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M4 Max MacBook Pro: I'm Convinced!

Marques Brownlee@mkbhd4.1M viewsNov 18, 202412:31
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YT
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4.1M
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Promos

M4 generation has created a gap from M1. This laptop is great. Get a dbrand skin for your MacBook Pro at dbrand.com The wallpaper! From Ori Toor: panels.art Tyler Stalman's video: youtu.be MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Laptop provided by Apple for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD

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The video opens by reflecting on the long-term reliability of the M1 Max MacBook Pro, noting that after three years of usage there was no pressing need to upgrade. The creator explains that while everyday tasks are light, on occasion heavy workloads like 8K video editing necessitate substantial horsepower, color accuracy, and a capable display. This sets up the central thesis: the M4 generation brings tangible improvements that could justify upgrading for people who push their laptops with demanding workflows. The first major pillar is raw performance, with the M4 Max packing a 3-nanometer process and memory bandwidth gains that translate into marked CPU and GPU speedups. Real-world tests, including Final Cut Pro projects with 8K RAW footage and other footage, demonstrate faster opens, edits, effects handling, and around double export speeds compared with the M1 Max. The reviewer also delves into more nuanced software features like Magnetic Mask in Final Cut Pro 11, showing how the neural engine and AI-assisted tools further streamline complex tasks like rotoscoping, with clear time savings versus older chips. Beyond performance, the video surveys a suite of upgrades that could influence a purchase decision: Space Black finish, a higher brightness nano-texture display option, Thunderbolt 5 with three ports, and improved battery life and webcam. These hardware refinements collectively create a compelling value proposition for power users, while still acknowledging that some upgrades may be more incremental for non-professional users. The conclusion emphasizes that when the upgrades stack,better performance, improved display and efficiency, and new connectivity options,the M4 Max becomes justifiable for those who regularly push the laptop to its limits, even as the M1 Max remains a solid option for lighter workloads.

Topics · technology · gadgets · laptops · apple · video-production

Questions answered

What are the main performance gains of the M4 Max over the M1 Max in real-world use?
In real-world workloads, the M4 Max shows notable improvements in both CPU and GPU performance, including faster project loads, smoother editing of high bitrate footage, and roughly double export times in the tested Final Cut Pro workflow compared with the M1 Max.
Which upgrades most justify upgrading to the M4 Max according to the video?
The upgrades that most justify upgrading are the substantial performance gains from the M4 chip, the nano-texture display option with higher brightness, the addition of Thunderbolt 5 with higher bandwidth, and overall improvements in efficiency and display quality that enhance professional work like video editing and color grading.