Apple introduces M4 chip

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Where M4 Ships and Roadmap Speculation

  • M4 debuts only in the new iPad Pro; Macs remain on M2/M3 for now.
  • Many expect M4-based MacBook Air/Pro, Mac mini, Studio/Pro later this year, possibly around WWDC.
  • Several comments tie the fast move from M3→M4 to TSMC’s shift from problematic N3 to cheaper, higher‑yield N3E.

Performance, Efficiency, and Marketing Claims

  • Apple claims: ~1.5× CPU vs iPad M2, 2× performance per watt vs M2, and big Neural Engine gains.
  • Some see this as in line with industry efficiency trends; others view Apple’s charts and selective M2 comparisons (not M3) as classic marketing spin.
  • Many note unchanged “up to 10 hours” battery spec, inferring CPU savings are spent on the new OLED display and thinness, not runtime.

iPadOS Limitations and macOS Wishes

  • Large contingent calls iPadOS “gimped”/“toy-like” relative to the hardware; main asks: macOS dual‑boot, real dev tools (Xcode, terminal, virtualization), or at least better multitasking.
  • Others argue the iPad excels as an “appliance” for drawing, music, media, and focused work, and that desktop UIs on touch are inherently poor.
  • Skepticism that Apple will ever allow macOS or full Unix-style access, for both UX and business/segmentation reasons.

Memory, Storage, and Product Segmentation

  • iPad Pro M4 ships with 8 GB RAM on 256/512 GB models, 16 GB on 1/2 TB, plus a core disabled on lower tiers.
  • Many criticize tying RAM to storage and 8 GB on a “Pro” device; others note most users won’t hit that limit.
  • Explanations offered: logistics/SKU simplification, yield salvage, and deliberate price discrimination/“ladder” to push buyers up.

AI, Neural Engine, and “AI PC” Comparisons

  • Apple touts 38 TOPS and “most powerful Neural Engine” vs current “AI PCs”.
  • Some clarify this targets integrated NPUs in Intel/AMD laptop SoCs, not discrete GPUs like RTX 4090, which still dominate raw AI throughput.
  • Broad agreement that Apple is leaning into on‑device inference as part of a privacy/latency story; others see “privacy‑first” as partly marketing and note lack of transparency.

Use Cases and Value of iPad Pro vs Macs

  • Many commenters can’t justify upgrading from older iPads (even pre‑M1) because their usage is mostly video, reading, light note‑taking.
  • Others report iPad Pros are excellent for digital art, music production, and some video workflows, where extra GPU/CPU and RAM matter.
  • A recurring tension: for people who need Xcode, terminals, VMs, or serious dev tools, a MacBook is still mandatory, making the iPad an expensive secondary device.

Battery, Displays, Environment, and Repair

  • Thread notes display and radios, not CPU, dominate light‑use power; OLED can save power on dark content but may draw more at high brightness.
  • Efficiency gains are praised for aggregate energy savings, though some expect them to be “spent” on brighter screens and thinness rather than dramatically longer battery life.
  • Concerns raised about soldered components, limited repair paths, and devices becoming e‑waste when logic boards or single USB‑C ports fail.