Apple debuted its M4 Mac models this week, introducing the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. So, how do the three latest generation Apple chips compare, and which one should you choose?
The MacBook Pro is currently the only product line to choose from all three M4 chips, but when buying a Mac mini, you'll also have to choose between the M4 and M4 Pro chips. Listed below are all the differences between the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips:
Up to 10 CPU cores
Up to 10 CPU cores
(4 performance 6 efficiency cores)
Up to 14 CPU cores
(10 performance 4 efficiency cores)
Up to 16 CPU cores
(12 performance 4 efficiency cores)
Up to 10 GPU cores Up to 20 GPU cores Up to 40 GPU cores
120GB/s memory bandwidth 273GB/s memory bandwidth 546GB/s memory bandwidth
Up to 32GB memory Up to 64GB memory Up to 128GB memory
Media Engine with one video encode engine and one ProRes accelerator Media Engine with one video encode engine and one ProRes accelerator Media Engine with two video encode engines and two ProRes accelerators
Thunderbolt 4 support (up to 40Gb/s) Thunderbolt 5 support (up to 120Gb/s) Thunderbolt 5 support (up to 120Gb/s)
11- and 13-inch iPad Pro (2024)
14-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
Mac mini (2024)
iMac (2024)
14-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
16-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
Mac mini (2024)
14-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
16-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
(4 performance 6 efficiency cores) Up to 14 CPU cores (10 performance and 4 efficiency cores) Up to 16 CPU cores (12 performance and 4 efficiency cores)
Up to 10 GPU cores Up to 20 GPU cores Up to 40 GPU cores
120GB/s memory bandwidth 273GB/s memory bandwidth 546GB/s memory bandwidth
Up to 32GB memory Up to 64GB memory Up to 128GB memory
Media engine with 1 video encoding engine and 1 ProRes accelerator Media engine with 1 video encoding engine and 1 ProRes accelerator Media engine with two video encoding engines and two ProRes accelerators
Thunderbolt 4 support (up to 40Gb/s) Thunderbolt 5 support (up to 120Gb/s) Thunderbolt 5 support (up to 120Gb/s)
11 and 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024) Mac mini (2024) iMac (2024) 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024)16-inch MacBook Pro (2024) Mac mini (2024) 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024)16-inch MacBook Pro (2024)
Benchmarks for the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are not yet known, but performance will likely be similar to the M3 series chips.
The M4 chip is ideal for everyday users who need reliable performance for typical productivity tasks, web browsing and media consumption. With up to 10 CPU and GPU cores and up to 32GB of memory, it can easily handle lightweight workflows without overly draining battery life. Devices like the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac feature the chip, providing great value to users who prioritize efficiency over intensive workflows.
It's a huge value for users who frequently deal with intensive applications and multitasking, but don't like juggling a large number of applications. Without extreme performance demands, the M4 Pro strikes a great balance. With additional CPU and GPU cores, faster memory bandwidth, and support for Thunderbolt 5, M4 Pro is the smart choice for video editing, graphic design, and advanced multitasking. It works with Mac mini and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Finally, the M4 Max is designed for power users with high-performance needs, such as 3D rendering, complex data processing, or heavy-duty video production. With up to 16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores and 128GB of unified memory, M4 Max can handle the most intensive workflows. It's perfect for those who need top-notch performance from their CPU and GPU. Currently only available on Apple 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
The above is the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chip buying guide: Which one should you choose? of detailed content. For more information, please pay attention to other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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<p style="display: inline-flex;float: right; color:#333333;">Source: macrumors.com</p>
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