Apple MacBook Pro 16" M4 Max Silver 2024

The M4 Max MacBook Pro 16 sports a display that ranks in the 99th percentile and a CPU that's among the best we've tested. That means butter-smooth video editing, coding, and design work. But the integrated GPU sits at a lowly 18th percentile, so gaming is a no-go. Expect to pay between $2,965 and $3,199.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's M4 Max chip puts up some seriously impressive numbers in our database. The CPU lands in the 92nd percentile, which means it's one of the best you can get for multi-core workloads right now. That screen, though, is the real showstopper: a Liquid Retina XDR panel that scores in the 99th percentile for display quality, with 1600 nits of peak brightness and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. For developers and video editors who live in Xcode or Final Cut, this machine flies. But don't expect it to handle AAA gaming, because the integrated 32-core GPU sits at a disappointing 18th percentile, dragging the overall gaming score down to just 40.6 out of 100. If you can look past that, you're getting a rock-solid build (96th percentile reliability) and a great port selection (95th percentile), all wrapped up in a macOS package that just works with your other Apple gear.

The 36GB of unified memory is above average (77th percentile), and while the 1TB SSD is merely middle-of-the-pack at the 63rd percentile, it's fast enough for most pro workflows. At 2.15kg, this thing is no ultrabook, and its compactness score is a lowly 16th percentile, so you'll feel it in your backpack. Battery life, according to Apple, stretches up to 24 hours, which our data suggests is probably optimistic but still class-leading. Priced between $2,965 and $3,199 depending on the retailer, it's a premium investment, but one that pays off if your income depends on rendering, compiling, or color-grading.

The M4 Max's 14-core CPU is the star here. Our benchmarks place it in the top 8% of all laptops we've tested, and that translates to real-world snappiness you'll notice the moment you fire up a heavy project. Compiling code, rendering 4K video, or running multiple VMs feels effortless. The 32-core integrated GPU isn't a total slouch for creative tasks like video encoding or 3D modeling, where Apple's hardware acceleration kicks in, but it stumbles badly in games. We recorded a gaming score of 40.6, which puts it in the bottom fifth of machines. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 will struggle at native resolution, so if you're a gamer, you'll need to look elsewhere.

The 16-inch Mini-LED panel is nothing short of reference-grade. It hits 1600 nits peak brightness and sustains 1000 nits, making HDR content pop with incredible detail. The 3456x2234 resolution is tack-sharp, and the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes scrolling silky smooth. Thermals are well-managed too, with the fans rarely spinning up under normal use, though you'll hear them during sustained CPU/GPU loads. Ports are a highlight: three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, an SD card slot, and MagSafe charging cover almost every professional need, earning a 95th percentile connectivity score.

With prices ranging from $2,965 to $3,199 across vendors, you're paying a steep premium for that M4 Max silicon and jaw-dropping display. That $234 spread is worth noting—shopping around can save you a decent chunk of change. For creative professionals who can write it off as a business expense, the cost-per-performance ratio is solid, especially when you factor in the screen quality and macOS ecosystem benefits. But if your workflow doesn't demand Apple's custom silicon or that mini-LED panel, a similarly priced Windows workstation might give you more RAM and GPU muscle. As a pure entertainment machine, its 92/100 score justifies the splurge, but for business users (85.1), there are cheaper options that'll get the job done.

Stacked against the ASUS ROG Flow GZ302EA or Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, this MacBook gets absolutely demolished in gaming, where both those laptops carry dedicated GPUs that'll run circles around the M4 Max's integrated graphics. But those machines are heavier, run hotter, and can't touch the Mac's display quality or battery longevity. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is thinner and lighter with a gorgeous OLED panel, but its Intel Core Ultra CPU can't keep up with the M4 Max in sustained multi-core loads. If you want a Windows alternative with a workstation pedigree, the HP ZBook Ultra G1a offers similar reliability and port options, but its GPU still beats Apple's for 3D rendering tasks. The MSI Prestige PRE13EVOA2088 is more portable but lacks the raw CPU grunt. Ultimately, the MacBook Pro wins for a very specific buyer: someone who needs macOS, top-tier display accuracy, and all-day battery in a machine that can handle any app except AAA games.

Skip the M4 Max MacBook Pro if you're a gamer or need maximum portability. The 18th percentile GPU score will leave you frustrated in any modern game, and the 16th percentile compactness means you'll feel every gram in your bag. You can get a much lighter, gaming-capable machine for the same money. Also, if 36GB of RAM feels tight for your VMs or 3D scenes, note that this model isn't user-upgradeable, so you might want to opt for a config with more memory upfront.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Max is an uncompromising creative tool. If you're a developer, filmmaker, or photographer hooked into the Apple ecosystem, those 99th and 92nd percentile scores for display and CPU tell the story: you won't find a better laptop for editing, compiling, or color-critical work. The mediocre gaming performance and chunky build are trade-offs most pros will happily accept. We recommend it wholeheartedly for anyone whose priority is content creation and productivity, with the big caveat that gamers should spend their money elsewhere.