How does the MacBook Pro M4 handle 3D rendering in Blender compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9

MacBook Pro M4 Series

- Performance: The M4 series, especially the M4 Max, is designed with a powerful GPU, which significantly enhances its ability to handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering in Blender. For instance, the M4 Max has shown impressive performance, beating some NVIDIA GPUs like the RTX 3080 in certain rendering tests[7].

- Rendering Speed: Compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i7, the M4 Pro can render up to 10.9 times faster in Blender. When compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1, it offers up to 3.4 times faster rendering[3][4]. This indicates a substantial leap in performance over previous generations.

- Cooling and Efficiency: Apple's M4 chips are known for their efficient power management and thermal design, which helps maintain performance during prolonged rendering tasks without significant throttling.

16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9

- Performance: The Intel Core i9 in the 16-inch MacBook Pro is capable of handling heavy workloads, including video encoding and 3D modeling. However, its GPU options, such as the Radeon Pro 5600M, are less powerful compared to modern NVIDIA GPUs or Apple's M4 series GPUs[5][8].

- Rendering Speed: While the Intel Core i9 can handle rendering tasks, it tends to be slower than the M4 series, especially when using GPU-accelerated rendering. The GPU rendering time on Windows through Boot Camp is around 3.2 minutes for certain scenes, which is slower than what the M4 Max can achieve[5].

- Cooling and Efficiency: Older Intel-based MacBook Pros, like the 2019 model, are known for thermal throttling during intense tasks, which can affect performance consistency over time[8].

Comparison Summary

The MacBook Pro M4 series, particularly the M4 Max, offers superior performance in 3D rendering compared to the older 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9. The M4 Max's GPU is more powerful and efficient, providing faster rendering times and better handling of complex scenes in Blender. However, for those deeply invested in NVIDIA-based workflows or requiring the absolute best performance, a Windows laptop with a high-end NVIDIA GPU might still be preferable. For users within the Apple ecosystem, the M4 series represents a significant upgrade for creative tasks like 3D rendering.