Apple
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB
M4 Max · 16GB · 2024
96
/ 100
From $3,199
VS
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) wins by 2
Apple
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
M5 Max · 16.2″ XDR · Up to 128 GB unified
98
/ 100
From $3,499
Specdex verdict
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB lands at 96 and MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) at 98. That puts MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB if…
- ✓Current-gen silicon
- ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
- ✓Manufacturer warranty
Pick MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) if…
- ✓~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- ✓570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- ✓New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
Score breakdown
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB
96 cpu 96
gpu 91
display 86
battery 86
portability 79
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
98 cpu 99
gpu 92
display 98
battery 98
portability 88
Specs side-by-side
Spec
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
CPU
M4 Max
—
RAM
16GB
Up to 128 GB unified
Release year
2024
—
Chip
—
Apple M5 Max (16C CPU / 40C GPU)
Storage
—
Up to 8 TB SSD
Display
—
16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, 120Hz
Weight
—
2.14 kg
Battery
—
100 Wh
OS
—
macOS 16
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB
Pros
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
Cons
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Pros
- +~18% perf-per-watt uplift over M4 Max
- +570 GB/s memory bandwidth
- +New Wi-Fi 7 + TB5
Cons
- −Premium pricing unchanged
- −Limited gaming library
- −Ports unchanged
FAQ: MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB vs MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Which is better, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB worth the price? +
At $3,199, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Is MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) worth the price? +
At $3,499, MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max · 16GB or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.