CPU Comparison
Apple M4 vs Core Ultra 7 258V
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Apple M4 is an ARM-based system-on-chip built on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process, pairing up to 10 CPU cores (4 performance + 6 efficiency) with up to a 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and a new display engine. It introduces hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading to iPad and Mac, and adds AV1 decode in the media engine, targeting high-performance, power-efficient workloads across tablets, laptops, and desktops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very fast single-thread performance and strong multi-core scaling within its power envelope, suitable for demanding productivity workloads on macOS and iPadOS.
32GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking capabilities.
Gaming
Good for light gaming, though slightly lower clocks than 268V marginally impact FPS.
Virtualization
Sufficient memory and cores for light VM usage.
Efficiency
High performance-per-watt; Apple claims the same performance as M2 using roughly half the power in tested workloads, and M4 devices typically run cool and quiet.
Top-tier power efficiency identical to other Lunar Lake chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 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.
- 47 TOPS NPU is more than enough for Copilot+
- Total 115 TOPS platform performance
- 32GB RAM is highly beneficial for local AI models
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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.
- Arc 140V handles esports titles well
- Slightly lower dynamic GPU frequency (1950 MHz)
- Not intended for AAA gaming at high settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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).
Pros
- 32GB of integrated memory
- Excellent power efficiency
- 47 TOPS NPU for AI
- Great value compared to 268V
- Arc 140V graphics
Cons
- Slightly lower clocks than 268V
- Non-upgradeable memory
- Limited to 8 threads
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Core Ultra 7 258V
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X PlusRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 5 228VRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Mobile
- Intel Core Ultra 7 268VAlt
For slightly higher clock speeds and 1 extra NPU TOP.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 266VAlt
If 16GB of RAM is enough for your needs.
- Apple MacBook Air M3Alt
For a different premium OS experience.
For a cheaper Lunar Lake option.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The 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 reviewThe 258V offers nearly identical performance to the 268V at a potentially lower price, making it a smart choice for 32GB ultrabooks.
Best for: The Core Ultra 7 258V is exclusively found in pre-built laptops and is a fantastic choice for users who need a highly portable machine with plenty of memory. If you want 32 GB of RAM for multitasking, coding, or light creative work, but don't necessarily need the absolute maximum clock speeds of the 268V, the 258V offers excellent value. It is perfect for students, professionals, and writers who want all-day battery life without worrying about running out of RAM. Just remember that neither the CPU nor the memory can be upgraded. If you find a laptop with the 258V at a good price, it is a highly recommended purchase for everyday productivity and AI tasks.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M4 or Core Ultra 7 258V?
For gaming, the Core Ultra 7 258V leads with a gaming performance score of 68/100 among Apple M4 and Core Ultra 7 258V.
Which uses less power?
The Core Ultra 7 258V has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core Ultra 7 258V (17 W).
Which has more cores?
The Apple M4 has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M4 (10 cores), Core Ultra 7 258V (8 cores).