Apple’s relentless pursuit of silicon dominance continues with the introduction of its latest M4 series chips: the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. These new processors power the latest generation of MacBooks, promising significant performance boosts and enhanced energy efficiency. But how do they stack up against their predecessors, and what are the key differences between the three new chips?
Launched in October 2024, the M4 series chips represent Apple’s ongoing commitment to its in-house silicon. This transition, which began with the M1 in 2020, has allowed Apple to optimize its hardware and software for unparalleled performance and battery life. The M4 family is built on a 3-nanometer process, packing in more transistors for increased performance and reduced power consumption. This architectural advancement is a key factor driving the impressive gains seen across the lineup.
M4: The Baseline Powerhouse
The M4 chip serves as the foundation of the new lineup. While it might be the “entry-level” option, it’s far from basic. With a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the M4 delivers noticeable performance improvements over the M3. In my own testing with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing felt incredibly snappy. Even light video editing was handled with ease. Apple claims the M4’s CPU is 20% faster than the M3, and the GPU boasts a 25% increase in speed. These numbers translate to a smoother, more responsive user experience, even for demanding workloads.
M4 Pro: Stepping Up the Game
For users who require more power, the M4 Pro enters the scene. With up to a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, the M4 Pro is designed to handle professional workflows. The jump in performance is significant, with Apple stating that the M4 Pro is up to 3x faster than the M1 Pro. This makes it ideal for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development. One of the standout features of the M4 Pro is its support for up to 64GB of unified memory, a 75% increase over the M3 Pro. This allows for smoother multitasking and handling of large files.
M4 Max: The Ultimate Performance Beast
At the top of the M4 series sits the M4 Max. This chip is an absolute powerhouse, featuring up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Apple claims the M4 Max delivers up to 3.5x the performance of the M1 Max. This translates to incredible speed and efficiency for the most demanding tasks, such as high-resolution video editing, complex 3D modeling, and scientific simulations. The M4 Max also supports up to 128GB of unified memory, ensuring that even the most memory-intensive tasks are handled with ease.
Key Differences Between M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max
- CPU Cores: M4 (10), M4 Pro (up to 14), M4 Max (up to 16)
- GPU Cores: M4 (10), M4 Pro (up to 20), M4 Max (up to 40)
- Memory Bandwidth: M4 (68GB/s), M4 Pro (273GB/s), M4 Max (400GB/s)
- Max Unified Memory: M4 (24GB), M4 Pro (64GB), M4 Max (128GB)
A New Era of Performance
The M4 series chips represent a significant leap forward in Apple’s silicon journey. These processors deliver impressive performance gains, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced capabilities. Whether you’re a casual user, a creative professional, or a power user, there’s an M4 chip that’s perfect for your needs. With the M4 series, Apple continues to redefine what’s possible in personal computing.
