Apple MacBook Pro Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M4 Max, Space Black, NT) Review

Let's cut to the chase: this is a $7,049 laptop. That number alone sets expectations sky-high, and for the most part, this MacBook Pro meets them. It's packing specs you'd expect from a high-end desktop workstation—a 16-core M4 Max CPU, 128GB of unified memory, and an 8TB SSD—all crammed into a 1.6kg package. It's a machine built for one thing: obliterating professional workloads without breaking a sweat.

Apple's 14-inch design is a masterclass in compact power, earning it a 71st percentile ranking for portability. The 14.2-inch Mini-LED display sits in the 95th percentile, with its 3024x1964 resolution, 120Hz ProMotion, and 1000 nits of brightness. The 72Wh battery and suite of ports, also in the 95th percentile, round out a package that's almost too good to be true. Almost.

The 16-core M4 Max CPU lands in the 87th percentile. That's not the absolute top, but in real-world use, it feels like it. Video rendering, 3D simulations, and code compilation will fly. Paired with that 128GB of RAM (99th percentile), you can keep dozens of apps and massive projects open without a hiccup. The 8TB SSD is literally in the 100th percentile—no other laptop we track has more storage.

Now, the catch. The integrated 40-core GPU only hits the 18th percentile. For creative apps that leverage Apple's media engines, it's plenty fast. But if you're thinking about gaming or GPU-intensive 3D rendering, this isn't the tool for the job. It scores a 48/100 in gaming for a reason. This is a CPU and system memory powerhouse first and foremost.

Let's be real: there's no such thing as 'value' at $7,049. You're not buying this for price per performance. You're buying it because you need 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage in the most portable, reliable, and well-designed package possible. For that specific user—the high-end video editor, data scientist, or developer working locally with enormous datasets—this config is arguably the only game in town. For everyone else, a model with less storage and RAM offers a much better entry point into the M4 Max's performance.

Compared to the base 14" M4 Max MacBook Pro, you're paying thousands more for the 128GB RAM and 8TB SSD upgrades. Against Windows rivals, the trade-offs are stark. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i or MSI Vector 16 HX will demolish this MacBook in gaming and GPU tasks for half the price, but they're heavier, have worse battery life, and lack this level of build quality and screen. The ASUS Zenbook Duo offers unique dual-screen flexibility in a similar form factor but can't touch the M4 Max's CPU performance or this sheer amount of RAM and storage. This MacBook exists in its own niche.

This is a no-compromise machine for a very specific, pro user who needs maximum RAM and storage in a 14-inch laptop. The M4 Max CPU is a beast, the screen is gorgeous, and the build is superb. But that 18th percentile GPU is a real limitation for some workflows, and the price is stratospheric. If your work lives in code, video timelines, or massive datasets, and you need to carry it all with you, this is your laptop. If you game or do heavy 3D rendering, or just have a budget, look elsewhere.