Versus Engine
iPad Pro M4 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — iPad Pro M4 against Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max), side by side.
Cheaper to start
iPad Pro M4
Starts about $2,500 lower.
Rated higher
Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
9.8 vs 9.7 on our design scale.
Standout
iPad Pro M4
11.1-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology
iPad Pro M4
The M4 iPad Pro at $999 — extraordinary hardware still governed by iPadOS.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Features a 11.1-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with a high contrast ratio and adaptive refresh rates.
- Equipped with a powerful M4 chip, offering 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, ideal for demanding tasks.
- Includes a wide range of built-in accessibility features, enhancing usability for users with disabilities.
Cons
- The actual formatted capacity is less than advertised, leading to less usable storage space.
- The available space varies due to software and settings, making precise storage management challenging.
Specifications
- battery31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- DisplayUltra Retina XDR display, Tandem OLED, 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi, ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz, Wide color (P3), True Tone, Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, Fully laminated, Antireflective coating, Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models, SDR brightness: 1000 nits max, XDR brightness: 1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only), 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- memory_bandwidth120GB/s
- neural_engine16-core Neural Engine
- Actual formatted capacityless
- Actual viewable arealess
- Additional languagescoming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese
- Apple Intelligenceavailable in beta on iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad models with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to the same supported language, as part of an iPadOS 18 software update
- architecture—
- Available spacevaries due to many factors
- Built-in accessibility featuresVoiceOver,Zoom,Magnifier,Spoken Content,Voice Control,Switch Control,AssistiveTouch,Siri and Dictation,Type to Siri,Real-Time Text,Audio Descriptions,Subtitles and Closed Captioning,Live Captions
- Buttons and ConnectorsMicrophone,Top button,Volume buttons,Camera,Microphone,Microphone,LiDAR Scanner,Rear camera,Rear ambient light sensor,Flash,Microphone,Smart connector,USB connector,Magnetic connector for Apple Pencil
- Camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Camera / 12MP Wide camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Capacity256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Chip - 1TB or 2TB storage10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, 10-core GPU, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 16GB RAM
- Chip - 256GB or 512GB storage9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, 10-core GPU, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 8GB RAM
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / CPU10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / GPU10-core GPU
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / Hardware-accelerated ray tracingHardware-accelerated ray tracing
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / RAM16GB RAM
- cpu_cores—
- Diagonal measurement11.1 inches
- Display / Antireflective coatingAntireflective coating
- Display / Contrast ratio2,000,000:1
- Display / Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Display / Fully laminatedFully laminated
- Display / Nano-texture display glass optionNano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models
- Display / ProMotion technologyadaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz
- Display / Resolution2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi
- Display / SDR brightness1000 nits max
- Display / True ToneTrue Tone
- Display / TypeUltra Retina XDR display
- Display / Wide colorP3
- Display / XDR brightness1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only)
- Displaysrounded corners
- fabrication_process—
- FinishSilver, Space Black
- GB1 billion bytes
- gpu_cores—
- In the BoxiPad Pro, USB-C Charge Cable (1 meter), 20W USB-C Power Adapter, Polishing cloth in nano-texture display glass option
- key_features11-inch/13-inch Tandem OLED display, M4 chip, Face ID, Thunderbolt / USB 4
- M1 Max chip—
- M1 Pro chip—
- M2 chip—
- M2 Max chip—
- M2 Pro chip—
- M2 Ultra chip—
- M3 chip—
- M3 Pro chip—
- M3 Ultra chip—
- M4 chip—
- M4 Max chip—
- M4 Pro chip—
- M5 Max chip—
- M5 Pro chip—
- M5 Ultra chip—
- M6 chip—
- Media EngineHardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, Video encode engine, ProRes encode and decode engine, AV1 decode
- Media Engine / AV1 decodeAV1 decode
- Media Engine / Hardware-accelerated8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Media Engine / ProRes encode and decode engineProRes encode and decode engine
- Media Engine / Video decode engineVideo decode engine
- Media Engine / Video encode engineVideo encode engine
- Operating SystemiPadOS
- Packaging100% fiber-based packaging, 36% recycled content in fiber packaging
- Packaging / Material100% fiber-based packaging
- Packaging / Recycled content36% recycled content in fiber packaging
- Power and BatteryBuilt-in 31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video, Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
- Power and Battery / ChargingCharging via power adapter or USB-C to computer system
- Power and Battery / Web surfing on Wi-FiUp to 10 hours
- Power and Battery / Web surfing using cellular data networkUp to 9 hours
- Size and weightvary by configuration and manufacturing process
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Depth0.21 inch (5.3 mm)
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Height9.83 inches (249.7 mm)
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Weight0.98 pound (444 grams)
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Width6.99 inches (177.5 mm)
- Smarter chemistryArsenic-free display glass,Mercury-, BFR-, and PVC-free
- Storage capacitysubject to change based on software version, settings, and iPad model
- Supported languagesEnglish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified)
- TB1 trillion bytes
- unified_memory—
- WasteNo established final assembly sites generate waste sent to landfill as part of Apple’s Zero Waste Program
- Year introduced2024
Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
Apple's 16-inch laptop with the M3 Max chip, a 40-core GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory at 400GB/s.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Equipped with a powerful M3 Max chip featuring a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU.
- Up to 128GB of unified memory running at 400GB/s for efficient data handling.
- Supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing for advanced graphics processing.
Cons
- The high price of $3499 may limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Specifications
- battery100-watt-hour lithium-polymer
- Display16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3456x2234, 120Hz ProMotion)
- memory_bandwidth400 GB/s
- neural_engine16-core (18 TOPS)
- Actual formatted capacity—
- Actual viewable area—
- Additional languages—
- Apple Intelligence—
- architectureARMv8.6-A (Apple Silicon)
- Available space—
- Built-in accessibility features—
- Buttons and Connectors—
- Camera—
- Camera / 12MP Wide camera—
- Capacity—
- Chip - 1TB or 2TB storage—
- Chip - 256GB or 512GB storage—
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / CPU—
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / GPU—
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / Hardware-accelerated ray tracing—
- Chip / 1TB or 2TB storage / RAM—
- cpu_cores16-core (12 performance, 4 efficiency)
- Diagonal measurement—
- Display / Antireflective coating—
- Display / Contrast ratio—
- Display / Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating—
- Display / Fully laminated—
- Display / Nano-texture display glass option—
- Display / ProMotion technology—
- Display / Resolution—
- Display / SDR brightness—
- Display / True Tone—
- Display / Type—
- Display / Wide color—
- Display / XDR brightness—
- Displays—
- fabrication_process3nm (TSMC N3B)
- Finish—
- GB—
- gpu_cores40-core (Hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
- In the Box—
- key_features—
- M1 Max chip10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores Up to 32-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 400GB/s memory bandwidth
- M1 Pro chip10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores 16-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 200GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 chip8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Max chip12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores Up to 38-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 400GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Pro chip12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 19-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 200GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Ultra chip24-core CPU with 16 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores Up to 76-core GPU 32-core Neural Engine 800GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 chip8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 Pro chip12-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores 18-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 150GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 Ultra chipUp to 32-core CPU with 24 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores Up to 80-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 32-core Neural Engine 819GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 chip10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 120GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 Max chipUp to 16-core CPU with 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores Up to 40-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine Up to 546GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 Pro chip14-core CPU with 10 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 20-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 273GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Max chip18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores Up to 40-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine Up to 614GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Pro chipUp to 18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores Up to 20-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 307GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Ultra chipUp to 36-core CPU with 12 super cores and 24 performance cores Up to 80-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 32-core Neural Engine 1.2TB/s memory bandwidth
- M6 chip12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores 12-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Dual 16-core Neural Engine Up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media Engine—
- Media Engine / AV1 decode—
- Media Engine / Hardware-accelerated—
- Media Engine / ProRes encode and decode engine—
- Media Engine / Video decode engine—
- Media Engine / Video encode engine—
- Operating System—
- Packaging—
- Packaging / Material—
- Packaging / Recycled content—
- Power and Battery—
- Power and Battery / Charging—
- Power and Battery / Web surfing on Wi-Fi—
- Power and Battery / Web surfing using cellular data network—
- Size and weight—
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Depth—
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Height—
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Weight—
- Size and Weight - Wi-Fi models / Width—
- Smarter chemistry—
- Storage capacity—
- Supported languages—
- TB—
- unified_memoryUp to 128GB LPDDR5
- Waste—
- Year introduced—