M3 vs M4 MacBook Pro: Faster AND Better Battery Life? 🤯

Summary

In this video, the Apple M4 MacBook Pro is thoroughly tested against its predecessor, the M3 model, to evaluate performance, design, and new features. Key improvements in the M4 include faster SSD write speeds, enhanced graphics performance, and more efficient multi-core processing, with up to 47% faster Cinebench scores. The M4 also features a brighter display, better battery life, and improved webcam capabilities. Despite using more power, the M4 outperforms the M3 in real-world tasks like photo and video editing, providing excellent value for its price point, especially in comparison to more expensive models.

Takeaways

• 😀 The M4 MacBook Pro offers significant upgrades over the M3, particularly in performance and graphics.
• 😀 The M4 model includes a new USBC/Thunderbolt port on the right side, enhancing connectivity options.
• 😀 The M4 has a larger battery (72.6Wh), offering slightly better battery life than the M3 despite increased power consumption.
• 😀 The 12MP center-stage webcam on the M4 offers an improved video call experience with auto-framing features.
• 😀 The M4's display is significantly brighter, reaching 1,100 nits, compared to the M3's 600 nits.
• 😀 SSD write speeds are faster in the M4, with a 21% increase (3,400 MB/s vs. 2,800 MB/s in the M3).
• 😀 The M4 shows a 21% faster single-core and 26% faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the M3.
• 😀 Real-world tasks like web browsing and design (Figma) are noticeably faster on the M4, with a 12.6% increase in Speedometer 3.0 scores.
• 😀 The M4 outperforms the M3 in graphics, with 16% better performance in Geekbench 6 and a 20% increase in gaming frame rates.
• 😀 The M4 has better thermal performance, running at 102°C under load with no significant throttling, but it uses more power and is noisier due to the higher fan speed.
• 😀 Despite its higher power usage, the M4 offers longer battery life than the M3, with 46% battery remaining vs. 34% after heavy testing.
• 😀 The M4 excels in creative tasks, such as photo and video editing, completing exports significantly faster than the M3 (nearly twice as fast in Lightroom).

Q & A

What are the key differences in design between the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro?

The main design difference between the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro is the addition of a USB-C/Thunderbolt port on the right side of the M4. Otherwise, the design remains largely similar, including the internal components such as speakers, cooling systems, and battery layout.

How does the performance of the M4 compare to the M3 in terms of CPU power?

The M4 offers a 21% increase in single-core performance and a 26% boost in multi-core performance compared to the M3, thanks to improved clock speeds and additional cores. The M4 has 10 cores in total—6 efficiency cores and 4 performance cores—compared to the M3's 8 cores, which contributes to the performance gain.

Does the M4 have better GPU performance than the M3?

Yes, the M4 shows a 16% improvement in GPU performance compared to the M3, even though both models share the same 10-core GPU architecture. This improvement comes from better GPU architecture, enabling better handling of tasks like ray tracing and 3D rendering.

What real-world tasks benefit most from the M4’s improved performance?

In real-world applications, tasks such as web browsing, web design, photo editing, and video rendering benefit greatly from the M4’s improved performance. The M4 delivers faster load times, smoother design processes, and quicker export times compared to the M3, making it ideal for professional creatives and power users.

How does the M4 perform in battery life tests compared to the M3?

Despite having higher power consumption during heavy tasks, the M4 outperforms the M3 in battery life. After extensive testing, the M4 retains 46% of its battery after several hours of use, while the M3 only has 34% remaining, showing that the M4's efficiency improvements and extra cores contribute to better battery management.

What changes were made to the SSD in the M4 compared to the M3?

The M4 features improved write speeds on the SSD, with a significant increase to 3400 MB/s, compared to the M3’s 2800 MB/s. The read speeds remain similar between both models, but the increased write speed in the M4 enhances overall storage performance.

Is there any noticeable difference in the webcam quality between the M4 and M3?

The M4 includes the Center Stage 12MP webcam, which provides a more dynamic and responsive experience for video calls, adjusting automatically to keep the user centered in the frame. This is an upgrade from the M3's webcam, which did not have Center Stage functionality.

How does the M4 handle thermal throttling compared to the M3?

The M4 manages thermal throttling better than the M3. Although the M4 uses more power and the fan speeds increase under load, it remains stable without significant throttling, maintaining a high performance level even during prolonged stress tests. The cooling system keeps temperatures under control, with maximum temperatures not exceeding 102°C.

Does the M4 support ray tracing, and if so, how does it compare to the M3?

Yes, the M4 supports ray tracing, and it performs better than the M3 in this area. The M4’s ray tracing performance is 22.3% faster than the M3, thanks to improvements in the GPU’s ray tracing cores, which enhance performance in graphics-intensive applications.

What is the value proposition of the M4 MacBook Pro at its base price of $1,600?

At a base price of $1,600, the M4 MacBook Pro offers exceptional value, delivering performance that rivals higher-end models. It delivers improvements in CPU, GPU, SSD speeds, and battery life, offering almost the same performance as much more expensive models like the M3 Pro. For users seeking a powerful and affordable MacBook Pro, the M4 is a highly attractive option.