CPU Comparison
Apple M4 Pro vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M4 Pro is a high‑performance ARM‑based system‑on‑a‑chip (SoC) for professional MacBook Pro laptops, featuring a 12‑ or 14‑core CPU with up to 10 performance cores and a 16‑ or 20‑core GPU, built on a second‑generation 3 nm process and paired with high‑bandwidth unified memory.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very high multi‑threaded CPU and GPU performance for pro apps like Premiere, Resolve, Blender, and Xcode.
Excellent single-core performance for office tasks and web apps.
Gaming
Strong for an iGPU, especially in native or well‑ported titles; performance in Windows games via emulation can vary and is often lower than comparable Windows gaming laptops.
Arc 140V is a massive leap, allowing 1080p gaming in thin-and-lights.
Virtualization
Good performance for running Linux/ARM VMs and Docker, but x86 emulation overhead limits some workloads.
Limited by 8 threads and 32GB max memory, but capable of light VMs.
Efficiency
Outstanding performance per watt; MacBook Pro 14/16 with M4 Pro deliver high performance with long battery life.
Industry-leading performance-per-watt for x86 laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16‑core Neural Engine up to 38 TOPS INT8 across M4 family.
- CPU ML accelerators and GPU compute are suitable for on‑device inference and moderate LLM workloads.
- Larger LLMs still limited by unified memory size and lack of dedicated high‑bandwidth HBM.
- 48 TOPS NPU enables Copilot+ PC features like Recall
- Can run small LLMs locally
- NPU offloads CPU/GPU for better battery during AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- 20‑core GPU is significantly faster than previous M3 Pro GPU.
- Hardware ray tracing and mesh shading improve modern API support.
- Most AAA games still run via emulation; performance and compatibility vary.
- Native Apple‑silicon titles can approach mid‑range discrete laptop GPU levels.
- Arc 140V iGPU can play modern titles at 1080p Low/Medium
- Massive improvement over previous Intel iGPUs
- Not a replacement for discrete laptop GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very high single‑threaded and multi‑threaded CPU performance.
- Up to 20‑core GPU with hardware ray tracing.
- High memory bandwidth (273 GB/s) for unified memory.
- Excellent performance per watt; long battery life in MacBook Pros.
- Tight integration with macOS and pro app ecosystem.
- Thunderbolt 5 support on M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pros.
Cons
- Soldered, non‑upgradeable RAM and storage.
- Limited x86 Windows game compatibility without emulation.
- No official overclocking support.
- Maximum 64 GB unified memory may limit very large models.
- Entirely dependent on Apple’s repair and upgrade ecosystem.
Pros
- Exceptional power efficiency
- 32GB RAM integrated on package
- 48 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ AI
- Powerful Arc 140V integrated graphics
- Silent operation in slim chassis
Cons
- Memory is non-upgradable (soldered to CPU)
- Only 8 threads limits heavy multi-threading
- Expensive, only found in premium laptops
- Low PCIe lane count for expansion
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M4 Pro
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
High‑End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 288VRival
High‑End Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite ExtremeRival
High‑End ARM Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HXRival
High‑End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 275HXRival
High‑End Mobile
- Apple M4 MaxAlt
More GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth for heavier GPU workloads.
- Alt
Lower cost and sufficient for many users who don’t need the extra CPU/GPU headroom.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Older but often discounted; still strong for many pro workloads.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 laptopAlt
Better x86 Windows compatibility and often stronger gaming performance.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V laptopAlt
Good Windows alternative with strong single‑threaded performance and x86 compatibility.
Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
- Alt
Best alternative if you are open to macOS for premium ultrabooks.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Core Ultra 7 258VAlt
Slightly lower clocked Lunar Lake chip for a better price.
Meteor Lake alternative if you need more cores and discrete GPU.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A very efficient, high‑performance pro SoC that pushes single‑threaded and multi‑threaded CPU performance while retaining excellent battery life and strong integrated graphics, though it is soldered and locked to Apple’s ecosystem.
Best for: Professionals and advanced creators who need a power‑efficient laptop with strong CPU and GPU performance, long battery life, and macOS ecosystem.
Read the full reviewAn engineering marvel that combines memory, CPU, GPU, and NPU into a highly efficient package, redefining laptop battery life and AI capabilities.
Best for: Buying a premium ultrabook for all-day battery life and AI features.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M4 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 288V?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V comes out ahead with a score of 9.2/10. 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, Apple M4 Pro or Intel Core Ultra 9 288V?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Apple M4 Pro and Intel Core Ultra 9 288V.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 9 288V (30 W).
Do Apple M4 Pro and Intel Core Ultra 9 288V use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M4 Pro: On‑package (BGA), Intel Core Ultra 9 288V: BGA 2833), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M4 Pro has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M4 Pro (14 cores), Intel Core Ultra 9 288V (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M4 Pro (0), Intel Core Ultra 9 288V (15,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.