All Apple processors are spread across all the different MacBook models. While Apple only sells M4 MacBooks, you can find older models from some third-party sellers online or completely refurbished. If you’re stumbling across its older chips (that came out four years ago), you might be wondering how it compares to other options. We break down the differences between each.
M5 series
M5: The release of the M5 line of CHIPS has just begun. The Base M5 continues with a 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, although there is also a lower 9-Core CPU The M5 is about 10 to 15 percent faster in CPU performance, but it also takes a significant step forward in GPU, AI workloads and storage speed.
The M4 Series
M4: The M4 was launched in 2024. It has 10-core CPU and 10-core gpu. Apple claims it delivers 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU performance than the M1. Meanwhile, the neural engine is more than three times faster than the original and twice as fast as the M3. It also starts with 16 GB of integrated memory, which will help the power of Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of features for artificial intelligence) more smoothly. Available for 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024), IMAC (2024), and macbook air (13-inch and 15-inch, 2025).
M4 pro: The M4 Pro has a 14-Core CPU (which Apple claims is up to 1.9 times faster than the M1 Pro) up to a 20-Core GPU, up to 64 GB of combined memory. It is built on the 2nd generation 3rd generation process, and supports advanced GPU features such as mesh shading and ray tracing – which is twice as fast as the M3 Chips. You’ll find it on the latest MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) and Mac mini (2024).
M4 MAX: This chip has a 16-Core CPU up to a 40-Core GPU with support for 128 cores of discrete memory. Apple claims that the CPU is up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 max, while the GPU is up to 1.9 times faster. As with the M4 Pro, it packs support for Mesh Shading and tracking. The M4 Max is currently the most powerful chip you can find in a MacBook, and is available in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. You can also find it as an option in the current Mac studio.
M3 series
M3: The M3 is available in the 14-inch MacCook Pro (late 2023), 1-inch MacBook Air (2024), 15-inch MacBook Air (2024), and 24-inch IMAC (2023). It packs an 8-Core CPU up to a 10-Core GPU with 24 GB of integrated memory. Compared to the M1, Apple claims CPU performance is up to 35 percent faster and GPU performance is up to 65 percent faster. The company says the CPU and GPU are 20 percent faster than the M2. As with the M1 and M2, it’s good for basic tasks like word processing, emailing, using spreadsheets, and light gaming. Air 13-inch and 15-inch MacKook, and have support for two external displays (one display with up to 6k resolution at 60 Hz and another with 6K resolution at 60 Hz).
M3 Pro: With a 12-core CPU and an 18-COORE gpu, Apple says that the M3 Pro’s GPU is up to 10 percent faster than the M2 Pro’s—which makes this update bittersweet. Compared to the M1 Pro, however, the M2 Pro is up to 40 percent faster in GPU performance and 20 percent faster in CPU performance. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch macook Pro from 2023. It’s great among those who need a more powerful chip than the M3 but won’t use the full potential of the M3 Max.
M3 Max: This is the next step from the M2 Max and three more powerful chips (but still not as powerful as the M2 Ultra). It has a 16-CORE CPU, a 40-Core GPU, and up to 128 GB of integrated memory. According to Apple, CPU performance is up to 80 percent faster than the M1 max and 50 percent faster than the M2 MAX. As for GPU performance, it is said to be up to 50 percent faster than the M1 max and 20 percent faster than the M2 MAX. The M3 Max is available in 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023).
M3 Ultra: While the M3 line was launched in 2023, Apple announced the M3 Ultra in 2025. It’s arguably the most powerful chip in the M-Series lineup. It has up to 32-Core CPU (with 24 active cores) and GPU with up to 80 cores. Apple claims it’s up to 2.5 times faster than the M1 Ultra. It also comes with 96 GB of integrated memory, with the option to upgrade up to 512 GB, while the SSD storage can be expanded to 16 GB. This chip is currently only available in the 2025 Mac studio.
M2 series
M2: You might think the M2 is better than the M1 Pro or M1 Max, but you’d be wrong. It’s an entry-level chip like the M1, with less processing power. It packs an 8-core CPU and a 10-core gpu (some GPUs are more GPUs than before), as well as integrated memory support. Apple says the second-generation chip has an 18 percent faster CPU and 35 percent more powerful GPU. The M2 is good for everyday tasks like word processing and web browsing, but tasks like editing multiple streams of 4k footage and 3D rendering should be reserved for the M1 Pro (or the next two chips). It is available on macbook air (13 inch, 2022), Macbook Air (15 inch, 2022), and Macook Pro (13 inch, 2022).
M2 Pro: The M2 Pro is the next step up from the M2. It has up to 12 cores in the CPU and up to 19-Core GPU, with up to 32 GB of integrated memory. Apple claims performance is up to 20 percent faster than the 10-Core M1 Pro and the graphics are 30 percent faster. We recommend this chip for intermediate video editors and photo editors. It’s a risky upgrade compared to the M1 Pro, but it’s the best option for those looking for a future-proof processor. You will find it on MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from early 2023 and Mac mini (2023).
M2 Max: The M2 Max packs up to a 12-CORE CPU and a 38-Core GPU (with support for up to 96 GB of integrated memory). According to Apple, the graphics are 30 percent faster than the M1 Max. The M2 Max is an excellent choice for those working with graphics-intensive content, including graphic design, 3D Modeling, and Heavy-Duty Video Fook. But like the M2 Pro, it’s an incremental upgrade from the M1 Max. Available for MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) released in early 2023 and Mac Studio (2023).
M2 Ultra: This is the successor to the M1 Ultra. It is available on the 2nd generation and Mac Pro (2023). Combined with two M2 Max chips, using Apple’s UltraFusion technology, the M2 Ultra has a 24-Core CPU and a GPU configured with 60 or 76 cores. Apple claims that the CPU delivers 20 percent faster performance and 30 percent faster GPU than the M1 Ultra. This is a chip to find out if you work with it badly Heavy content that you believe in M1 Ultra, M2 Pro, or M2 max simply cannot handle. You will know if you need a chip this strong.
M1 series
M1: This was the first silicon apple based on its macbook air in 2020. It has 8-Core CPU up to 8-Core GPU. Initially, there was support for up to 16 GB of integrated memory (RAM) at an additional cost, but these days you can only buy an 8-GB model. It’s faster than any Intel-Powered Mac-Powered MacOBook Pro, and it’s a viable option for many people, since it’s in the air of the cheapest MacCook Ability to buy (from third-party sellers). It packs more than enough processing power to get you through normal day-to-day tasks – even light gaming – and can handle intensive tasks like photo editing.
M1 pro: From there, the next step up was the M1 Pro. It has up to 10 CPU cores and up to 16-CORE GPU, up to 32 GB of integrated memory. Apple says performance and graphics are both as fast as the M1. We found it to be more capable than the basic chip, perfect for anyone who works a lot on macbooks for music production or photo and video editing. Macook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from 2021 Use this chip.
M1 max: Like the M1 Pro, the M1 Max has a 10-Core CPU but a Heftier 32-Core GPU (with support for up to 64 GB of integrated memory). Apple says it’s four times faster than the M1 in terms of graphics. As proven in tests, this chip is very powerful and handles all heavy duty tasks with ease. It was the choice if you needed a computer that could handle multiple streams of 8k or 4K video footage, 3D rendering, or developing applications and running demos. You probably already know you need this much energy. Available for MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from 2021.
M1 Ultra: M1 Ultra was the most powerful. It is two M1 max chips connected with a technology called ultrahusion. It packs a 20-core CPU, 64-core gPu (which can be configured with 128 GB of integrated memory), and a 32-core neural engine complete with several M1 transfers. Even with the M3 Ultra now available, the M1 Ultra remains powerful and a solid choice for anyone who needs a heavy-duty processor for great viewing and graphics. It was only available on the first generation Mac.
