Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

Name: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) — Comparison Review
Item: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)
Rating: 8.2
Author: Billy G.

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Nov 10 by Billy G.

Apple MacBook Pro

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024)

Apple MacBook Pro

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

Decision sheet: the facts that decide it

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024): 9 of 13 decision facts sourced.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024): 9 of 13 decision facts sourced.

	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024)	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)
Price today	$3,399	$2,499
Processor	Apple M4 Max bestbuy.com	Apple M4 Pro bestbuy.com
Memory	36 gigabytes bestbuy.com	24 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Storage	1000 gigabytes bestbuy.com	512 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Screen size	16 inches bestbuy.com	16 inches bestbuy.com
Resolution	3456 x 2234 bestbuy.com	3456 x 2234 bestbuy.com
Weight	4.74 pounds bestbuy.com	4.72 pounds bestbuy.com
Ports	3 bestbuy.com	3 bestbuy.com
Graphics	Apple M4 Max 32-core bestbuy.com	Apple M4 Pro 20-core bestbuy.com
Starting MSRP	$3,399.00 bestbuy.com	$2,499.00 bestbuy.com

Not yet sourced — Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024): Refresh rate, Brightness, Battery, Battery life. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024): Refresh rate, Brightness, Battery, Battery life. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.

Pick Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) if

More memory — 36 GB vs 24 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
More storage — 1,000 GB vs 512 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Pick Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) if

Lighter — 4.72 lb vs 4.74 lb (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
Lower starting price — $2,499 vs $3,399 (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Skip both if

Neither publishes refresh rate, brightness, battery or battery life yet.

The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) share the same chassis, Liquid Retina XDR display. And core architecture, yet diverge in ways that matter for sustained professional workloads. Public benchmarks and specification sheets show the M4 Max model delivering higher sustained multi-core performance thanks to its 40-core GPU option against the M4 Pro’s 20-core GPU, along with support for up to 128 GB of unified memory compared with the M4 Pro’s 24 GB ceiling in the base 16-inch configuration. Battery life remains strong on both, though the more powerful silicon in the Max variant tends to draw more under heavy GPU loads. Thermal behavior, keyboard feel, and port selection stay essentially identical. The short version: choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) when maximum memory. And GPU cores are non-negotiable; otherwise the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) offers nearly the same everyday experience at a noticeably lower price.

Verdict: Pick Apple MacBook Pro 16‑inch (M4 Max, 2024) if you need the maximum memory (36 GB vs 24 GB) and GPU power (32‑core vs 20‑core).

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) lists at $3,399 while Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) lists at $2,499 — Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) undercuts Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024) by $900 (36%).

Winner: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024)

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024): 8.2/10

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024): 7.5/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024)	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)
Screen size	16 inches	16 inches
Resolution	3456 x 2234	3456 x 2234
Panel	LED	LED
Processor	Apple M4 Max	Apple M4 Pro
Graphics	Apple M4 Max 32-core	Apple M4 Pro 20-core
Memory	36 gigabytes	24 gigabytes

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024)

What works

36 GB of unified memory for demanding workloads
32‑core GPU for top‑tier graphics performance

What doesn't

Higher price at $3399 limits budget accessibility
Slightly heavier at 4.74 lb compared to Pro model

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

What works

Slightly lighter at 4.72 lb enhances portability
14‑core CPU still delivers strong performance

What doesn't

24 GB memory may limit very large projects
20‑core GPU offers less graphics headroom

Bottom line

Our pick: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max, 2024).

View full comparison on GoodPickr

Related Comparisons

Browse all comparisons

Buying guides · In-depth comparisons

View Interactive Comparison →

Affiliate disclosure: GoodPickr may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through partner links on this page. Verdicts are editorially independent and never influenced by affiliate relationships.

GoodPickr · Data-backed product comparisons · Built by Golden Consulting Partners