Apple M4 (8 Core) vs Intel Core i7 1250U
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple M4 (8 Core) leads Intel Core i7 1250U overall by 45 points (93 vs 48 out of 100).
- Apple M4 (8 Core) stands out on Core Specifications Base Power Consumption: 15 W, Core Specifications L3 Cache: 16 MB, Core Specifications Lithography Process: 3 nm.
Apple M4 (8 Core) leads overall
Apple M4 (8 Core)
93
Intel Core i7 1250U
48
Why it stands out
- Core Specifications Base Power Consumption: 15 W
- Core Specifications L3 Cache: 16 MB
- Core Specifications Lithography Process: 3 nm
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple M4 (8 Core)
The Apple M4 is a specialized System-on-a-chip designed by Apple, forming the core processing unit for high-end devices, including modern iMacs and MacBook models. Featuring an advanced architecture that integrates CPU, GPU, and NPU components, it is primarily intended for professionals requiring strong performance in demanding creative and computational tasks.
Best for Professional Content CreationBest for AI/Machine Learning WorkloadsBest for High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Pros
- Incorporates an advanced Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with a notable capability to accelerate AI workloads, compared to previous generations of the chip.
- Supports hardware acceleration for modern functions like AV1 decoding, mesh shading, and ray tracing within its GPU architecture.
- Employs high-speed LPDDR5X unified memory, offering substantial bandwidth to support multiprocessing applications.
- The M4 series is built on a highly dense manufacturing process (3 nm), enabling the integration of numerous cores over 28 billion transistors.
Cons
- Specific core configurations (CPU/GPU counts) vary greatly across its Pro and Max variants, which requires careful selection for targeted performance needs.
- Memory bandwidth capacity is highly dependent on the specific model variant utilized, ranging from lower base limits to exceptionally high capacities.
Intel Core i7 1250U
The Intel Core i7 1250U is a power-efficient CPU designed for thin laptops and portable devices. It utilizes the Alder Lake architecture, which incorporates a hybrid design of performance (P) cores and efficiency (E) cores. Due to its low-power designation (suffix 'U'), it is optimized for maximum battery life rather than peak processing output.
Best for everyday productivityBest for mobile computingBest for school/university use
Pros
- Effective power management due to its Ultra rating, making it ideal for longer mobile use.
- The hybrid core architecture allows for better performance balance between demanding tasks and standby time.
- It belongs to the 12th generation family (Alder Lake), which represents a significant architectural advancement over previous low-power chips.
Cons
- Its 'U' design designation means its performance is tuned for efficiency, resulting in lower peak processing power compared to higher-wattage variants.
- The core structure relies on balancing P and E cores, which may require careful application management to achieve optimal speed.
Value for Money
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Apple M4 (8 Core)
Intel Core i7 1250U
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Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side