can-i-run-this-llm

GPU comparison

MacBook Air/Pro M4 (16GB) vs MacBook Pro M4 Pro (48GB) for local LLMs

How the two stack up for running open-source LLMs locally — memory, bandwidth, price, and how many of the 48 tracked models each one can run.

MacBook Air/Pro M4 (16GB)MacBook Pro M4 Pro (48GB)
Memory16.0 GB48.0 GB
Bandwidth120 GB/s273 GB/s
Price (approx)$1,199$2,399
LLMs it runs19 of 4836 of 48
Best model it runsDevstral Small 2 24B · 8–12 tok/sGemma 4 31B · 11–16 tok/s

The MacBook Pro M4 Pro (48GB) runs 17 more of the tracked models (36 vs 19), thanks to its 48.0 GB of memory. The MacBook Pro M4 Pro (48GB) has more memory bandwidth (273 GB/s), so it generates tokens faster at the same model and quant.

What the MacBook Air/Pro M4 (16GB) runs →What the MacBook Pro M4 Pro (48GB) runs →Open the calculator →