Apple M4 Max (128GB) vs Apple M1 Ultra (128GB)
Side-by-side local AI comparison: VRAM, memory bandwidth, model compatibility, and estimated tokens per second across 110 open-weight models.
Quick verdict
Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) is faster for local AI inference, but only on memory bandwidth (46.5% more). Both GPUs have 128 GB VRAM and run the exact same 81 models natively; neither fits anything the other can't.
Specs comparison
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (128GB) | Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 128 GB unified | 128 GB unified |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5 |
| Bandwidth | 546 GB/s | 800 GB/s(+47%) |
| CPU cores | 16 (12P + 4E) | 20 (16P + 4E) |
| Architecture | Apple M4 Max | Apple M1 Ultra |
| Backend | METAL | METAL |
| Tier | Laptop | Workstation |
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Models (native) | 81 | 81 |
Estimated tokens per second
Computed from memory bandwidth and model active-parameter weight. Assumes model fits natively in VRAM.
| Model | Apple M4 Max (128GB) | Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama 3.3 70B Instruct(70B) | 5.7 t/s(Q8_0) | 8.3 t/s(Q8_0) | -31% |
| Qwen 3.6 27B(27B) | 8 t/s(BF16) | 11.7 t/s(BF16) | -32% |
| Llama 3.1 8B Instruct(8B) | 25.6 t/s(BF16) | 37.5 t/s(BF16) | -32% |
| Qwen 2.5 7B Instruct(7.6B) | 27.9 t/s(BF16) | 40.8 t/s(BF16) | -32% |
Delta is Apple M4 Max (128GB) relative to Apple M1 Ultra (128GB), compared at the highest quantization that fits natively on both cards.
Only Apple M4 Max (128GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) can run everything Apple M4 Max (128GB) can.
Only Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) can run(0)
No exclusive models: Apple M4 Max (128GB) can run everything Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) can.
Both run natively(81)
These models fit in VRAM on both GPUs. Bandwidth determines which runs them faster.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 284B48.7 t/svs58.8 t/s
- Qwen3 235B-A22B (MoE)23 t/svs27.6 t/s
- MiniMax M2.5 229B36.9 t/svs43.8 t/s
- MiniMax M2.7 229B36.9 t/svs43.8 t/s
- Step 3.7 Flash39.3 t/svs48.7 t/s
- Step 3.5 Flash39.3 t/svs48.7 t/s
- Qwen3.8-Flash-Next56.7 t/svs65 t/s
- Mixtral 8x22B Instruct v0.112.5 t/svs17.1 t/s
- Mistral Medium 3.5 128B4.6 t/svs6.8 t/s
- Ornith 1.5 122B (MoE)33.5 t/svs42.2 t/s
- Qwen 3.5 122B-A10B (MoE)33.5 t/svs42.2 t/s
- Nemotron 3 Super 120B24.1 t/svs29.1 t/s
- Nemotron 3.5 Super VL 120B-A12B23.8 t/svs28.7 t/s
- GPT-OSS 120B54.9 t/svs66.9 t/s
- Llama 4 Scout 109B18 t/svs22.9 t/s
- GLM-4.5 Air 106B27.6 t/svs35.8 t/s
- +65 more on both
Which should you choose?
- • You want the newer architecture and longer driver support lifecycle
- • Faster token generation is the priority
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better for local AI, the Apple M4 Max (128GB) or Apple M1 Ultra (128GB)?
- For local AI inference, the Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) has the edge. It offers 128 GB VRAM (vs 128 GB) and 800 GB/s bandwidth (vs 546 GB/s), letting it run 81 models natively in VRAM vs 81 for its rival.
- How much VRAM does the Apple M4 Max (128GB) have vs the Apple M1 Ultra (128GB)?
- The Apple M4 Max (128GB) has 128 GB of LPDDR5X at 546 GB/s. The Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) has 128 GB of LPDDR5 at 800 GB/s. Both GPUs have the same VRAM amount; bandwidth determines which generates tokens faster.
- Can the Apple M4 Max (128GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The Apple M4 Max (128GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q8_0 quantization at approximately 5.7 tokens per second.
- Can the Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) run Llama 3.3 70B?
- Yes. The Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) runs Llama 3.3 70B natively at Q8_0 quantization at approximately 8.3 tokens per second.
- What is the difference between the Apple M4 Max (128GB) and Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) for AI?
- The key difference for AI inference is VRAM and memory bandwidth. The Apple M4 Max (128GB) has 128 GB VRAM at 546 GB/s (METAL backend). The Apple M1 Ultra (128GB) has 128 GB VRAM at 800 GB/s (METAL backend). VRAM determines which models fit; bandwidth determines tokens per second. The Apple M4 Max (128GB) runs 81 models natively vs 81 for the Apple M1 Ultra (128GB).