Apple M4 (10-CPU) vs Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU)

Apple M4 (10-CPU) and Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) are both processors of the M4 architectural generation, manufactured by Apple using the advanced 3 nm process.

The Apple M4 (10-CPU) is aimed at users with high daily demands and offers very efficient performance, while the Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) was developed for professional applications requiring more intensive computing and graphics performance. The Apple M4 (10-CPU) features 10 CPU cores and an integrated 10-core graphics unit.

It offers 20 MB of L2 cache and a maximum memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU), on the other hand, has 12 CPU cores, a more powerful 16-core graphics unit, 36 MB of L2 cache, and a significantly higher memory bandwidth of 273 GB/s. In single-core performance, both processors are comparable.

For multi-core applications, the Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) shows significantly higher performance, favored by its additional CPU cores and larger cache. This makes it the better choice for parallelized workloads. For gaming, the Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) is clearly superior due to its 16-core GPU and higher memory bandwidth, offering smoother rendering.

Regarding power consumption, the Apple M4 (10-CPU) is generally more energy-efficient in typical usage scenarios. The Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU) delivers higher performance under full load, which comes with a correspondingly higher energy requirement. The Apple M4 (10-CPU)'s price-performance ratio is very attractive for the broad mass of users, while the Apple M4 Pro (12-CPU 16-GPU), due to its superior capabilities, is the better choice for professional users and enthusiasts who are willing to pay a higher price.