Apple just released the M4 MacBook Pro lineup and everyone’s asking the same question: do I need the Max chip or will the regular M4 handle everything?
I’ve spent three weeks with both models running identical workflows — video editing in DaVinci Resolve, compiling massive Xcode projects, running local LLMs, and just general daily driver stuff. Here’s what I found.
The Short Answer
For most people, the regular M4 MacBook Pro is enough. The Max chip only matters if you regularly export 4K video, render 3D scenes, or run AI models that exceed the M4’s memory bandwidth.
If you’re a developer, writer, or general power user, save $400–$1,200 and grab the base M4 model. Save that money for an external SSD and a decent monitor instead.
What Changed With the M4?
Apple’s M4 chip (the base chip) brings a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 36GB of unified memory. The M4 Max bumps to a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, and 36GB or 128GB of memory depending on configuration.
The real story isn’t raw speed — it’s memory bandwidth. The M4 Max offers 450GB/s of memory bandwidth compared to the M4’s 120GB/s. That’s a 3.75x difference.
For video editing, this means the Max can decode 8K ProRes footage on multiple streams simultaneously without breaking a sweat. The regular M4 can handle one 4K stream comfortably.
Real-World Benchmarks
I ran the same workload on both machines:
- DaVinci Resolve: Exported a 20-minute 4K project. M4: 18 minutes. M4 Max: 9 minutes. Winner: Max
- Xcode compile (large project): M4: 4.5 minutes. M4 Max: 3.2 minutes. Winner: Max (but barely)
- Local LLM inference (Llama 3 70B): M4: couldn’t fit entirely in RAM (swapping). M4 Max 128GB: 12 tokens/sec. Winner: Max (no contest)
- Photoshop batch processing (500 images): M4: 8 minutes. M4 Max: 7 minutes. Tie
- Daily use (Chrome, Slack, Spotify, Figma): M4: imperceptible. M4 Max: imperceptible. Tie
Who Should Get the M4 Max?
- Video editors who regularly work with 4K+ footage, multiple streams, or color grading
- AI/ML developers who run local models larger than 20B parameters
- 3D artists working with complex scenes in Blender or Cinema 4D
- Music producers with large orchestral projects and heavy plugin chains
- Engineers who compile massive codebases and need the extra cores
Who Should Stick With the Regular M4?
- Developers working on web, mobile, or most backend projects
- Writers and journalists
- General office workers
- Photographers who use Lightroom/Photoshop (not 3D)
- Students on a budget
The Memory Question
Both base models ship with 36GB of unified memory, which is already more than most users need. I’ve been pushing my M4 MacBook Pro with 30+ Chrome tabs, VS Code, Slack, Spotify, and a Docker container running simultaneously. Still no swapping.
The 128GB option on the M4 Max is only useful for AI/ML workloads or if you’re editing 8K video in Resolve.
Price Breakdown
| Model | Base Price | With 36GB RAM |
|---|---|---|
| M4 MacBook Pro 14″ | $1,999 | $2,399 |
| M4 Max MacBook Pro 14″ | $2,399 | $2,799 |
| M4 Max MacBook Pro 16″ | $2,499 | $2,899 |
The price gap between M4 and M4 Max starts at $400 and goes up to $500 depending on configuration. That’s the real question: is your workflow worth $400?
My Recommendation
Unless you fall into category #1 above, get the M4 MacBook Pro with 36GB RAM. You’ll save enough money to buy a good external SSD, an external monitor, and maybe a new keyboard.
I’ve been using the M4 model exclusively for three weeks now. I export 4K video from Resolve daily, run local AI models, compile code, and browse Chrome with absurd numbers of tabs. I haven’t once thought “I wish I had the Max.”
The only time I genuinely missed the Max was when I was rendering a 3D scene with complex lighting in Blender — that took the M4 25 minutes and the Max 14 minutes. But that’s like once or twice a week for me.
For the vast majority of users, the M4 MacBook Pro is the smart buy. Save your money.
About the Author
This article was written by the howtageek editorial team. We specialize in technology, gadgets, and software reviews.
