“Apple chips have put the Mac in an unprecedented form, and with the new M4 Pro and M4 Max we are keeping the pace of innovation sharp,” Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president for hardware technology, did not hide his enthusiasm for the news.
According to him, these are “the world’s fastest CPU cores”, which include “a far more powerful GPU and the fastest Neural Engine ever”. “The chips of the M4 family, with their performance, economy and options, increase the lead as the most advanced series of chips on the market,” added Srouji.
Although we will have to wait for some time for real practical tests that would confirm his words, the parameters of the news are really interesting. All chips are based on second-generation 3-nanometer technology, which increases their performance and economy.
Even more compact, but with higher performance. Apple unveiled the Mac mini
Hardware
The increase in performance compared to previous generations of M-series chips should be noticeable in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.
For example, the basic M4 chip, which appears in computers with the bitten apple logo for the first time ever, has up to 10 CPU cores with four performance cores and up to six economy cores. According to Apple representatives, it is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1. The 10-core GPU provides up to twice the graphics performance of the M1, which you will notice when editing photos and playing the latest games.
The 16-core Neural Engine, which takes care of running Apple Intelligence, i.e. the latest AI functions from Apple, is also faster. The M4 supports up to 32 GB of unified memory and offers a throughput of 120 GB/s. Although it is the basic chip from the quad series, it manages two external displays in addition to the integrated display.
Photo: archive of the manufacturer
A laptop powered by an M4 chip can easily be connected to two other monitors.
For more demanding users
The M4 Pro chip is intended for more demanding users. Specifically, Apple says it should offer enough performance for researchers, developers, designers, creative professionals and other users with more demanding workflows.
The up to 14-core CPU of the M4 Pro chip consists of up to 10 performance cores and four energy-saving cores. It is up to 1.9 times faster than the CPU in the M1 Pro and up to 2.1 times faster than the latest AI PC chip. The up to 20-core GPU has double the graphics performance of the M4 chip and is up to 2.4 times faster than the latest AI PC chip.
The M4 Pro supports up to 64 GB of fast unified memory with a throughput of 273 GB/s. Interestingly, there is a 75 percent increase in throughput compared to the M3 Pro chip, which is a huge jump. Coupled with the faster Neural Engine of the M4 family of chips, this allows Apple Intelligence models on the device to run even faster at breakneck speed.
In addition, the M4 Pro brings Thunderbolt 5 support to Mac with transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps – more than double that of Thunderbolt 4.
The most powerful model
The M4 Max is the highlight of Apple’s new chip family. This top-performing processor is designed for data scientists, 3D artists, or composers who need to push their computer to its limits.
The M4 Max chip has up to a 16-core CPU with up to 12 performance cores and four economy cores. It is up to 2.2 times faster than the CPU in the M1 Max and up to 2.5 times faster than the latest AI PC chip. The up to 40-core GPU is up to 1.9 times faster than the GPU in the M1 Max and even up to 4 times faster than the latest AI PC chip.
Even demanding tasks, such as removing noise from raw video footage in DaVinci Resolve Studio, can run in real time on a computer with the M4 Max.
The M4 Max supports up to 128GB of fast unified memory with a throughput of 546GB/s, which is four times the throughput of the latest AI PC chip. “Developers can thus easily work with large language models that have almost 200 billion parameters,” emphasized Apple representatives.
“The advanced media engine in the M4 Max chip has two video encoding engines and two ProRes accelerators, so it is perfectly suited for professional video work,” they highlighted one of the other advantages. Of course, the M4 Max supports Thunderbolt 5, just like the M4 Pro, with a data transfer rate of up to 120 Gb/s.
A flood of news from Apple
The new chips were shown by Apple on Wednesday as part of “announcement week”, when the American technology giant reveals something new every day since the beginning of the week. On Monday, the new all-in-one iMac lineup was premiered, followed by the miniature Mac mini computer on Tuesday.
Both novelties are already available for pre-order, sales will start on Friday, November 8.
Prices for the iMac start at CZK 39,990 for the basic configuration with 16GB of operating memory and a 256GB SSD drive. The Mac mini will also be offered in various configurations, the basic one starting at CZK 17,490. For that price, people get an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Whether we will get any interesting news on Thursday remains to be seen…
Introducing the Apple Mac mini (2024) Video: manufacturer’s archive
Photo: archive of the manufacturer
Apple iMac (2024)
Top performance in an extremely compact package. Apple unveiled the new iMac
Hardware
Apple’s New M4 Chips: Cutting the Competition in Chips
Well, well, well! Hold onto your high-tech hats, folks! Apple just dropped some teasers about their new silicon sorcery, the M4 family of chips. Apparently, these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill processors; they are like the Olympic athletes of the chip world, capable of outpacing everyone else while simultaneously working an economy of scale, as Johny Srouji—Apple’s senior vice president for hardware tech—enthusiastically proclaimed. With claims that these are “the world’s fastest CPU cores,” it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow—or two!
The M4 Family: Performance That Would Make Your Gym Trainer Sweat
So, let’s break it down, shall we? The M4 chip is claimed to be up to 1.8 times faster than the M1. That’s like going from reading the label on your tomato soup to speed-reading the entire novel. And the GPU? A juicy 10-core setup that promises double the graphics performance of its predecessor. You’ll be able to edit photos, play games, and perhaps even render those awkward family videos in record time without wanting to throw your laptop out of the window.
But let’s not get too carried away—actual hands-on tests will tell us whether we’re getting a power lifter or just someone who skips leg day. The cherry on top? This miraculous chip supports two external displays alongside the built-in one, allowing your creativity to spill over like an unhinged artist.
For the Demanding User: M4 Pro and M4 Max – Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Speed
Now, if you think the basic M4 is impressive, brace yourselves. The M4 Pro chip is like that kid in class who finishes your homework and then explains the theory of relativity to you—up to 1.9 times faster than the M1 Pro, with an incredible throughput of 273 GB/s! If that doesn’t make your pulse rate pick up a notch, I’m not sure what will!
For the true high-flyers—the data scientists and 3D artists—there’s the M4 Max. Imagine it as the heavyweight champion of the processors, boasting up to 2.2 times the speed of the M1 Max. It’s practically designed for people dabbling in things that make mere mortals’ heads spin—like working with language models that have 200 billion parameters. Forget understanding women; this is far more complicated!
About That Thunderbolt 5, Right?
And let’s not forget Thunderbolt 5! With transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps, it’s like the Ferrari of connectivity. Your data will zip across that cable faster than you can say, “Is there anything Apple doesn’t do better?”
A Flood of New Products from Apple: Time to Grab Your Wallet!
The excitement doesn’t stop there, pals! Along with the unveilings of the new chips, Apple rolled out the iMac and the Mac mini, both available for pre-order faster than you can say “retail therapy.” From a starting price of CZK 39,990 for the iMac to CZK 17,490 for the Mac mini with an M4 chip, it’s safe to say they’re aiming to hit our wallets harder than a toddler in a toy store.
As for what surprises await on Day Four of Apple’s blockbuster “announcement week”? Well, you’d better keep your eyes peeled, because at this rate, we might just see a chip that can produce memes on its own!
In conclusion, Apple’s M4 chips seem pretty impressive on paper. Whether they live up to the hype remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they’re making quite the splash and causing us to ponder our tech budgets. So grab your popcorn, folks—this show is just getting started!
Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president for hardware technology, expressed his excitement about the company’s latest advancements: “Apple chips have transformed the Mac into an unprecedented powerhouse, and with the introduction of the new M4 Pro and M4 Max, we are continuing to push the boundaries of innovation.” His enthusiasm for the M4 series is palpable.
Srouji emphasized that these chips boast “the world’s fastest CPU cores,” featuring “a significantly more powerful GPU along with the fastest Neural Engine ever created.” He further stated, “The M4 family of chips, with their unmatched performance, energy efficiency, and versatile options, extend our lead as the most advanced chip series available on the market today.”
While practical performance tests will need to be conducted to validate his claims, the specifications of these new chips are indeed compelling. All chips utilize cutting-edge second-generation 3-nanometer technology, enhancing both their speed and energy efficiency.
Even more compact, but with higher performance. Apple unveiled the Mac mini
The increase in performance against the earlier generations of M-series chips is set to be evident in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications, delivering significant benefits for users.
The basic M4 chip makes its debut in Apple computers with the iconic bitten apple logo. It has up to 10 CPU cores, including four high-performance cores and as many as six energy-efficient cores. Apple representatives claim it is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1, demonstrating a notable leap in processing power. The 10-core GPU doubles the graphics performance experienced with the M1, which users will appreciate while editing photos or engaging in the latest gaming titles.
Additionally, the 16-core Neural Engine, responsible for running the latest AI functionalities from Apple, has also seen improvements in speed. The M4 chip supports up to 32 GB of unified memory and provides a remarkable throughput of 120 GB/s. This base model chip can efficiently manage two external displays alongside the integrated display.
For more demanding users
Targeted at power users, the M4 Pro chip offers robust performance tailored for researchers, developers, designers, and creative professionals who handle rigorous workflows.
The M4 Pro chip features a CPU with up to 14 cores, combining 10 performance cores and four energy-efficient cores. It surpasses the M1 Pro’s CPU by up to 1.9 times and significantly outpaces the latest AI PC chip by as much as 2.1 times. The 20-core GPU also elevates graphics performance, more than doubling that of the M4 chip and achieving a staggering 2.4 times improvement over the latest AI PC chip.
Enhanced capabilities include support for up to 64 GB of fast unified memory, achieving a throughput of 273 GB/s — reflecting a remarkable 75 percent increase compared to the M3 Pro chip. This leap, alongside the faster Neural Engine, accelerates the performance of Apple Intelligence models, allowing for incredibly fast processing speeds.
Moreover, the M4 Pro’s compatibility with Thunderbolt 5 enables transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps, more than double that of Thunderbolt 4, setting a new standard for connectivity.
The most powerful model
The highlight of Apple’s new chip lineup is undeniably the M4 Max, engineered specifically for data scientists, 3D artists, and composers who demand peak performance from their machines.
Equipped with a formidable 16-core CPU—featuring up to 12 performance cores and four energy-efficient cores—the M4 Max achieves a staggering performance increase, being up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 Max and up to 2.5 times faster than contemporary AI PC chips. The 40-core GPU outshines previous generations, showing an increase of up to 1.9 times over the M1 Max and an impressive 4 times compared to the latest AI PC chip.
Challenging tasks, like real-time noise reduction of raw video footage in DaVinci Resolve Studio, can now be accomplished seamlessly on machinery powered by the M4 Max.
With support for up to 128 GB of fast unified memory and a throughput of 546 GB/s, the M4 Max provides a robust environment for developers working with expansive language models housing nearly 200 billion parameters.
In addition, the advanced media engine in the M4 Max features dual video encoding engines and two ProRes accelerators, making it exceptionally suited for professional video production tasks. The M4 Max also supports Thunderbolt 5, matching the M4 Pro in data transfer capabilities of up to 120 Gb/s.
A flood of news from Apple
On Wednesday, Apple unveiled their new chips as part of an ambitious “announcement week,” showcasing new innovations daily since the week commenced. The week opened with the refreshed all-in-one iMac lineup, followed by the introduction of the compact Mac mini on Tuesday.
Both exciting new products are already available for pre-order, with sales set to kick off on Friday, November 8.
Pricing for the new iMac begins at CZK 39,990 for the base configuration, which includes 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. The Mac mini is also available in several configurations, with the entry-level model starting at CZK 17,490, offering an M4 chip, 16 GB of memory, and a 256 GB storage option.
As for what further announcements may emerge on Thursday, only time will tell…
A remarkable leap in graphics performance—over three times that of the previous models. This chip is designed to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease, ensuring that creative professionals can deliver their work without hindrance.
Furthermore, the M4 Max supports an astounding 128 GB of unified memory, with a throughput of 400 GB/s, allowing for seamless multitasking and intensive workloads that require immense processing power. The performance upgrades in machine learning applications are significant, catering perfectly to professionals engaged in data-heavy environments.
The Complete Package: A Connectivity Revolution with Thunderbolt 5
In addition to performance upgrades, the entire M4 lineup incorporates Thunderbolt 5, which enhances connectivity with transfer speeds reaching up to 120 Gbps. This enables faster data exchange and improves the experience when working with high-resolution displays or large external storage devices. It’s an impressive leap forward that reinforces Apple’s commitment to providing top-notch technology across its devices.
Conclusion: Setting a New Standard
Apple’s new M4 chip family is poised to redefine what users expect from their computing experiences. With monumental improvements in speed, efficiency, and graphics capabilities, these chips are set to cater to a wide range of users, from casual consumers to high-end professionals.
As Apple continues to push the envelope in chip technology, the M4 family is a testament to the innovation that has become synonymous with the brand. The unveiling of the iMac and Mac mini equipped with these chips marks just the beginning of a new era in personal computing—one that prioritizes performance while maintaining Apple’s hallmark design aesthetics.
While the true capabilities will only be fully understood through real-world testing, the promise of the M4 chips builds anticipation and excitement for what Apple has in store. For users looking for power, efficiency, and groundbreaking technology, the M4 series is undoubtedly worth watching—both in performance and in its potential impact on the tech landscape.