So, Apple has a Silicon chip—the Apple M4. It’s in the Apple’s own MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac mini, MacBook Pro (base Pro) promising phenomenal performance. Sources link: [🔗Apple ]

But if your work involves video editing,

the real question is more specific: Is the base Apple M4 chip actually enough for video editing work ?

This isn’t a spec-sheet hype piece. This guide is based on real-world performance tests from professional editors. We’ll look at how the M4 handles everything from simple 4K exports to complex effects and multicam timelines in Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, data-backed answer on whether the M4 meets your needs or if you should consider an M4 Pro or Max.

The Core of the Matter: What is the Base Apple M4 Chip?

First, let’s clarify what we’re discussing. The base Apple M4 chip (not the Pro or Max) features:

A 10-core CPU (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores).

A10-core GPU.

A 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks

Support for up to 24GB of unified memory in most configurations (with 16GB being a common base).

A Media Engine that hardware-accelerates H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and AV1 codecs.

Sources link: [Editorskeys], [Laryjordan], and [Apple]

It’s designed for exceptional efficiency and strong single-core performance. But how does this translate to the messy, demanding real world of video editing?

Apple M4 chip architecture diagram showing 10-core CPU with performance and efficiency cores — Apple M4 architecture, 4 performance and 6 effeciency cores

Real-World Benchmarks: Video Editing on Apple M4

Theory is one thing, but real projects tell the true story. Based on extensive testing by professional editors, here’s how the M4 performs.

Export And Render Speed For Apple M4: The Raw Number as by Video editor

Performance varies dramatically depending on your software and project complexity. Sources link: [Laryjodan], [Laryjordan], [ProvideoCoalition],

Key Finding: For simple projects, the M4 is blisteringly fast and competitive with older Pro chips. For complex effects, GPU core count becomes critical, where the base M4 can show limitations compared to M-series Pro, Max, or Ultra chips with more GPU cores.

How the Apple M4 chip handles demanding video editing tasks: 4K rendering, complex effects, and multicam streams

Benchmark 1: Simple 4K Timeline Export

This test used a 10-minute timeline with 60 UHD ProRes clips, using only cuts, dissolves, and titles.

Export Time Comparison

What this means: For standard editing, the M4 family is in the same league as high-end chips from the last generation and is dozens of times faster than Intel Macs. The base M4 will deliver very similar performance in this kind of workflow. Sources link: [Larryjordan], [Larryjordan]

Benchmark 2: Complex Effect and Rendering

This test used a complex 10-minute project with scaling,rotation, color grading, and vignettes—tasks that heavily stress the GPU.

Render Time Comparison

What this means: When effects are involved, more GPU cores lead to faster renders. The M2 Max (with 30 GPU cores) beat the M4 Pro (with 16). The base M4, with a 10-core GPU, will be slower for these heavy tasks. Sources link: [Larryjordan], [ProvideoCoalition]

Software Factor: Not Only Apple M4

Your editing software dramatically impacts performance. Tests show Final Cut Pro is consistently the fastest and most efficient on Apple Silicon, followed by DaVinci Resolve, with Adobe Premiere Pro often lagging in optimization. Across Major

Apple M4 Across Major Editing Software:

Final Cut Pro

Note: Deeply integrated with the Media Engine for best performance.

Davinci Resolve

Note: Efficient and GPU-accelerated; a strong all-rounder.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Note: Reports of lag, low GPU usage, and instability on M4, especially in v25.3. May require rolling back software versions.

Sources link: [Larryjordan], [Spotlightfx], [Adobe], [Larryjordan]

Again same question.

Is the base Apple M4 Chip enough for you ?

The answer depends entirely on your specific workflow. Based on the evidence, here’s who the base M4 is perfect for, and who should consider a more powerful chip.

Exploded view of Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Apple Silicon showing recommended configuration for video editing, including 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt and HDMI ports.

✅ The Base M4 is an Excellent Fit If You:

Edit primarily in 4K or lower resolutions with standard codecs (H.264, HEVC, ProRes).

Work on shorter projects like social media content, YouTube videos, or corporate work.

Use Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve as your primary editor.

Don’t regularly work with complex visual effects, 8K footage, or 3D rendering.

Value portability and battery life (like in a MacBook Air) and have a moderate budget.

Sources link: [Larryjordan], [Larryjordan]

❌ Consider an M4 Pro or M4 Max If You:

Regularly work with 8K, high-frame-rate, or RAW video footage.

Need to edit complex multicam projects with more than 10-15 streams.

Heavily used effects, color grading, and animation (where more GPU cores shine).

Use Adobe Premiere Pro extensively and need the headroom to overcome its optimization issues.

Required Thunderbolt 5 connectivity or support for more than two external displays.

Sources link: [Larryjordan], [Macrumors], [Adobe], [Apple]

How to Configure Your Apple M4 for Video Editing

If you choose an Apple M4, smart configuration is key to maximizing value

Priority 1: Unified Memory (RAM)

16GB is the absolute minimum for comfortable 4K editing.

24GB is the sweet spot for most editors, providing headroom for multiple apps, effects, and better future-proofing.

Important: More RAM does not boost performance as much as more GPU cores once you have enough. Prioritize GPU upgrades over going from 24GB to 48GB of RAM.

Priority 2: Internal Storage

1TB SSD is the recommended starting point. It gives room for your OS, apps, and current project caches.

Never pay Apple’s high prices for massive internal storage. Store your media file on fast external Thunderbolt or USB-C SSDs.

Priority 3: GPU Cores

On the base M4, you often can’t upgrade the GPU. If you’re choosing between models, opting for the 10-core GPU over the 8-core is worth it for editing.

If you’re looking at M4 Pro/Max, more GPU cores will speed up rendering and effects more than almost any other upgrade.

Final Verdict for Apple M4

The base Apple M4 chip is a tremendously capable video editing chip that represents a monumental leap over any Intel-based Mac. For a significant majority of editors—particularly those using Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve with 4K media—it is not only “enough” but will provide a fantastically smooth and fast experience.

Its limitations only become apparent at the professional extremes: intensive multicam workflows, heavy effects rendering, and inefficient software like Premiere Pro. For those workflows, the additional GPU cores, memory bandwidth, and dual media engines of the M4 Pro or M4 Max are worth the investment.

Ultimately, the M4 democratizes high-performance editing. It delivers what was once high-end Pro performance into a quiet, cool, and accessible package, making it one of the most compelling values for video creators today.

Apple M4 Chip – Performance for Video Editing