M4 MacBook Air Benchmark Suggests GPU on Par With M4 iPad Pro

Graphics benchmarks for Apple's upcoming MacBook Air models with M4 processors have surfaced on Geekbench, providing insight into the GPU performance of Apple's second-generation 3-nanometer chips compared to the existing M3 models. A Geekbench 6 result listing for a "Mac16,12" was recorded on February 23, featuring a 10-core chip and 24GB of RAM, running a special build of macOS Sequoia 15.2. This suggests the benchmark is legitimate, as it matches the same version that Apple accidentally released in December, confirming the existence of next-generation 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. The machine recorded a Metal score of 55,516, similar to the scores of the existing 13-inch M4 iPad Pro. In comparison, the existing M3 MacBook Air averages a Metal score of around 48-49,000. The lack of fans in both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro explains the similar graphics performance. An M4 MacBook Pro with fans, on the other hand, can average around 57,000 on the same benchmark. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing for a March launch of new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, featuring the new M4 chip but no other significant revisions. Gurman has previously stated that the new models will be released "within weeks." The new MacBook Air models are expected to be announced soon, with no significant changes apart from the upgraded M4 chip.