can-i-run-this-llm

GPU comparison

MacBook Pro / Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB) vs MacBook Pro / Mac mini M5 Pro (48GB) for local LLMs

How the two stack up for running open-source LLMs locally — memory, bandwidth, price, and how many of the 64 tracked models each one can run.

MacBook Pro / Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB)MacBook Pro / Mac mini M5 Pro (48GB)
Memory24.0 GB48.0 GB
Bandwidth273 GB/s307 GB/s
Price (approx)$1,999$2,299
LLMs it runs45 of 6449 of 64
Best model it runsQwen3.8 27B · 12–19 tok/sQwen3.8 27B · 14–21 tok/s

The MacBook Pro / Mac mini M5 Pro (48GB) runs 4 more of the tracked models (49 vs 45), thanks to its 48.0 GB of memory. The MacBook Pro / Mac mini M5 Pro (48GB) has more memory bandwidth (307 GB/s), so it generates tokens faster at the same model and quant.

What the MacBook Pro / Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB) runs →What the MacBook Pro / Mac mini M5 Pro (48GB) runs →Open the calculator →