Apple M4 vs Intel Core i5-10300H

The Intel Core i5-10300H, based on the architecture codenamed Comet Lake H, was designed around 2020 for use in mainstream laptops and gaming devices.

Manufactured using a 14 nm process, it features four cores and eight threads with 8 MB of Level 3 Cache. Its integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 is intended for basic tasks. The Apple M4, a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), is a cutting-edge processor developed in 2024 for Apple's premium mobile devices.

It is manufactured using an advanced 3 nm process and offers a hybrid architecture with typically ten cores and 20 MB of Level 2 Cache. Its integrated Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics are very powerful. In benchmarks, the Apple M4 shows significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance than the Intel Core i5-10300H, especially in newer tests.

The M4 achieves clearly superior values in computationally intensive tasks. For gaming, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 of the Intel Core i5-10300H is mostly insufficient, while the M4 graphics deliver considerable performance for an integrated system, but this depends on game availability on macOS. The Intel Core i5-10300H has a typical Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 45 watts.

The Apple M4, thanks to its 3 nm process, is significantly more energy-efficient, leading to lower power consumption and longer battery life. In terms of price, the older Intel Core i5-10300H can be found in more affordable devices, while the Apple M4 is only available in Apple's premium products with a correspondingly higher device price.

The Intel Core i5-10300H is a solid, cost-effective option for everyday use. The Apple M4 offers superior performance and efficiency for demanding applications and professional workflows within the Apple ecosystem.