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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Published December 12, 2024
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What are all the differences between the "2024 M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max" 14" and 16" MacBook Pro and the "Late 2023 M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max" 14" and 16" MacBook Pro replaced?
There are four standard "Late 2023" 14" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14", "M3 Pro" 11 CPU/14 GPU 14", "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU 14", and "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU 14" -- and three standard "Late 2023" 16" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M3 Pro" 12 CPU/18 GPU 16", "M3 Max" 14 CPU/30 GPU 16", and "M3 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 16".
These earlier models were replaced by four standard "2024" 14" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14", "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14", "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 14", and "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 14" -- and three stock "2024" 16" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 16", "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 16", and "M4 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 16".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (14" Silver 2023/2024 MacBook Pro)
The quickest answer is that the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models essentially differ in terms of the processor/graphics processor architecture, display brightness (and texture options), camera, connectivity, and battery life. There also are a number of different identifiers. It is useful to understand the similarities, too.
External Differences
All of these models use "sealed" aluminum and glass cases. All have silver and "Space Black" color options with the exception of the entry-level "Late 2023" MacBook Pro "M2 Pro" 10 CPU/16 GPU 14" model, which was offered in silver and a dark gray "Space Gray" option. Of course, the 16" models from each line are larger and heavier than their smaller 14" contemporaries.
All of these notebooks have an all black, backlit keyboard with "traditional" function keys as well as a "Touch ID" for login. The displays also are very similar -- LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" displays -- but the "2024" MacBook Pro models are a bit brighter and provide up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content (outdoor), whereas their predecessors provided up to 600 nits of brightness. The "2024" MacBook Pro displays also can be custom configured with a reduced glare "nano-texture" display for an extra US$150; this was not an option for their predecessors.
The displays otherwise are essentially identical between lines -- 14.2" (3024x1964) and 16.2" (3456x2234), respectively. All displays also are 254 ppi and provide up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, in addition to support for 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates up 120 Hz).
All of these MacBook Pro models also have a "studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming," "high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers," and large "Force Touch" trackpads.
However, the webcams tucked in the "notch" at the upper portion of the display are different between lines. The "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models have a 1080p webcam whereas the "2024" models have a more advanced 12 megapixel "Center Stage" camera that automatically tracks and zooms to keep subjects in frame.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is a significant, albeit subtle, point of differentiation between the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models.
All models from both lines have an HDMI 2.1 port, a 3.5" analog headphone jack "with advanced support for high-impedance headphones," an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and a magnet-equipped "MagSafe 3" power connector. They also all have 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
However, the entry-level "Late 2023" MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" has two "Thunderbolt / USB 4" ports with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 whereas the entry-level "2024" MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" has three Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) ports.
All other "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models have three Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) ports and all other "2024" MacBook Pro models have three much faster Thunderbolt 5 ports (120 Gb/s).
Power also is modestly different between the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models.
The entry-level "Late 2023" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 14" as well as the MacBook Pro "M3 Pro" 11 CPU/14 GPU 14" -- shipped with a 70W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging. Likewise, the entry-level "2024" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" as well as the MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14" -- ship with the same 70W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging.
Higher-end 14" models from both lines ship, or shipped, with a 96W USB-C power adapter that is capable of fast charging and the 16" models all ship, or shipped, with a 140W USB-C power adapter that also is capable of fast charging.
Identification Differences
It is very easy to mix up the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models. Apple did not even bother to update the box art or default desktop pattern between lines. Accordingly, precise identifiers are necessary for identification.
The easiest identifiers to use for these specific models are the Model Numbers, externally, and Model Identifiers in software. Model Identifiers are best because they are more specific.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro Model |
Model No |
Model ID |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.
Internal Differences
Internally, although there are specific part differences, the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models are similar. The later models use a faster CPU/GPU architecture and have more standard RAM on many models, as well. All of these notebooks have RAM and storage that is onboard and that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
| 14" Late 2023 | 16" Late 2023 | 14" 2024 | 16" 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 14.2" | 16.2" | 14.2" | 16.2" |
| Resolution: | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 |
| SDR Brightness: | 600 nits | 600 nits | 1000 nits | 1000 nits |
| Nano Option: | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam: | 1080p | 1080p | Center Stage | Center Stage |
| Architecture: | M3 M3 Pro M3 Max |
M3 Pro M3 Max |
M4 M4 Pro M4 Max |
M4 Pro M4 Max |
| Processor Cores: | 8-16 | 12-16 | 10-16 | 14-16 |
| Graphics Cores: | 10-40 | 18-40 | 16-40 | 20-40 |
| Std. RAM: | 8-48 GB* | 18-48 GB* | 16-48 GB** | 24-48 GB** |
| Max. RAM: | 24-128 GB** | 36-128 GB** | 32-128 GB** | 48-128 GB** |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Max. Storage: | 2-8 TB† | 4-8 TB† | 2-8 TB† | 4-8 TB† |
| Thunderbolt: | 2/3 (TB 3/4) | 3 (TB 4) | 3 (TB 4/5) | 3 (TB 5) |
| Fast Charge: | No/Yes‡ | Yes | No/Yes‡ | Yes |
| Model No: | A2918 A2992 |
A2991 | A3112 A3401 A3185 |
A3403 A3186 |
| Model ID: | Mac15,3 Mac15,6 Mac15,8 Mac15,10 |
Mac15,7 Mac15,9 Mac15,11 |
Mac16,1 Mac16,8 Mac16,6 |
Mac16,7 Mac16,5 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 US$2399 US$3199 |
US$2499 US$2899 US$3499 US$3999 |
US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 US$2399 US$3199 |
US$2499 US$2899 US$3499 US$3999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2099 C$2349 C$2699 C$3249 C$4349 |
C$3299 C$3799 C$4649 C$5299 |
C$2099 C$2349 C$2599 C$3249 C$4349 |
C$3299 C$3799 C$4649 C$5299 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1699 £1899 £2099 £2499 £3299 |
£2599 £2999 £3599 £4099 |
£1599 £1799 £1999 £2399 £3199 |
£2499 £2899 £3499 £3999 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2699 A$2999 A$3499 A$4199 A$5599 |
A$4299 A$4899 A$5999 A$6899 |
A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 A$3999 A$4599 |
A$3999 A$4599 A$5699 A$6499 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$2299 S$2599 S$2899 S$3499 S$4699 |
S$3599 S$4199 S$5099 S$5849 |
S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 S$3349 S$4549 |
S$3499 S$4099 S$4999 S$5749 |
* The "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models could be custom configured with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M3 Pro" processor cannot support more than 36 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M3 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 36 GB and the maximum is 96 GB or 128 GB depending on the specific model.
** The "2024" MacBook Pro models can be custom configured with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M4 Pro" processor cannot support more than 48 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M4 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 36 GB and the maximum can be as much as 128 GB depending on the specific model.
† All "Late 2023" and "2024" MacBook Pro models have storage that cannot be upgraded later.
‡ Entry-level models are not equipped with a power adapter capable of "Fast Charging" by default.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, are the "2024" MacBook Pro models a significant upgrade? Are the "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models still worth considering?
Compared to their predecessors, the "2024" MacBook Pro models are (1) significantly faster, (2) have slightly brighter displays and the option of a reduced glare coating at extra cost, (3) a much more advanced webcam, (4) faster Thunderbolt ports, and (5) better battery life.
In total, the "2024" MacBook Pro models represent a significant upgrade, but the "Late 2023" MacBook Pro models definitely remain well worth consideration, especially when discounted on the used market.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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