Intel Core i5-8265U vs Apple M4

The Intel Core i5-8265U (Whiskey Lake U), introduced in 2018, targeted energy-efficient laptops for general tasks.

The Apple M4, unveiled in 2024, is designed for Apple's premium mobile devices, focusing on ultimate performance and efficiency.

The Intel Core i5-8265U is manufactured using a 14 nm process and features 4 cores, 8 threads, and 6 MB of Level 3 Cache. The Apple M4 uses the more advanced 3 nm process and boasts a 10-core CPU and 20 MB of Level 2 Cache. The Apple M4 offers significantly higher computing performance than the Intel Core i5-8265U in both single-core and multi-core applications.

In gaming, the M4 clearly outperforms the i5-8265U. The Intel UHD Graphics 620 is suitable for simple games, while the more powerful Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit and the M4's higher memory bandwidth (120 GB/s vs. 38 GB/s) enable smoother gaming. The Intel Core i5-8265U has a TDP of 15 watts.

The Apple M4 delivers substantially higher performance with a comparable or better power budget. The i5-8265U is an older, cost-effective processor found in used laptops. The M4 is a premium chip, exclusive to new, high-priced Apple devices; a direct price comparison is not meaningful. The Intel Core i5-8265U is budget-friendly for basic tasks in existing Windows systems.

The Apple M4 offers superior computing and graphics performance as well as excellent energy efficiency, ideal for users with the highest performance demands within the Apple ecosystem.