Apple’s M4 Chips are breaking the mold with MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac and iPad Pro
Apple’s shift to its own silicon, starting with the M1 chip, was a game-changer. The performance was so good that even your great-aunt Betty, who still doesn’t know how to open a link on her iPhone, could feel it. But as great as the M1 was, the M2 and M3 chips were more like those “in-between” albums by your favorite band — good, but not the revolutionary masterpiece we all hoped for. Enter the Apple’s M4 line up.
· M4 Variants: Power starts at Every Level
· The M4 Chip: A New Era or Just a Faster Chip?
· Apple M4 Pro Chip: Power for the Ambitious Multitasker
· Who Needs It?
∘ Performance: Scaling Up Without Going Overboard
∘ Memory and Bandwidth: The Speed Demon
· Apple M4 Max Chip: For the Elite Performance Seekers
· Who Needs It?
∘ Performance: Pure Power in a Chip
∘ Memory and Bandwidth: The Ultimate Experience
· M4 Chip Comparison Chart
· M4 vs. M3: The Battle of the Silicon Titans
· Geekbench Results: M4 Outperforms All
· Cinebench 2024: Rendering with Finesse
· Apple M4 in Gaming and Graphics: Ray Tracing & Beyond
· Apple M4 Neural Engine: AI, But Make It Fast
· Apple M4 Speedometer 3.0: Surprising Web Browsing Performance
· Devices Running the M4 Chip: Apple’s New Era
· M4 iMac: The Same Design, one New Color but faster definitely
· M4 Mac mini: Speed gets faster, Box Gets Smaller, and the Price Gets Bigger
· M4 MacBook Pro: The Most Pro You’ll Ever Get
· What about MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro feast for M4
∘ M4 MacBook Air: Expect More Power, Same Old Design
· Mac Studio and Mac Pro
M4 Variants: Power starts at Every Level
Apple isn’t just offering the M4 as a one-size-fits-all solution. For those who need even more power, there are the M4 Pro and M4 Max variants, which take processing power to the next level.
- M4: With 10 cores and up to 32 GB of RAM, even the basic M4 is good enough for most.
- M4 Pro: With 14 cores and up to 64 GB of RAM, the M4 Pro is built for professionals who require heavy computational power for tasks such as video production, 3D rendering, and software development.
- M4 Max: The pinnacle of Apple’s M4 family, the M4 Max features 16 cores and can support up to 128 GB of RAM, making it ideal for the most demanding workflows, such as high-end animation, scientific simulations, and multi-layered video editing.
The M4 Chip: A New Era or Just a Faster Chip?
Let’s start with the heart of the matter: the M4 chip. The M4 is to bring a 20% performance boost over its predecessor, the M3. It’s like upgrading from a perfectly good car to one with a slightly better engine, but you’ll still be stuck in traffic on the same old streets. Apple claims it will be up to 1.7x faster than the M1 models, which is basically Apple’s way of saying, “Remember how fast the M1 was? Well, this is faster…ish.”
- CPU Cores: Up to 10 (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores)
- GPU Cores: Up to 10
- Memory: Up to 32GB
- Memory Bandwidth: 120GB/s
- Thunderbolt: 4, up to 40Gb/s
Apple M4 Pro Chip: Power for the Ambitious Multitasker
Who Needs It?
Now we’re entering the world of some serious productivity. The M4 Pro is the chip for those who scoff at simple tasks and demand more. Video editors, graphic designers, software developers, and gamers — you know who you are. If you need something a bit more oomph than what the M4 offers but don’t require the raw brute force of the M4 Max, the M4 Pro is your new best friend.
- CPU Cores: Up to 14 (10 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
- GPU Cores: Up to 20
- Memory: Up to 64GB
- Memory Bandwidth: 273GB/s
- Thunderbolt: 5, up to 120Gb/s
Performance: Scaling Up Without Going Overboard
The M4 Pro is the real workhorse of the M4 series. It’s designed for multitaskers who juggle demanding applications simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Got 20 tabs open, 4 4K videos running, and an entire graphic design suite demanding your attention? No problem. The M4 Pro can handle it all. For those in the creative field or anyone who regularly switches between demanding applications, the M4 Pro provides a solid balance between power and efficiency.
Memory and Bandwidth: The Speed Demon
Let’s talk about memory bandwidth. The M4 Pro boasts 273GB/s, a significant leap over the standard M4, ensuring faster read and write speeds. Whether you’re editing a 4K video or running simulations for your latest app development project, the M4 Pro delivers performance that will make you feel like you’re working in real-time. It’s not quite the heavyweight champion, but it’s definitely in the ring with some serious contenders.
Apple M4 Max Chip: For the Elite Performance Seekers
Who Needs It?
Let’s talk about the M4 Max: the chip for those who treat their MacBook Pro like a high-powered workstation rather than just a computer. If you’re into 3D rendering, intense video production, or running simulations that involve more data than a small country could handle, the M4 Max is here to fulfill your every performance need. Simply put, the M4 Max is for those who don’t know the meaning of “overkill.”
- CPU Cores: Up to 16 (12 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
- GPU Cores: Up to 40
- Memory: Up to 128GB
- Memory Bandwidth: 546GB/s
- Thunderbolt: 5, up to 120Gb/s
Performance: Pure Power in a Chip
The M4 Max is the big boss of the M4 lineup. With a whopping 40 GPU cores and up to 128GB of memory, this chip isn’t just a small upgrade from the M4 Pro; it’s an entirely different class. If you’re the kind of person who renders 8K video, works on machine learning models, or plays AAA games at max settings while live-streaming in 4K, the M4 Max will cater to your every need. It’s like having a turbocharged engine under the hood, just waiting to speed you through the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat.
Memory and Bandwidth: The Ultimate Experience
Boasting 546GB/s of memory bandwidth, the M4 Max is a speed demon that blazes through tasks that require a high degree of parallel processing. Think of it as the equivalent of having a supercar engine in a sleek sports car — it not only performs but does so at incredible speeds. Whether you’re working on massive datasets or running highly complex simulations, this chip can handle it without even a hint of lag.
M4 Chip Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick, snappy comparison chart for those who like to see the chips side by side before they pull the trigger on their next Apple device purchase.
M4 vs. M3: The Battle of the Silicon Titans
The M4 chip’s performance improvements will mainly be seen in processor-heavy tasks like video editing, gaming (if Apple’s ever serious about that), and running your office apps without crashing. The increased speed is especially noticeable in graphics and AI-related tasks, making the M4 a fine choice for content creators, gamers, and anyone who’s ever been mildly annoyed by lag.
But here’s the catch — unless you’re a professional in need of raw power (hello, video editors), you won’t really notice the difference unless you’re a tech enthusiast with a stopwatch. For the average user, the M4 chip will simply feel snappy — like switching from an old iPhone to the latest model, but still using the same operating system.
The M4 chip is Apple Silicon’s crowning glory, hitting a level of refinement that has long been anticipated by Apple enthusiasts and critics alike. Not only does it almost double the speed of the M1 in multi-core performance, but it also delivers performance that’s a stunning 32% faster than the 2019 Mac Pro’s Intel Xeon W-3265M 24-core CPU. To put this into perspective, the M4 delivers all this power while sipping power like a perfectly chilled iced latte at your local café, with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of just 22 watts. That’s less heat, less noise, and, most importantly, less of that guilt you feel when your Mac sounds like it’s about to take off.
Geekbench Results: M4 Outperforms All
In the benchmarking world, where numbers reign supreme, the M4 reigns as the undisputed champion. With the M4 Max breaking records and leaving previous generations in the dust, the difference in performance is not just theoretical — it’s tangible. We’ve all heard the complaints: “Why does my Mac run so hot?” or “Is it just me, or did this MacBook Pro sound like a jet engine while I was writing emails?” Those days are over. The M4 Max, with its blazing speeds and efficient power management, sets a new standard for performance, making the 2024 Mac lineup the go-to choice for those who need serious power without the serious heat.
Cinebench 2024: Rendering with Finesse
Next up: Cinebench 2024. Here, the Apple M4 scored 176 points in single-core and 972 points in multi-core tests. The 10-core GPU impressed us as well, with a solid 4,005 points in the same test. But don’t let these numbers fool you — this isn’t just raw performance; it’s the finesse of Apple’s integrated design, allowing the M4 to deliver remarkable results while maintaining low power consumption (around 50W).
The temperature maxed out at a mere 43.4°C. So, in case you’re wondering, it’s safe to say this chip runs cooler than your morning coffee.
Apple M4 in Gaming and Graphics: Ray Tracing & Beyond
We all know that a great GPU doesn’t just help you fly through productivity tasks; it’s what helps you crush your enemies in video games — or at least pretend to. The M4’s 10-core GPU took the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test head-on, scoring a jaw-dropping 9,807 points with an average frame rate of 58.7 FPS. For context, this is the kind of performance you’d expect from high-end gaming PCs, not something that fits comfortably in your desk drawer.
In the Steel Nomad Light test, the GPU delivered 4,001 points with an average frame rate of 29.6 FPS, still impressive for what is, essentially, a $599 compact device. While gaming on macOS might still feel like a distant dream for some, we suspect the M4 will hold its own in upcoming game releases for the platform. Apple’s GPU is more than up to the task.
Apple M4 Neural Engine: AI, But Make It Fast
Apple has equipped the M4 with its signature 16-core Neural Engine, designed for AI tasks. It’s capable of performing up to 38 TOPS, a metric that pretty much says, “Hey, we’re done with slow AI processing.” In our Geekbench AI tests, the M4’s Neural Engine achieved the following scores:
- Single-precision: 4,730 points
- Half-precision: 36,664 points
- Quantized data type: 51,758 points
What does this mean for the average user? Well, it means that tasks involving AI inference, like running complex machine learning models or processing large datasets, will be faster and more efficient than ever before.
Additionally, we took the Apple M4 for a spin with on-device AI inference, testing it with LM Studio and the Llama 3.2 3B model. The results were downright impressive, generating responses at 48 tokens per second. This isn’t just for the tech geeks — Apple’s M4 is a real contender for anyone looking to process AI workloads locally, without the need for cloud computing.
Apple M4 Speedometer 3.0: Surprising Web Browsing Performance
Not all tasks need to be intense benchmarks, right? So how does the Apple M4 perform in day-to-day activities like browsing the web? With a Speedometer 3.0 score of 33.2 points, the M4 outshines even high-end desktop PCs, which rarely cross the 30-mark in this benchmark. If you’re looking for a responsive, smooth browsing experience with no lag, the M4 has you covered. Whether you’re multitasking with multiple browser tabs or using web apps that require heavy computation, the M4 is up for the challenge.
Devices Running the M4 Chip: Apple’s New Era
In 2024, the M4 chip is available in several devices, making it Apple’s most versatile processor to date. Here’s a list of the M4-powered devices:
- iPad Pro (7th Generation): The first device to feature the M4 chip, this iPad Pro is built for creators and professionals who need both power and portability.
- Mac mini: With its compact design, the Mac mini powered by the M4 brings desktop-level performance to users who need serious computing power in a small package.
- MacBook Pro (14-inch): This sleek, ultra-portable laptop is equipped with the M4 for top-tier performance on the go.
- iMac (2024): Apple’s iconic all-in-one desktop gets a major performance boost with the M4 chip, making it a powerful tool for creatives, designers, and professionals.
M4 iMac: The Same Design, one New Color but faster definitely
Release Date: Monday, October 28 (yes, the rumors were true, and you didn’t miss anything)
Apple, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that the iMac doesn’t need a redesign. Because why mess with perfection? The 24-inch M4 iMac is exactly what you expected, except this time, Apple has generously offered a “fresh” batch of colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and, of course, silver. We guess they finally realized that adding more colors is a good way to distract you from the fact that the design is pretty much the same as it was a few years ago.
Chip: The 24-inch iMac now boasts an M4 chip with a choice between 8 CPU/GPU cores or 10 CPU/GPU cores. If that doesn’t sound thrilling, just know that it’s up to 1.7 times faster than the M1 iMac. So, it’s still slow by comparison to the computer your uncle uses to play Solitaire, but it’ll be “faster” in a way that Apple will absolutely make you care about.
Features:
- Apple is upgrading things just enough so you’ll feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. The base model now has 16GB of RAM (up from 8GB, but don’t worry, you’ll still get only half the RAM you’ll need for anything remotely demanding).
- The FaceTime camera has received the same upgrade you didn’t ask for: 12MP and Center Stage, because who doesn’t want a camera that zooms in on your face at all times?
- You can also pay $200 extra for a new nano-texture glass option — perfect for those who want a fancy fingerprint magnet for the front of their iMac.
M4 Mac mini: Speed gets faster, Box Gets Smaller, and the Price Gets Bigger
Release Date: Tuesday, October 29 (because why not release things a day apart?)
Remember that trusty Mac mini you had in your dorm room in 2005? Well, Apple doesn’t. The M4 Mac mini has been completely redesigned to be smaller and taller — because apparently, Apple now thinks bigger is better, except when it comes to your budget. This mini is only 5 inches tall and will make you wonder if the last model was some kind of oversized relic from the past. The front-facing USB-C ports and headphone jack scream “I’m modern, but also kind of retro.”
Chip: The Mac mini offers two flavors of the M4 chip. The base model gives you a 10-core CPU/10-core GPU with 16GB of RAM, while the Pro model one-ups you with a 12-core CPU/16-core GPU and 24GB of RAM. Will you actually use all that power? Probably not, but you can pretend you will, and that’s what matters.
Features:
- The M4 Mac mini supports Thunderbolt 4 ports (you know, the ones that will soon be outdated when Thunderbolt 6 drops). The M4 Pro model, however, gets Thunderbolt 5 — the first Mac to boast this feature, which means the next wave of “unimpressive” features will come just in time for you to upgrade.
- Apple also decided to eliminate USB-A ports because, well, we’re all supposed to have moved on by now, right?
- But here’s the kicker: the M4 Mac mini can now support up to three external displays. Because you, of course, need to look at 7 different tabs of Chrome at once, along with your 20 tabs of Twitter and 5 tabs of Pinterest. Productivity, am I right?
M4 MacBook Pro: The Most Pro You’ll Ever Get
Release Date: Wednesday, October 30 (don’t worry, you won’t miss this one unless you’ve been living under a rock)
Apple’s M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max MacBook Pros are here. If you’re thinking “but wait, didn’t they just release the M2 models?”, you’re right, but Apple doesn’t believe in giving you time to think about your decision to upgrade.
Design: The design hasn’t changed much (because apparently, this was the peak of MacBook Pro design). The M4 model now comes in Space Black and Silver — because when you’re spending over $2,000 on a laptop, it really matters what shade your keyboard is. There’s also an updated FaceTime camera, which now has the ability to stare into your soul just a little better than before.
Chip: You can choose between the standard M4 chip, the M4 Pro, or the M4 Max, because when you spend $3,000 on a MacBook, you want every option. The base model has a 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, while the Pro and Max models offer 14-core CPUs and up to 32-core GPUs. You’ll probably never use 90% of that, but who’s counting?
Features:
- The MacBook Pro now comes with more Unified Memory, which Apple will try to convince you is crucial to your “creative workflow” (whether you’re editing a video or just Googling things at 2 AM).
- Apple has kept up with their tradition of making you feel special by upgrading the FaceTime camera to something even more advanced — because obviously, everyone needs to see their face in 4K quality while doing Zoom calls about how their Wi-Fi is down.
What about MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro feast for M4
M4 MacBook Air: Expect More Power, Same Old Design
Let’s talk about the MacBook Air, which has been Apple’s most popular laptop for years, and for good reason. It’s slim, sleek, and (mostly) reliable. The M4 MacBook Air will finally arrive in 2025, giving the beloved laptop a significant power boost. But don’t expect any radical design changes.
Design: No Surprises Here
The MacBook Air will retain the same design that debuted in 2022, meaning it will still be thin, light, and the envy of anyone who owns a clunky Windows laptop. Apple isn’t messing with a good thing. The M4 Air will likely come with the same keyboard, trackpad, and screen, but there may be a few minor tweaks (maybe a slightly better hinge for no reason at all). After all, why fix something that isn’t broken?
Performance: The M4 Air — Faster Than You Think
With the M4 chip under the hood, expect a significant performance improvement. The M4 chip will deliver roughly 20% more speed over the M3, making everything from web browsing to spreadsheet-heavy tasks feel noticeably faster. The MacBook Air will still be a beast for basic tasks but now with more juice for when you want to do more, like editing photos or running multiple apps at once. It’s like your old MacBook Air got a caffeine injection and can finally keep up with your relentless demands.
Mac Studio and Mac Pro
Let’s be honest: if you’re someone who needs the absolute best of the best — think ultra-powerful machines for video editing, 3D rendering, or running a virtual reality startup — then the Mac Studio and Mac Pro are still your go-to options. But here’s the catch: they’re still stuck with the older M2 Max and Ultra chips. While these machines still pack a punch, they’re now getting surpassed by the much cheaper M4 Pro and M4 Max.
Rumor has it that an M4 Ultra is on the horizon, and if that’s true, it’s going to be a serious beast. But until then, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, while formidable, might not be the best value.
