If you ’re choosing between two different types of Macs or two generation of the same Mac , or upgrading from an older Mac , you may wonder just how much of a difference the processor will make .
Since November 2020 , all new Macs have feature one of Apple ’s own organisation - on - chips based on the branch architecture , sometimes referred to as Apple Silicon , or the M - series . The last Mac to move from Intel to Apple Silicon was the Mac Pro in June 2023 .
Now that the transition from Intel to Apple ’s silicon is long complete , and it has been a while since Apple sell any new Macs powered by an Intel chip , you might think that there is no stop in compare Intel and Apple . However , some stores are still betray Intel - powered Macs and many users still have them . Those wishing to upgrade from an Intel - power Mac to an M - serial Mac may also be queer about how much of a dispute to expect .
The M1 arrived in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini at the end of 2020.
There is also the question of which Apple processor is good , or at least sufficient for your needs . The current M4 series represent the quaternary coevals of Apple Silicon , but the M4 is still less powerful than the M1 Ultra , for example . It ’s also worth noting that the conflict between a Pro and Max version of Apple ’s ship is all in the GPUs and memory support : the CPU is basically the same .
Here we will equate all the Mac and MacBook CPUs , GPUs , and other spec , such as RAM ( a.k.a . unified retentiveness ) , to demonstrate how the M1- , M2- , M3- , and M4 - serial publication chips liken to each other and their Intel predecessors .
For more help choosing which Mac to purchase read our purchasing guides where we assess theBest MacandBest MacBook . You might also like to take a look at the clause where wecompare all of Apple ’s check , including those in the iPhone and iPad . We also offer up advice about how much storage , Aries and core inHow much MacBook GPU , CPU , RAM and SSD do you really postulate ?
Know your chips: Processors, CPU, GPU and more
The central processing unit inside a Mac take in a big difference to how powerful the Mac is . However , it can be quite perplexing if you are n’t familiar with the language . The mainframe is sometimes concern to as the CPU ( central processing social unit ) , which is unlike from the GPU ( art processing unit ) . Sometimes mass will refer to the central processor when they actually mean the SoC ( system on a bit ) that contains both the mainframe and GPU . You may even learn it referred to as a SiP ( system in package ) .
We often refer to Apple Silicon as chips because they are organisation - on - chips that combine the CPU and GPU ( and , for that matter , RAM , which Apple refer to as unified computer storage ) . The various M - serial chips extend a variety of CPU and GPU cores .
Similarly , many unlike Intel chips immix several CPU cores with integrated or discrete graphics option , all of which we will discuss below .
The M1 arrived in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini at the end of 2020.
Mac Processor Benchmarks
Before we melt through the different M - series central processor , here ’s a quick overview of how they compare in our bench mark .
In this first computer graphic you may see bench mark for every M - serial cow dung , including the M4 , M4 Pro , and M4 Max , which were exhaust in the latter part of 2024 , and the M3 Ultra , which is presently the fast chip and was loose in 2025 in the Mac Studio .
Apple Silicon vs Intel: Benchmarks
As for how Apple ’s Si compares to the Intel processors that used to power Macs , when we examine we found that even Apple ’s M1 Saratoga chip delivered a functioning that was equal to , or even better , than the most powerful Intel laptop chips get hold in Macs at the clip and the M1 Macs were n’t even targeted at the sort of masses who need the most powerful laptops . The M1 really was well than a comparable Intel buffalo chip – just as Apple claimed when it launch .
As you could see from the benchmarks above and below , there is no rationality to deflect buying an M1- , M2- , M3- , or M4 - serial Mac over any Intel - powered Mac . Even the iMac with M3 beats the libertine iMac Pro ( with a 2.3GHz Intel Xeon W-2191B ) by some margin .
Results are expressed as Geekbench scores . Higher grievance / long bars are libertine .
Every Mac and MacBook processor compared
Below you could retrieve item of every M - series C.P.U. since the M1 was introduced at the end of 2020 .
M4
The M4 is the most recent generation of Apple Silicon . It was introduced in October 2024 in the iMac , Mac miniskirt , and 14 - column inch MacBook Pro . The MacBook Air then receive an M4 upgrade in March 2025 .
The M4 is featured in these Macs :
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4, 2024)
Apple Mac mini (M4, 2024)
Apple iMac (M4, 2024)
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025)
Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025)
The M4 specs are as stick to :
M4 Pro
The M4 Pro was introduced in October 2024 .
The M4 Pro is feature in these Macs :
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024)
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024)
Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024)
The M4 Pro specs are as succeed :
M4 Max
The M4 Max was introduced in October 2024 in the MacBook Pro , and appear in the Mac Studio in March 2025 .
The M4 Max is featured in these mac :
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 2024)
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 2024)
Apple Mac Studio (M4 Max, 2025)
The M4 Max specs are as follows :
M3
The M3 come at the ending of October 2023 .
The M3 was in these mackintosh :
The M3 spectacles are as follows :
M3 Pro
The M3 Pro also make it at the final stage of October 2023 . It was an option for both the 14 - inch MacBook Pro and the 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
The M3 Pro was in these Macs and you may find some still uncommitted to buy from resellers at a deduction :
The M3 Pro specs are as follows :
M3 Max
Like the other M3 chips , the M3 Max make it at the end of October 2023 . It was an option for both the 14 - inch MacBook Pro and the 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
The M3 Max was in these Macs . You may find them still uncommitted to purchase from resellers at a discount :
The M3 Max specs are as follows :
M3 Ultra
The M3 Ultra was stick in in March 2025 .
The M3 Ultra is useable in the chase :
Apple Mac Studio (M3 Ultra, 2025)
The M3 Ultra specs are as follows :
M2
The M2 was introduce in June 2022 with the MacBook Air and 13 - in MacBook Pro . Apple later added the M2 as an choice for the Mac miniskirt in January 2023 , and a 15 - in MacBook Air in June 2023 .
The M2 was in these Macs :
The M2 specs were as follows :
At launch , Apple claimed : “ Compared with the latest 10 - core PC laptop Saratoga chip , the CPU in M2 provides about twice the functioning at the same power level . ” Apple also stated that the “ M2 supply most 90 percent of the peak performance of the 12 - core chip while using just one - fourth part the power . ”
Apple also claimed the 10 - core GPU delivers “ up to 25 percent high artwork operation than M1 at the same big businessman level , ” thanks to the expectant cache and higher retention bandwidth . At maximal big businessman this is 35 percent better , claimed Apple .
Thanks to the extra GPU cores , 10 cores rather than the 8 - core limit of the M1 , the M2 performs easily than the M1 , but it ’s still below the M1 Pro with 14 cores .
M2 Pro
The M2 Pro was introduce in January 2023 with the 14- and 16 - inch MacBook Pro and the M2 Pro Mac miniskirt . It is no longer useable from Apple .
The M2 Pro was in these Macs :
The M2 Pro specs were as follows :
Like the M1 Pro , the M2 Pro has a built - in medium engine that speed up H.264 , HEVC , and ProRes picture encoding and decrypt . Better office efficiency during playback of multiple streams of 4 K and 8 K ProRes video can also be bear .
At launching Apple exact that the M2 Pro is 40 percent quicker in Adobe Photoshop image processing and 25 percent faster in Xcode amass when compared to the M1 Pro .
Apple claimed that , when compared to the Core i9 16 - inch MacBook Pro , the M2 Pro is 2.5 time faster in Photoshop and 80 percent quicker in Xcode .
M2 Max
The M2 Max was also introduced in January 2023 with the 14- and 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
The M2 Max was in these Macs :
The M2 Max eyeglasses are as follows :
Like the M1 Max , the M2 Max offers two video - encode engines and ProRes railway locomotive . At launching , Apple claimed the M2 Max would see a 30 percent melioration over the M1 Max when using color grading in DaVinci Resolve , while it would be 2 sentence firm than the Intel Core i9 MacBook Pro in the same test .
For outcome rendering in Cinema 4D , Apple claim that the M2 Max is 30 percent faster than the M1 Max , and 6 times libertine than the Core i9 MacBook Pro .
M2 Ultra
The M2 Ultra arrived in June 2023 .
The M2 Ultra still features in the Mac Pro :
Apple Mac Pro (M2 Ultra, 2023)
The M2 Ultra ’s glasses are as follows :
M1
In June 2020 , Apple announce that it would transition Mac from Intel to its “ world - class custom atomic number 14 . ” This mental process began with Apple ’s M1 processor , which was introduced in November 2020 . It is no longer usable to buy , but you may regain a refurbished model .
The M1 was in these Macs :
The M1 specs were as follow :
The M1 was Apple ’s first splintering design by Apple specifically for the Mac and it made shockwaves in the industriousness with jumbo leaps in operation . However , some multitude knock the RAM limitations , with the M1 Macs only able to support up to 16 GB of unified memory .
M1 Pro
Apple introduced the M1 Pro in October 2021 . It is no longer available in any newfangled Macs , but you may get one in Apple ’s freshen up store or elsewhere .
The M1 Pro was in these Macs :
The M1 Pro spec were as succeed :
The M1 Pro offers a 14 - center GPU or a 16 - heart and soul GPU . At launch , Apple claimed the GPU in the M1 Pro to be 2x faster than the M1 . Apple also lay claim that the GPU was up to 7x quicker than the integrate artwork on the latest 8 - marrow PC laptop chip .
The M1 Pro also added a ProRes accelerator in the media railway locomotive to travel rapidly up television processing . Apple claim that the M1 Pro could have up to 200GBps of retentiveness bandwidth , which is virtually 3x the bandwidth of the M1 .
The M1 Pro supports up to 32 GB RAM , compared to a uttermost of 16 GB for the M1 .
M1 Max
The M1 Max was also introduced in October 2021 as a standard option for the 16 - in MacBook Pro and a build - to - order option for the 14 - inch MacBook Pro . Then , in March 2022 , the M1 Max became one of the options for the Mac Studio . The M1 Max is no longer available in any new Macs , but you may get one in Apple ’s refurbished memory board or elsewhere .
The M1 Max was in these mack :
The M1 Max specs are as follows :
The M1-series Macs were a huge step up from the equivalent Intel models.
The M1 Max has the same 10 - core mainframe as the M1 Pro , but everything else is significantly enhanced . The GPU is the most significant difference between the M1 Pro and M1 Max . The M1 Max GPU lead all the way up to 32 core . At launch , Apple lay claim the nontextual matter performance of the 32 - core GPU to be up to 4x quicker than the M1 .
The M1 Max also has two ProRes accelerator that help it turn in up to 2x faster video encoding than M1 Pro . Apple claimed the M1 Max - powered MacBook Pros can edit up to 30 flow of 4 K ProRes video or up to seven stream of 8 K ProRes video in Final Cut Pro . That ’s more streams than on a 28 - core Mac Pro with Afterburner .
At launch , Apple state that the performance of the M1 Max is “ similar to that of the highest - end GPU in the large PC laptops while using up to 100 James Watt less power . ”
If you bought your Mac before the end of 2020 it will have Intel inside.
M1 Max also offer up to 400GBps of storage bandwidth . That is 2x that of M1 Pro and most 6x that of M1 . As a result , a maximum of 64 GB of RAM is possible with the Max .
M1 Ultra
The M1 Ultra was also introduced in March 2022 as an pick for the Mac Studio . You may still find a 2022 Mac Studio uncommitted , potentially at a ripe deduction .
The M1 Ultra was in the :
The M1 Ultra specs were as follows :
With Intel Macs, it’s not only GHz you need to consider, but also how many cores and the generation of the processor.
The M1 Ultra is essentially two M1 Mac chips , so it can offer a 20 - essence mainframe and up to a 64 - core GPU . Apple reach this using UltraFusion computer architecture to get in touch the two M1 Max chips to keep off swap - offs such as increase latent period , reduced bandwidth , and increased power consumption . Apple also explained that the M1 Ultra behaves care , and is acknowledge by software , as one silicon chip .
At launch , Apple lay claim to extend “ 4x the bandwidth of the leading multi - chip interconnect applied science ” and that the M1 Ultra “ delivers 90 percent higher multi - threaded carrying into action than the fastest uncommitted 16 - core PC desktop chip in the same might envelope . ”
Apple also exact that the 64 - core GPU delivers faster performance than the highest - end microcomputer GPU useable , all while using 200 fewer W of power .
Apple would quote Turbo Boost figure for older Macs, like the iMac above.
The M1 Ultra can be configure with up to 128 GB unified memory ; according to Apple , the most powerful microcomputer graphics cards max out at 48 GB . The M1 Ultra also offers twice the media engine capabilities of the M1 Max , for accelerated video encoding and decode .
Apple Silicon vs Intel: What’s the difference between Intel and Apple Silicon?
The Intel processors that Apple used in its Macs since 2006 were x86 cow dung . Apple Silicon is based on Arm but includes a number of Apple technologies ( so they are n’t branch chips , strictly speak ) . Arm and x86 are completely dissimilar architecture , which means that they need different code , and hence the operating systems and software need to be tailored to them .
Therefore , one of the independent concerns with the move to Apple Silicon ( M1 , M2 , M3 , or M4 ) could be whether the call for software is compatible with Arm . Apple address this with Rosetta 2 , which translate the code from x86 to Arm . With a few exclusion , there was no issue with software written for x86 run on the M1 Macs . Many software developer were quick to update their computer software to run on M - series Macs , though .
One advantage of Arm over Intel ’s X86 is might use of goods and services , this is apparent in the long battery life of the M - series Macs . The 16 - in MacBook Pro has the longest - ever shelling life for a Mac at 24 hours . The 2019 Intel - power 16 - inch MacBook Pro could only contend 11 hours .
There are other ways in which the M - serial fleck are more efficient than Intel processors . Macs with Apple fleck have two kinds of processor core : high - performance and efficiency . take in two character of magnetic core ensures that background processes do n’t slow down down the electronic computer because there is always enough power useable for programs to run . For example , even the fastest Intel - power Mac might have live slowdowns and performance drops if a organization process like iCloud , or the indexing of Photos or Spotlight , was running in the background .
This is all great in theory , but in practice , the benchmark prove that there is a saltation in performance from Intel to M1 and beyond .
Mac processors made by Intel
Apple has used various generations of Intel processors over the years . Here are point of some of the Intel chips you may find inside any Macs that forgo Apple ’s move to the M1 and beyond .
Apple no longer sells Macs with Intel processors , not even sometime good example in the Apple Certified Refurbished Store .
If you are considering buy a used Intel - powered Mac we would commend that you do n’t ! ReadShould I buy a secondhand Mac ?
Back when Macs were power by Intel , Apple specified an Intel processor generation for each Mac in its merchandising materials . So you would have insure a verbal description such as ‘ 2.0GHz musculus quadriceps femoris - core 10th - generation Intel Core i5 central processing unit ’ associated with a finical Mac . However , without those marketing materials , it is n’t so loose to find out which C.P.U. is inside an Intel - powered Mac because the About This Mac entropy depict the year that Mac went on sales event and the processor specific such as GHz and the number of cores , but not the CPU generation . Identifying the C.P.U. propagation can be utile in compare different Macs – and microcomputer . If you want to find out the specs of your Intel Mac we suggest you read our template tohow to check the specification of your Mac .
Here ’s how the Intel processor card has looked since around 2011 :
How to choose a Mac processor
Whether you are compare two Macs with Apple chips , or one Apple micro chip and one Intel chip , or even two Intel chips , this is what to consider :
How many CPU cores?
You will observe that Apple ’s M1 has eight CPU heart , the M1 Pro and M1 Max have ten CPU cores , and the M1 Ultra has 20 CPU cores . The M2 serial extended that , with the M2 CPU having 10 or 12 central processing unit cores , the M2 Pro and M2 Max having a 12 - heart CPU , and the M2 Ultra get 24 burden . That extension stay on with the M3 and M4 and will keep run low with next chip .
Among the Intel Macs , you would in the main find dual - core , quad - core , 6 - core , 8 - core , and 10 - core central processing unit , while the Mac Pro offers a Xeon processor with 8 , 12 , 16 , 24 , or 28 cores .
Having more cores usable means that your Mac will be able to run multiple summons at once . Apple ’s M - serial publication Macs have two kind of cores : mellow - carrying into action and high-pitched - efficiency cores . The dispute between in high spirits - performance and efficiency effect is that the efficiency cores are force - save while the performance cores can be used for more demanding task . So while the performance core focal point on demanding project there wo n’t be a smasher on top executive - effective processing , both can happen in tandem .
How many GPU cores?
This is more apparent on the M - serial Macs because Apple highlights the numeral of GPU cores and this extends as you move up the range .
Apple ’s M1 has 7 or 8 GPU cores , the M1 Pro had a 14 - core or 16 - core GPU , the M1 Max had a 24 - sum or 32 - core GPU , and the M1 Ultra had a 48 - core or 64 - meat GPU . The M2 series extends that , with the M2 GPU have 8 or 10 GPU cores , the M2 Pro take 14 or 16 GPU cores , the M2 Max having a 30 - core or 38 - center GPU , and the M2 Ultra have got a 60 - core or 76 - core GPU . The same pattern follows ( but with more heart ) with the M3 and M4 chips .
Intel Macs either had integrated graphics or a discrete nontextual matter card . The distinct option was more for professionals who were using nontextual matter - intensive programs on their Macs . A discrete graphic card has its own retention , while integrated computer graphic part memory with the processor .
Because the M - series Macs integrate the GPU , the processor the read/write memory into the same system on buffalo chip ( SoC ) , the GPU and CPU can exchange information cursorily , and the random-access memory can be shared efficiently – Apple refers to its Unified Memory Architecture which makes this possible .
As you may see from the chart above , even the Pro , Max , and Ultra variants of the M1 pinch the best graphic options in the Intel - powered Macs .
How many GHz?
GHz ( gigahertz ) reflects the number of clock cycles per secondly . So a 2.3GHz mainframe ’s national clock beats 2.3 billion times per minute . Hence , people bring up to the issue of GHz as the clock speed . It ’s not loose to equate the M1 with an Intel processor because while Intel lists GHz , Apple does n’t .
Each scope of Intel - outfit Macs usually has more than one choice in terms of GHz . Sometimes it will await like a more powerful Mac has a slow clock speed . This is invariably due to the Mac in question having more essence available . For deterrent example , the 3.1GHz 6 - heart iMac costs considerably more than the 3.6GHz Quad - Core model . At first glimpse , that might look like a bad lot , but that ’s six 3.1GHz cores , rather than four 3.6GHz core . And the more core , the better .
What is Turbo Boost?
There is no Turbo Boost fig to deal with Apple ’s M - series Macs , but it was a significant part of Intel ’s marketing , so we will discuss it here .
The round-eyed way to think of Turbo Boost is as a means of safely overclocking the cores on a processor . This frame can sometimes give a clue as to how one generation ’s mainframe compare to the next .
The Turbo Boost controller taste the power wasting disease and temperature of the cores hundreds of times a 2d while monitoring the demands made by software . If any of the cores are being drive to their theoretical maximum , Turbo Boost can , if enough magnate is available and the temperature is at a safe level ‘ over - clock ’ the essence and enable it to play faster .
So the eight cores in a MacBook Pro ’s 2.3GHz 8 - effect i9 mainframe can , if needed , be push to 4.8GHz subject area to power consumption and oestrus dissipation . Not all processors can Turbo Boost . The i3 processors , found in the 3.6GHz Quad - Core iMac , do not let in Turbo Boost , so the 3.6GHz speed is never going to be overclocked .
Why would you need Turbo Boost ? Turbo Boost kicks in when you are n’t using all the cores , so the clock speed can be increase on the CORE that are in use . So , Turbo Boost is a feature article that will gain you most if you are n’t using applications that practice multiple cores .
Why might you not need Turbo Boost ? When Turbo Boost is in usage , your computer will be using more top executive , so if you have a laptop it might not be in your interest to have Turbo Boost .
Intel processor types
It ’s not only the mainframe propagation you require to consider with Intel . There was a lot of motley in full term of processor swiftness , number of nucleus , Turbo Boost figures , and whether it was an i3 or an i9 . Wondering if i5 is good than i7 , or if i3 is going to be inadequate ? We depend through the different processors right up to i9 below .
Core M – The M is a fluid version of Intel ’s fries – it appeared in the first Retina MacBook when it launched in 2014 . There were three M central processing unit with increase performance : m3 , m5 , and m7 .
effect i3 – i3 central processing unit feature in some Macs . They do n’t feature Turbo Boost .
Core i5 – The absolute majority of Macs used to use Intel ’s i5 processor . The i5 tended to be quad - burden or 6 - nitty-gritty . If you find a dual - core , it ’s an older generation .
Core i7 – The i7 is worth looking out for if you are thinking of buy an older Mac because , in older generations of Macs , when it came to quad - core , the i5 and i7 versions were not adequate . The quad - inwardness i7 , which was once used in the 15 - column inch MacBook Pro offered some feature of speech that the quad - core i5 did n’t , one of which was Hyper - threading . Another difference was the sizing of the cache . Thanks to these features , i7 CPU were good for multitasking , multimedia system , eminent - end gaming , and scientific piece of work .
burden i9 – Intel ’s i9 processors arrive with the 9th generation Coffee Lake refresh , and have up to 8 cores .
Xeon – Intel ’s Xeon CPU are workstation or server processors . Xeon processors support more storage than the i5 / i7 / i9 processors .
Hyper-threading
Hyper - threading appropriate the CPU to do by doubly as many ‘ streams ’ as it has core , by fooling software into cogitate it has twice as many cores . So , a quad - core processor with hyperthreading should be able-bodied to put to death four times as many sets of command in a given prison term period as a threefold - pith CPU with the same clock speed but without hyperthreading .
This means that a quadrangle - core i7 , for lesson , can act like it has eight cores , but a quad - core i5 will only be capable to use the four nub uncommitted to it .
Which Mac processor should you choose?
Now that Apple has complete its transition from Intel to Apple Silicon , the question of which processor is no longer a choice between Intel and Apple . We have in the past advocate waiting for a second - propagation merchandise , but we are so many days into the transition that there really is no reasonableness to wait . If you involve a knock-down Mac , go beforehand and buy one . The only reason to delay would be if you want to wait for the Mac you require to get update with a new M - serial chip .
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