Apple MacBook Pro 2024 Review: ‘Blown away’

Apple’s latest offering in the MacBook Pro family has been optimised with AI, and the results are jaw-dropping.

8 min read

December 13, 2024 - 10:00AM

News.com.au checkout has reviewed the latest MacBook Pro, which is optimised with Apple Intelligence. Picture: Troy Nankervis

These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more

Right now, cinemas across the country are filled with mesmerised Wicked fans, who’ve waited years to see the iconic musical make its transition to the big screen.

The same could be said for Apple enthusiasts, who after a lengthy wait are finally getting acquainted with Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s in-house AI offering.

After its launch this week across Australia and New Zealand, Apple Intelligence is now integrated within the latest range of Apple products, including the latest MacBook Pro M4.

On first impression, Apple Intelligence raises the bar as a pretty epic artificial intelligence tool, which is both powerful and personalised.

It’s like having the handy personal assistant you never knew you needed.

Digital nomads and content creators are among those said to benefit most from the new MacBook Pro. Picture: Apple

There are some features of Apple Intelligence which have been made specifically for the MacBook Pro M4, which I’ve been testing out since its release back in early November.

This latest model has already drummed up thousands of 5-star reviews (18,000 and counting) and after a few weeks of use, it definitely passes the pub test.

I’m genuinely blown away with how fast, intuitive and easy this laptop is. There’s always going to be some scepticism whenever an existing tech product is updated, with many people asking “is it worth the upgrade?”.

In this case, it’s a big yes. Read on to find out why.

1-MINUTE REVIEW: MACBOOK PRO M4

Apple MacBook Pro M4, from $2499 at Amazon Australia

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro (14-inch, Apple M4 chip)

Picture: Apple

Other ways to buy:

What You Need To Know

The MacBook Pro M4 is a very nice laptop indeed, and packs in powerful new features. It’s particularly handy if you’re a content creator looking for strong video editing capabilities and wanting to make the most of Apple Intelligence.

Available in both a 14-inch and 16-inch size, the MacBook Pro M4 has Apple’s signature Liquid Retina XDR display, two colour options (Space Black and Silver) and a fast-charging battery (allowing up to 24 hours of video streaming).

Plus it’s fitted with a 12MP camera which also supports the new “Desk View” mode, a game-changing feature for your Zoom meetings into 2025 and beyond.

The MacBook Pro M4 is also released with macOS Sequoia, one of the most advanced desktop operating systems in the world, which promises to supercharge your productivity and creativity in exciting new ways.

What’s In The Box?

Alongside the MacBook Pro, you’ll also receive a USB-C to MagSafe 3 charging cable, a USB-C Power Adaptor and a polishing cloth.

SHOP HERE

HOW WE TESTED THE MACBOOK PRO M4

At news.com.au checkout, we want to help you make smarter shopping decisions. We achieve this by diving into thousands of reviews, as well as scouring product manuals, news and research to ensure you get great value for money and snap up a product you’ll be sure to love.

In order for you to get first-hand and honest reviews on whether the products are worth your time and money, our team of experts also puts each product through real-life tests just like this review of the MacBook Pro M4.

Compose and refine messages with the help of ChatGPT. Picture Apple

For the MacBook Pro M4, I used this product in my down time away from work for about six weeks before writing up this review. I was mainly using the MacBook Pro M4 for emails, writing up documents, social media and watching videos online and on streaming.

I should note that while I did not use the MacBook Pro M4 for video editing, I know this has been optimised to provide some great results for content creators.

FULL REVIEW OF THE MACBOOK PRO

Setting Up Process
Design And Features
Apple Intelligence
Camera
Battery Life
How Much Does It Cost?
Verdict – Should You Buy The MacBook Pro M4?

SETTING UP PROCESS

Unboxing the new MacBook Pro M4 is an event in itself, and like other Apple products, a lot of thought and nice touches has gone into the packaging and presentation.

You’ll feel like you’re receiving something very special and luxe, and the process of getting everything going is also comparable to other tech items across the Apple ecosystem, and it’s all very seamless and straightforward.

Unboxing the MacBook Pro M4 is an experience in itself. Picture: Troy Nankervis

Apple's latest MacBook Pro M4 is optimised for Touch ID. Picture: Troy Nankervis

Once you power on, you simply follow a series of prompts from the set up assistant. This includes setting your region and language, linking to your local Wi-Fi, setting up the Touch ID and Apple Pay, and signing in to your Apple ID (or creating one if it’s your first time using an Apple product).

You’re also given the option to skip head on a few steps if you want to use your existing Apple settings.

DESIGN AND FEATURES

If you’re a small-business owner, student, creative freelancer or content creator, this is a perfect model that will deliver highly on daily tasks such as writing and streaming, plus picture editing and video production.

Being a laptop, it’s also highly portable and is very lightweight, which surprised me given the strong focus on performance specs and features.

The MacBook Pro M4 uses the macOS Sequoia 15.1 operating system, which includes the latest Apple Intelligence features and is fitted out with the ultra-fast M4 family of chips.

I’m honestly not super tech savvy when it comes to these details, but essentially, there are three different options (the base M4 chip, the M4 Pro chip, or the M4 Max chip) and these make things like 3D rendering, gaming and photo editing a complete breeze.

Apple's latest range of MacBook Pro laptops have been boosted with the new M4 chip. Picture: Apple

Alongside these lightning-fast processors, the new MacBook Pro includes three Thunderbolt 5 ports, so users can connect all their peripheral devices with ease.

Meanwhile, MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina display has been overhauled with the introduction of an optional nano-texture finish, reducing glare in a big way, making it perfect for working in bright office environments or you’re working outdoors.

I’m a big fan of Apple’s commitment to the environment too, with the new MacBook Pro built from a custom alloy that uses 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure.

That’s a big tick from me.

APPLE INTELLIGENCE LAUNCHES

Joining the ranks of Samsung and Google, AI has finally arrived to Apple devices.

The new MacBook Pro is enhanced by Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven tools that redefines how users interact with their devices.

This includes system-wide Writing Tools for rewriting, summarising and proofreading text in nearly every app. I was impressed with how you can quickly and easily change the “voice” and feel of any kind of document you’re working on.

For example, if you’re inviting friends over for a gaming night, you can change the tone of your message to match that of a game show host.

Or, if you’re drafting an email, you can make it more formal (or more casual) to suit. You can literally spend hours using this tool. I know I’ll definitely be making the most of it, both for entertainment and productivity.

Image Playground lets you create fun and customised images. Picture: Apple

Siri’s also had a big makeover, and is now more natural and intuitive.

If you make a stumble or have a stream of random thoughts while asking for a particular request, Siri can distil and summarise the voice commands to pinpoint towards exactly what you’re asking for.

Apple Intelligence’s benefits extend to real-time translation in Messages (super handy if you’re travelling), alongside real-time transcription while using Voice Memos which completely changes my workday as a journalist for the better.

Video editing is boosted by AI on the new Apple MacBook Pro. Picture: Apple

New image editing features use AI to remove unwanted elements from photos, plus you can create fun and personalised pictures using a feature called “Image Playground”.

Another feature called “Genmoji” lets you make custom emoji in seconds, while there’s also a massive integration with Chat GPT. If you need restaurant or entertainment recommendations, you’ll have these details within a matter of seconds.

While these features are arguably in their infancy, they’re setting the tone of what’s to come in terms of the capabilities and possibilities of how artificial intelligence will transform our lives.

It’s fantastic to see.

Compose with ChatGPT helps users generate content for anything they are writing about. Picture: Apple

CAMERA TAKES ‘CENTRE STAGE’

While not personally a major selling point for me, It’s worth noting the MacBook Pro M4 has a new 12MP Centre Stage camera that is able to handle low light conditions.

And if you’re taking a lot of video calls, the “Centre Stage” feature will automatically keep users in the middle of the frame, which will be helpful if you’re moving around.

The “Desk View”, as the name suggests, also provides an overhead view at the same time. It’s certainly a nifty little update if you’re creating DIY videos and working on sketches in real time.

BEST-EVER BATTERY LIFE

The MacBook Pro M4 has up to 24 hours of juice without needing the charger, which really raises the bar as the longest-ever battery life in a Mac.

HOW MUCH DOES THE MACBOOK PRO M4 COST?

The new MacBook Pro is now available for order in Australia.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 starts at $2499 AUD, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro is priced at $3999 AUD.

All models are available in Space Black and Silver.

Apple MacBook 14-inch models

Apple MacBook 16-inch models

The new MacBook Pro is available for purchase direct from Apple’s website, with special pricing for education customers.

Apple's new MacBook Pro has an impressive battery life, making it portable and great for remote working. Picture: Apple

VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BUY THE MACBOOK PRO M4?

If you’re currently using an older MacBook product, upgrading to the new M4-based MacBook Pro brings some great improvements, inclusive of processing speed, battery life and graphics performance. Overall, I think these enhancements justify the price tag of $2499.

My last MacBook has lasted more than five years, and the good thing about Apple products is they generally will deliver when it comes to durability and longevity.

If you do want to ride the wave of AI, there’s never been a better time to jump on board with this MacBook Pro M4.

More Coverage

Apple’s ‘unprecedented’ upgrade wows

Troy Nankervis

‘Blew my mind’: New iPhone 16 feature wows

Troy Nankervis

The integration of Apple Intelligence across the Apple ecosystem (also now on the latest iPhones and iPads) is a very compelling selling point for making the switch to this MacBook Pro.

*This product was supplied by Apple for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.

Don’t forget that you can also sign up to our news.com.au checkout shopping newsletter to be kept in the loop about popular products and upcoming sales or head to news.com.au Coupons page to see a list of current deals and offers.

Troy NankervisShopping Writer

Troy has worked widely in editorial and commercial roles across digital, social, radio, and TV, both in the UK and Australian newsrooms, including The Sunday Project, The Morning Show, Studio 10, ITV's Good Morning Britain, OK! Online and Metro.co.uk. He also brings more than a decade of retail experience to News.com.au's checkout team, including stints at Bunnings, Jeans West, Big W and Masters Home Improvement.