MacBook Pro M4: which macOS version exactly is delivered by default?

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The time line between the fabrication of the M4 Chip to the assembling of all the components , to Imaging all the SSD Drives and then packaging each machines takes time 

If is for Only the Stock Units 

Then there is the transporting the finished computers to various locations around the world for Delivery including Pickup at Apple Stores November 8, 2024

The product-line Apple uses are fast but.

I do not see a way for Sequoia 15.1,  released October 28 could be loaded on the new M4 machines as they were announced for Purchase on the same day Sequoia 15.1 was released 

Apple introduces new iMac supercharged by M4 and Apple Intelligence

Guess I will find out for sure when the M4 unit is scheduled to arrive this Friday 

The new M4 Apple Computers will come with a Unique Version of Sequoia that is specifically designed for the M4 Apple Silicon computer

There are reports elsewhere on the internet that suggest an UpDate will be required for these machines the moment it is activated

Apple Intelligence will be available on these machines and is included in macOS 15.1 suggesting the shipping version on the M4 is using an older version of Sequoia

ivan_herman wrote:

I have an older MacBook Pro running Sonoma, and I wonder whether I should, in the meantime, upgrade it to OS 15.1.

What if you have critical software that doesn't work on Sequoia. I strongly recommend keeping the old computer unchanged.

The problem may come if I get a new machine whose system version is lower, and I try to set up the new machine from the old one. When the new machine's system is older than the old machine's, the set up process is interrupted, you have to go back to the new machine, upgrade the system, start the set up all over again, which is a pain in an already lengthy process. (I had this experience in the past...). I would prefer to avoid it...

Another reason not to upgrade the old computer.

Also, if you plan to continue using both computers, then I strongly recommend against using Migration Assistant or doing anything else to copy data from the old computer to the new one. That can interfere with functionality like Continuity and iCloud. These services require a unique device and if you just copy or migrate your home directory, then the devices will not be unique.

The best way to add a new device is to use iCloud. If you have all iCloud settings enabled on the old device, you can just sign in to iCloud on the new device and everything will be transferred over with no problems.

ivan_herman wrote:

I mostly use various text/programming editors, environments like node.js or deno, or python. All these should run on Sequoia without any problems.

LOL! I'll totally be seeing you around here again. 😄

One can only assume the M4s will ship with Sequoia 15.1. There's no way to know for sure until they are actually shipped. You should be able to migrate your data from Sonoma regardless.

What dialabrain said.

And also, in case it comes with, say, 15.0.1, you can still update it to 15.1 and then migrate from the old mac, in case that is a concern.

We seem to have gone Sideway to the Original Question >> MacBook Pro M4: which macOS version exactly is delivered by default?"

Though it is related your earlier concern regarding Migration