Apple M4 vs Intel Core i5-4260U

The Intel Core i5-4260U was released in 2014 and developed based on the Haswell-U architecture for mobile devices.

With a 22-nanometer manufacturing process, this processor offers two cores and four threads. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 is designed for basic graphical requirements. In technical comparisons, the computing power for single-core and multi-core usage is significantly below the standard of later generations.

The low memory bandwidth of 26 gigabytes per second and the small L3 cache of three megabytes limit its use to basic office tasks. Due to its thermal design power, the Intel Core i5-4260U is economical but does not achieve the efficiency of more modern developments. The price-performance ratio is primarily relevant in the field of used hardware, as the system offers few reserves for complex software.

The Apple M4 represents a chip architecture released in 2024, manufactured using the 3-nanometer process and aimed at professional users.

With ten cores and a memory bandwidth of 120 gigabytes per second, the processor delivers high performance for complex applications. The Apple M4 features a generous L2 cache of 20 megabytes, which optimizes data throughput. In benchmarks, the single-core and multi-core performance significantly exceeds that of the comparison model.

The integrated Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit also enables a more stable frame rate in demanding gaming scenarios. Thanks to the high energy efficiency of the ARM-based design, heat generation remains controllable despite the high computing power. The Apple M4 is recommended for future-proof workstations that require high processing speed.