Introducing the Apple M4 Series Processors
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1. More about the M4 chip series
Considering the success of previous generations and the relative youth of the series, Apple makes no fundamental changes, opting for targeted improvements here and there. In fact, we are looking at the same single-chip ARM chips, on which all system elements are soldered, including the CPU, GPU, neural coprocessor, RAM, and USB controllers. The number of active cores and their types depend on the specific version of the processor:
- M4: 10 computing cores (4 performance + 6 energy-efficient), 10 graphics cores, 16-core neural engine with 38 TOPS power. The chip supports dynamic caching, ray tracing, and AV1 hardware acceleration. Used in iPad Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, and iMac.
- M4 Pro: 12 – 14 computing cores (6 – 8 performance + 6 energy-efficient), up to 18 graphics cores, 16-core neural engine with 38 TOPS power. The chip supports dynamic caching, ray tracing, and AV1 hardware acceleration. Used in MacBook Pro, Mac Mini (professional versions), and iMac Pro.
- M4 Max: 14 – 16 computing cores, 32 – 40 graphics cores, 16-core neural engine with 38 TOPS power. The chip supports dynamic caching, ray tracing, and AV1 hardware acceleration. Used in MacBook Pro (high-performance models), iMac Pro, and Mac Studio.
In terms of performance, Apple has brought the Pro and Max models closer together, reducing the gap in the number of cores and using 4 instead of 6 energy-efficient cores. Compared to their predecessors, all processors have increased clock speeds. The minimum RAM volume has increased from 8 to 16 GB.
Like the previous generation, the M4 series chips are manufactured using the still incredibly advanced 3-nanometer process by today's standards. Despite this, the presentation mentioned increased energy efficiency, particularly for the MacBook Pro with the 10-core M4, promising up to 24 hours of battery life in basic mode (browser, documents, videos), compared to 22 hours for its predecessor. This is likely why, for the first time in the series, the new processors were introduced not in MacBooks but in iPad Pro tablets.
The fourth generation of Apple processors also received support for the Thunderbolt 5 protocol. Thanks to the use of Bandwidth Boost technology, its maximum bandwidth has increased to 120 Gbps, and support for chargers up to 240 W eliminates the need for separate charging cables for many laptops. Additionally, the interface is compatible with DisplayPort 2.1, USB 4, and PCI-E 4.0, which theoretically allows for the use of external graphics cards.
Another important update is the development of AI. As can be seen from the specifications, all 3 versions of the processor are equipped with the same 16-core neural engine Neural Engine with support for the Apple Intelligence suite. This is a fundamentally new platform with a whole set of AI-based tools.
2. Apple Intelligence AI Platform
The main advantage of Apple Intelligence over other AI applications like ChatGPT is that the main processing takes place on the user's device, ensuring not only high performance but also the confidentiality of user data. The toolkit itself is embedded in the OS, whether it's mobile iOS, tablet iPadOS, or desktop macOS, and will improve over time, providing the user with new opportunities for interacting with the device. Here are the functions currently declared for Apple Intelligence.
- Working with texts. The Writing Tools suite allows you to generate text or rewrite existing text using different speech styles, proofread it for errors, and help with structuring if necessary. There is also the ability to create brief summaries and summaries of read texts in the form of key points, tables, or lists.
- Siri. The updated Siri assistant now understands not only voice but also text commands and can help with setting up company devices, such as how to take a screenshot or screen recording on an iPad, how to use AirDrop on an iPhone, or how to share a Wi-Fi password. In the beta version of iOS 18.2, Siri received ChatGPT support.
- Photos and videos. Apple Intelligence AI tools promise to improve the convenience of working with photos and videos. For example, users can now easily remove unwanted objects from already taken photos. Apple device owners can also search for the desired photos or videos by describing in words what they are looking for.
Initially, Apple Intelligence appeared on iPhone 15 and 16 generation smartphones and iPad tablets with A17 Pro or M1 processors or later models. Then it was the turn of laptops and desktops with any M series chips, including the first generation. The only nuance is that all tools currently work only in English, later Apple promises to add support for French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages.
3. Results of the first M4 processor tests
Since devices with new M4 processors have just started hitting the shelves, few have had the opportunity to conduct thorough tests, and synthetic benchmark manufacturers are only updating their databases. However, even cursory tests are enough to form a first impression of the new products.
Synthetic tests
The most basic 10-core M4 scored 3,864 and 15,228 points in single-core and multi-core tests in Geekbench 6.2. In the first case, it surpasses absolutely all M processors of previous generations, and in terms of overall performance, these numbers literally exceed the results of the 12-core M3 Pro by a couple of points.
The 14-core M4 Pro recently appeared in the Geekbench database, scoring 3,925 and 22,669 points in single-core and multi-core tests. These are impressive numbers, which are a quarter ahead of last year's M3 Pro in single-core performance and almost 50% in multi-core mode. Obviously, the additional cores and increased clock speed paid off. For comparison, the leading 24-core Intel Core i9-13900KS in the Geekbench ranking has 3,136 and 21,719 points.
The 16-core Apple M4 Max, aimed at data scientists, 3D artists, and video professionals, logically goes even further: 4,060 and 26,675 points. That is, it surpasses the brand new Intel Core Ultra 9 285K by almost 20% in single-core tests and 16% in multi-core tests. In the confrontation with the recent flagship 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X, the M4 Max has an 18% advantage in single-core and 25% in multi-core tests.
Code compilation
In the comprehensive Xcode test (a program used by developers to create applications on Apple devices), which includes about 70 CocoaPods packages with more than a dozen different languages, the M4 series processors deliver the following results:
- M4 (10 cores) ― 141 seconds;
- M4 Pro (14 cores) ― 95 seconds;
- M4 Max (16 cores) ― 81 seconds.
For comparison, the M2 Max completes the test in 128 seconds, slightly ahead of the basic 10-core M4 chip. This concerns multi-threaded processing. In single-threaded JavaScript compilation tests, the difference between M4 processors is reduced to 5-10% (which is logical, as the cores are from the same family). The advantage over the two-year-old M2 Max is 15-20%.
Video processing
In PugetBench, which is one of the most objective benchmarks for Premiere Pro, the new M4 scores the following points.
- M4 (10 cores) ― 4,839 points;
- M4 Pro (14 cores) ― 8,914 points;
- M4 Max (16 cores) ― 12,400 points.
For comparison, the regular M3 and M3 Max in the same test scored 4,274 and 10,714 points.
Photo editing
Another popular PugetBench test measures how quickly the processor can work with masks and gradients, perform lens correction, reduce noise, and perform other typical tasks in Photoshop. The results are as follows:
- M4 (10 cores) ― 10,555 points;
- M4 Pro (14 cores) ― 12,374 points;
- M4 Max (16 cores) ― 13,424 points.
As with the previous benchmark, the new products provide a 20-25% advantage over third-generation M processors.
4. Gaming tests
In the review of the M3 lineup, we already mentioned that Apple is seriously aiming to enhance the graphics subsystem, turning its new laptops and desktops into gaming systems, while attracting more developers to its ecosystem. Thus, after Resident Evil: Village, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Death Stranding, and Baldur’s Gate 3 on macOS, Cyberpunk 2077 with its stunning Phantom Liberty expansion will soon be released. According to CD Projekt RED developers, the release is scheduled for early 2025. Naturally, there aren't many games yet, but on the other hand, the CrossOver virtualization application is available for macOS, allowing you to run games from Windows OS without installing Windows itself.
Even considering the use of an emulator, the results of the new products are impressive. The basic MacBook Pro with a 10-core M4 processor easily handles many AAA hits of recent years at 1080p resolution and high/maximum graphics settings. In some cases, it even performs quite well at 1440p resolution. Below, we have selected the most interesting results of the basic M4 at 1080p/1440p resolution with different graphics settings and almost always without using the MetalFX upscaler, an analog of NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR. For all results, the average, not peak FPS is indicated.
- Cyberpunk 2077 — 62 FPS (1080p, high graphics settings);
- Lies Of P ― 70 FPS (1080p, high graphics settings + MetalFX in Quality mode);
- Death Stranding ― 68 FPS (1440p, medium graphics settings + MetalFX in Quality mode);
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider ― 86 FPS (1080p, high graphics settings);
- Kingdom Come Deliverance ― 65 FPS (1440p, high graphics settings);
- Total War: Warhammer 3 ― 52 FPS (1080p, high graphics settings);
- Baldur’s Gate 3 ― 47 FPS (1080p, medium graphics settings);
- Black Myth: Wukong ― 38 FPS (1080p, minimum graphics settings, FSR in Quality mode);
As you can see, even the basic M4 with its tiny GPU easily replaces an entry-level graphics card like the GeForce RTX 3050, allowing you to comfortably play new games at 1080p resolution. It's important to add that now even in the minimum configuration, all processors are equipped with 16 GB of RAM, which is also used as video memory, so memory-demanding games no longer bring the Mac to its knees. More powerful M4 Pro and M4 Max often perform well at higher 1440p resolution.
5. Conclusion
Judging by the first tests, it can be concluded that Apple is slowly but surely reaching the point where even the simplest mini-PC or laptop with an M4 chip can play the role of a workstation for editing, a laptop for coding, or a gaming PC. The performance increase of the M4 is especially impressive compared to the first and second generations: even the simplest MacBook Pro with an official price tag of $1500 provides performance at the level of professional systems with top models of the M1 series. However, it's still worth waiting for more thorough tests and seeing how the M4 lineup performs in a tight battle against the latest generations of Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen, and recent Snapdragon Elite laptop/desktop processors.
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