MacBook Pro M4 — 8 Months Later (As a Software Engineer). Still Worth It?

Summary

In this long-term review of the MacBook Pro M4 after 8 months of use, the reviewer shares their experiences with the 16-inch base model. They highlight the laptop's impressive battery life, solid performance, and vibrant display, though they mention the weight as a drawback for frequent travelers. The 24GB RAM performs well for multitasking and demanding workflows, while the M4 chip manages thermals efficiently. While the laptop excels in various aspects like coding, editing, and content creation, the reviewer notes it may not be ideal for those always on the go. Ultimately, the MacBook Pro M4 proves to be a powerful and reliable choice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The MacBook Pro M4 is a great long-term investment, offering excellent performance and reliability after 8 months of use.
• 😀 The review is focused on the 16-inch base model of the MacBook Pro M4, with no upgraded RAM, CPU, or nano-texture screen.
• 😀 The silver finish of the MacBook Pro was chosen for a classic look, with some concerns about fingerprints in brighter settings.
• 😀 The 16-inch model is heavy, making it less convenient for long travels, especially when carrying extra gear like camera equipment.
• 😀 The 16-inch MacBook Pro is recommended for users who do heavy video editing or media consumption, but may not be ideal for constant travelers.
• 😀 Battery life on the MacBook Pro M4 is impressive, with the 16-inch model offering longer battery life compared to the 14-inch version due to a larger battery.
• 😀 Display brightness has greatly improved, providing more than enough brightness for various environments, including outdoors.
• 😀 The app Lunar Pro is used to control display settings, offering features like automatic dimming, syncing with external monitors, and blackout mode.
• 😀 512 GB SSD has been sufficient for the user, thanks to reliance on external storage for large files, but users who store everything locally might need more internal storage.
• 😀 The MacBook Pro M4's 24 GB RAM is ideal for multitasking, even with demanding workflows like coding, editing, and running AI models, with no issues related to memory usage.
• 😀 The M4 chip is extremely efficient, managing thermals well and keeping the laptop silent even under heavy workloads, making it a noticeable improvement over previous Intel models.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The main focus of the video is the long-term review of the MacBook Pro M4 after 8 months of daily use, with insights into its performance, features, and how it holds up over time.

Why did the reviewer choose the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4?

The reviewer chose the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 as it offers a larger screen for tasks like video editing, watching movies, and sometimes gaming, although they later acknowledge the weight can be an issue for long travel.

What are the pros and cons of the MacBook Pro M4's design?

The pros include a classic silver color finish that resists fingerprints and scratches relatively well. The cons include the weight, which makes it cumbersome to carry with additional gear on long travels.

How does the MacBook Pro M4 perform in terms of battery life?

The battery life on the MacBook Pro M4 is exceptional, with the reviewer highlighting that even with heavy use, such as video editing, the machine performs well. The 16-inch model tends to have slightly better battery life than the 14-inch model due to a larger battery.

Is the MacBook Pro M4's screen bright enough for various settings?

Yes, the screen is very bright and handles both bright environments and dark rooms well. The reviewer also uses the Lunar Pro app to manage brightness and features like automatic dimming and blackout mode.

How sufficient is the 512 GB SSD in the base model?

For the reviewer's use case, the 512 GB SSD is sufficient, as they rely on external storage like NAS to offload large files. However, if someone doesn't manage their storage well, they may want to upgrade or use external storage solutions.

What are the advantages of having 24 GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro M4?

The 24 GB of RAM is perfect for the reviewer's multitasking needs, including coding, video editing, running AI models, and using Docker. The MacBook Pro M4 handles these tasks effortlessly without significant memory usage issues.

Has the MacBook Pro M4 had any thermal or fan issues?

No, the MacBook Pro M4 manages thermals very efficiently, and the reviewer rarely hears the fan. Even when running multiple processes, the system remains silent, demonstrating the efficiency of the M4 chip.

What is the significance of the MacBook Pro's integration with the Apple ecosystem?

The integration with the Apple ecosystem is a key advantage, making the MacBook Pro M4 essential for workflows involving AI, coding, video editing, photo editing, and more. The system seamlessly works with other Apple devices, enhancing productivity.

Would the reviewer recommend the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 to everyone?

The reviewer does not recommend the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 to everyone, especially those who travel often with extra gear. While it's great for full-time video editors and people who need a large screen, the 14-inch model may be a better option for frequent travelers.