Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations) vs Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations): specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: rendering and compute. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIRendering and compute
B +273.7%Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) leads in this scenario (up to 273.7% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: gaming: rasterization, gaming: ray tracing, power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations) is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) is better1
Blender Benchmark 3.2.1 273.7% faster695 samples/min vs 186 samples/min
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 273.7%
Blender Benchmark 3.2.1
GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations)185.8 samples/minApple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations)694.5 samples/minPosition among tested models (3, Metal)
A · 186B · 6950200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) is ahead by 273.7% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations)
185.8 samples/min · community measurement, sample 21 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 21 submissions (5 outliers excluded), interquartile range 169.23–206.06; submissions 2022-07-16 to 2023-06-30; METAL backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations)
694.5 samples/min · community measurement, sample 49 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 49 submissions (14 outliers excluded), interquartile range 689.13–698.57; submissions 2022-07-12 to 2024-03-08; METAL backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Other comparable benchmarks (1)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 192.8 | 696.6 | B +261.2% |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Reference results (2)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 3.1.2GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 184.7 | 696.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.0GPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom (OptiX / HIP / oneAPI / Metal) | 197.2 | 691.2 | reference |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations) | B · Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | |||
| GPU chip | Apple M1 | Apple M1 Max | differs |
| Architecture | Apple Silicon | Apple Silicon | equal |
| Memory | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | Unified memory | equal |
Chip
GPU chip
AApple M1
BApple M1 Max
differsArchitecture
AApple Silicon
BApple Silicon
equal
Memory
Memory type
AUnified memory
BUnified memory
equal
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Which is faster: Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations) or Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations)?
Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations) leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: rendering and compute. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (2)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M1 (GPU, various configurations), specifications of Apple M1 Max (GPU, various configurations)checked November 14, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.1.2, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.