Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
60.4Single-core79
51.9Multi-core86.8
80Efficiencyspec-based44.4
—iGPU60.5
52.8Platformspec-based73.9
0 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)12 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 59.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+35) and single-core (+19). 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 Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 52
- 300% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 4
- 171% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 14,600
- 167% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 96 GB
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 24+100% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 16+300% |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | — | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 5.5 GHz+49% |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 96 GB | 256 GB+167% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760Top 30% | 3,198+16%Top 9% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500Top 25% | 21,581+49%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600Bottom 35% | 2,340+46%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600Top 39% | 39,617+171%Top 1% |
| PassMark | 26,834Top 29% | 58,672+119%Top 1% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,855Top 37% |
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