When Apple ventured into creating its own processors for Macs in 2020, the move was met with skepticism. Yet, while many doubted, we anticipated a seismic shift. In our post, Apple Silicon, the revolution of corporate workstations we predicted why this decision was not just a bold step but a calculated leap forward. The M1 processor broke free from Intel’s constraints, opening the door to uncharted possibilities for Macs. Then followed the M2 and M3, each pushing boundaries, culminating in the M4 in 2024. This isn’t merely another upgrade—it’s the realization of a groundbreaking vision.
The M4 represents the pinnacle of Apple’s engineering, a seamless blend of hardware and software that delivers unparalleled performance. With complete control over both domains, Apple has shattered conventions. The M4 boasts performance gains of 1.5 to 2 times over the M1—a remarkable feat achieved in just four years. Even more impressive, it sets a new standard for energy efficiency.
As we wrote in our previous article, M3: to infinity and beyond “The future is here.” With the M4, that sentiment becomes an undeniable reality.
The M4 processor: cutting-edge technology meets meticulous design
Manufactured using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s second-generation 3-nanometer (N3E) fabrication technology, the M4 epitomizes cutting-edge semiconductor design. Apple’s confidence in this processor’s success was so immense that TSMC allocated 90% of its N3E production capacity to Apple in 2024—a bold move that paid off.
But the M4 is far more than a refinement of its predecessor. It introduces substantial architectural advancements:
Decode Unit Expansion: Widened from 9 to 10 lanes, akin to expanding a highway to accommodate more traffic. Tasks such as video editing and code compilation benefit from enhanced throughput.
Dispatch Buffer Growth: By enlarging this critical “waiting area” for instructions, Apple has removed a significant performance bottleneck.
Integer Physical Register Buffer Increase: A 21% boost accelerates computations reliant on integers, enhancing performance for tasks like cryptography and database management.
Reduced Memory Latency: Memory response time drops from 96ms to 88ms, an improvement with tangible benefits in scenarios demanding real-time responsiveness.
Neural Engine Enhancements: Doubling its performance to 38 TOPS, the Neural Engine excels in AI workloads such as image recognition and language processing.
These improvements combine to create a processor that is not only faster but fundamentally more efficient. With optimized core distribution, refined cluster operations, and energy-efficient E-cores, the M4 redefines what’s possible.
The M4 family comes standard with four high performance (P) and six efficiency (E) cores, but the Pro and Max versions can have up to 12 P cores.
Numbers That Speak Volumes
Performance metrics for the M4 are unequivocal. Benchmarks indicate a 1.5 to 2 times improvement over the M1 across all categories. Yet, synthetic tests only hint at the real-world impact. For instance, developers compiling complex iOS projects will see build times reduced from three minutes to under two. Across 20 builds a day, this translates to substantial productivity gains.
When compared to the M1, synthetic benchmarks reveal a performance leap of roughly 1.5 to 2 times. This improvement spans the entire Mac ecosystem, from the processor to memory architecture. However, it’s important to note that synthetic benchmarks primarily measure raw processing power, rather than architectural innovations like big.LITTLE configurations, clustering, or QoS optimizations. These enhancements often shine during real-world usage, meaning practical performance gains could surpass synthetic projections.For instance, a developer compiling a complex iOS project—a task that previously took three minutes—could now complete it in under two minutes. Over the course of 20 builds in a single day, that translates to 20 minutes of saved time per developer. Beyond the numbers, this improvement has a profound impact on productivity. Faster build times allow developers to maintain their flow, minimizing disruptive "context-shifting" and enabling them to focus on what truly matters: creating exceptional software.
The former is a dramatic improvement for image, audio and video processing, the latter for AI-based applications, image recognition and even speech recognition.
The M4’s energy efficiency is equally remarkable. Despite delivering nearly double the performance of the M1, it consumes just 1W more power. Compared to an average PC workstation, the savings in energy and cooling costs are significant. Additionally, MacBook Pros equipped with the M4 achieve 10% longer battery life, even under heavy workloads, ensuring uninterrupted performance wherever work takes you.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, an M4 MacBook Pro will last 10% longer on battery than the M3 even after 3.5 hours of massive stress testing. This not only increases mobility, but also means that performance remains consistent even when the machine is not on the charger. There's no performance degradation, no 'power saving mode' - the world's fastest workstation works just as fast in the coffee shop as it does at your desk.
Perhaps now you understand why I wrote that M4 is not just another processor, but an entirely new performance category.
M4-Powered Macs: the era of compromise is over
From notebooks to desktops, the M4 revolutionizes Apple’s lineup: • MacBook Pro: Exceptional battery performance means you can leave your charger behind and work uninterrupted all day.
• iMac: Equipped with the M4 and 16GB of memory as standard, it’s the perfect executive workstation, combining power and elegance.
But the icing on the cake - and my personal favourite - is definitely the new Mac mini. It's a 13×13-inch box, barely 5 centimetres high, barely heavier than a half-pound rye loaf, yet with more computing power than the previous generation Mac Studio or the vast majority of PC workstations. And all this while the entire system consumes less power than a standard desktop PC fan! No wonder Apple has completely redesigned the machine - it's no longer a "mini" Mac, but a serious workstation in compact form.
And by the way, I love that Apple is fooling me. Yes, I love it. I know I'm being fooled, but still. Because the footprint of the new Mac mini is spectacularly smaller than the old one, but not really that much smaller when you add in how much taller it is. But that's what gives it the cuteness factor. For days, my brain couldn't get it through its head that this mind-blowing power was locked up in this tiny, cute box in front of me. An engineering feat I can't help but love.
And because Mac minis traditionally last for a decade, they're also a perfect choice for a server. Especially now that it finally comes with 16 GB of memory as standard, for the same price as the 8 GB model. And the starting price of 299.990 HUF means that one of the world's fastest desktops is finally available at a truly affordable price.
The Ultimate Enterprise Workstation
The M4 is more than just a processor; it’s a redefinition of enterprise computing.
Businesses transitioning from Intel Macs will experience systems three times faster while consuming a third of the power.
Even M1 users will find the nearly doubled performance hard to ignore.
For Windows-based enterprises, the M4 makes the Mac an irresistible proposition. Virtualization runs at near-native speeds, and macOS security remains unmatched, with far fewer malware threats than competing systems. Apple's mature device management tools further simplify fleet management while ensuring robust data protection.
And, of course, more importantly, macOS security has always been legendary, but in recent years it has only got stronger thanks to Apple's efforts. According to Kaspersky statistics, by 2023, there will be nearly 20,000 new families of ransomware alone. By contrast, a total of 21 new malware families were identified for macOS in 2023, which, although a 50% increase on the previous year, is still a telling difference. I leave it to the reader to consider which of the 19,979 new malware programs is targeting which operating system. And no, it's not because no one uses a Mac - as we occasionally hear in conversations around the coffee machine. In 2023, the Mac will have passed 100 million (!) users, and in the US, one in three desktops is already running macOS.
Apple’s Enterprise Device Management (MDM) tools have matured, offering seamless fleet management. From centralized updates to robust data protection via the Secure Enclave, Apple ensures enterprise-grade security without compromising user experience.
The M4 fulfills Apple’s promise of 2020: a powerful, efficient, and sustainable enterprise workstation. Compact, innovative, and energy-conscious, it redefines the workstation for the future. The era of bulky, power-hungry PCs is waning. With the M4 at its core, Apple is leading the charge toward a future defined by efficiency and performance.
