Apple M2 (8-core) vs Apple M2 Max (12-core)
44Single-core47.6
24.7Multi-core41.5
80Efficiency80
35Platform52.8
0 spec wins — Apple M2 (8-core)10 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 51.5 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in platform (+18) and Multi-core (+17). Apple M2 (8-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
- Stronger Single-core score: 48 vs 44
- Stronger Multi-core score: 42 vs 25
- Stronger platform score: 53 vs 35
- 300% higher Max memory: 96 GB vs 24 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
General
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2023 |
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 8 | 12+50% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+5% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 10-core GPU | Apple 38-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 96 GB+300% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M2 Max (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,600Top 55% | 2,760+6%Top 42% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,750Top 85% | 14,500+49%Top 36% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,580Top 86% | 1,600+1%Top 79% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,700Top 92% | 14,600+68%Top 56% |
Related comparisons
Apple M2 (8-core)vs Intel Core i5-13500HVSApple M2 (8-core)vs Intel Core i5-1340PVSApple M2 (8-core)vs AMD Ryzen 7 6800HVSApple M2 (8-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100VSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185HVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs Apple M3 (8-core)VSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HVSApple M2 Max (12-core)vs AMD Ryzen 5 220VS