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What to check when buying a new MacBook Pro (M4 edition)

A

alpinadvl

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 24, 2008
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Hi, just went through the process to order a new M4 (after suffering with CAD and rendering on a 2018 i7 MBP) so I am a little out of the loop.

What would you check (non-cosmetic) when getting a new MBP ?
How would others test these, or any other issues that has been mentioned in the thread / to look out for ?

TIA !
 
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I updated the 1st post with some links. but looking for advice from others here, what they use to check performance, screen quality, etc
 
Buy the machine, use it, if it is not satisfactory, return it within 14 days. Only you can decide with your workload and your use if the machine is suitable. The M4 MBP, especially the PRO and MAX versions are very nice machines. Biggest caveat is don't sell yourself short on memory and storage. Get as much as you can afford.
 
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I would have just buy straight off apple refurbish if you can find one at a bargain.
if it works fine then its fine, I didn't even bother checking my 16" m4 max lol for cosmetic imperfections because its a tool... and by the time it arrived here from Shenzhen, I was already near past my 14 day return period but was super happy with it.
 
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Most of the time this is much ado about nothing. The most obsessive perfectionists who are never happy with anything flock to forums like this. There will always be variances as nothing is truly an exact replica of the one that came before it.

If you're worried about quality control, buy refurbished. Those have been checked and rechecked more thoroughly than the new machines so you're unlikely to have a truly problematic issue like the hinge being way too loose leading to excessive monitor cable stress.

If you're convinced you'll find an issue, you will. It just may not have the significance you think it does. There are people here who have returned 8 devices in a row because all 8 were defective in their view.
 
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alpinadvl said:
Hi, just went through the process to order a new M4 (after suffering with CAD and rendering on a 2018 i7 MBP) so I am a little out of the loop.

What would you check (non-cosmetic) when getting a new MBP ?
How would others test these, or any other issues that has been mentioned in the thread / to look out for ?

TIA !
Click to expand...

Dang that's quite some list. Gives me anxiety just to look at it. Don't forget fingerprint smudges.

I have lost track of the number of Mac laptops I've owned over the decades. I unbox them. Use them. Never returned one. All performed as expected. If you look for an imperfection you will find one, even if you have to convince yourself you found one.
 
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alpinadvl said:
Hi, just went through the process to order a new M4 (after suffering with CAD and rendering on a 2018 i7 MBP) so I am a little out of the loop.

What would you check (non-cosmetic) when getting a new MBP ?
How would others test these, or any other issues that has been mentioned in the thread / to look out for ?

TIA !
Click to expand...

None of the above. I'd just power it on, set it up, and only worry about something if it was noticeably off. Looking for issues becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in that you convince yourself there is an issue even if nobody else sees it.
 
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I always just use what I get. but obviously wont be seeing max performance use for some time. just was looking for pointers really on SSD check and chip performance check to make sure there were no serious issues.

but I appreciate the comments of "just use it" and "enjoy".
 
alpinadvl said:
I always just use what I get. but obviously wont be seeing max performance use for some time. just was looking for pointers really on SSD check and chip performance check to make sure there were no serious issues.

but I appreciate the comments of "just use it" and "enjoy".
Click to expand...

If there's a serious issue, you would notice it in day to day usage. Running benchmarks/speed tests is honestly meaningless in this context, as there will always be variances between identically configured systems.
 
alpinadvl said:
Hi, just went through the process to order a new M4 (after suffering with CAD and rendering on a 2018 i7 MBP) so I am a little out of the loop.

What would you check (non-cosmetic) when getting a new MBP ?
How would others test these, or any other issues that has been mentioned in the thread / to look out for ?

TIA !
Click to expand...
I just turn it on and use it. No benchmarks. I do just ensure each port is functional, other than that...nothing. Never had a problem since I moved to Mac in 2006 with one right out of the box.
 
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kwandrews said:
I just turn it on and use it. No benchmarks. I do just ensure each port is functional, other than that...nothing. Never had a problem since I moved to Mac in 2006 with one right out of the box.
Click to expand...

I will run benchmarks, but I do that mainly to compare the new machine against the one it replaced rather than to compare it to the online benchmark lists.
 
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