Apple makes lots of different Macs, with models to suit different needs. While some are incredibly powerful, others aren’t quite as beefy, but have other points in their favour (lighter, cheaper, newer). In this article we will look at the fastest Macs that Apple makes as well as the features you should look out for if you want to get the most powerful Mac for your money.
You may be trying to decide between two Mac models and wondering which would be fastest. It’s not always the case that the more expensive model is the most powerful, and it’s not always the case that a desktop will be faster than a laptop.
One thing is for sure though, if you want the absolute fastest Mac in a particular category you need to look at the build-to-order options – you’ll want to max out the RAM, for example. There are fewer options to consider here than there used to be, now that Apple has fazed out Intel processors from the line up in favour of its own Apple Silicon processor options (M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max… so far). We’ll discuss what the fastest Mac processor is below.
Graphics is also a crucial part of what makes a Mac suitable for a pro user. We also discuss the best graphics options below.
You may also want the option of upgrading your Mac at a later date, which unfortunately isn’t generally an option these days – although there is a Mac that you can expand (more on that below). If you have an older Mac you might be interested in reading How to upgrade a Mac. There are also other ways to speed up a Mac outlined separately.
Fastest Mac processor – CPU
Wondering what is the fastest Mac processor? We’re at an interesting point in the history of Macs, with Apple transitioning from Intel to its own home made processors that are based on ARM. Many of Apple’s consumer targeted products are now using M1 chips, while many Macs targeted at professionals who need more power are now using more powerful versions of the M1 – known as the M1 Pro or M1 Max.
The Macs than have already made the transition to variants of the M1 have proven to be much more powerful than the Intel models they replace (and even Intel models that would have been superior to the model they replace).
When it comes to Apple’s pro Macs the laptops have all transitioned to Apple’s new processors, but the Mac desktops are still using Intel. This is likely to change very soon though, with a new iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro on the horizon.
This means that right now, if you are looking for a powerful Mac there is a choice that includes Intel or Apple CPUs, and Apple or AMD GPUs. These are as follows:
Apple M1
What: 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores.
Where: 24in iMac, MacBook Air, 13in MacBook Pro, Mac mini.
Apple M1 Pro
What: 8-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores, or 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores.
Where: 14in MacBook Pro or 16in MacBook Pro.
Apple M1 Max
What: 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores (this is the same as the M1 Pro – the difference is the graphics, details below).
Where: 14in MacBook Pro or 16in MacBook Pro.
Intel 10th generation (Comet Lake)
What: 3.1GHz or 3.3GHz 6-core, or 3.8GHz 8-core.
Where: 27in iMac.
Intel 8th generation (Coffee Lake)
What: 3.0GHz 6-core.
Where: Mac mini.
Intel Xeon W
What: 3.5GHz 8‑core, 3.3GHz 12-core, 3.2GHz 16-core, 2.7Ghz 24-core or 2.5GHz 28-core.
Where: Mac Pro.
Which Mac processor is fastest?
The M1 beat all expectations when it launched in November 2020, proving that the M1 was better than the Intel options. Apple made some big claims, but they were corroborated by our benchmarks.
We can confirm that in the Geekbench 5 benchmark the M1 Pro or M1 Max CPU were faster than the CPU in the 16in MacBook Pro with 2.4GHz Core i9 from 2019
Even the M1 iMac beat the 27in iMac in some tests. For example, in Geekbench 5 the M1 iMac was a fraction faster than the 3.8GHz 8-core 27in iMac from 2020.
As for the Mac Pro, the Geekbench 5 test for the Mac Pro 2.5GHz, 28-core model, saw it get a score of 1152, compared to 1747 for the 16in MacBook Pro with M1 Max and 1740 for the 16in MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.
We have more information about Mac processors here: Which Mac processor: Apple processors compared.
Best Mac graphics – GPU
If you are a creative pro or anyone needing powerful graphics, then GPU speed will be even more important than CPU speed. Here you have the choice of Apple GPU or AMD GPU, and in some cases Intel’s integrated GPU.
Here’s what’s available in terms of graphics in the current range of Macs:
Apple M1
What: 7-core GPU or 8-core GPU.
Where: 24in iMac, MacBook Air, 13in MacBook Pro, Mac mini.
Apple M1 Pro
What: 14-core GPU or 16-core GPU.
Where: 14in MacBook Pro or 16in MacBook Pro.
Apple M1 Max
What: 24-core GPU (BTO) or 32-core GPU.
Where: 14in MacBook Pro or 16in MacBook Pro.
Intel 10th generation (Comet Lake)
What: AMD Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, AMD Radeon Pro 5700 with 8GB of GDDR6 memory (BTO) or AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory (BTO).
Where: 27in iMac.
Intel 8th generation (Coffee Lake)
What: Intel UHD Graphics 630.
Where: Mac mini.
Intel Xeon W
What: AMD Radeon Pro 580X, AMD Radeon Pro W5500X, AMD Radeon Pro W5700X, AMD Radeon Pro W6800X, AMD Radeon Pro W6900X, AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo.
Where: Mac Pro.
Which Mac has the best graphics?
There was some doubt as to whether Apple would be able to make GPUs that can compete with the likes of AMD and Nvidia, but the graphics associated with the M1, M1 Pro and M1 Max have proved excellent.
We can confirm that in the Geekbench 5 benchmark the M1 Pro or M1 Max CPU were faster than the CPU in the 16in MacBook Pro with 2.4GHz Core i9 from 2019
In Geekbench 5 Compute the 14in MacBook Pro with M1 Max saw an impressive score of 68534, while the M1 Pro model scored 42862. The 16in MacBook Pro from 2019 (with AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory) scored 25395 in the same test.
As for the Mac Pro, back in November 2021 the developer of Affinity Photo pitched the M1 Max against a £6k/$6k graphics card in the Mac Pro, and found that the MacBook Pro won. And then Bare Feats has run a number of benchmarks on a maxed out 16in MacBook Pro and a similarly speced Mac Pro with a 12-core processor and Pro Vega 2 Duo and corroborated the findings.
Bare Feats compared the M1 Max MacBook Pro to the 2019 3.3GHz Mac Pro with 12-core Xeon W processor and Pro Vega II Duo GPU, and 96GB of 2933 MHz DDR4 memory.
Which Mac has the most RAM
Which ever Mac you choose you can add more RAM as a build to order option, but some Macs can take more RAM than others.
If you need more RAM then you may want to consider one of the Macs that can support more. However, its worth keeping in mind that the RAM in Apple Silicon Macs is different to the RAM in Intel Macs. Apple calls it Unified Memory and it’s build on to the chip along with the CPU and GPU cores. This is good because both the CPU and GPU can access the memory directly, and share it, but it does mean that replacing it isn’t possible.
You have the following choices when it comes to RAM:
- MacBook Air – 8GB unified memory, 16GB unified memory (BTO).
- 13in MacBook Pro – 8GB unified memory, 16GB unified memory (BTO).
- 14in MacBook Pro – 16GB unified memory, 32GB unified memory (BTO), 64GB unified memory (BTO).
- 16in MacBook Pro – 16GB unified memory, 32GB unified memory (BTO), 64GB unified memory (BTO).
- Mac mini – M1: 8GB unified memory, 16GB unified memory (BTO). Intel: 8GB of 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM, Build to order options: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB.
- 24in iMac – 8GB unified memory, 16GB unified memory (BTO).
- 27in iMac – 8GB of 2666MHz DDR4 memory (user accessible), Build to order options: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB or 128GB.
- Mac Pro – Configure up to 1.5TB of DDR4 ECC memory in 12 user-accessible DIMM slots.
Fastest Mac 2022
Now we have covered the essentials, here’s how the various Macs shape up. Find out which Mac or MacBook is fastest. These are the most powerful Macs right now:
16in MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro has pro in its name, but does that make it a machine for creative pros? In the case of the 13in model the answer is no, but the 16in MacBook Pro has, since the model was first introduced, been an excellent choice for creative pros and those who need a powerful Mac laptop.
Since the latest update in October 2021 the 16in MacBook Pro has become an even better laptop for pro users, with the option of either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max with up to 32 graphics cores and up to 64GB RAM (or rather, unified memory).
If you want the ultimate MacBook Pro then the 16in MacBook Pro with M1 Max may appeal. However, you’ll be paying a high price for the extra graphics cores offered by that option. Where the entry-level 16in MacBook Pro with M1 Pro costs from £2,399/$2,499 and comes with 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, the ultimate M1 Max model is $3,399/$3,499 with 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU.It features 32GB RAM as standard, but you can bump that up to 64GB for £400/$400.
The M1 Max does come in a slightly cheaper build-to-order 24-core GPU version that will save you some money – you can get that for £3,199/$3,299 (that model comes with 32GB RAM).
The main problem right now is that getting hold of a MacBook Pro with M1 Max is proving difficult. Stock seems to be very low. Apple indicates a wait of 6-8 weeks for shipping. If you can’t wait for the M1 Max then the M1 Pro may be sufficient for your needs.
The M1 Pro 16in MacBook Pro shares the same 16.2in 3,456 by 2,234 resolution Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz as the M1 Max model.
It also boasts a 21 hour battery life – which is the longest on a portable Mac.
The only thing to consider is whether you want to save a bit of money and choose the 14in MacBook Pro, which you can also configure with the M1 Max (as we will explain next).
Read our full Apple 16in MacBook Pro, M1 Max, 10-Core CPU/32-Core GPU, 1TB SSD (2021) review14in MacBook Pro
The main difference between the 16in MacBook Pro and the 14in MacBook Pro is the screen size and battery life. Other than that these are two practically identical machines.
Both offer the M1 Max as an option (although this is a build-to-order option for the 14in MacBook Pro). If you want to configure the 14in MacBook Pro with a M1 Max it will cost you £2,999/$3,099 for the 24-core GPU and £3,199/$3,299 for the 32-core GPU. Both with 32GB RAM as standard.
As with the 16in MacBook Pro you can add 64GB RAM if you wish for another £400/$400.
But as with the 16in MacBook Pro the M1 Max models are in short supply. Where the M1 Pro models will ship in 1-2 weeks, you’ll be waiting for 6-8 weeks for the M1 Max models.
Hopefully stock will improve. Check here for more information: Where to buy 2021 MacBook Pro (M1 Pro/Max) in the UK & US.
Read our full Apple 14in MacBook Pro, M1 Pro (2021) review27in iMac
The 27in iMac may not have Pro in its name, but with at least quad-core processors, discreet graphic cards, and a high-power processor, it’s very much a pro machine.
It was last updated in August 2020 with Intel 10th-gen processors and Radeon Pro graphics. You can configure up to an 10-core Intel Core i9.
The 27in iMac offers a 5K Retina display that’s capable of showing one billion colours thanks to some clever technology that mimics 10-bit colour. The 5,120 x 2,880 resolution display is one of the best 5K screens out there – and it costs a lot less than buying a separate 5K display, definitely a point in the iMac’s favour.
The 27in iMac range starts at £1,799/$1,799. For that you get a 3.1GHz six-core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, a Radeon Pro 5300 graphics card with 4GB video memory, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and 256GB SSD.
If that’s not enough, you can pay more and get a faster processor and graphics card. You can max out your 27in iMac with up to 128GB RAM (+£/$2,600, and a 3.6GHz 10-core Intel Core i9 (Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz) as build-to-order options. An iMac with those specs would cost £5,299/$5,299. A 64GB RAM model would save you £1,600/$1,600 on that price.
Or you could go the whole hog and update the storage to a 8TB SSD (+£2,400/$2,400) and the graphics to a Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory (+£500/$500). By that point you’re in Mac Pro territory, and that’s the next professional Mac we’ll take a look at.
Before we move on to the Mac Pro and what that has to offer, an important note: the 27in iMac is expected to be updated in the spring or summer of 2022. We could even see the return of the iMac Pro if the rumours are to be believed and that model could offer a dual set up – so you could see 20-core CPU and 64-core GPU. Read more here: New iMac 2022.
Read our full Apple 27in iMac (3.8GHz, 8-core, 10th-gen, 2020) reviewMac Pro
The Mac Pro arrived in December 2019. This was the first update to the Mac Pro since 2013 and it replaced the model that Apple had admitted was a bit of a disaster. It didn’t use those words exactly, but did concede that the current design meant the company couldn’t upgrade the machine with new components.
We were hopeful that Apple had learned from its mistakes and that the 2019 Mac Pro would meet the needs of those who require the sort of power that it offers.
It’s difficult to know whether this was the case because it is such a niche product. Unfortunately Apple hasn’t updated it since 2019 as well, which may be a point of frustration for some.
There are multiple configurations of the 2019 Mac Pro available, with up to 28-cores, up to 1.5TB RAM, up to 4TB SSD, and a configuration that features two dual graphics cards for four GPUs in total.
One major point in its favour is the fact that the Mac Pro is a modular machine – so it should meet the demands of creative pros desperate for an upgradable machine that can stand the test of time.
Of course, there is a high price for all that power: It starts at £4,499/$5,999 and a top spec Mac Pro costs a whopping £47,079/$52,199!
It’s the ultimate Mac – is it the best pro Mac? If money is no object then yes. But if you don’t need the ultimate then it might be overkill especially when you consider that you need to buy a display too (and Apple’s Pro Display XDR costs from £4,599/$4,999.)
One important thing to keep in mind is that Apple is going to update the Mac Pro in 2022. The company said that it would complete the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon within two years – so a new Mac Pro by autumn 2022 looks likely. Read about what’s expected here: Mac Pro 2022 rumours.
On the basis that a new model is likely to launch in 2022 we wouldn’t recommend buying the Mac Pro now – unless of course it’s exactly what you need. Another reason to buy a Mac Pro is if you are concerned that the new Mac Pro might not be as easily upgradable, although we have no information about whether or not that would be the case.
Read our full Mac Pro (2019) reviewBuying advice
So in conclusion, which pro Mac should you buy?
Obviously it depends on your needs. If you need a portable, the MacBook Pro is your only option. We’d recommend that you spec it up beyond what you think you need now because that will future-proof it for a few more years.
The standard 27in iMac is a good option, especially thanks to its 5K display. There are plenty of build-to-order options that should allow you to build a really powerful Mac. But of course the 27in iMac is due an update very soon, and we expect that the Apple Silicon iMac will be much better than the current model – although we don’t expect it to be as simple to upgrade.
If you need your Mac to have workstation power and a graphics card to match, then the Mac Pro may answer your needs. But it’s now quite old, having launched in 2019, and it has a high price if you really want to spec it to the max. Of course the Mac Pro will also be getting an update with Apple Silicon in 2022, and we can only anticipate the kind of power that will bring.
Unfortunately the new Mac Pro when it launches may not be as upgradable as the Mac Pro is right now though, so you may want to get your hands on one while you still can.
Author: Karen Haslam, Editor
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld almost two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.