Product comparison

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro vs ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Compare MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro and ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 by portable performance, battery life, display quality, keyboard feel, ports, upgrade limits,.

Updated 2026-08-23

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

$2,299

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ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

$299

View product

Buying decision

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is the stronger fit for video editing and pro development; ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 makes more sense for students and portable ChromeOS. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 carries the lower editorial reference by $2000, so choose the drawback you are more willing to accept.

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro targets video editing and pro development, while ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is positioned for students and portable ChromeOS. Their current editorial references are $2299 and $299. The practical decision is which documented drawback is less disruptive: MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro — The M4 Pro model weighs 2.14kg before its 140W adapter and cable; ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 — Discrete graphics options raise heat, noise, and price quickly. Confirm source badges, exact configuration, and checkout pricing before buying.

View MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro View ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

Pick MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro if its strengths match your routine

Choose MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro when video editing and pro development matches the work you repeat each week. It is listed at $2299, with 19 cited specification fields. Against ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, its clearest case is 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display supports P3, 1,000,000:1 contrast and ProMotion up to 120Hz. The issue to test during the return window is whether the M4 Pro model weighs 2.14kg before its 140W adapter and cable.

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Pick ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 if you value its trade-off more

Choose ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 when students and portable ChromeOS matches the work you repeat each week. It is listed at $299, with a product-level reference but no cited specification fields. Against MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro, its clearest case is strong everyday fit for students. The issue to test during the return window is whether discrete graphics options raise heat, noise, and price quickly.

Key differences

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is positioned around creative workloads and long battery, while ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 leans toward budget Chromebook and students.
The price context matters: MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is tracked near $2299, while ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is tracked near $299.
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro's main watch-out is Street pricing can change quickly, whereas ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34's main watch-out is Street pricing can change quickly.
Both products belong in the same laptops shortlist, but they solve different buying problems rather than being interchangeable spec-table neighbors.

Winner by use case

student work

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro gets the nod for student work because its fit for video editing and pro development is more relevant here than ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34's different focus. Treat the win as conditional on this limitation: The M4 Pro model weighs 2.14kg before its 140W adapter and cable.

portable productivity

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 gets the nod for portable productivity because its fit for students and portable ChromeOS is more relevant here than MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro's different focus. Treat the win as conditional on this limitation: Discrete graphics options raise heat, noise, and price quickly.

creative workloads

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro gets the nod for creative workloads because its fit for video editing and pro development is more relevant here than ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34's different focus. Treat the win as conditional on this limitation: The M4 Pro model weighs 2.14kg before its 140W adapter and cable.

long-term value

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 gets the nod for long-term value because its fit for students and portable ChromeOS is more relevant here than MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro's different focus. Treat the win as conditional on this limitation: Discrete graphics options raise heat, noise, and price quickly.

Price and buying timing

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is tracked at $2299, about 8% below its $2499 launch reference, while ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is tracked at $299, about 25% below its $399 launch reference. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 currently carries the lower editorial reference by $2000, but that saving only matters if it still covers the features you use every week. MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro remains a current-market option, but the exact US SKU and checkout price still need a retailer check; ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 remains a current-market option, but the exact US SKU and checkout price still need a retailer check. These figures are not live offers, so re-check retailer pricing and return terms before buying.

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

Reference price: $2,299

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Reference price: $299

Recommendation

Quick verdict

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is the stronger default for video editing and pro development, mainly because it pulls ahead on performance and display. Pick ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 only if you specifically need what it does better day to day.

Winner for most buyers

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

Choose the 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro when its large XDR display, long Apple-rated battery life and three Thunderbolt 5 ports serve a real production workflow. Skip it when a 2.14kg laptop or purchase-time-only memory and storage choices do not fit the way you work.

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

Editorial score: 8.7 / 10

Best for: video editing, pro development

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Editorial score: 7.8 / 10

Best for: students, portable ChromeOS

Side-by-side

Specification comparison

20 tracked specs across 9 groups

Every value shows its editorial trust state. “Needs confirmation” means the field has not completed field-level source review; it does not mean the value is known to be wrong.

Show differences only

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Display

16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR

Source citedApple

14-inch FHD IPS

Needs confirmation

Panel Type

mini-LED XDR

Source citedApple

IPS

Needs confirmation

Refresh Rate

ProMotion up to 120Hz

Source citedApple

60Hz

Needs confirmation

Resolution

3456 x 2234

Source citedApple

1920 x 1080

Needs confirmation

Performance

Processor

Apple M4 Pro: 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine and 273GB/s memory bandwidth

Source citedApple

Intel Core i3 Chromebook Plus platform

Needs confirmation

Graphics

Integrated 20-core Apple GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing

Source citedApple

Integrated graphics

Needs confirmation

Memory

24GB unified memory; configurable to 48GB with M4 Pro

VariesApple

8GB

Needs confirmation

Memory Type

Unified memory

Source citedApple

Soldered LPDDR5

Needs confirmation

Storage

512GB SSD; configurable to 1TB, 2TB or 4TB with M4 Pro

VariesApple

128GB / 256GB

Needs confirmation

Battery

100Wh lithium-polymer; Apple rates M4 Pro for up to 24 hours video streaming or 17 hours wireless web

VariesApple

Around 12-15 hours light use

Needs confirmation

Charging

140W USB-C power adapter with USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable; fast-charge capable

Source citedApple

USB-C charging

Needs confirmation

Connectivity

Ports

MagSafe 3, 3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C, up to 120Gb/s), HDMI, SDXC and 3.5mm headphone jack

Source citedApple

USB-C, USB-A, headphone jack, microSD

Needs confirmation

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6E

Source citedApple

Wi-Fi 6E

Needs confirmation

Design

Weight

2.14kg (M4 Pro)

Source citedApple

Around 1.4kg

Needs confirmation

Dimensions

35.57 x 24.81 x 1.68cm

Source citedApple

14-inch Chromebook chassis

Needs confirmation

Build

Aluminium enclosure (Apple lists 100% recycled aluminium in the enclosure)

Source citedApple

Plastic/metal hybrid student chassis

Needs confirmation

Input

Keyboard

Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and 78/79 keys by regional layout

VariesApple

Backlit ChromeOS keyboard on many units

Needs confirmation

Webcam

12MP Center Stage camera

Source citedApple

1080p webcam

Needs confirmation

Software

Operating System

macOS

Source citedApple

ChromeOS

Needs confirmation

Serviceability

Upgradability

Configurable memory and SSD capacity are listed at purchase; user-upgradeability is not stated on the cited Apple technical-specs page

Needs confirmation

Limited

Needs confirmation

Specification comparison between MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro, ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Spec	MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro	ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Display
Display	Value differs. 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Source citedApple	Value differs. 14-inch FHD IPS Needs confirmation
Panel Type	Value differs. mini-LED XDR Source citedApple	Value differs. IPS Needs confirmation
Refresh Rate	Value differs. ProMotion up to 120Hz Source citedApple	Value differs. 60Hz Needs confirmation
Resolution	Value differs. 3456 x 2234 Source citedApple	Value differs. 1920 x 1080 Needs confirmation
Performance
Processor	Value differs. Apple M4 Pro: 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine and 273GB/s memory bandwidth Source citedApple	Value differs. Intel Core i3 Chromebook Plus platform Needs confirmation
Graphics	Value differs. Integrated 20-core Apple GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing Source citedApple	Value differs. Integrated graphics Needs confirmation
Memory	Value differs. 24GB unified memory; configurable to 48GB with M4 Pro VariesApple	Value differs. 8GB Needs confirmation
Memory Type	Value differs. Unified memory Source citedApple	Value differs. Soldered LPDDR5 Needs confirmation
Storage
Storage	Value differs. 512GB SSD; configurable to 1TB, 2TB or 4TB with M4 Pro VariesApple	Value differs. 128GB / 256GB Needs confirmation
Battery
Battery	Value differs. 100Wh lithium-polymer; Apple rates M4 Pro for up to 24 hours video streaming or 17 hours wireless web VariesApple	Value differs. Around 12-15 hours light use Needs confirmation
Charging	Value differs. 140W USB-C power adapter with USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable; fast-charge capable Source citedApple	Value differs. USB-C charging Needs confirmation
Connectivity
Ports	Value differs. MagSafe 3, 3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C, up to 120Gb/s), HDMI, SDXC and 3.5mm headphone jack Source citedApple	Value differs. USB-C, USB-A, headphone jack, microSD Needs confirmation
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E Source citedApple	Wi-Fi 6E Needs confirmation
Design
Weight	Value differs. 2.14kg (M4 Pro) Source citedApple	Value differs. Around 1.4kg Needs confirmation
Dimensions	Value differs. 35.57 x 24.81 x 1.68cm Source citedApple	Value differs. 14-inch Chromebook chassis Needs confirmation
Build	Value differs. Aluminium enclosure (Apple lists 100% recycled aluminium in the enclosure) Source citedApple	Value differs. Plastic/metal hybrid student chassis Needs confirmation
Input
Keyboard	Value differs. Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and 78/79 keys by regional layout VariesApple	Value differs. Backlit ChromeOS keyboard on many units Needs confirmation
Webcam	Value differs. 12MP Center Stage camera Source citedApple	Value differs. 1080p webcam Needs confirmation
Software
Operating System	Value differs. macOS Source citedApple	Value differs. ChromeOS Needs confirmation
Serviceability
Upgradability	Value differs. Configurable memory and SSD capacity are listed at purchase; user-upgradeability is not stated on the cited Apple technical-specs page Needs confirmation	Value differs. Limited Needs confirmation

Sources and verification

These sources support the specification fields identified on the linked product pages. Unbadged fields remain editorial reference data, and price or regional availability should be checked again before purchase.

Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024) technical specifications · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro · accessed 2026-07-30

Deeper editorial notes

When MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is the safer start

MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is the better branch for video editing and pro development, especially when 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display supports P3, 1,000,000:1 contrast and ProMotion up to 120Hz. It is tracked at $2299 and has 19 cited specification fields. Compared with ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, do not choose it on ranking position alone. Treat this as the main ownership check: The M4 Pro model weighs 2.14kg before its 140W adapter and cable. Confirm the exact configuration before checkout.

When ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is worth the jump

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the better branch for students and portable ChromeOS, especially when strong everyday fit for students. It is tracked at $299 and has a product-level reference but no cited specification fields. Compared with MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro, do not choose it on ranking position alone. Treat this as the main ownership check: Discrete graphics options raise heat, noise, and price quickly. Confirm the exact configuration before checkout.

How to make the final call

Make the final call between MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro and ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 by comparing portable performance, battery life, display quality, and keyboard and ports, then price the complete setup. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is lower by $2000 on the current editorial references, but that gap can move. Check cited-field badges, configuration, warranty, return terms, and required accessories; choose the model whose documented strengths solve your routine with the less disruptive drawback.

Alternatives if neither is right

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is worth checking if neither comparison product lands at the right price or if you want another way to balance portable performance, battery life, display quality, keyboard feel, ports, upgrade limits, and student or business pricing.

Acer Aspire 5 15

Acer Aspire 5 15 is worth checking if neither comparison product lands at the right price or if you want another way to balance portable performance, battery life, display quality, keyboard feel, ports, upgrade limits, and student or business pricing.

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