M4 Max MacBook Pro 2025

The M4 Max MacBook Pro, unveiled in October 2024, marks a significant milestone in Apple’s laptop lineup, powered by the cutting-edge M4 Max chip. For users like me, who’ve been happily relying on the M1 Max MacBook Pro for three years, this is the first generation that genuinely tempts an upgrade.

With blazing performance, a stunning nano-texture display option, Thunderbolt 5, and thoughtful enhancements, the M4 Max MacBook Pro is a dream machine for professionals tackling demanding tasks like video editing, photo processing, and more.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into why this laptop stands out, exploring its performance, display, connectivity, and smaller upgrades that make it a compelling choice for M1 Max users and newcomers alike. Let’s break it down.

Performance: A Leap That Feels Real

The M4 Max MacBook Pro is driven by the M4 Max chip, built on a 3nm process (compared to the M1 Max’s 5nm), delivering up to 2.2x faster CPU performance and 1.9x faster GPU performance than the M1 Max, according to Apple’s claims.

With 546GB/s memory bandwidth (up from 400GB/s) and configurations up to 96GB of unified memory, it’s the most powerful MacBook Pro yet.

To put this in perspective, my maxed-out M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB of memory has been a workhorse for light tasks and occasional video editing, but the M4 Max takes it to another level.

In synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 6, the M4 Max achieves a single-core score over 4,000—the highest ever in a Mac—and a chart-topping multi-core score.

Its GPU performance rivals the M2 Ultra chip found in the current Mac Pro, a remarkable feat for a laptop. Real-world tests confirm these gains. For video editors, the M4 Max MacBook Pro shines in Final Cut Pro 11, handling complex projects with 8K RED raw footage, action camera clips, and composited graphics.

In my tests, it opened projects and navigated timelines faster than any machine I’ve used, exporting videos twice as fast as the M1 Max.

A standout feature is Magnetic Mask in Final Cut Pro 11, an AI-powered tool leveraging the M4 Max’s 16-core Neural Engine. Unlike traditional rotoscoping, which requires manually masking subjects frame-by-frame, Magnetic Mask automatically tracks and isolates subjects with a single click.

In a test with a 45-second clip, the M4 Max completed the task in 2 minutes 13 seconds, compared to 2 minutes 56 seconds on the M1 Max, 1 minute 30 seconds on the M2 Ultra, and a sluggish 6 minutes on an Intel Xeon Mac Pro. This efficiency is a game-changer for video editors, showcasing the M4 Max’s ability to unlock new creative possibilities.

Beyond video editing, photographers and other creatives benefit too. Reviews, like Tyler Stalman’s, show the M4 Max outperforming the M1 Max in Lightroom and DaVinci Resolve, sometimes matching or surpassing the M2 Ultra Mac Studio. For coders, developers, or 3D artists, the M4 Max handles intensive workloads with ease, making it a versatile powerhouse.

Why It Matters: The M4 Max MacBook Pro offers a significant performance leap over the M1 Max, doubling speed in real-world tasks like video editing and AI-driven workflows. While M2 or M3 users may not need to upgrade, M1 Max owners pushing their laptops to the limit will feel the difference.

Nano-Texture Display: A Visual Game-Changer

The M4 Max MacBook Pro introduces a nano-texture display option, a $150 upgrade that’s become my favorite feature. Available on both 14-inch and 16-inch models, this matte finish drastically reduces reflections, making it ideal for varied lighting conditions—whether you’re in a brightly lit office, a coffee shop, or an airplane with sunlight streaming in. Unlike glossy displays, it “eats” glare, ensuring content remains clear and distraction-free.

Previously a $1,000 option on the Pro Display XDR, the nano-texture finish has evolved. It’s now a $300 option on the Studio Display and a $100 option on the iPad Pro, with no widespread durability issues despite constant touch interaction. On the MacBook Pro, it’s priced at $150 and feels more robust, requiring only a soft microfiber cloth for cleaning. While long-term wear is a slight concern, my experience suggests it’s low-maintenance and worth the cost.

The display itself is a Liquid Retina XDR panel with ProMotion (up to 120Hz) and a new 1,000-nit SDR brightness (up from 600 nits), making it more readable in bright environments. Apple also quietly upgraded to quantum dot technology, enhancing color accuracy and responsiveness. While OLED is still on the horizon, the current display feels snappier, possibly due to improved efficiency.

Why It Matters: The nano-texture display transforms the viewing experience, eliminating reflections and boosting usability in diverse settings. Combined with higher brightness and quantum dot tech, it’s a compelling reason to upgrade.

Thunderbolt 5: Future-Proofing with a Catch

The M4 Max MacBook Pro features three Thunderbolt 5 ports, a step up from Thunderbolt 4, offering 120Gb/s bandwidth (triple that of Thunderbolt 4) and support for PCIe 4.0 and DisplayPort 2.1. This allows connection to three 6K displays at 60Hz (up from two), ideal for professionals with multi-monitor setups. The base 14-inch model also gains an extra port, matching the 16-inch’s total of three.

Thunderbolt 5 is both underrated and overrated. It’s a genuine leap, enabling faster data transfers and more robust connectivity, but the ecosystem is nascent. For example, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 drive offers 6,000MB/s read/write speeds but costs $400 for 2TB, compared to a $275 Thunderbolt 3 SanDisk drive with 2,800MB/s. Video editors moving large 8K files will eventually benefit, but most users won’t notice immediate gains due to limited Thunderbolt 5 accessories.

Why It Matters: Thunderbolt 5 future-proofs the M4 Max MacBook Pro for high-bandwidth tasks, but its benefits are limited until more accessories emerge. It’s a nice bonus, not a dealbreaker.

Smaller Upgrades: Polishing the Experience

Beyond the headline features, the M4 Max MacBook Pro includes several smaller enhancements:

• Space Black Color: Available alongside Silver, Space Black looks stunning but attracts fingerprints. A skin or case mitigates this, preserving its sleek aesthetic.
• Center Stage Webcam: The 12MP ultra-wide webcam with Center Stage tracks movement, improving video calls. It delivers sharper, more natural visuals than its predecessor.
• Battery Life: The M4 Max’s efficiency yields slightly better battery life despite the same battery size. Expect up to 18 hours (16-inch) or 22 hours (14-inch) for light tasks, with real-world tests showing gains under moderate workloads.
• 16GB Base Memory: Thanks to Apple Intelligence requirements, all M4 MacBook Pros start at 16GB of unified memory, making the base models more future-proof.

These tweaks enhance the overall experience, though none alone justify an upgrade. Together, they add polish to an already premium package.

Why It Matters: These updates refine the user experience, from better video calls to longer battery life, making the M4 Max MacBook Pro feel like a complete package.

Who Should Upgrade?

The M4 Max MacBook Pro is a compelling upgrade for M1 Max users regularly pushing their laptops to the limit—video editors, 3D artists, or developers handling intensive tasks. The performance gains, nano-texture display, and Thunderbolt 5 make it worthwhile. However, M2 or M3 Max users can likely wait, as their machines remain capable. For new buyers, the base M4 MacBook Pro (starting at $1,599) offers excellent value, but the M4 Max (starting at $3,199 for 14-inch, $3,499 for 16-inch) is ideal for professionals needing top-tier power.

Why It Matters: The M4 Max MacBook Pro balances significant upgrades with practicality, catering to power users while offering longevity for future workflows.

Specifications Table

Feature	M4 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch)	M4 Max MacBook Pro (16-inch)
Price (Starting)	$3,199 (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 1TB)	$3,499 (14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 1TB)
Chip	M4 Max (up to 14-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core NE)	M4 Max (up to 14-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 16-core NE)
Memory	36GB–96GB unified memory	36GB–96GB unified memory
Storage	512GB–8TB SSD	512GB–8TB SSD
Display	14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024×1964, 120Hz, 1,000 nits SDR, nano-texture option	16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3456×2234, 120Hz, 1,000 nits SDR, nano-texture option
Ports	3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, headphone	3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, headphone
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Webcam	12MP Center Stage, ultra-wide	12MP Center Stage, ultra-wide
Battery Life	Up to 22 hours (video playback)	Up to 18 hours (video playback)
Weight	3.6 lbs (1.63 kg)	4.8 lbs (2.18 kg)
Dimensions	12.3 x 8.7 x 0.61 inches	14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches
Colors	Space Black, Silver	Space Black, Silver
Operating System	macOS Sequoia 15.1 with Apple Intelligence	macOS Sequoia 15.1 with Apple Intelligence

Conclusion

The M4 Max MacBook Pro is a triumph of performance and refinement, blending the raw power of the M4 Max chip with practical upgrades like the nano-texture display and Thunderbolt 5. For M1 Max users like me, the doubled performance in video editing, stunning glare-free display, and future-proof connectivity make it a tempting upgrade. While M2 or M3 users can hold off, professionals pushing their laptops to the limit will find the M4 Max MacBook Pro a worthy investment. Priced at a premium, it delivers unmatched power in a portable package, cementing Apple’s lead in high-performance laptops.

Are you considering the M4 Max MacBook Pro, or sticking with your current Mac? Share your thoughts below!