Apple’s M4 Silicon Performance Tested Across New Macs
Apple’s M4 chips have finally made their way across the Mac lineup, delivering powerful performance boosts to a variety of devices, including the iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and MacBook models. In this comparison, we examine the three flavors of the M4: the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. Each of these chips offers unique benefits, catering to different user needs, from casual consumers to creative professionals.
M4: The Basics of Apple’s Latest Silicon
Apple’s M4 chips are built on a refined 3-nanometer manufacturing process, promising better performance and efficiency than their predecessors. The M4 features eight or ten processor cores, depending on the model. It also comes with either eight or ten GPU cores, making it suitable for moderate graphics-intensive tasks. The M4’s neural engine offers up to 38 trillion operations per second, doubling the capabilities of the previous M3 chips. However, for users who need more processing and graphics power, Apple offers the M4 Pro and M4 Max.
M4 Pro and M4 Max: Enhanced Performance for Power Users
The M4 Pro and M4 Max build on the foundation of the M4, offering more cores for both CPU and GPU. The M4 Pro, for example, can feature up to 12 or 14 CPU cores and up to 20 GPU cores, providing enhanced power for video editing, 3D rendering, and other creative tasks. The M4 Max takes it a step further, with up to 16 CPU cores and a whopping 40 GPU cores. This chip delivers workstation-grade graphics performance, making it ideal for those needing extreme graphics power for tasks like gaming or professional video production.
Additionally, the M4 Pro and M4 Max support Thunderbolt 5, offering faster data transfer rates and higher power delivery, which the base M4 lacks. This added connectivity is essential for users working with multiple high-resolution displays or external devices that require significant bandwidth.
Benchmark Results and Performance Comparison
When put to the test, the M4 Max outperformed its siblings in nearly every benchmark. In productivity tests, such as video transcoding with HandBrake and multi-core workloads with Cinebench, the M4 Max delivered significantly faster results than the M4 and M4 Pro. The M4 Pro showed a solid improvement over the base M4, making it an excellent choice for users who demand faster processing power without stepping up to the Max. The base M4, while not as fast as the higher-tier chips, still demonstrated strong performance, with quicker transcoding times than the previous M3 chips.
Overall, Apple’s M4 family delivers significant performance improvements, making the latest Macs a compelling option for those upgrading from older models. Whether you need a powerful chip for casual use or a workstation-grade processor for professional tasks, the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max offer options for every need.
