CPU Comparison
AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 vs Apple M4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 is a mainstream mobile APU featuring an 8-core hybrid Zen 5 architecture, integrated Radeon 860M graphics, and a 50 TOPS NPU, designed for thin-and-light laptops seeking AI capabilities without sacrificing battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 50 TOPS NPU allows running Windows Studio Effects (background blur, etc.).
- Can run small LLMs locally for text generation.
- Much more efficient for AI tasks than using the CPU or GPU.
- 16-core Neural Engine delivers up to 38 TOPS for on-device AI.
- Next-generation ML accelerators are integrated into both performance and efficiency CPU cores.
- Hardware-accelerated AI features in OS and apps (e.g., Live Captions, subject isolation) benefit from the NPU and unified memory bandwidth.
- Combined GPU and NPU resources make M4 well suited for client-side inference and media AI workloads.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Radeon 860M (8 CU) is a step up from basic graphics but not a gaming powerhouse.
- Suitable for 1080p Low or Medium in older or esports titles.
- Supports AMD FSR for improved frame rates.
- The integrated GPU supports modern features like hardware ray tracing and mesh shading.
- On macOS, gaming performance is constrained by title availability and reliance on translation/emulation layers.
- Playability in AAA titles at 1080p is generally limited to low or medium settings on the base M4.
- M4 iPad Pro focuses more on high-end creative and pro apps than AAA gaming libraries.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 50 TOPS NPU for AI tasks.
- Excellent power efficiency.
- 8 capable CPU cores.
- Radeon 860M graphics are a step up from basic iGPUs.
- Supports LPDDR5X-8533.
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy gaming.
- 8 cores may limit heavy multi-threaded workloads.
- PCIe 4.0 only.
- Locked multiplier.
- Lower L3 cache than Ryzen AI 9 models.
Pros
- Industry-leading performance-per-watt in thin-and-light devices.
- Strong single-core performance and fast responsiveness.
- 16-core Neural Engine with high TOPS for on-device AI.
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading in the GPU.
- Media engine with AV1 decode for efficient streaming.
- Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 and high-bandwidth unified memory on Mac implementations.
- Fanless implementations (e.g., iPad Pro) stay cool and quiet under typical use.
Cons
- Apple does not publish clock speeds, TDP, or detailed cache specs.
- Unified memory is not expandable beyond the configured capacity at purchase.
- No traditional socket or user-accessible PCIe lanes for add-in cards.
- Gaming on macOS remains constrained by software compatibility.
- Some configurations implement fewer CPU or GPU cores (e.g., 8- or 9-core CPU variants).
Competitors & Alternatives
AMD Ryzen AI 7 445
- Intel Core Ultra 5 225VRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258VRival
Premium Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
AI PC
- Intel Core i5-1340PRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Premium Mobile
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 450Alt
Offers slightly higher clock speeds if you need maximum CPU performance from this tier.
- AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSAlt
Previous generation with similar CPU performance but lacking the NPU and slower memory.
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Alt
Step up to 10 cores and better graphics if you need more multi-threaded power.
- AMD Ryzen 5 8645HSAlt
Budget alternative if AI features are not a priority.
Apple M4
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
SoC
- Compare head-to-headApple M4 ProRival
SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
SoC
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile CPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Mobile CPU
Our Verdict on Each
A well-rounded mainstream APU that successfully integrates a 50 TOPS NPU into the mid-range, offering strong efficiency and capable integrated graphics for the typical user.
Best for: Buying a mainstream thin-and-light laptop where battery life and AI capabilities are more important than high-end gaming performance.
Read the full reviewThe M4 raises the bar for efficiency and single-thread performance while delivering stronger multi-core scaling and a much more capable Neural Engine. It is an excellent fit for iPad Pro and Mac users who want fast, cool, and quiet operation, but platform constraints on some devices and the absence of expandable memory/PCIe remain trade-offs.
Best for: Buying an iPad Pro for creative pro workflows, or a compact Mac (Mac mini/iMac) for efficient everyday performance and light-to-medium content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 or Apple M4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M4 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 or Apple M4?
For gaming, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 leads with a gaming performance score of 68/100 among AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 and Apple M4.
Which uses less power?
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 (28 W).
Which has more cores?
The Apple M4 has the most cores. Core counts: AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 (6 cores), Apple M4 (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M4 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.