommended for maintaining the display's cleanliness.
In terms of battery life, when considering the workload, I can easily get through an eight-hour shift without having to frequently check the charger, while also avoiding a noticeable decrease in performance due to background throttling.
AI or no?
I've been participating in Apple's software beta testing for a few years, which has allowed me to get a head start in reviewing their latest devices.
What's intriguing about the new Apple Intelligence is that its integration, such as in Note-taking where you click a button, providing suggestions for proofreading and rewriting, might be useful, but it may be confusing for individuals who do not frequently use the Notes app.
I find Siri to be quite basic and lacking in intelligence compared to what I expect from a virtual assistant. I prefer using Siri's features on the phone, especially for simple tasks like removing objects from photos or receiving concise notification summaries.
For individuals who create AI, a MacBook Pro would be highly beneficial as it provides a dependable laptop that can handle the rigors of working with AI models efficiently.
Who is this for?
The MacBook Air would be a suitable choice if you only perform tasks such as word processing, creating presentations, basic video editing or coding that does not necessitate the use of a graphics processing unit (GPU).
If you often tackle work-related challenges that require Excel, a MacBook Pro might be just the addition you need to smoothly handle massive files embedded with macros, and the M4 chip should provide sufficient power for general tasks.
If you mainly work on video, graphics editing or music production, the M4 Pro chip would be the best option for commercial purposes, meanwhile 24GB of RAM will ensure your device is future-proof for at least four years.
Who is the M4 Max chip for? Actually, it's suitable for those who handle large-scale operations such as managing rocket launches or overseeing entire movie productions, like organisations like Pixar might consider it for their needs, perhaps from an array of Mac minis instead.
If you require ray tracing, a feature extensively used in the graphics and 3D/video industries, transitioning from an Intel, M1 or M2 machine is a viable option.
Do you still have an M3 Pro or M3 Max laptop?
Let's keep it, the M4's still a great machine, it's nice to have but we really need more of an update, like more as a must-have.
In a nutshell, the new MacBook Pro M4 base model is a reliable machine that suits those seeking more power than the Air can offer - albeit at a slightly higher weight - together with additional ports, specifically three Thunderbolt ports, an SD card reader and an HDMI interface.
You will experience enhanced performance whether your laptop has one or multiple cores, and an extended battery life is now possible thanks to the upgraded processor. Beyond that, these improvements substantiate that this laptop is more capable to handle AI-related tasks beyond what one would do in a web browser.
The new MacBook Pro models are available in several configurations online and in designated retailers, starting with the base price of RM6,999 for the M4 model, RM8,499 for the one equipped with M4 Pro chip, and RM13,999 for the top-of-the-line Max models.
