How does the MacBook Pro M4 handle high-refresh-rate displays for gaming

M4 Pro and M4 Max Capabilities

- GPU Performance: The M4 Pro chip comes with options for a 16-core or 20-core GPU, while the M4 Max offers configurations with a 32-core or 40-core GPU. These GPUs are designed with Apple's advanced graphics architecture, which includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. These features enhance graphical fidelity and performance in games that support them[3][7].

- Display Support: The MacBook Pro can support up to four external displays, depending on the model and configuration. However, for high-refresh-rate gaming, the focus is typically on the built-in display or a single high-quality external monitor. The built-in Liquid Retina XDR display offers a high refresh rate and excellent brightness, making it suitable for gaming[3][9].

Gaming Performance

- Frame Rates and Resolution: In tests, the M4 Pro MacBook Pro has shown impressive performance in games like "Shadow of the Tomb Raider," achieving frame rates of around 60 to 70 FPS at 1440p resolution. For more demanding titles, the M4 Max model, with its higher GPU core count, can handle games like "Elden Ring" at 1920x1200 resolution with ray tracing enabled, maintaining a consistent 60 FPS[1][4].

- High-Refresh-Rate Support: While specific high-refresh-rate display support (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) isn't explicitly detailed for the M4 MacBook Pro, the hardware is capable of delivering high frame rates in supported games. This suggests that, with the right external display, users could potentially enjoy high-refresh-rate gaming experiences, though this may depend on the specific display and game compatibility.

Limitations and Considerations

- Game Library: One of the main limitations for gaming on Macs is the smaller game library compared to Windows. However, Apple is working to expand this with tools like the Game Porting Toolkit, which helps developers port Windows games to macOS[2].

- Thermal Management: While the larger 16-inch models are reported to handle thermal management well, maintaining performance without throttling, this aspect is crucial for sustained high-refresh-rate gaming. Smaller models might face thermal challenges under intense gaming loads[4].

In summary, the MacBook Pro with the M4 chip offers robust performance for gaming, especially with high-refresh-rate capabilities, though it may require careful selection of compatible games and external displays to fully leverage these features.