Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Intel Processor N250
65.6Single-core—
66.5Multi-core—
93.3Efficiency82.2
60Platform27.6
6 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)1 spec wins — Intel Processor N250
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M3 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 69.6 to 54.9, pulling ahead mainly in platform (+32) and efficiency (+11). Intel Processor N250 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger efficiency score: 93 vs 82
- Stronger platform score: 60 vs 28
- 700% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 16 GB
- 300% higher cores: 16 vs 4
- 300% higher threads: 16 vs 4
Reasons to pick the Intel Processor N250
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm+70% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 6 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 12 | 0 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 4 |
| Threads | 16+300% | 4 |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz+12% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 6 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Intel UHD Graphics |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+700% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Intel Processor N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 12% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200Top 12% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950Top 30% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200Top 22% | — |
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