MacBooks have entered a transformative period. The company revealed it would shift from the Intel processors that powered its devices since 2006, introducing the inaugural Macs equipped with the Apple-crafted M1. Fast forward to 2025, and the company now showcases a selection of 15 unique processors, the latest being the M4 series, which fuels the newest MacBook Pro.
Like Apple’s iPhones, these chips operate on the ARM architecture, granting Apple enhanced oversight of its hardware and software. These processors enhance the capabilities of Apple laptops, making them not only more powerful but also more energy-efficient, which translates to significantly better performance and battery longevity. Increasingly, we’re witnessing more Windows ARM laptops that deliver similar advantages. You also benefit from features like the ability to run mobile apps initially designed for iOS. Even with these advancements, picking the ideal MacBook remains a challenge. Here’s where to invest your hard-earned cash.
Updated March 2025: We’ve added the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models featuring the M4 and provided insights on the M3 Ultra.
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Overview of Each M-Series Chip
Apple has integrated its chips across various MacBook models. As of now, it could be tricky to find a MacBook operating on a chip from before the M2. If you manage to spot one of these older models (which were released four years ago), you might ponder how they compare to newer options. Below, we delve into the distinctions between each chip.
M1 Series
M1: This was the inaugural custom silicon showcased by Apple for its MacBook Air in 2020. It features an 8-core CPU and offers an 8-core GPU. Initially, it supported up to 16 GB of unified memory (RAM) for an additional cost, but now you can only acquire the 8-GB version. It’s significantly quicker than any previous Intel-powered MacBook Pro and serves as the practical choice for most users since it’s available in the most budget-friendly MacBook Air currently on the market (offered by third-party retailers). It has ample processing power for everyday activities—even casual gaming—and efficiently manages more demanding tasks like photo editing.
M1 Pro: The next significant upgrade is the M1 Pro. It features up to 10 CPU cores and up to a 16-core GPU with a capacity for 32 GB of unified memory. Apple claims its performance and graphics capabilities are twice as rapid as those of the M1. It’s notably superior to the base model, catering well to those who utilize MacBooks intensively for music production or photo and video editing. Available only in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro released in 2021, it’s the top choice for heavy-duty users.
M1 Max: Much like the M1 Pro, this chip contains a 10-core CPU but boasts a robust 32-core GPU (supporting up to 64 GB of unified memory). Apple asserts it’s four times faster than the M1 in terms of graphics. Testing has shown that this chip performs exceptionally well under load, making it a prime candidate for tasks such as running multiple streams of 8K or 4K video, 3D rendering, or developing applications and demos. If you know you require this level of power, this is the chip for you. Offered in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021, it’s for professionals who need serious performance.
M1 Ultra: Ranking just below the M1 Max in power, the M1 Ultra comprises two M1 Max chips linked via Apple’s UltraFusion technology. It has a 20-core CPU, a 64-core GPU (configurable to 128 GB of unified memory), and a 32-core neural engine, packing five times the number of transistors as the original M1. Despite the introduction of the M2 Ultra, the M1 Ultra remains a stellar choice for those requiring a high-performing processor for advanced graphics and visual tasks. It’s exclusive to the first-generation Mac Studio.
M2 Series
M2: It may seem intuitive that the M2 outperforms the M1 Pro or M1 Max, but that’s not entirely accurate. It serves as an entry-level chip akin to the M1, delivering slightly enhanced processing capabilities. Equipped with an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU (two additional GPU cores compared to its predecessor), it also accommodates up to 24 GB of unified memory. Apple claims the second-generation chip is 18 percent faster in CPU performance and 35 percent more powerful in terms of GPU. While the M2 is adept at daily tasks like document editing and online browsing, it falls short for complex tasks such as editing multiple 4K video streams and 3D rendering—jobs better suited for the M1 Pro or M1 Max (or the forthcoming two chips). It’s seen in the MacBook Air (13-inch, 2022), MacBook Air (15-inch, 2022), and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2022).
M2 Pro: The M2 Pro is the next evolutionary chip following the M2. Sporting up to 12 cores in the CPU and up to a 19-core GPU, it supports up to 32 GB of unified memory. Apple proclaims its performance can reach 20 percent faster than the 10-core M1 Pro and graphics performance can be 30 percent quicker. This chip is highly suggested for intermediate-level video and photo editors. Although it’s a modest enhancement compared to the M1 Pro, it’s the optimal option for users desiring a more future-proof processor. It’s found in the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) released in early 2023, also in Mac Mini (2023).
M2 Max: Featuring up to a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU (with the capacity for 96 GB of unified memory), the M2 Max’s graphics capability is 30 percent superior to the M1 Max. This chip is a fantastic selection for those engaged in graphics-intensive tasks, including graphic design, 3D modeling, and heavy-duty video editing. As with the M2 Pro, it’s an incremental upgrade for those transitioning from an M1 Max. It’s integrated within the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) launched early in 2023, and also the Mac Studio (2023).
M2 Ultra: The successor to the M1 Ultra, this chip appears in the second-generation Mac Studio and the Mac Pro (2023). It consists of two M2 Max chips utilizing Apple’s UltraFusion technology, featuring a 24-core CPU and GPUs configurable with either 60 or 76 cores. Apple claims the CPU offers up to 20 percent faster performance and 30 percent quicker GPU performance than the M1 Ultra. Opt for this chip if you’re handling exceedingly demanding content that you believe the M1 Ultra, M2 Pro, or M2 Max may struggle to tackle. You will know if this chip is essential for your needs.
M3 Series
M3: The M3 is included in the 14-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023), 13-inch MacBook Air (2024), 15-inch MacBook Air (2024), and 24-inch iMac (2023). It boasts an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, supporting 24 gigabytes of unified memory. In comparison to the M1, Apple states the CPU performance is up to 35 percent faster, and GPU performance is up to 65 percent faster. They also report that both CPU and GPU are 20 percent quicker than the M2. Like the M1 and M2, it’s effective for basic tasks such as word processing, emailing, working with spreadsheets, and lighter gaming. Notably, with the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, you can now support two external displays (one with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and another with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz).
M3 Pro: Equipped with a 12-core CPU and an 18-core GPU, Apple indicates the M3 Pro’s GPU is only slightly faster than the M2 Pro—making this a marginal improvement over its predecessor. However, when compared to the M1 Pro, the M3 Pro achieves up to 40 percent better GPU performance and 20 percent better CPU performance. It’s included in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro released in 2023. It’s the ideal middle ground for those who require more power than the M3 presents, but who won’t need the full capacity offered by the M3 Max.
M3 Max: The pinnacle of power within the series, the M3 Max surpasses the M2 Max in performance. It incorporates a 16-core CPU, a 40-core GPU, and supports up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory. According to Apple, its CPU performance is up to 80 percent quicker than the M1 Max and 50 percent more efficient than the M2 Max. In terms of GPU performance, it’s stated to be up to 50 percent faster than the M1 Max and 20 percent swifter than the M2 Max. The M3 Max is available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023).
M3 Ultra: While the M3 lineup debuted in 2023, Apple unveiled the M3 Ultra in 2025. Intriguingly, this is the most powerful chip in the M-series roster, even exceeding the latest M4 Max. It features an up to 32-core CPU (including 24 performance cores) and a GPU with up to 80 cores. Apple claims it is up to 2.5 times quicker than the M1 Ultra. Additionally, it offers 96 GB of unified memory, which can be upgraded to 512 GB, while SSD storage can reach up to 16 GB. This chip is currently only available on the 2025 Mac Studio.
M4 Series
M4: As the current entry-level chip, the M4 consists of a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. Apple claims it achieves 1.8 times quicker CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU performance compared to the M1. Moreover, its neural engine is over three times quicker than before and twice as fast as the M3. It comes standard with 16 GB of unified memory, enhancing the capabilities related to Apple Intelligence (the company’s set of artificial intelligence features) considerably. The M4 is part of the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024), iMac (2024), and MacBook Air (13-inch and 15-inch, 2025).
M4 Pro: The M4 Pro features a 14-core CPU (which Apple states is up to 1.9 times quicker than the M1 Pro) and offers up to a 20-core GPU, with a maximum capacity of 64 GB of unified memory. Built using a second-generation 3-nanometer process, it also incorporates features like mesh shading and ray tracing—enhancements that are now twice as fast as on M3 chips. You can find it on the new MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) and Mac Mini (2024).
M4 Max: This variant comes with a 16-core CPU and up to a 40-core GPU, supporting up to 128 GB of unified memory. Apple claims its CPU is up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 Max, while the GPU can be up to 1.9 times quicker. Similar to the M4 Pro, it provides support for mesh shading and ray tracing. The M2 Ultra is the most robust chip available presently, but it’s confined to the second-generation Mac Studio. The M4 Max is, at this moment, the most powerful chip accessible in a MacBook and is part of the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Which Macs Are Compatible with Apple Intelligence?
