The memory bandwidth of the M4 Max and M4 Pro differs significantly, impacting their AI performance capabilities. The M4 Max supports up to 128GB of unified memory with an impressive 546GB/s memory bandwidth, which is four times the bandwidth of the latest AI PC chip[1][6]. This substantial bandwidth advantage enables the M4 Max to handle large machine learning models efficiently, allowing for real-time interaction with models up to 200 billion parameters, making it ideal for data scientists and AI-intensive tasks[3][4].
In contrast, the M4 Pro offers up to 64GB of unified memory with a memory bandwidth of 273GB/s, which is a 75% increase over its predecessor, the M3 Pro, and twice that of any AI PC chip[1][6]. While this is significantly less than the M4 Max, it still provides a considerable boost in performance for AI-driven tasks, especially when combined with the faster Neural Engine of the M4 family[9].
In terms of AI performance, the M4 Max's higher memory bandwidth and capacity make it more suitable for handling complex AI models and large datasets, providing faster processing and training times. The M4 Pro, while less powerful than the M4 Max, still offers robust performance for AI tasks, making it a strong choice for professionals who require high performance but may not need the extreme capabilities of the M4 Max. Both chips benefit from Apple's advanced Neural Engine and machine learning accelerators, enhancing their AI processing capabilities[6][9].
Overall, the M4 Max's superior memory bandwidth and capacity position it as the top choice for demanding AI workloads, while the M4 Pro strikes a balance between performance and cost, catering to a broader range of professional needs.
Citations:[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apple-introduces-m4-pro-and-m4-max/
[2] https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/heres-how-much-faster-m4-pro-max-are-for-graphics-vs-m3-pro-max.2441704/
[3] https://applescoop.org/story/apple-m4-vs-m4-pro-vs-m4-max-everything-you-need-to-know
[4] https://lonelybrand.com/blog/comparison-of-apples-m4-m4-pro-and-m4-max-chips-performance-in-relation-to-earlier-generations-and-among-themselves/
[5] https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs
[6] https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/10/30/apple-m4-pro-and-m4-max/
[7] https://www.macrumors.com/guide/m4-vs-m4-pro-vs-m4-max/
[8] https://jasontaylor.blog/2025/01/13/m4-macbook-pro-max-benchmarks/
[9] https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/apple-introduces-m4-pro-and-m4-max/