9.2 Score
Pros
- ~2× CPU & GPU performance uplift
- Best‑in‑class 8K mask‑tracking & exports
- Stunning nano‑texture display with 1 000 nit HDR
- Three Thunderbolt 5 ports & future‑proof bandwidth
- Massive memory bandwidth (546 GB/s) & efficient thermals
Cons
- Nano‑texture finish can show fingerprints
- Thunderbolt 5 accessories still limited
- Space Black collects smudges quickly
- $100 premium for nano‑texture
- No OLED option yet
Final Verdict
If you’re coming from an M1 Pro or M1 Max, the MacBook Pro M4 Max is a genuinely substantial upgrade. For users still clinging to Intel machines or early Apple Silicon, the performance, display, and future-ready ports make this a powerhouse worth investing in. For casual users, it might be overkill. But if you're a creator, developer, or power user who pushes their machine to the edge, the MacBook Pro M4 Max is the most capable MacBook ever built.
Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup has always set the benchmark for high-performance, premium laptops. With the introduction of the new MacBook Pro M4 Max, Apple continues to push the envelope, delivering a machine that doesn’t just iterate—it evolves. As a tech reviewer who’s used everything from the original Intel MacBooks to the M1 Max, I approached this machine with a fair amount of skepticism. Was the jump from M1 to M4 really worth it?
Turns out, the answer is a surprising yes—under the right conditions. Let’s walk through this generational shift together, with a detailed breakdown of everything new, everything refined, and everything you should consider before hitting that Buy button.
Macbook Pro M4 Max vs. Previous Gens
Let’s begin with what matters most to power users—performance. Apple claims the M4 Max chip offers up to 2.2x faster CPU performance and 1.9x faster GPU performance compared to the M1 Max. Benchmarks from Geekbench 6 validate this, with the M4 Max earning over 4,000 in single-core and topping charts in multi-core results.
From video editing in Final Cut Pro to real-time 3D rendering, the M4 Max is built to crush demanding workflows. Marques Brownlee tested the M4 Max against his trusty M1 Max on an 8K RED RAW project. Not only did it export nearly twice as fast, but it was also the fastest he’s ever worked on a Mac.
“This laptop opened and flipped through Final Cut faster than any other machine I’ve ever used.”
This isn’t just a spec sheet win. The responsiveness when scrubbing through timelines, the almost-instantaneous loading of large projects, and the raw muscle during AI-powered video masking are night and day over M1.
CPU Performance
Synthetic Benchmark (Geekbench 6)
The MacBook Pro M4 Max sets a new high‑water mark in Geekbench 6, delivering both industry‑leading single‑core throughput and class‑defining multi‑core scaling. In our chart, the M4 Max scores ≈4 023 in single‑core and ≈26 140 in multi‑core tests—roughly a 2× uplift over the original M1 Max and outpacing even the M2 Ultra in many cases. This leap reflects Apple’s three‑nanometer process and architectural refinements, making it the fastest MacBook CPU benchmark to date.
Real‑World Workloads (Logic Pro & Xcode)
Benchmarks don’t always translate to day‑to‑day gains, but in real‑world productivity tasks the M4 Max shines just as brightly. In Logic Pro, it handled 101 simultaneous Serum/Omnisphere tracks, besting the M3 Max by an 16% margin and the M2 Ultra by 6%. Meanwhile, Xcode WebKit builds wrapped up in just 10 m 35 s, shaving over a minute off the nearest Apple silicon rival. These results translate to noticeably smoother audio production sessions and faster compile–test cycles for developers.
GPU Performance
GPU Compute (Geekbench 6 Metal)
In Geekbench 6’s Metal compute test, the M4 Max achieves ≈195 223, representing a 1.9× uplift over the original M1 Max (≈103 271) and a 26% gain versus the M3 Max (≈155 101). This jump underscores Apple’s architectural refinements and the move to a 3 nm process—delivering the fastest GPU compute score in any MacBook to date.
Synthetic Graphics Benchmarks (GFXBench & Blender)
- GFXBench 5.0 Aztec Ruins (Offscreen): M4 Max hits 455 FPS, a 21% boost over M3 Max (≈377 FPS) and outpacing M4 Pro (≈278 FPS).
- Blender Benchmark 4.2 (GPU): M4 Max posts 5 083 points, 20% higher than M3 Max (≈4 241) and 55% above M2 Ultra (≈3 272).
Display & Design Innovations
Nano‑Texture Finish
One of the most underrated yet transformative upgrades is the introduction of the nano-texture display to the MacBook Pro lineup. Previously available only on high-end monitors like the Pro Display XDR, nano-texture reduces screen glare and ambient reflections without sacrificing clarity.
At just $100 extra, this upgrade is shockingly accessible. Dave2D, a long-time nano-texture skeptic, changed his tune this year:
“For whatever reason, on the laptop, I looked at this and said: this is awesome. I totally would get this.”
The nano-texture isn’t a film or layer—it’s etched directly into the glass, ensuring longevity and minimal degradation. Whether you’re working in a café, on a plane, or under office lighting, the display stays consistently clear, reducing eye strain and enhancing focus.
Brightness & Color
- Peak Brightness: 1 000 nits (auto‑boost in bright environments)
- Panel Tech: Apple quietly shifted to quantum dot displays for richer colors and responsiveness.
Chassis & Color Options
- Available in Silver or Space Black (fingerprint‑magnet—recommend a skin).
- No OLED yet, but responsiveness feels snappier onscreen.
Battery and Webcam Improvements
Battery life has subtly improved, particularly noticeable under lighter tasks. Additionally, the webcam now features a 12-megapixel sensor supporting Apple’s Center Stage technology, providing smoother, more professional video conferencing experiences.
Battery Performance
- Heavy Load: ~2 hrs
- Light Load: ~8–9 hrs
- Similar to M3 under load; modest gains in efficiency for everyday tasks.
Center Stage Webcam
- 12 MP sensor with ultra‑wide framing and auto‑tracking
- Slightly improved image quality over previous 1080p module
Memory, Efficiency & Thermal Management
The M4 Max starts at 32 GB of unified memory (16 GB base on all M4 chips) and tops out at 96 GB. Its memory bandwidth jumps to 546 GB/s—over 33% more than M3 Max’s 409.6 GB/s—benefiting memory‑intensive tasks like giant Pro Res stacks or large‑scale simulations.
- Power Draw: GPU loop hovers at 47–48 W, nearly identical to M2/M3 Max, confirming Apple’s efficiency improvements.
- Thermals: Silent fans and stable surface temps match last year’s models despite a 3 nm die shrink.
Thunderbolt 5 & I/O: Fast, Flexible, Future-Proof
The M4 Max introduces Thunderbolt 5 to MacBooks for the first time. While Thunderbolt 4 was already fast, Thunderbolt 5 unlocks:
- Higher external display support (up to three 6K monitors)
- Increased bandwidth for next-gen accessories
- Better performance for external SSDs and docks
However, adoption is still in its infancy. The OWC Thunderbolt 5 drive hits a wild 6,000 MB/s read speed—but at a cost of nearly $400 for 2TB. These prices will normalize, but right now, Thunderbolt 5 is more about future-proofing than present practicality.
Final Cut Pro, Magnetic Mask & Real-World Editing Gains
If you’re a video professional, this next point will excite you: the new Magnetic Mask tool in Final Cut Pro 11 is nothing short of revolutionary. Traditionally, rotoscoping was a manual, frame-by-frame nightmare. But thanks to Apple’s neural engine and AI enhancements, this tool now allows editors to apply subject isolation with just a click.
On the M1 Max, processing a 45-second 8K clip with Magnetic Mask took nearly 3 minutes. On the M4 Max? Just 2 minutes and 13 seconds. That’s an entire minute shaved off—and without touching any settings.
And in a direct comparison, the M4 Max was even faster than an Intel Xeon Mac Pro with dual GPUs that cost 3x as much.
Real-world tests in Final Cut Pro showcase substantial performance boosts. The M4 Max exports complex 8K projects nearly twice as fast as the M1 Max, significantly improving editing efficiency.
- The new AI-powered Magnetic Mask feature performs noticeably faster on the M4 Max, reducing rendering times substantially compared to older Macs.
- Professional workflows benefit from increased memory bandwidth—now 546 GB/s—significantly faster than previous models.
Watch the full hands-on from Marques Brownlee and Dave2D for more technical deep dives and real-world demos.
Conclusion
The MacBook Pro M4 Max delivers a monumental leap in M4‑Max performance, combining beast‑mode CPU/GPU power, a glare‑busting nano‑texture display, and future‑proof Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. If your workflow demands pro‑level horsepower—video editing, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations—this is the laptop to beat in 2024. Casual users may still find M2/M3 Max or even Air models sufficient, but for creative professionals, the M4 Max is a clear-cut upgrade.
