Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Apple M4 Max (16-core)
60.4Single-core86.9
51.9Multi-core80.8
80Efficiencyspec-based93.3
52.8Platformspec-based60
0 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)12 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 81.1 to 59.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+29) and single-core (+27). Apple M2 Max (12-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 Max (12-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M4 Max (16-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 81 vs 52
- 92% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 28,100 vs 14,600
- 81% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 26,300 vs 14,500
- 64% higher PassMark: 43,917 vs 26,834
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2024 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 16+33% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.5 GHz+23% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Apple 40-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 128 GB+33% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Apple M4 Max (16-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 30% | 4,020+46%Top 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 25% | 26,300+81%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 35% | 2,230+39%Top 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600Top 39% | 28,100+92%Top 10% |
| PassMark | 26,834Top 29% | 43,917+64%Top 10% |
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