MacBook Pro (M4 Max)
Apple · High-end
The laptop route into local AI. An M4 Max MacBook Pro pairs a capable GPU with a single pool of unified memory, so a large share of the machine's memory can hold a model. Configurable from 36GB up to 128GB, it runs mid-sized and, at the top configuration, large models on the move, though more slowly than a discrete GPU.
Specifications
| Unified memory | 48GB |
|---|---|
| Memory bandwidth | 546 GB/s |
| Type | complete machine |
Cost is driven by the memory configuration, which rises steeply on Apple Silicon, and by it being a laptop. The 128GB option in particular costs considerably more than the base memory. Check current pricing and configurations.
MacBook Pro (M4 Max): common questions
- What models can the MacBook Pro (M4 Max) run?
- With 48GB of unified memory it can run models up to roughly 77B parameters at a 4-bit quantisation, or smaller models with more context. Use the hardware matrix for specifics; these figures are approximate.
Strengths
- The only genuinely portable way to hold large models, through unified memory
- The 128GB configuration runs models a 24GB discrete card cannot
- Quiet and efficient, with strong memory bandwidth for a laptop
Weaknesses
- Generation is slower than a fast discrete desktop GPU at similar memory
- Memory is fixed at purchase, so buy for the models you intend to run
- Sustained heavy inference on battery drains it quickly and throttles under heat
Featured in builds
Entry last verified 19 August 2026. Specifications and especially prices change; verify before buying.