Apple has unveiled its latest M4 chip lineup, comprising the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max, which promises enhanced power efficiency and performance for Mac computers. These chips are built using advanced 3-nanometre technology, offering improvements in processing speed, graphics performance, and machine learning capabilities. They are designed to handle demanding tasks across creative, professional, and everyday uses.
The M4 chip family is highlighted by Apple as having the fastest CPU cores available, delivering exceptional single- and multithreaded performance. The chips feature advanced graphics processing units with faster cores and double the ray-tracing speed, enhancing gaming, video editing, and professional 3D rendering tasks. Thunderbolt 5 support is integrated, boosting data transfer rates and memory bandwidth across Mac devices, thereby improving workflow efficiency.
Equipped with a Neural Engine that is twice as fast as previous generations, the M4 chips are capable of managing complex AI tasks. This supports Apple Intelligence, a new AI-powered system aimed at enhancing productivity and creativity on Mac. The chips are also designed for efficiency, contributing to extended battery life in MacBooks and energy-saving benefits across Apple's device lineup.
The M4 variant is geared towards general users like students and content creators, featuring a 10-core CPU and up to 10 GPU cores. Apple states it is up to 1.8 times faster than its M1 predecessor, allowing for smoother multitasking. It supports 32GB of unified memory and 120GB/s memory bandwidth, with capabilities for up to two external displays. The chip enables features in Apple Intelligence, such as improved writing tools for proofreading, summarising, and image generation.
The M4 Pro targets professionals with more demanding requirements, offering up to 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores. This results in graphics performance twice as fast as the standard M4, and nearly double that of the latest AI-focused PC chips, according to Apple. It supports up to 64GB of memory with a bandwidth of 273GB/s and includes Thunderbolt 5 for faster data handling. This model is suited for users working with large files in software development, AI, and video production.
For high-end professional applications such as data science, 3D modelling, and music production, the M4 Max is Apple's most powerful option. It includes up to 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, enabling high-speed rendering and AI model handling. The chip can support up to 128GB of memory at 546GB/s bandwidth, making it ideal for large-scale AI projects and high-resolution video encoding. It also includes two video encoding engines and two ProRes accelerators, optimising it for video professionals.
A significant feature of the M4 lineup is the integration of Apple Intelligence, an AI-driven system designed to improve workflow efficiency through natural language processing, advanced personalisation, and enhanced Siri capabilities. Available in macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple Intelligence offers system-wide tools for rewriting and summarising text and integrates ChatGPT, allowing users to interact with generative AI without switching applications. Privacy is emphasised, with on-device processing for personal data and optional cloud-based models protected through Private Cloud Compute.
Apple continues its sustainability efforts with the M4 chip's efficiency, supporting lower power consumption across Mac devices. For MacBooks, Apple estimates up to 24 hours of battery life, while desktop devices like iMac and Mac mini benefit from reduced overall energy usage. Apple remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, with the M4 family contributing to this goal by reducing energy demands throughout its product lifecycle.
These new chips reinforce Apple's leadership in high-performance, energy-efficient silicon, providing advancements that benefit both professionals and everyday users, while aiming for a lighter environmental footprint.