Tag: M4 Chip

  • Apple M4 MacBook Air Debuts on Geekbench: Performance Insights

    Apple M4 MacBook Air Debuts on Geekbench: Performance Insights

    Key Takeaways

    1. The new MacBook Air features Apple’s M4 chip, showcasing impressive performance similar to the Pro model.
    2. Geekbench scores for the MacBook Air are 3,680 (single-core) and 14,924 (multi-core), indicating minimal performance differences from the Pro model in standard tasks.
    3. The Metal test score for the M4 MacBook Air is 54,864, which is lower than the average score of 57,948.
    4. The performance gap in Metal tests may be due to fewer GPU cores in the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air.
    5. The tested MacBook Air model likely has 16 GB of RAM, suggesting it is a base model.

    Just a day after a somewhat lackluster press release, the new MacBook Air powered by Apple’s M4 chip has made its debut on Geekbench. This showcases the impressive new chip and gives us an idea of the performance we can expect from it. Not surprisingly, its performance is quite similar to that of the Pro model.

    Geekbench Scores Revealed

    The MacBook Air (Mac16,13) achieves scores of 3,680 in single-core and 14,924 in multi-core tests on Geekbench 6.4. These scores are close to the average results in our benchmark database, which are 3,748 and 15,100 respectively. This suggests there won’t be a significant performance gap between the Pro and Air models, at least in tasks that don’t require prolonged performance.

    Metal Test Performance

    In the Metal test conducted by Geekbench, the M4 MacBook Air scores 54,864 points, which is noticeably lower than our average score of 57,948. This might be attributed to the reduced number of GPU cores in the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air. However, we can’t be certain since Geekbench does not disclose the GPU core count. Nevertheless, it is likely that this is a base model as it comes equipped with 16 GB of RAM.

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    Apple M4 MacBook Air Debuts on Geekbench: Performance InsightsApple M4 MacBook Air Debuts on Geekbench: Performance Insights
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  • Apple MacBook Air M4: Improved AI, Battery Life, and Lower Price

    Apple MacBook Air M4: Improved AI, Battery Life, and Lower Price

    Key Takeaways

    1. The new MacBook Air M4 features the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, offering enhanced performance and AI integration.
    2. It includes a 12MP webcam with Center Stage and Desk View for improved video calls and presentations.
    3. The base model now comes with 16GB of RAM and supports up to 32GB of unified memory for better multitasking.
    4. The MacBook Air M4 retains a sleek design with a new Sky Blue color option and offers improved external display support, managing two 6K displays simultaneously.
    5. Pricing starts at $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model, with pre-orders available and shipping beginning March 12.

    Hot on the heels of Apple’s latest iPads launch, the company has now announced the new MacBook Air, powered by the M4 chip. This refresh brings Apple Intelligence, improved battery life, a new 12MP webcam with Center Stage, and 16GB of base RAM—all for a lower price than the previous model.

    MacBook Air M4: Specs and Features

    When it comes to appearance, the MacBook Air M4 looks almost exactly like the previous model. It continues the sleek, fanless design, but now offers a fresh Sky Blue color option alongside Silver, Starlight, and Midnight shades.

    Available in both 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch display sizes, the Air boasts a brightness of 500 nits, a color depth of 10-bit, P3 wide color gamut, and True Tone technology. The highlight of this update is the new M4 chip, which comes with a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. It also supports a maximum of 32GB of unified memory.

    Enhanced Features and AI Integration

    The entry-level model now begins with 16GB of RAM, a change that Apple made across the M2 and M3 Air models last October. A segment of this memory will also power Apple Intelligence, which is the company’s collection of AI-enhanced features. Apple Intelligence includes tools like Smart Replies in Messages, Mail Summaries, Cleanup in Apple Photos, Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground. Similar to the iPhone, these AI functions mainly operate on-device, ensuring that most tasks remain private. For more complicated cloud requests, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute securely handles the processing without sharing user data.

    Additionally, the new Air features an upgraded 12MP front-facing camera nestled in the notch, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro series. It includes Center Stage, which keeps you centered during video calls, and Desk View, which allows you to show both your face and a bird’s-eye view of your desk at the same time—great for demos and presentations.

    Price and Availability

    The MacBook Air M4 keeps two Thunderbolt 4 ports and offers MagSafe charging. A major improvement over the M3 model is its capability for external displays—while the earlier Air could only support one 6K display, the new version can manage two displays at once.

    The starting price for the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 is $999 in the United States and ₹99,000 in India, whereas the 15-inch model is available for $1,199 and ₹124,000, respectively. Pre-orders are currently open, with shipping set to commence on March 12.

    Apple MacBook Air M4: Improved AI, Battery Life, and Lower PriceApple MacBook Air M4: Improved AI, Battery Life, and Lower Price
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  • Apple Set for First Full Mac Lineup Update in Over 10 Years

    Apple Set for First Full Mac Lineup Update in Over 10 Years

    Apple seems poised to do something it hasn’t accomplished in more than ten years—refresh its complete Mac range using a single chip generation. Although it’s been four years since the M1 chip was introduced, Apple hasn’t yet updated all its models at the same time.

    A History of Staggered Updates

    When the M1 was launched, Apple did not include the Mac Pro, and the M2 update missed the iMac as well. This pattern of staggered updates is not something new for the tech giant from Cupertino; it’s a trend that goes back before the M-series chips were even thought about.

    For instance, Apple updated various Macs with Intel’s latest SoC at the time but left out the iMac Pro and the Mac mini. The last time there was a truly synchronized Mac update was in 2013 with the “trashcan” Mac Pro. So, if the rumors about the M4 chip are correct, it would be a landmark moment for both Apple and Mac enthusiasts.

    M4 Chip Expected by 2025

    Now, industry insider Mark Gurman predicts that by mid-2025, Apple will incorporate the M4 chip into the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, aiming to harmonize the entire lineup. The company has already refreshed the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, adding several impressive upgrades, including faster Thunderbolt ports, options for nano-texture displays, and improvements to the Center Stage camera.

    The highlight of these new devices is the performance enhancement from the M4 chip. In the MacBook Pro, for instance, the M4 chip provides significant speed boosts, running 1.8 times quicker than the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro in gigapixel photo editing and 3.4 times faster for rendering complex scenes in Blender. Additionally, it features a 16-core Neural Engine that works three times faster than the M1.

    The Power of M4 Pro Chip

    Discussing the more robust M4 Pro chip, it offers a substantial increase in both single-core and multi-core performance. The Mac mini equipped with the M4 Pro is now the fastest desktop Mac that Apple has, even exceeding the M2 Ultra in terms of CPU capabilities.

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  • M4 iPad Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro: Speed Comparison Results

    M4 iPad Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro: Speed Comparison Results

    Apple has recently unveiled a range of new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The latest models feature the powerful M2 and M4 chips, with a notable performance comparison showcased during Apple's presentation. Following the event, Geekbench benchmark results for the M4 iPad Pro surfaced on Twitter.

    M4 iPad Pro Performance

    According to Vadim Yuryev's tweet, the 2024 iPad Pro boasts an impressive single-core score of 3,767 and a multi-core score of 14,677. Apple had earlier claimed that the M4 chip offers a 1.5 times boost in speed compared to the M2 iPad Pro. Surprisingly, Apple chose to skip the M3 iPad Pro, introducing the M4 variant instead.

    Enhanced Performance and Design

    By bypassing the M3 version, Apple managed to achieve a significant performance leap of 25% in just 7 months with the M4 chip. The new M4 iPad Pro is highlighted as the most potent and thinnest iPad yet, a claim that appears to be substantiated by the Geekbench scores.

    Impressive Specifications

    The M4 iPad Pro demonstrates a 22% increase in single-core performance and a 25% improvement in multi-core performance. Notably, the M4 chip propels the 2024 iPad Pro past the 11-core 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro in terms of speed. This remarkable performance enhancement becomes even more striking considering the slim 5.1mm form factor of the new iPad Pro.

    Apple has tailored the M4 chip variants based on storage configurations in the latest iPad Pro lineup. Models with 256GB and 512GB storage options feature 3 performance cores, while the 1TB and 2TB models are equipped with 4 performance cores. This strategic approach underscores Apple's commitment to delivering cutting-edge performance in their devices.

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  • iPad Pro Upgrade: M4 Chip Leap, Bypassing M3 Gen

    iPad Pro Upgrade: M4 Chip Leap, Bypassing M3 Gen

    Apple is gearing up for its upcoming event titled "Let Loose" on May 7th, where it is anticipated to unveil the latest iPad Pro lineup. While specific details are being kept confidential by the company, leaks circulating suggest that the new iPads will come packed with notable enhancements such as OLED displays, MagSafe charging support, and a performance uplift with the introduction of the M3 chip.

    Potential Shift to M4 Chip

    Insider Mark Gurman, in his recent Power On newsletter, hints at the possibility of Apple bypassing the M3 chip entirely and leaping straight to the M4 for the upcoming Pro iPads. If this speculation materializes, the forthcoming iPad Pro would mark the debut of Apple's M-series chip in devices. Gurman highlights that the upgraded Neural Engine of the M4 is expected to enhance the device's performance in AI-related tasks.

    Emphasis on AI Capabilities

    There is a likelihood that Apple will position the upcoming tablets as its "first truly AI-powered device," as per Gurman's insights. Nevertheless, detailed specifics regarding the new System on Chip (SoC) have not been disclosed yet.

    Enhanced Features and Accessories

    The overall design of the new iPad Pro is projected to maintain similarities with the current models, featuring two screen sizes: 11 inches and 12.9 inches. An exciting upgrade could be the integration of OLED displays. Moreover, Gurman hints at the introduction of an Apple Pencil with haptic feedback for the first time, potentially incorporating a Taptic Engine for vibrating feedback during tool transitions.

    Additionally, a revamped keyboard accessory could be on the horizon, boasting a larger trackpad and an aluminum deck akin to a MacBook keyboard, aiming to provide users with a more premium experience.

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