Redirected from: Apple M

Definition: Apple M series

A family of 64-bit ARM-based system-on-chips (SoCs) designed by Apple and made by TSMC. In late 2020, Apple began switching its MacBooks from Intel x86 CPUs to the M1, the first M series chip (see MacBook). In the following year, an M1-based iMac debuted, and a new top-end computer was engineered around the M1 (see Mac Studio). In 2021, iPads began switching from Apple A chips to M. See SoC and TSMC.

CISC to RISC and RISC to RISC
The ARM-based M series is a RISC design rather than Intel's x86 CISC architecture. RISC circuits use less complex instructions, run cooler and thus save battery, which is why an ARM chip is used in every smartphone as well as all Apple and Android tablets. Since day one, iPhones and iPads have been ARM based (see Apple A series).

In 2021, starting with the iPad Pro, Apple began the migration from its A series to the M series (RISC to RISC). Future iPhones are likely to use the M chips as well. See RISC, CISC and Intel Mac.

An Intel Emulation Layer
M-based Macs contain an emulation layer that runs Intel-based Mac applications faster than Intel CPUs (see Rosetta). When the M1 debuted, The New York Times opinion columnist Farhad Manjoo said "Apple's big innovation was to build the Tesla of computer chips." Like electric vehicles, the M1 is faster and uses less energy.

Lots of Cores
M-series chips contain at least eight CPU cores for program execution, multiple GPU cores for graphics rendering and a 16-core neural engine for AI processing (see below).

M2 and M3
Debuting in 2022 with more CPU and GPU cores, the M2 is approximately 15 to 20% faster than the M1 without using more power. The MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro were the first Macs with the M2 chips.

In 2023, the M3 chip debuted in the iMac and MacBook Pro. M3 processors feature "dynamic caching," which allocates memory as needed rather than defining a fixed amount. For gamers, the M3 series added "ray tracing" and "mesh shading" for more realistic and smoother video.

M4, M5 and M6
In 2024, the M4 launched in the iPad with an improved neural processing unit (NPU) for AI. Executing 38 trillion operations per second, the M4 is sixty times faster than the NPU in Apple's A11 Bionic chip (see Apple A series). The M4 Pro and Max also launched in 2024.

Debuting in the 14" MacBook Pro in 2025, the M5 significantly improved performance for local AI processing by integrating a neural processor into each GPU core for local AI inference as well as small training workloads. With 10 and 22 more GPU cores in 2026, the M5 Pro and Max increased AI performance even more.

The M6 "efficiency chip" debuted in 2026 with two super cores, four performance cores and six efficiency cores. Its 12-core GPU features a neural accelerator in each core. Also in 2026, the M5 Ultra became the top-end chip for the Mac Studio, which retails for $3,000 more than the Studio with an M5 Max.


   APPLE M SERIES

   Cores: P = performance  E = efficiency

            Max Cores   Max GPU
   Chip        P/E       Cores

   M6          6/6        12

   M5 Ultra   12/24       80
   M5 Max      6/12       32
   M5 Pro      6/12       20
   M5          4/6        10

   M4 Max     12/4        40
   M4 Pro     10/4        20
   M4          4/6        10

   M3 Max     12/4        40
   M3 Pro      6/6        18
   M3          4/4        10

   M2 Ultra   16/8        60
   M2 Max      8/4        38
   M2 Pro      6/6        19
   M2          4/4        10

   M1 Ultra** 16/4        48
   M1 Max      8/2        32
   M1 Pro      8/2        16
   M1          4/4         8

  ** = two M1 Max on same chip


   MAC CPU HARDWARE

   Year

   2026    Apple M6   M series
   2025    Apple M5   uses ARM
   2024    Apple M4   CPUs
   2023    Apple M3   (see ARM)
   2022    Apple M2
   2020    Apple M1

   2006    Intel x86 (see Intel Mac)
   1994    PowerPC   (see PowerPC)
   1984    Motorola  (see 68000)

Comparing Chip Sizes

Apple's M chips are marvels of modern technology. The bare die of the M1 Max contains 57 billion transistors within 432 square millimeters (less than a square inch), which is approximately 132 million transistors per square millimeter! (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Transition Messages

Whenever a computer company switches its CPU hardware, there is a transition period that users have to deal with, witness this message from Microsoft regarding its Edge browser.

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Redirected from: Apple M

Definition: Apple M series