An Overview of Usability in the 2024 MacBook Pro Chassis: The M3 Version is Approximately the Same as the M4
But hey: If it works, don’t fix it, right? Well, let’s consider that. When it comes to usability, there’s been room for improvement that still hasn’t been addressed. As has long been the case, the 2024 MacBook Pro chassis features full-height function keys I never touch but teeny-tiny arrow keys I use all the time and can barely operate because they’re so small. The keyboard action is great, but the gargantuan trackpad gets in the way—and it’s very stiff to depress for a click. I ultimately had to dial the click force down to the lightest level and turn on tap-to-click to make it usable.
There were some new colors for the MacBook Pro last year, but they’re almost indistinguishable from the previous iteration. Today’s ports include three USB-C ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot. MagSafe 3 is still in the mix. There are new things to mention but the only ones that are new are the USB port speeds and not new at all. This design is still in existence, and Apple won’t refresh the MacBook Pro chassis until 2026 according to rumors.
There’s no blame here, no calling anyone to the mat. Apple’s latest MacBook Pro—I tested the 16-inch model with the M4 Pro CPU—is every bit as good as any other MacBook Pro you’ve likely laid hands upon. The problem is that. The M3 version is functionally the same as the new machine.
If you’re currently running an M3-based MacBook, the cautious answer is almost definitely not. If you’re on an M2 or even an M1, the calculus still seems to be wavering. This time, I am not expecting lines out the door. Allow me to explain.
Is the Power of the M1 Really That Cool? An Analysis of the Apple iMac Update and its Role in Enhancing the User Experience
Chalk that up to the power of the M1 then. As is the case with the MacBook Pro M4, the iMac is simply suffering from attempts to improve on an already good thing. Apple Intelligence has artificial intelligence features that are powered by its 16-core Neural Engine and faster unified memory that you can choose from, as well as a raw performance boost. The latter is actually part of a pretty big deal: The base amount of RAM on the iMac has doubled from 8 to 16 GB, a game-changing upgrade for entry-level shoppers.
I initially wanted to change one of the characters: from “3” to “4.” But unlike the latest MacBook Pro update, Apple has put a little more thought into upgrading the user experience, at least behind the scenes and in a few places where it counts. The design is nearly identical to last year’s iMac, but Apple listened to the complaints and made some big improvements that will benefit most of us. Since the arrival of the M1, Apple has paid less attention to design and more attention to enhancing pure, raw power.