Does the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 MAX Really THROTTLE?

[@MattTalkTech]

Do you think the 14.2 inch MacBook Pro M4 Max is 'that Bad' with throttling after watching this video?

[@cupofkona]

good to know this.

[@ElisaulJimenez]

14” got nice performance despite having smaller fans

[@VincentRedden-i1v]

I will love it, I don’t it goes throttling ❤

[@jc1928]

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!

[@MattTalkTech]

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

[@dannybeeh6332]

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.

[@williamhelena7592]

@@dannybeeh6332Do those test reflect your actual workflow? I would imagine maybe less than 2% of MBP owners need to chew through a workload like this

[@JoelFabiani]

The video I’ve been waiting for. Thanks a lot.

[@MattTalkTech]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@realmac3k]

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.

[@jvlppm]

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.

[@MattTalkTech]

I am glad this helped you

[@dannybeeh6332]

The 14 inch will probably still throttle under a harder load. It did with the M3 series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2qse2qkhKaNr68 Matt needs to test 8K video playback and exporting - which is a realistic workflow for people spending nearly 4k on a computer.

[@IvanFioravanti]

I had a different experience, but only when working with local LLM models that push GPU to 100% constantly. Heavy trhottling there leading to 25% less performance vs 16"

[@akshaysahu8599]

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.

[@MattTalkTech]

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

[@the_joshi26]

Im definitely going to get the 14 inches Mac book pro m4 max for Christmas

[@MattTalkTech]

Good on you, the M4 Max is perfectly fine in the 14.2 inch model

[@shem44]

Will be great if the test can be longer at 30-60 mins to test the sustainability of the 14" thermal performance.

[@sinanbozkus]

Excellent video! Thanks.

[@Kevin6t8]

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. 🤔

[@MattTalkTech]

Nice one!

[@NipahAllDay]

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.

[@MattTalkTech]

Exactly my thinking, you got it one!

[@user-my6sn1fd4j]

Those are people still in intel MacBooks

[@vrmaverix3776]

So, the overheating or higher throttling doesn’t affect the battery, disk or anything else (like it used to in Intel Macs) in the long run or sustained use? I’m a little skeptical considering Mac’s history 😅

[@ongjanette]

Very helpful real world tests! Thanks! ☺

[@sulton-max]

Thank you so much, the exact comparison I was looking for )

[@otwer22]

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.

[@MattTalkTech]

Exactly my thinking

[@fumblerooskie]

Please enable subtitles for your videos. Thank you for this.

[@osamaahmedtahir17]

I got M4 max 14 inch today with 32 gb RAM and 1tb ssd after watching your video. Thanks mate!

[@smashedtomato]

36 Gb RAM.

[@acasualviewer5861]

this was exactly my question It's interesting that 14" and 16" are the same within error margins

[@VivianODLC]

Cool matt 🎉🎉❤❤ so good review. It really needed

[@MattTalkTech]

Glad you like it

[@janeS9773]

So enjoyed this video Matt. You are able to give me information I need. Thanks! xo

[@MattTalkTech]

I am glad it helped you

[@JoelFabiani]

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.

[@brendonprophette8890]

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

[@JoelFabiani]

@ omg 😦

[@cheekster777]

Thank you Matt.

[@MattTalkTech]

No problem

[@johnnyng692]

14.2 inch MacBook Pro is convenience when traveling; 16" is too bulky and heavy. It really depends on what task/s you need to do with your computer. You need to ask yourself do you need to push your computer to the limit all the time; otherwise 14" MacBook Pro M4 Max should be okay.

[@Andrew_Shadrin]

Thank you!

[@MattTalkTech]

You're welcome!

[@Harthp]

Good info. I was always worried about fan noise and throttling but it doesn't seem bad at all. 😊

[@giuseppetataranni]

Damn , got the 16” m4 Max 3 days ago, just because i was scared about cooling. Wish I could see this video before.

[@EXPERTISE]

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.

[@MUTABAZISTUDIOS]

honest review, make me loving the 14"more

[@JohnJonathan-u8u]

Thanks for testing m4 max macbooks. I'd buy base m4 macbook pro for christmas

[@BMRStudio]

Short answer: YES!

[@paulliddement]

The 2 biggest issues you have to deal with is ram and cooling and both of those are brilliant at the beginning and then the updates come and they do change this

[@Kinetica_tm]

hi, i have the m4 max base model 14" and i use it for video editing 4k raw. It does perform amazing and it does not get that hot as people say. I even play game on (world of warcraft) and it runs everything perfect. To those who say m4 max base is not good im here to preve that wrong. PS i had the 14" m3 max as well and that one did kinda overheat

[@Aaron_Bleu]

Nice I have this same laptop on order. Even for longer gaming sessions does it seem to keep up and not get significant FPS drops? I’m not too concerned about fan noise

[@Kinetica_tm]

@ well the maximum i have played in one seat is 2 hours and it butter smooth. FPS did not drop since i cap my fps on 100. Youll be happy trust me. As for the fans they did not go more that 60% while i was gaming, with a pair of headphones ur more than perfect 😂

[@Aaron_Bleu]

@ saweeeet. Thanks dude I can’t wait to get the same setup

[@cjeelde]

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)...

[@biwageezer]

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

[@kevinc-727]

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

[@MattTalkTech]

It sure does have that now

[@mil546]

Thank you.

[@MattTalkTech]

Thanks for watching

[@LoveMe-eu6ym]

Can you do a similar video with the macbook pro m4 pro too Please

[@jackxiao1054]

I guess it saves me from buying a m4 max studio later because I connect it to a monitor 99% of the time.

[@yeshwantkethineni3694]

could you test how realistic it is to game on battery? With low power mode + medium settings + 800p resolution + vsync in Shadow of the Tomb Raider e.g. (or something newer that you can cap fps or vsync in and disable ProMotion to cap at 60) you can do sudo powermetrics in terminal or activity monitor's estimate, but need to be aware of brightness level

[@darylcheshire1618]

In my experience it’s best to run with default values rather than try and second-guess it, however we can learn from the experience.

[@A.H_610]

I have just got enough with all laptops, and with everything now tiny and portable, from the keyboards, mice, and monitors, Mac Studio is the go for me.

[@waveoflight3]

This is exactly the video I was looking for thank you so much. However, was wondering about the specs of both machines. Can you please share that too?

[@xx30_30xx]

These MacBooks Look great in my opinion.

[@MattTalkTech]

They are both Great in my eyes too!

[@mamache2028]

just a comment.. maybe you can add in your statistic result which is better higher or lower result .tnx

[@rafaeldomenikos5978]

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?

[@waveoflight3]

What are the specs of both models?

[@IvanFioravanti]

Is this the 16/40 M4 Max?

[@zenbran]

I just can’t decided if I would should save for the max chip or just get the pro chip there’s not a huge difference in cores from what I’ve seen

[@ШавкатАлиев-о6г]

Please do an autonomy test in the game Cyberpunk 2077?

[@DaninJacobs-u4v0]

Im thinking of getting an iPhone 14 or waiting for the se 4 this will be an upgrade from my android ❤❤❤😅

[@Aaron_Bleu]

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

[@elivibing.7]

how can I win the give away....

[@pankajsarang256]

Nice

[@MattTalkTech]

Thanks

[@smidgeondutchrabbit]

if you want the true performance of m4 max, your gonna need the 16 inch as a 14 inch form factor cannot drive a desktop chip

[@bazra223]

$19 wired apple earphones

[@Ewakaa]

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

[@English-Gent]

Hi

[@HenryDqly]

hi

[@guifehera4926]

I don't normally comment on videos but I have a question that I've not seen answered here/reddit/etc. Your results show the opposite of this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6OxZ3Z7hJhkna8 Now, I'm not subscribed to either channel so can't comment on which of you two are more credible. Both are great videos. I have an M4 Pro (20C) now and an M4 Max (32C) on the way. Worried about the CPU throttling. Thank you.

[@verydifferentthought]

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