Apple MacBook Pro 14" Space Black 2024 Review
The MacBook Pro 14" with M4 Max is a beast for creative pros, but its gaming performance and price make it a niche tool. Here's who should buy it.
The 30-Second Version
A desktop-replacement powerhouse for pros, with a stunning screen and killer ports. Just don't expect to game on it.
Overview
This MacBook Pro is a monster. Forget the desktop, this is the portable workstation you've been waiting for. The M4 Max chip is the star here, delivering desktop-class performance in a sleek 14-inch package. The one thing to know is that this machine is built for professionals who need to get serious work done on the go, and it absolutely delivers.
Performance
The raw CPU power is a standout, landing in the top 10% of all laptops we've tested. It chews through code compiles, video renders, and complex simulations without sweating. What surprised us, honestly, was how quiet it stays under that load. The GPU, however, is a different story. It's fine for creative work, but for gaming it's middle-of-the-pack at best. Don't buy this expecting to play the latest AAA titles at high frame rates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The screen is gorgeous. It's bright, color-accurate, and one of the best on the market. 98th
- Port selection is fantastic. Three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, MagSafe, and an SD card slot means you can ditch the dongle bag. 97th
- Build quality and reliability are top-tier. This thing feels like it could survive a minor apocalypse. 95th
- The battery life is impressive for the power it delivers, easily lasting through a full workday. 93th
Cons
- The GPU is underwhelming for gaming. It's a creative workstation, not a gaming rig. 21th
- The price is astronomical, especially if you look at the high end of the vendor spread.
- 36GB of RAM is solid, but for the price, some competitors offer more.
- It's still a Mac. If your workflow depends on Windows-only software, this isn't the platform for you.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M4 Max |
| Cores | 16 |
Graphics
| GPU | Apple M4 Max 32-core |
| Type | integrated |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 36 GB |
| RAM Generation | Not provid |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 3024 |
| Panel | Mini-LED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1000 nits |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 3 |
| Thunderbolt | 3x Thunderbolt |
| HDMI | 1x HDMI Output |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Physical
| Weight | 1.6 kg / 3.5 lbs |
| Battery | 72 Wh |
| OS | macOS |
Value & Pricing
Worth it? Only if you're the specific pro this machine targets. The price range is wild, from $2274 to a staggering $4390. Shop carefully. For a data scientist, video editor, or composer, the performance and portability justify the cost. For everyone else, it's an overpriced luxury.
Price History
vs Competition
Against Windows competitors like the ASUS ROG Flow or HP Omen Transcend, the MacBook Pro wins in CPU performance, screen quality, and battery life. But those Windows machines crush it in gaming GPU power. The new Copilot+ PCs, like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i, offer interesting AI features and often better value, but they can't match the M4 Max's raw processing muscle for pro apps. Your choice boils down to platform and priority: macOS excellence and pro app performance, or Windows flexibility and gaming power.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" | ASUS ROG Zephyrus ASUS - ROG Zephyrus G14 14" 3K OLED 120Hz Gaming | Lenovo Legion Pro Series Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 83F50019US | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Samsung - Galaxy Book5 Pro - Copilot+ PC - 14" 3K | MSI Prestige MSI - Prestige 13”AI+ - Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED | Microsoft Surface Laptop Microsoft - Surface Laptop - 13.8" 2K Touchscreen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 Max | AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 |
| RAM (GB) | 36 | 32 | 64 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 2000 | 2048 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Screen | 14.2" 3024x1964 | 14" 2880x1800 | 16" 2560x1600 | 14" 2880x1800 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 13.8" 2304x1536 |
| GPU | Apple M4 Max 32-core | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | Qualcomm X1 |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 1.6 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1 | 1.3 |
| Battery (Wh) | 72 | - | 99 | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Screen | Compact | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 14" | 92.1 | 20.6 | 82.4 | 98.1 | 96.9 | 69.4 | 76.6 | 94.8 | 93.1 |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 14" 3K Compare | 90.7 | 90.9 | 94.3 | 96.8 | 94.1 | 75.2 | 91.6 | 55.8 | 97.4 |
| Lenovo Legion Pro Series Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 Compare | 96.7 | 91.8 | 98.8 | 84.1 | 93.3 | 6.8 | 95.2 | 75.6 | 88.8 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" 3K Compare | 69 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 90.7 | 93.5 | 84.9 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 96.5 |
| MSI Prestige 13”AI+ Ukiyoe Edition 13.3"OLED Compare | 65.7 | 66.6 | 86.9 | 98.4 | 90.6 | 95.5 | 72.3 | 55.8 | 88.1 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" 2K Touchscreen Compare | 95 | 42 | 86.9 | 94.8 | 81.2 | 87 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 97.4 |
Common Questions
Q: How many fans does it have?
It has two fans. They're very effective and keep the machine remarkably quiet even under heavy load.
Q: What power adapter comes with it?
It includes a 96W USB-C power adapter. It's plenty to charge the laptop quickly and run it at full speed.
Q: Does this have the nano-texture glass?
No, this specific configuration doesn't. You'd need to upgrade to a more expensive model for that anti-glare coating.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a gaming laptop, this isn't it. Its GPU is fine for rendering, but lags behind dedicated gaming machines. Go get an ASUS ROG or an HP Omen instead. Also, if you just need a laptop for school, web browsing, and light tasks, save your money and look at a MacBook Air or a mid-range Windows laptop.
Verdict
We recommend this MacBook Pro without hesitation for its intended audience: creative and technical professionals who need maximum portable power. It's the best tool for that job. For students, general users, or gamers, there are far better and cheaper options out there. This is a specialist's instrument, not a general-purpose laptop.