Apple M4 vs Intel Core i7-12700H

The Intel Core i7-12700H, introduced in early 2022, is based on the 10 nm Alder Lake H architecture and is intended for high-performance laptops such as gaming and workstation models.

It uses a hybrid core architecture and features 12 MB L2 and 24 MB L3 cache and the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96. Its Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 45 watts requires active cooling. The Apple M4, introduced in mid-2024 using the more advanced 3 nm process, is Apple's SoC for high-end tablets and future Macs.

It integrates up to 10 cores, a powerful Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit, and 20 MB L2 cache, but foregoes a dedicated L3 cache. The M4 is characterized by significantly lower power consumption, enabling longer battery life and fanless designs. In terms of performance, the Apple M4 shows significantly higher single-core performance in newer benchmarks.

For multi-core applications, results vary, with the Apple M4 leading in some tests, while the Intel Core i7-12700H is also very powerful in other workloads, especially older ones. For gaming, the Intel Core i7-12700H is more advantageous due to broad Windows compatibility, although the integrated graphics of the Apple M4 are very capable in native applications.

A direct price-performance evaluation is complex, as both processors are firmly integrated into end devices. The Intel Core i7-12700H is recommended for gaming and broad software support under Windows. The Apple M4 is ideal for mobile creativity and users in the Apple ecosystem who value efficiency and long battery life.