Ben Harnwell 
I mentioned it when I wrote about the launch of the new MacBook Pro back in 2024. I was really tempted by the idea of my next laptop being a Mac.
I have identified as a Windows user since… well, the 286 chipset. Back in the day when you had to load the operating system via 5¼ floppy drives. We had a twin drive Amstrad, so I would load the OS (Windows 3.1, I think) which sat on top of DOS. Aside from a deviation with a Chromebook (which I won through an online competition), I have really lived in and with Windows.
My desktop PC is running Windows 11, and I have an older gaming laptop. However, for this next computer, I wanted something portable but powerful. I was disillusioned with the battery life of ‘gaming’ laptops; even my work-issued 13-inch Dell has terrible battery life, even just using normal office software (embedded in the corporate Microsoft world).
So when the new Macs were announced, I seriously looked into them. I did dabble with the idea of the Mac Mini – it’s a great form factor, and if my need was desk-based and perhaps not seeking the power-hungry side of things (more on that later). I do think the base Mac Mini is one of the best deals in 2025. I would, however, probably up the internal storage one notch to at least 512GB.
In the end, I went with the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro. The specs are:
This is the unbinned version – yes it’s probably more power than I might need right now, but this is a long-term investment. I intend to get the 7+ years of iOS updates typical of Apple PCs and the M4 has certainly beat my minimum requirements in terms of computing power.
In this review I will cover off my thoughts and opinion on my use of the MacBook – demonstrate some of the surprises, a few concerns and more importantly how I, a typical Windows user, has survived in the change to Mac.
Design and Build Quality
Anyone who has ever walked into a JB Hi-Fi (or an Apple Store) and played with the display MacBooks would know. The build and quality of Apple’s flagship computer are second to none.
- Keyboard: Many reviewers rave about the MacBook keyboard, and my encounters with it gave me no concerns, but using it, I get the hype. I have a Keychron wireless mechanical keyboard – which I have paired to my desktop PC, my work laptop, and was intending to use the last Bluetooth spot for this Mac. Yet I haven’t. I am enjoying the laptop’s built-in keyboard far too much.
- Trackpad: The glass trackpad on the MacBook Pros is something to be admired – the size is perfect, and to be honest, I haven’t really missed having a mouse. On both my Windows laptops, I use cordless mice. The trackpads are serviceable but certainly not something I look forward to using. The MacBook Pro is a delight and responsive… although I do miss some of the features I am more attuned to on Windows.
- Screen/Display: I didn’t get the nano-texture display – I really don’t see a need for that in my use case. I also don’t think it is necessary. This display is so good. Clear and bright, with great colours and blacks. I can’t believe how bad my other laptop displays have been. Whatever Apple is doing, it’s working. Playback of high-res video is crystal clear with great blacks and bright colours. There is little to complain about in terms of the built-in screen.
- Speakers: Another winner from many other reviewers, and it’s no exception with mine. I can’t believe how they can make such a small package sound so darn good. I feel bad using my EarPods when this is the kind of sound I can get – but that also annoys the family, so unless I am home alone, the speakers stay silent.
- Storage: I went with the 1 TB, which is enough. At least for me. I have an external drive (mechanical) for any backup files, and that works seamlessly – I was quietly surprised I didn’t need to format it and could access the files I had on it already. Gone are the days when an external setup on one OS won’t work with another. Very pleased with that.
Yes, Apple has a massive tax on any additional internal storage, and that is crazy. Clearly, this is just money-grabbing when in reality, storage is pretty cheap. The ports at least give the option to add additional storage easily, and with Thunderbolt 5, it can be VERY fast indeed.
- CPU/GPU and RAM: Sorry, my bad – unified memory. As I got the unbinned version, I have more than enough grunt in CPU and indeed GPU to do the things I am wanting. In fact, looking at the stats, I am not even putting any pressure on the system with what I would consider a high load. Certainly not doing things like writing this article!
- Webcam: Again, I was blown away with the fidelity and quality of the built-in 12-megapixel webcam. Centre-stage – which follows your head to keep you in frame – works so well. I have had a few Zoom-style calls, and it’s so clear and can handle different lighting conditions. You really notice a good camera, especially in the current times. Compared to my old Asus or even my work Dell, the MacBook Pro camera is outstanding. It even worked to show off my work-in-progress shots of minis I was painting on a group Zoom painting session.
- Finish: I went with Space Black – partly to differentiate from my wife’s Silver Mac (she returned to her roots in Mac land with the M1). She and my daughter prefer the sleek look. I am very happy with my choice – it makes it look less Mac-ish when out at the cafe or, more often the case, while in a dance waiting room (both my daughters dance – a lot).
Overall, I am impressed with the quality of the laptop – and I really should be considering the cost, but it’s not always a guarantee. The laptop is towards the heavier side (not a patch on my old ASUS ROG), and that was a consideration in getting the 14-inch over the larger 16-inch (that and cost).
Performance
I am not going to go through a raft of benchmarks – these laptops have been out long enough and others who are much better have done much more that I ever could.
I want to talk about real world use and performance.
- Start-up: Yes it does. It starts very quickly – like I think Windows 10/11 was supposed to. I open the laptop and sign-in with the fingerprint reader on the power button. The OS is up and running. Any Windows machine I owned or have owned isn’t that quick starting from sleep. Certainly not the corporate controlled Dell. Most mornings I turn it on and go make a coffee…
- Music Production: One of the use cases for getting the MacBook was to record and create music. I downloaded LogicPro – you get to try it for 3 months. I have not done a lot but enough to know that what I got can handle what limited skills I have. I have a steep learning curve for the software – thank you YouTube tutorials – but so far using midi keyboard and connecting my Scarlett 2i2 for direct guitar interface has been easy. I have even connected my electronic drums and got that work.
The laptop can handle the load of multiple tracks from different inputs and layering with effects does not slow it down a bit. This was the reason I wanted the extra power to be able to handle bulk music tracks without having to slow down or turn plugins off etc.
- Games: Now Mac’s are not known for gaming but the Apple silicon has taken some steps in that direction with 3D capabilities and many AAA games porting across. I have been playing Baulur’s Gate 3 on fairly high settings. The visuals and gameplay have been awesome with great FPS without any noticeable stutters.
With games like Assassin’s Creed Shadow and Control being recently released (one being panned the other applauded), along with the upcoming Cyberpunk later this year, native games are now, if not a certainty, more likely on Mac.
I have not tried Crossover or Whiskey – both software layers that make Windows only games play on Mac. I may give them a try later but for now I am content with the few native Mac ports or games made for Mac.
Battery Life
The battery is amazing. Coming from a nearly 10-year-old Windows gaming laptop, it is chalk and cheese in terms of unplugged life. That old laptop barely lasts minutes away from the wall, even doing simple tasks. It’s probably not the best comparison, as age and battery life are not great bedfellows.
However, the life I get out of this MacBook Pro completely blows my much newer work-issued Dell. I can literally go days without plugging in and open the lid to see minimal change in battery percent. Like literally NO CHANGE. My Dell will discharge in sleep mode on my drive home. I have to shut it down driving to an offsite meeting unless I know I can access a wall plug.
I have not recently tested any other Windows-based machines and certainly not any ARM-based models, so maybe there are ones that don’t simply bleed battery power – but I am mighty impressed with the longevity of this MacBook Pro.
In saying all that, an intensive activity like playing Baldur’s Gate 3 will drain the battery quicker – but to even be able to play at the high settings I am using and still get a solid couple of hours away from power is impressive.
I could certainly get a good day’s work done on one charge – if only my day job used macOS!
Software and Ecosystem
Speaking of macOS, I did mention I have been a life-long Windows user. I remember the MS-DOS days and manually configuring all the settings – when Winamp really whips the llama’s arse.
So there was always going to be an uphill battle to getting used to a new OS.
I have been blessed with some gestures coming to Windows. This means that I am at least more aware of how the trackpad might work. This still required some upskilling and changes for muscle memory, but I have generally been able to handle that aspect.
Shifting the controls for a window from the right to the left – meaning the close, minimise, and enlarge buttons – has been a little slow. I am constantly shifting back to Windows with my day job. I am finding myself taking a moment when shifting devices, but it’s a short moment, and I shift back quickly.
Another muscle memory that I am finding hard is going from CTRL-C / CTRL-V for copy/paste to Command-C / Command-V. The Command key is just too close. My muscle memory keeps targeting my little finger to hit CTRL. I am not sure if I am doing it right, but I find using, say, middle finger and index to hit Command-C is constricting and really unintuitive. Please correct me if I am doing something wrong!
I am also confused as to what the Control – Option – Command keys are for. I am slowly learning new shortcuts (I am loving Command – Shift – 5 to open a snipping tool!). I am basically relying on asking my wife and watching YouTube videos with tips and tricks. This isn’t a deal breaker, and I will learn more over time, but it is a hit to my productivity.
The file structure does feel like I am less in control. When downloading and installing an app, the OS seems to choose where it goes. At least in my limited experience. I have to go to Launchpad to open applications (that I haven’t stuck on the Dock). I have worked out that Finder is a mix of Start and Folder on Windows.
The other thing that has made me frustrated is the shift for app menus. I look to the top of the app window for the menu. I keep forgetting to look at the top left of the screen. I downloaded my go-to 3D printing slicer for my resin printer and was trying to find a key setting on the in-app controls. It wasn’t until I remembered the menu section and checked in there that I found it.
Are my gripes just about how different the OS is to what I have been using for years… Well, basically yes. Operating Systems have become more and more similar over time. The differences are fairly minimal, and they each have ways to do the same things – I have found myself googling “how to do X in Mac”, and thankfully, I am slowly learning.
Conclusion
The TL;DR – I am really enjoying the Mac ecosystem, and while I sometimes struggle with the OS, I am really happy with this (very expensive) purchase.
Restrictions on software (especially games) are something to consider with macOS; the quality of the laptop and included software is certainly a winning consideration.
This MacBook Pro has – almost – completely taken over as my personal computing device. I actually can’t remember when I last used my desktop PC… I have managed to port over all the things I used to do on the PC to the MacBook.
There are limitations – let’s not disregard that. There is plenty of muscle memory that I can’t seem to shake (copy/paste a prime example). But there is also something to be said about learning and changing to keep you growing.
From a Windows guy to anyone else thinking about going down the MacBook path – do it. Grab a base Mac Mini and give it a try or get an M1, 2, or 3 MacBook Air and just try it for a while. You may be surprised.
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