Apple M4 Chip: Everything You Need to Know
- The M4 chip lineup is getting a lot of attention, with AI power that's turning heads.
- Macs with next-gen speeds, a neural engine boost, and seriously sleek graphics—Apple’s M4 series is a big step forward.
- Ready for Macs that multitask like pros and support the wildest graphics? Get the lowdown on Apple’s AI-driven M4 chipset.
With the recent release of Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro models on October 30, some of the information within this article is now outdated. For the most up-to-date information about Apple's new M4 chips, including M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max, please tap here.
Different M4 Chip Models
Standard M4 vs. M4 Pro
Currently, Apple has unveiled two primary M4 models:
- M4: 8 or 10 CPU cores with enhanced graphics capabilities.
- M4 Pro: Similar core structure but with Thunderbolt 5 capabilities for ultra-fast data transfer and support for multiple displays.
In addition, the M4 series aims to double ray-tracing performance and leverage Apple’s revamped Neural Engine for advanced AI tasks.
Photo via BGR // The Apple M4 chip on a concept image of the long-rumored M4 MacBook Pro.
Performance Benchmarks
Leaked benchmarks reveal significant gains over the M3 generation. Below are comparative Geekbench 6 scores between the latest M4 model and its predecessors. However, be aware that these are currently leaked Geekbench scores, yet to be confirmed:
| Model | Single-Core | Multi-Core |
|---|---|---|
| M4 MacBook Pro | 3864 | 15,288 |
| M3 MacBook Pro | 3138 | 12,018 |
| M3 Pro MacBook Pro | 3154 | 14,357 |
The M4’s single-core performance is already outpacing comparable chips from Intel and AMD, positioning Apple as a leader in AI-driven consumer tech.
Photo via Absolute Geeks // The Apple M4 chip.
Release Date and Pricing
Apple’s M4-powered Macs are expected to debut as early as November 8. Early offerings include the M4 iMac, announced yesterday, starting at $1,299-along with the newly redesigned M4 Mac Mini, announced today starting at $599. The high-powered M4 Pro Mac Mini will be priced at $1,399, while other models in the M4 series, such as the MacBook Pro, are expected to join the lineup soon.
Apple’s M4 Timeline:
- November 2024: M4 iMac (officially announced), M4 Mac Mini (officially announced), and M4 Pro Mac Mini (officially announced), M4 MacBook Pro (anticipated tomorrow)
- Early 2025: M4 MacBook Air
- Late 2025: M4 Mac Studio and Mac Pro
Mark Gurman, a known Apple analyst, has hinted at this timeline, and so far, it aligns closely with previous announcements and industry whispers.
Photo via Pocket Lint // The latest Mac to feature Apple's M4 chip is the M4 Mac mini, announced by Apple on October 29, 2024.
AI Capabilities in the M4
Apple is diving into AI with the M4 series, thanks to a new and improved Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 38 trillion operations per second, more than 3x faster than the original M1 chip. However, Apple’s AI rollout remains cautious, with functionality such as text rewriting, audio transcription, and advanced image searches gradually releasing in iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.
“Apple’s approach to AI has always been gradual, ensuring integration feels natural rather than overwhelming,” one industry expert noted. The full suite of AI features, including Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration, is expected by December with macOS Sequoia 15.2.
Photo via MacRumors // Apple's latest iMac, the M4 iMac, was announced yesterday on October 28, 2024.
Design and Architecture
The M4’s design harnesses TSMC’s second-gen 3-nanometer process, packing 28 billion transistors. Apple has shifted to the ARMv9 architecture, with up to 10-core CPUs and a powerful 10-core GPU featuring ray-tracing, dynamic caching, and mesh shading. Memory capabilities include LPDDR5X unified memory, offering an impressive 120GB/sec memory bandwidth in 8GB and 16GB configurations.
Apple claims up to 50% more CPU performance and 4x more GPU power compared to the M2, putting it head-to-head with AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel’s Core i9-14900K in single-core performance. However, multithreaded performance remains in line with the M3 Pro’s 12-core setup.
Photo via MacRumors // The Apple M4 Pro chip.
Final Thoughts
The M4 represents Apple’s next leap in its silicon lineup, designed to empower AI applications that redefine how users interact with technology. Between its benchmark-smashing single-core performance and a powerful Neural Engine, the M4 series looks set to elevate the Apple ecosystem further into AI innovation territory.
With this expansion, Apple is not only challenging Intel and AMD in traditional computing metrics but carving out a unique niche with robust AI capabilities, enhanced graphics performance, and Apple-exclusive software integrations.
Stay tuned for continuous updates as Apple’s new M4 chips and devices hit the market.
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