Apple MacBook Pro M4: What to expect from Apple’s next high-end laptop

Apple will likely hold an event to launch its new range of Macs and some iPads later this month. In line with previous rumours, the Mac range is expected to include Apple’s top-end MacBook Pro with a new M4 chip. The M4-powered MacBook Pro could bring significant performance and energy efficiency improvements to allow Apple Intelligence features to run smoothly. The M4 chip already powers the latest iPad Pro, launched earlier this year, but the upcoming Pro laptop may come with higher variants such as an M4 Pro and M4 Max. Here is everything to expect from Apple’s next MacBook Pro.

Faster M4 chips

The MacBook Pro slated to debut later this month may finally use an M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU compared to M3’s 8 cores. However, its higher variants like M4 Pro and M4 Max may come with more cores, resulting in an even faster performance. Although the specifics are unclear, the MacBook Pro’s M4 will be at least 20 per cent faster than the M3. According to Apple , the M4 chip has better hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which could entice gamers.

More unified memory

Apple is likely to increase the unified memory on the MacBook Pro from 8GB to 16GB on the entry-level model. The unified memory will be upgradeable to 32GB, while the previous model supported unified memory expandability up to 24GB. The M3 Pro-powered MacBook Pro starts with 18GB of unified memory, while the M3 Max’s base model has 36GB of unified memory. So, while there is no intel on what the higher variants of the M4 chip will offer, users can expect as high as 48GB of unified memory on the top-end chip variant.

Three Thunderbolt ports

The MacBook Pro will finally have as many as three Thunderbolt ports, according to a leak that shows the packaging of the upcoming laptop. This could be a significant upgrade for creators over the two Thunderbolt ports on the M3 MacBook Pro.