Apple M2 vs Apple M1 Max (24-GPU)

The Apple M2 and Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) are Apple's 5 nm SoCs designed for Mac products.

The Apple M2, based on the M2 architecture, targets a broader audience and offers efficient performance. The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU), based on the M1 architecture, on the other hand, was developed for professional users with the highest demands on computing and graphics performance.

Both processors support PCIe 4.0. The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) features a larger Level 2 Cache of 28 MB compared to 20 MB in the Apple M2. In single-core performance, the Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) shows significantly higher performance in Cinebench R23, while the Apple M2 offers comparable performance in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024.

For multi-core performance, the Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is considerably more powerful in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, making it superior for parallel workloads. In Cinebench R23, multi-core performance is comparable. For gaming and graphics-intensive tasks, the Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is clearly superior thanks to its Apple M1 Max (24 Core) graphics unit and a maximum memory bandwidth of 410 GB/s.

The high bandwidth also enables very good AI performance. The Apple M2, with its Apple M2 (10 Core) graphics unit and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth, is less powerful in these areas. The Apple M2 is more energy-efficient, while the Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) requires higher power consumption and more robust cooling for maximum performance.

In terms of price-performance ratio, the Apple M2 offers strong performance for the mainstream market. The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is priced higher, and its superior performance justifies the investment for professional, demanding applications. The Apple M2 is recommended for users seeking high energy efficiency and very good performance for everyday use and many creative applications.

The Apple M1 Max (24-GPU) is the choice for professionals who require peak performance in multi-core, graphics, and AI.