Can't thank you enough for making this video, I've been trying to get an answer on this exact topic for about a week now - the internet is filled with 'Don't get it in a 14" will throttle' 'not worth it at all in 14"'etc etc but with no actual real world testing or examples comparing the two - I had a M4 Pro 14/20 but it wasn't enough ram, got a 16" M4 Max currently which performs incredibly but is far too big and heavy and also expensive for my use case - Been looking at the 14/32 binned M4 max in 14" with 36GB as a middle ground between the two but have been put off by the anecdotal throttling and heat scare. I feel confident and excited again now about the 14" Max after watching your video - Mine will be binned so in theory even less heating and throttling concern then the full fat 16/40 version, thanks again!
I am glad this really helped you. You shouldn’t be scared at all of throttling unless you are exporting a 3D render for like 8 hours straight. But the same would be for the 16 inch model too
I don't think the tests were hard enough. We need to see some 8K RAW video exports, or extended 3D renders, such as doing a 3D ray trace in Chief Architect, or extended gaming sessions, like doing multiple runs of Aztec Ruins Offscreen. The 14 inch with the Max chips previously always throttled under an extreme load. Maybe the M4 is different, but even the M3 throttled more in the smaller chassis, but I just think we need harder testing.
I was afraid about the 14 inch max throttling, not anymore, thank you. That's a clear choice for my needs and I have nothing to worry about, I'm getting one hopefully early next year.
The 14 inch will probably still throttle under a harder load. It did with the M3 series: th-cam.com/video/E9IJ7nOAZyM/w-d-xo.html Matt needs to test 8K video playback and exporting - which is a realistic workflow for people spending nearly 4k on a computer.
Been torn up about this, and still have a hard time deciding if it makes sense to get. Aside from throttling, I think the pro chips really have been hitting the sweet spot for performance and general usability as far as the type of cores. Unless you intend on only using your laptop for high-intensity workloads, with 0 casual use, I don't see the point of getting the max chip unless and until they up the efficiency cores. The one leg up the max chip gives is the memory configs. Apple really needs to get their memory sorted out, I really would like to be able to get more than 48gb, really though any ram config regardless of the chip. I know its an soc limitation, but it doesn't have to be.
IMO, I think people exaggerate how bad the 14 inch throttles on the max chip. Even if it throttles, it's not like the performance loss is that bad or noticeable. I have the M3 Max with the binned chip, but I would say I'm still "valid" with my opinion on the 14 inch models. The worst case scenario is the noise starting faster than the 16 inch, however, it's a first world problem. It's nowhere as bad compare to non-apple laptops. I feel like people are just OCD when it comes to cooling performance, but I won't say it's a bad thing or invalidating someone's feeling on it.
With this type of performance from the M4 series of chips so far, I'm looking forward to the M4 Ultra's performance results! I might upgrade from my unbinned M4 Pro Mac Mini to the unbinned M4 Ultra Mac Studio. 🤔
I chose the M4 Pro (14/20) mainly to avoid overheating issues with the 14" chassis, and of course, the price played a big role too. While I could stretch my budget for the Max, the 16" size just isn't for me-I rely on external monitors for larger displays. This video has been incredibly insightful, and now I’m reconsidering whether I should return it, knowing that price is the only real obstacle.
i saw another video where the 14/20 core m4 pro throttled in the 14 inch and not the 16 inch, thinking apple used a higher quality cooling system in the max laptops
10:05 all four setups will give you >60 fps, so that's great. Many games on consoles are 30-60 fps. Sometimes slowdowns to sub-30 with too much going on (enemies). The thermo throtteling on MBP M4 Max is so little that we don't need to worry. At least about the performance. If you want M4 Max and "no" fan noise then wait for Mac Studio M4 Max. Feels like 99% chance for a WWDC 2025 release and 1% March 2025 release. I hope for March 2025 but I expect WWDC 2025 (early June 2025)...
I have the 14" M4 Max 32 gpu model. Before that the 16" M3 Max 40 core. If you're pushing it yes the system gets a little warm and the fans do crank up. Happened on both of them. Not noticing any slowdown though. My use case is running BG3 on a 5k screen, playing a movie on a 4k screen and having multiple tabs open in safari and about 14 other apps open in the background.
Wao didn’t expect this kind of performance with 14 inch model, this time Apple make sure that all M4 family chip performance almost the same along all models of MacBooks this is really good for customers.
I currently have a 16” M3 Max 64GB which I am using for ML and indeed it is running models for 4-8 hours a day at full CPU & GPU capacity. I am a bit RAM limited so I am thinking of upgrading to the 128GB M4 Max. I would prefer the 14”. Do you think that for these extended very heavy workloads it would be ok, or should i go 16” again?
GREAT VIDEO!!! Thank you so much, I was concerned about this. Could you do a test on the binned M4 Max 14” vs the nonbinned M4 Max 14” next? Curious how much of a difference the additional cores makes
Does the 14" MBP now have a "high power mode" like the 16"? It always seemed silly that the 14" did not have high power mode when it needed it more than the 16" to prevent throttling
Very interesting and useful. Thanks! The other main variable is battery life. What’s your data telling you about that? My maxed out 14” M1Max drains the battery a lot faster than Apple would have you believe from the advertisements
Mac Pro is an overkill for normal people even programmers don't need Mac Pro. Mac Air with more RAM is better and sufficiently enough. That's why I am saving for Mac Air
Again high end laptops are for people who travel a lot. Get a desktop. And a M4 Pro 48Gb with base gpu cores. Don’t waste that money if you want performance, cause listen to this, these guys are trying to reduce the size of powerful chips, and to make things small surely comes with some downside
Do you think the 14.2 inch MacBook Pro M4 Max is 'that Bad' with throttling after watching this video?
good to know this.
14” got nice performance despite having smaller fans
Can't thank you enough for making this video, I've been trying to get an answer on this exact topic for about a week now - the internet is filled with 'Don't get it in a 14" will throttle' 'not worth it at all in 14"'etc etc but with no actual real world testing or examples comparing the two - I had a M4 Pro 14/20 but it wasn't enough ram, got a 16" M4 Max currently which performs incredibly but is far too big and heavy and also expensive for my use case - Been looking at the 14/32 binned M4 max in 14" with 36GB as a middle ground between the two but have been put off by the anecdotal throttling and heat scare. I feel confident and excited again now about the 14" Max after watching your video - Mine will be binned so in theory even less heating and throttling concern then the full fat 16/40 version, thanks again!
I am glad this really helped you. You shouldn’t be scared at all of throttling unless you are exporting a 3D render for like 8 hours straight. But the same would be for the 16 inch model too
I don't think the tests were hard enough. We need to see some 8K RAW video exports, or extended 3D renders, such as doing a 3D ray trace in Chief Architect, or extended gaming sessions, like doing multiple runs of Aztec Ruins Offscreen. The 14 inch with the Max chips previously always throttled under an extreme load. Maybe the M4 is different, but even the M3 throttled more in the smaller chassis, but I just think we need harder testing.
The video I’ve been waiting for. Thanks a lot.
Hope you enjoyed it!
I was afraid about the 14 inch max throttling, not anymore, thank you. That's a clear choice for my needs and I have nothing to worry about, I'm getting one hopefully early next year.
I am glad this helped you
The 14 inch will probably still throttle under a harder load.
It did with the M3 series: th-cam.com/video/E9IJ7nOAZyM/w-d-xo.html
Matt needs to test 8K video playback and exporting - which is a realistic workflow for people spending nearly 4k on a computer.
Im definitely going to get the 14 inches Mac book pro m4 max for Christmas
Good on you, the M4 Max is perfectly fine in the 14.2 inch model
If you do a 30 minutes cinebench test, 14 inch would throttled, one round doesn't mean anything...
Please enable subtitles for your videos. Thank you for this.
Been torn up about this, and still have a hard time deciding if it makes sense to get. Aside from throttling, I think the pro chips really have been hitting the sweet spot for performance and general usability as far as the type of cores. Unless you intend on only using your laptop for high-intensity workloads, with 0 casual use, I don't see the point of getting the max chip unless and until they up the efficiency cores. The one leg up the max chip gives is the memory configs. Apple really needs to get their memory sorted out, I really would like to be able to get more than 48gb, really though any ram config regardless of the chip. I know its an soc limitation, but it doesn't have to be.
Very helpful real world tests! Thanks! ☺
IMO, I think people exaggerate how bad the 14 inch throttles on the max chip. Even if it throttles, it's not like the performance loss is that bad or noticeable. I have the M3 Max with the binned chip, but I would say I'm still "valid" with my opinion on the 14 inch models. The worst case scenario is the noise starting faster than the 16 inch, however, it's a first world problem. It's nowhere as bad compare to non-apple laptops. I feel like people are just OCD when it comes to cooling performance, but I won't say it's a bad thing or invalidating someone's feeling on it.
Exactly my thinking, you got it one!
With this type of performance from the M4 series of chips so far, I'm looking forward to the M4 Ultra's performance results!
I might upgrade from my unbinned M4 Pro Mac Mini to the unbinned M4 Ultra Mac Studio. 🤔
Nice one!
I chose the M4 Pro (14/20) mainly to avoid overheating issues with the 14" chassis, and of course, the price played a big role too. While I could stretch my budget for the Max, the 16" size just isn't for me-I rely on external monitors for larger displays. This video has been incredibly insightful, and now I’m reconsidering whether I should return it, knowing that price is the only real obstacle.
i saw another video where the 14/20 core m4 pro throttled in the 14 inch and not the 16 inch, thinking apple used a higher quality cooling system in the max laptops
@ omg 😦
Can you do a similar video with the macbook pro m4 pro too
Please
It’s ridiculous that people would say you have a bad cpu. The amount of testing the cpus go through to ensure they are good is pretty extensive.
Exactly my thinking
10:05 all four setups will give you >60 fps, so that's great.
Many games on consoles are 30-60 fps. Sometimes slowdowns to sub-30 with too much going on (enemies).
The thermo throtteling on MBP M4 Max is so little that we don't need to worry. At least about the performance.
If you want M4 Max and "no" fan noise then wait for Mac Studio M4 Max. Feels like 99% chance for a WWDC 2025 release and 1% March 2025 release. I hope for March 2025 but I expect WWDC 2025 (early June 2025)...
Cool matt 🎉🎉❤❤ so good review.
It really needed
Glad you like it
So enjoyed this video Matt. You are able to give me information I need. Thanks! xo
I am glad it helped you
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I have the 14" M4 Max 32 gpu model. Before that the 16" M3 Max 40 core. If you're pushing it yes the system gets a little warm and the fans do crank up. Happened on both of them. Not noticing any slowdown though. My use case is running BG3 on a 5k screen, playing a movie on a 4k screen and having multiple tabs open in safari and about 14 other apps open in the background.
Wao didn’t expect this kind of performance with 14 inch model, this time Apple make sure that all M4 family chip performance almost the same along all models of MacBooks this is really good for customers.
I know, it is good to know. I am afraid that there is this reputation that a powerful chip in the 14 inch is bad, when it is not
Thank you Matt.
No problem
These MacBooks Look great in my opinion.
They are both Great in my eyes too!
I currently have a 16” M3 Max 64GB which I am using for ML and indeed it is running models for 4-8 hours a day at full CPU & GPU capacity. I am a bit RAM limited so I am thinking of upgrading to the 128GB M4 Max. I would prefer the 14”. Do you think that for these extended very heavy workloads it would be ok, or should i go 16” again?
GREAT VIDEO!!! Thank you so much, I was concerned about this. Could you do a test on the binned M4 Max 14” vs the nonbinned M4 Max 14” next? Curious how much of a difference the additional cores makes
Does the 14" MBP now have a "high power mode" like the 16"? It always seemed silly that the 14" did not have high power mode when it needed it more than the 16" to prevent throttling
It sure does have that now
Thank you.
Thanks for watching
Very interesting and useful. Thanks! The other main variable is battery life. What’s your data telling you about that? My maxed out 14” M1Max drains the battery a lot faster than Apple would have you believe from the advertisements
Will be great if the test can be longer at 30-60 mins to test the sustainability of the 14" thermal performance.
Mac Pro is an overkill for normal people even programmers don't need Mac Pro. Mac Air with more RAM is better and sufficiently enough. That's why I am saving for Mac Air
Nice
Thanks
Hi
Again high end laptops are for people who travel a lot. Get a desktop. And a M4 Pro 48Gb with base gpu cores. Don’t waste that money if you want performance, cause listen to this, these guys are trying to reduce the size of powerful chips, and to make things small surely comes with some downside
hi