Best MacBook Pro Picks for Power and Portability in 2025

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The MacBook Pro sits right at the top of Apple’s laptop lineup. It’s built for people who need more muscle, better screens, and longer battery life than your average notebook.

Creators, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone wanting an incredibly high-quality experience should be seriously considering the Pro range. Yeah, it’s powerful, but it’s also surprisingly slim and feels solid in your hands.

When you’re choosing a MacBook Pro, size, processor, storage, and display are the big four. The right pick really depends on how you juggle power, portability, and price for your own life situation.

Maybe you want a 14‑inch because it’s easier to toss in your bag. Or maybe you crave the 16‑inch for more screen space when you’re editing or multitasking. Don’t forget about battery life, ports, and whether your favorite software actually runs well – these are all super important things to consider!

We’ve gone deep on the latest MacBook Pro models, looking at performance, usability, and value, so you don’t have to spend your weekend reading spec sheets.

After a lot of testing (and probably too much coffee), here are the MacBook Pros that we feel offer the best mix of speed, portability, and reliability.

Let’s go!

The Best MacBook Pro Out There Is…

We’ve put the newest MacBook Pros through their paces to see what really stands out. Our picks focus on performance, screen quality, battery life, and bang for your buck.

Whether you’re editing videos, writing code, or just need a trusty laptop for everyday stuff, there’s something here for you.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro (2024)

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro chip with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB Unified Memory; 512GB SSD Storage; Space Black

If you want a laptop that balances real power with portability, this one makes a pretty strong case.

Pros

  • Excellent all-day battery life
  • Vivid, sharp display with accurate colours
  • Runs quietly even when you push it

Cons

  • A bit heavier than some 14-inch competitors
  • Can’t upgrade much after you buy it

The new M4 Pro MacBook Pro just feels ready for anything. We threw big photo edits and video timelines at it, and it didn’t flinch.

The screen is bright enough to work near a sunny window, which is a rare treat. Battery life impressed us…We ran video calls, edited docs, and even streamed some 4K shows without hunting for the charger.

The fans barely make a peep, and when they do, you have to really listen for it, and that quiet efficiency is a game-changer when you’re trying to focus.

It’s not all sunshine, though. Carrying it in a backpack reminds you it’s no featherweight, and the price might make you wince if you’re after a more budget-friendly offer. Still, if you want a Mac that’s tough, fast, and not chained to a desk, this M4 Pro is tough to beat.

➡️ Buy the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro (2024) Here ⬅️

Apple MacBook Pro M4 14-inch

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip with 10 core CPU and 10 core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage; Space Black

If you want a laptop that nails speed, battery life, and a killer display, the MacBook Pro M4 is an easy pick.

Pros

  • Battery goes all day (seriously)
  • Display is crisp and easy on the eyes
  • Solid build and a keyboard that feels great

Cons

  • Cheaper than the bigger screen offerings, but still not that cheap, unfortunately
  • Upgrade options are pretty limited
  • Slightly heavier than some ultraportables

This MacBook Pro just feels right from the start. The keyboard is satisfying, the trackpad is smooth, and the screen makes everything, from photo edits to YouTube, look sharp, even in bright rooms.

Apps pop open instantly, and you can bounce between tasks without any lag.

Battery life is the real MVP as we powered through a full day and didn’t even think about the charger.

It’s not the lightest laptop, but it’s sturdy and has enough ports to keep us happy on the road or at the desk. If you care about reliability and that premium feel, this is a smart buy.

➡️ Buy the Apple MacBook Pro M4 14-inch Here ⬅️

Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max 14-inch

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Max chip with 14-core CPU and 32-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 36GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

If you want a portable MacBook that still packs a punch, this one finds a sweet spot between speed, battery, and everyday use.

Pros

  • Tackles creative and coding tasks with ease
  • The battery easily lasts a full workday
  • Display is bright and comfy for long sessions

Cons

  • Price is up there
  • Gets a bit warm under heavy use

We spent plenty of time with the M4 Max MacBook Pro, and it’s clear this thing means business.

The MagSafe charger is back, which means you can top up the power quickly and not worry about tripping over cables. The screen stands out and its colours look beyond natural.

The speakers are surprisingly good for a laptop this size. Another bonus is having HDMI, an SD card slot, and several USB-C ports built in, as it’s a lot less dongle drama in our bags.

If you want a reliable, powerful MacBook that travels well, this one delivers the goods.

➡️ Buy The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max 14-inch Here ⬅️

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)

If you want a super-powerful laptop that breezes through heavy workloads and still lasts all day, this one’s a serious contender.

Pros

  • Crushes demanding creative work without lag
  • Display is sharp and easy on the eyes
  • The battery easily goes the distance

Cons

  • No dedicated audio line-in (why, Apple?)
  • An ultra premium price, even for the size
  • Big and a bit awkward for travel

Using the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip feels smooth right away. It chews through big photo edits and video exports without the fans making a fuss. All that screen means even more space to cram in even better performance and processing.

The display is bright and accurate, which makes working or even just browsing feel nicer. Battery performance is a highlight as you can work all day unplugged, bouncing between design apps, browser tabs, and video calls without a worry.

The size and weight make it more of a desk companion than a backpack buddy. We also missed a proper line-in audio port for certain recording setups. But if you want performance, build quality, and a screen that makes creative work easier, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) hits the mark.

➡️ Buy The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) Here ⬅️

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Max

Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Max chip with 14-core CPU and 32-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 36GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

And now onto the MAX… because if you want a laptop that chews through creative work and barely notices, this MacBook Pro is an absolute beast. It’s not shy about its price tag, but it definitely brings the muscle if you just want to get sh$t done!

Pros

  • Handles demanding tasks with ease
  • Excellent battery life for its size
  • Crisp, bright display that’s easy on the eyes

Cons

  • On the heavier side for travel
  • An ultra-premium price point

We’ve thrown photo edits, video projects, and everyday chaos at this MacBook Pro, and it just keeps going. Even with a bunch of giant files open, it barely flinches.

The display grabs your attention right away. Colors look spot-on, and HDR content actually pops without making your eyes beg for mercy.

With the MAX, you can stare for hours editing tiny details and not feel like you’re losing your mind. The battery? It’s a champ, lasting a full workday and then some, so you’re not constantly hunting for an outlet.

This MacBook Pro really does pull its weight (literally and figuratively). For creative folks or anyone who just wants their tech to work, it’s hard not to recommend it, and we would treat it as an investment that’s going to last you a very long time without the need to regularly upgrade.

➡️ Buy The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Max Here ⬅️

Our MacBook Pro Buying Guide

Alright, so you’re thinking about snagging a MacBook Pro? Let’s be real, how you plan to use it matters a lot. If you’re just writing emails or watching cat videos, you probably don’t need the same MF’er that video editors drool over.

So matching your laptop to your actual needs can save you a bunch of cash. No need to buy a Ferrari if you’re just driving to the corner store, right?

If you’re considering buying a new MacBook Pro, then here are some key things to consider:

  • Processor (CPU): A faster CPU can chew through heavy tasks without breaking a sweat.
  • Memory (RAM): More RAM means smoother multitasking, no more watching your Mac freeze while you juggle tabs.
  • Storage: Make sure you’ve got space for all your files, apps, and random memes.
  • Display: Higher resolution equals sharper visuals, so your eyes will thank you in the long run.
  • Battery life: A Longer battery means you can avoid the “where’s the outlet?” panic at coffee shops.
FeatureWhy It MattersTip for Buyers
CPUHandles speed and performanceDetermines the time between charges
RAMAffects multitasking and app performance16GB is good for most users
StorageHolds files and appsSSDs are faster than HDDs
DisplayImpacts clarity and colour accuracyLook for high resolution
Battery LifeDetermines time between chargesAim for all-day use

We hope you’ve found our SomethingElse guide helpful and found the right MacBook Pro to suit your needs!

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