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Apple M4 Pro — 14C CPU · 20C GPU · 273 GB/s
Apple

Apple M4 Pro

14C CPU · 20C GPU · 273 GB/s

95
/ 100
From $1,999
VS
Apple M5 Max wins by 3
Apple M5 Max — 16C CPU · 40C GPU · 570 GB/s
Apple

Apple M5 Max

16C CPU · 40C GPU · 570 GB/s

98
/ 100
From $3,499
Specdex verdict

Apple M5 Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple M4 Pro lands at 95 and Apple M5 Max at 98. That puts Apple M5 Max ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple M4 Pro if…

  • ✓Massive memory bandwidth
  • ✓Silent under load
  • ✓Excellent media engines

Pick Apple M5 Max if…

  • ✓Leads the industry in perf-per-watt
  • ✓128 GB unified memory option
  • ✓Best-in-class ML acceleration
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Gaming

Apple M5 Max

Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed

Apple M5 Max leads on gaming (85 vs 80).

Creators & productivity

Apple M5 Max

Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count

Apple M5 Max leads on multi (98 vs 93).

Power efficiency

Apple M5 Max

Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost

Apple M5 Max leads on efficiency (100 vs 98).

Value for money

Apple M4 Pro

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple M4 Pro more score per dollar ($1,999 vs $3,499).

Apple M4 Pro 95
vs
98 Apple M5 Max

Score breakdown

Apple M4 Pro
95
single 99
multi 93
gaming 80
efficiency 98
Apple M5 Max
98
single 99
multi 98
gaming 85
efficiency 100

Specs side-by-side

Apple M4 Pro versus Apple M5 Max — full spec comparison
Spec Apple M4 Pro Apple M5 Max
Cores
14 (10P+4E)
▲ 16 (12P+4E)
GPU cores
20
▲ 40
Memory bandwidth
273 GB/s
▲ 570 GB/s
Neural engine
16-core, 38 TOPS
16-core, 60 TOPS

Apple M4 Pro

Pros
  • +Massive memory bandwidth
  • +Silent under load
  • +Excellent media engines
Cons
  • −Only in MacBook Pro 14/16 + Mac mini
  • −Windows ARM is still niche
  • −Premium

Apple M5 Max

Pros
  • +Leads the industry in perf-per-watt
  • +128 GB unified memory option
  • +Best-in-class ML acceleration
Cons
  • −Macs only, no DIY
  • −Expensive
  • −Gaming library still limited

FAQ: Apple M4 Pro vs Apple M5 Max

Which is better, Apple M4 Pro or Apple M5 Max? +

Apple M5 Max scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple M4 Pro worth the price? +

At $1,999, Apple M4 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in single.

Is Apple M5 Max worth the price? +

At $3,499, Apple M5 Max delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in efficiency.

Does Apple M4 Pro or Apple M5 Max last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for gaming, Apple M4 Pro or Apple M5 Max? +

Apple M5 Max — leads on gaming (85 vs 80). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.

Which is better for creator and productivity work, Apple M4 Pro or Apple M5 Max? +

Apple M5 Max — leads on multi (98 vs 93). Rendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count.