5 Unbeatable Reasons I'm Keeping Styled-Components in 2025

1. The Jaw-Dropping Performance and Efficiency of the M4 Chip

The heart of my decision lies in Apple's latest silicon. The M4 chip isn't just an incremental update; it's a monumental leap. Built on a next-generation architecture, it delivers a level of raw processing power that rivals, and in many creative applications, surpasses high-end desktop CPUs. For my work, this is a game-changer.

Real-World Speed Where It Counts

I spend my days in demanding applications like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Early benchmarks and hands-on reviews show the M4's dedicated media engines encoding and decoding multiple streams of 8K ProRes video in real-time without breaking a sweat. The enhanced Neural Engine supercharges AI-based features, like subject masking and transcription, turning hours of tedious work into minutes. This isn't just about faster render times; it's about a more fluid, interactive editing experience.

Efficiency is the New Power

What truly seals the deal is the M4's incredible performance-per-watt. High-end Windows laptops can be powerful, but that power often comes at the cost of roaring fans, scorching temperatures, and a battery life that can be measured in minutes, not hours, under load. The M4 MacBook Pro can handle a heavy 4K color grade session on a plane, in a coffee shop, or on a set, all while remaining cool, quiet, and offering all-day battery life. This freedom from the power outlet is a form of power that Windows laptops simply cannot match.

2. A Display That's a True Extension of My Creative Vision

As a visual artist, the screen is my canvas. For years, I've had to rely on expensive, externally calibrated monitors to trust the colors I was seeing. The Liquid Retina XDR display on the MacBook Pro changes everything. It's arguably the best display ever put into a laptop, and it's not just marketing hype.

• Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR): The mini-LED backlighting provides 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness. This allows me to view and grade HDR content with incredible detail in both the highlights and shadows, exactly as it's meant to be seen.
• Color Accuracy: With its factory calibration and support for the P3 wide color gamut, the display is a reference monitor I can take anywhere. It gives me the confidence that the colors I choose in a video grade will look correct on everything from an iPhone to a cinema screen.
• ProMotion Technology: The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate makes every interaction, from scrolling a timeline to simple web browsing, feel incredibly smooth and responsive. It reduces eye strain and adds a layer of polish to the entire user experience.

3. The Frictionless Magic of the Apple Ecosystem

This is a classic argument, but with every passing year, its power grows stronger. The way Apple devices communicate with each other is seamless and intuitive. As someone who already uses an iPhone and iPad, integrating a Mac into my workflow unlocks efficiencies I just can't replicate on Windows.

Workflow Synergy in Action

Imagine this: I airdrop a 4K video file from my iPhone to my Mac in seconds. I start editing a project on my MacBook Pro, then walk over to my desk and use Universal Control to seamlessly move my cursor and keyboard to my iPad, which is now acting as a secondary display or a control surface for my editing software. I copy a color hex code on my phone, and it's instantly available to paste on my Mac. This isn't a collection of disparate features; it's a single, cohesive system that removes friction and saves valuable time.

4. Unmatched Build Quality and Long-Term Value

A professional laptop is an investment, and I expect it to last. The MacBook Pro's chassis, milled from a single block of aluminum, feels incredibly solid and durable. There's no deck flex, no creaking plastic—just premium craftsmanship. This robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel and daily use for years to come.

Furthermore, MacBooks hold their value like no other computer. A three-year-old MacBook Pro often fetches 50-60% of its original price on the secondhand market. A comparable Windows laptop, if you can even sell it, might be worth 20-30%. This high resale value significantly lowers the total cost of ownership, making the initial higher price tag much more palatable.

M4 MacBook Pro vs. High-End Windows Laptop: A Head-to-Head Look

5. macOS: A Secure and Focused Creative Environment

Finally, there's the operating system itself. Windows has become a powerful and versatile OS, but it often feels like it's trying to be everything to everyone. macOS, on the other hand, has a clarity of purpose. Its clean, intuitive interface gets out of the way, allowing me to focus on my creative work.

The UNIX-based foundation of macOS provides a level of stability and security that gives me peace of mind. While no system is immune, the platform's robust permission system and lower market share for malware mean I spend less time worrying about viruses and more time creating. The quality of third-party creative software is also exceptional, with many developers prioritizing the Mac platform for its discerning user base.

The Verdict: An Unbeatable Combination

Could I continue to do my job on a Windows laptop? Of course. But the question is no longer about possibility; it's about potential. The M4 MacBook Pro doesn't just offer a faster processor or a better screen. It offers a holistic package: a synergy of hardware and software that promises a more efficient, more portable, and ultimately more enjoyable creative process. For me, in 2025, that combination is simply unbeatable.