The MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip is designed to handle demanding video editing tasks, including working with 4K ProRes HQ footage in Final Cut Pro. Here's how it performs:
Performance Overview
The M4 Max chip in the MacBook Pro offers significant improvements over its predecessors, particularly in handling high-resolution video content. It features a powerful GPU, with configurations up to a 40-core GPU, which is crucial for tasks like video playback and rendering in Final Cut Pro[3][6]. The chip also includes a Media Engine that supports hardware-accelerated ProRes encoding and decoding, ensuring smooth playback and editing of ProRes footage[6].
Handling 4K ProRes HQ Footage
In real-world scenarios, the MacBook Pro with M4 Max can efficiently handle 4K ProRes HQ footage. The system's ability to support up to 128GB of unified memory allows for smooth editing and playback of large video projects without significant performance drops[3][4]. However, some users have reported that while the M4 Max can handle simple video editing tasks with ease, it may struggle with more complex transitions or effects, such as cross-dissolves, even with ample memory and storage[5][8]. In such cases, setting the viewer to "Better Performance" instead of "Better Quality" in Final Cut Pro can improve playback performance[5][8].
Key Features for Video Editing
- Media Engine: The M4 Max includes a powerful Media Engine with two ProRes accelerators, which significantly enhances video editing performance by accelerating ProRes encoding and decoding[3][6].
- Neural Engine: The 16-core Neural Engine in the M4 Max is capable of processing up to 38 trillion operations per second, which aids in AI-powered video editing tasks like background isolation and automated workflows[4].
- Unified Memory: Support for up to 128GB of unified memory ensures that large video projects can be edited smoothly without significant memory constraints[3][4].
Overall, the MacBook Pro with M4 Max is well-suited for professional video editing tasks, offering improved performance and efficiency compared to previous models. However, users may need to adjust settings or pre-render certain effects to achieve optimal performance in complex projects.
Citations:[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/03/apple-unveils-new-mac-studio-the-most-powerful-mac-ever/
[2] https://www.kodjoarts.com/mac-mini-m4-pro-review-a-video-editor-s-30-day-speed-test-results
[3] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/new-macbook-pro-features-m4-family-of-chips-and-apple-intelligence/
[4] https://www.editorskeys.com/en-us/blogs/news/unlocking-the-power-of-the-new-apple-m4-chip-for-video-editors
[5] https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/477414/how-can-i-improve-my-macbook-pro-m4-max-video-playback-experience-in-final-cut-p
[6] https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
[7] https://larryjordan.com/articles/performance-review-2024-apple-m4-pro-mac-mini-apple-final-cut-pro/
[8] https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-m4-max-16-40-cant-handle-simple-cross-dissolve-in-final-cut-pro.2445398/
[9] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121554
[10] https://larryjordan.com/articles/performance-comparison-apple-final-cut-pro-11-adobe-premiere-pro-25-davinci-resolve-19-1/
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQY_T0esM0w
[12] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121553