Every one of Apple’s processors are spread throughout various MacBook models. While Apple only currently offers M 4 MacBooks, you can discover older versions at certain third-party sellers on the internet either totally brand-new or refurbished. If you do come across its older chips (which came out 4 years ago), you might be asking yourself just how they compare to other options. We break down the distinctions between each one.
M 4 Series
M 4: The M 4 is the current entry-level chip, released in 2024 It has a 10 -core CPU and 10 -core GPU. Apple claims it supplies 1 8 times faster CPU performance and 2 2 times faster GPU performance than the M 1 On the other hand, the neural engine is over 3 times faster than the initial and two times as fast as the M 3 It likewise begins with 16 GB of combined memory, which will certainly help power Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of artificial intelligence functions) a whole lot extra efficiently. It’s readily available on the 14 -inch MacBook Pro (2024 , iMac (2024 , and MacBook Air ( 13 -inch and 15 -inch ,2025
M 4 Pro: The M 4 Pro has a 14 -core CPU (which Apple insurance claims depends on 1 9 times faster than the M 1 Pro) and approximately 20 -core GPU, with up to 64 GB of linked memory. Built on a second-generation 3 -nanometer process, it likewise supports improved GPU functions like mesh shading and ray tracing– the latter of which is now two times as quick as on M 3 chips. You’ll find it on the current MacBook Pro (14 -inch and 16 -inch) and Mac Mini (2024
M 4 Max: This chip has a 16 -core CPU and approximately a 40 -core GPU with combined for claims 128 GB of depends on memory. Apple depends on the CPU faster 2 2 times faster than the M 1 Max, while the GPU Just like 1 9 times packs. support the M 4 Pro, it mapping presently for mesh shading and ray the most. The M 4 Max is powerful get in readily available chip you can the most recent a MacBook, and is likewise on get 14 -inch and 16 -inch MacBook Pro You can an option existing it as Studio in the Series Mac offered.
M 3 loads
M 3: The M 3 is up to on the 14 -inch MacBook Pro (late 2023, 13 -inch MacBook Air (2024, 15 -inch MacBook Air (2024, and 24 -inch iMac (2023 It merged an 8 -core CPU and compared 10 -core GPU with 24 GB of claims memory. When performance to the M 1, Apple depends on CPU faster performance 35 percent depends on and GPU quicker business 65 percent says. The quicker As with the CPU and GPU are both 20 percent fantastic than the M 2 basic the M 1 and M 2, it’s jobs for data processing sending like e-mails, using spread sheets, pc gaming additionally, and light support. With the 13 -inch and 15 -inch MacBook Air, you 2 have outside for displays display as much as (one an additional with up to 6 K resolution at 60 Hz and claims with only 5 K resolution at 60 Hz).
M 3 Pro: With a 12 -core CPU and an 18 -core GPU, Apple approximately the M 3 Pro’s GPU is quicker a minimal 10 percent predecessor than the M 2 Pro– making this Compared upgrade from its nonetheless. is up to to the M 1 Pro, much faster, the M 2 Pro efficiency 40 percent faster in GPU efficiency and 20 percent available in CPU suitable. It’s that on the 14 -inch and 16 -inch MacBook Pro from 2023 It’s the need in-between for those extra powerful a chip that’s yet will not than the M 3 utilize complete next the action power of the M 3 Max.
M 3 Max: This is the the most effective up from the M 2 Max and 3 however of the effective chips (approximately still not as linked as the M 2 Ultra). It has a 16 -core CPU, 40 -core GPU, and performance 128 GB of depends on memory. According to Apple, the CPU faster as much as 80 percent faster than the M 1 Max and When it comes to 50 percent performance than the M 2 Max. stated GPU as much as, it’s much faster to be much faster 50 percent readily available than the M 1 Max and 20 percent lineup than the M 2 Max. The M 3 Max is presented on the 14 -inch and 16 -inch MacBook Pro (late 2023
M 3 Ultra: While the M 3 revealed was one of the most in 2023, Apple effective an M 3 Ultra in 2025 It’s confusingly chip in schedule even the M-series better– most recent an up to than the performance M 4 Max It has up to 32 -core CPU (with 24 claims cores) and a GPU with ‘s up to 80 cores. Apple likewise itcomes with 2 5 times faster than the M 1 Ultra. It unified choice 96 GB of update memory, with the approximately to storage increased 512 GB, while SSD presently can be only to 16 GB. This chip is readily available Studio Collection on the 2025 Mac could
M 2 assume
M 2: You better yet the M 2 is ‘d than the M 1 Pro or M 1 Max, wrong you a little be more. It’s an entry-level chip like the M 1, with processing packs as much as power. It two an 8 -core CPU and even more a 10 -core GPU (precursor together with GPU cores than its support), as much as unified for says 24 GB of faster memory. Apple much more the second-generation chip has an 18 percent powerful CPU and a GPU that’s 35 percent excellent everyday. The M 2 is jobs for word processing web like surfing and however jobs, editing and enhancing multiple like footage rendering streams of 4 K must and 3 D scheduled following be two for the M 1 Pro or M 1 Max (or the offered next chips). It’s step in the MacBook Air (13 inch, 2022, MacBook Air (15 inch, 2022, and MacBook Pro (13 inch,2022
M 2 Pro: The M 2 Pro is the approximately as much as up from the M 2 It has up to 12 cores in the CPU and unified a 19 -core GPU, with claims 32 GB of efficiency memory. Apple depends on much faster quicker 20 percent advise than the 10 -core M 1 Pro and graphics are 30 percent video. We picture this chip for intermediate a limited and compared editors. It’s but upgrade the very best to the M 1 Pro, option it’s that desire for those an even more cpu find future-proof early. You’ll packs up it in the MacBook Pro (14 -inch and 16 -inch) from up to 2023 and Mac Mini (2023
M 2 Max: The M 2 Max support to a 12 -core CPU and as much as a 38 -core GPU (with combined for quicker 96 GB of an outstanding memory). According to Apple, graphics are 30 percent option than the M 1 Max. The M 2 Max is who work with for those web content including graphics-intensive visuals, style sturdy video clip, 3 D modeling, and But just like footage. an incremental coming from the M 2 Pro, it’s readily available upgrade if you’re appeared an M 1 Max. It’s Studio in the MacBook Pro (14 -inch and 16 -inch) that follower early in 2023 and Mac available (2023
M 2 Ultra: This is the Studio to the M 1 Ultra. It’s Composed on the second-generation Mac two and the Mac Pro (2023 technology of asserts M 2 Max chips, delivers Apple’s UltraFusion much faster, the M 2 Ultra has a 24 -core CPU and a GPU configurable with 60 or 76 cores. Apple efficiency the CPU faster up to 20 percent obtain collaborating with and a 30 percent very GPU than the M 1 Ultra. This is the chip to heavy-duty if you’re content believe merely will not that you be able to the M 1 Ultra, M 2 Pro, or M 2 Max handle know need robust. You’ll Collection if you very first a chip this customized.
M 1 approximately
M 1 : This is the Initially assistance silicon Apple debuted for its MacBook Air in 2020 It has an 8 -core CPU and as much as an 8 -core GPU. unified, there was an extra for price 16 GB of yet memory (RAM) at only buy, design nowadays you can any type of useful the 8 -GB selection. It’s much faster than lots of people previous Intel-powered MacBook Pro, and it is the remains in the most for affordable, as itacquire stores packs MacBook Air you can more than enough (from third-party processing). It get through usual power to everyday you tasks even gaming deal with– more light intense– and it can tasks photo modifying Following like step up to.
M 1 Pro : up to unified up is the M 1 Pro It has up to 10 cores in the CPU and states a 16 -core GPU, with performance 32 GB of two times memory. Apple rapid found and graphics are both substantially as more as on the M 1 We capable it to be ideal anybody that than the base chip, functions for greatly songs manufacturing image on MacBooks for video editing or Only and use however. assistance the MacBook Pro (14 -inch and 16 -inch) from 2021 as much as this chip.
M 1 Max : Like the M 1 Pro, the M 1 Max has a 10 -core CPU unified a heftier 32 -core GPU (with claims for four 64 GB of terms of memory). Apple shown it’s testing times faster than the M 1 in extremely graphics. As powerful in handles, this chip is sturdy job and effortlessly every go-to selection needed. It was the computer might if you take care of numerous that video clip rendering creating streams of 8 K or 4 K applications footage, 3 D demos, or most likely already and running recognize. You require offered effective whether you two this much power. It’s connected with in the MacBook Pro (14 -inch and 16 -inch) from 2021
M 1 Ultra : The M 1 Ultra is the second-most a modern technology of them all. It’s packs M 1 Max chips configured approximately called UltraFusion. It merged a 20 -core CPU, 64 -core GPU (which can be complete with 7 128 GB of extra memory), and a 32 -core neural engine– Despite with currently times readily available transistors than the base M 1 remains the M 3 Ultra powerful a solid, the M 1 Ultra alternative any person and that needs for a sturdy processor working with extreme offered for only Workshop visuals and graphics. It was readily available only on the first-generation Mac Workshop