Apple SoC M4 Base – Deep Dive

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With the M4 chip, Apple continues its track record of delivering significant performance and efficiency gains. First launched in the redesigned iPad Pro in May 2024, the M4 now has rolled out across the entire Mac lineup. But not all M4 base chips are the same. Understanding the different configurations Apple offers is crucial for choosing the right device, as performance is carefully tailored to each product. This guide breaks down the nuances of the M4 base lineup.

Understanding the M4 Base: Not a Monolith

The “M4 base” isn’t a single, uniform chip. Instead, Apple employs a process called binning, where each chip is tested after manufacturing to determine how many of its cores are fully functional. This allows Apple to offer multiple M4 variants with different core configurations, all derived from the same underlying design.

This allows Apple to have M4 base variants from the same design, maximizing yield and offering different price points. These variations in CPU and GPU cores directly impact performance and features like external display support, so it’s important to know which version is in the device you’re considering.

The Four Faces of the M4

The entry-level M4 appears in four main configurations, each balancing performance and cost for specific devices. The “Full Configuration” M4 base, with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, is the standard chip, while other versions are binned with some cores disabled. The table below details these key differences.

M4 Variant CPU Cores (Total) P-Cores E-Cores GPU Cores Found In (Examples as of May 2025) Key Notes
M4 (Binned – Variant #1) 8 4 4 8 24-inch iMac (two-port base model) Entry M4 for desktops (4P+4E CPU). Supports 1 external display.
M4 (Binned – Variant #2) 9 3 6 10 iPad Pro (M4) 11-inch & 13-inch (256GB/512GB) Unique 3P+6E CPU for lower/mid-tier iPad Pros; 8GB RAM. Full 10-core GPU.
M4 (Binned – Variant #3) 10 4 6 8 13-inch MacBook Air (base model) 4P+6E CPU. Supports 2 external displays (lid open).
M4 (Full Configuration) 10 4 6 10 iPad Pro (M4) (1TB/2TB), 13″ MacBook Air (upgraded), 15″ MacBook Air, 14″ MacBook Pro (base), Mac mini, 24″ iMac (four-port) Complete M4 base  (4P+6E CPU, 10-core GPU). Powers a wide range of Macs.

The Surprising Value: M4 MacBook Air vs. iMac Base Models

Prospective buyers should note a key difference between entry-level Macs: the base 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is surprisingly more capable in some ways than the base 24-inch M4 iMac. The Air’s M4 has a 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency), while the iMac’s has an 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency). Those two extra efficiency cores in the Air can improve multitasking and responsiveness.

The most significant advantage (also compared to M3 or older), however, is external display support. The base Air can drive its built-in screen plus two external displays—but only with the lid open. In contrast, the base iMac supports just one external display. Despite this caveat, the Air still offers superior flexibility for multi-monitor setups, making it a standout option in its class.

Device Deep Dive: Where Each M4 Lands

Laptops: MacBook Air & MacBook Pro
The M4 MacBook Air is an excellent value. The base 13-inch model gets a 10-core CPU/8-core GPU M4 with the crucial dual external display support. Upgrading the 13-inch Air’s storage or RAM bumps it to the full 10-core CPU/10-core GPU M4—the same chip that comes standard in the 15-inch Air. If your workflows require active cooling for sustained performance, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro (with a single fan) features this same full M4 chip but adds the Pro form factor’s benefits. (If you want dual fans, you’ll need to upgrade to a M4 Pro or M4 Max variant but that’s a different story for another day.)

Desktops: iMac & Mac mini
The 24-inch iMac’s base two-port model uses an 8-core CPU/8-core GPU M4 and supports one external display. For the more powerful 10-core/10-core M4 and enhanced display support, you must choose a four-port iMac model. For users with their own peripherals, the M4 Mac mini offers the standard 10-core/10-core chip in a compact, versatile desktop.

Tablet: iPad Pro
The M4’s debut device, the iPad Pro, comes in two distinct performance tiers. Lower-storage configurations (256GB and 512GB) include a unique 9-core CPU M4 paired with 8GB of RAM, while the higher-capacity models (1TB and 2TB) feature the full 10-core M4 and 16GB of RAM. This RAM difference isn’t just a spec bump—it directly affects multitasking capabilities and the amount of memory apps can access, especially in demanding creative workflows.

Beyond Core Counts: Other M4 Enhancements

Beyond core counts, the M4 generation brings universal upgrades. A new 16-core Neural Engine accelerates machine learning tasks across the system. The updated Media Engine adds hardware acceleration for AV1 decode—improving efficiency for high-quality video playback and streaming—alongside existing support for ProRes. However, it’s important to note that the M4 does not support AV1 encoding, which may matter for users involved in video production or content delivery workflows.

All M4 variants (base, Pro, and Max) also gain hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic graphics in games and rendering apps. A consistent memory bandwidth of 120GB/s ensures data flows quickly to the processor.

Making Your Upgrade Decision

Any M4 machine is a massive leap from an Intel-based Mac and a tangible upgrade for M1/M2 users. Your choice should be guided by your primary needs. For portability and value, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is hard to beat, especially with its dual-display support. The 15-inch Air offers a larger screen with the full M4 chip standard. If your work involves sustained heavy loads, the 14-inch MacBook Pro provides the same chip but adds active cooling and a better display.

For desktop users, the Mac mini is a powerful, flexible option, while the iMac provides a beautiful all-in-one design; just be sure to select the four-port model for the more powerful M4. Finally, the M4 iPad Pro is the choice for cutting-edge tablet performance, with the higher-capacity models offering the most power for professional creative work.

Performance Differences

While all M4 base chips share the same architecture, the binned versions offer slightly reduced performance. In benchmarks, the full 10-core M4 outpaces the 9-core variant by around 10% in multi-core workloads, with negligible differences in single-core tasks. For most users, the difference is subtle, but power users running sustained workloads may benefit from the full configuration.

In terms of graphics, the 10-core M4 GPU holds a significant performance advantage over its 8-core counterpart, delivering gains that typically fall between 15% to 25% in GPU-centric synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench, 3DMark, and GFXBench. This performance gap can widen substantially in demanding, real-world gaming scenarios, where the two extra cores can push framerates 30% to 40% higher at ultra settings. However, the uplift isn’t always this dramatic, as some creative applications like Blender show more modest gains, often in the single digits.

The real-world performance difference is heavily influenced by factors like the device’s thermal design and the specific workload. While the 10-core GPU provides greater raw power, the 8-core version is notably more power-efficient, a critical trade-off for battery life and sustained performance in fanless devices like the MacBook Air. This choice also affects functionality, as the 10-core GPU can drive two external displays, whereas the 8-core version supports only one.

Conclusion: The M4’s Nuanced Power

The Apple M4 is a sophisticated family of chips with performance tailored for a wide range of devices. The key takeaway is that not all M4 base chips are equal, especially at the entry level. Understanding the specific configurations and their capabilities is essential for making an informed choice that matches your workflow and budget. This attention to detail will only become more important as Apple’s silicon continues to evolve.

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