Apple M4 Pro 12 Cores
Apple M4 Pro 12 Cores: A Revolution in Mobile Performance
Architecture and Process Technology: 3 nm for Maximum Efficiency
The Apple M4 Pro 12 Cores processor is a new milestone in the Apple Silicon chip lineup. Built on a 3-nanometer process, it combines 12 cores: 8 Performance-cores (P-cores) and 4 Efficiency-cores (E-cores). Each core operates with a single thread (12 threads in total), which is characteristic of Apple’s architecture—there’s no hyper-threading, but optimization for specific tasks is present.
- P-cores are responsible for heavy computations: rendering, code compilation, video processing. Their base frequency is 4.41 GHz, and in turbo mode, they can briefly boost higher.
- E-cores are intended for background tasks (file downloads, updates, streaming) and operate at reduced frequencies, saving battery life.
The integrated graphics Apple M4 GPU (16-core) represents a significant advancement. The 16 compute units support ray tracing, hardware acceleration for video encoding/decoding (including ProRes and AV1), and enhanced gaming performance. In comparison, the GPU in the M3 Pro had 14–18 cores, but the M4 shows a 20–30% performance increase in rendering tests.
Power Consumption and TDP: Balance Between Power and Longevity
Apple does not disclose the exact TDP, but analyses show that the M4 Pro is in the 25–35 W range. This is comparable to Intel's Core i7-H series or AMD's Ryzen 9 7940HS, but with a key difference: thanks to the 3 nm process, Apple achieves greater efficiency. For example, in idle mode, the processor consumes less than 1 W by switching tasks to E-cores.
The cooling system in laptops with M4 Pro (for instance, the MacBook Pro 14") passively manages workloads in office scenarios, and active fans only kick in during prolonged use in Adobe Premiere or Blender.
Performance: From Excel to AAA Games
Geekbench 6 test results are impressive:
- Single-Core: 3751 — higher than Intel Core i9-13900HK (3200) and AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX (3300).
- Multi-Core: 20088 — here the M4 Pro beats even 16-core desktop processors like the Ryzen 9 7950X.
Real-World Scenarios:
- Office Work: 50 tabs in Chrome + running Figma and Slack in parallel — the processor utilizes E-cores, maintaining interface smoothness.
- Multimedia: Rendering 8K video in Final Cut Pro is 30% faster than on the M3 Pro.
- Gaming: In Resident Evil 4 (Medium settings, 1200p), the M4 GPU delivers a stable 60 FPS. In comparison, Intel Iris Xe barely reaches 30 FPS at the same resolution.
Turbo Mode: Under short bursts of load (e.g., exporting a project), the P-cores can boost to 4.8 GHz, but after 5–7 minutes, the frequency drops to 4.0 GHz to avoid overheating.
Use Cases: Who is the M4 Pro Designed For?
1. Professionals:
- Video editors, 3D designers, developers—all who require mobility without compromises.
- Example: Rendering a 10-minute video in DaVinci Resolve takes 8 minutes compared to 12 minutes on the M2 Pro.
2. Gamers:
- Although Macs are not gaming platforms, the M4 Pro handles modern projects through Rosetta 2 or cloud services.
3. Everyday Tasks:
- For document work, streaming, and video calls, the processor is more than adequate, ensuring "future-proofing."
Battery Life: Up to 20 Hours Without Plugging In
Thanks to the division into P- and E-cores, laptops with the M4 Pro exhibit record operating times:
- 18–20 hours during web surfing (brightness at 50%).
- 10–12 hours in video editing mode.
Energy-saving technologies:
- Adaptive Voltage Scaling — dynamically adjusts voltage for cores.
- Unified Memory Architecture — reduces latency and energy costs for data transfer between CPU, GPU, and RAM.
Comparison with Competitors: Who are the Leaders?
- Apple M3 Pro (12-core): The M4 Pro is 25% faster in multi-threaded tasks.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H: Wins in compatibility with Windows software, but falls short in energy efficiency (battery life of laptops—up to 8 hours).
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS: Close in performance but requires a bulkier cooling system.
The main advantage of the M4 Pro is performance per watt. It is 2–3 times more efficient than counterparts from Intel and AMD in tasks such as code compilation or rendering.
Pros and Cons: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
Strengths:
- Record battery life.
- High performance in professional applications.
- Quiet operation in most scenarios.
Weaknesses:
- Limited upgrade options (RAM and SSD are soldered to the motherboard).
- High price: laptops with M4 Pro start at $2500.
- Few optimized games for macOS.
Recommendations for Laptop Selection
1. Ultrabook: MacBook Pro 14" — ideal for designers and programmers.
2. Workstation: MacBook Pro 16" — Liquid Retina XDR display and improved cooling for prolonged loads.
What to Pay Attention To:
- Memory size: at least 16 GB for video editing, 32 GB for 3D modeling.
- SSD: 1 TB or more if working with 4K materials.
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 for connecting 6K monitors and external drives.
Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the M4 Pro?
This processor is designed for those who are not willing to sacrifice power for mobility. If you:
- Are a professional in the creative field,
- Value silence and long battery life,
- Are ready to invest in a long-term solution,
the M4 Pro will be an excellent choice. Its key advantages — speed, efficiency, and integration with the Apple ecosystem — justify the high price for its target audience. For average users, the base M3 or even M2 is sufficient, but where every second of rendering counts, the M4 Pro stands unrivaled.