Intel Core i7-8750H vs Apple M4

The Intel Core i7-8750H is a mobile processor from Intel with the Coffee Lake H architecture. It was developed for laptops and targeted users who needed solid performance for everyday tasks, productivity, and light gaming.

The Apple M4 is a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) from Apple, based on the M4 architecture. It is designed for Apple's own devices such as iPads and MacBooks and aims for maximum efficiency and performance for professional applications, creative work, and demanding tasks.

The Intel Core i7-8750H is manufactured using a 14 nm process and typically has 6 cores and 12 threads. It features 9 MB of Level 3 Cache. The maximum memory bandwidth is 43 GB/s. The integrated graphics unit is the Intel UHD Graphics 630. The Apple M4 is manufactured using the more advanced 3 nm process.

This processor is typically equipped with a combination of performance and efficiency cores, often with a total of 9 or 10 CPU cores. It offers 20 MB of Level 2 Cache and a significantly higher maximum memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s. The integrated graphics unit is the Apple M4 (10 Core). The Intel Core i7-8750H shows solid single-core performance, which is sufficient for most applications, and respectable multi-core performance for multitasking.

The Apple M4 achieves significantly higher single-core performance, reflected in superior responsiveness in applications. The multi-core performance of the Apple M4 is also considerably stronger, making it far superior for complex workloads and parallel computations. In gaming scenarios, the Intel Core i7-8750H with its Intel UHD Graphics 630 is very limited.

Older or less demanding titles are playable at low settings; for modern games, a dedicated graphics card is required. The Apple M4 offers significantly better gaming performance thanks to its powerful integrated GPU, the Apple M4 (10 Core). Many current titles can be played smoothly at good settings, especially if they are optimized for the Apple architecture.

The higher memory bandwidth also supports the integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-8750H has a higher Thermal Design Power (TDP) and thus higher power consumption, leading to greater heat generation and potentially shorter battery life in laptops. The Apple M4 is known for its exceptional energy efficiency.

The smaller manufacturing size and architectural optimizations enable high performance with significantly lower power consumption and less heat generation, which positively impacts battery life and cooling requirements. The Intel Core i7-8750H is an older processor and is mainly found in used or older laptop models.

Its price-performance ratio was adequate at its time but is now surpassed by the availability of newer, more powerful, and more efficient CPUs. The Apple M4 is exclusively installed in new Apple devices. These devices typically fall into the premium price segment. The price-performance ratio, measured by raw CPU and GPU performance as well as energy efficiency, is very high, although the initial investment for the overall system is often higher.