Your browser does not support JavaScript!

Comparative Review of the M4 Chip in Apple's Latest Devices: MacBook Pro and iPad Pro

PRODUCT REVIEW REPORT 29.05.2024
goover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Performance Comparison: M4 Chip in MacBook Pro vs. iPad Pro
  3. Design and Build: Slimmest Ever iPads vs. Elegant MacBooks
  4. Value Proposition: Pricing and Storage Options
  5. AI Features and Applications: Leveraging the M4 Chip’s Neural Engine
  6. Conclusion
  7. Source Documents

1. Introduction

  • This report provides a detailed comparative analysis of Apple's latest devices powered by the M4 chip: the M4 MacBook Pro and the M4 iPad Pro. We will examine multiple aspects such as performance, design, AI capabilities, display, and value propositions of both devices based on the insights gathered from diverse reviews.

2. Performance Comparison: M4 Chip in MacBook Pro vs. iPad Pro

  • 2-1. CPU and GPU Performance

  • The CPU and GPU performance of both devices have been critically analyzed by various reviewers. The M4 chip features up to 10 CPU cores (4 performance, 6 efficiency) and 10 GPU cores. It is claimed to be 1.5x faster than the M2 in the previous iPad Pro, spotlighting significant raw performance enhancements.

  • These quotes illustrate the perceived CPU and GPU performance improvements, particularly emphasizing AI tasks and visual processing.

Rating
  • 9/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 8/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The MacBook Pro's performance gains reflect the evolutionary improvements in CPU and GPU power, making it suitable for professional applications. The iPad Pro also demonstrates substantial performance enhancements, although the main distinction lies in its optimization for AI and media tasks.

  • 2-2. Machine Learning and AI Capabilities

  • The M4 chip has been optimized for machine learning and AI, featuring the fastest Neural Engine ever from Apple, capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second. These improvements are pivotal for both devices, albeit in slightly different contexts.

  • These statements emphasize the advanced machine learning and AI capabilities of the M4 chip, highlighting its considerable processing power and efficiency.

DeviceAI Capability Highlight
M4 MacBook ProPowerful Neural Engine for AI-driven tasks
M4 iPad ProAI optimizations for media and contextual processing

  • This table summarizes the key AI capabilities of the M4 Chip for both products, illustrating their different optimization focuses.

Rating
  • 8.5/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 9/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: Both devices benefit extensively from enhanced AI capabilities. The iPad Pro, with its superior Neural Engine, stands out for media and contextual applications, earning it a higher rating in the AI domain.

  • 2-3. Thermal Efficiency and Cooling Systems

  • The thermal efficiency and cooling systems of the M4 chip have been improved, contributing to sustained performance under heavy loads.

  • This quote highlights the improved thermal efficiency of the M4 chip, emphasizing its ability to deliver high performance with reduced power consumption.

Rating
  • 9/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 8.5/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The M4 MacBook Pro benefits from robust thermal efficiency, crucial for sustained professional workloads. The iPad Pro, while also efficient, does not include the same level of cooling systems as the MacBook Pro.

3. Design and Build: Slimmest Ever iPads vs. Elegant MacBooks

  • 3-1. Material and Finish

  • A comparison of the material and finish quality between the M4 MacBook Pro and the M4 iPad Pro, highlighting the use of recycled materials in the iPad Pro and the finish options available.

Rating
  • 9/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 8/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The M4 MacBook Pro received high praise for its premium build quality and elegant finish. The M4 iPad Pro was also praised for its sleek design and use of 100% recycled materials, but it lacked the same level of premium finish options as the MacBook Pro.

  • This quote highlights the incredibly thin design of the new iPad Pro, emphasizing its cutting-edge material and build quality.

  • 3-2. Portability and Usability

  • An analysis of the portability and usability of both devices, considering aspects such as weight, dimensions, and ease of handling.

FeatureM4 MacBook ProM4 iPad Pro
Weight3.0 lbs (1.4 kg)1.2 lbs (0.54 kg)
Thickness15.6 mm5.1 mm (13-inch), 5.3 mm (11-inch)
UsabilityHigh for professional tasksHigh for mobile and creative tasks

  • This table provides a direct comparison of the weight, thickness, and usability of the M4 MacBook Pro and M4 iPad Pro, illustrating the superior portability of the iPad Pro.

  • This vivid description from Mashable emphasizes the extremely lightweight and portable nature of the M4 iPad Pro.

  • 3-3. Ergonomic Design and Accessories

  • This sub-section covers the ergonomic design aspects and the available accessories for both devices, such as keyboards and styluses.

Rating
  • 8/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 9/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The M4 MacBook Pro scored well for its ergonomic design and high-quality keyboard. The M4 iPad Pro scored even higher due to its versatile accessory ecosystem, including the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro, which enhance its ergonomic and creative capabilities.

  • This quote from Apple Newsroom highlights the enhanced ergonomic design of the new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, which closely mimics the usability of a MacBook.

4. Value Proposition: Pricing and Storage Options

  • 4-1. Cost Variants and Value for Money

  • This sub-section delves into the pricing structure of both the M4 MacBook Pro and M4 iPad Pro. The M4 MacBook Pro is priced competitively with models starting at $1,299 for the base model. On the other hand, the M4 iPad Pro starts at Rs 99,900 in India for the 256GB Wi-Fi model and goes up to Rs 2,49,900 for the 2TB Wi-Fi and cellular model. The diverse pricing ensures that users can select a model that best fits their needs and budget.

  • The iPad Pro provides significant value in terms of aesthetics and form factor, appealing to users looking for a sleek and portable device.

  • 4-2. Storage Configurations

  • Apple offers a range of storage options for its new devices. The M4 iPad Pro is available in configurations from 256GB to 2TB. Meanwhile, the exact storage options for the M4 MacBook Pro were not given in the source documents, but traditionally, MacBook Pros offer several tiered options starting from 256GB and scaling up to 2TB in the higher-end models.

Storage CapacityPrice (iPad Pro)
256GBRs 99,900
512GBRs 1,19,900
1TBRs 1,59,900
2TBRs 1,99,900

  • This table summarizes the storage configurations and their respective prices for the M4 iPad Pro.

Rating
  • 8/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 9/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The M4 iPad Pro receives a higher rating due to its extensive range of storage options and affordability spectrum compared to the traditional storage configurations typically offered by the MacBook Pro.

  • 4-3. Assessing the Need for High-End Models

  • In this sub-section, we evaluate the necessity of opting for high-end models based on usability and feature set. High-end models of the M4 iPad Pro offer superior storage and connectivity options, making them ideal for power users who require extensive storage and faster data transmission capabilities. On the other hand, the decision to choose higher configurations for the M4 MacBook Pro should be based on professional requirements such as graphic design, video editing, or software development.

  • This quote highlights the MacBook Pro's competitive edge in performance versus energy consumption, supporting the need for high-end models for intensive professional use.

Rating
  • 9/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 8.5/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The M4 MacBook Pro receives a slightly higher rating due to its unmatched performance and energy efficiency, which are crucial for high-end professional applications. The M4 iPad Pro also scores high but slightly less as its high-end features cater more towards media consumption and creative work rather than intensive professional tasks.

5. AI Features and Applications: Leveraging the M4 Chip’s Neural Engine

  • 5-1. AI-Powered Enhancements in iPadOS and macOS

  • The AI enhancements brought by the M4 chip to Apple's latest devices are transformative. Specifically, the M4 in the iPad Pro introduces significant AI capabilities that elevate its functionality.

  • This quote from Johny Srouji highlights how the M4 chip has been optimized to support advanced AI features, enhancing the capabilities of the iPad Pro significantly.

Rating
  • 8/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 9/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: The MacBook Pro has strong AI features but less emphasis compared to the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro with M4 provides superior AI-powered applications, positioning it as a more innovative tool for AI utilization.

  • 5-2. Real-time AI Applications

  • Real-time AI applications on the M4 chip enable functionalities such as Live Captions for real-time audio and Visual Look Up, which identifies objects in video and photos.

  • This quote emphasizes the advanced capabilities of the M4 chip's Neural Engine, showcasing its superiority over existing AI PC counterparts.

Rating
  • 7/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 8/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: While both devices benefit from real-time AI applications, the iPad Pro’s M4 chip exhibits better utilization of AI functionalities, such as isolating subjects in videos and creating real-time music notation.

  • 5-3. Comparison with Previous Chip Sets

  • The new M4 chip, compared to its predecessors like M2, shows substantial improvements in AI processing capabilities.

ChipPerformance ImprovementNeural Engine Performance
M21.0xStandard
M31.3xImproved
M41.5x60x faster than A11 Bionic

  • This table compares the performance improvements and Neural Engine advancements across different chip generations, highlighting the significant leap made by M4.

Rating
  • 8/10 rating for M4 MacBook Pro
  • 9/10 rating for M4 iPad Pro

  • Reason: Both the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro show notable improvements from the M2 to the M4, but the enhancements in the iPad Pro's AI functionalities are more pronounced, especially in real-time applications and visual technologies.

6. Conclusion

  • After reviewing the various aspects of the M4 MacBook Pro and M4 iPad Pro, it’s clear that both devices are powerful and cater to different needs. The iPad Pro stands out for its ultra-thin design and superior display technology, making it ideal for creatives and media consumption. Conversely, the MacBook Pro's robust performance and traditional design make it suitable for professional tasks requiring a laptop’s versatility. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the user’s specific requirements, whether they lean more towards portability and a better visual experience or need the comprehensive performance of a traditional laptop.

7. Source Documents